140 Years Ago - 1884

Last Saturday night, somebody took great pains in completely daubing a new lumber wagon with black paint, which stood in the street opposite the barber shop in Jeffersonville, causing the owner considerable trouble to remove the paint from the box, wheels and other parts of the wagon where it had been smeared by the dauber. The gent who follows such malicious practices ought to be caught while performing such work, and pretty severely bit.

“Old Pet” is the name of a venerable and dignified family horse belonging to a man near Woodbourne, who has, for many years, considered it beneath her dignity to go faster than a walk, but she was thrown from her equilibrium one day last week by the music of musicians, who, with their various instruments, so astonished the horse that she forgot the dignity of years and the fatigue of a daily journey to the milk station with milk, and with the spirit of a colt, shot up the street, throwing milk cans and man promiscuously from the wagon, luckily with no bad results.

Theo. Bird is taking considerable pains in beautifying the ballroom of the Eagle Hotel. All hands better go to see it when Homer has the next ball.

John C. Smith assists Polk Reynolds in refitting the grist mill. Polk talks of building a better mill here than the one he built in Livingston Manor. Polk is probably as good a millwright as there is in the state, and he associates first class workmen with him in his work.

130 Years Ago - 1894

A writer in commenting on the finding of a copper cup by two boys from Narrowsburg, and which from the letters, “T.Q.,” is supposed to have belonged to Tom Quick, says: “Last summer a knife near Lanesboro bearing the initials ‘J.C.’ is supposed to have belonged to Julius Caesar.”

Herman Osterhout, who now stands indicted for the murders at Bushville, seems to be trying to work up an insanity dodge.

Constables Will Miller and Hank Wagner came into town with a drove of prisoners which they gathered up at Fosterdale on warrants secured by George Wormuth of that place. They were all young men past the state of minority, well-known residents of Fosterdale, and were “hauled up” for nobody knows what. Somehow or other the windows in the old house of Wormuth’s were smashed one night last week. When all parties appeared without counsel before Justice Glassel in this village, “nary a man” knew anything about the mischief and that was the end of the school by trial.

A party was held at Jacob Wingert’s house (now owned by Gus Schmidt) and was pretty well attended. Girls and boys plodded through the rain, mud and darkness to take in the dance by lantern light. J.C. Abplanalp and Fred Bietz furnished the music. Hank Krenrich was floor manager and had for his assistants, Phil Bietz and Johnnie Eggler. The hat was passed and the price of two kegs of beer readily secured. Charlie Heidt acted as mien host at the faucet.

The mudpuddle from the stone bridge to the tinsmith shop has been obliterated by filling in with ground taken from the rear of John Glassel’s house. There are other spots on Main Street just as much in need of filling.

120 Years Ago - 1904

Charles Otis Segar of Jeffersonville and Miss Anna Lenora Laird of North Bergen, N.J., were married last evening at the home of the bride. Their future home will be in Jeffersonville where Mr. Segar has bought a lot and will build a house.

The Ellenville Press says, Harry Warren of Centerville Station was married a few weeks ago to a New York woman, in answer to an advertisement. Saturday a man came up and made inquiries about Warren and asked if he was married. He claimed that Mrs. Warren was his wife and upon her refusal to return, spread rumors about town. Wednesday morning she returned to the city with the man. Reports say that Harry Warren got $200 and let his wife go with the fellow.

There will be no further appeal in the case of Mrs. Kate Taylor, convicted of murder in the first degree. The expense to Sullivan County for the trial will reach nearly $9,000.

George J. Yager has given up the well project on his Chapel Street lot, after driving thirty feet and striking quick sand. He has made arrangements to connect with H.A. Meyer’s service pipe, and take water from the village.

A band of gypsies went east through town, the same parties that were around last year. There are two men, a woman, three wagons, six horses, a couple of dogs and a mule.

110 Years Ago - 1914

While Rudy Winand and wife of Hurleyville were returning from a pleasure ride, an automobile came up from behind and struck their wagon. Mrs. Winand was thrown out, striking her shoulder. The baby, two years old, was thrown under the horses’ feet. Its little foot caught in the debris of the broken wheel and dragged the child some distance. It was a miracle the child was not trampled to death. The rest of the family were uninjured.

Hotel Wawanda, the largest summer boarding house in this part of the state and overlooking the village of Liberty, burned by fire of unknown origin. Firemen were powerless to control the blaze.

At a special meeting in School District No. 7 of Delaware lower Beechwoods, the proposition carried with but one dissenting vote, thirty-three voting for it. The new building will be put up this summer and will be a modern one.

In the completion of fifty years of happy wedding life, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Mall can truly say, “Our cup runneth over.” They have been blessed with six children, all of whom are happily married, and were, with their families, at the celebration which took place at their pleasant home.

Dr. Schonger of North Branch and town health officer, removed the quarantine from the Ruh family at Youngsville, where there was a case of scarlet fever. Dr. Schonger also looked over the sanitary conditions of this village. He recommended a public dumping ground for this place where all garbage and refuse could be deposited and burned.

Gus Hubert and bride, who were married in the city last week, arrived at the home of his father, Peter Hubert. Monday night they were serenaded by the village boys. Gus has leased rooms in John Reyman’s house on Maple Avenue where he and his wife will start housekeeping.

100 Years Ago - 1924

Miss Martha Scheidell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Val Scheidell of Jeffersonville, was graduated this week from the Scranton Extension of the University after a three-year course in finance and commerce.

The marriage of Bertha Schmidt, formerly of Jeffersonville, and Floyd Heinle of Cochecton Center took place May 30th at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Hemmer in Brooklyn.

White Sulphur Springs — While on his way to get his brother, who is employed as a carpenter in Jeff, James Cox of Briscoe suddenly found that something was wrong with his car. He stopped near the cottage of Mrs. Mary Cross to investigate and found that the axle had broken. The Ford must have decided it needed a bath, as suddenly it ran across Mrs. Cross’ lawn right down and into the brook. Fenelon Hill, who lives nearby and is always a good samaritan, brought his mules to haul the Ford out, but notwithstanding much coaxing, Jack and Jimmie refused to  pull it out. By this time quite a crowd had gathered and each man put his shoulder to the wheel and pushed Ford, mules and all out of the stream.

As Merel Scheidell was driving a Ford sedan up South Main St., the car hit Edwin, the eight-year-old son of John A. Ahnstrom, who lives below Jeff. The lad was going home from school with other children who were chasing each other in play. As the car came along at a moderate gait, the boy suddenly emerged from behind a telephone pole at J.S. Diehl’s house and ran in front of the car. Dr. Gain could find no injuries aside from scratches and bruises on the head and body.

90 Years Ago - 1934

William H. Baum, who leased the Delaware Inn of Joseph Brownstein this past year, has completed the negotiations for the purchase of the Grange Hall on Main Street and is now having the place remodeled for the opening of a restaurant about June 15. The second floor will be used for living quarters for the Baum family in Jeff.

The proposition to adopt daylight saving time in the incorporated village of Jeffersonville was again voted down at a special election.

George H. Metzger has sold the homestead of seventy acres in the Beechwoods, which has been in the family for over seventy years, to his neighbor, John B. Krantz. Mr. Krantz keeps the upper half of the farm with the buildings, known as the Ruh lot, and sells the lower half, known as the Staubel lot, to Carl Stecker, whose land joins the latter lot.

The Jeffersonville Board of Education, after a busy session with several candidates, contracted with Leon Westfall of Newark Valley to become principal of the school next year, to succeed Rhoderic Lee Lacy.

The Sullivan County grand jury on May 31 returned indictments against five former officers and directors of the Title and Mortgage Guarantee Co. of Sullivan County, for fraudulent issue of stocks and bonds and false advertising as to securities.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Schadt and Miss Martha Scheidell left for Albany this morning to attend the graduation exercises this evening of the former’s son, Fred W.V. Schadt, at the Albany Law School.

80 Years Ago - 1944

Wm. Grishaber, son of Herbert W. Grishaber of Jeffersonville, is a seaman on the U.S. carrier Tuscaloosa, one of the ships which took part in the invasion Tuesday.

Every place in Liberty was closed Tuesday at 2 p.m. for special prayer services at the school building for the success of the invasion.

A deer made a bold venture onto the lawn of the Lutheran Church in Jeffersonville about 2:30 Tuesday afternoon. That, we believe, is the first time in many years that a live deer has been seen so close to the center of the village.

One branch of the Eggler family held their annual reunion at the Anderson farm on Swiss Hill where they picnicked outdoors in ideal weather.

A temporary increase in the maximum price for milk was sold at wholesale and retail in the Catskill Mountain resort area, and was announced by O.P.A. regional administrator Daniel Woodly. The adjustment in price was necessary to assure a supply of wholesome pasteurized milk for an estimated two million persons who come to the area during the summer months. The retail price is sixteen cents in Sullivan County except for the villages of Liberty and Monticello which have a fifteen cent maximum price.

Saturday night a birthday party was given at the James Manzolillo home in honor of their son, Anthony. All enjoyed refreshments and games and a first class beauty contest and strip tease act put on by Libby and Cono Manzolillo and Henry and Steve Schwartz.

70 Years Ago - 1954

Seymour Paget, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Wood of Jeff, has won a special work scholarship in management training at the Bayonne Naval Supply Depot. He is the first Civil Service employee at the depot to receive this honor.

About thirty members of the Concordia Singing Society of New York will enjoy an outing at the Lake Jefferson Hotel this weekend. The society in former years came to Callicoon Center for such outings.

Edwin A. Brand, age 87, last night was given the 50-year membership medal by Callicoon Lodge F&AM.

Now playing at the Maple Theatre, Keefe Brasselle in “The Eddie Cantor Story.”

Helen Shaara celebrated her 5th birthday last Tuesday with a party of little folks at her home. Mrs. Shaara served cake and ice cream.

The following from Boy Scout Troop 106 of Jeffersonville will receive awards: Second Class - David Doetsch, Ted Kutschera, Richard Miller, Alfred Steppich, Tom Puerschner; First Class: Raymond Schlott.

Edward Meckel and a friend of Washington, D.C., both Marines stationed on the carrier Coral Sea, spent Tuesday night at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Short of North Branch. On Thursday the Coral Sea left New York for Florida. 

60 Years Ago - 1964

The fifty-eighth annual commencement ceremonies were held at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon on June 1. St. Joseph’s is a preparatory school for aspirants to the priesthood in the Franciscan Order and has both high school and junior college departments.

A dinner to honor Kenneth C. Fuller for thirty-seven years of dedicated service to the youth of Jeffersonville-Youngsville Central School area will be held on June 14. 

The Board of Trustees of Sullivan County Community College has received a gift of $500,000 from the Grover M. Hermann Foundation toward the development of the permanent campus and the buildings of the college.

Edward Donald Miller, son of Dr. and Mrs. Edward Miller of Jeffersonville, received his Medical Degree June 2, 1964, at commencement ceremonies held at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

50 Years Ago - 1974

An impressive highlight of the Centennial Celebration of St. James  Episcopal Church of Callicoon on Saturday afternoon was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on the grounds of the Delaware Youth Center. The Right Rev. Paul Moore Jr., Diocesan Bishop of New York, was among the celebrated guests present to help in the celebration.

Deborah Kathleen Walter became the bride of Kerry Nickou of Liberty at the Callicoon Methodist Church on June 1. Rev. Donald Walter, father of the bride, performed the ceremony.

Miss Kathleen Pfeifer of Obernburg became the bride of Robert Schaefer of Jeffersonville on May 18 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church in Obernburg.

Randy Mills and Pete Gebelein placed in the high jump and pole vault, qualifying them to advance to the State Qualifying Meet on May 30 at Nanuet. They will represent the DVCS track team.

A check for $610 was presented by Richard H. Yaun, president of the Liberty Lions Club, to go toward the Sullivan County Community College Scholarship Fund at the May meeting of the club held at the Red Barn in Swan Lake. This is the eighth consecutive year in which the Lions Club has donated funds to the college’s scholarship fund.

40 Years Ago - 1984

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Kent of RD 2, Narrowsburg, on May 27, 1984, at the Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pa.

Representative Matthew F. McHugh, (D-28), came to Sullivan County Wednesday and told a group of supporters that he will seek re-election this November to a 6th term against his Republican opponent, former Assemblywoman Constance E. Cook of Ithaca.

On March 16, 1964, Hermann Hall was opened to the community and recently celebrated its 20th anniversary of service to the Delaware Valley citizens. A recent skate-a-thon raised over $5,000 toward the upkeep of the building. The building is the home of the Delaware Valley Senior Citizens, Boy and Girl Scouts and Weight Watchers, as well as a place for gymnastics for pre-schoolers through 1st grade. It is the setting for many banquets for various organizations in the area, being able to easily hold 250 diners and still provide a place for dancing. Regular roller skating is scheduled and is a popular event.

The Delaware Valley Job Corps Center in Callicoon will celebrate its 5th anniversary on June 8 and 9 with an open house.

Eighty-six 1983 and 249 1984 graduates participated in commencement exercises Sunday at Sullivan County Community College (SCCC) in Loch Sheldrake. The 20th SCCC commencement included speakers such as Trustee Harold Diamond, College President Dr. John F. Walter and John F. Gallagher, who is vice president of SCCC and dean of faculty. Penny Zeininger of Neversink and Anne M. Tully of Monticello were co-valedictorians. There was no salutatorian this year.

The Delaware Eagles, under the pitching talents of Morgan Mitterwager, captured the Class D title, defeating Livingston Manor Bears 7-1 on Friday, but the next day, fell to Marlboro in the C-D game, by a score of 4-1.

30 Years Ago - 1994

 At the Memorial Day parade held in Fremont Center, a float, sponsored by St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg and conceived by Bill Brustman, paid homage to  those who died in World War II fifty years ago. It was awarded a first place trophy. Second place was awarded to the Moo Juicers 4-H Club for their float depicting Iwo Jima and the first time an American flag flew over Japanese territory  (February 23, 1945). Senator Charles Cook was the guest speaker at the ceremonies held after the parade.

The North Branch Firemen’s Auxiliary celebrated its 50th anniversary with an open house at the firehouse on June 5. 

Delaware Valley’s Bob Benson sent the discus 150 feet 10 inches to capture the Western Sullivan League championship. He won the sectionals  on Friday with a heave of 140 feet 11 inches.

Four hundred graduates (from classes of December 1993 to June 1994) were awarded degrees at the 30th commencement of Sullivan County Community College, held at the SCCC Fieldhouse. Thomas Ziegler of Callicoon was valedictorian.

Monica Gonzales of Liberty captured the Miss Sullivan Teenager title at the pageant held at the Villa Roma Resort in Callicoon. She will compete in the Miss New York State Teen pageant which will be held in Norwich August 24-27. Christina Howe of Grahamsville was judged as 1994 Miss Pre-Teen and the Young Miss crown went to five-year-old Heather Ackermann of Cochecton.

Rebecca Sykes has been named Sullivan County Dairy Maid for 1994. Being too young at the age of 14 to be considered for Dairy Princess, she has volunteered to be a spokesman for the Sullivan County Dairy Princess Promotion Committee.

Jacob “Jack” Aks of Monticello, a longtime attorney and active member of the Sullivan County Democratic party, died June 3 at the age of 87. He practiced law in Monticello until well into his mid-80s.

20 Years Ago - 2004

Legislators may raise the tipping fees at the Sullivan County Landfill from $55 to $75 per ton for regular waste and by more than $75 for a total of $125 per ton of construction and development waste.

The Sullivan County Dairy Promotion Committee met for its annual banquet Friday at the Rockland House in Roscoe, where members and special guest judges Dan Slaherty, Colleen McKeon and Glenn Osterhout named the new Sullivan County Dairy Princess and her court. Christine Panos, 17, was named the new dairy princess.

On Sunday, June 6, twins Helen Hughson and Hazel Hull celebrated their 85th birthday. The daughters of Arnold and Ruth Thony, they were born in Jeffersonville.

The Windsor Hotel in South Fallsburg was reduced to ashes last Friday as a fire tore through the Kiryas Joel-owned facility. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Michael Gilberg, a 2003 graduate of Fallsburg Central School, is spending this baseball season as a bat boy for the New York Mets.

10 Years Ago - 2014

Monticello special education teacher Amy Ross wanted to do something for the kids she teaches. Ross teamed up with fellow teachers Eric Mabee and Tiffany Ferris and the Monticello Awesome Alliances Field Day was born. More than 50 Monticello High School students assembled in teams of two on the school’s football field and in its gymnasium to share in a day of fun and to compete as equals in various athletic events and challenges. Teams chose three out of seven possible events – kickball, basketball, home run derby, soccer, relay race, ping pong and water balloon toss – in which to participate. The goal for Awesome Alliances was to pair special needs students with a more able bodied partner in different physical activities for kids to see that though they may be different in some ways, they are very much the same in many other ways.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and Sullivan Renaissance thanked a variety of BOCES students recently for their assistance in building CCE’s greenhouse, high tunnel and community kitchen. A pizza party was held inside the new greenhouse, where Renaissance’s flowers had been housed all winter. 

The Sullivan West Gridiron Club held a successful fundraiser on June 1, serving 300 chicken barbecue dinners. Team members  are Rich Shevak, Brian Stauch, Tyler Davis, Devin Creegan, Andrew Stabbert and Anthony Rydell.