140 Years Ago - 1885

The Callicoon correspondent of the Press says, “A new local paper has been started in this village. It is edited by the school teacher and called the Callicoon Valley Times. Its columns are both interesting and amusing.” We are anxious to see a copy of the new paper, but up to this time we have failed to receive one. (Editor’s note from the Sullivan County Record.)

Webster Sherwood has been putting a wire fence around his grove in front of the Mansion House.

W. Grishaber, our genial tinsmith, has rented the tools and tin shop of Mrs. A. Schad at Callicoon,and will be there to do business on Saturday of each week.

It has been published that A. Holister will commence running a market wagon the first of May, starting in Jeffersonville on Monday. Wonder if the first of May comes four days later this year, in order to accommodate Mr. Holister.

130 Years Ago - 1895

There is much significance in the recent passage of a law in Pennsylvania removing the obligation of witnesses in law suits to “Kiss the book” when they are sworn. The statute seems to have been enacted in the interest of cleanliness more than any other reason.

Gov. Morton signed on Monday the bill raising the consent to marry age in this state from 16 to 18.

Herman Laugherman of Youngsville recently lost three cows, which he claims died from poisoning. Last week a cow, belonging to Jacob Menges of that place, died. It is supposed from the same cause.

Married April 29, at the home of the bride, Mrs. Caroline Empf to Henry D. Skinner, both of Cochecton Center.

M.D. Stevens of New York has sold the Stevensville Lake property, including the houses and grist mill, to Alden Swan, a prominent merchant of New York, and formerly tax collector of Brooklyn and treasurer of the Brooklyn Bridge.

J.C. Abplanalp has purchased of Simon Diehl the Strong lot of two and one-half acres, lying between the premises of Thomas Gurd and John Glassel.

Stage driver Peter Hubert is naturally a pretty happy and hilarious individual, and you can always hear him coming a mile away. But Lord! hear him warble now. Another young mail carrier, which makes about ‘teenth, arrived at his place on Monday, and now Peter can be heard two miles off.

Frank Lobert is putting up a good sized pavilion on the east side of his store on Main Street, where he will serve ice cream and other refreshments during the hot summer months.

120 Years Ago - 1905

William Huff will open a meat market at Fremont Center.

Henry Pfeiffer, a retired New York policeman, has bought of Charles Geib the Charles Fisher farm in the Beechwoods, for $21.50. Mr. Pfeiffer will build a new house and make it his permanent home. He and his family were summer guests at Allgeier’s.

Will Neagle and his brother-in-law, H. Revoir, got into one of their periodical scrapes and Bill alleges that Revoir shot at him three times without hitting him. Revoir then said au revoir, but not goodbye, and returned to the Neagle home the next day.

Knell and Durr of the Mansion House have had a handsome bar and fixtures placed in their cafe, the best and most complete in fact in this section.

John Reinheimer and Miss Ida Sander of Sixteen were married at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Sander at six o’clock Sunday evening. 

Charles W. Wilfert is tearing part of his large barn down, and will add another  story to his home, to increase the accommodations.

John Zimmerman of Long Eddy and Henry Engert of Fremont Center have purchased of the executors the Delaware House livery at Callicoon Depot, owned and conducted by the late Balser Brandt.

110 Years Ago - 1915

A very happy but quiet wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Bennedum Jr. at Lake Huntington yesterday morning when their daughter and only child, Ethel Elizabeth, was given in marriage to Theodore A. Scissen of White Plains.

Peter Wegman, on the Gildt farm in the Beechwoods, has sold to Jacob Harth of Brooklyn, for $1500, one-half of the forty-acre farm and one-half of the buildings thereon.

Acting in the petition of the Board of Education and the citizens of the Jeffersonville school district, Charles S. Hick, school superintendent of the second district of Sullivan County, and Frederick J. Lewis, superintendent of the first district, on Monday issued an order dissolving the Delaware School District No. 4, the Faubel and the Swiss Hill district and consolidating them with the Jeffersonville district.

Superintendent Lewis issued an order dissolving four school districts in the town of Liberty and consolidating them with the White Sulphur Springs district.

Next Tuesday night at Callicoon Center the amateur thespians of that place will produce the five-act drama, “Tony, the Convict” at Steinhauser’s Hall for the benefit of the home fire department.

Dr. Mayer of Callicoon and Dr. LaValley of Jeffersonville on Saturday operated on the left leg of Oscar Sander at the home of his father, Jacob Sander, on Sixteen.

100 Years Ago - 1925

Sullivan County has the unenviable reputation of being the poorest assessed county in the state and this condition has been retained for years. The Board of Supervisors does not claim for any town a higher rate than 32 percent, and its rates average down to 19 percent.

Further hearings in the action for an accounting brought against the Callicoon Cooperative Dairy Association by former farmer-patrons in this vicinity are being held at Callicoon this week by Joseph Merritt of Goshen as referee.

The state highway department has purchased of J.O. Gedney the stone quarry at the turn in the road the other side of the Gedney House between Kenoza Lake and Fosterdale.

The store property on Maple Avenue, lately owned and operated by William Goldberg, was sold at mortgage sale on Saturday to Mrs. Samuel Katz, who held a claim against it.

Work has been started on the new Indian Orchard-Narrowsburg road. At the present time an eighteen-ton steam shovel is working at Indian Orchard and will soon start at work at the Narrowsburg end.

The increase in the wholesale butter, eggs and cheese business of the George F. Wagner Co. has compelled them to move from 189 Deane St., New York City, to larger quarters at 161 Chambers Street. Mr. Wagner, the head of the firm, is a native of Callicoon Center and has made great success in the produce commission business.

90 Years Ago - 1935

Mr. and Mrs. John Traynor are the proud parents of a baby girl, Marcia Lou, born May 21 at the Callicoon Hospital.

Judge Foster of the Supreme Court last week awarded Mrs. Catherine Gedney, aged 70, of Jeffersonville, a judgment for $5,754.54 against the First National Bank of Jeffersonville. J. Ostrum Gedney, Joseph Welch, the Callicoon National Bank, John S. Sutliff and Minna Williams.

About thirty ladies formed a surprise miscellaneous shower at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schmidt for their daughter, Henrietta, now Mrs. Joseph K. Strawbridge.

Henry Stephenson last week sold his 95-acre farm at Hurd, the homestead of his father, the late Hugh Stephenson, to Louis Sanftleben of Maspeth,L.I., who, with his wife and son, will take possession this week.

James Braddock, the Jersey City dock freight handler who aspires to the heavyweight pugilistic crown, spent his summer vacation a few years ago at Fred Norr’s home in Youngsville.

The bottled gas price war seems to have gone into another armistice and the price has been raised from $7 per 100 lbs. to $8.

Peter Wagner, who lives on the Callicoon road, about three miles from this village, was burning rubbish in his yard when the fire he thought was out started up anew and spread to the barn, ice house and chicken house, all of which were destroyed.

Miss Mildred Hornung of Hortonville and Harold Sommers of Bethel were married at St. Joseph’s Church in Mongaup Valley Easter Sunday.

A daughter, Mary Etta, was born at the Callicoon Hospital April 23 to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Buddenhagen of Hortonville – their first born.

80 Years Ago - 1945

Mrs. John Kehrley (Charlotte Huggler) last Saturday received a telegraphic invitation from the commanding officer of Fort Benning, Ga., to be one of fourteen mothers chosen as guests at ceremonies celebrating Mother’s Day there from May 11-14.

Mrs. Edith Garreis has sold her home in the Delaware section of this village to Fred Miller of the Beechwoods. Mr. and Mrs. Miller (Katherine Reum) hope to dispose of their farm and boarding house, which they have operated for 28 years.

Recently Cpl. Ray Moran of below this village and PFC Donald Krantz, Beechwoods, met in Burma. Ray has been in India over two years and Donald over a year.

70 Years Ago - 1955

Delaware Valley Central School bus No. 9 was slightly damaged Tuesday morning on Route 97 west of Long Eddy when it was rammed in the rear by a station wagon driven by George E. Morgan of New Jersey and owned by the Duffy Mott Co. No one was injured.

A truck of the Armour Packing Co., Binghamton, took a little trip all on its own Monday morning at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Callicoon. The driver, Walter J. Buttman, was unloading meat at the seminary kitchen door. The truck, its emergency brake on, started to move down the grade toward the garden. En route it broke off a light pole and shut off the electric, for an hour. It finally went off a retaining wall and came to rest in the rhubarb.

Arthur T. Edwards qualified as a carrier pilot after six landings aboard the light aircraft carrier USS Monterey in the Gulf of Mexico. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Edwards of Route 2, Callicoon.

Mrs. Mamie Deckelman, 82, a resident of Obernburg and Clifton Park, N.J., died on Friday, May 13, at the Callicoon Hospital after a short illness.

60 Years Ago - 1965

First degree murder charges against 27-year-old Louis Henry Burns will be presented to the Grand Jury next week. Burns is the alleged slayer of Doris Anderson, 36, Saddle Lane, Monticello.

Farm milk prices for April were $3.87, down 20 cents from March.

The Board of Trustees of the Frederick Oestrich Scholarship Fund met at the United National Bank to interview applicants for the fund. The award was granted to Timothy J. Robisch of Callicoon, with Pamela J. Poley of Hortonville as alternate.

The shad run in the Delaware has been stopped by pollution in the river.

Ben Vassmer of Kauneonga Lake landed a 30-inch trout which weighed 10 pounds.

Miss Elsie Mann, 80, Jeffersonville, died after along illness.

50 Years Ago - 1975

A “smash and grab” theft occurred last Friday morning at Eddie’s Antiques Main St., Liberty, when the thief threw a chunk of loose paving through the front plate glass in the store, which deals largely in antique jewelry, grabbed the contents of the display window and fled. An estimated 106 rings and undisclosed number of watches were reportedly taken.

Sister Mary Elise  Geib, O.S.F., formerly of Callicoon, celebrated the liturgy of Thanksgiving with other Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, on the occasion of their Golden Jubilee in the order. She will celebrate her 90th birthday on August 27.

Joyce Casterline, an employee working at the custard stand at Monticello Raceway, was honored as Mighty M’s own Mother of the Year in ceremonies conducted Sunday in the winner’s circle. She was presented two dozen roses by Monticello Raceway President and General Manager Leon Greenberg. Her family, many of whom are employed at the Raceway, were on hand to greet her.

At the Teeny Weeny Contest, Cindy Jurgenson was named Queen and Jason Becker was named King. The contest is held in conjunction with the annual Flower and Art Festival held at the Delaware Youth Center.

40 Years Ago - 1985

Leah and Danny Resnick of Monticello were the top fundraisers for the Sullivan County Senior Citizens’ Walkathon. They gathered a total of $252 to benefit the Burn Treatment Center. Nearly 200 senior citizens participated in the walk.

The new 2,000 gallon tanker of the Liberty Fire Company was christened Sunday with Frank McGarry, state fire administrator, present for the ceremony. The Liberty Fire Department’s Training Tower, built by volunteers and supported by the community through fundraisers and gifts, was also dedicated during the day. The expenditure of nearly $35,000 cumulates nearly six years of dedication and personal sacrifice and, in Mr. McGarry’s observation, “is an outstanding expression of a community working together.”

Sue Ernst, daughter of Sonny and Lillian Ernst of Southwoods, Monticello, was married April 26 to James Pomes, son of Abraham and Gertrude Shiffer of Monticello, at the Rock Hill Methodist Church.

David Armbrust won the 20-lap Strictly Stock opener at White Lake Speedway under the lights Saturday in the most hotly contested event of the program. There were 24 cars in the starting lineup. Rich Miehofer and Ray Houghtaling Sr. finished second and third.

Carl Bell was guest of honor at a retirement dinner of the Damascus Elementary Middle School last Friday night, held at Kuester’s in Beach Lake, Pa., and attended by one hundred fifteen members of the faculty, staff, retired teachers and staff, and friends.

Mr. and Mrs. George Brustman of Jeffersonville celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a party given by their children, Joël Brustman and Mr. and Mrs. Don Schmidt.

In conjunction with Memorial Day activities, the North Branch Fire Department celebrated their 75th anniversary and hosted a parade in the afternoon.

Joseph and Roberta Gieger announce the marriage of Joy Gieger to Don Gorr on Holy Saturday.

30 Years Ago - 1995

At the age of 37, Stan Oliver of Jeffersonville is just tickled with baseball fever. A former manager in a wire and cable company, he dabbled in cabinetry and woodworking on the side. Now he has landed a contract with the Mountaindale Lions to craft bats for the minor league. To date he has made hundreds of bats, each specially crafted and personalized.

Detective Bart Rasnick of the Fallsburg Police Department, recently participated in a crime-solving investigation spanning 18 months in collaboration with Detective Chett Hobby which resulted in the apprehension of a Brooklyn man for the alleged shooting of a Loch Sheldrake woman in the arm in 1993. The woman’s identity was never revealed to protect her from possible further harm.

Julia Raymond, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Raymond of Bloomingburg is the candidate for Sullivan County Dairy Princess to be crowned at the Annual Dairy Promotion Banquet to be held May 26 at the Jeffersonville Inn. Megan Diehl of Callicoon is the new Dairy Maid.

The Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 150th anniversary with various programs during the coming year. The church was founded on January 15, 1845. There was a membership of 40 and they met in various homes until the church was built. The property for the church was donated by Frederick Scheidell. A tower and bell were installed in 1861 and it is the same bell that rings today. The new church annex was dedicated in 1949. The Ladies Aid Society was organized in 1889. In 1995, Marietta Baker tallied membership in the women’s group of 58 years to be shared with the 50 years of membership by the late Regina Huff and Catherine Baumgardt.

20 Years Ago - 2005

Elsie Carlin of Mamakating is the county’s Senior of the Year. The 32nd annual Retired and Senior Volunteer Program reception was held at the Villa Roma in Callicoon on May 9. Honored for the other county townships are: Tula Brown, Rockland; Patricia Burns, Bethel; Ida Crawford, Forestburgh; Ann Danuff, Lumberland; Pamela DeFeo, Highland; Sol Freedman, Fallsburg; Eleanor Grant, Liberty; Ethel Hulse, Cochecton; Mary and Joe Inghrim, Neversink; Anneliese “Lisa” Jacoby, Thompson; Onofrio “Chuck” Papa, Fremont; June Koester, Callicoon; and Judy Tokacz, Delaware.

When Sullivan West Guidance Office employee Nina Verderber was going to her son’s baseball game recently, she was hit by a flying turkey, which ripped off the side view mirror of her car, as well as bruising a bone in her arm, fracturing her scapula and bruising her arm’s tendons and muscles. Mrs. Verderber is home recuperating from the scary accident, but vows to return to see her son graduate.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Welton of Cape Vincent celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on May 16. A celebration was held on May 14 attended by the couple’s three children, Beverly Coburn of Garrattsville, David Welton of Roscoe and Beth White of Cape Vincent.

The Liberty Central School’s girls softball team finished its 2005 season with two non-league victories on Friday night, defeating Tri-Valley, 6-5 in nine innings. In the nightcap, the Lady Indians outslugged The Family School by a final score of 28-14.

10 Years Ago - 2015

Alexis Eggleton, formerly of Roscoe, has accepted a new position as a fundraiser for Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and will be leaving her post as executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Town of Wallkill.

“Hunting Season” is a film shot on location in Callicoon Center that will premiere at the Hoboken International Film Festival (HIFF) in Middletown on May 30. Actor and writer John Bale came up with the story while reminiscing about the time he was 18 and fell in love while spending his summer in the country. Some scenes were shot at the Weissmann Farm in Callicoon Center.

Roscoe Central School is proud of its first ever Jr. Iron Chef Team. On April 11, the team placed second in the Jr. Chef competition held at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta. The team was coached by Mrs. Green, an RCS staff member, and Tom Clifford, a community member. Manuel Valentin, Brett Kiakis, Joseph Madera, and Lance Helms spent several months practicing, tasting, improving, and perfecting their recipe for Power Pasta, which obviously paid off.