130 Years Ago - 1896

Sarah Winslow of Callicoon Depot has been granted an original widow’s pension.

Benjamin S. Ward of Hortonville has been appointed truant officer by the Town Board of Delaware.

The county convention of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union is being held at the Presbyterian Church in Liberty this week.

While Frank Kimmes and wife of Obernburg were driving home from the North Branch Fair, the horses became frightened and the occupants were thrown from the wagon and considerably injured.

A change in the election law provides that the polls be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. instead of from sunrise to sunset as formerly.

Women cannot vote for school commissioner this year. Such was the decision of Judge Williams of Syracuse and sustained by the Court of Appeals.

Nearly one hundred guests assembled at the VanBenschoten House, Long Eddy, October 14, to witness the marriage of Miss Lila Benschoten and Franklin E. Talmage. Rev. Masker of Callicoon Depot performed the ceremony.

Invitations have been sent out for the marriage of Lizzie, daughter of John Kille of Mileses, to John Bohn, October 27th.

The handsome new passenger station of the Ontario-Western Railway at Liberty was destroyed by fire about 4 o’clock Saturday morning. The depot was built in 1893 and cost $12,000.

English services in the Presbyterian Church, Jeffersonville, next Sunday evening, start at 7 o’clock.

120 Years Ago - 1906

Mrs. Mary Layman has sold the Silver Spring House, a well patronized summer hotel at Barryville to Charles W. Elmendorf of Port Jervis.

The Department of Education has issued a pamphlet giving the literacy of this state by counties. Sullivan County is 20th on the list, having a population of 25,844 and 839 illiterates, or one to every 32 people.

Three separate actions have begun by New York Hebrews against  E. Seaman of Tusten because he refused to board them on account of their nationality. The suits are brought under a law of 1895 and are to be tried in Sullivan County.

Clark Krum has sold his farm and boarding house, known as Brookdale Farm, three miles west of Liberty, to Weinberg Bros., wholesale fur dealers of New York, who have taken possession. Mr. Krum and family have moved to Liberty.

Patsy Fallon, a barber employed the past summer by Oscar Coddington of Monticello, decamped the other day, taking with him about $25 from the cash drawer, several razors, scissors, etc.

Elected to the new Democratic Committee were A.K. Ramsey and John Coots for Bethel; Guernsey Muers and Michael Ernst for Callicoon; S.E. Wenzel and  Fred Schaefer for Delaware; Henry E. Nussbaum and Edward Kennedy for Fremont. George H. Smith of Monticello was elected chairman.

While Arthur Luchs and Charles Eggler were hunting on Swiss Hill last Thursday, Arthur got a crack at a large red fox as it leaped over a rock in John Wilfert’s woods, wounding it so it could not run as fast as otherwise. The hound caught the fox on Ross’ hill, where Mr. Reynard turned and fought the dog to a standstill until Eggler came up and killed the fox with a shot.

110 Years Ago - 1916

George Yager, the sodawater manufacturer, had more than a busy season the past summer. He was unable to supply the demand for his goods. Next year he will increase the capacity of his plant and will deliver by auto truck instead of horses.

At the Masonic Hall Saturday night, Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne in “Pennington’s Choice” a thrilling picture-drama of the Canadian Northwest.

Tree limbs falling against wires caused Jeffersonville to be without lights last Thursday night.

Carl and Earl Ranft, two young boys of this village, last Saturday shot a red fox in the swamp around the Fitzpatrick farm. The fox was an old one and quite large. The boys will sell the skin. The county pays a bounty of $2.50 on red foxes.

Floyd P. Hust of Jeffersonville and Harvey Myers of Kenoza Lake last week returned to Cornell University at Ithaca to resume their veterinary courses.

Your neighbor’s ad is in this paper! Why not yours?

The marriage of Miss Caroline Frances Reagen of Ferndale to Walter Henry Theiss of Fosterdale, took place at St. Peter’s parsonage in Monticello on October 4th.

Miss Ruth Robak was married to Alexander Fried of Shandelee on October 7 by Rev. J.E. Straub of Callicoon Center.

Henry Hartig, one of Livingston Manor’s oldest and most respected residents, died at the age of 87 years on October 5, of heart disease. He was born in Germany in 1829 and came to America as a young man 51 years ago. He and his brother, William, bought the farm in Livingston Manor where he died.

Major John Waller, former owner and editor of the Sullivan County Republican and veteran newspaper man of Monticello, celebrated his 90th birthday in good health, October 9.

100 Years Ago - 1926

Mr. and Mrs. William Huggler of Rochester are the proud parents of twins, a son and a daughter, born August 20. William is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Huggler, formerly of Kenoza Lake.

Work has been started on the foundation for Murray’s new drugstore on the site of the Eagle Hotel which burned in 1918. Joergle and Buddenhagen are the contracting masons. William Kohler has the contract for the entire building, which will be 28x50 feet, two stories and of concrete construction.

Albert J. Huth and bride, nee Miss Elizabeth A. Peterson, returned from their wedding trip to Niagara Falls last Thursday and that night they were pleasantly surprised with a skimmelton by friends and neighbors. The newlyweds are making their home on Huth farm.

When a man gets in hot water it’s generally due to cold feet.

About all a young man knows about his girl’s intellectual capacity is that she used good judgment when she picked him.

Headline – “Women Will Aid Wagner - Hundreds of Offers Come From All Parts of the State to Help Him in  His Race for the United States Senate.” (Ed Note: This was the first campaign of Robert F. Wagner, the elder, for U.S. Senator from New York, 30 years before his son, bearing the same name, makes the same race.)

Callicoon Center – R.A. Schrumpf has bought the general merchandise of the late Wm. J. Harding and will sell it at public auction next Saturday.

George Neuman of Obernburg has taken over the Tumble Inn garage from Fred Portz and will do general repair work. Fred is back at Bennedum’s Garage in Hortonville.

On the night of October 16, George Wehner was given a surprise party by all of his eleven children, it being his 79th birthday.

90 Years Ago - 1936

The Liberty Chamber of Commerce has bought Walnut Mountain, 2,000 feet high, of Frank H. Mauer and will develop it as a resort for skiing and other winter sports. (Ed. Note: Today, in 1966, Liberty is still planning to develop Walnut Mountain.)

Callicoon Center saw its largest gathering last Sunday when the first parade and field day of the fire department was held there. Music was furnished by the Callicoon Center Band under the direction of Ray Shaara of Jeffersonville, and the Jeffersonville school band, directed by F.A. Bielec. The firemen’s treasury has been enriched by about $800.

Before getting angry at our friends for their political views, we should reflect that we may have some queer ideas of our own.

Mr. and Mrs. William Lieb and their son-in-law and daughter,  Mr. and Mrs. John H. Joyner, left this morning for a trip out Boston way. It is not known whether they went in quest of a little culture or a basket full of Boston baked beans.

Miss Alma Nearing, daughter of Mrs. C. Nearing, and Clarence Bischoff, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bischoff of Lake Huntington, were married on October 3rd.

A family gathering celebrated the 25th wedding anniversary on October 10th of Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Hust of Kenoza Lake.

Mr. and Mrs. Homer V. Arlington of Liberty, formerly of Jeffersonville, will be married 50  years tomorrow.

80 Years Ago - 1946

The marriage of Miss Dorothy Wagner of Liberty, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Wagner, and  Jack S. Schadt, son of Mrs. Frederick W. Schadt Sr. of Jeffersonville, was solemnized at St. Peter’s Rectory on October 12th.

Miss Eva Tremper, daughter of Archie Tremper of Youngsville, will become the bride of Clarence O. Roesner, son of Mrs. Edna Roesner of Kenoza Lake on Saturday afternoon.

The first fall meeting of the Jeffersonville Rod and Gun Club will be held on  Monday at Bucky’s Inn at 8 p.m.

William Nestel was elected president of the Sullivan Farmers Cooperative Marketing Service last Saturday. Other officers are: Vice President Oscar Grant, Treasurer Raymond Knack and Secretary Harry E. Burlingame. This was the first annual meeting of the group which is currently engaged in readying the barn on Center Street as a wholesale and retail auction mart.

The Jeff football team remained unbeaten when it defeated Livingston Manor 42-6 last Friday, for the Trojan’s third victory.

Vera M. Bernhardt was elected senior vice-president at a recent meeting of the VFW Auxiliary. Other new officers include Carol Kehrley, junior vice-president; Mrs. Leola Fink of Hortonville, secretary; Mrs. Edith Klein of Callicoon, treasurer; and Anne Mages, officer of the day.

Mrs. Frances Leroy, 73, widow of William Leroy, died on October 11 at her home in Youngsville, where she lived with her son, Frank.

Relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Edward  Hahn celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary Saturday night in Callicoon Center.

A free bus service will run from Jeffersonville and Kenoza Lake to the firemen’s supper and dance next Saturday night at Kenoza Falls Lodge, starting from Jeff at 5 o’clock.

70 Years Ago - 1956

George’s Alley at Jeff really rocked with excitement last Thursday night when Robert Schmidt bowled a 704 series. Bob bowls anchor man for the Callicoon Center team. He rolled games of 246, 225 and 223.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hughes celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Schadt their 10th.

On Sunday, October 14, Miss Marguerite Ann Hildyard of Ferndale and Mr. Robert J. Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs.  Jesse Brown of Kenoza Lake, were married at the Church of the Holy Communion in Liberty by Rev. Sidney Newhouse.

St. George’s Church in Jeffersonville was the scene of the wedding of Miss Marie Newman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Newman of Callicoon Center, and David McCabe, son of Mr. and Mrs. David McCabe of Brooklyn. They will live in Callicoon Center.

A testimonial dinner will be given for retiring Bethel magistrate Thomas C. Brown.

The high point of New York Mayor Robert F. Wagner’s whirlwind tour through Sullivan County on Saturday was a rally at the Rivoli Theater in South Fallsburg. The largest crowd in the history of the town cheered as Wagner denounced Republican policies.

60 Years Ago - 1966

North Branch Volunteer Firemen are rejoicing over the winning of first prize in the Booster Pumping Contest at the County Field Day and Parade at Liberty October 8. The trophy is an 18-inch marble and chrome column topped by a fighting fireman.

Arthur Krantz, 84, died October 8; Norman J. Rampe, 62, of Liberty passed away October 3; Harry Bartik, 58, formerly of Callicoon and now a resident of Liberty, died October 10. Funeral services were held for Mrs. Frank Roemer of Hortonville who passed away on October 10.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Craig Stewart (nee Susan Roeder) on October 11; a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Tito Guglielmone of Long Beach, L.I., October 7. The mother is the former Virginia Buddenhagen, daughter of Mrs. Herman Buddenhagen of Hortonville.

Miss Nancy Lott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Lott, Jeffersonville, and Douglas Harder, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Harder of Youngsville, were married October 1 at St. George’s R.C. Church in Jeffersonville.

Marriage vows were exchanged between Miss Patricia Meyers of Jeff, and Ralph Tremper, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Tremper of Liberty.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Atkins of Catskill, formerly of Callicoon, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary August 27 with a party at their home.

The Railway Express Agency office at Callicoon is slated to be closed October 31, unless the Public Service Commission at Albany can be persuaded that the office is necessary to the convenience of patrons in the Delaware Valley area.

50 Years Ago - 1976

A savage storm, flooding rivers, frigid temperatures and pelting rain, played havoc with Sullivan and Wayne counties on Saturday, October 9, causing widespread damage and forced cancellation of various canoe events slated for that day. The first Annual N.Y. State Governor’s Challenge Cup Canoe Race was a blazing success on Monday after its cancellation because of the storm. At one point near Barryville, close to where the Lackawaxen enters the river, unofficial markings on a levee wall indicated ten feet of floodwater, with the boiling stream only 18 inches from Route 97. A two-day search for the body of Arthur Woodcheke, who was swept away in the rushing waters at Skinner’s Falls, has proved fruitless.

Mrs. Doris Brooks of Roscoe has been declared a big winner in the Victory Markets Contest, winning a trip for two to the city of Port-au-Prince, on the French speaking West Indian island of Haiti.

Mrs. Margaret Foster has made a hand-crocheted Betsy Ross flag which she presented to the Long Eddy Fire Department to be raffled. The fund will go to the fire department.

Ed Milk and Roger Hess gave folks a bit of fun on an old-fashioned hayride at the Long Eddy Homecoming Day.

Mrs. Ethel Myers and Clinton Segar were married October 1 at the Jeffersonville United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Kanthak officiating.

The Catskill Wheelmen hosted a ten-state rally at Tennanah Lake on the weekend of October 3-5 with 100-mile and 50-mile rides arranged. Rally master was Warren Bergstrom, guidance counselor at the Monticello Central School.

Donations by guests at the Huff House resulted in a donation to the Roscoe and Rockland Volunteer Ambulance Corps of $800. The drive has been conducted for the past fifteen years.

William Johnson and Bus Wilcox have taken over the former Gulf station which was operated by the late Nick Tambasco of Hankins. They will sell Amoco gas and will do all types of repair work.

Amy Kinney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd  Kinney of Grahamsville, is the 1976-77 Cerebral Palsy Poster Child.

Bradley Layton, 21, of Route 1, Equinunk, Pa., has been accepted for early admission at Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia, Pa., to begin studies in September 1977. He is the son of Ernest and Mildred Layton and is a senior biology major at the University of Scranton where he is a Dean’s List student.

Dr. Clarence Reynolds, D.D.S., of Roscoe was honored on his fifty years of membership in the Livingston Manor Lodge No. 791, F.&A.M., on September 9.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wood of Youngsville were guests of honor at a 50th anniversary party on September 12 at the Youngsville Fire House.

40 Years Ago - 1986

Members of the Germania Almrausch (Alpine Rose) Dance Company of Poughkeepsie demonstrated dances as part of the festivities at the Narrowsburg Oktoberfest which took place over the weekend at Lenape Farms Arena. Over 4000 were in attendance.

Firemen throughout Sullivan County took time to visit the various schools and to demonstrate fire safety to the students there. At the Duggan School in White Lake and Delaware Valley Central School, Callicoon, firemen became teachers for the day. Charles Kinne, chief of the Kauneonga Fire Department, had the honor of presenting his son Chris with a third place trophy in his division for his entry in the Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest.

High winds Monday night knocked out the power for about an hour in the Clement Street area of Liberty when a tree fell over the lines. Other trees were reported down in local areas including one that blocked Route 52 in White Sulphur Springs.

The new gymnasium at the Eldred Central School has been named for William “Bob” Werneke, teacher and coach at the school from 1940 to 1974.

30 Years Ago - 1996

Liberty native and Navy Hospital Corpsman Second Class Donald Burke pulled an injured man from his burning truck Saturday after an accident on Virginia’s Interstate 95. Burke was presented with the Navy Marine Corps Medal, the highest award given for heroism during peacetime.

Residents in the Livingston Manor Central School district resoundingly voted (220 to 158) in approval of spending $1.25 million for improvements and renovations to the school and grounds.

The Craft and Hobbies Shop of Liberty recently moved to 87 Mill Street to take advantage of an expanded store and convenient location.

September 25, 1996 marked the 25th anniversary of Edward C. Townsend and Shirley L. Winters of Liberty. They were married September 25, 1971 at the Liberty United Methodist Church by the Rev. George Zimmerman.

Harry and Rose Ross of Liberty celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at The Club at Villa Roma in Callicoon. The Rosses were married in New York City on September 6, 1936.

An Historic Marker unveiling and dedication ceremony will be conducted in Kiamesha Lake on Sunday to honor the original encampment of the 143rd New York Volunteer Regiment of the Civil War that took place there in 1861.

A 50th wedding anniversary party was held at the Rockland House in Roscoe for Frederick Winters and Jean Champlin of Liberty who were married September 15, 1946.

Tri-Valley High School has announced that Nancy Landau of Neversink has been selected as one of the state finalists for the 1996 Wendy Heisman Award. She is a member of the Varsity cross-country, basketball and outdoor track teams.

20 Years Ago - 2006

A son, Aiden Michael Johnston, was born October 9, 2006 to Katrina and Daniel Johnston of Roscoe. 

A daughter, Mya Clair, was born September 23 to Brian and Katrina Heinle of Cochecton Center.

Ellenville Regional Hospital has dedicated its Women’s Health Center to Mildred Resnick, a longtime supporter. It was co-founded by her late husband, Lou Resnick, and his brother Harry Resnick in the 1960s.

Recent Monticello High graduate Craig Titus was the recipient of a $350 scholarship presented by the Ruddick Trowbridge American Legion Post and Auxiliary #73.

10 Years Ago -2016

The Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce Hearts of the Manor fundraising dinner honored Van K. Morrow with the Business Recognition Heart, Diane Foster with the Community Service Heart, and a Special Recognition Award was given to Charles Irace for Trains on Main.

Harry Clancy was surrounded by friends and fellow residents of the Achieve Rehab and Nursing Facility in Liberty Monday afternoon, to celebrate his 100th birthday. As Clancy’s daughter Kathy O’Neill and great-grandson Connor O’Neill entered the room, everyone began singing “Happy Birthday” which elicited a big smile from Clancy as he looked around the room. At 100, he still loves to tell stories of his yester-years.

The New York State Police gained 226 new members on October 13 as they graduated from the 204th session of the New York State Police Academy’s Basic School.  Members of the class include Sullivan County residents: Sean M. Drown of Neversink, Gabrielle A. Platt of Wurtsboro, and Taylor A. Simpson and Brandon D. Smith both of Livingston Manor.

The Callicoon Kiwanis Club held its 70th Installation Dinner on Monday night at the Western Supper Club and Inn in Callicoon. Nearly 25 Kiwanians from the Hudson River West Division attended the meeting.