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Down the Decades

Sept. 27, 2022 Edition

Compiled by Lee Hermann, Muse, & Ruth Huggler
Posted 9/27/22

110 Years Ago - 1912

It is reported that the Lorillards of Tuxedo, the tobacco kings, are buying up portions of real estate in the towns of Forestburgh and Thompson for a park or preserve. The …

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Down the Decades

Sept. 27, 2022 Edition

Posted

110 Years Ago - 1912
It is reported that the Lorillards of Tuxedo, the tobacco kings, are buying up portions of real estate in the towns of Forestburgh and Thompson for a park or preserve. The park will contain about 5,000 acres and will reach from Forestburgh village to the east of the Neversink, and will include all of the Gilman lands. — Watchman.
A little son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Card of Milanville, Pa., on Monday. . . 36 pupils are enrolled in the Milanville School with Frederika Hocker as teacher. . . Miss Wilhelmina Hocker has a position teaching at Salt Point on the Hudson. — Milanville Corresp.
James Kille is very busy manufacturing apple barrels for W.E. Sipple of Mileses.
Miss Florence Herman has returned to New York to fill an engagement with Mr. Gibson, the celebrated artist of the “Gibson Girl” fame. Miss Herman will visit in Maine and late in the season in Europe.
John Consaulus of Albany was awarded the contract to build the road from Liberty to Monticello last Tuesday. The contract price is $87,000 and the number of miles is 8.45.
Earl, the four-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Losceg in Damascus Township, whose legs were badly mangled by being caught by a mowing machine several weeks ago, was brought to his home from a Scranton hospital Monday. Doctors were able to save both legs, which at first it was feared would have to be amputated.

100 Years Ago - 1922
The Liberty Coal & Feed Co., operators of three stores in Liberty, has purchased the Schmidt store property in Jeffersonville. Flour, feed, coal and groceries will be dealt in.
Anthony Grieble of Jeffersonville and Miss Freda Milk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Milk, were married Tuesday at St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg. — Acidalia Corresp.
The new Lutheran Church at Jeffersonville will be dedicated Sunday afternoon, October 1.
The Senate has passed the bill providing payment of $5,000 to Mrs. Cora T. Dering of Callicoon as damages for the loss of her husband, John Dering, who was shot while seated in his home in Callicoon early in April 1917, by a stray bullet from the rifle of one of the Co. B guardsmen on duty at the Erie bridge.
Herman Seresky of Liberty, champion speller at the county fair, won sixth place at the state fair last week over 44 contestants.

90 Years Ago - 1932
Mrs. Wm. Rittershausen of Youngsville has announced the engagement of her daughter, Lillian K., to Attorney Albert T. Decker of Liberty.
An eight pound son, Robert, arrived early Thursday morning to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Reubman of Buck Brook, at the Callicoon Hospital. . . The hospital management has been greatly pleased with the amount of fresh vegetables, fruits, etc., which have been brought in by numerous individuals during the fall and wishes to thank those who so kindly donated the produce. Mrs. Gertrude Farrell, the hospital’s capable housekeeper, reports having canned over 100 cans of vegetables and fruit juices.
John Mohn of Cochecton Center heard much said about the way in which modern machinery and methods had simplified the task of road building. He walked to Old Town recently to see for himself the wonders of modern science and he remained there for some time, satisfying himself that conditions have indeed changed a lot in the last half century. Mr. Mohn is in his 84th year and walked the entire distance from the Center to Cochecton and return.
At the suggestion of the departments of state and commerce, Otto Hillig and his pilot, Roger Q. Williams, Monday night abandoned until next spring their plans for a one-stop flight to Athens, Greece.
The Dairymen’s League will close their place in White Sulphur Springs October 1 and the milk will be trucked to the Liberty plant.
Roy Wormuth of Cochecton has purchased a 20-passenger bus for the purpose of transporting pupils to Narrowsburg school.
An assemblage, estimated by some observers at 10,000, participated in the Washington Bicentennial celebration and 106th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Fallsburg on Saturday on the site of a new state institution for mental defectives at Woodbourne.
Undersheriff Walter Flynn is a candidate for the office of sheriff. He has served three years under Sheriff Ben R. Gerow who is seeking the Member of Assembly seat on the Democratic ticket.

80 Years Ago - 1942
Reuben Hornung, native and former resident of Buck Brook, was drowned in Chesapeake Bay last Sunday while on a fishing trip with his brother, Fred, and a friend. The news was phoned here and the body has not been located.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Robisch announce the engagement of their daughter, Constance, to Corp. Howard Fink, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Fink of Hortonville.
Mr. and Mrs. John Brockner of Jeffersonville are parents of a boy born September 16; Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Turner of Callicoon are parents of a son, born September 15, both at the Callicoon Hospital.
Miss Virginia Coulter of New York City and William R. Johnson of Long Eddy were married August 30 in Paterson, N.J. Mr. Johnson is in the U.S. Navy.
Among those who will report for military duty within a short time will be Charles Miller, son of Mrs. Ida Miller of Narrowsburg, and Floyd, son of Mrs. Laura Korth of Callicoon Center. This will make three sons each lady has serving in the armed forces.
The subscription price of the Sullivan County Democrat will be advanced to $2.50 per year as of October 1. The publisher very kindly sends free copies to those serving in the armed forces. He receives many letters of thanks for this “letter from home.”
The first test alarm of the war was held in Sullivan County last Friday afternoon. The signals came through in regular sequence and on the red signal local wardens, police and firemen sped to their stations and performed their tasks.
The Monticello Masonic Lodge will celebrate its 80th anniversary on November 13. Alvin O. Benton is master of the lodge and has written a history of the Lodge since its establishment in 1862.

70 Years Ago - 1952
Nancy Jean Shaver of Roscoe became the bride of Allen D. Ratzlaff of Hacre, Mont., on September 7, at the Presbyterian Church in Roscoe.
Roy Steenrod of Liberty, who has been a game protector in this area for the past 26 years, retired from the State Conservation Department Service on September 1, mandatory because of his age – 70.
Births at the Callicoon Hospital include a daughter, September 11, to Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Eggler of Kenoza Lake; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Gager of Galilee, Pa.; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Worzel of Shohola, Pa., on September 17; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Verne Houghtaling of Callicoon; and on September 16, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Linwood Duke of Callicoon.
Miss Janet, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Rosenberger of Hortonville, is a student at Ithaca College, where she is enrolled in the music program.
William VanGordon, whose six children have been charges of the Wayne County Institution District since the family was discovered on August 25 to be residing in a cave near Narrowsburg, has informed the County Commissioners that he is now employed near Sussex, N.J., and desires to reunite his family. Judge E.E. Bodie stated he will visit the home to determine the living conditions before deciding whether the children will be restored to the parents.
William Stenros of Long Eddy is the winner of the $500 “Marlow Milker Before and After Contest.” Open to anyone purchasing a Marlow milker before October 1, 1950, the award was made to the one who had the highest increase in production during the 12-month period after installation over the 12 months preceding, based on milk plant deliveries.
George Nevin of Pea Brook has replaced Herbert Hughs, who has served the last two years, as master of the Hancock Grange.

60 Years Ago - 1962
A fire at the boat livery of Joshua Boucher of Lake Huntington Thursday caused some damage to lumber stored within the building. Firemen quickly brought the blaze under control.
Mrs. Lillian Garry of North Branch was beaten, robbed and attacked in the Times Square Hotel, New York City, on September 17. She was en route to Florida and is reported in satisfactory condition in St. Clare’s Hospital.
Bryon White of Honesdale, Pa., has completed a deal to purchase the oldest house in Wayne County, the famous “Red House” in Milanville. The house was built in 1796 by John Land and is a three-story building with huge fireplaces at each end.
There are several centrally located potential sites for the new Sullivan County Community College in the opinion of Liberty Supervisor William F. Pearson. He stated that a four-man committee will meet and go over applications and letters relative to sites received by the committee. The selection of the site is up to the nine-man board of trustees.
It was a boy to Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Krum Jr. of North Branch on Sunday and a son, Monday, to Mr. and Mrs. John Cortese of Narrowsburg, both at the Callicoon Hospital.
St. George’s Expansion Fund has now reached $40,000 toward a minimum pledge goal of $45,000, according to Father Joel Munzing, O.F.M., pastor of the church.
Victor Werlau Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Werlau, Callicoon, has been named recipient of the first scholarship award given by the Narrowsburg Feed & Grain Co. He will use the $600 award for use in his studies at Cornell University where he will major in animal husbandry.
A total of 1,200 were served at the Yulan Firemen’s clambake Sunday. It has been reported to be one of the best bakes around.
Mrs. Lila Dreyer of Roscoe has been appointed tax collector in place of Arthur Geiselmann who has resigned.
More than 150 parents, teachers and friends attended the first P.T.A. meeting of the year at DVCS. An exhibit, centered around a United Nations theme, drew much attention with refreshments centered around the same theme. Barbara Zartman is president.

50 Years Ago - 1972
Sunny Side Up Farm in Ferndale, owned by Max Brender, played host to a visiting team of Japanese poultrymen on Thursday of last week. All are natives of Japan and some are studying at the University of Michigan.
Superintendent of Liberty School District Clarence Parry has announced that two students at Liberty Central have been selected as semi-finalists in the 1973 National merit Scholarship Program. They are Marc Stier and Jerry Jacobs.
Bob Heins, top-notch Monticello amateur, topped the field of 131 golfers in the 1st Annual Ben Golden Memorial Golf Tournament played at the Concord’s “Monster” on Monday. His 72 equalled par, as he carded even 36s on both front and back nines to win the low gross trophy.
George and Charlotte Bernstein, proprietors of the Corner Shop in Liberty, have the distinction of having sold the winning $50,000 state lottery tickets, something that no other vendor in Sullivan County has done. The winner was a Staten Island dentist.
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Davis of Milanville, Pa., celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 10.
On September 12, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Bowers of Roscoe celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hendrickson.

40 Years Ago - 1982
Karen L. Moreland of Glenmont, and Mitchell Etess, son of Dr. and Mrs. A. David Etess of Grossinger were united in marriage by Supreme Court Justice Robert C. Williams at the Grossinger Hotel on September 11.
Nearly 200 guests helped Paul “Pete” and Dare Thiele of Monticello celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary Sunday at the Glen Spey Firehouse.
Voting locations in the Town of Thompson have been changed. District 1 from the Rock Hill Methodist Church to the Rock Hill Firehouse; District 2, from St. John’s Episcopal Church to the George L. Cooke Elementary School; and District 7, from the American Legion Hall to the bottom floor of the County Court House.
Four children of the late Mr. and Mrs. George K. Rosenberger Sr. have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversaries with their spouses within the past three years. The lucky couples are Olive and Ted Donahue, Helen and William Rosenberger, Anna­belle and Anton Holblinger and Mae and Irving Kratz. (Editor’s Note: September 3, 1992 — William Rosenberger, 88, passed away a week ago on August 26, and the September 4 issue of the Sullivan County Democrat, carried the obituary of another sister, Barbara Ryan, 95, who died September 1.)
Miss Cindy Kolbe was the guest of honor at a bridal shower held at the Hortonville Firehouse with about 50 guests present. She will become the bride of David Peters on October 9.
The Callicoon Volunteer Fire Department honored nine of their longtime members at their annual clambake on Sunday. Given recognition were Charles Engert, 58 years; William Metzger, 59; Howard Bullis, 57; Edward Robisch, 50; John Wagner, 50; John Wizeman, 50; Art Hartz, 51; Audley Dorrer, 56; and Henry Engert, 50.

30 Years Ago - 1992
Even before a concrete proposal for the 25th anniversary of Woodstock is on the table, officials in the Town of Bethel are stepping into high gear in order to usher in the commemoration that is destined for August of 1994. “I think we’ve realized that if we do something with respect to the field — if you will — then we are lost,” said Bethel Supervisor Allan Scott, referring to the famed alfalfa field of Bethel farmer Max Yasgur which was home to the renowned Woodstock Festival of 1969. “I think it’s high time that we take a look at something, not so much in terms of emotionally with respect to like what happened in this town 23 years ago or with respect to not liking what happened. . . but as a business proposal,” Scott said. The meeting was attended by about 100 people. “I think that we really have fumbled with this far too long and we have really got to cut through the red tape if possible,” said Scott. A written proposal by John Roberts and Woodstock Ventures, organizers of the 1969 Festival, is expected in November.
Hang onto your Lederhosen! The tiny hamlet of Yulan, made famous for its 26 years of excellent St. Patrick’s Day Parades, has organized a second annual Von Steuben Parade and “Septemberfest” at the Yulan Fireman’s Field. On September 26, marching bands, dancers, more than a dozen floats, marching groups, fire trucks and more will parade down the street. Restaurants will sell sauerbraten, assorted wursts, potato pancakes, seafood and smoked Delaware eel, among other tempting foods. And don’t forget the German and domestic wines and beer!
A meeting, sponsored by the Upper Delaware Heritage Alliance, will be held September 21 in an effort to save the historic Cochecton railroad station, now slated for destruction to make room for expansion of the Cochecton Feed Co. The station is a fine example of Greek Revival architecture and may be the oldest railroad station in New York State.
A fifth location of the First National Bank of Jeffersonville has been opened on the Forestburgh Road in Monticello. Other offices are located at Jeffersonville, Eldred, Liberty and Loch Sheldrake.
Hank Good of Monticello, owner of “Hank’s Highway Hilton” custom-built Kenworth tractor-trailer has just returned from Eastern Europe where he exhibited the truck and discovered that the monstrous, light-studded Kenworth has more fans than the average movie star. While the Highway Hilton has won 84 trophies and has been featured in international publications, the trip to Germany and Sweden marked the vehicle’s first time out of North America. The Highway Hilton was shipped across the Atlantic at a cost of $3,600 (financed by trucking industry sponsors). But the sponsors got their money’s worth according to Good. “They don’t get much chance to see American trucks, especially spectacular American trucks,” he said. “To them, it’s the symbol of America and Freedom. And besides, our trucks are bigger than theirs.” Hank came home with 11 more trophies to add to his ever-increasing collection. He showed the truck at 17 formal exhibitions and a number of smaller, impromptu shows.

20 years ago - 2002
Harold A. Reynolds of Monticello, the retired owner of A.T. Reynolds and Sons and past director of Leisure Time Ice, died Friday, September 20, 2002, at the age of 95. He is survived by a host of friends and an extended family, including son Bruce, current owner of Leisure Time, and two daughters, Lois and Carol.
Thirty-one people became American citizens Friday at a swearing-in ceremony at the county courthouse in Monticello. This was the fifth naturalization ceremony since County Clerk George Cooke reinstated the event, about two years ago.
Saturday was the dedication ceremony for the Upper Delaware’s Scenic Byway along Route 97. A caravan of officials rode a Sullivan County Transportation bus up 97, stopping along the way to offer speeches, play music and partake in food and flag-waving with locals.
Mae VanAken of Livingston Manor, 83, a former Town of Rockland Clerk for 26 years, died September 23, 2002. The daughter of the late E. Wiley and Lillian Barnhart Lacey, she was born in 1919 in Livingston Manor. She was the widow of Harold VanAken.
Liberty’s Mike Salvia swept the field for the Indians last Thursday, as he booted them to a 5-2 victory over the Bears of Tri-Valley in an OCIAA Division IV boys’ soccer game. The 17-year-old striker shares team captain duties with Corey Atkins, A.J. Gill and Doug Yaun.

10 years ago - 2012
A significant local archeological find ended up involving the County Legislature. On Thursday, legislators unanimously agreed to sell four foreclosed acres in the Town of Mamakating to Abdelilah Belghiti for $17,500. The property was part of this past June’s tax auction, but the original purchaser never completed the sale, said County Treasurer Ira Cohen. Last month, a team of locals – including Charles and Helene Goetschius of the Mamakating Historical Society – gained access to the acreage, assisting Catherine Cavallo of Totowa, NJ in locating the grave of one of her ancestors. Using the dowsing technique for which Charles has become mildly famous, they uncovered a nearly 200-year-old cemetery on the slopes of the Shawangunk Ridge, not far from Fort Roosa, the oldest still-standing structure in the county. The remains of the ancestor for whom Cavallo had long searched – Revolutionary War Private James Ivory – were marked by a weathered tombstone buried under leaves. Legislators applauded – and then were stunned to learn that 13 more gravesites were found around Ivory’s, including that of another Revolutionary War soldier. Helene Goetschius said brass plaques have been ordered to better mark the soldiers’ final resting spots. The cemetery is not open to the public, but the right-of-way to it has been recorded in the deed, and the Mamakating Historical Society maintains a right of access.
“Unearthed: The Upper Delaware River Oral History Project,” created by Western Sullivan Public Library's Laura Moran received an honorable mention for Member Library Adult Program of the Year Award at Ramapo Catskill Library System's 53rd Annual Meeting on September 14. The project started in the fall 2011 with support from a Sullivan County Arts and Heritage grant.

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