100 Years Ago - 1920

John W. Gottschalk of Hankins has purchased the general store of Wm. Gardner at Hortonville. The store had been in the hands of the Gardner Family since 1867 when Henry Gardner, who died Sunday, purchased it from the Horton & Clements Co.

Bombarded by the elements of an hour and a half Sunday afternoon storm, the township of Delaware in general and Callicoon village in particular, suffered the greatest damage in history, estimated at $50,000. The Erie tracks were buried under three feet of debris and the street was piled as high in some places and in others gutted five feet deep. The Western Hotel suffered most heavily with damage also to the Callicoon Hotel and the Zimmerman dwelling. The Callicoon Hotel was flooded, the tables in the basement being lifted to the ceiling and the water poured out the second floor. It is said $1,500 will not cover the damage. One lot of $500 worth of cigars was destroyed. The Zimmerman dwell­­ing suffered damages of about $1,000 worth. Dossenbach's baker, next door to the Zimmerman building, was flooded and put out of working order. On the lower side of Main Street the greatest damage was to stocks of merchandise in store cellars. W.H. Stenghose store was directly in the path of the flood and had a loss of $400. D.J. Starck, proprietor of the Delaware House, sets his loss at $300. L.A. Rubin whose clothing store is next in line escaped with but nominal damage to his store, being sufficiently elevated to prevent more than an inch or two of water entering. Just below is the pharmacy of Bennett Brothers in the Kemp building. Mr. Bennett estimates his loss at $1,000. He had one lot of Paris Green valued at $300 that was destroyed. Until this morning he had been unable to get into the cellar. Passing the Callicoon National Bank and the post office, which were protected by a slight elevation, the residence of Supervisor Jas. H. Curtis sustained heavy damage. The cellar is filled with gravel and the walls are washed out. Gus Knack and the H.E. Engert residences had similar damage. Numerous other incidents were recorded: Arthur Ost­er­hout of Kenoza Lake lost his Cadillac when his car was suddenly engulfed in the rising water as it was coming over the bridge at Cook's over Joe Brook; the Oscar Bechtold family of Glendale, L.I., narrowly escaped when a mud slide crashed into the Ford car in which they were riding just behind the Osterhout car. Fred Kille of Obernburg was bringing an auto load of people to the Callicoon station when a large butternut tree in front of John Werlau's residence just above Hortonville crashed to the earth. Some of the large limbs struck the hood and smashed it. Charles Hermann was driving his large Buick near Nicholas Theiss' home when he became stalled in the water. Tying the car to a tree he hastened for assistance. He was gone a short time but upon returning found the car and its anchorage down the swollen creek. Two of Bernard Henke's buildings above Callicoon were struck by lightning but no fire resulted.

Monday evening, Jeffersonville suffered damages from a storm that hit that area. The bridge at Paterson's in Youngsville was carried away and the village of Liberty and Parksville flooded. Landslides occurred at North Branch on Wednesday, blocking the highway; one at Hankins covered the Erie tracks.

And while the rains inundated Callicoon, the sun shone in Lake Huntington for the dedication of the Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Lake.

John Schmeling of Mileses killed a rattlesnake which he found sunning itself on the Hankins Road, measuring 4 feet 8 inches long with 11 rattles.

Mrs. Edwin Schultz of Callicoon was seriously injured Saturday afternoon when the Ford car she was driving was struck and partially wrecked in Kohlertown by the Biddle car belonging, it is said, to Wm. Courson of New York City. Mrs. Schultz sustained three broken ribs and painful bruises.

Born August 11, to Mr. and Mrs. Chris Ferber, a daughter… Philip Gerhardt is erecting a wagon shed and garage… Henry Werlau, proprietor of Roadside Cottage, has his house filled with guests. — Hortonville Corresp.

90 Years Ago - 1930

Perhaps the outstanding feature of the Democratic county committee meeting last Thursday afternoon was the announcement of the designation of Guern­sey T. Cross of Callicoon for member of Congress from the Congressional district comprising Columbia, Greene, Schoharie and Ulster counties. Mr. Corss was in the Assembly for six years and for nearly two years has been secretary to Governor Roosevelt.

Miss Ada S. Young of Stalker and Raymond Bauer of Hankins were married at the parsonage at Equinunk, Pa., by Rev. Hernberg on August 12… Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wahl announce the engagement of their daughter, Leila Agnes, to August Lott Jr. of Jeffersonville.

The Presbyterian Church of Bethel will benefit to the extent of about $20,000 under the will of Helen J. Pintler, a resident who died two years ago. A bequest of $1,000 goes to Evergreen Cemetery Association of Bethel for the perpetual care of the Pintler cemetery plot.

Sheriff Benjamin Gerow's slot machine campaign started early this year and has netted Sullivan County a total of $1,146, according to figures submitted to the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors last week. This includes $860 in fines and $286 taken in nickels and quarters from machines confiscated. Seven machines were picked up Tuesday and Wednesday nights by New York State Police and county sheriffs in a series of visits to hotels and casinos in Yulan, Highland Lake, Barryville, Woodridge and Mountaindale.

The new barn belonging to Henry Adams in Braman was struck by lightning and burned to the ground last Friday evening. Forty tons of hay were destroyed but a team of horses and the harness was saved.

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Calkin announce the birth of a son August 6. The young mother was formerly Anita Lounsbury of Cochecton. He has been named Ralph Virgil.

Callicoon air enthusiasts are having an opportunity to take to the air for several days this week. Yesterday Ben Jones arrived here with a Challenger Plane, carrying two passengers and equipped with a Wright Whirlwind motor. He is taking up passengers and pupils on the Dexter Flats on Delaware Avenue.

Martin Koch, a German baker for the past several years in business in Brooklyn, leased the Gautche bakery here last week and took possession. John Geiselmann, who has been employed in the bakery for many years, will continue in the employ of the new owners.

Rexford E. Gardner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence A. Gardner of Callicoon, left Saturday morning on the new motor vessel, Britannic, for a vacation of several weeks in Europe. He intends to fly from Paris to London and while on the trip plans to witness the Passion Play in Oberammergau.

80 Years Ago - 1940

“American Asphalt Paint Company, Chicago, and its subsidiary, the Marietta Paint and Color Company, Marietta, Oh., have consolidated and are now operating as one corporation company,” Grover M. Hermann, president of the new company, announced yesterday. Mr. Hermann founded the American Asphalt Paint Co. 27 years ago for the production of heavy duty industrial maintenance paints. The Marietta firm was founded in 1897. Mr. Hermann is a Callicoon native, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Martin Hermann, and a frequent visitor here.

William H. Porr, 82, died at his home in Cochecton on August 15. He was born on a farm in East Cochecton in 1859. When a young man he left to study pharmacy and opened his own store in New York City in 1887 and operated it until 1912. Ill health forced him to retire and he returned to Cochecton. He is survived by a son, Cochecton postmaster William J. Porr; three brothers and a sister.

Mrs. Annie McCabe of Long Eddy has announced the engagement of her daughter, Evelyn, to Patrick Nannery of Obernburg. The marriage is scheduled to take place next month at Holy Cross Church in Callicoon.

At the Callicoon Hospital: Mrs. Helen Bogert and baby daughter were discharged on August 16; Mr. and Mrs. William Buddenhagen are the proud parents of a baby boy born August 19; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sulzback are the parents of a baby boy born August 22.

During the past several mornings, the temperature has dropped to nearly freezing and readings of 32 degrees are reported from several sections. One report from Beechwoods states that flowers and other tender plants were frozen. A frost on August 21, 1940, is worth recording.

A new American-LaFrance fire truck has been purchased by the Livingston Manor Fire District, to be delivered within the next few days. The machine is a triple combination with pumping capacity of 750 gallons a minute and has a 300-gallon booster tank.

The “Callicoon Nine” tied for first place in the league when they clinched an easy 7 to 2 victory over Matamoras. In the line-up were John Wagner, Bill Milk, Bill Henke, Charlie Engert, Millard Bury, Duke Robisch, Frank Henke, Jimmy Mallon and Fred Fehling.

The Hotel Lorraine in Lake Huntington has built a fine large handball and shuffle ball court. It is 72 x 30 feet and is also used for dancing. They also built a volleyball and basketball court. Archie Misner and son of Callicoon Center have been doing the work.

Driving up the track at the Afton Fair Tuesday afternoon to score for the first heat of the 2:24 pace, E.J. Kellam, well-known harness horse owner and driver of Hancock, narrowly escaped serious injury last week when his horse, Signal March, reared as he was being turned and fell backwards upon his driver. After assistance by other drivers, Mr. Kellam complained of a pain in his back and was helped to the paddock while George Tingley superintendent of racing at the fair, consented to drive the race, after the sulky, which was being used for the first time, had been exchanged for an older one.

A steel tower has been erected on the John W. Poley farm by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Weissmann of Kenoza Lake are the proud parents of a daughter, born August 12. They are occupying the Christian Ruppert house.

Following a meeting of committees of the Honesdale Borough Council and the Wayne Historical Society two weeks ago, a site for the erection of a replica of the Stourbridge Lion was decided as Torrey Park, Park St. A steel and glass housing will be constructed to hold the replica which is now at the New York World's Fair. The Stourbridge Lion was America's first locomotive. It operated between Seelyville and Honesdale on wooden rails with scrap-iron top, in about 1829. The building will measure 15 x 60 feet.

70 Years Ago - 1950

Robert Armstrong of Long Eddy died as the result of an auto accident when his Chevrolet sedan left Route 97 about a mile west of Long Eddy. He had attended a clam bake in French Woods and was en route home when the accident happened. He was the owner and operator of R. & E. Armstrong's general store in Long Eddy, founded by his grandfather, C.G. Armstrong.

At the Callicoon Hospital it was a son to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Blum of Milanville on Thursday; a son to Mr. and Mrs. George I. Molusky on Monday; a daughter, Wednesday to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Dotter of Lackawaxen; a daughter Thursday to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Neer of Long Eddy.

Mrs. Howard Marks of Callicoon has announced the engagement of her daughter, Mary, to Nelson Miller of Abrahamsville.

Andrew Brucher, lifelong resident of the town of Bethel, died August 11. He is survived by several children and 11 grandchildren… Walter F. Hermann of Callicoon passed away August 11 at home. He was a 52-year resident having engaged in farming and upon retirement worked for the Erie Railroad. He is survived by five children; two sisters,; a brother; 11 grandchildren; and three nieces.

George Hahn of Callicoon Center has been awarded a poultry scholarship for a 4-H project. He will enter Cornell on September 14.

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence E. Simon of Hankins were pleasantly surprised on August 19, when friends and relatives gathered at their home to help them celebrate their silver anniversary.

PFC Willis L. Monington, 19, has been wounded in action in Korea. He is now at a hospital for treatment of wounds of the left arm and right leg.

A $748,676 contract for the construction of an interstate bridge and approaches over the Dela­ware River at Cochecton has been awarded to the Triple Cities Construction Co. of Binghamton. The project is one of ten structures over the Delaware River, between New York and Pennsylvania, which are to be reconstructed under a joint agreement which provides that each state will share equally in the cost of reconstructing and maintaining these connecting structures.

The Sawyer Scholarship Foundation, created under the will of George Sawyer for the purpose of establishing scholarships for graduates of the Delaware Valley Central School, will be available next year. The Board of Trustees held its organizational meeting on August 14 at the office of Attorney Irving Bershader and for the time being created a yearly scholarship of $300.

60 Years Ago - 1960

A flash flood on Friday afternoon, August 19, the second in eight years, caused damage to Callicoon property running to thousands of dollars. Cause of all the trouble was the creek north of the village which normally finds its way to the Delaware through an underground conduit. The Western Hotel suffered the most damage when water flowed through the lower floor of the hotel to the depth of a foot or so. Worst damage to residences was to those of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Robisch and Mrs. Henry Stengel. The flood water left a deposit of about six inches of silt in the cellar and garage, destroying the Robisch's oil burner.

Mrs. Michael Mullen, the “grand old lady of Sullivan County,” observed her 100th birthday at her farm home near Willowemoc, two and one-half miles from Parksville. She is the mother of 12 children, 10 of whom are still living. The Monticello Presbyterian Church will mark its 150th anniversary with a week-long series of events starting September 4th.

The six Rheingold Girls will be at the Hortonville Firemen's Field Day on August 28. Law­rence W. Mauer is general chairman of the event.

Miss Jean Calkin of Fosterdale left with 30 other school teachers from McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey on Sunday for Frankfurt, Germany. They have been assigned to teach children of American personnel overseas.

A son was born at the Callicoon Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Roger (Norma Leschorn) Hess on Friday; a daughter arrived Saturday for Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hust of North Branch.

A double birthday surprise party was given Peter Rutz, 91, and his wife who will be 83 on September 7, by their grandson, Laurence Stoesser and wife of Otego. Mr. and Mrs. Rutz live in Hankins.

The newly established Ramapo-Catskill Library System began operation on August 1, at temporary headquarters, 34 West Main St., Middletown. According to a recent release, six Sullivan libraries are members: Delaware Free Library, Callicoon; Sunshine Hall Free Library, Eldred; Daniel Pierce Library, Grahamsville; Liberty Public Library; Livingston Manor Free Library and Roscoe Free Library.

50 years ago - 1970

Miss Verna Simon and Roger Hess were united in marriage at the Hankins United Methodist Church on July 26. Mrs. Rose Newman and Lloyd Hess were the attendants.

The house on the former Engert property at Callicoon was razed by workmen from the Corbscello Construction Co. last Friday, August 14. The building, operated for many years as a “road house” and adjacent to the Ohls Hatchery property, was demolished on Friday to make room for improvements to the Callicoon-Hortonville dugway. One portion of the building was a dance floor and the “road house” was known for serving meals and liquid refreshments. It was acquired sometime during the 1920s by Henry Engert and the family lived there from about 1930 on.

Workmen are busy these days pouring the foundation for the new addition to the New National Bank of Jeffersonville. Al Van­Keuren of Narrowsburg is the general contractor.

An estimated crowd running from 10,000 to 20,000 joined in the 100th birthday celebration held in Liberty Saturday afternoon. Al Sharkey, Highland super­visor, brought his 1903 Oldsmobile replica to ride in the parade. Among the political figures attending were Congressman Martin McKneally of Newburgh and Assemblyman Edwyn Mason of Hobart. Beautiful floats highlighted the long parade which had an estimated 1800 participants.

Lawrence L. Batinkoff, Ferndale poultryman, has been nominated for election to the board of directors for Agway, Inc. He operates Ferndale Poultry Farms on which he raises 200,000 laying hens and 200,0000 started pullets.

At the Liberty-Loomis Hospital it was a boy, August 7, for Mr. and Mrs. Dale Malone of Liberty; a boy, August 9, to Mr. and Mrs. Craig Black of Grahamsville; a boy, Bruce Victor Jr. to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce VanPelt of White Lake; a boy, Lewis Wm. Jr., to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Kleingardner of Liberty; a boy, Robert Glenn, to Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus Manouse of Callicoon; a girl, August 12, to Mr. and Mrs. Winchell of Long Eddy.

Jeffrey Ronald Krongel, 28, of Jeffersonville, died August 14 after a long illness. He was the son of Irving and Sophie Wasman Krongel.

Mr. and Mrs. Al Reimann of New Jersey are the new owners of “His” cabin on River Road, Callicoon. They are spending their first vacation in the valley and are elated with the sights.

40 Years Ago - 1980

It is estimated that about 8,000 people attended the Little World's Fair at Grahamsville on Saturday.

Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Stevenson of Rileyville, Pa., celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 22 with an open house at their home. Operators of a dairy farm for 39 years, they will start a sugar bush. They have three daughters.

Miss Dawn Hennig of Callicoon became the bride of Michael Haramis, also of Callicoon, at the United Methodist Church on August 10. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hennig of Cochecton and Mr. and Mrs. William Haramis are the parents of the couple.

Tian Group Inc. of Paramus, NJ, builders and developers of large-scale projects worldwide, started a major installation at Lake Tennanah in Sullivan County several years ago, spent millions, and then, for the time being appear to have stopped, leaving buildings and towers at their proposed shopping village standing unfinished amid weeds. Robert Frankel, Titan's chief, said Thursday that development is held up waiting approval of a sewer line down the Roscoe road to the village and the completion of an environmental impact study by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Twenty years is a long time to coach baseball and Bob Lynch, who coached the Jeffersonville-Youngsville team for that long, has announced his retirement as of Wednesday. Among his achieve­ments during his coaching career are 147 wins and just 58 losses for a winning percentage of 72 percent. From 1971-75 JYCS won five consecutive WSL championships with a win of 52 games.

30 Years Ago - 1990

Heavy thunder, sharp lightning and turbulent rain struck parts of Sullivan County Monday causing power outages, loss of phone service and considerable damage to trees and some buildings. Considerable damage was caused when a huge oak tree split and limbs were blown on the Rock Hill Fire Department's pavilion which had just undergone an increased addition. In the South Woods area outside Monticello, power outages were reported until after 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Neither rain, nor mud, nor legal disputes have been able to derail efforts to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Festival with yet another music-filled bash at the site of the 1969 festival in the Town of Bethel. Arlo Guthie, one of the performers at the original Woodstock, showed up unannounced and played free of charge for nearly 2,000 people estimated to be gathered in the field. Wednesday night's performances overshadowed more than two weeks of legal wrangling among adjoining property owners, town officials, health department officials, people arriving at the field to set up camp in anticipation of the anniversary concert and members of the Gelish family, owners of the field.

Town of Delaware residents in the Hortonville Fire District will be asked to vote August 30 on the purchase of a new fire truck at a cost not to exceed $84,000.

Tom Freda and Ed Todd killed a raccoon that was acting aggressively on Callicoon's Main Street Friday afternoon. Confirmation was received by Freda from Dr. George Hahn that the raccoon was indeed rabid.

Members of the Jeffersonville Ambulance Corps recently took possession of a new defibrillator for use on heart attack victims. Susan Ahnstrom, training officer for the corps, instructed members on its use.

Several stones were damaged this week in the Hortonville Cemetery and cemetery association officials attribute it to vandalism. According to Elmer Hess, president of the cemetery association, this is the first time something like this has happened in the cemetery that dates back to the early 1800s. Damage was estimated to be about $1,200. Since the association carries no insurance, the cost of repairs will have to be borne by the families whose stones were damaged.

20 Years Ago - 2000

The Honorable Lawrence H. Cooke of Monticello, former Chief Judge of the State of New York, died Thursday, August 17, 2000 at home. He was 85. On Sunday, hundreds and hundreds of people came to the courthouse named in his honor, to bid their final farewells to a man who will forever live in the hearts and minds of Sullivan County residents. “It's a great tribute to a great man, who deserves this,” said former Sheriff Joseph Wasser, who - like everyone else - waited his turn in line. “It is the least we can do for someone who has given us so much.”

The final group to pay tribute to Judge Cooke Sunday evening was the firefighters from throughout Sullivan County, who conducted a traditional service for a comrade who has died. Cooke was a member of the Monticello Fire Department for 61 years and very actively involved with firematics from the time he joined until his death.

The largest crowd ever assemblied for such a function - about 130 in all - gathered Sunday evening in Roscoe to celebrate Delbert Van Etten and Francis Currey being chosen by the Sullivan County Historical Society for its annual History Preserver and History Maker Awards, respectively.

Warren and Annette Hopson of Latham announce the engagement of their daughter, Michelle Hopson, to Dr. David A. Sager, both of Jeffersonville. He is the son of Mrs. Terry Epstein of Rock Hill and W. Phillip Sager of Monticello. An August 2001 wedding is planned.

Marcia and Eugene Raponi of Forestburgh announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Lynn, to Robert Triestman, son of Blandine Triestman of Irvington and Dr. Joseph Triestman of Spring Valley. A September 2000 wedding is planned.

A girl, Nina Rose, was born July 22, 2000 to Christine and Jim Maas of Grahamsville. Maternal grandparents are Rose and John Bogaert of White Lake. Paternal grandparents are Pat and Jim Maas of Grahamsville. Leona and George Smith of Liberty and Marion Maas of Florida are the happy great-grandparents.

The Monticello Police department recently became one of the very few departments in the state which can boast that they have a certified and accredited Police Juvenile Adminstrator in their ranks. Detective Doug Tunno, the department's principal juvenile officer, received the certification from the state earlier this year.

10 Years Ago - 2010

At a recent meeting of the Beaverkill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored Mrs. Earl Wilde with a 50-year membership pin. Elizabeth has been a DAR member since 1960.

Amber McGibbon, who competes regularly in the Jeff Bank 4-Cylinder Junior division at Bethel Motor Speedway (BMS), donated all of her winnings from the June 19 feature race to help support local hero, Tammy Reichenbaugh of North Branch. Reichenbaugh recently underwent a bone marrow transplant in her fight against Leukemia. Fans, drivers, pit crews and friends also donated to this “lady in need” to the tune of $575.

A $742 check was presented to Sullivan County 4-H'ers Michael Hahn and Kaitlyn Smith, teen members of the 4-H Program Advisory Committee at a recent meeting to reward them for an outstanding job with their E-Scrap Recycling event by the 4-H program. With promotional support from the Sullivan County Division of Solid Waste & Recycling, community and business participation was tremendous. The Event prevented 58,574 lbs. of mixed electronics from being dumped into landfills, including 712 assorted CRT monitors and laptops.