150 Years Ago -  1873

A new post office has been established at Johnson’s Hotel on the Newburgh-Cochecton Turnpike.

The brass band went down the road this morning – full force. Three fifes and a bass drum.

A special hope will be held at “Gus” Grouten’s in Pike Pond, Friday evening. The service of Mark Nutting has been secured to insure its success. Mark has been circulating of late among the “upper ten” and has acquired a large variety of new dances which in point of elegance, surpass all hitherto known. A prize will be given to the lady or gentleman who “maneuvers” through the stately quadrilles without an error.

140 Years Ago - 1883

Reports have it that J.F. Sherwood of Livingston Manor is to rebuild his manufactory at that place.

The Register of last week is out with an article on the Monticello District School, in which the attempt to run the school as a graded school is deprecated, not on account of its usefulness or efficiency, but because some who are now or have been sending their children away from home to school simply because it is fashionable or more high sounding, are obliged to help support a good school at home so that those who value an education simply for itself and do not care for the high sounding name of educating their children at a high-sounding institute at Highflyers town in the province of Highfigumarue. For our part, we fully agree with the sensible inhabitants of Monticello in their endeavors to have a good school at home and sending their children to it and calling on all in paying for it. Go ahead, Monticello District School.

130 Years Ago - 1893

People have been running sleighs here since Monday. About ten inches of snow fell last Saturday, followed by a light rain Sunday which froze solid. 

The Finch Chemical Company of Roscoe has shut down its acid factory.

Born on Sunday to Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Miller of Kenoza Lake, a daughter.

The Liberty Register charged the county $1,200 for printing the tickets in the last election.

The first annual Thanksgiving Ball at the Callicoon House was a grand success, being under the skillful management of our popular landlord, G.H. Neumann.

A new bell has been placed in the Roscoe schoolhouse.

L.F. Poley wishes to announce that he has recently purchased the new harness making business of Arthur Hahn and has put in a new and complete stock of goods in that line.

Prof. F.E. Wood, principal of the Scranton Business College, was in town Sunday and Monday. Prof. Wood was formerly of this county and moved to Williamsport, Pa., about 17 years ago where he established the Williamsport Business College. After running the school successfully for several years, he moved to Scranton, where he established the school of which he is now principal. (Editor’s Note: E.F. Wood was a native of Briscoe. Relatives still live in this vicinity. He became illustrious in the field of business colleges.)

The Krantz brothers of Beechwoods are drawing stones from Neubergers quarry for Ed Wheeler with which to build the foundation for a kitchen next spring. (Note: This is now owned by W.G. Scardefield.)

120 Years Ago - 1903

The snow is heavy and will pack nicely, making good sleighing, if rain doesn’t set in.

The Apollo orchestra offers another of their “seasonable soirees of fun and feast” at the Mansion House next Monday. Another case of dance until you get tired, and eat till you don’t move.

Barbers must obey the law, says Parker of the state examining board. The board will insist on the sterilization of razors and shears by being kept in sterilizing jars five minutes each time before using.

Narrowsburg has established a local telephone system.

A proposition to raise by tax $200 for the purchase of a new hose was carried at the Livingston Manor Fire District last week.

A party from New York spent a few days last week prospecting the purchase of the Dr. Hagy farm at Fosterdale, which they contemplate, we are informed.

Rev. E.E. Pinney, Methodist minister formerly of Jeffersonville, died at his home in Brooklyn. He was born September 3, 1825 at Hurd Settlement, in the Town of Bethel. He entered the ministry at the age of 28 in 1854 and his first assignment was at Olive, N.Y. His last charge was Deposit. His wife was a sister of Wm. Miller of Briscoe. Surviving are three brothers, Maj. Edward E. Pinney of Kenoza Lake, William H. Pinney, postmaster at Hurd, and George C. Pinney of Cochecton.

The Record publishes this week an advertisement from the Department of State, Washington, announcing the death of Joseph Benz of Jeffersonville last June 5 in Baden, Germany. He went to Germany two years ago, leaving his wife, the former Rosie Bossley of East Hill, remaining here.

E.A. Moderson of Fosterdale is having the windmill on his farm enclosed to prevent its freezing which caused considerable trouble heretofore.

NOTICE

Morning mail to Callicoon Depot leaves 7:30 a.m., returning at 5:45 p.m. Frank Dillemuth is the carrier.

Morning mail to Liberty leaves 7:30 a.m., returning at 6:45 p.m. Peter Hubert is the carrier.

Carrier D. Bartholomew leaves for Monticello at 7:00 a.m., and returns at 7:00 p.m. at night.

Afternoon mail from Callicoon Depot arrives 1:00 p.m., leaves 3:15 p.m. John Gorr is the carrier. — Conrad Metz-ger, Postmaster

Have your engraving done at J.C. Abplanalp. He has a New Century Engraving machine with a No. 1 Jeweler’s Outfit.

Your property will be protected at  the very lowest rate if insurance on it is entrusted to my care. — Valentine Scheidell, Insurance Agent

110 Years Ago - 1913

Rudolph Gute died in the Polyclinic Hospital, New York City, Monday afternoon. He was 39 years of age. He had undergone an operation for stomach ulcers. The funeral will take place December 11 from the home of his brother, John Gute, in Middle Village. Mr. Gute was originally from Middle Village where he was in the monument business with his father. Eight years ago he came to Jeffersonville and built a handsome house on a lot he bought of Charles W. Wilfert on East Main Street. He also acquired the Charles Scheidell farm, the McDermott tannery property, the Wilfert farm on the hill, the Jeffersonville House property and the Jacob Wilfert property in Delaware.

Up to a few years ago, Mr. Gute took active interest in rifle shooting and was one of the best marksmen in international shooting circles. He participated in nearly all tournaments and in 1898 won the national indoor championship, breaking all records.

The First National Bank of Jeffersonville expects to open for business in its new building January 1. A representative of the Underwriters Association inspected the bank building the other day. He said it was the best building he had seen anywhere in this part of the country and that it was as near fireproof as it was possible to make it. The insurance man said the building was easily worth $12,000 – the cost was considerably under that figure.

Frank Paul, cattle buyer of Belleville, N.J., took a drove of 22 fine cows from here Monday to car at  Callicoon.

Joseph Moser and Amanda Muth were married at St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg on November 27.

The town council of Tuckahoe has received definite information from the state examiners that there is a shortage of $60,000 in one year of the town accounts of former supervisor Henry C. Merritt, who has been missing since a week before election day. Augustus M. Hand has been appointed receiver of the Merritt Construction Co. of which Merritt was president. The company has $16,000 coming from the state road work in Sullivan County. The company’s liabilities are roughly $250,000.

H. Himmelreich has closed his home at Youngsville and is presently living with his daughter, Mrs. William Lieb.

J. Chandler Enders of White Sulphur Springs has gone to Burnwood where he will be employed this winter.

100 Years Ago - 1923

Over 100 dairymen from Beechwoods and Callicoon were present at Hortonville Wednesday when Dr. Myers of Jeffersonville slaughtered a tubercular cow. Two internal glands and one spot on the lungs were found to be infected. The cow was one of the herd of 19 which underwent the tuberculin test; 13 of which reacted.

Harry Bacon of New York has bought of the Jeffersonville Development Co., the Henry Rose property on Maple Ave., and will engage in chicken raising.

Jennie Layman and Harrison Townsend were married Wednesday, November 28.

90 Years Ago - 1933

Several state and town highway projects are under way under the Federal Civil Works Administration. The state projects require an expenditure of $16,200.

In the Town of Callicoon, the road from Callicoon Center to the  Fremont town line, a distance of two miles, is now under repair by a  force of 19 men who work 30 hours a week at 40 cents an hour.

John Lewee and Annette Geiselman of Callicoon were united in marriage on November 30 at St. Joseph’s Seminary.

John Wagner and Gertrude Schultz were married at St. Joseph’s Seminary on November 29.

Clarence Roth of White Sulphur Springs and Eleanor Cooke of Roscoe were married at the Swan Lake M.E. parsonage on Thanksgiving.

Julia Bussey and Kenneth Rice, both of Livingston Manor, were married by the pastor of the Livingston Manor Presbyterian Church.

 Martin F. Brockman, in his 63rd year, died at his home on Terrace Avenue on December 1. Up to the time of his death he was in his usual good health. He was born in Bremen, Germany. In 1896, he was united in marriage with Wilhelmina Wegener and about ten years later came to this country.

The betrothal of Miss Elka Koblenz of Albany to Herman R. Rudolf of Jeffersonville was celebrated with a party in Albany.

Dr. Stanley Fisher, formerly of Fosterdale, and Esther Elklund were married at the home of the bride in Englewood, N.J.

80 Years Ago - 1943

A terrific explosion in the Star Restaurant in Liberty at about 12:30 on Monday morning, wrecked the place, smashed the plate glass windows in neighboring business places and burned six persons so badly that they were removed to the Liberty hospital. Two hunters, returning from a camp near Claryville, owned by Louis Primakove, owner of the tavern, brought with them a tank of bottled cooking gas which they deposited inside the tavern near the door. James Thompson, 46, of Liberty, while standing at the bar, raised his .30 calibre rifle and shot a hole through the gas tank letting the gas escape into the room. Then when someone lit a cigarette the explosion occurred. The front of the tavern was blown out and the inside wrecked. Across the street the windows of the Bengel Shoe Store were shattered. The plate glass window of Otto Hillig’s was shattered.

Dr. and Mrs. Charles J. Wells announce the marriage of their daughter, Mrs. Constance Haggert, to Fred W. Fehling. She is the widow of Lewis Gardner Haggert, former music teacher of Jeffersonville. She succeeded her husband in that position after his death.

Mr. and Mrs. George Cape of Youngsville have received a telegram from the Navy Department stating that their son, Fred, had been wounded in action.

Mrs. Caroline Enders, aged past 80, has been missing for over a week. Relatives, neighbors and friends have been searching for her without avail.

William Kohler, well-known lumber merchant, passed away at his home as the Record is going to press.

70 Years Ago - 1953

The Cherokee Club House in the Town of Bethel was damaged early Sunday morning to the extent of about $500 damages and if it hadn’t been for Dr. H.E. McGee, it would have burned down.

Henry Eisengrein has cut the Norway spruces in front of his home on Center St.

Dr. Edward B. Miller is building an addition to his home to serve him as an office.

Merchandise Club winners were Mrs. Janet Rampe and Mrs. Shirley Von Bergen.

The Liberty Village Board announced early this week that Jack Gohde has been given a permanent appointment as police officer in the village of Liberty. Officer Gohde topped the list published by the Civil Service Commission.

William A. Menges of Youngsville planned to eat goose on Thanksgiving. A few days before he planned to kill her, he found that she had built a nest and started to lay eggs.

Fred Kron, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Kron of Callicoon Center, has completed his boot training at his base in Bainbridge, Md., and is on a two-week’s leave.

60 Years Ago - 1963

Mrs. Lillian Lang of Kenoza Lake was killed when her car overturned on the Quickway near Goshen on Sunday afternoon. Her 14-year-old grandson, Bruce, who was riding in the car, received multiple body bruises. He was treated at the Goshen Hospital and released.

The United Church of Roscoe was the scene of the wedding of Miss Marjorie Anna Burns, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Burns of Ferndale, and Willy Arthur Bartschi, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willy Bartschi of Roscoe.

The highlight of the local Historians Conference, held in Monticello, was the presentation of a check for the amount of $3,000 to Mortimer Michaels, chairman of the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors. Manville B. Wakefield, chairman of the Sullivan County Civil War Centennial Commission, made the presentation.

Joseph Shaara will go on tour with the Fredonia College Symphony Orchestra December  4-6. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Shaara of Jeffersonville.

50 Years Ago - 1973

Mrs. Anne Kaplan will become Monticello’s new mayor when present mayor David Kaufman becomes supervisor of the Town of Thompson. She will be the first woman in county history to hold the office of mayor.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank Behling celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house and smorgasbord at their famous Peggy Runway Lodge.

Art Whitmore of Callicoon RD 2 took a nice eight-point 160-pound buck on opening day.

Miss Shirley Milk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Milk of Long Eddy, became the bride of James B. Fletcher of Castle Creek on October 27.

40 Years Ago - 1983

Hank Good of Monticello has received three more trophies for his “big rig” which he entered in the New York City Custom Car Show at the New York Coliseum at the end of November. Altogether he has won at least 15 trophies for his brightly colored and immaculately cared for truck.

W. Jesse Lindsley of White Sulphur Springs was given a certificate and pin attesting to his six decades of service to the Masonic Order on November 22. The presentation was made at the Mongaup Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Liberty. Julius Freyberger of Callicoon was awarded his 45-year pin at Delaware Lodge No. 561, F.&A.M., at a recent lodge meeting.

30 Years Ago - 1993

New York State Electric and Gas Corporation has announced it will reduce its work force by approximately 600 employees by mid 1954. This reduction is in addition to approximately 200 jobs that have been eliminated primarily through attrition since mid-year. The company also released 120 tree-trimming contractors earlier this year.

Miss Marcia Herrmann, daughter of Rudy and Clarice Herrmann of Grahamsville, became the October 23 bride of John Fink, son of Mrs. Constance Fink of Hortonville and the late Howard Fink, at a ceremony performed at the Liberty Free Methodist Church in Liberty. They will live in Callicoon. 

Christine Bogaert, daughter of Rose and John Bogaert of White Lake, and James E. Maas, son of James and Patricia Maas of Grahamsville, were married on September 11 at St. Peter’s Church in Monticello.

Sheri Cutler, daughter of  Ralph and Ellen Cutler of Monticello, and Jeffrey Leventoff, son of Albert and Doris Leventoff of Rock Hill, were united in marriage at a ceremony performed at the Concord Hotel in Kiamesha Lake on October 31.

Sybil B. Case and Craig Wakefield Grund, both of Austin, Tex., were married October 23 in Lago Vista, Tex. He is the son of Mario and Kathleen Grund of Forestburgh.

Ruberi Budine celebrated his 101st birthday at the Seelig Division of Community General Hospital in Harris, made special by the efforts of the staff and the We Care Committee in singing Happy Birthday and presenting him with a special cake to mark the occasion.

The Class of 1943 of the Jeffersonville Central School held their  50th reunion at the Lake Jefferson Hotel. Members of the classes of 1938 and 1942 also met with them and joined in the support of the Jeffersonville-Youngsville Central School Faculty Scholarship Fund.

A special PBS program, “Benny Goodman Adventures in the Kingdom of Swing,” will include a glimpse at the Griffin House in Jeffersonville, owned and operated by Paul and Irene Griffin. Paul’s father, Chris Griffin, played with the Benny Goodman band from 1937 to 1940 and will appear in this special direct from the Griffin House. He was also heard as the high trumpet on the Jackie Gleason and Ed Sullivan Shows and has recorded with prominent artists including Frank Sinatra. A lead trumpet with CBS television, Chris Griffin is in the Music Hall of Fame.

Longtime Narrowsburg teacher and coach Ron Scheuren, 57, announced his retirement from all teaching and coaching duties at the end of October.

Marion Roche of Callicoon was awarded the DeWitt Clinton Award by Delaware Lodge #561, F.&A.M., Callicoon Friday evening. Her career as a nurse included positions at the Grover Hermann Hospital and as school nurse at the Delaware Valley Central School. She served 10 years with the Upper Delaware Ambulance Corps and has been a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts.

20 Years Ago - 2003

After 28 holiday celebrations put together by longtime Livingston Manor residents George and Shirley Fulton, the townspeople spent one last evening on the grounds of the couple’s Waterwheel Junction munching on cookies and waiting for Santa. Long at the heart of Manor’s longstanding traditions, the Fultons have decided to slow down and hand the reins over to the rest of the community.

Icy conditions contributed to a fatal automobile accident Thursday when 17-year-old Anastacia Martins of Mileses lost control of her 1998 Ford Escort while rounding a curve on County Route 95 near Fremont Center, striking a tree. Martins, a senior at Sullivan West, would have turned 18 on Christmas Eve. 

A mortgage tax increase for Sullivan County was unanimously approved by the County Legislature on Thursday. The surcharge will raise mortgage taxes by one-fourth of a percent, according to Richard LaCondre, Commissioner of Financial Management. The legislation will now go to the State Legislature for approval.

A group of Cornell University students and faculty presented some of their findings and held a steering committee meeting at the Presbyterian Church in Liberty on Thursday. The team was hired by the village to assist with new ideas to improve Liberty. The Cornell group will next meet with Liberty residents in January, where they will form action teams, said David Driskill, Project Manager for the Liberty Economic Action Project.

Shannon Dee Lamoreau and Jeremy James Sanfacon, both of Livingston Manor, were married September 13, 2003 at the White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church. 

10 Years Ago - 2013

Filling in for absent Forestburgh Supervisor Bill Sipos, Deputy Supervisor John Galligan promised retiring Councilman Gene Raponi that there’d be cake waiting for him at the end of Thursday’s regular town board meeting.Raponi’s 26-year tenure on the board extends even farther back, with six years on the planning board and four as “Environmental Chair” – a fancy name for a physically demanding job collecting data on New York City’s releases from the Neversink Reservoir into the Neversink River. 

For the past 22 years, social studies and government teacher Michael Weiner has been leading the Thanksgiving Food Drive at the Fallsburg Central School District. This year is somewhat bittersweet. He will be retiring at the end of the school year. Helping to ease the ending of his involvement was having two of his daughters assisting in the food drive. Also making the transition smoother was having fellow social studies teacher Elisa Baum working with him to take over the program for next year. This year the Student Government Association or SGA of both Fallsburg JR/SR High School and Benjamin Cosor Elementary School collected  over 40 turkeys and thousands of cans and nonperishable food containers.