140 Years Ago - 1879

The wife of W. B. Townsend of Briscoe is very sick of typhoid fever.

On Wednesday, December 17, Mrs. Sarah Fayerweather, wife of George Fayerweather, well-known and much respected merchant of White Lake, died at her home in that village. The deceased was a daughter of Henry Jackson of Hurd Settlement.

The infant son of George and Lena Fillweber of North Branch, aged 3 months, died on December 9.

Callicoon Center - John Julius Caesar Cicero Augustas Darling, the profound sage, philosopher, anatomist, phrenologist, traveler and greatest of all, delineator and truth sayer, who performs regularly at weekly entertainments in this village, last Saturday, his regular mail day, consented to be blindfolded when a stranger to him was induced to sit to have an impartial examination of his cranium made, and the decision divulged. To the surprise of all, the result was the discovery of the great development of animal passion upon one of our seemingly virtuous citizens.

Upon its being brought to light the expounder wished to apologize and recant but it had gone forth to the great amusement of the onlookers.

130 Years Ago - 1889

On Tuesday in court at Monticello the much talked about case of Rachael Fredenburgh against Stephen H. Sherwood was put to trial. It was one of the sensational cases that usually packs the court to overflowing, drawing the old and venerable men of the town. Livingston Manor as represented by a number of residents. The case lasted until Wednesday when it went to the jury at 3 o'clock. At midnight the jury, after much argument, finally brought in the verdict of $3,000 for the plaintiff.

Spencer Hardenburgh of Galena, Ill., is visiting his old friends in Jeffersonville and Youngsville.

Web Sherwood of Livingston Manor was in town this week.

The first snow of any value this season fell last Saturday. Two sleighs were seen on the street that day, and on Sunday the street was full of sleigh riders all day.

Col. Wilcox, a prominent operator in oil at Bradford, Pa., has been several days prospecting for oil in the vicinity of Long Eddy. His opinion is that oil or gas can be found there.

Bridge at Callicoon Depot: A ready-witty correspondent of the Argus, in commenting upon the much talked about bridge across the Delaware at Callicoon Depot, says there is at last a prospect that the river will soon be bridged at this point. Work will be begun as soon as the weather turns cold. The builders, Frost and his partner, are said to have spanned more streams than any of the most famous bridge-building companies in the world.

The wife of Marcus Sisson, who lives in the woods near Beaverkill, had a desperate encounter with a large male bear, who entered the house and attacked the baby while Mrs. Sisson was hanging out the wash. She seized an axe and fought the bear. After a hard struggle, her husband appeared and immediately lodged a bullet in the bruin's brain, killing him instantly.

Isriel Borden sold his farm last Monday for $1600.

Mrs. Katherina Bauerfeind of the Beechwoods died on December 2 at the age of 68.

120 Years Ago - 1899

At the annual election of the county lodge of Good Templars, among the officers from this area who were chosen were C.H. Coleman of Livingston Manor, treasurer; Miss Cora Warren of Livingston Manor, guard; and W.W. Bennett of Youngsville, sentinel. Chief Templar is Rev. P.E. Decker of Hillside.

A new depot will be erected in Livingston Manor in the spring. A restaurant will be attached.

Delaware Lodge No. 561, F.&A.M., elected the following officers on Friday night: Master H. Curtis, Senior Warden John L. Nudorf, Junior Warden Charles F. Starck, Treasurer John Dycker, Secretary S.A. Kemp. The master-elect has appointed the following officers: Senior Deacon F.E. Bird, Junior Deacon John Dering, Senior and Junior Masters of Ceremonies Charles Curtis and Frank D. Austin, Chaplain Rev. Francis Mansfield and Tiler Otto Bergner.

Charles H. Royce, clerk of the Board of Supervisors, has prepared the tax rates for the towns of Sullivan: Callicoon's rate for this year is $1.301 on every $100 of valuation. Others are Bethel, $1.585; Cochecton, $0.952; Delaware, $1.254; Fremont, $1.130; Liberty, $2.208; Rockland, $5.682.

Cards are out announcing the marriage of Miss Hattie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Sherwood of Livingston Manor, to Thomas Downs, O&W operator, at that place, on December 31 the marriage ceremony will be performed in Mr. Sherwood's opera house.

Jacob Hoehn and Barbara C. Rosenberger were married at Hortonville by Rev. S. Muery on December 17. The couple will make their home in the Beechwoods.

Major and Mrs. Edward H. Pinney will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary at the Pinney house in Liberty at 12:30 on Christmas.

George Armour of Narrowsburg caught a wall-eyed pike in the Delaware last week that tipped the scales at 8 1/2 pounds and measured 32 inches in length. The fish was landed with an 8 ounce rod. Armour sent the fish to a New York friend, who mounted it on a piece of polished mahogany and placed it on exhibition. Its size and beauty attracted much attention.

Valentine Schmidt and wife have gone to Scranton to visit their daughter, Mrs. George Kinbeck.

110 Years Ago - 1909

A daughter was born Friday to Matt Wood and wife of Jeffersonville.

Webster Kohler, who has been working at carpentry in Middletown, is home with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John N. Kohler.

Fred H. Reum, son of Valentine Reum of Beechwoods, has gone to Philadelphia where he is attending a college of telegraphy.

A young son arrived last Sunday at the home of John Herbert and wife of Obernburg.

The Sullivan County Democrat of Callicoon has been sold by Mrs. K.M. Pomeroy to Matt T. Collins and Fred H. Young, who took possession last week. Mr. Young has had charge of the plant for Mrs. Pomeroy for some time past, and Mr. Collins was formerly in charge there. Both are young men and ambitious.

With their acquirement of the business, the Democrat changes from a Democratic, to a Republican newspaper.

Game wardens the other day caused the arrest of Jacob Doetsch and Homer Marks of Callicoon for maintaining eel racks in the Delaware River. Both men pleaded guilty and were fined $50 each, which they paid.

Peter Schutt died of stomach trouble at his home near North Branch on Sunday, in his 60th year. For some years before coming to North Branch, he conducted a saloon in New York. Eleven years ago he bought the Wohler farm and boarding house at North Branch, which he conducted successfully.

Josephine Wagner of Callicoon Center spent last week with her brother, William, of Youngsville.

The water works project at Youngsville is presently at a standstill. Guernsey Myers and Harry Paterson are the prime movers in the good cause, and they plan to get the water supply from the Menges Falls up the North Road. The cost is estimated at about $12,000. Some are in favor of going to Sand Pond for a never-failing water supply. It is time the citizens got together and agreed on a plan. There is nothing that will benefit a village more than a good water supply.

100 Years Ago - 1919

Charles Scheidell and Mrs. Sadie Pierson of Jeffersonville were married at the Lutheran parsonage on Saturday afternoon. The witnesses were Val and Miss K.C. Scheidell. After their honeymoon, the couple will make their home in the Fred Scheidell house on Maple Ave., which the groom owns and where the bride has been housekeeper for some months past.

Liberty defeated Jeff at basketball in a contest between the two schools at Jeff last Friday night, 38 to 15. For Jeff the team was Goodman, Keyser, Moran, Schmidt and Scheidell. M.C. Sprague of Liberty was referee.

For the first time in two years the third degree was conferred by Callicoon Lodge of Freemasons at Jeffersonville last Friday night. The candidates were Dr. H.C. VanKeuren of Jeffersonville and Dr. Harvey Myers of Kenoza Lake. About 25 of the Masonic brethren were present. Lunch was served at the Mansion House after the meeting.

Andrew vonBergen has been elected president of the Jeffersonville branch of the Dairymen's League and Charles W. Wilfert, secretary and treasurer.

Albert J. Miller died at his home in Youngsville at the age of 51 yesterday morning. For almost 20 years he lived on the former Sherwood farm on East Hill and several years ago went on the Weismann place.

Jacob Ernst, a former resident of near Youngsville, died at his home in New York on December 8, aged over 90. A native of Rhinefalz, Germany, he came to New York City at an early age and there became the owner of a beer brewery. Thirty-five or more years ago, he came to Youngsville and bought the farm of the late John Menges. Ten years ago he traded it for property in the city and moved back there.

Maggie V. Many, widow of L.W. Many, died at her home in Livingston Manor on December 4, aged 79.

90 Years Ago - 1929

Mrs. Martha Lawrence Hofer, widow of Oliver Hofer, and daughter of the late George M. Lawrence, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fred Sauerwein at Summit, NJ, last night. She was 72 years old.

Five sisters, formerly of Lake Huntington, formed a bowling team at Johnson City that is becoming noted for its triumphs over other girl teams from different parts of the country. The sisters are Emma Nearing, Elsie Dowart, Alma Nearing, Edith Keesler, and Ruth Nearing. On Saturday night, for the second time, they defeated the Jeffersonville Girls at Syracuse by the total score of 2159 to 1977.

The marriage of William Baer Jr. of Jeffersonville and Miss Mildred M. Wahl of Hortonville will take place at the Presbyterian parsonage in Jeffersonville next Saturday. The couple will live at Narrowsburg, where Mr. Baer has a barber shop. The attendants will be Samuel Baer and Miss Delma VanSchoick.

Sheriff-elect Ben R. Gerow has leased his garage and store building in Liberty to the Purple Swan Motor Coach Co. He retains the wholesale gasoline and fuel oil business which his two sons, Ralph and Lewis, will conduct. Mr. Gerow was the first in Liberty to enter the garage business 27 years ago.

Much advertising and news matter are omitted this week because of lack of space.

Kenneth C. Fuller, school physical director, will return today to Mrs. Sohl's boarding house from the Liberty hospital where he underwent an operation for appendicitis. He will go home to Gouveneur next week for the Christmas vacation.

80 Years Ago - 1939

Attorney Lawrence H. Cooke, son of County Judge and Mrs. George L. Cooke of Monticello, has been appointed head of the campaign in Sullivan County to relieve infantile paralysis.

Word has just come that on November 16, last, Miss Alberta Klaus, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Klaus of Kenoza Lake, and a graduate of Jeffersonville High School, Class of 1936, received the highest of three honors given by the Lenox Hill Hospital Nurse's Training School, during graduation ceremonies of the Class of 1939. It was an award of $50 for aptitude in obstetrics, the highest honor given to a member of the junior class.

Forty-five farmers attended the meeting last Monday night at the Jeff School building to discuss the raising of cauliflower for the market. Much interest was shown. A committee, consisting of Charles Robisch, chairman, Leo Wolff, Louis Hoffmann and Chester Stephenson, was named to arrange for a group of meetings the next of which will be on January 15th.

Supervisor Fred W. Hessinger of Callicoon Center was returning home from bowling at Honesdale, at 2 o'clock Monday morning, when his car skidded on some ice, a short distance below Callicoon on Route 97. The car turned over but righted itself again. His nephew, Albert Kartner of Carbondale, was thrown out of the car and was stunned for a while. Mr. Hessinger struck his head against the cowl and was knocked unconscious. Picked up by a motorist, they were taken to Callicoon Hospital where several stitches were needed to close cuts Mr. Hessinger had suffered. He went home after treatment and is not much the worse for his slippery experience.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Weber on January 1 will come down off the hill and take rooms in the Ranft house for the winter.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Grant of Bethel announce the engagement of their daughter, Elinor, to Frank C. Fulton, son of Mrs. Florence Fulton of Kenoza Lake.

A daughter was born December 19 to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Polster of Beechwoods, at the Callicoon Hospital.

70 Years Ago - 1949

The Lions Club held their second annual Christmas party for the children in the Jeffersonville School auditorium last night. There were all sorts of games and contests, with club members supervising them; Christmas carols were sung by the Jeffersonville Chorale Society. Refreshments were served to round out a perfect evening.

The Buck Tail Hunting Club had a venison dinner at Bucky's Inn on December 18 with 15 members enjoying the buck meat shot by them in Turnwood. Masters of Ceremonies for the evening were Milt Erdman and George Schoonmaker.

Fifty at Auxiliary party: Over 50 members and friends attended the Christmas party held by the American Legion Auxiliary. The entertainment was arranged by a committee composed of Mrs. Harold Wohltjen, Miss Singe Ahnstrom and Miss Jean Flaccus, assisted by Mrs. Blanche Hauschild. Mrs. Wohltjen played Santa Claus to distribute gifts in front of a lighted Christmas tree.

Libby Manzolillo is entered in the 126-lb. open class of the Golden Gloves Tournament in New York. He has won 15 consecutive bouts since losing in the semi-finals of last year's Golden Gloves Tournament.

Mr. and Mrs. William Schadt announce the birth of a son, Robert William, seven pounds, fifteen ounces, born December 21 at the Callicoon Hospital. Betsy Ann, their daughter, is quite proud of her early Christmas present.

Mrs. Madeline E. Temple, 35, of Rockland, was killed instantly shortly after noon, December 19, as the car which she was driving was struck by the locomotive of an O&W freight train on the Cottage Street crossing at Roscoe. Surviving are her husband, Francis, residing on a farm in Rockland, three brothers and a sister.

At the December 16th meeting of the Kenoza Lake Chamber of Commerce, the following officers were elected: Alfred E. Adler, president; Fred Schwenger, treasurer and Clarence O. Roesner, secretary.

Congratulations are due Ed. A. Brand, mortician in Jeffersonville since 1895, who is 83 years old today, December 22, and still on his feet every day attending to business. Edwin Augustus Brand is the eighth of ten children born to the late Dr. William and Anna C. Brand, who came from Rotenburg, Germany, in 1849, and settled on the lot now owned by Mrs. Katherine Sohl of East Main Street, where Ed was born in 1866. In 1876, the family moved to New York where the doctor practiced on the East Side until 1880, when they returned to their home in Jeffersonville where the mother died in 1890 at the age of 60 and the doctor in 1893, at the age of 68. Ed is the last one in the family. As a young man he taught in the district schools around here for a number of terms. Then he joined his brother, William C., third in the family, in the furniture business for a few years, finally taking over the business and merging it with undertaking. Later he confined his work to undertaking and the granite business. He has built two houses in his contribution to the growth of the village and has always been in the parade of progress.

60 Years Ago - 1959

Santa will be much in evidence in Jeff. On last Friday afternoon, he had fun at the Mullally store with goodies for the kiddies. And on Saturday afternoon, the 19th, that's this Saturday, he will be greeting the children and handing out free gifts at Rudolph's store.

Mrs. Rose Townsend, a former telephone operator and a Jeffersonville resident for 54 years, died Sunday at the Liberty Loomis Hospital. She was 74.

We had an occasion to make the rounds of Roscoe, Manor and Jeff the other day and saw these villages prettied up for Christmas. While there are many lovely stores and store windows, we think that certain stores are outstanding.

Mr. and Mrs. Matt Krum celebrated their 50th wedding anni­versary on Sunday, December 13.

It's no secret that “Butch” the ailing boxer of the Dick Rosenbaums, loves it down at Seibert's where he eats, sleeps and generally has a fuss made over him. “Butch” has had some pretty bad days. Twice he was on the verge of seeing his last day as he was taken to be disposed of to avoid further pain and suffering. Each time, in some way, “Butch” has made a comeback. It was due in no small measure to the loving administrations of Fred and Mae Seibert. The other day the boxer was really feeling low. All else failing, Mae became a vet. She gave the dog Anacin. Believe it or not, he pepped right up. Look to your laurels, George, Mae has a way with the dogs.

At the Board of Supervisors meeting at Monticello on Monday, the report of the Committee on Ratio and Apportionment of County Tax was unanimously approved. The rate is $17.97 per thousand, an increase of about 32¢ over 1959.

50 years ago - 1969

Sunday's storm dumped five inches of snow in the area.

Donna Ferber of Callicoon topped all students in Sullivan County in the recent Regent's College Scholarships, with a score of 275. Delaware Valley Central School seniors won six of the scholarships. In addition to Miss Ferber, Donna Baer, Kyle Knight, Rita Koblenski, Kathy Stabbert and Roy Streever were named winners with alternates being Richard Bjorklund and Barbara Rosenberger.

Mr. and Mrs. George Kark­kainen of Long Eddy have an­nounced the engagement of their daughter, Ada, to Lawrence Herbert, son of Rev. and Mrs. William Herbert of Tioga Center. An April wedding is planned.

Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Hubbert of Callicoon will celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary on December 23.

Miss Elaine Avery of Honesdale became the bride of Berwyn G. Williams Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Whitmore on November 29, at the Central United Meth­odist Church in Honesdale.

Mr. and Mrs. Osmer Graby of Callicoon celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on December 14 at the home of their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Tillson Cade of Hortonville.

At a meeting of the Town of Cochecton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, held December 8, Morris Katzoff was elected president. He will be assisted by James Creegan, vice president; Gertrude Katzoff, secretary; and Loretta Gilbert, treasurer.

Miss Joanne Hoffmann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hoffmann of Jeffersonville, and Frederick Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Baker of Livingston Manor, were united in marriage on December 13 at St. George's R.C. Church in Jeffersonville.

40 Years Ago - 1979

The new Holy Cross Church, being built by Albert VanKeuren of Narrowsburg, is scheduled for completion some time before Easter according to the church pastor, Father Anthony Morre, OFM. The new church, which will serve the Town of Delaware, including Callicoon, Hortonville, the Beechwoods, Hankins and Long Eddy, will have a seating capacity of 250.

V. Edward Curtis of Callicoon has been nominated by the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors to fill the position left by the resignation of Carl Grund Jr. of Cochecton, on the Upper Delaware River Citizens Advisory Council. He will serve with Mrs. James McCough of Eldred as the two representatives from Sullivan County on the council. A special service was held Monday evening for Vincent Innella, a Sparrow Bush fireman who was killed while fighting a house file last Saturday at the home of Gary and Annette Kolvenbach in Sparrow Bush. The Kolvenbachs and their two-month-old son escaped injury. Wearing airpacks, Mr. Innella and Robert Ey, 21, entered the second floor when a sudden burst of flame, called a flashback, trapped Mr. Innella and knocked Mr. Ey backwards down a staircase. Mr. Ey is undergoing treatment for second and third degree burns at the Westchester County Burn Center in Valhalla.

Mrs. Linda Hillreigel of Callicoon announced the engagement of her daughter, Robin Lynne, to Christopher Curtis of Wurtsboro. A September wedding is planned.

Susanne A. Hindley, daughter of Hilfur Hindley and the late Arthur L. Hindley of Monticello, and Steven White, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard White of Kiamesha Lake, were married November 25 at the Concord Hotel.

Robert Ernst, president of Sullivan County National Bank, has been named to serve on the Resolution Committee of the Independent Banker's Association of America. The committee is charged with drafting resolutions for adoption by the association's membership at its 50th annual convention scheduled for March 1980 in San Francisco, Calif.

A formal dedication of the new library in Roscoe was held Sunday December 9. Doris Jones is president of the Board of Trustees.

Agatha Toth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Toth, Monticello, became the bride of Steven B. Kaufman, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Kaufman, Monticello, at a ceremony performed at Kutsher's Country Club on November 4.

Miss Debbie VanDeLinde, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William VanDeLinde of Milanville, Pa., became the bride of Walter J. Yanacek, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Yanacek, Callicoon on September 15, at the Abrahamsville Methodist Church.

30 Years Ago - 1989

K. Dwayne and Becky Rhodes of Cochecton have announced the birth of a son, Kenneth Arthur, on November 28. He weighed 8 lbs.

John Lang of Callicoon shot an 8-point deer while hunting with friends from Germany, Albert, Bill and Willy Krapf. Bill took a 5-pointer and Willy got a spike.

Six Sullivan County runners earned All-American status at a recent Amateur Athletic Unions' (AAU) National Meet held in Hammond, Ind. From Eldred - Joe Miedreich, Pat Brady, Dandy Storms, Jen Radtke and Diadra Halfmann and from Jeff-Y, Cindy Monaghan.

John Robisch of Longmont, Colo., a former resident of Hortonville, recently shot an elk in the mountains of Colorado that weighed 600 pounds.

20 Years Ago - 1999

Faculty members of the three schools that now make up the Sullivan West Central School pitched their idea for a centralized 7th-8th grade middle school to the public Thursday night prior to the regular board meeting.

The owners of a proposed new Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant along Route 42 in Monticello are ready to begin construction whenever the federal Environmental Protection Agency gives its approval on the site.

Local radio host Mike Sakell of WVOS will be on hand at the Liberty Museum for the start of the New Year and to provide entertainment and the countdown to welcome the year 2000.

Gene Albrecht of Juno Beach, Fla., and formerly of Rock Hill, was surprised at an 80th birthday party given by his children, Ben of Jupiter, Fla., Martin of Hobie Sound, Fla., and Lorraine Pfeister of Rock Hill, and their spouses, at the VFW in Stuart, Fla. on November 28.

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Amback of Livingston Manor announce the engagement of their daughter, Audrey Ellen, to Kort Martin Wheeler, son of Mrs. Ruth Wheeler and the late Jay Wheeler of Liberty.

A memorial service was held November 28 at the United Reform Church in Youngsville in memory of Mrs. Sidney Cooper, a member of the Youngsville community for many years and a Past Regent of the Beaverkill Chapter, National Association Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).

10 Years Ago - 2009

Town of Callicoon Councilman supervisor candidates Linda Babicz, the incumbent, and her challenger, Councilman Tom Bose, appeared in John Ogozalek's 12th grade Participation in Government class at Sullivan West High School Library to give the students the opportunity to ask questions and state their case in a debate format.

General Motors' second-in-command, Vice Chair Bob Lutz, joined half a dozen automotive journalists and enthusiasts at the Monticello Motor Club for a much anticipated challenge pitting his Cadillac CTS-V against comparable street-legal sedans. Lutz had challenged the other races to the duel after they doubted the CTS-V's ability to outdo BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Jaguars and the like. Lutz was bested by another CTS-V.

An opening ceremony was held for Larry's Lobby in the Government Center in Monticello. During the ceremony, snack shop operator Larry Houman was busy tending to the store while NYS Office of Children and Family Services employees were welcoming a crowd of supporters. The store's much anticipated expansion and new security were made possible by the state's Business Enterprise Program, administered by the NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, plus help from the county's divisions of Public Works and Grants Administration. Larry is legally blind and thus qualified for state aid in running his business. He is also one of the most warmly regarded figures in the Government Center. His shop is the only place to get food on premises!