140 Years Ago - 1886

The Jeffersonville House will be sold at mortgage sale next Monday at two o’clock at the front door of Caspar Abbeal’s.

Mr. Steeler from Brooklyn purchased a small farm located above the grist mill near the village of Jeff of Valentine Maus. Consideration $400. Mr. Steeler will fix the place up as a sort of summer residence.

It is said that $24 in money was stolen from a trunk belonging to Mr. Frederick Wagner, downtown, about a week ago.

Sullivan County Lodge No. 421, I.O.O.F. of Youngsville, has chosen the following officers, who will be installed next Saturday: N.G., T.E. Starr, V.G. Vanford Robertson, Treas. Henry Homer, Secy. T.S. Quick, Trustees E.O. Inderlied, H.K. Gregory and Henry Spielman.

130 Years Ago - 1896

The most prominent will contested in Sullivan County in years started before Surrogate Smith in Monticello on Tuesday. The will is of the late Hannah Hammond, widow of Nathan S. Hammond, an old merchant and banker in Monticello. About $55,000 is involved. Nathan S. Hammond died about 30 years ago leaving about $200,000 accumulated by the strict attention to the selling of groceries and such commodities as were needed by the early residents of Monticello and vicinity.

The principal issue in the will contest of Mrs. Hammond is whether the money involved shall go to the Methodist Church benevolences or to the next of kin. The objectants are stacking the regularity of the execution of the will and assert that undue influence was exercised by the chief beneficiaries and the agents of the religious corporations named in it.

Margaret, wife of Philip Jacobs Sr., died at her home in Youngsville, aged 75 years and 11 months.

The disappearance of Mrs. Lavina Ward of Livingston Manor, whose husband, Milton Ward, was arrested in October last for her supposed murder, has been solved to the satisfaction of all. The case is an elopement and not a murder, as many of the newspapers tried to make out.

Foxes are reported to be numerous in Sullivan County this winter.

The following were installed as officers of Callicoon Lodge, F.&A.M., for the ensuing year on Saturday night. Master Valentine Scheidell, Senior Warden U.R. Calkins, Junior Warden W. Lieb, Treasurer Conrad Metzger, Secretary H.J. Glassel, Senior and Junior Master of Ceremonies, W.J. Donaldson and Thomas Tyler and Tiler W.A. Brand.

120 Years Ago - 1906

One of the hottest times ever held in this old town was at the special school meeting in the school house Friday night to vote on the proposition to establish a union free school district in Jeffersonville. The school room was packed to the doors. The opposition was out in full force and put up a fight that staggered the advocates of a free school. There was considerable bad blood shown, but fortunately none spilled. The resolution was carried by one vote, but the opposition is appealing to the Commissioner of Education.

Invitations have been sent out for the wedding of Miss Rhoda K., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Reymann, and Chester G. Yager of this place, at the home of the bride-elect’s parents on Maple Avenue next Thursday evening.

George L. Cooke, one of Monticello’s rising young lawyers, was in town on business Saturday.

As a topic of discussion the trolley simply isn’t in it since the special school meeting of Friday night.

The will of the late John Holpp of Jeffersonville was probated at Monticello last week…The will of Catherina Gaebel of Jeffersonville leaves all her property to John Wilfert, who kept her during her last years, and who is made executor of the estate.

William J. Bennedum of Lake Huntington last week bought the Bennedum  homestead at that place of his father, John Bennedum Sr., for $8,000.

Supervisor Scheidell went to the city Tuesday to take in the automobile show. Val has the auto fever “wuss” than ever.

Louis P. Erdman, who recently joined the Benedicts, has bought a building lot of Gus Schmidt, on the upper side of the road, and will build a residence there in the near future. (Editor’s Note: Mr. and Mrs. Erdman recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary)

Wm. Pfeifle of Jeff and Adolph Finkbeiner of Swiss Hill, who recently swapped properties, have made the exchanges and each is now located in his new home.

110 Years Ago - 1916

Henry J. Krantz, proprietor of the Fosterdale House at Fosterdale, died of general septicemia January 15, aged 63 years. He was born in Beechwoods, son of the late Henry and Elizabeth Krantz; 37 years ago he was married to Christina Schnorr of Kenoza Lake.

New officers of Lincoln Chapter of the Eastern Star of Jeffersonville were installed at the Masonic Hall Thursday night. Past Patron Wm. Knell was installing officer assisted by Mrs. Wm. Kohler and Philip Schmidt. The new matron is Mrs. Charles O. Wilkin…Mrs. John Dering was installed matron of St. Tammany Chapter, OES, Callicoon, with Past Patron Charles P. Kautz as the installing officer.

William J. Grishaber and Joseph Alpy of Jeffersonville have formed a partnership to engage in the automobile, garage, and machine shop business, and contemplate cutting quite a figure in those lines here in the near future. They have bought John Alpy’s barn property in Jeff and in the spring will erect a building in front of the present one for an automobile show room and supply store.

Vincent Carey of Fosterdale and Mrs. Blanche Chase of Cochecton Center were married at St. Joseph’s College, Callicoon, by Rev. Fr. Aloysius on January 6. 

John Danzeisen, one of our industrious chicken farmers, attended the automobile show in New York recently. He has the auto bug in his bonnet and spring will no doubt find him soaring around on wheels.

The third annual meeting of the Cooperative Fire Insurance company of Sullivan and adjoining counties took place at Centreville Station Tuesday.

There were 3473 hunting licenses issued in Sullivan County last year. Bethel had 207, Callicoon 159, Cochecton 105, Delaware 159, Fremont 104 and Liberty 533.

John H. Wahl has sold his farm at Youngsville to Frank Miller of White Sulphur Springs.

The horse races on ice at Lake Huntington last Saturday did not attract a large crowd on account of the cold weather.

A son was born Saturday, January 15, to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin J. Duttweiler of Swiss Hill.

Boarding house keepers, now is the time to order your spring printing; don’t wait till the last minute. (Editor’s Note: True then and true today.)

100 Years Ago - 1926

Burglars, believed to be local talent, forced an entrance into the office of Martin Hermann’s lumber mill at Callicoon by breaking a panel of the door Tuesday night, and took what change was left in the cash drawer.

Mrs. Edwin Weber of this village, an active member of the Home Bureau, has taken up the art of basketry and will teach classes in basket making at Liberty and White Lake.

Sam Shapiro has sold the eastern part of the old Jeffersonville Hotel block to Joseph Schiff of New York, who it is understood will open a furniture store in the building. The building was lately occupied by Oscar Will’s meat market on the ground floor, with tenements on the two upper floors.

The incorporated village of Jeffersonville has 49 citizens and 25 aliens, according to the New York State census. Either the figures were wrong, or we don’t know what a citizen is. According to the census report, Jeffersonville has a greater percentage of alien population than any other section of the state, which we cannot believe is true. We are credited with a population of 437, and of this number 49 are citizens and 25 aliens. Looks fishy!

An examination of the applications for the appointment of postmaster at Jeffersonville to succeed Mrs. Ida M. Kohler whose term has expired, will be held at the Callicoon post office next Saturday.

January breakup: Ice harvesting was interrupted here by the thaw and rain of Sunday and Monday. On Monday the ice went out of the pond and creek in this village. The ice was nine inches thick.

Mrs. Charles Peterson and Miss Martha Scheidell of Maple Avenue entertained their Sunday School classes in the Presbyterian Church rooms Saturday afternoon, with games and refreshments.

The firemen are getting all set for their annual supper and dance at Grange Hall next Wednesday. With two orchestras going, it ought to prove a warm time. 

Youngsville – George Sparling has purchased a new touring car.

White Sulphur Springs – J.B. Lindsley has sold his Jordan sedan to Harrison Krum of Liberty.

Callicoon Center – The Delaware River is frozen over in some spots, but in many places there is only a shallow coating of ice. First, a coal shortage and then an ice shortage. But either of them is preferable to a food shortage.

90 Years Ago - 1936

Over 500 attended the Jackson Day dinner at the Hotel Grossinger, Liberty, on January 8, held under the auspices of the county Democratic Party. County Chairman J.M. Kelly welcomed the gathering. The feature speech came over the radio from President Roosevelt at the Jackson dinner in Washington. Among those attending from this village were District Attorney William Deckelman and wife, Fred Schadt and son, Fred, Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Ritterhausen, Miss K.C. Scheidell and Miss Vivian Svenson.

At the annual meeting of Protection Hose Company on Monday night, August Lott was elected chief, he being the fifth man in that position since the company was organized in 1920. First and second lieutenants are Al Townsend and Earl Kohler. Robert Mann was re-elected president, Dr. Arch Freer, vice-president, and Samuel Baer, secretary-treasurer.

The following constables were reappointed by the Callicoon Town Board for an indefinite term: Youngsville – Peter Amback and Harold Schmidt; Jeffersonville – Fred W. Seibert and William Erdman; Callicoon Center, Casper Girard.

In the Town of Delaware constables appointed were George Molusky and Audley Dorrer, Callicoon; William and George Rosenberger, Hortonville; John Gempler, Kenoza Lake; and Earl Kohler, Jeffersonville.

Hannah Barbara Forester, aged 73, and widow of John Schaefer of Cadosia, native of Jeffersonville, died suddenly of apoplexy January 6th while doing her household duties.

Fosterdale M.E. Ladies Aide elected Mrs. G.H. Abplanalp as president; Mrs. John Essman, vice-president; Miss Hannah Calkin, treasurer; and Mrs. Preston Theiss, secretary.

Richard Joyner and Leland Grant of White Sulphur Springs left Tuesday for the southland and expect to be away about two weeks.

Ice ten inches thick was cut the past two weeks from Schuler’s Lake in Callicoon Center to fill several ice houses in town.

80 Years Ago - 1946

Donald Krantz, who was with the Army in India, has returned to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Krantz. Before going in the service, Donald was employed in the Victory store.

Petty Officer Erwin L. Baker returned home last week after having been discharged from the Navy.

Lt. Robert Meyer, son of Mrs. Otto W. Meyer of Lake Huntington, who was in the navy in charge of radar for years, has been discharged and is now in New York with his family.

The milk and dairy products business conducted by Henry Short in Liberty for fifteen years has been sold to Hyman Rosenberg of White Sulphur Springs, and his brother David Rosenberg of New York.

White Sulphur Springs: Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Tremper announce the engagement of their daughter, Lois, to Stephen M. Lewis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Lewis, and who is now serving in the Merchant Marine.

On January 15, Anthony Manzolillo of Jeffersonville and Leonard G. Feigenbutz of Obernburg went for pre-induction into the Army.

Mrs. Catherine Lawrence, former resident of Youngsville where she was known as “Cassie,” celebrated her 94th birthday on New Year’s Day at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Linda Goubelman with whom she has lived in Bethpage, L.I., the past 25 years.

Frederick John Long, lifelong resident of Beechwoods, died at his home there after a long illness, age 74 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Otto W. Hornung of Callicoon have gone to Melbourne, Fla., to spend the winter…Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kispert left over a week ago for Largo, Fla., and have arrived safely for the winter.

David Panebaker, principal of Liberty High School, was elected president of the Orange-Sullivan Council, Boy Scouts.

Callicoon Center - A son, William, was born Saturday at the Callicoon hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Korth.

A baby girl was born Saturday, January 12th at the Roscoe Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bury. Her name is Linda Hazel.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Bell at Liberty Hospital on January 8th. 

70 Years Ago - 1956

Valleau C. Curtis was elected president of the First National Bank in Callicoon at a meeting of the stockholders on January 10th.

Lois Ann Clark, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clark, was baptized Sunday morning at the Presbyterian Church, Jeff.

Judge Roscoe V. Elsworth ruled that Henry P. Furk, appointed by the Cochecton Town Board, is the legal supervisor of the Town of Cochecton.

Monticello opened its first Municipal building on Monday, January 9th. The modern three-story air-conditioned brick building will permit consolidation of all local offices and functions at one location.

On January 21 the VFW Auxiliary will have their monthly radio program on WVOS with Mrs. Leota Hermann of Callicoon, District 2 Ladies Auxiliary president, as guest speaker.

60 Years Ago - 1966

The Hankins Hockey Club, under the able coaching of Donald Hankins, will take on all comers. After many recent practice sessions on the lake at St. Joseph’s Seminary, the boys are ready for combat.

Peter J. Rutz, a lifetime resident of the Town of Fremont, died Wednesday morning at the Roscoe Community Hospital after a long illness. He was 96.

The horse racing on ice event planned for White Lake promises to be bigger and better than ever. W.D. Adams of Stalker, Pa., one of the Delaware Valley’s more prominent citizens, will drive his favorite horse in the competition. Mr. Adams is 92 and still is a tough competitor to come up against. Of course, it must be remembered that Mr. Adams practiced at this ice racing business some fifty or sixty years ago when this sport was in its heyday, so he will definitely have the edge on the younger participants in the race.

William Branning, 91, of Equinunk, Pa., died Saturday.

This coming weekend in Livingston Manor, the Rotary Club, along with the Livingston Manor Fire Department, launches its 11th annual Ice Carnival. Weekend activities will begin with the Ice Carnival Dance.

Sullivan County needs a vocational school, Welfare Commissioner Robert B. Travis declared to newsmen during a recess in the county supervisors’ meeting Monday at Monticello.

A Liberty woman, Mrs. Ina LeRoy Vatet, died Friday at Middletown two months short of living to be 100 years old.

50 Years Ago - 1976

A Pea Brook logger, Vernon T. Meyer, received a severe eye injury late Friday afternoon while working in the woods. He was treated at the Callicoon Hospital and transferred to the Community General Hospital in Monticello.

Janet E. Blake of Tennanah Lake was among those county officials who recently appeared before County Clerk Joseph Purcell for their oaths of office. She has served in the Clerk’s office since March of 1975.

The 17-room residence of Clinton P. Tompkins on the Loomis Road in Liberty was completely gutted Saturday. The alarm, which sounded at 1:33 p.m., brought out the volunteers of No. 1 Fire Company, the aerial ladder of No. 2 Company and the emergency truck of No. 3 Company along with the Rescue and Recovery truck. Assistance was given by Neversink, Youngsville, and White Sulphur Springs.

Carl K. Dillmuth, Pennsylvania Secretary of Banking, confirmed that the merger of the $337,000 Matamoras Loan and Building Association, Matamoras, Pa., into the $11.5 million Northeast Savings and Loan Association, Honesdale, had become effective as of January 2.

Lee Bergus, a senior at Liberty Central School, was awarded the $75 first place award in the VFW Voice of Democracy contest for his theme “What our Bicentennial Heritage Means to Me.” He will represent the Sullivan County Council VFW at the district judging. A second prize of $50 was awarded to Jody Wahrhaftig; 3rd place of $25 was awarded to Liz Colombani; both are students at LCHS.

40 Years Ago - 1986

Ed Schultz has been appointed to fill the vacant seat of councilman on the Town of Cochecton Town Board, caused by the death of William Keesler. A special election in November will be held to elect a councilman.

Major Carl R. Colberg Jr. will be reassigned to Troop “F” as Troop Commander. Since becoming a state trooper, Maj. Colberg has served in Troops “C,” “K,” and “F.” His home is in Mongaup Valley.

Carol Lynn Longcoy was born January 5 in the Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, to become the winner of the Sullivan County Democrat’s contest for the first New Years’ baby in that hospital. She is the daughter of Jenny and Mark Longcoy of Hawley Pa. In Sullivan County, the first New Year’s baby was India Shari Rivera, daughter of Isabel and Miguel Rivera of Liberty. She was born at 10:32 a.m. on January 1 and was born at Mercy Hospital in Port Jervis.

Penny Cole died of smoke inhalation at her home in White Lake Monday night. Cause of the inferno is under investigation but investigators said Wednesday there is nothing suspicious. This was the first fatality in the county in the new year.

A girl, Jessica Ann, was born January 7 to Mr. and Mrs. Bernard C. Cost Jr. in Binghamton. She is the 10th grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Korth of Callicoon Center.

Mrs. Shirley Goldstein, Monticello Police chief Roger Bisland, and Charlie Crist and Fred Stabbert III of the Sullivan County Democrat staff, have been appointed to a special committee to administer the funds raised for a reward to be paid to anyone providing information and conviction of the man who raped two Monticello women this past summer. The money will be put in a special trust fund to be used for a reward or rewards in special cases of violent crimes against a person or persons, such as rape, murder, manslaughter or violent assault.

30 Years Ago - 1996

The prospect of casino gaming in the Catskills took on new emphasis in the new year Tuesday as the Sullivan County Casino Gaming Advisory Board moved ahead with plans to ratify a memorandum of understanding with the Mohawk Indian Nation to operate a casino at Monticello Raceway.

The Big V ShopRite Supermarket chain plans to build a new $6-$8 million supermarket on 17 acres between Jamesway Plaza and the Route 17 Quickway in the Town of Thompson with construction to start in March, Ken Goldfarb, consulting engineer for the town, confirmed this week.

The Liberty Village Board unanimously approved a youth curfew law during its regular meeting Wednesday. A public hearing was held precceding the vote. Curfew regulations were previously discussed by the board, but action stalled when village resident Isidore Gerber pointed out that the board had changed some wording after the initial public hearing was held, making it illegal.

If Town of Delaware residents can’t agree to build a new senior citizen center, the town will be forced to pass on a $163,041 grant approved by the federal government last October.

Manny’s Run, the Holiday Mountain Ski Area’s 14th slope, was opened formally to skiers Monday in memory of Manuel “Manny” Bogner, one of the ski resort’s first three commissioners.

Thomas and Mary Nola of Wurtsboro announce the engagement of their daughter, Ann Marie, to Kevin Carl Kurthy, son of Thomas and Bette Ann Kurthy of Kiamesha Lake. A July 1996 wedding is planned.

20 Years Ago - 2006

The selection of the architect and engineering firms which will handle the construction of the new county jail will be presented this Thursday to the Sullivan County Legislature by acting Sullivan County Manager and commissioner of General Services Harvey Smith. The total cost of the jail, including engineering and construction, is estimated by the county to be $50-60 million.

Things are really hopping in 2006 at the “Frog Pad,” home of the Rock Hill Volunteer Fire Department,  as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. The department was started in 1956 by John Behrens, Bill Bensinger and Dick Benson, who were joined a few weeks later by Dick Bailey and Rudy Finke.

Digital media technology isn’t just for urbanites. Library patrons throughout the RCLS service area will be able to download popular eBooks, eAudio Books, and eMusic beginning January 17, and thereafter. The service was implemented by OverDrive’s Digital Library Reserve, a leading vendor of digital media solutions for libraries. The service will be available to library patrons in Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and southern Ulster counties.

10 Years ago - 2016

It’s truly time for Mickey Mouse to return to Monticello. Fondly remembered for his decade-plus tenure waving at Broadway passersby, Mickey and his eight-foot, double-faced timepiece have been fixed up, polished up — and soon, put up in front of the relocated Crawford Public Library. That’s not too far down the street from where he first caught Tara Buckstad-Russo’s eye. Though just a little girl, she never forgot when he finally came down off the Rhulen Insurance building in 1978, a dozen years after he first graced an outdoor clock the agency had originally installed in 1951. “My father had worked on it,” she explained, recalling her father Carl’s repeated ministrations that kept the clock functioning.

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, who represents the 100th Assembly District of New York State, says she wants to make sure that everyone who wants to see and speak with her has that opportunity. Gunther conducted the first stop in her 2016 Diner Tour where she met with 92-year-old Alfred Houghtaling, a resident of White Sulphur Springs and a WWII Veteran who was stationed in Germany during the war.