140 Years Ago - 1880

Partridge hunting is not very lively in Rockland, the birds being scarce.

A black rattlesnake, having four rattles, was captured in Mrs. Tyler's cellar in Long Eddy.

Frank Harding, son of Wm. Harding of Callicoon, started for Cornell University last Wednesday.

We hear that Charles and Cyrus Quick of North Branch are to walk in Delaware County next week. The prizes are: First, $60; second $50.

Young, Gray & Co. of Rockland will close their tanning business in that place as soon as the present stock is exhausted.

P.H. Woolsey of Morsston has since the establishment of his lumberyard, shipped by the NY O&W Railroad, nearly 2700 carloads of lumber.

On the 4th inst., the grocery of Ruben Schoonmaker of White Lake was destroyed by fire.

130 Years Ago - 1890

Charles Benton, an esteemed young man of Livingston Manor, was drowned in the Beaverkill while bathing on September 13. He was 25 years old and leaves a wife and a child.

Chauncey Coventry, an esteemed resident of Jeffersonville, who resided with his son, Warren P. Coventry, was suddenly taken sick Friday with sporadic cholera and died the following Monday morning. He was born at Hillsdale, Columbia County, in 1821, and has lived in this village with his son for over 10 years. Surviving are his wife and four children.

Clarence E. Roth and Adella E. Stoddard, both of Youngsville, were married on September 10 at Youngsville by Justice of the Peace A.P. Bush.

The house of William Parks near DeBruce, was recently struck by lightning. The chimney was riddled to pieces, but no further damage was done.

Little Freddie Ranft was seriously hurt with a ball bat last Saturday while practicing for an expected contest with the Youngsville boys.

Edwin A. Brand is teaching the third successive term in District No. 8 of Delaware. Commissioner Westfall says it is one of the very best schools in his district.

Annie, 19, only daughter of George Fillweber, died Monday night.

It begins to feel like winter. There has been very little or no sunshine in two weeks.

Blake Wales of Kenoza Lake has sold the grist mill, store, house and some other property at Kenoza Lake to C.K. Osterhout of Hortonville for $7000. It is rumored that Mr. Wales will build a large boarding house on the lake.

Of a class of about 80 students, Theron Potts of Jeffersonville and two others were the only three who passed the first examination at the New Paltz Normal School last week.

120 Years Ago - 1900

Mrs. Susan Wenner, widow of the late George Wenner of Buck Brook, died of dropsy Sunday morning, September 2, aged 69 years. The second wife of Mr. Wenner, she is survived by the following children: Charles and George at home, Conrad and Lizzie, wife of George Hahn of New York and a step-daughter, Eva, wife of Philip G. Hornung of Fremont, and 8 grandchildren. She came to this country 41 years ago.

Truman Smith, one of the old landmarks of Monticello, died at the age of 79 on September 4. He was married to Miss Sarah Quinlan, who died about four years ago. His father, Nehemiah Smith, came to this county from Connecticut nearly a hundred years ago, when the whole region was a wilderness and wild animals were howling around in all directions.

Jacob Menges of Youngsville is wearing a big smile. The stork delivered a bouncing baby girl on September 13. They named her Carrie Louise. Mother is the former Sophia Beiling.

Hattie, 20-year-old daughter of Edward Knise of North Branch, died of bone cancer Monday night.

Mary Coley died at her home near DeBruce, aged 81.

The German Presbyterian Church in Jeffersonville is still without a pastor. Some of the members want Rev. H. Hansman returned while others prefer a new minister.

Henry Hogencamp of White Sulphur Springs, aged 91 years, is remarkably strong and healthy for one of that advanced age. He walked to Jeffersonville from his home Tuesday in two and three-quarter hours, a distance of ten miles, at the rate of a mile every 16 minutes.

The barn of William Husch of Livingston Manor caught fire and was burned to the ground Saturday night together with a large lot of hay.

Miss Ellen Anderson of Callicoon Depot has returned to her duties as teacher in an art school in South Dakota. Her sister, Miss Hannah, has returned to her school at Dundee, NY.

110 Years Ago - 1910

The Democratic town caucus for Delaware was held at Fred Bietz's hotel in Jeffersonville Saturday. John Bosley was chairman and W.E. Bosley was chairman and W.E. Wenzel, clerk. They and W.P. Keegan were chosen as delegates to the state convention. J.H. Curtis, G.H. Raum and Fred Bietz were selected as delegates to the county nominating convention. John Dering of Callicoon was nominated for school director for the long term and John R. Keegan of Kenoza Lake for the short term.

At the Callicoon Democratic town caucus at Eagle Hall Saturday, nominated for school directors were Harry C. Patterson and Val Hessinger. V. Scheidell, H. Patterson and C. Girard were chosen delegates to the county delegate convention. Edward Homer, Mike Ernst and John Yager were picked as delegates to the county nominating convention.

At the Republican town caucus at the Mansion House yesterday, Christian Sander and George Schonger were nominated for school directors. Delegates to the county delegate's convention are Wm. Knell, George Schonger and John A. Pugh, and to the nominating convention Ross Baldwin, A.W. Eickoff and Henry P. Hust.

It now looks as if Mayor Gaynor will be the Democratic nominee for Governor, sentiment for him being strong among independent Republicans as well as Democrats.

At the Democratic county convention George H. Smith, Elmer Winner and James Fitzgerald were chosen as delegates to the state convention at Rochester to be held on September 29. A resolution to instruct them to vote for Mayor Gaynor was voted down.

With the Democrats certain to renominate Assemblyman John K. Evans, it is reported that on the Republican side both John T. Curtis of Fallsburgh, former clerk of the Board of Supervisors, and Chas.. B. Ward, seek the Assembly nomination.

Martin H. Weyrauch of Liberty, an associate editor of the Brooklyn Eagle, and Miss Bessie A. Thornton of Schenectady, were married on September 5. The groom is the son of Henry M. Weyrauch of Liberty, formerly of the town of Callicoon.

Mr. and Mrs. Ira Mapledoram of Monticello have announced the engagement of their daughter, Celia, to Fred Goltermann of Monticello. Miss Mapledoram is a sister of Mrs. E.F. Kohler of Jeffersonville.

Floyd Hulse and Miss Helen M. Knoll, both of Liberty, were married recently.

Miss Ruth Bauernfeind of Beech­woods is teaching the Faubel district school.

Miss Eleanor Glassel has gone to teach the eighth grade in the Liberty High School.

Fred Glassel has gone to Binghamton to complete his high school course and help the Binghamton boys play football.

Frosty nights, these.

100 Years Ago - 1920

Elmer Rosenberg, one of the Socialist Assemblymen from the Bronx, who were ousted from the last legislature, bought the farm and boarding house of John Hahner at Lake Huntington, for $14,000. The purchase included all the farm and boarding house chattels. The farm has 87 acres and the house had nearly 100 guests this season. Mr. Rosenberg is a young man, unmarried and has his parents with him at Lake Huntington. He has been nominated for re-election to the Assembly at the special election called by the governor.

The Jeffersonville school re­opened Tuesday with one teacher short, a teacher of English. Edward B. McDermott is again in charge as principal. The registration is 170 among them are 22 non-residents.

Otto W. Meyer has purchased the interest of his brother, Joseph H., in the general store of H.A. Meyer and Sons. The latter will locate elsewhere.

Wm. J. Grishaber and son, Herbert, went to Deposit Tuesday to install heating plants in greenhouses being erected there by a New York City contractor.

Wm. J. Durr and daughters, Edna and Mildred, and Mrs. Rose Knell and son, Clarence of New York, motored up Monday in the former's car and are guests at the Mansion House for a few days.

Mr. and Mrs. John Armbrust of Kenoza Lake have announced the engagement of their youngest daughter, Miss Edith P.C., to H. Earl Ham of Honesdale, Pa.

On Tuesday night thieves entered the shop of Fred W. Seibert, smashing a window, and stole $12 and small boxes containing candy and other articles.

A temporary plank bridge has been erected in place of the concrete bridge washed out on the state road at the Allgeier place and the Callicoon road is now open again for travel.

Peter Knack, one of the early settlers of the Beechwoods, died of heart failure at the home of his son-in-law, J. Fred Schaefer, last Monday, in his 89th year. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany.

90 Years Ago - 1930

Relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. John Schlagel of Youngsville, arranged a reception at the Reformed Church parlors there on September 6, as a surprise to this esteemed couple on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Schlagel are aged, respectively 74 and 72. They were both born on farms in Youngsville. Mr. Schlagel's father, John, was instantly killed by lightning while driving his buggy down the Matthues hill on his way to the village when the son was only 2. The couple were married on Fall Fair Day in Jeffersonville, September 5, 1880, at the Methodist parsonage by Rev. George Glenck.

Fremont Center parents have appealed to the state commissioner of education over the action taken at a special school meeting in that district when a proposition to transport its 10 high school students to Callicoon was voted down. The law provides that the district must provide transportation.

80 Years Ago - 1940

President Roosevelt has signed the conscription bill for military training. All men 21 to 35 will have to register on October 16th.

Kenoza Lake, September 19 — Services of the Methodist Church here celebrating its 90th anniversary were begun in the church last night with Pastor Paul H. Billings, who recently came here from California, in charge. Saturday night will be an evening of testimony, with organ selections by Dr. Oscar Schminke. Sunday night there will be an anniversary worship service and holy communion, with the district superintendent, Rev. George A. MacDonald of Newburgh, officiating. At the organ during the services will be Miss Bernice E. Fuhrer. A souvenir booklet of the anniversary celebration has been issued.

70 Years Ago - 1950

A couple of large bass have been caught in Kenoza Lake. A five-pound, one ounce large mouth bass was caught by David Robert Hescheles, an 8-year-old whose parents have a summer home at Kenoza. The catch was made on September 2nd in the unused swimming crib of the Edgemere Hotel. A five pounder was caught by Jack Natter of New York City, a vacationer, on August 29th.

Dr. Irving H. LaValle, former Jeffersonville physician, died at his native Fish's Eddy home on August 17th, at the age of 68. He was born there in 1882, a son of Newell LaValle and Antoinette Fish. As a young man, he worked in his father's sawmill and did considerable lumbering.

60 Years Ago - 1960

Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Sickmiller of Port Jervis are the proud parents of a son, born September 10 at Horton Memorial Hospital. He was named Eric John.

Thomas Puerschner is spending a leave of 15 days at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Puerschner.

A bridal shower was held Saturday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Henn of Kenoza Lake for Miss Beverly Stechmann who will become the bride of Robert J. Flynn.

Sarah Kaplan, a resident of Jeffersonville for 40 years, died Monday in Brooklyn. She was 70. She is survived by her husband, Charles, and four children.

North Branch — No leisure strollers in the village but just to drop a letter, a curious visitor to the antique shop who found out he couldn't get away without a purchase to take home, and no more roly-poly kids biking, wrestling and shouting. Instead we will be settling back to peace and quiet from 8 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. when the yellow school bus passes in and out of town. Oh me, oh my, how quickly the time passes.

Last Tuesday four candidates were initiated in the Knights of Columbus at St. Francis Hall, Narrowsburg. They were Fred A. Gasko and John A. Gasko of Cochecton, Martin McKean and Henry A. McKean of Shohola.

Edward P. Kenney, a lifetime resident of the area, who had lived in Long Eddy and Forest Hills, died on September 13 at the age of 67.

50 years ago - 1970

The Sullivan County Democrat now has press run of 4,017 — the highest in the 79-year-old history of the Callicoon newspaper

.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold G. Roeder of Hortonville celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on August 31 and were feted at a buffet on Saturday, August 22.

At the Liberty-Loomis Hospital, it was a son, September 7, Gary Scott, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kays of RD, Callicoon.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Orin Maudsley of Equinunk, Pa., are holding an open house for them on September 20 at the Lookout Grange Hall, Lookout, in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Clarence Simon, 72, Hankins farmer, died September 11 at the Callicoon Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Elsie Bauer Simon, and two daughters, Lucille, at home, and Mrs. Verna Hess of Callicoon; two sisters and two brothers.

40 Years Ago - 1980

The National Park Service has announced that they will use the old house in Milanville, sometimes called the Red House for the color it used to be, as an office for their planning operation for the Upper Delaware. The house was built by John Land who married Lily Skinner and they had 11 children. The famous aviator Charles Lindbergh is said to be a descendant and it is believed he had spent some time at the house in his youth.

Boris and Claire Samuels of Woodridge were killed in a head-on automobile accident Friday evening as they were en route to the hospital to visit her mother, Rose Brooks. Mr. Samuels was a warranty manager for Arthur Glick Truck Sales in Monticello.

Equinunk firemen were assisted Saturday afternoon by Honesdale, Beach Lake and Seeleyville, Pa., trucks and volunteers when called to a large barn and grass fire at the Robert Histed homestead in Gridland, Pa. Callicoon department supplied Equinunk with their hose cleaning equipment for clean-up after the fire.

Dawn Louise Priebe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Priebe of North Branch, became the bride of Blaine T. Houghtaling, son of Mr. and Mrs. Verne Houghtaling of Callicoon, on Saturday, August 23, at the North Branch United Methodist Church. Rev. James Moore officiated… Andrea Faye Brafman, daughter of Monis and Sylvia Brafman of Monticello, and Robert Kenneth Weiler, son of Sherman and Lucille Weiler of Monticello, were married August 25 at Temple Sholom in Monticello. Rabbi Stanley Funston officiated at the ceremony… Cathy H. Arno and A. Jon Bartko were married in St. John Lutheran Church in Massilon, Ohio, on August 25.

A plaque in memory of Dr. Ralph S. Breakey will be dedicated September 28 in the mini park on Monticello's upper Broadway, according to Mary Grund, president of the Monticello Garden Club. Dr. Breakey served as a physician and surgeon more than 50 years and was a coroner for the County of Sullivan more than 40 years.

George Baumgardt of Jeffersonville is showing a Hungarian (white) squash he planted in early June. Still growing, George estimates the weight of the beauty to be about 82 pounds and it measures 68 inches around.

30 Years Ago - 1990

Ramming 122 feet of 20” steel pipe through the base of a 20-foot high mound of earth and coming out exactly on target on the other side is no easy task. But that is exactly what workmen from the E.E. Root Company from Owego were doing as they bored a tunnel underneath the Conrail tracks that bisect Callicoon in one of the most technically demanding aspects of the construction of the hamlet's sewage treatment system. Leo Labuda, an engineer from Kelly Engineering in Liberty, is overseeing the project. The feat was accomplished on the western end of the village on Railroad Avenue and coming out on River Road, just upriver from the Callicoon Post Office.

A 37-year-old Monticello man was killed late Wednesday afternoon after being struck by lightning as he fished from a boat with two friends on Rio Reservoir.

United Beverage Co. recently broke ground for a new 53,000 square foot building on Old Route 17 between Harris and Ferndale.

Thoroughbred horse racing makes its debut at Monticello Raceway tomorrow afternoon. Well, sort of. Beginning September 19, thoroughbred horse races from Belmont Park will be simulcast to Monticello Raceway where patrons may wager on them. Pictures of Belmont Park will be televised at the Raceway where patrons may place bets on the races. Winners will receive whole Belmont Park mutuel payoffs on winning bets, unlike OTB parlors where there is a 6 percent surcharge on winning wagers.

20 Years Ago - 2000

Checked your bookshelf lately? You just might own a book worth more than you paid for — a lot more. Consider the well-known “To the Mountains by Rail,” by Manville B. Wakefield, the non-fictional tale of Sullivan County's tremendous resort age as aided by the New York, Ontario and Western (O&W) Railway. According to Monticello resident Tim Potts, only 7,500 copies were printed in several editions spanning the past few decades. Today, a copy in good condition can fetch around $100, a good deal more than the book initially retailed for. Potts, a Monticello Middle School social studies teacher, is a local expert of sorts in such matters.

A quick response by Liberty firefighters prevented what could have been a major structure fire in the village early Thursday afternoon. According to Liberty Fire Chief Joe Maxwell, his department was dispatched to a structure fire at the old Cherokee Produce building on the corner of Main and Lake Streets at 12:56 p.m. First reports were that roofers were using torches on the roof, but it soon became apparent that the flames passersby had reported were more than just that. First-arriving officer-on-the-scene, Assistant Chief Ben Campanaro, reported flames and called for a second alarm. Within minutes, apparatus were on the scene and firefighters were advancing hoselines into the burning structure while Liberty's aerial truck was positioned to handle fire in and around the roof. “We had the fire knocked down in around ten minutes, resulting in minimal damage to the structure,” said Chief Maxwell.

Miss Amelia Martin and Thomas Brock Jr., both of Chelsea, Mass., exchanged wedding vows on May 20 at the United Church of Roscoe. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley J. Martin of Roscoe and the groom is the son of Martha and Thomas Brock of San Bruno, Calif.

Viola and Richard Benjamin Sr. of Monticello have announced the engagement of their daughter, Wendy Benjamin-Welsch of Rock Hill, to James Willis of Narrowsburg. A July 28, 2001 wedding is planned at the Rock Hill Firehouse.

Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew D. Reith announce the birth of a son, Francis Arthur, who arrived at the Montgomery Regional Hospital in Christiansburg, Va., on August 19. The proud grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. William Diehl of Callicoon, Candice Baker of Florida, Allen Reith Sr. of Tucson, Ariz., and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Barr of Hawley, Pa.

10 Years Ago - 2010

One of Monticello High School's most accomplished alumni put on a magic show for the reunion classes of 1970-79 held at Mr. Willy's restaurant in Monticello, not far from the alma mater. Jeff McBride, known in Las Vegas, was one of about 350 who traveled from as far as Ireland (Lisa Goldfarb) and the West Coast to renew acquaintances and catch up on life's travels.

Liberty High School student Megahn Burke traveled to Ireland in June to take part in the second annual Albert Schweitzer's Leadership for Life Program's annual International Youth Leadership Conference in Dublin. Burke was one of 250 students from Ireland, Nigeria, Korea and England - and only one of ten chosen from the United States - to participate in the five-day program. Students had the opportunity to take part in workshops about becoming effective leaders, listen to world leaders talk about their experiences, and learn about and share each other's cultures.

Tri-Valley Central School student, Samantha Whipple, went over and beyond for an English assignment during the recently completed 2009-2010 school year. Her 10th grade English teacher, Rebecca Doolittle, assigned a research project based on the question, “If you could change the world globally, what would you do?” Whipple earned a grade of 100 percent on her project and thus far has raised $1,350 for Hoops of Hope. Hoops of Hope, a subdivision of World Vision, helps children in Africa who are orphaned because their parents died due to HIV and AIDS. The money collected goes to help build basketball hoops at schools, hospitals and neighborhoods, as well as helping to build schools.