submissions by Doug Boyer, Russ Tallman, Kathleen Thomas, and Patricia Wright

April 1904? - Died Suddenly in Hospital at Yonkers

Wife of Former County Treasurer Stricken on New York Central Train. Buried here Saturday. Was An Active member of Eastern Star, W.C.T.U. and Other Organizations Here.

     The sad intelligence that Mrs Mabel L. J. Colby, wife of Thomas Colby, former Schoharie County Treasurer had died at St. John's Hospital last Wednesday came as a terrible shock to our community.
     Mrs. Colby was enroute to New York to join her husband and spend a few days with him before Easter. She was taken suddenly ill on the train near Cold Spring and steadily grew worse and when she was taken from the train at Yonkers she was not only speechless but unconscious. She was quietly removed to St. John's Hospital, never regaining consciousness, where she died on Wednesday afternoon of apoplexy.
     The body was brought here on Thursday evening and the funeral was held from her late home on Danforth Avenue and the Reformed church of which she was a member on Saturday afternoon, a large circle of relatives and friends attending. The Rev. George Z. Collier, her pastor officiated. Interment was in the Middleburgh Cemetery
     Mrs. Colby who had just passed the age of forty-four was born at Ashland, N. Y., the daughter of Dr. Brayton A. Johnson, a Civil War veteran and Phoebe Truesdell Johnson.
     Besides her husband and her daughters, Dorothy N. Colby, a teacher and Pauline M. Colby, graduate of the Cobleskill Agricultural School. Mrs. Colby leaves a mother, Mrs. Phoebe Jordan, a brother, Brayton Johnson, both of whom reside at South Kortright.
     Mrs. Colby was a member of the Onistagrawa Order of the Eastern Star, Middleburgh and Brunner Dorf Chapter Order of the Amarauth, Schoharie, the members of which attended her funeral in a bady. Mrs. Colby was also a member of the Cooperative Club, the W. C. T. U. beside being an active worker in the Missionary and Ladies' Aid Societies of her church.
     She will be long remembered for her genial and happy spirit and her many relatives, friends and associates join in sympathy with the bereaved family.

* * * * *

April 1904 - Miscellaneous

     Mrs. Sanford Keyser died at Breakabeen.
     Barner Acker of East Cobleskill was busy with repairs upon his farm buildings.
     Lewis Demund, aged 75, died April 19th, at Cherry Valley.
     Mrs. F. A. Wells was successfully operated upon at the Albany Hospital for tumerous growth.
     Mrs. G. A. Peters formerly of Gilboa, died in Chicago.
     According to report the H. P. Taylor plant at Jefferson turned out 8000 pounds of maple sugar.
     By action of the Board of Supervisors, the contract for the new County Clerk's building was let as follows: General Contract, Niles Bros., Rensselaer, $22,360; Steel Furniture Co., $3,500; Plumbing, L. D. Letts, Cobleskill, $1,900.
     Lorenzo Kennedy of Broome Hill died April 16th.
     Mrs. G. A. Rowe of Preston Hollow died April 13th.
     Robert Perry Cass, aged 74, of Carlisle was found dead in his barn.
     Charles Jenkins became the owner of a fine span of horses purchased in Troy.
     Mrs. Emmett Mattice of Schenectady was here to attend the funeral of her aunt, Mrs. George Rockerfellow.
     The youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Vroman died April 22nd.
     Joseph Emmerson Mace died at Livingstonville, April 17th, aged 60.
     Charles Edwards, formerly of this place had his leg taken off near the knee while alighting from a moving train near Sidney.
     Edna Hix died at Jefferson April 16.
     Nelson Hinman died at Manorkill April 16.
     Col. Jacob DeForest died near Duanesburgh, aged 84.
     Isaac Bellinger, aged 71, died April 17th at Esperance.
     Mrs. Margaret Goodfellow aged 80 died at Meusa.
     Elmer Peasley of Gloversville visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Addison Peasley.
     Rev. William C. Hardy preached his farewell sermon as pastor of the Reformed church at Schoharie.
     Mrs. Henry Proper died of pneumonia at Conesville.
     Rufus Sisson died at Huntersland April 21, aged 81.
     Theodore Hill went to Cairo to attend the funeral of his father.
     The remains of Harmon Howe were brought here from Binghamton for burial.
     April 24, a new switchboard was installed in the local telephone office thus connecting Middleburgh by long distance with the outside world.
     Mrs. Joseph Shaver and daughter, Gertrude, and Mrs. Luther Zelie of Breakabeen visited at Coxsackie and Schenectady.

* * * * *

December 1904 - Hymneal

     A new craft was launched on the matrimonial sea, Wednesday of last week, Dec. 21st, 1904, the occupants thereof being Miss Grace, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Rivenburgh, of our village, and Mr. Lavern H. Dibble of Cobleskill, son of Rev. and Mrs. S. E Myers, of West Fulton. The harbor from which the boat sailed was the cozy home of the bride, and warm hearted friends were there to bid them fair winds, a happy, prosperous voyage over the treacherous waves, and an honest God speed, with a beautiful sunset at life's close, and a glad greeting at the landing on the other side.
     At the appointed hour of 1 o'clock P, M., the bridal party entered the neatly decorated parlor, led by the officiating clergyman, Rev. S. E. Myers, followed by the contracting parties, who were attended by Florence, sister of the bride, as bridesmaid, and Mr. Arthur Hollenbeck as best man. Proceeding to the eastern corner of the parlor they took their places under a beautiful bower constructed of evergreens, most perfectly decked with holly, smilax and roses, and lighted by wax tapers, which gave a beautiful and dainty effect to the scene, where the reverend gentleman spoke, in a most impressive manner, the words which consummated the happy union. The ceremony over, sincere congratulations followed in a merry, and cheery expression, after which one of the finest spreads it was ever our privilege to partake of— profuse in quantity and rich in quality—was served, soundly digested with wit and humor, and approved most fully in active demonstration. The bride was gowned in white Lansdowne, trimmed with white chiffon, and carried white roses, the groom in black ; the bridesmaid was attired in white Crepe-de-chine, wearing pink roses, and the best man in black. The bride and groom left on the afternoon train for a short trip, returning to the home of Rev. and Mrs. S. E. Myers at West Fulton, on Saturday evening, where they received renewed greetings of relatives and friends, and on Monday morning departed for Cobleskill where the groom resumed the duties of his lucrative position in the Van Voris hardware store. There is no sham or false assumption in the make-up of these young people, and we predict for them a bright, prosperous future, a desire concurred in by all who know them. The gifts were numerous and valuable. Those who were present at the marriage were :
     Rev. and Mrs. S. E. Myers, Mr. and Mrs. George Rivenburgh, Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Young, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Rivenburgh Mr. and Mrs. Norman Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Spaulding. Mr. and Mrs.. Virgil Spaulding, Mr. and Mrs. Seth M. Flint, Mrs. R. B. Marselus, Mrs, Lucinda Brajaw, Mrs. Charles Cornwell, Miss Mary Wood, Miss Maryette Thorne, Miss Omelia Stafford, Miss Mildred Leonard, Miss Libbie Scutt, Miss Hazel Spaulding, Miss Kate Dietz, Mr. Fred Wood, Mr. Velmore D. Wood, Mr. Arthur Hollenbeck, Mr. Charles Edwards.

* * * * *

November 1908 - Edwards - Shoemaker

     The home of Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Shoemaker, near Franklinton, was the scene of a very pretty wedding on Thanksgiving evening when their daughter, Josie Russell, became the wife of Mr. Le Grand Van Tuyl Edwards, Rev. R. C. Reynolds, officiating. The bride and groom were attended by Miss Anna M. Griffen and Garrison K. Shoemaker, brother of the bride, both of Middleburgh. The bride wore white silk and carried a bouquet of white roses. Her maid wore a princess gown of green messaline satin and carried a bouquet of pink roses. As the bridal party entered the room the "wedding march" was beautifully rendered by Miss Edna Vroman, of Middleburgh The bride's gift to her maid was a gold thimble, and the groom to his best man a silver smoking set, also the bride to Miss Edna Vroman a gold brooch pin.
     Supper was served under the direction of Mrs. J. T. Kelsey, an aunt to the bride, to whom the credit is due for the excellent menu prepared which was enjoyed by all present. The kindness of those who so ably assisted in serving the supper is duly appreciated. Many handsome presents were received consisting of $120.00 in money, silverware, rugs, embroidered pieces, quilts, cut glass, table linen, lamps, and other articles, including a handsome sideboard. They took their departure on Friday morning and will be absent for a week or more, and will visit Albany, Schenectady and other points. About eighty were present, among whom were:
     M. F. Shoemaker and wife, J. T. Kelsey, wife, and daughter Marion, William G. Kelsey and wife, Ira G. Kelsey and wife, Walter Edwards, wife, and son Le Roy, Ira Loucks, wife, and son Ervin, John C. Miller and wife, Charles Cornwall and wife, Luke Russell and wife, Fred Brayman and wife, Adelbert Whitbeck, wife, and daughter Lelah, Watson Auchempaugh and wife, Frank Auchempaugh and wife, Isaac Spencer and wife, Nelson Armlin, wife, and son Isaac, Theodore C. Benjamin and wife, Hiram Wetmore and wife, Hugo Williams and wife, Robert K. Taylor and wife, William T. Shepherd and wife, David Taylor and wife, Hiram Earls, wife, and son Stanley, James Shepherd and wife, Spencer Kniffen and wife, Merritt Spencer and wife, William Lamont, wife, and daughter Damaris, Miss Anna M. Griffen, Miss Edna Vroman, Miss Mabel Coons, Mrs. Almina Laraway, Mrs. Almeda Leonard, Mrs. Ida Castle, Rev. R. C. Reynolds, Garrison E. Shoemaker, Warren V. Davis, F. Beardsley Davis, Arthur C. Hughes.

* * * * *

June 1909 - West-Bulson

     Harriet D., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. D. West, was united in marriage to Dorwin Philip Bulson, at the home of the bride, on Wednesday evening, June 23d, 1909, at eight o'clock. The best man was Caryl W. Bulson, brother of the groom, and the bridesmaid, was Alice C. West, sister of the bride. The flower girls were Laura Livingston West and Lucy Vroman, and the ushers were Charles D. West and Edwin H. West, brothers of the bride, while Mrs. Hiram Rust, of Rensselaer, played the beautiful wedding march, as the bridal party entered the room, and the knot was tied by Rev. Orman M. West, of Pennsylvania, a brother of the bride. The bride was attired in white satin, and carried white roses, while the bridesmaid wore cream net over cream satin, and carried pink roses. The groom and best man in conventional black. The home was most beautifully decorated in green and blossoms, the cozy nuptial corner being a bower of beauty, and as winsome as were the happy faces which lent inspiration to the impressive scene. Promptly at 8 o'clock, in step with the beautiful wedding march rendered, the bridal party entered the parlor, led by the ushers, the groom and best man, the bridesmaid on the arm of her mother, the bride leaning on the arm of her father. Positions were at once taken, and with the impressive ring service, Rev. Orman M. West spoke the words which made the contracting parties man and wife. Under the canopy of green and white, the happy pair received the congratulations of their friends, in merry glee, and no people ever started out to sail the sea of life with heartier wishes for joy and happiness than did Mr. and Mrs. Bulson. Congratulations over, a very fine spread was partaken of, and in this department there seemed to be a unanimity of feeling, as all worked with a will, but failed to exhaust the supply. Later in the evening Mr. and Mrs. Bulson left in an auto for Cobleskill, to take a train and boat for New York city where they will stay a couple of weeks. They were accompanied to Cobleskill by Mr. Caryl Bulson and Miss Alice C. West. The occasion was one of the happiest and most joyous it was ever our privilege to attend, and it is our pleasure to bespeak for Mr, and Mrs. Bulson sunny skies, prosperity without limit, and a life, long and sweet. Miss West was one of our finest young ladies, and Mr. Bulson a popular young merchant who has won the respect of our people since he came here to do business, and in our good wishes we will be joined by all. The bride, received many beautiful and useful presents from her friends, the present from the groom being a solid gold bracelet with initial H. The groom also gave to the best man a solid gold Signet ring. The bride's present to the bridesmaid was a fine oil painting, and to Mrs. Rust an oil painting. The Citizens' Silver Band serenaded the wedding party and guests with some splendid music, and the "rest disturbers" were also present with music that was forceful, if not elegant. The guests at the wedding were:
     Mrs. Elizabeth D. Bulson, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Bulson, Miss Rose M, Bulson, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Bulson, Mr. Caryl W. Bulson, Johu W. Bulson, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. N. D. West, Miss Alice G. West, Mr, and Mrs. Charles D. West, Edwin H. West and daughter Laura Livingston West, Rev, Ormon M. West, Mrs. Delos H. Gridley and two sons Austin and Donald Gridley, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer B. Wood, Masters Howard, Leonard and Martin Wood, Mrs. Hiram Rust, Hon. and Mrs, J. E. Young, Mr, and Mrs. O. B. Wood, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Vaughan, Mrs. J. E. Neville, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cornwell, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Cornell, Miss Sarah Frances West, Mr. and Mrs. Austin Turner, Rev. and Mrs. B. L. Crapo, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Vroman, Miss Grace Zeh, Miss Elma Borst, Miss Bessie L. Keyser, Miss Mary Youmans, Mr. and Mrs, Melvin Hoteling, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Daring, Miss Marion E. Daring, Mr. R. B. Daring, Miss Lucy M. Vroman, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Denison, Mrs. George Rivenburgh, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Turner, Master Nelson Rust, Mr. and Mrs. George B. Wheeler, Mr. Carl Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Roney, Mr. and Mrs, H. B. Snyder, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Dorman, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Van Dyke.

* * * * *

June 3, 1909 - June Wedding At Gallupville - Gage-Zimmer (Schoharie Republican and County Democrat)

     Miss Ethel Gage, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gage, was married Wednesday, June 2d, at high noon, to Orlo M. Zimmer, of Gallupville, N. Y. The ceremony was performed by Rev. C. S. Coulter, pastor of the M. E. Church. The house was beautifully decorated with ferns, evergreens and potted plants. The first strains of Lothengrins Wedding March, played by Mrs. Avery B. Zimmer, announced the approach of the bridal procession, which was headed by Rev. Coulter, then followed the groom with the best man, Mr. Harrison Gage, of Gallupville, then came the Bride's attendant, Miss Mildred E. Hunting, of Albany, who carried a beautiful bouquet of pink carnations and the bride with a beautiful bouquet of white roses. The procession having passed through and aisle formed by four ushers. They took their places beneath a beautiful arch, where a large satin bell was hanging, where the contracting parties were pronounced man and wife. The beautiful and impressive ring service of the M. E. Church was used. The ushers were Wiley Gage and James L. Gage, of Gallupville, brothers of the bride, and Avery B. Zimmer, brother of the groom and Vernon B. Wolford.
     The bride was beautifully gowned in white silk mosseline, trimmed with white lace. Miss Hunting was very artistically gowned in white batiste. The bride's present to her attendant was a beautiful solid gold brooch with pearls.
     The groom's present to his best man was a handsome gold scarf pin.
     The bride's traveling dress was reseda green with hat to match, Mrs. Zimmer is an accomplished young lady, the possessor of much natural ability, and a type of beautiful Christian character.
     Mr. Zimmer is a young man of splendid character and of large acquaintanceship.
     Mrs. Zimmer was the recipient of many "beautiful and useful presents of cut glass, silverware, furniture and money. Mr. and Mrs Zimmer left on the afternoon train for a week's visit in New York, and they will be at home at Gallupville by their friends June 10.
     The guests were as follows: Albany, Mr. and Mrs. John Righter, Miss Gertrude Wiedman, Miss Mildred E. Hunting; Schenectady, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Waldron, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Waldron, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Krueger, Mrs. Anna Dolittle, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Swann, Mr. Ira G. Swann, Mrs. Esther Gage, Mr. and Mrs. William Gage, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Luckey, William Miller Mr. and Mrs. George Northup, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Northup; Esperance, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Luckey, William Luckey; Duanesburg, Mr. and Mrs. Burton Waldron, Garrett Waldron, Ethel Waldron, Herman Waldron, Clarence Waldron; Delanson, Mr. and Mrs. Kalph Babcock, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Gage, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Delmater, Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Swann: Knox, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Gage, Mrs. Gilbert Gage, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wiedman, Fletcher Wiedman, Ruth Wiedman Myrtle Wiedman; Livingstonville, Mr. and Mrs. Watson Aucampaugh; Schoharie, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gage; Gloversville, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Clark, Mrs. Elizabeth Clark; Hyde Park, Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Williams; Gallupville, Hon. and Mrs. A. B. Hunting, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gage, Wiley Gage, Harriam Gage, Mr. and Mrs. James S. Gage, Mr. and Mrs. Mansford Zimmer, Mr. and Mrs. Austin Ziminer, Burton Zimmer, Mr. and Mrs. Avery B. Zimmer Mrs. Miner W. Zimmer, Mrs. Amanda Barber, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Wolford, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon B. Wolford, Mildred Wolford.

* * * * *

February 24, 1910

     Miss Ilah Keyser, of Middleburgh High School, proved herself an ideal hostess, on Friday evening last, when she entertained in a superb manner, at her home in Breakabeen, twenty-four invited guests. The young people greatly enjoyed the ride to Breakabeen as only a sleighing party on happiness intent, can do, and once at their destination, the fair hostess planned the rest. The welcome was royal, the amusement program perfect, and the code of sociability never assumed greater perfection. The hours passed swiftly by, and when the start for home was made, it was with regrets upon the part of all, except Daniel, who was too full—of sandwiches—to do the subject justice. The party arrived home at about 2:30, and was made up as follows :
     Misses Mildred Haynes, Nora Lemon, Nellie Colby, Lena Colby, Marion Frisbie, Katherine Frisbie, Blanche Traver, Ida B. Hill, Delite Mowers, Teressa Vroman, Ilah Keyser, Delia Kniffen. Messrs. Ernest Smith, Leon Mattice, Henry Warner, Frederick Cornwell, George Swart, Oleon Bouck, William Frisbie, Daniel M. Frisbie.

* * * * *

June 1910 - Rickard - Shoemaker

     A quiet wedding was solemnized at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Gale, Barnerville, Wednesday, June 29th, when their daughter, Mabel Rickard, was united in marriage to Dr. Garrison E. Shoemaker, of Middleburgh, Rev. Newton Wright, of Mineral Springs, officiating.
     The house was handsomely decorated with cut flowers. Lohengrin's wedding march was played by Miss Belma Myers. Only the immediate family were present, including Lewis J. Kelsey, of Chatfield, Minn., an uncle of the groom.
     The bride wore a pretty gray gown of eolienne and her traveling suit was castor serge.
     A reception and dinner followed after which they were conveyed to the train by auto, by Mr. and Mrs. Willard Frederick, and left for a visit to Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Rochester, Schenectady, Albany and other places, expecting to be absent ten days. Their present plans are to reside in Cobleskill and begin housekeeping this fall.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Vicinity News (The Jefferson Courier)

     It is reported that a petition is being circulated from Middleburgh to Preston Hollow for a State Highway.
     Shubal Neer has been awarded the contract to carry the mail to and from the trains in Richmondville at an annual salary of $263.
     Charles Freeborn and wife of Middleburgh have gone to Cobleskill to engage in the restaurant business.
     M. T. Speenburgh of Prattsville is getting out lumber for improvements to his farm house. He is arranging to convert the one story wing into two stories, and to build a veranda across the front.
     Frank Krieger of Prattsville has moved onto his farm in Huntersfield.
     Invitations are out for the marriage of Miss Viola May Howell, of Pleasantville, N. Y., to Frederick W. Schmidt, of Vailburgh, N. J., which is to take place April 18th. Mr. Schmidt is well known in Prattsville and vicinity.
     Mrs. Chas. Dunham and Mrs. Allie Rundell of Prattsville have rented the Reynolds building, that village, and will conduct a bakery the coming season.
     P. C. Collins and family, who have been conducting the hotel at Acra for several months, are moving back to their home in Dunraven.
     It is stated in the Cairo Herald that S. Merit Jones has sold his large boarding house and farm at Round Top to W. J. True of Brooklyn, with immediate possession.
     The record of the temperature kept each day by Thos. Middlemiss, shows the average of March was four and one-quarter degrees colder than for March 1910.
     Fred A. Phelps of Sidney has purchased of E. J. Potter, that village, the marble works and also the building where the business has been conducted for some time.
     Fred L. Platt of Schenevus has been chosen cashier of the Milford national bank by the board of directors of that institution, to succeed Frank E. Bridger, who has been appointed cashier of a newly organized bank of Liberty.
     Andrew Carnegie has subscribed $1,000 toward the $25,000 monument to be erected at Cooperstown in memory of James Feminore Cooper.
     Albert Adams, aged forty-four years, an expert varnish maker, died at Schenectady Wednesday night of last week, of pneumonia, after three days' illness, following the kissing of the lips of his dead wife, who died last week of the same disease.
     The Borden plant of Worcester is receiving over 19,000 pounds of milk per day, which is being manufactured into gilt edge butter selling for about 21 cents per pound. The milk is supplied by ninety dairies.
     At the annual school election in May the voters of Walton will be asked to express their opinion one a proposition being considered by the board of education for the introduction of a course of study in agriculture in the Walton High school.
     The Ilion High school, like a number of other schools of Otsego county, has adopted a resolution which says that the high school fraternities will not be tolerated.
     Patrick Gridley of Richfield Springs is now in the Herkimer county jail charged with setting fire to the ice house on W. E. DeLong's farm a mile north of that village. Gridley was in the employ of Mr. DeLong last year as teamster, and on not being hired again this year manifested considerable grouch, and evidently took this way to satisfy his wrath.
     The first regular meeting of the newly elected village board on Monticello was held Wednesday evening and it was decided to resubmit the lighting proposition, which was defeated at the recent election, to the people.
     S. A. Lasher, proprietor of the Hotel Fleischmann in that place, sold his Hambletonian mare, Anna F., to parties in Oneonta the first of the week for $600.
     Mrs. J. M. Loomis has sold her farm at Beerston, known as the C. B. Bassett place, to Jerome R. Spencer of Elmira for $5,000.
     A few nights ago the henery of E. C. Lasher, Griffin Corners, was broken into and five of his choice pullets were taken.
     Robt. Eignor of Halcottville is satisfied the Hinman milker is a success. He gets more milk than did milking by hand and it works so well that he has not had to milk a cow by hand since he installed the milking machine.
     It is reported that the Sheffield Farms Slawson-Decker Co. is preparing to make cheese at West Richmondville during the flush of the season.
     M. T. Speenburgh of Prattsville is negotiating for the sale of his farm to his son, A. H. Speenburgh. Consideration for farm, stock, tools, etc., $12,000. Possession about Jan. 1st, 1912.
     Messrs. Hugaboom and DeGraff, state road men, have been busy during the past week erecting barracks for laborers, beside the stream below the Redkill bridge, also stables for teams, etc., and expect to commence operations in a few days at the Delaware county line. - Prattsville News.
     The Board of Trade of Catskill village had a meeting recently to consider the matter of changing from the arc light to the incandescent system of street lighting. The matter is receiving favorable consideration.
     On Tuesday Dr. Chandler of Kingston, assisted Dr. Ford of Hensonville, operated on Mrs. Wallace Burroughs of Tannersville, at her home, relieving her of two quarts of puss, the result of an absess.
     Nathan Dubois of East Windham has entered an Albany hospital, where he is being treated for an ailment of the knee. he injured his knee a year ago and it is feared the bone is diseased.
     The First National Bank of Downsville has elected George W. Holmes vice-president to take the place of Thomas Keary deceased.
     Ullman & Banks of New York city have purchased of F. N. Bunger of Yonkers the milk station in East Worcester. The price offered for milk is ten cents below exchange price.
     Attempt is being made to organize a village improvement society in Cooperstown
     John Ballantine of Chambers Hollow, town of Hamden, has disposed of his farm, stock and tools to Adam Cammer of pepacton
     Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Andrus of Roxbury are passing two weeks in New York for the benefit of Mr. Andrus' health.
     A. B. Kingsbury was elected chief at the annual meeting of the Walton fire department held at the village hall Wednesday evening.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Mortgage Foreclosure (The Jefferson Courier)

     Whereas, default has been made in payment of money secured by mortgage dated April 11. 1881, recorded in Schoharie county clerk's office April 25, 1881, 11:45 a. m., in book of mortgages No. 25, page 229, and in Albany county clerk's office March 25, 1911, 9:49 a. m., in book of mortgages No. 549, page 28. Charles Billings and Amanda Billings, his wife, mortgagors; George Bryant, mortgagee, which mortgage was assigned February 12, 1894, to William Brazee, by assignment recorded February 18, 1894, 1 o'clock p. m., in Schoharie county clerk's office in Li-- E of assignment of mortgages, page 157, and
     Whereas, the amount claimed to be due on said mortgage at the first publication of this notice is $500.00 principal and $99.17 interest, in all $599.17, which is the whole amount remaining unpaid.
     Now, therefore, by virtue of the power of sale contained in such mortgage duly recorded therewith, the said mortgage will be foreclosed by a sale of the premises herein described, by the subscriber, the mortgage assignee, therein, at public auction, June 23d, 1911, at 10 o'clock a. m. at front door of postoffice in village of Livingstonville, Schoharie county N. Y.
     Mortgage property described therein as follows: All that certain piece or parcel of land lying, situate and being in the town of Broome, in the county of Schoharie and state of New York, and bounded and described as follows, viz: beginning at a stake and stone standing in the Rensselaer line which is the south-east corner of a lot of land formerly leased to Jesse Thorn and runs from thence along the bounds of said Thorn's land south eighty-five degrees west to a stake and stones standing in the north east corner of a meeting-house lot; thence to the highway and to the lands of Orville B. Wood to the lands of Henry Chapman; thence along the said Chapman's land, north eighty-five degrees, east thirteen chains and sixty links to the line of the manor of Rensselaerwick; thence along the west line of said Manor, north fourchains and eighty links to a stake and stones; thence north twenty-three degrees and thirty minutes. east nine chains and seventy links to a stake and stone; thence one degree and thirty minutes east twenty twenty chains and thirty links to the place of beginning, containing thirty acres of land be the same more or less, excepting and reserving one acre of land lying in the north corner of the above described premises which has been deeded for a burying ground.
     Also that certain other piece or parcel of land lying, situate and ------- the town of ------ State of New York ------- as follows, viz: Beginning at the bridge over the lake creek runs south as said creek runs to the lot of land formerly owned by the widow of Hezekiah Watson; thence west on the line of said lot to the Manor line thence north along the said Manor line to the highway; thence east along said highway to the place of beginning, containing ten acres of land, be the same more or less.
     Dated at Albany, N. Y., March 25, 1911.
          William Brezee, Mortgage Assignee,
George L. Rifenburgh, Att'y for Assignee.
     Office and P. O. Address,
          50 State St., Albany, N. Y.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Notice to Creditors (The Jefferson Courier)

     By order of Watson Lamont, surrogate of Schoharie county, notice is hereby given, according to law, to all persons having claims or demands against the estate of George H. Ruff, late of the town of Jefferson, Schoharie county, New York, deceased, that they are required to exhibit the same, with the vouchers in support thereof, to the subscriber, the administratix, etc., of said deceased, at her residence in the town of Jefferson, in said county, on or before the 1st day of October next.
     Dated this 8th day of March, A. D., 1911.
                                               Anna E. Ruff, Administratix.
C. E. Nichols, Att'y for Ex'r'x. Jefferson, N.Y.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Notice to Creditors (The Jefferson Courier)

     By order of Watson Lamont, Surrogate of Schoharie county, notice is hereby given, according to law, to all persons having claims or demands against the estate of Margaret Decker, late of the town of Jefferson, Schoharie county, New York, deceased, that they are required to exhibit the same, with the vouchers in support thereof, to the subscriber, the administratix of the estate of said deceased, at her residence in the town of Summit, N. Y., on or before the 15th day of September next.
     Dated this 28th day of Feb., A. D., 1911.
                                               Alice S. Kling, Administratix.
     C. E. Nichols, Att'y for Adm'rx,
          Jefferson, N.Y.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Mayham Street (The Jefferson Courier)

     Mrs. Gertrude Shelmandine who is suffering with pneumonia is slowly improving. Dr. Topping attends her.
     Mrs. Conine from Prattsville is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Eli Shelmandine.
     E. G. Danforth lost one of his horses Monday.
     Mrs. O. Ruland is visiting her daughters at So. Jefferson.
     Mr. Malan Hitchcock from Stamford visited at G. W. Franklin's Saturday and Sunday.
     Mr. and Mrs. O. M. Veley were suddenly called to Oneonta Saturday on account of the illness of her mother. Mrs. Canfield. Mrs. Veley remained for a few days.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - (The Jefferson Courier)

     Thomas Sherlock of Schoharie, took a stroll along the banks of the "big creek" the last Sunday in March and while resting and enjoying the outlook he observed hundreds of crows along the flats. Curious to know upon what they were feeding he investigated and found that they were literally feasting upon little grasshoppers with which the fields were covered.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Constable Broke Three Ribs (The Jefferson Courier)

     Constable George Alton has been away for the past few days seeking a prisoner near Arena. While driving along the highway in the above town he dozed and fell out of the wagon and broke three ribs and otherwise injuring himself quite severely. He is at present at home under the doctor's care. - Fleischmann News.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Gilboa (The Jefferson Courier)

     Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Kingsley of Flat Creek were over Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. D. V. Chichester.
     Mrs. Page Croswell is in New York purchasing her stock of spring millinery.
     Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Wyckoff of Stamford were recent guests of friends in town.
     The "Lamplighters" were entertained by Mrs. Sidney Rivenburgh Friday.
     Oscar Jackson, who has been clerk in Bulson's store for the past year, has accepted a position in a store in Delanson. Paul Stryker of West Conesville has taken Mr. Jackson's place in Bulson's store. Both are worthy young men and we wish them success in their new undertaking.
     E. L. Kelly of Stamford was a business caller in town Thursday.
     Jason Cronk is making many improvements to the property which he purchased of Elmer Baker recently. He is now making arrangements for a bath room and heater, and has given the contract for the work to Chas. Clark.
     W. J. Davis and R. O. Lewis are planning to have new heaters and bath rooms in their residences, and S. W. Haines a new heater in his residence. When all these plans materialize, we venture to state that Gilboa will be second to no village of its size in its number of modernly equipped residences.
     D. P. Bulson of Middleburg was in town on business this week.
     Some of the farmers of Johnson Hollow are bringing their cream to the Gilboa Creamery.
     Mrs. G. A. Peters, who has been spending several weeks in New York and vicinity, returned home Thursday.
     Mrs. W. W. Welch of Union Hill, N. J., was an over Sunday guest of her daughter, Mrs. R. O. Lewis.
     E. S. Southland, principal of Prattsville village school, spent the week in this village.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Over Minekill Bridge (The Jefferson Courier)

     Marshall Aldrich's livery team from Gilboa with a load of household goods belonging to Rev. Dow McBain, who is moving from Blenheim to Gilboa, became frightened Tuesday by a trunk falling from the load just the other side of the Minekill bridge and ran away plunging over the Minekill bridge to the rocks 20 feet below. The wagon and goods were badly smashed, but the team and driver escaped with less injury than would be expected.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Death of Keith Talmadge (The Jefferson Courier)

From Davenport Center Cor.
     Word was received here Friday of the death of Keith Talmadge of Preble, N. Y. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Talmadge and his parents moved from this place about March 1. Their many friends here extend their sympathy to the bereaved parents.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Drowned in Creek - Miss Laura Haverly of Blenheim Meets Death (The Jefferson Courier)

Supposed that She had Fit and Fell Over Bank into Creek - Was Victim of Epilepsy Since Youth

From Blenheim Cor.
     Laura, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Seneca Haverly, aged about 40 years, was drowned Friday afternoon in the Westkill Creek, about one-quarter mile above Blenheim village. At last reports the body had not yet been recovered, although searching parties were at once organized and have made every effort possible to locate the body.
     Miss Haverly's brother and wife had been away from the house a portion of the afternoon and upon their return discovered that she (Miss Haverly) was missing. A search of the house and premises was made but she could not be found. The search continued to the bank of the Westkill Creek and there was found a dish which Miss Haverly had used in gathering sap, and there were unmistakable evidences that she had fallen into the creek. It is supposed that she was seized with a fit and fell over the bank into the creek. At that point the bank is very steep and the creek runs close to the bank and is very rapid.
     The brother came to the village and gave the alarm and searching parties started to search for the body. They were out that afternoon and Saturday and Sunday but at present no trace of her can be found. The Westkill empties in the Schoharie Creek about three-eighths of a mile below where she fell in. Both the Westkill and Schoharie were quite a little swollen at the time and it may be several days before the body is recovered. Those surviving her ate her father and mother and two brothers, West and Dewitt C., all of Blenheim, who have the sympathy of all the community in their sad bereavement.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Financial Report (The Jefferson Courier)

     Statement of receipts and expenditures of the treasurer of Jefferson High school district No. 2, from August 1, 1910, to April 10, 1911.

                          Receipts
Amount on hand Aug 1, 1910 .....    $78.26
Received from sale of ashes ......    6.00
From W. R. Reed library fund         21.75
From Co. Treas., library fund ...... 21.75
From district collector .......... 1910.05
From county treasurer,
     Academic quota,       $100.00
     Academic attendance     44.67
     Non-resident tuition    79.75  224.42
From dist. No. 3, cont. 1909-10     100.00
From Geo. Scott, tuition ...........  8.00
From Co. Treas. laboratory sup        2.00
From S. Jones 1-2 state money       262.50

                                   2634.73

                          Expenditures
Baker Taylor Co., books ............ 43.50
Geo. Hamm, janitor .................. 8.33
F. Hubbell, cleaning school hs.      13.50
W. L. Burnett, 80 cords wood        160.00
F. L. Frazee, printing                7.00
W. S. Taylor                          4.44
C. B. Hubbell, furniture              5.40
J. R. Dibble, horse hire              5.50
G. W. Harris, furniture              17.00
W. R. Reed, livery hire               3.25
J. C. Hammett Co., crayons            5.00
J. H. Gilmore, fixing closet          8.80
Delos Lines, rope and lock            1.00
Schenevus bank, bond and inst       336.00
Hubbard Bros., sup. and labor        42.46
C. E. Nichols, water rent            10.00
L. E. Knott Co., lab. supplies        4.42
Shew & Hewlett, floor oil, etc        2.75
F. Fox & Son, labor and sup.          3.75
C. D. Morrison, freight on sup        1.65
C. P. Taber, 15 cords wood           30.00
W. R. Reed, salary                  525.00
Della Champlin, salary              297.50
Lavilla Jones, salary               245.00
Daisy Reed, salary                  245.00
Alice V. Burnett, salary            245.00
Donovan Fancher, janitor             70.50
Balance on hand                     292.98

                                   2634.73

     Besides the balance on hand of $292.98, there is due the district $262.50, state money, and $225 by contract from Dist. No. 3.

                                                                  Respectfully submitted
                                                                            C. H. Topping, Treasurer.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Schoharie Co. Chronicle. April 14, 1891 (The Jefferson Courier)

     Miss Sarah Murphy returned from Cabin Hill.
     Isaac M. Hubbard making improvements to the Pleasant Valley farm House.
     Roads between Jefferson and Richmondville in very bad condition.
     Rev. C. H. Travis leaves Jefferson. Rev. C. A. Howells takes his place.
     Attorney Dow Vroman of Middleburgh located at Tonawanda.
     Alberti Baker of Gilboa reading law with Ed Jackson an N. Blenheim.
     Will Chapman purchased the Union Hotel at Breakabeen.
     Chief Bennett engaged in Blenheim soliciting stock for the new railroad.
     Henry Parslow, father of Alonzo Parslow of Blenheim, died at Schoharie.
     M. E. Conference at Yonkers. Some appointments: Blenheim, Harry Cornford; Charlotteville, Ambrose Quick; Gilboa, J. P. Carley; Summit, M. B. Cummings.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Annual School Meeting (The Jefferson Courier)

     The annual meeting of the inhabitants of High school district No. 2, town of Jefferson, qualified to vote at school meeting in said district, will be held at the school building in said district on Tuesday, May 2, 1911, at 7:30 p. m., for the transaction of such business as is authorized by the Education Law of 1910 and the acts amendatory thereof.
     Three trustees are to be elected for a term of three years to succeed W. S. Taylor, F. L. Frazee and J. H. Gilmore, whose terms of office will expire on July 31, next.
                                                                                                                              W. S. Taylor.
                                                                                                                              Sec'y Board of Edu.

     Estimate for school year 1911-'12

Teachers' salaries          $2225
Bond No. 11, and interest     324
Fuel                          200
Janitor                       100
Water rent, insurance, etc.    50
Incidentals                   100

                             2999

     The amount estimated to be received from the State is $775, and from contracting districts $225, making a total of $1000.
                                                                                                                               W. S. Taylor.
                                                                                                                              Sec'y of Board of Education

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Schoharie County News (The Jefferson Courier)

     Married at Richmondville, March 30, Ezra Shafer and Miss Blanche Mackey, both of Cobleskill.
     Rev. Dow McBain has successfully passed his examination and has been admitted to the conference. His appointment this year is at Gilboa.
     William Marsh, the invalid son of Dr. and Mrs. Wallace Marsh of Schoharie was found dead in bed at his home last Thursday afternoon, aged 36 years.
     Worth H. Vroman, aged 63, died in Hobart Monday. He was born in Gilboa and was a son of Alvah and Jane Vroman. He married Nancy Hendricks.
     A son was born March 3 to Rev. and Mrs. K. M. McElman at Round Top. Rev. Mr. McElman was pastor of the M. E. church at Eminence a few years ago.
     Ex Judge Lamont sold eight head of Guernsey cattle to Mr. DeWitt of Binghamton, a Guernsey breeder, also four head to parties in Toledo, Ohio, receiving $1,500 for the same.
     Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Shaffer of Schoharie have issued invitations to the marriage of their daughter Lillian Leslie, to Doctor Herbert J. Wright, which will occur on Wednesday, April 19.
     A special town meeting will be held at Richmondville, April 20th, when the voters of that town will decide the question of the expenditure of a sum not to exceed $5,000 for the erection of a new bridge across the Paper Mill creek, to replace the one recently damaged.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - Former Cobleskill Boy Elopes (The Jefferson Courier)

     The news of the elopement of Luzerne Hunt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hunt of Cobleskill, and Miss Florence Welti of Schenectady has but recently become known. It is stated that Miss Weitl, who is a daughter of Attorney Edward A. Weitl, left home Tuesday night of last week to attend church, but by previous arrangement she met Hunt and they were married in Albany.

* * * * *

April 13, 1911 - The Home News (The Jefferson Courier)

     George Judd, son of Tunis C. Judd of Cannonsville, well known here, has accepted a position as private secretary for A. J. Peters, a member of congress from Massachusetts. he is now in Washington.
     Dr. William E. Birdsall died at Peekskill, N. Y., April 1, He was known to many people in this village where for several summers he and his wife spent their vacation. he was then a resident of N. Y. city. Dr. and Mrs. Birdsall made many warm friends here who will be pained to learn of his death.
     Miss Eloise Wood, a former Jefferson girl, and Grant Vaughn, a former Jefferson boy, we understand, are to be married April 20 at Harlem, Montana. Miss Wood is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Wood and a graduate of the Jefferson High school. Mr. Vaughn is a son of former postmaster H. D. Vaughn, and has made money in Montana where he now owns a ranch.
     A year ago today farmers had much of their spring plowing done, oats were sowed, farm work was well under way, and early gardens had been planted. This week the ground has been covered with snow and there is yet much frost in the ground and the sugar making season is not yet over. The roads which a year ago were good are now something fierce. But then, the robin sings for us in the early morning which tells of warmer days to come.
     Levi Eugene Hicks, aged 57 years, son of David Hicks of this town, died at Eminence last Saturday. He had been confined to his bed for a year and four months with tuberculosis of the spine, He was a farmer and resided on the Harmon Coons place. He leaves a wife, whose maiden name was Susie Kenyon, a daughter of the late Hezekiah Kenyon of Blenheim Hill. Three children also survive, two of which are married. The funeral service was held Tuesday at the East Jefferson Baptist church and was conducted by Rev. A. M. Kling. Burial was in the cemetery adjoining the church.
     George Berry, one of Jefferson's big farmers, came in town yesterday with a horseless wagon. He now owns the finest mule team in Schoharie county. They're big ones, and pretty ones too, as mules go, and only 3 and 4 years old. He traded a span of buckskins with Laidley & Topping for them.
     A meeting of the ladies was called at the Jefferson House Tuesday night for the purpose of discussing the matter of organizing some kind of a village improvement society, the object and purpose of which is for improving the appearance of the village. lighting the streets, and raising money for other enterprises which are for the public good. Considerable enthusiasm was shown and a temporary organization was effected by electing Mrs. J. H. Hunsberger president, and Mrs. C. P. Taber secretary. Committees were named for soliciting members and perfecting the organization and the meeting was adjourned at the same place when permanent organization will be made and officers will be elected for the year. A general invitation is extended to all ladies to be present at the adjourned meeting and give help and encouragement to a project which should have the hearty co-operation of all. This is a move in the right direction and, we believe, with the ladies of Jefferson behind it something good will be accomplished.
     Will Stewart moved Tuesday to Stamford.
     The maple sugar crop is reported very large.
     F. G. Nichols, agent for the DeLavel separator, is selling a lot of machines.
     Miss Ina Nichols of Bovina is a guest of Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Nichols in this town.
     Rev. I. G. Price and family left town this morning for their new home at Edenville.
     Augustus McMullen and family and Amander McMullen are on their way to Harlem, Mont.
     Rev. Geo. E. Wright, the new pastor of the M. E. church here, with his wife arrived in town last night.
     Miss Ethel Champlin and Miss Dorothy Harris of the Oneonta Normal are spending the Easter vacation in town.
     Wm. A. VanAken, representing the Russel & Dexter Co. of Penn Yan, is in town interesting the farmers in Russeloid roofing.
     E. E. Wood and wife left town Monday afternoon and spent the night with Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Gilbert at Stamford and left Tuesday for Harlem, Montana. They will stop over a day in Binghamton, and in Chicago and St. Paul.
     Dr. Elias S. Osborn, Presiding Elder of the Kingston district of the New York M. E. Conference during the years 1894-'95, and of the N. Y. district in 1896-'98, died at his home in New York city Monday.

* * * * *

July 1, 1915 - The Power of Public Opinion (Middleburgh Gazette)

     Oration delivered by Frank Freemyer Johnson at the High School Commencement exercises Wednesday, June 23d:
     What we call the public or Public Opinion, is a gigantic personality, with his likes and dislikes, his passions, his virtues, and his moral weaknesses. In our great Republic he is the universal master; he elects our presidents and congresses, and shapes our legislation. This vast personage is long suffering, but he may become very angry or excited; then he is dangerous. At heart he is honest and his motives are sincere; he is usually wise, but now and then his judgment is sadly at fault, and yet he is absolute master and none can dispute his sway. he may be trained, educated, persuaded but never coerced. The strongest man cannot withstand or defy him and no sane man would attempt it.
     No matter where you meet a dozen men, pledged to a new idea - whenever you have met them, you have met the beginning of a revolution. A revolution is not made; it comes. Its growth comes out of the past. Its foundations are laid far back. It is like the life of a child. The child feels; he grows into a man and thinks; another perhaps speaks and the world acts out of the thought. And this is the beginning of Public Opinion. Its beginning is like the rise of the Mississippi; its exact source being difficult to determine. A child must stoop and gather away the pebbles to find it. But soon it swells broader and broader, bears up the navies of a mighty republic, fills the gulf and divides the continent.
     With Public Opinion as with the river, it often falls to the young and inexperienced to make the discovery of its source. It, too, soon swells broader and broader, flows more swiftly, either supporting or wrecking the destinies of mighty nations, and often dividing a country just as surely as a river may divide the land.
This is a reading and thinking age, and the great interests at stake quicken the general intellect. Nothing but Freedom, Justice and Truth is of any permanent advantage to the greater part of mankind. To this end society, left to itself is always tending. In one day, great questions about these principles have called forth all the energies of the common mind. What gunpowder did for the methods of warfare, the printing press has done for the mind, and the public statesman is no longer clad in the steel of special education, but every reading man in the country is his judge. Every thoughtful man, the country through, who makes up an opinion of his own, is the jury to which he answers, and the court at which he must be judged.
     This may be most fittingly summed up in the words of Lowell, the greatest of American writers, who said: "All free governments, whatever their names, and in reality governments by public opinion, and it is on the quality of this public opinion that their prosperity depends."
     Every public statesman causes an increase in the power of public opinion. These men make statements representing not only their own views but also those of the mass of the people at large. Surely if there is one thing in a free country more dear than another, it is that anyone of the people may speak openly to the people. if a man speaks to them to their rights, and indicates to them the way to secure them; - if a man speaks of their danger to the centralization of power; - is he not a wise councellor both to the people and to their rulers?
     Take for instance the case of the conspiracy of Cataline, ever famous in Roman History. Cicero had his own opinions concerning the policy of Cataline, and did not hesitate to make them known, but accordingly delivered his famous orations with the result that public sentiment was so strongly aroused against Cataline that he was compelled to flee from the city. But we do not have to refer back to ancient history to see the power of public opinion, for it is everywhere prevalent in the important questions of every day life.
     Public opinion is a queer trait of human characters; a whole nation; a whole race may be aroused and the popular spirit shown in an incredibly short time when the smoldering spark of unrest is stirred to flame by the words or deeds of some popular hero or public statesman.
Immense is the effect of the speeches of such men as President Wilson and Colonel Roosevelt. So great in fact that the people seem ever ready to use their power as an influence for the National welfare, but however popular, however powerful, a political leader may be, if he presumes too far on the rights and patience of the multitude he will find himself crushed by the ponderous weight of public opinion.
     Naturally it is given to some persons more than others to influence public opinion - and newspaper editors and managers are more powerful in that regard than any other group. It is not only from the editorials however that we gain our ideas about current affairs. The news columns are far more influential. of course newspapers are supposed to tell the "truth," but there are many ways of telling the truth. one may tell the truth about the matters concerning which he writes, but he may create entirely false impressions by omitting to tell of other truths. The choice of topics to which a newspaper gives first place in the news columns is fully as important as telling the truth itself. often merely by means of the newspapers great men have met their downfall or their success, for as Emerson says: "It is easy in the world to live after the worlds opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."
     Whatever may be the advantage of Public Opinion; whatever it may do to restrict self-ambition it is often entirely in the wrong. Take for instance the disturbances in Mexico. You all know what moves the desires of the people in regard to an armed intervention. But would this have been wise in the end? No! It has shown its own, folly, otherwise our nation might now be involved in a long cruel war. Again it is the election of our public officials that gives us an excellent example of "the survival of the fittest" over public opinion.
     Now at the present crisis of our national life, the sentiment of the people is very strongly aroused in regard to European affairs, but may we all reserve our opinions and our criticisms until we are certain that only good may be brought about by our part of the Public Opinion.

* * * * *

September 25, 1915? - Prisoner Found Bride in Jail - Sheriff Dutton's Daughter Married to Man Committed for Breach of the Peace - Too Much Freedom in Schoharie County Jail (Evening Journal, Albany)

Young Man Slept in Court House in a Bedroom and Did Chores Around the Place - The Sheriff Quite Surprised by Wedding

     Schoharie, Sept. 25 - Sheriff Dutton's 20-year-old daughter, Sarah, has married Lyman McDonald, not long released from the county jail here, and gone with him to live with the McDonald family. The sheriff says little and only hopes that the former prisoner will make enough of a man to support the sickly girl whom he wooed while doing chores around the County Court house and jail. Mrs. Dutton is sick from grief.
     The girl is 20 years old and the fellow at least a year older, so the sheriff can do nothing to break up the match. He does not feel kindly to the town clerk, supposed to be a friend, who issued the license, nor to the Minister, the Rev. George W. Kerr, who performed the ceremony at the Methodist parsonage Monday night while the sheriff was on the fair grounds in an effort, as he says, to see that order was maintained at a circus. Mr. Dutton believes both these men must have known the bridegroom and realized the probable parental objections.
     But the sheriff himself admits partial blame in the affair. He used McDonald too well during his six months' incarceration. Besides assigning to him the not undesirable task of doing chores around the barn and sheriff's residence he let the young fellow sleep in the court house, part of which is devoted to the sheriff's use as a home. In fact, it was in the prisoner's bedroom that a fire broke out a few weeks ago. It was hard to understand then why a prisoner should be elsewhere than in a cell. But McDonald worked hard and prevented the loss of county property. That night the sheriff was out of town and McDonald was about the only man around to put out the fire.
     It was during these times that McDonald made love. The girl, Sarah, had been very sick and appreciated being waited upon. She was willing to forget the trouble that McDonald had with his parents, which resulted in the sentence for breach of the peace. Further, she was willing to help him. And help him she did, for the youth's deportment was so good that he appeared freely in the streets.
     Neither the sheriff nor his wife had any idea of the real purpose in McDonald visiting the jail Monday, circus day, for he was after clothes he had left there. He didn't take the clothes and some say that after the sheriff went to the show in the afternoon the couple got their license. It was raining, and Sheriff Dutton gave the young man permission to stay in the courthouse over night. Then he went to the circus again, and the couple finished the job.
     It was reported that the couple were at George McDonald's in Esperance, but the sheriff understands they are at the bridegroom's home home on a farm at Sharon Springs.
     The Duttons came here from a Broome farm, seven miles away, and their daughter had made few friends here. Their only other child, a daughter, is married.

* * * * *

Sept. 30, 1916 - Plague Deaths Grow; Spread Still Checked (The Knickerbocker Press) 

     Number of New Cases remains at Standstill Both in Greater City and Upstate.
     The epidemic of infantile paralysis which has been on a gradual decline for several days was unchanged yesterday outside New York in the number of new cases reported, but five deaths were reported, compared with none on Thursday. This makes a total of 564 deaths upstate. Forty-one new cases were reported, making a total of 2,326.
     The new cases follow:
          Syracuse, Onondaga county, five.
          Smithton, Suffolk county, four.
          Utica, Oneida county; Oneida, Madison; Eastchester, Westchester; Turin, Lewis; Orangetown, Rockland; Liberty, Sullivan; Shandaken, Ulster, two.
          Chittenango, Madison county; Portchester, Westchester; Fowler, St. Lawrence; Clyde, Wayne; Van Buren, Onondaga; East Syracuse, Onandaga; Highmount, Ulster; Groton, Westchester; Palatine, Montgomery; Rockland, Sullivan; Greenville, Orange; Hornell, Steuben; Solvay, Onondaga; Southampton, Suffolk; Northport, Suffolk; Oneonta, Otsego; Manlius, Onondaga, one.
          Deaths were reported as follows:
          Shandaken, Ulster county, two.
          Oneida, Madison county; Utica, Oneida; Orangetown, Rockland, one.

     By the Associated Press. New York, Sept. 29 - The infantile paralysis epidemic wanes slowly. Today's report of the health department gives twenty-six new cases for the twenty-four hours ended at 10 a. m., the same figure reported for the two previous days. Deaths recorded today number twelve, two more than yesterday.
     Today's new cases carry the total to 9,011, while the deaths to date total 2,282.

* * * * *

February 6, 1918

     Mrs. LeGrand Edwards, of Franklinton, returned from the Albany hospital on Wednesday last. She has been receiving treatment there for six weeks, and while considerably improved is far from complete recovery. Mrs. Libbie Bixby will care for her. The physicians having her case in charge were of the opinion she could be cared for as well at home. The young son is at Walter Edwards' doing exceptionally well.

* * * * *

February 7, 1918

     The past week Mrs. Chas. Bixby has been at the home of Walter Edwards caring for the infant child of LeGrand Edwards and wife of Franklinton.

* * * * *

April 2, 1918 - Dry Mass Meeting - L. A. Hodge of Cobleskill and Hon. H. H. Hawley of Malone to Speak (Oneonta Daily Star)

     To be informed upon the question of whether voting dry will affect adversely the business of Oneonta, you are invited to attend the "dry" mass meeting at the Methodist Episcopal church on Thursday evening at 8 o'clock. Lester A. Hodge of Cobleskill, a leading merchant of that village, and Hon. H. H. Hawley of Malone, a former assemblyman and a close student of civic affairs in his home city, are to be the speakers and they will recite actual results and tell what disinterested citizens who have the welfare of their home communities at heart have seen.
     The time is past when any should accept the bare statement that no license does injury to business when so many cities and entire states have gone dry. If it hurts business is it probable that out of 2,959 counties in this country all but 615 of them have voted bone dry.

* * * * *

April 4, 1918 - Will Report of Dry Towns - Hear Lester A. Hodge of Cobleskill and Hon. H. H. Hawley of Malone Tell What Results Have Been in Those Places - At Methodist Church Tonight (Oneonta Daily Star)

     This evening at the Methodist Episcopal church, all residents will have an opportunity to hear first hand reports of the effects of changing from wet to dry. While Cobleskill is not as large as Oneonta it is a thriving village, the commercial center of a large farming center like Oneonta. It was surrounded as is Oneonta now by a large dry section of territory and what results followed there will quite likely follow here.
     Hon. H. H. Hawley of Malone is a former member of assembly from Hamilton county and has been a close observer of the effects of voting dry upon the business and moral life of that community, which is only slightly smaller than Oneonta.
     It is expected that these gentlemen will be accompanied by the Parlor Village Male quartet of Cobleskill, which was heard with much satisfaction when John Barnes Wells of New York city gave his concert here a few weeks since. The gathering is announced for 8 o'clock.
     To all who have any fears that the city will not be benefited in every way by changing from the wet to the dry column, a cordial invitation is extended to be present at this meeting. Come and bring a friend with you.

* * * * *

April 26, 1918 - Franklin and Thereabouts (Oneonta Daily Star)

     Charles Gallup of Richmondville, Schoharie county, has purchased a carload of fine high grade stock of Raymond & Daniels. The stock will be shipped this week.

* * * * *

May 1, 1918- New Principal Elected (Oneonta Daily Star)

New Principal Elected
H. G. Van Deusen of Sayre, Pa., to take A. O. Bridgman’s place
Board of Education Unanimous in Election of Man Well Known in This Part of State – New Man is Graduate of Cooperstown H. S., and of Union College – Several Changes in Teaching Staff of City

     H. G. VanDeusen of Sayre, Pa., has been elected as the new principal of the Oneonta High school in the place of Arthur O. Bridgman, whose resignation was made public last Friday. His duties will commence with the opening of the fall term of the present year.
     The new school official was unanimously elected by the Board of Education at its regular monthly meeting held last night with a full attendance. He will come to the city highly recommended by his associates. In Pennsylvania, where he has been the principal of the Sayre High school for six years, he stands very high in his profession. He was secured through acquaintances at Cooperstown.
     Mr. VanDeusen is quite well known in this part of the state. He is a native of Schoharie county and a graduate of the Cooperstown High school, class of 1905. His record as a teacher dates from 1910, when he graduated from Union college, Schenectady, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and immediately accepted a position in a private school in Illinois. His next post was at the Sayre High school, where he has taught science and mathematics for seven years, six of which he has been principal of the school.
     After graduation from Cooperstown high school, Mr. Van Deusen remained there for another year, taking a post graduate course. He entered Union in 1906. Though modest in telling of his achievements while at college, Mr. Van Deusen was greatly interested in the college periodicals. He was business manager of the “Garnet,” the junior class annual, and editor-in-chief of the “Concordiensis” in his senior year, both of which are high honors.
     The new man is 30 years of age, married, and the father of two boys, 4 ½ and 2 1q/2 years old. He is expected to move to Oneonta early in the summer, one of his duties being to get his garden going.
 

* * * * *

May 1, 1918 - Personals (Oneonta Daily Star)

     Mrs. Charles Hanor of Seward and Mrs. Claude Terpenning of Cobleskill were in Oneonta yesterday on their way home from a visit with friends in New Berlin and Edmeston.

* * * * *

May 15, 1918 - Well Known Resident of Milford Center Passes Away (Oneonta Daily Star)


     Yesterday morning, shortly before 4 o’clock, at his residence, occurred the death of L. S. Southworth, best known perhaps as Sanford Southworth, who although born in Seward, Schoharie county, had resided in that neighborhood for about 49 years and was well known in this section. He had been in failing health for a long time. The funeral services will be held on Thursday at 2 o’clock. Rev. Mr. Silcox of the Milford Center Baptist church of which the deceased was a member will officiate and the interment will be in the neighborhood cemetery.
     Mr. Southworth was 68 years of age. He was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. E. W. Seeger, a sister of Mrs. M. L. Hull of this city, who also is well known in the city. To her as the only surviving relative much sympathy will be felt. Mr. Southworth was a man of excellent principles, of friendly genial nature and many prized his friendship and will miss him in the church and other associations.

* * * * *

May 18, 1918 - The Saffragists of Schoharie (Oneonta Daily Star)

     Cobleskill, May 17. – At a recent meeting of the membership of the Women’s Suffrage party of Schoharie county, held in this village, Mrs. Leland C. Jones was elected disztrict leader, Mrs. Oscar Velie of Jefferson, Mrs. Stanley Schaeffer of Blenheim and Miss Marion Craig of Sharon Springs vice leaders. Mrs. Grant L. Bice of Cobleskill is secretary.

* * * * *

July 1, 1918 - Fatal Motor Car Accident (Oneonta Daily Star)

Mrs. C. B. Royal, Wife of Summit, N.J., Physician, The Victim
Accident Occurs on Clay Hill Near Gilboa and Car Was Moving Rapidly Down the Hill Colliding With Wagon of Calves – Sister of Dead Woman Was Driving the Car

     An automobile accident, which was attended by the death of one lady, occurred just above the Gilboa creamery at about the noon hour Friday. A party of three ladies; Miss Mary Vedder, of Newark, N.J.; her sister, Mrs. C. B. Royal, and Mrs. Mahavo, both of Summit, N.J., were on their way to Schoharie to visit E. B. Vedder, a brother of the two ladies’ first named, and in coming down the clay hill, collided with a lumber wagon, belonging to Grant Schermerhorn of Manorkill, heavily loaded with calves. Is seems that the car, a Ford touring car, being driven by Miss Vedder, was coming down the hill at a pretty fast rate of speed, and as it turned the bend in the road the driver saw the loaded wagon but too late to stop the car and it crashed in the heavy wagon with great force. As the car struck the wagon it turned completely over. The impact was so severe that Mrs. Royal was thrown head first into the highway and the other two ladies over the fence into a pasture lot. Mrs. Mahavo landing in a barbed wire fence.
     A hurried call was sent for help and Dr. Persons and others hurried to the scene of the accident. An examination showed that Mrs. Royal was suffering from a fracture of the skull and was unconscious and remained so until she died, which was about two hours after the accident happened. The injured lady was taken to the Gilboa house, where everything that could be done to save her life and alleviate her pain was done. The other two ladies were more or less injured but not seriously. The body was taken to the Vedder home in Schoharie. No blame can be attached to Mr. Schermerhorn for the accident. It is said that he was more than s wagon’s length across the small bridge that spans the brook at the point where the accident happened, and was resting his horses when the car crashed into his wagon. He helped with the injured until they were brought to the village and is completely overcome with grief. He is one of the substantial men of the town of Conesville.
 

* * * * *

July 12, 1918 - Personals (Oneonta Daily Star)

     J. R. Bailey of Albany, representing the Firestone Tire & Rubber company, was in the city yesterday calling on the trade. Mr. Bailey is a Schoharie boy with numerous friends in the city.

* * * * *

July 19, 1918 - May Unite for War Period (Oneonta Daily Star)

Going of Schoharie Pastors Leaves Village without Minister

     Schoharie’s three village churches, the Methodist, Lutheran and Reformed, are considering plans for a union for at least the duration of the war, possibly longer. At a meeting of the officials of the three churches no action was taken other than to request the appointment of committees of three from each denomination to draft plans which in turn would be submitted to the officials and if approved then put up to the congregations for consideration.
     Leaving of the three village ministers is the cause of the unusual situation now existing in the village, which is without a spiritual leader.

* * * * *

July 22, 1918 - Company H Disbanded (Oneonta Daily Star)

     Middleburg, July 21 – The Middleburg unit, Company H, Tenth Infantry, New York Guard, is disbanded. The men will be mustered out by an officer of the Third brigade. Originally the company had a strength of 70 men. It was the first to be organized in Schoharie county. Several of the officers active in its formation have entered the army. Dissatisfaction developed after the destruction of the local command as a unit. Its last important public appearance was in the Flag day parade in Albany.

* * * * *

July 30, 1918 - Personals (Oneonta Daily Star)

     Mr. and Mrs. George Snyder and Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Price spent Sunday in Richmondville, Schoharie and Middleburgh
     Mrs. Emmett VanDeBoe was in Cobleskill last week with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Darling, who are the happy parents of a seven-pound daughter, Ella May, born July 19.
 

* * * * *

December 26, 1918

     On Wednesday of last week Mrs. leGrand Edwards, of Franklinton, accompanied by her husband and Dr. Losee, was taken to the Albany Hospital. On Thursday a son was born. They were attended by Dr. Lochner. Mother and child are doing well. The little fellow will answer to the name of Franklin Walter.

* * * * *

March 1920 - Dutton-Hill Nuptials of Interest to Many - Quiet Wedding at Home of the Bride's Parents on Danforth Avenue Saturday Afternoon

     At the home of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Hill on Danforth avenue at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, Feb.. 28th occurred the marriage of their only daughter, Ida Beatrice, to Mr. Asa A. Dutton. using the impressive ring service, the words which made them man and wife were spoken by the bride's pastor, Rev. G. W. W. Amick of the Lutheran church. The bride, attired in a beautiful creation of georgette crepe, with pearl trimming, and carrying a bouquet of lilies of the valley, was unattended.
     As the wedding party entered the spacious parlors, handsomely decorated with ferns and flowers, Mrs. Olin Bouck, at the piano, softly and sweetly produced the music for the wedding march. Only members of the two families and a few close friends were present.
     Following the wedding ceremony a bountiful course dinner was served in the dining room where the tables were decorated with smilax, in pink and white. The guests present were: Mrs. Amelia Dutton, Mr. C. C. Dutton, Mr. C. B. Dutton, Miss Alace Dutton of Middleburgh; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ronan and Edward Ronan, jr., of Albany; Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Pindar, Miss Martha Pindar, Mr. Henry V. Pindar, Mr. William Pindar, Miss Margaret Ranson, Mr. and Mrs. Olin Bouck, Rev. and Mrs. G. W. W. Amick, Middleburgh; Dr. Frederick S. Pindar, West New York.
     After the wedding dinner Mr. and Mrs. Dutton left for an extended journey, which will occupy about three weeks. Their itinerary includes New York and Washington. The bride's traveling suit was brown silver tone with hat to match.
     Many beautiful and valuable gifts were presented.
     Both the bride and the groom are known to a wide circle of friends and are counted among Middleburgh's most popular young people. Congratulations and good wishes will be spoken by their admirers, and with the number the News would be counted.

* * * * *

September 28, 1920 - How Old Is “Jimmie” Oliver? (Oneonta Daily Star)

     Over in Schoharie county there has been a rumor circulated to the effect that James Oliver, the Democratic candidate for sheriff, is not eligible to the office because he is not 21 years of age and will not be until after election. This report is positively denied by his friends, who assert that he was 21 years old on December 23, 1919.

* * * * *

October 12, 1920 - New County Officials in Schoharie (Oneonta Daily Star)

     Confirmation of Lawyer J. Wright of Schoharie as county superintendent of highways was made by the board of supervisors in special session Monday evening. Mr. Wright is named to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Van E. Lawyer until Jan. 1, and from that time to hold office for the full term of four years.
     Members of the board also elected former supervisor Arthur Smith of Charlotteville as clerk to fill the vacancy caused by the recent death of Attorney Edgar Jackson. Mr. Smith represented the town of Summit during his membership in the county legislature.

* * * * *

October 14, 1920 - Enlarging Cider Factory (Oneonta Daily Star)

* * * * *

November 11, 1920 - Judge Beekman to Address D. A. R. (Oneonta Daily Star)

     Judge Dow Beekman will address the Daughters of the American Revolution this afternoon on “The Intertwining of Otsego and Schoharie in the Revolution and the Heroes of the Two Counties.”

* * * * *

November 12, 1920 - How Old Otsego and Schoharie Fought Side by Side - Judge Beekman’s Address - Story of Revolutionary Days in New York Eloquently Told by a Son of Schoharie – Oneonta Chapter, D. A. R. Turns Out En Masse – Our Double Anniversary (Oneonta Daily Star)

     It is a fortunate thing when any community, county or section of a state has within it a citizen who to a fine conception of what goes on at the present day and a clear vision of what the future has in store, adds thereto an element of retrospection. Too many others there are who are so busy with future hope and present accomplishment that they forget if not the names at least the deeds of their forbears, and allow the personal and local elements which are so much the interesting things of history to be overlooked and forgotten. Of the former sort is Judge Dow Beekman of Middleburgh, who, as a life-long resident of Schoharie county and once a student of Hartwick seminary has linked from earliest days his native county with our own.
     It was the good fortune of Oneonta chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, to be able to secure the presence of Judge Beekman at its November meeting, which was held at the home of Mrs. R. C. Briggs on Main street Thursday afternoon. For years he has been a close student of the colonial and Revolutionary history of his county, and his address yesterday had for its appropriate title “The Intertwining of Otsego and Schoharie in the Revolution.”
     In his introduction, Judge Beekman spoke of the geographical relation of the two counties and of the felicitous Indian names of Otsego towns which still endure, as Oneonta “the stony place;” Unadilla, “the pleasant valley,” and Otesaga, “place of the clear water,” and of the visit of the great French statesman Tallyrand, then in exile, to Otsego, who followed perhaps in his journey the same Susquehanna trail, which marks the present site of our Main street, and who, writing afterwards, spoke as one who saw in vision our wooded valleys as the site of cities of a new-world empire.
     Continuing, he referred to the fact that Otsego was formerly a part of Tryon county, as Schoharie was of Albany and Otsego, and that the two counties are indissolubly joined by the memory of the deeds wrought by their heroes and often on their soil in the days of the War of Independence – the battles of Oriskany and Fort Stanwix, the massacre of Cherry Valley, which will live in our chronological annals as having taken place on November 11, 1778, just 142 years before that great Armistice day of the World War, which yesterday was celebrated. The valleys of the Charlotte, Delaware, Susquehanna, Schoharie and Mohawk had interlocking interests and it was at the battle of Fort Stanwix, where the soldiers of the two counties, with Col. Martinus Willett and Col. Gansevort in command and with such officers as brave Captain McKean and Cols. Samuel, Campbell and Samuel Clyde of Cherry Valley, fought under the first flag of the United States that was ever unfurled in battle, a flag still religiously preserved among the state historical archives at Albany. Of the massacre of Cherry Valley he gave a thrilling description, as also of the later invasion of the Schoharie valley; a raid which only was checked through the desperate courage of the settlers entrenched in the Upper, Middle and Lower Schoharie forts.
     In conclusion, the speaker paid fitting tribute to the brave women of colonial days, of those who lived or died at Cherry Valley and those who fought side by side with the men at Schoharie, moulding the bullets when the last were fired, and standing with pikes to guard if need be the entrance to the forts. It is unfortunate that space at disposal does not permit a fuller summary or even brief reference to many points of interest in this excellent address, which had the close attention of the chapter whose good fortune it was to be present.
     Following the address, telling points of which were heartily applauded, a rising vote of thanks was given by the chapter, and later opportunity was given the members to inspect many interesting historic souvenirs brought with him to Oneonta, one of them being the original manuscript of a three-page letter written on March 22, 1783, by Col. Willett and aimed at the profiteers of that day who sought for a small sum to buy from the soldiers their claims or vouchers for military service. Informally Judge Beekman also referred to the literature of the two counties, calling attention in particular to Amelia E. Barr’s “Bow of Orange Ribbon,” Harold Frederic’s “In the Valley,” and some of the stories of Robert W. Chambers, among them “The Maid at Arms,” and “The Hidden Children.”
     Delicious refreshments, served by Mrs. Briggs, Mrs. R. E. Brigham and Mrs. George E. Moore, brought to a close one of the pleasantest and most interesting of chapter gatherings.
     Judge Beekman’s trip to Oneonta was made by auto, and he was accompanied to this city by his wife and by Mrs. William Beekman, the latter also of Middleburgh.

* * * * *

November 25, 1920 - Only Fifty Cents a Pound - Federal Prohibition Ruling Followed by Slump in Hop Prices (Oneonta Daily Star)

     J. S. Hutt, Cobleskill hop dealer, has purchased several lots of Schoharie county hops at 50 cents per pound. Among the sales reported at this figure are the crops of Frank VanDeusen and Irving Price. Part of the D. C. Dow crop has also been sold at this price and also part of the D. D. Frisbee crop at Middleburgh. Several small lots at Seward have been sold at the 50 cent figure. The hops were purchased by Mr. Hutt for export.
     It is quite evident that growers made a mistake last summer when buyers were offering 80 cents per pound for growing 1920 crop. The recent federal ruling in regard to hop disposal for home brew has hit the hop market a hard blow.

* * * * *

December 2, 1920 – Latest Vicinity Notes, Recent Important Happenings in Otsego and Counties Hereabouts (Oneonta Daily Star)

     Rev. Arthur R. Young of Cobleskill, a well-known evangelist, has sailed with his wife and three children for the Belgian Congo, where he has been assigned African missionary work.
     With returns still coming in Rev. A. D. Parker as chairman of the Red Cross drive for Schoharie county, reports a present enrollment of 3,525 members.

* * * * *

December 22, 1920 – Tripp-Zeh (Oneonta Daily Star)

     Announcement is made of the marriage of Ellery C. Tripp of Oneonta and Miss Beatrice Aline Zeh of Schoharie. The ceremony was performed in Albany on December 11 by Rev. William J. Smith, pastor of the trinity Methodist church.
     Mr. Tripp is well known in this city, where from December, 1914 to December, 1917, he was agent for the national Express company. He now is district examiner from the general auditor’s office in Albany. The bride is an accomplished young woman, a graduate of the Schoharie High school and the Albany Business college. Both will have the belated but nevertheless hearty congratulations of many Oneonta friends.
     For the present, Mr. and Mrs. Tripp will make their home in Albany.

Go To:

A Note to Researchers using this Web-site: As you use this site, please keep in mind the difference between primary and secondary sources and the importance of building a preponderance of evidence. Accept nothing without further checking. It is our hope that through this collection of data from many sources, you will find a piece of the puzzle that you are working on and that may lead you to further discoveries.

Links to external web sites are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or approval of any of the products, services or opinions contained in any external web site.