The ‘‘Our towns’’ column is compiled each month by Carol Johnson of the Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection. The entries have been copied from the September issues of the New Paltz Independent. To get a closer look at these newspapers of the past, visit the staff of the Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection at the Elting Memorial Library at 93 Main Street in New Paltz, or call 255-5030.
The cupola on the Albert K. Smiley Memorial Tower is being glassed in; and, in a few days, will present an improved appearance. This will now enable the Forest Ranger to sit in the Tower, undisturbed by either wind or rain. Mr. Osborne, the forest ranger on Sky Top reports a registration of 11,200 names of those who have visited the Albert K. Smiley Memorial Tower.
E. A. Smiley of Ellenville, formerly one of the proprietors of the Minnewaska mountain houses, has lately returned from a Southern auto trip, accompanied by his daughter Dr. Elizabeth Smiley. While they were attending services at the Methodist church at Crisfield, Md., they were surprised to see President and Mrs. Coolidge enter the church accompanied by Secretary of State Hughes. The congregation remained standing until the President’s party had left the church then hurried to the wharf to wave as they returned to the President’s yacht, the Mayflower, that had quietly anchored in the harbor.
This seems to have been “huckleberry year” in the Shawangunks. In many places the dark cracker berries may still be found in abundance and when the sun is bright there is a fragrance as of huckleberry pies hot from the oven.
Farmer’s naturally dislike wild carrots, because they mean hard work in a cultivated field, but call them Queen Anne’s lace, and that’s another story. The basket that stood beside the pulpit in the Reformed church last Sunday was pretty enough for a queen, and it was filed with white perennial phlox, wild carrots, a pink lily or two, and ferns. The writer has an English friend who lived in Barbados as a child, who says that they had one wild carrot in a pot, and they called it “prince’s crest.”
Application has been made to the county judge to have a large quantity of liquor destroyed which was seized under the Mullan-Gage law and stored in the cellar of the Kingston Court House, on the ground that it is not only occupying valuable room but is giving out an offensive order.
Six weeks ago, Principal van den Berg announced that the number of application blanks received was far in advance of the usual number, which indicated that the school would open with the largest attendance in its history. This anticipation has been realized, the number of normal students alone is 382. Total enrollment in all departments not yet announced. There are two additions to the faculty: Miss Gannet has charge of art work for the year, and Miss Muffley is critic and demonstration teacher in the first grade. On Thursday evening there was an informal gathering of the students for the purpose of getting acquainted.
Last Friday was National Defense Day, and our readiness to enter a war, if war should come, without the delay and confusion which accompanied our entry into the World War, was tested. There was a big parade in Kingston on Friday to celebrate Defense Day. There were over 2,000 persons in the parade. There were exercises at the fairgrounds after the parade and an address by Rev. Father O’Reilly of Rosendale. To come home to our own peaceful town, Defense Day was noticed only in the churches.
The steep bank that borders the grounds of St. Joseph’s church on the south is being laid up with a wall of grey stone.
The new American LaFrance 600-gallon triple combination pumping hose and chemical truck for the local fire department arrived last Monday. Mr. Jack Haley, the delivery engineer for the LaFrance Company showed that he was well able to handle the machine when he drove it off the freight car and down on a narrow board to the roadway. The first thing to do was to show the apparatus to the village folks, and this was done in great style, the siren and bell both going strong. An entire trip around the village was made. Needless to say, everyone who looked the machine over were very much pleased, and nothing but favorable comments were heard from all. On Thursday, September 18, the big day for New Paltz will be celebrated by the LaFrance Company holding the National Board of Fire Underwriters’ test. This will be held at the swimming hole on the Wallkill and will last for three full hours. We want everyone in the village to witness this test. There will be plenty of room for all to see and inspect the new apparatus. After the test the fire company will hold a dinner at the New Paltz Hotel and big doings are expected.
Dwyer Institute, a resort for the treatment of cancer patients, on the Clintondale road near Highland, was destroyed by fire at three in the morning on Wednesday. The loss is estimated at $25,000. The firemen from Highland were unable to stop the flames in the main building. They succeeded in saving the outbuildings.
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