The ‘‘Our towns’’ column is compiled each month by Carol Johnson of the Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection. The entries have been copied from the October 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.
On Tuesday afternoon the high tide combined with a strong south wind to raise the Hudson at Highland Landing to the greatest height within memory of those who saw it. The water rose above the bank nearly to the level of the road, washing around the automobiles parked between the road and the river. Three large trucks expecting to take the ferry had to wait for low tide because the steep pitch of the gangway would not let them pass under the roof.
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Republican nominee for governor, will speak in Po’keepsie on Monday night, October 6.
The voters of New York State will decide on election day whether or not there shall be a bond issue of $15,000,000 for the acquisition of land and the establishment of a unified system of state parks that is designed to give to all sections of the state adequate recreational facilities.
One of the largest business deals in this community was closed when Johnston’s Garage, Inc., sold their garage business and building to Mr. Hugh M. Beugler, of the Central Hudson system who took possession on Wednesday. Mr. Geo. E. Johnston, the founder, after 27 years as a druggist in New Paltz, established the business in 1903 in a small tin-shop building on South Chestnut Street. As the business developed, the building was rebuilt and enlarged until it now is one of the largest garage buildings in the Hudson Valley, having a storage capacity of 60 cars. Mr. Johnston, in speaking of the sale, says that the greatest regret of his life is parting with a business which has brought him in such pleasant contact with the people of this community and he wished to express his appreciation of the patronage of the public.
A beautiful bronze tablet has recently been placed in the hall of the Huguenot Memorial House to the memory of Moses Cantine, a Huguenot refugee. The tablet is the gift of Mrs. Lydia Cantine French of New York. The tablet is the work of the Wm. H. Jackson Company. It is especially fitting that this tablet should be in the Memorial House since Moses Cantine came to New Paltz very soon after the settlement and married Elizabeth Deyo, the daughter of Christian Deyo, the patentee, and widow of Simon LeFevre, the patentee; and the baptism of their son Pierre is one of the earliest recorded in the New Paltz church records. The placing of this tablet recalls a tradition which has come down in the LeFevre family: Moses Cantine was a man of means in France and being a Huguenot realized he was in danger, so he called in decorators as if preparing to entertain and then at night, leaving the candles burning, he and his wife slipped away to the rocky seacoast, there to wait until they could signal a ship. Tradition further says that a seabird came each day and laid an egg on the rocks and so saved them from starvation.
Thursday, October, 16th, about two hundred Normal School students enjoyed a trip to Mohonk. They started from the Normal School at nine and rode in horse-drawn carriages. The party was kept merry by the singing of familiar songs, story and joke telling. They arrived at Mohonk a little after twelve and having eaten a delicious lunch, they set out to explore the grounds. The monument erected on top of the mountain was particularly interesting to them. This was built from stone excavated at Mohonk. A little before sunset, and after a delightful time, they returned home.
Perhaps the most popular place at Mohonk this season is the Putting Course, consisting of 18-holes. Weather permitting, it is a daily occurrence to see the Green thronged with people, young and old alike, enjoying this fascinating out-of-door game. Many have come here this summer for the express purpose of riding, driving, or even going to Mountain Rest to play golf, but, with little urging, have joined the ranks of enthusiastic putters. One man, especially, and it was his initial visit, said that in a whole month he had never had a moment for horseback riding!
Not much interest was manifested by the Highland people in the Annual Reunion of the 156th Regiment on Saturday, October 18. The writer called on several people in the village trying to find out where the reunion was to be held and finally got some information from Lawyer Lent that led me up to the place. Only seven members of this famous civil war regiment answered to roll call. The ranks of the old soldiers are getting thinner as the years roll by. It was with heavy heart that we sat and listened to the business meeting of our old friends. Memory carried us back several years to the reunions at New Paltz, when the whole village and county side turned out to welcome the old veterans.
Henry Kaiser has sold his grape crop consisting of about two tons to Mr. Davis of Rosendale. He received about eighty dollars a ton.
Our village library would like to form a department of local history and genealogy. Contributions are asked for a Freer Genealogy, the price of which is $25, of which the sum of $8 has already been received by Miss Cornelia E. DuBois. The state refuses to help for buying this book, which it says would be too expensive and not used sufficiently.
At the regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees a resolution was adopted that plans and estimates be submitted to the board, for the construction of a large reservoir, in order to increase the storage capacity of the village water supply.
The voting machines have been set up ready for use, one in the store of E. C. Elmore and the other in the electric light room in the old Times building. All voters are urged to go to these places and try the new machines that they may become familiar with their use.
Join the family! 
