The ‘‘Our towns’’ column is compiled each month by Carol Johnson of the Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection. The entries have been copied from the December 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.
When hickory nuts and butternuts are ripe in the first frosts, the trouble men of upstate electric service companies sharpen their climbing spurs. The squirrels are busy gathering their winter’s store of food and labor under the delusion that the big white insulators on electric pole are good to eat. When the nutting season begins, a certain number of enterprising squirrels always investigate the electric cross-arms. The squirrel stands on his hind legs and puts his paws on the porcelain insulator. If the cross-arm is wet, as it usually is in the early morning, and if the squirrel happens to touch the electric wire on the insulator as he usually does, there is a short circuit, a burned wire and no further “if” for the squirrel. The squirrel’s troubles end, and the trouble-man’s begin, for he must follow the line over hill and dale until he comes to the place where the tragedy occurred and repair the broken circuit. So serious has the interference of misguided squirrels become on a number of electric lines that the companies have found it necessary to girdle each of the thousands of poles with an 18-inch belt of galvanized iron. This means “keep off” to a squirrel, so the squirrel’s life is saved and the electric current does not fail.
The members of the Clintondale Grange are very much elated over the new interior repairs and decorations to their grange hall, made under the efficient chairmanship of Mrs. R. F. Harcourt and associating committee. When a few more finishing touches are completed, this grange hall will present an appearance nearly equal to any other in the county. Very zealous efforts on the part of the Graces are now being made for the entertainment of Ulster County Pomona grange which meets at Clintondale December 5. A large attendance is desired.
Johnny Denzlinger has just butchered two pigs, springers if you please, just eight months old. The one weighed 302 pounds and the other one 314. Many people looking at them refused to believe that they were not wintered hogs. He purchased them from Henry Hasbrouck. Johnnie says they give him good stock and he can just about double his money every time. He says the particular thing about feeding the pigs is — regular meals on time and warm mash when the weather is cold. This method Johnnie has added a bath twice a week. Johnnie says they look for the bath every time he picks up the hose. They all know what is coming and come around waiting for it.
The Christmas Committee, under whose auspices the union service on Sunday evening is to be held (which is but one phase of the Committee’s activities) has about completed its canvas of the village. The solicitors meant to call on you. If you were missed, it was a great mistake and should be rectified at once. Take the matter into your own hands. Walk into Harvey Gregory’s and he will extend to you all the “rites and privileges” as soon as you signify your desire to contribute. Or take your contribution to the appointed room under the Opera House on Tuesday, December 22. Here you will be met by Edward Maclaury and a staff of assistants who will receive your offering and see that it is properly taken care of. The Committee can use money, worn but wearable clothing and shoes, canned, or fresh vegetables and fruits and in a word, any useful usable thing. The Committee continues its work throughout the year. It relies upon your generosity, expressed annually at the holiday season, for funds and material with which to relieve deserving cases of want throughout the entire year. The Christmas Committee is a cheerful committee. It collects cheer and then distributes it, using common sense and giving unostentatious cheery aid where it is needed.
A Christmas Entertainment with all the trimmings took place at the Methodist Sunday School last Thursday evening. The church was beautifully decorated under the expert direction of Mr. S. M. Kevanand with the assistance of Normal Students. In spite of the rain, there was a church full of people who had begun to arrive way before the advertised time for commencement. The program opened with the depositing of gifts in a manger, a custom commenced last year. Instead of the Sunday School people receiving gifts they have been encouraged to make it a time of giving to children who are not so fortunate as themselves. A large collection of presents was the result and these were sent to the Five Points Mission in New York.
Oscar Tschirky of New Paltz and the Waldorf, has had his portrait painted by Baron Arpad De Paszthory, the Hungarian painter. Baron de Paszthory has made portraits of Pope Pius X, the late King Edward of England, the late Emperor Franz Josef, and Mme. Melba, and he is said to be the only artist, whoever succeeded in getting Mrs. Hetty Green to pose for a picture.
A story of brutal treatment beyond the wildest imagination was told by Charles Lagattuta yesterday following his arrest by the authorities on a charge of shooting his father, Angelo Lagattuta, at Ohioville Wednesday morning. Charles Lagattuta, 24 years old, deformed and crippled, told of his father’s brutal treatment, not only to him but also to his mother and other members of the family. Injuries sustained when he was nine years old at the hands of his father, he says, are responsible for his present crippled condition. Charles was arrested at his home Wednesday after he had shot and killed his father whom he held in deadly fear. He was brought to the county jail at 1:15 o’clock and held to await arraignment this morning before Justice of the Peace, W. J. Brown on a charge of murder.
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