The ‘‘Our towns’’ column is compiled each month by Carol Johnson of the Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection. The entries have been copied from the June 1926 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.
A new handkerchief factory was opened in Ellenville on June 1. About 15 operators are employed.
The New Paltz Hotel was filled to overflowing Memorial Day. In fact, many guests were turned away who could not be accommodated. The management cared for 58 and 75 were sent to other houses in town. Mr. Tamney already has many parties booked for July 4th. He would like village people who may be able to accommodate guests that day send him their names. It is Mr. Tamney’s policy to endeavor to keep all parties in town, whether he can house them himself or not.
Nine more rooms in the main building of the New Paltz Hotel have had running water introduced this season and have been fitted up with writing desks and other new furnishings. All rooms in the Annex over the garage are also to have all modern improvements. It is expected that theses rooms will be ready for guests by July 4th.
The new five horse-power motor siren for the local fire department was tested out Thursday morning and found satisfactory. The regular noon day test will be put into practice at once. The village has certainly missed the noon day siren and everyone will be glad to hear the old familiar signal again.
The ladies of the Springtown church will hold a food sale at D.G. Lawrence’s Electrical Shop Saturday afternoon, June 19, beginning at two o’clock, daylight saving time. Homemade bread, biscuit, rolls, cake, cheese potato salad, baked beans, etc., will be on sale.
The electric ferry boat Poughkeepsie, plying between Highland and Poughkeepsie has been reconstructed and its speed considerably increased.
On Tuesday morning the day boat Washington Irving of the Hudson River Line was rammed by an oil barge in the fog, just after leaving the New York pier, and went down soon after. All but two of the two hundred passengers were saved.
Market Street, Poughkeepsie, displays a banner with the names of the crews to race in the annual regatta on June 28 — Columbia, Cornell, California, Navy, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Syracuse, Washington. On Sunday a small boy with German measles was found at play in the Pennsylvania boathouse, with the result that Dr. Freston was called and painted the throats of the crew as a preventive measure.
The Sullivan-Shafer Post has received an additional quantity of war trophies. The shipment consists of captured enemy material located at Raritan Arsenal, Port Newark, New Jersey as follows: six bayonets, two canteens, infantry; two canteens, medical; one case, cart brass; 150 m.m. How.; two gun, machine M 1908-15; 2 Bipod; six rifle, German Mauser M 1898; eight saber, enlisted men’s. It is regretted that we are unable to procure any historical information concerning the captured material. There was never any record compiled showing place or date of capture, organization making the capture, etc. The material is in the same condition as received from the front.
New Paltz has made great preparations for a fitting celebration of the nation’s One-Hundred and Fiftieth birthday. The local celebration will be under the auspices of the American Legion and the New Paltz Fire Department. It is planned to have a parade and inspection of our local organizations and visitors preceding the dedication of the German Howitzer trophy. New Paltz and Highland will clash in a game of baseball on the Normal diamond and after the smoke of battle rolls away the visitors will be fed up by the ladies auxiliary of the Legion at Colonial Hall. In the evening there will be a block party on Tamney Square for which the celebrated Booth’s Orchestra of Walden will furnish music. A big display of fireworks will be sent up in the heavens as a fitting climax to the day’s doings.
Harry Ahlberg and his men have the old Johnston Garage building torn down as far as the first story.
The management of Colonial Hall takes great pleasure in announcing that arrangements have been completed with Joe Dealy’s Vaudeville Agency of New York City, that will bring this well-known first class, Vaudeville to this theatre every Saturday night commencing June 26th. Joe Dealy is known wherever vaudeville is shown and only high class entertainers are in his employ. Five acts will be given, and one Saturday a month a special night of seven high class acts. This vaudeville will be shown along with the usual high grade pictures which are run at this Hall. Watch this paper for further announcements and the first attraction. The theatre received a car load of scenery which is being put in place, and a big surprise is in store for the people of New Paltz. Hot weather does not mean anything to the patrons of Colonial Hall as the large windows practically make this popular place an outdoor theatre.
Miss Beatrice Roosa of New Paltz graduated on June 22 from Vassar Brothers’ Hospital, Poughkeepsie. The class was ten in number. The graduating exercises were held on the hospital lawn at eight in the evening. They were followed by a reception and dancing.
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