The ‘‘Our town’’ column is compiled each month for the New Paltz Times by Carol Johnson, coordinator of the Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection. The entries have been copied from the October 1912 issues of the Kingston Freeman. If you would like to get a closer look at these newspapers of the past, visit Carol Johnson and the staff of the Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection at the Elting Memorial Library, located at 93 Main Street, or call 255-5030. Meanwhile, enjoy these words from a century ago.
The grapes are nearly all off the vines in this vicinity. There were a number of growers who sold to Schule at Highland. Others have packed and shipped. The price has averaged $1 for a return crate of 30 pounds, but at this writing we hear of sales at 90 cents. The time to ship is when the price is such to give profit. Often by holding the crop the price declines and a loss will occur from shipping.
The apples and Kiefer pears are now being picked. The crop is not large, but the quality is good.
The attempt on Theodore Roosevelt’s life has caused sadness, also a more determined aspect to the campaign. The slander and vulgar abuse hurled at Teddy by the Taft organs are making thousands of votes for him among the conservative and thinking people. When a party gets down to campaign abuse, it’s time it is retired.
Tuesday night the hen roosts of John Van Nostrand and Theodore Allington were invaded by a thief as early as 10 o’clock. Sixteen of Van Nostrand’s and six of Allington’s were missing. Some fowls with headless bodies were found in the field in the morning, the thief evidently becoming alarmed and dropping some of the loot in his hurry. Both families heard a commotion. Mrs. Allington let the dog out and he promptly found an escaped chicken in the weeds. Mr. Van Nostrand then appeared on the scene and mistaking the dog for a skunk grabbed an ax and fatally injured the animal.
The Ladies Aid Society of the Gardiner Reformed Church has recently edited a cookbook, which is filled with delicious receipts. The book may be purchased from Mrs. M.E. Stephens for 25 cents.
Dennis Williams of Newark, NJ was in this village last week to see M.W. Simpson in regard to building a houseboat in which he will spend his summer vacation upon the Wallkill River.
At the banquet and smoker of Ulster Hook and Ladder Company last Thursday evening, a general good time was had. Ex-Foreman H.L. Schultz acted as toastmaster in a very credible manner and several members responded to impromptu toasts. The occasion was a sort of get-together party. Fifteen honorary members re-enlisted into active service.
New Paltz Welcomes Survivors of the 156th Regiment on the 50th Anniversary of their departure for the War. With flags flying from nearly every house and store in the Village of New Paltz, with the Wallkill Valley trains and trolley cars bringing many guests to the celebration, and the streets full of motor cars, and on every side signs of prosperity and peace, New Paltz on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 19, 1912, must have presented an almost impossible picture to the minds of the veterans who left for the front 50 years ago. Only the faces of “comrades” were truly realistic reminders of the stirring and dreaded scenes of the half-century gone by. New Paltz had vied with Kingston in doing honor to the golden jubilee of its veteran body, and in addition to the fine program at the town hall, a parade was one of the notable features of the day. To begin with, the men of the 156th enjoyed a fine dinner at the town hall, arranged under the efficient management of Mrs. C.J. Ackert, whose spirit of perpetual youth and enthusiastic patriotism is indeed an inspiration to the present generation of New Paltz women, who with their flag-like aprons helped to serve their guests.
Crowded to its fullest capacity, the Town Hall presented an impressive spectacle, adorned to welcome the heroes of New Paltz. Flags and bunting draped the back of the stage. The New Paltz Cornet Band in neat, dark blue uniforms and the speakers filled the main part of the platform, while vases of autumn flowers and tiny flags took the place of floodlights and added much to the beauty of the scene. In the center of the stage, upon a flower covered pedestal, appeared a red, white and blue pennant bearing the words, “Welcome, Brave Boys.” One of the prettiest features of the program was the flag drill by a number of young ladies of the high school. With a flag in either hand, they marched through intricate evolutions and calisthenic drills with the flags, which were so graceful and precise as to call forth hearty applause while the drill was in progress as well as at its close. At the close of the exercises in the hall the fire laddies of New Paltz were waiting to do honor to their distinguished guests. Arrayed in their bravest uniforms, and carrying themselves in a truly soldierly fashion, the New Paltz hook and ladder and hose companies made a fine showing, with the New Paltz Cornet Band, in dress uniform, at their head. The veterans were taken in automobiles [to the cemetery] as part of the procession, which passed through the crowded streets, and were greeted on every hand with the waving of hands and handkerchiefs and flags. It had indeed been a happy day for the sadly lessened ranks of the splendid 156th, and a proud and thankful day for the people of New Paltz who had been delighted to express their appreciation of the services rendered to their country by these men 50 years ago.
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