The ‘‘Our towns’’ column is compiled each month by Carol Johnson of the Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection. The entries have been copied from the July 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 berry season was from a week to ten days later than usual this season. The first carload shipment was made on June 20. Up until tonight three carloads have been sent to Canada and others have been sent to Boston and Vermont. In addition to the car shipments the fruit boats are carrying between 200 and 300 crates from Milton to the New York markets every night. In New York berries are bringing from 10 to 25 cents per quart. Cherries are beginning to ripen and it is expected that they will begin moving next week.
Kingston and Poughkeepsie may have their annual battles on the ballfield, but right here in New Paltz we have our own annual series between the married and single men of the local fire department. Tuesday evening was the first game and a good size crowd was out to see the fun. This game was as usual with all these series games, interesting right up to the last man out in the final inning. The game resulted in a tie score, each side having five runs. The same teams will play again next week and both sides say, it will be a different score.
Mayor Ward playing right field for the married men made a wonderful throw from the roadway in right field to third base; catching Smith standing up when he tried to make three bases on his line drive. In the last inning Ward surprised everybody (and we also include himself) when he lined a beauty two base hit down the third base line. Jimmy Boyd was easy the star of the game. His catch of a high foul fly, way over by the roadway, was the best seen around these diggings in a long time. Jim got a big hand from the fans.
On Wednesday a large white bus marked “Starting point Broadway at 42nd St.” passed through our village with fresh air children, probably some 40 in number, bound for the Arbuckle Farm.
The summer school of our New Paltz Normal began on Monday. There are over 200 students in attendance.
After a search for several weeks for a good location for a camp site for the Boy Scouts of Ulster County, the committee has decided on Bevier Island in the Wallkill, two miles from Gardiner. The island is centrally located, has plenty of shade trees, and flat round where tents can be located and games played, and swimming is safe. The camp equipment is new, there is a corps of competent instructors, and there is prospect of a royal good time.
Irving LeFevre is home from Camp Awosting on a vacation of a few days. He reports that the camp is prospering.
A force of 70 men have been fighting the forest fires which have been raging on the west side of the Shawangunk Mountains in the vicinity of Lake Awosting during the past week. The new fire apparatus which was recently purchased for fighting fires is being used with favorable results.
The Rev. William Dalton, pastor of the Highland Presbyterian Church was presented with a new Ford sedan as a birthday gift, last week by members of his congregation.
Cardinal Hayes has transferred the Rev. Henry A. Curtin, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, New Paltz, and of St. Charles Church, Gardiner, to Mt. Kisco, NY. His place will be taken by Rev. William Humphrey of Fordham, New York City. The people of St. Joseph’s Church regret very much the removal of their pastor. Due to Father Curtin’s energy and ability and excellent work, the seating capacity of the church has been doubled by an addition which has been built during his brief pastorate. If he had remained his taste would have shown itself in beautifying the grounds. On Wednesday evening an informal reception was given Father Curtin in St. Joseph’s church by the members of the congregation. Father Curtin came here from Yonkers about two years ago.
We are glad to report that Mrs. A. G. Baldwin, who has been suffering for several weeks from ivy poisoning, is somewhat improving.
While our Plutarch correspondent and friends were journeying along the Modena Road near the farm of Frank J. LeFevre, they came upon one of the pretty animals which you may call a wood pussy if you like, which had just started to cross the road with her young ones. The young ones held back, the mother skunk crossed the road and then returned to her more timid offspring on the other side, and the travelers, who had been waiting with bated breath, then ventured to go on.
The Tuskegee Institute Jubilee singers from the famous Booker T. Washington School in Alabama will appear in the Normal School Auditorium, Tuesday night, at 8:15. The group will be comprised of all musical voices. Religious folk songs and colorful dialect readings will make up the program. This troupe just appeared at Lake Mohonk and are to give several programs in this section of New York State.
The delegates, alternates and guests at the Democratic Convention are to spend a night at Lake Mohonk as a part of the itinerary for an automobile trip to the Adirondacks after the convention is over. The trip will last for seven days and will cover 781 miles of highway. The presidential and vice presidential nominees will be guests of honor on the trip.
The long fight of the Democratic National Convention brings back memories of our early days. We can call to mind very readily the Democratic convention of 1852 when Franklin Pierce was nominated for President. The editor of the Independent was scarcely eight years of age but took a warmer interest in the politics of the country than he ever has since. He was an ancient Whig as was his father and all the family. Great was our disappointment when Winfield Scott who received the Whig nomination for President was badly beaten in November. As to the Democratic National Convention, we remember very well that the leading candidates were Cass, Marcy and Buchanan. After balloting a long time with the same result as with the late convention, Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire was brought forward as a dark horse and received the nomination.
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