The ‘‘Our towns’’ column is compiled each month by Carol Johnson of the Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection. The entries have been copied from the August 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.
Mrs. C. S. Jackson had interesting callers Friday. Mr. Vladimir de Pachmann, the celebrated pianist, and his party called to see her on their way from Dunraven in the Catskills to New York City. The party consisted of Mr. de Pachmann and his friends Mr. and Mrs. Pallatelli of Italy, their little son, Virgilio, and Samuel Smith, Mrs. Jackson’s nephew. The party had luncheon at Mrs. Jackson’s and then at Mrs. Jackson’s Mr. de Pachmann favored the household by playing for them a selection from Chopin. His peerless art gave great pleasure. Mme. Pallatelli is a most gifted speaker and is personally acquainted with the Italian Premier Mussolini. She has lectured for the League for Political Education at Town Hall, New York City and at Spence’s School, New York City, on Mussolini and what has done for Italy.
Womanless Wedding. Our village saw an unusual display of full dress at the society wedding which took place on the portico of the Reformed Church last Thursday evening. The bride’s mother wept, but the guests who occupied seats on the lawn were hilarious. The strains of “Oh Promise Me” which preceded the ceremony were sponsored by Jesse Elting DuBois. The ceremony took place in front of a bank of cedars and golden rod. Cake and ice cream were served after the ceremony. The Dutch Guild, who were responsible for the affair, report a gain of about $90.
There is a real live Indian chief at Gardiner at the present time. His name is Chief Manabozho. He is a Veteran of the Foreign Wars of the United States, served in the world war as a scout, has been everywhere and done everything. His present job is to help entertain and train a bunch of Boy Scouts who are members of troops in this vicinity. They are camping on Bevier’s Island at Gardiner and having the time of their young lives. Last Saturday evening Chief Mamabozho put on a pageant of his own. He wore all his war paint and decorated the boys with a lot of it. The episode showed the first introduction of the modern plow amongst the Indians, with their suspicion of the contraption and their hesitating acceptance of this improvement in the arts of agriculture. Some visitors were there. They enjoyed it immensely but had to pay by each being called upon to do some stunt for the pleasure of the rest of the crowd. That also was a great success. When the Chief goes they will miss him.
Our Forest Ranger (situated in the Tower and on Sky Top) reports that about five thousand visitors have made it a point to register with him since early May. This, of course, does not include all that have made the ascent, during the months of which have passed; it merely means those who have gone there for a specific purpose of registering their name and residence. It has been said that the New Memorial Tower is principally a point from which can be seen to the best possible advantage, the Rondout and Wallkill Valleys, likewise the Catskill mountains. All very true, yet how many have stopped to think that it also serves a two-fold purpose, that of a fire tower and scenic observatory. The beacon at the top of the tower is now rivaling in brilliance that governing planet that can be seen in the East from dusk to midnight. May this light, the gift of Mr. Albert F. Stoll, burn ever brighter in commemoration of that guiding figure — the late Mr. Albert K. Smiley — to whom we are greatly indebted for the roads and paths which have enabled us to enjoy to the utmost the beauty which surrounds us.
The fire that started in the Shawangunk mountains west of Lake Awosting a week ago Sunday was put out after the fire fighting force had worked night and day from Sunday till Thursday. Rain on Thursday finished the work of putting out the fire which was headed for Lake Minnewaska. Over 700 acres were burned, but the damage to timber was not great, and no buildings were burned.
Perhaps a word about the activities of the Fire Department’s rooms would not be out of place at this time. Work has been started and is progressing rapidly on the alterations to the entrance of the apparatus rooms. This work was necessary in order to have clearance both as to height and width for the new American-LaFrance pumper, which is due to be shipped from the factory at Elmira, NY on September 4.
For the remainder of the season Juds All Stars will play twilight games at the Normal grounds every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The first game was played with Highland last Tuesday evening and resulted in a rather easy win for the local team by the score of 15 to 3. Harry Zimmerman and Punch Snyder featured with home run drives. Next Tuesday the fast Central Hudson team from Poughkeepsie Twilight League will be the attraction.
Jacob Schreiber reports that the best crops he has this summer are potatoes and Cucumber pickles. He says farm crops in this section have been cut very short by the drought. Sweet corn, cabbage and garden truck are nearly a complete failure. The rain on Wednesday will help crops such as late corn and cabbage. The harvesting of hay has been completed. These crops have been very good. Early peaches, pears and apples are small and of an inferior quality because of the drought, but late fruit will probably be better.
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