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 1925 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.
New Paltz observed Memorial Day in accordance with the custom of honoring the dead soldiers. Main Street was bedecked with uniform flags. This is a new feature of flag display in our nation and it added greatly to the beauty of our village. The parade formed at the Sullivan Shafer Post rooms at 10 A.M. Music was furnished by John Yeaple and Wallace Taylor. The flag of our country and the standard of the local post headed the column. They were followed by members of the American Legion, the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts in uniform. The line of march was down Main Street through Wurts Avenue to the Soldiers Monument in the New Paltz Cemetery. A short prayer was read, three salutes to the dead were fired and taps sounded by Harold Krom. Three wreaths were placed on the Soldiers Monument and flowers were placed on all the graves of our dead veterans. The following contributed flowers for the decorations: I.C. Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. Coutant, Mrs. B. C. Deyo, A. P. LeFevre, Mrs. Harry Zimmerman, Fred Myers, Mrs. Frank LeFevre, Mrs. Solomon DuBois, Roelof DuBois, and the New Paltz Fire Department. All the 300 poppies sent to New Paltz were sold last Thursday. The receipts were $30.86; expenses 52 cents leaving $30.34 which has been sent to the Veterans Mountain Camp.
Summer came in with a rush. On June 1 the thermometer took an upward leap, bringing prostrations and in four or five cases, death, in the cities, and in the country, more or less discomfort. A week before in the Catskills, although the apple trees were in bloom, snow had fallen to the depth of one inch. Today, Thursday, the heat is unabated.
The application of the Sullivan-Shafer Post for a war trophy has been acknowledged with an allotment of a two-ton German howitzer. In apportioning these trophies careful consideration was given to the merits of the surrounding circumstances. The petition of the local post briefly recited that New Paltz is a historical and educational center, that the Town of New Paltz contributed generously in men and money during the World War; that the local unit of the Red Cross was the most efficient in Ulster County, and we hoped to locate the trophy in Hasbrouck Park, adjoining the campus of the Normal School.
The Elverhoj Art Colony will have the added attraction of a musical center this year. Mme. Julien, a vocal instructor of note will make her headquarters there and bring a number of her pupils with her. She will give musical instruction and it has been planned to have several concerts given during the summer months.
Early Thursday morning, dogs killed 115 three-months-old pullets of Kenneth DuBois. Last year Mr. DuBois lost chickens in the same way. The owners of dogs and likewise those who harbor dogs are responsible financially for any damage which they may do. Furthermore, dogs caught chasing or worrying or killing fowls or sheep or cattle may be shot, whether they are licensed or not. Therefore, owners of dogs that have a tendency to kill or bother poultry will avoid trouble by keeping them tied.
On Tuesday evening about six o’clock fire destroyed several large buildings on the Lilac Lodge Farm at Springtown, owned by Harry Eberle. It is thought that sparks from a passing Wallkill Valley Railroad locomotive were responsible for the origin of the fire, a train having passed through the farm but a few minutes before the flames were discovered. In all six buildings were consumed together with their contents, which included a valuable pedigreed horse, about 100 chickens, a carriage and an automobile. A quantity of furniture which had just been moved into one of the buildings was also lost, also some curios. All the buildings had been newly painted and repaired. The residence of Mr. Eberle caught fire a couple of times but was saved before much damage was done to it. The New Paltz Fire Department, which answered the call for assistance, did excellent work in preventing the spread of the flames. Mr. Eberle estimates his loss in the neighborhood of $7,000.
George Millham has returned from New York City where he attended the 112th Annual conclave of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar, State of New York, which was held in New York June 14, 15, and 16. In the parade which occurred Monday afternoon there were 15,000 Knights Templars and 1,500 musicians. Mr. Millham marched with the Poughkeepsie Commandery and reports a fine time and most courteous reception.
The Central Hudson Gas & Electric Company has decided to maintain the headquarters of the construction department and general repair shop for its automobile equipment at New Paltz. The operation of these departments will be under the direction of Mr. Nelson Hood who will reside in New Paltz with a number of his employees. These departments of the Central Hudson Company will be located in the building formerly occupied by the Johnston Garage business, the stock of which is now being sold to provide the necessary space for these new activities.
The thirty-ninth annual commencement was held in the auditorium of the Normal School Wednesday morning and never did better weather nor a larger audience contribute their advantages to this always inspiring occasion. After weeks of atmospheric heat and academic fever the morning of graduation dawned the clearest, the brightest; the most joyous that nature could command. There were ninety-six in the class of June, 1925. As they marched into the auditorium to the processional the girls all looked happy. The one lone man in the class had a do or die expression that would indicate for him a successful career along the line of his chosen profession.
A good many New Paltz people saw the Po’keepsie boat races on Monday. Many people started in their cars, parking at some distance from the river in order to avoid the crowd, and completing the trip y trolley. The crowd at the races was estimated at 50,000. The crew of the University of Washington and their rooters came all the way from the Pacific Coast. The varsity race, which says the Herald Tribune was “as thrilling a four-mile struggle as ever was rowed in this country,” was rowed over the old four-mile course from Crum elbow to a mile below the railroad bridge. The United States Naval Academy won; the University of Washington came in second, with Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Cornell, Syracuse and Columbia following in order.
The ferry Gov. Winthrop set out from the Po’keepsie side with a crowd of people bound for the west bank of the river at 6:28 Monday, just before the start of the varsity race. The boat reached the bridge, when it was halted by a navy sub chaser whose business it was to clear the course. As soon as the back of the sub chaser was turned, figuratively speaking, the ferry attempted to proceed. Then the sub chaser made the ferry fast with a cable, boarded the ferry, and took away the pilot’s papers. It is claimed that the ferry was within its rights, as an agreement had been made allowing the ferry to make crossings up to ten minutes before each race.
Join the family! 
