Week of February 14

February 13, 1875 – 150 YEARS AGO

Rockland County Journal

AROUND HOME

  ☞  We suppose that poets throughout the land will soon begin to “gush” about “ Spring, gentle Spring,” and the cats of our village will set music to the words.

  ☞  Last Friday, 5th inst., Mr. A. L. Brewer, of Monsey, while cutting hay for his horses, caught his hand in the cutting-machine and cut off three of the fingers of his right hand.

  ☞  School District, No. 9, of Stony Point, was recently in danger of losing its identity.  Garnerville and Flora Falls tried to swallow it up, but the trustees were too smart for them.

  ☞  On Monday morning last, a woman in the employ of Mr. Bogards, of Nyack, fell on the ice and broke her collar-bone. Dr. Mursick was called immediately, and rendered necessary medical assistance.

  ☞  A sleigh-load of persons were spilled, on Tuesday afternoon, while turning the corner of DePew Avenue and Broadway. Nobody hurt. Keep your eye on those fiery steeds, Eugene, or someone will get hurt.

  ☞  A new species of the rat family has been discovered at Goetchius' Mill, in Stony Point. Some people call it the mill mouse, but a naturalist who has examined it pronounces it a cross between the common rat and weasel.

  ☞  Daring the heavy storm on Thursday the first floors of several houses on Main Street were completely flooded, the water in some instances being five and six inches deep, causing the inmates to go to the second story in order to keep their feet dry.

February 14, 1925 – 100 YEARS AGO

Rockland County Times

TO FIGHT VANDALISM — Patriotic Citizens from All Sections of the County Joining Forces to Prevent “Razing” of Historic Treason House*

[Image: Undated lantern slide of the white house owned by Thomas Smith that has traditionally, but mistakenly, been referred to as the “Treason House.” From the Dorothy Crawford collection at the Historical Society of Rockland County.]

       As a result of widespread interest aroused by the caustic comments of Patriotic Instructor, Edward B. Weiant, one of the few surviving veterans of the war of the rebellion[,] and other people of similar inclinations who think the lesson to be derived and the good to the growing youth because of the shrines that incurred a spirit of patriotism or point a moral should be preserved as a combatant to the prevalent impression entertained by the youth of the land to “step light and travel fast” a movement daily gaining stronger force and greater energy for the preservation of the famous old Joshua Hett Smith house, where Arnold met Andre for the betrayal of West Point in an effort to preserve its original contour and historic associations, is in the making.

       The members of the Grand Army of the Republic, the American Legion, the Patriotic Sons of America, and similar associations besides those of men and women including the Mothers Community organizations in several communities as well as fraternal societies, have taken a strong and vigorous stand against what is called the “desecration of the historic I house.”

       Leading in the movement is Haverstraw Lodge of Elks who claims to be the real American organization without the frills and fancies of sectarian humbug.

       At its session Tuesday evening on the motion of Captain L. E. Bonnaud the Lodge adopted the following preamble and resolutions:

              WHEREAS, through authorized press reports and inspired verbal statements, we have become acquainted with the fact that the old historical “Treason House” now the property of the State of New York is about to be razed, and

              WHEREAS, it is in our judgment too precious a relic of the Revolutionary days to permit it to be so disposed of, and

              WHEREAS, no distinct advantage can be gained and much irretrievably lost by letting the veil of oblivion enshroud the Treason House, it is

              RESOLVED, that Haverstraw Lodge No. 877 B. P. O. E. hereby enters a most vigorous protest against any attempt at carrying out the plan outlined in these preambles, it is further

              RESOLVED that Haverstraw Lodge No 877 B. P. O. E. shall oppose by all proper means available the destruction of the Treason House, and it is further

              RESOLVED that a committee of three be appointed with the necessary power to efficiently carry out the wishes of the lodge in this matter and it is further

              RESOLVED that a committee of three be appointed with the necessary power to efficiently carry out the wishes of the lodge in this matter and it is further

              RESOLVED that this committee be given authority to co-operate with tother County, State and National bodies, to make request from the authorities, circulate petitions and do any and all other things which circumstances may demand.

       Captain Bonnaud is to be chairman of a committee representing the lodge with power to appoint his own associates and incur the necessary and legitimate expenses in the conducting of a forceful campaign in keeping with other organizations.

       As this edition of the Times was being made ready for the printing press, Captain Bonnaud was industriously at work framing up a committee and arranging a schedule that until this was written Thursday was incomplete except in its general features.

       A mass meeting of the representatives of all the fraternal and patriotic societies in Rockland County has been called to be held in the Knights of Columbus Auditorium at 2:30 o'clock on Sunday afternoon at which time all the citizens whether affiliated with an organization or individually are requested to be present and participate in the deliberations.

       Dr. Deyo of Newburgh, Chairman of the Washington Headquarters trustees and a leader in many patriotic movements is to be the principal speaker of the afternoon.

       * Historian’s note: Extensive deed searches and other research by the noted historian Richard Koke led to the identification of a different Smith house in West Haverstraw as the location where General Arnold and Major Andre met. The research was published in South of the Mountains in 2003 and is available at https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/hsrc/id/4352/rec/3.

February 5, 1975 – 50 YEARS AGO

The Journal News

“HAIRIEST MUTT” LOST

    The hairiest mutt in town is lost, and his New City family is grief-stricken by his disappearance.

       Springo, whose appearance (much like) an English Sheepdog has won him the “Hairiest Mutt” crown at the annual Jaycees' Mutt Show, left the Rosen family home on Jennifer Drive nearly four weeks ago.

       Since then, the Rosens have tried every course to find their pet — the police, combing the neighborhood, checking area animal care facilities. They placed an ad in The Journal-News and are willing to find a new dog for any family that might have adopted theirs.

       The Rosen family is typical of many who lose their pets each year, and they have the reaction most families have.

        “I miss him when I go to bed,” says 12-year-old Abby, who says that is when she had the most time to think about him. The children remember the time they had playing with their pet.

       Springo was found by the family on the first day of spring almost three years ago.

This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan for the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2025 by The Historical Society of Rockland County. #FBF Flashback Friday may be reprinted only with written permission from the HSRC. To learn about the HSRC’s mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.