Week of October 4

October 3, 1874 – 150 Years Ago
Rockland County Journal

DIED FROM THE BITE OF A FLY

       Intelligence of the death under peculiar circumstances of a young man only seventeen years of age, reaches us from Cold Spring. The deceased had been employed in Truesdell’s slaughter house. Several days since he was bitten on the lip by a “blue” fly. His lip and face swelled to an enormous size, and though Dr. Lent cut the swelling three different times and did all that medical skill could suggest, the wound resulted fatally on Thursday. The young man died from the bite of a fly.

AROUND HOME

     ☞ A Nyack lady wears a bustle which, for beauty, grace and elegance, beats the world.— She takes a good-sized pumpkin and cuts it so it fits, and newspapers are nowhere compared to it.

     ☞ A man named Oscar Brown, of Tarrytown, came to Nyack on Tuesday, hired a horse from David Garner, drove over to Clarksville, got drunk on lager-beer, drove back to Nyack and down Piermont Avenue at a furious pace, then back again to the village, was arrested by officer Hubbell, brought before Judge Meeker, and in default of $10 fine was sent to New City for ten days.

October 2, 1924 – 100 YEARS AGO
Pearl River News

BABY AT WHEEL, DAD ARRESTED — McGregor’s Unusual Stunt Too Much for South Nyack Officer

Officer Lindoll has more than once discreetly turned his head when a “one-armed driver” has passed him at a street corner at a modest rate of speed. But he could not stand Charles McGregor’s way of motoring.

On Sunday afternoon McGregor, who lives in Yonkers, had a five-year-old child upon his lap and the little one was operating the steering wheel, its fond mother in the rear sharing the father’s beaming admiration.

The baby wasn’t doing bad and the automobile was being operated at a fast rate of speed but Lindoll couldn’t put his stamp of approval upon the scene.

     “Say, you,” he said, “whatthehellandmaria do you mean?”

October 3, 1974 – 50 YEARS AGO
Journal News

NEW SIGN INSTALLED

[Image: Laura Freireich, left, and Doug Plassache, both students at Link School, stop to view new sign. Journal News staff photo by Warren Inglese.]

A hand carved wooden sign that depicts historical events associated with the founding and development of New City was scheduled to be dedicated today at the Link School on Red Hill Road.

The sign was carved by Shirley C. Williams of Rockland Lake, a nationally known artist, and includes the American eagle (to commemorate the Bicentennial) as well as references to local history.

On the six stars above the eagle are an arrowhead and teepee to acknowledge the original Indian settlers; a Norwegian ship to indicate early arrivals from Europe; a windmill, referring to Dutch settlers; a waterwheel and ice tongs, to indicate the first industries; scales of justice; and an apple and ear of corn to refer to the farming background of the area.

    The sign was donated to the school by its PTA. The sign was installed by John Bruckler, John Lodico, Joseph Fleckenstein and Alan Plassche, who also created the planter where it stands.

In last week’s Flashback Friday column (September 27, 2024), the item from 1924 regarding the Suffern’s Tavern historical marker drew a lot of interesting feedback. The HSRC’s Senior Historian Marianne Leese offered some important clarifications:

Sue & Clare,
 

Sorry, but I have to set the record straight.

     Hon. George A. Blauvelt’s speech at the dedication of the plaque at the site of Suffern’s Tavern is entertaining but filled with inaccuracies. Even the plaque placed at the site of Suffern’s Tavern has incorrect information.

     Richard Koke in his Corridor Through the Mountains writes about these stories that have become part of Rockland legend and the truth about them.

     For one, Lt. Col. Aaron Burr was not in command of the troops at Sidman’s in 1777 but rather Col. William Malcom. Malcom was the one who sent Burr into New Jersey on Sept. 12, with “half of the regiment to Paramus to contest the enemy” (pp. 53-55). Sept. 15, Burr “surprised an enemy outpost picket” and “in a bayonet charge killed sixteen, wounded seven and captured the remainder, save three who escaped.” With the movement of the rest of Malcom’s regiment to Paramus and other troops to Tappan, the British began to pull back to New York City on Sept. 16.

     The colorful story of De La Montagne is a combination of two stories and filled with half-truths of what actually transpired. Koke spends considerable time untangling this legend (pp. 40-48). The British were never in the Clove. De La Montagne, or Montanye, was caught by Loyalists.

     When I first read several years ago about Burr carrying a message from General MacDougal and riding a mule through a coal house, I was suspicious. I loved reading the humorous story, but riding a mule through a coal house? I don’t think coal was being used at this time in this region but, rather, charcoal.

     The ride took place in June 1779 after Burr, 23 years old and his health impaired, had submitted his resignation to General Washington. For fear of interception in the Clove, the communication was verbal only, not written, and had to be carried by a trustworthy courier. Private citizen Burr, who was visiting General MacDougal and considered trustworthy, was asked to be the messenger. Koke sets the record straight (pp. 78-84).

    I love reading the tales but often find the actual stories just as interesting, if not more so.

Marianne

This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan on behalf of the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2024 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.