A Week with Bovina People - February 1900 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

Life in Bovina 125 years ago this month, from the pages of the Andes Recorder.

February 2, 1900

• William L. White was at Delhi on Sabbath.

• William Robertson was in town on Saturday.

• Harry Covert was in town from Andes Saturday.

• Joshua K. Hobbie was at the County Seat Tuesday.

• James G. Seath arrived in town the first of the week.

• Nelson Reynolds was seen in town the first of the week.

• Mr. and Mrs. John K. Russell were visitors here Tuesday.

• George Hunter was in town from Colchester Wednesday.

• Fred Bramley has sold his milk to Mr. Halsey, at Almeda.

• Joseph Dennis, of Walton, was at John P. Dennis’ Thursday.

• School in the Centre closed Tuesday, and will reopen again next Monday.

• William T. Black and Elliott Thomson returned Friday from Downsville.

• Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Miller, of Oneonta, were at G.D. .Miller’s this week.

• Mr. Jenks, of West Oneonta, was in town after his son, Professor Jenks.

• Fitch McPherson was at Arena on Sabbath attending the funeral of his sister, Mrs. McLean.

• A sociable is to be held at David Finkle’s, Lake Delaware, Thursday evening for the benefit of the Methodist church.

• Alex. Hilson and Robert A. Thomson went to Delhi Thursday.  The latter as collector settled up with the County Treasurer.

• Among those at Delhi Monday were Mr. and Mrs. G.D. Miller, Mrs. William Crosier, Mrs. Charles Boggs, Geo Douglas and Thomas Boggs.

• Miss Nellie Butts, who was assistant in our village school last year, will soon enter the New York Hospital in order to fit herself for a professional nurse.

• Owing to the absence of Rev. Samson assisting Dr. Bruce at Andes, there will be no preaching in the United Presbyterian church on Sabbath. Sabbath School at 12:20.

February 9, 1900

• Ed Gladstone was in town Wednesday.

• Irving Russell was at Delhi on Saturday.

• Charles McPherson visited Delhi on Monday.

• James Archibald, of Treadwell, is in town.

• F.R. Coulter was over at Andes on Wednesday.

• William McPherson has been visiting in town.

• Andrew Gilchrist and son were in town Saturday.

• Robert Forman was at the County Seat Wednesday.

• Thomas Gordon and wife were down at Delhi Monday.

• Herbert Pitcher was in town from Delhi Wednesday.

• David Oliver and wife were over at Andes Wednesday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gowanlock visited Delhi Tuesday.

• Thomas Archibald was at the County seat on Tuesday.

• William Shackelton has been around town selling fertilizer.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. James A. Liddle, February 1, a son.

• Harrison Gladstone, of Andes, has begun work again at John Campbell’s.

• George Currie went to Delhi Wednesday to begin work for Robert Neal.

• Owing to the illness of Miss Gilchrist school in the Centre did not open on Monday as expected.

• A party of young people enjoyed themselves at George Gladstone’s, on the hill, Tuesday evening.

• An entertainment on the lecture course, by home talent, will be held in Strangeway’s Hall, on Friday evening, February 16.

• Cards have been issued announcing the marriage of James W. Thompson and Miss Maggie Russell on Wednesday, February 14, at 7 p.m. [James, born in 1849, was a widower, his first wife, Ella McNair, dying in 1895. Margaret Russell was the daughter of Stephen Russell and Mary Armstrong. She was 11 years younger than James, but she would predecease him, dying in November 1938. James died the following February.]

• A sociable held at David Finkle’s, Lake Delaware, for the benefit of the Methodist church the receipts amounted to a little over $12.

A Relic

G.D. Miller of Bovina Centre, has in his possession a copy of the “New South”, which was published in the South at the close of the war, and it is therefore nearly thirty five years old.  It contains a history of the movements of the 144th regiment during the war.  He also has a letter which was written home at that time to W.C. Oliver.

February 16, 1900

• Charles Spiers was in town Monday.

• John Oliver was down at Delhi Saturday.

• David Oliver was down at Delancey Saturday.

• F.C. Armstrong visited the County Seat Saturday.

• Dr. Wight was in town Saturday, called to see Archie F. Maynard.

• Mr. and Mrs. William Crosier and son Harry were at Delhi Saturday.

• Mrs. Duncan Campbell has returned from an extended visit at Walton. [Mrs. Campbell, the former Nancy Thomson, was the widow of Duncan. He died in December 1898.]

• John Connor was in town Tuesday and traded horses with Fred Bramley.

• Mary J. Russell has sold her farm, (the Dysart farm) to William T. Russell.

• It is reported that Albert Butts has purchased the old Aitkin house in this village of Abram Northrup.

• Among recent real estate conveyances in town is, Mary Butts to Andrew J. Boyd, $40 – a wood lot on Pisga.

• Mrs. John W. Blair and Miss Fanny B. Thomson came home from Delhi on Monday, having spent Sabbath there.

• The trustees of the Centre school have received word from Miss Gilchrist that she is unable to resume her duties on account of her health.

• James W. Thompson and Miss Maggie Russell were married Wednesday evening at the home of the bride by Rev. T.M. Slater, assisted by Rev. W.L.C. Samson.

• Arrangements are being made to give an entertainment here soon for the benefit of the ball team.  In will be by home talent under the management of Ed Hanlon, the Andes comedian.

• Archibald F. Maynard died at his home in the upper part of this town Wednesday night, aged 70 years.  He had been in failing health for about six months.  Mr. Maynard lived on the old Maynard homestead and was born and spent all his life on the farm on which he died.  In 1875 he married Jennie L, daughter of Hector Cowan, of Stamford, who with one son survives him.  The funeral will be held on Friday.  

February 23, 1900

• Miss Carrie Miller is visiting relatives at Andes.

• Robert A. Thompson was down at Delhi on Saturday.

• Archie Elliott, of Andes, was seen in town Wednesday.

• David and John Oliver were at the County Seat Saturday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Miller, of Oneonta, are at G.D. Miller’s.

• Robert Mable and family were in town Tuesday from the Little Delaware.

• William More has sold his white-faced horse to Halsey, the creamery man.

• Commissioner F.C. Armstrong appointed the overseers of highways on Tuesday.

• Frank Dickson, mother and sister, of the Little Delaware were visitors in town Monday.

• At the recent oyster supper for the benefit of the Methodist church, about $18 was netted.

• William L. White came home from Delhi Tuesday, where he has been having his eyes doctored.  

• Frank Kinch, of Berry Brook, has rented the old Soper farm of Mr. Hall, and will take possession March 1st.

• Milton Doig, H. Johnson, John Storie, Elmer Close and Mr. and Mrs. John Blair were all at Delhi Tuesday.

• The Centre school is still without a teacher in the Primary department, and owing to that fact school will not open until next week.

• It is reported that John Boyd has sold his house and lot in this village to a Mr. McNeiley, of Kortright, for $800.  He will, it is said, move here.

• At the entertainment last Friday night the hall was crowded and the entertainment was highly spoken of.  The debate between Rev. Samson and Mr. Bergerman, on the British and Boers was interesting.

• A lecture is to be given in Strangeway’s Hall Tuesday evening, February 27, by Rev. A.E. Lord, of Delhi.  Subject “With Scouts, Soldiers and Indians of the Northwest.” [The lecture is a fine one and well worth hearing – Ed.]

February 1925 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

One hundred years ago this month, from the pages from the Andes Recorder:

February 6, 1925

• Mrs. Lucy Coulter has been visiting her sons at Walton and Delhi.

• The roads have been badly blocked the past week, but Superintendent Coulter now has the main roads cleared out.

• Monday Sloan Archibald received a box of oranges from his son, Russell Archibald, who is spending the winter in Florida.

• William T. Russell suffered a shock Saturday night and is in critical condition.  His throat and one side is paralyzed.

• Rev. A.M. Thomson, pastor of the Church of Covenanters, is taking a vacation, which he is spending in Philadelphia.

• Mrs. William Burns, who several weeks ago underwent an operation for hernia at Delhi, has returned to her home below the village.

• Orrin Reynolds went to New Kingston on Thursday to do some carpenter work for Will Adee.  Owing to the snow over the mountain he went by Andes and Margaretville.

• Mrs. Arthur Decker was operated upon at Delhi last Wednesday for appendicitis.  Dr. Thomson was the surgeon and was assisted by Dr. Goodrigh and Dr. Schumann. [Mrs. Decker was the former Beulah Armstrong. She had a son, Francis and a daughter, Virginia and was widowed in 1960. Beulah died in 1966.]

February 13, 1925

• Elmer Doig was a County Seat caller on Monday.

• Clarence LaFever was a visitor at Andes on Monday.

• Mrs. George H. Shaver and James Ackerley were at Andes on Friday. [Mrs. Shaver was the former Elizabeth Reynolds.]

• Supervisor W.B. Smith was at the County Seat early in the week attending a meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

• William T. Russell died at his home on the former Dysart farm February 6, as a result of a shock sustained the previous Saturday, by which his throat and one side was paralyzed.  He was a son of the late Stephen Russell and was born on the farm adjoining 57 years ago.  He is survived by his wife, who was a Bergman, and three daughter and a son.  The funeral was held Monday. [The Dysart farm was on Russell Hill.]

February 20, 1925

• James A. Gow, George Decker and John Blair were at Andes last Saturday.

• James C. Mabon was at Meridale on Saturday and purchased a span of horses from Ayer & McKinney.

• Arthur Decker and children were at Delhi on Sabbath afternoon and brought home Mrs. Decker from the hospital.

• Everett Joslin has hired to work for Arthur Bergman up-town and will move from the Center. Mr. Martin will move to house he vacates.

• Mrs. Wallace Smith and Mrs. James Monroe have gone to Walton to help care for Mrs. Eli Wright and daughter who are ill with scarlet fever, but are now improving.

• Earl Fisk, of Lake Delaware, who was taken ill at Walton on his way home from a New York hospital, is very ill at the home of Eli Wright at Walton. [Earl would recover, dying in 1971 at the age of 87.]

• It is stated that W.C. Redmond has been awarded the contract for carrying the mail form Bovina via Bovina Center to Bloomville for four years from July, at $1,400 per year.

• Mrs. John Hilson has received a letter from Mrs. N.B. Whitcomb in which she states that she and the children expect to leave Egypt for America early in April. Dr. Whitcomb will come in September. [Dr. Whitcomb was a medical missionary in Egypt for 16 years, making occasional trips back home. He died in Egypt in 1935 from blood poisoning.]

• Fletcher Davidson has brought the old Hilson house and commenced taking it down. It is one of the old frame kind and he will re-erect [it] on his place at the foot of Russell hill for use as a chicken house. [This house stood where Mike and Christine Batey now live.]

February 27, 1925

• Miss Jane Archibald is attending business school at Binghamton.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Erwin E. Russell to James A. Gow.

• Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Galland were at Arkville last Saturday to visit their sister.

• Evening meetings will be resumed at the U.P. church on Sabbath, March 1.

• Superintendent of Poor James F. Foreman and George VanDusen were in town Friday.

• George Shaver, who has been in Terry Clove helping his son get out wood, came home Monday.

• Mrs. John H. Aitkins is in the hospital at Delhi, where she underwent an operation last Thursday for adhesions.

• Wilber Doig, of Delhi, will move into Charles Russell’s house in the upper part of the village and work in the creamery.

• Mrs. Arthur Decker, who had an operation for appendicitis a few weeks ago, has been confined to bed since her return from the hospital.

• Peter Robson, formerly of Bovina, has exchanged his house and lot in Bloomville for the farm of Harry E. Swanson on Meredith Road, near the village of Delhi.

• Harry Martin was here Tuesday from Cannonsville and took his sister-in-law Mrs. Fred Thomson, back with him. A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin on February 20. The mother will be remembered as Nell Oliver of this town. [Mrs. Thomson was the former Janet C. Oliver.]

• A few weeks ago in a scuffle Master James Crawford, son of Rev. and Mrs. F.N. Crawford, had his arm injured.  It was thought to be only a bad strain, but it did not improve, and an X-ray showed that the bone was fractured at the shoulder.

This Day in Bovina for January 2025

I'm starting a slight change with the daily entries on Facebook. Though I'll still have items related to today's date, I'm also going to mix in sharing some images, many of which I have not shared before. At the Delaware County Historical Association, where I work two days a week in their library, we've been scanning a set of chauffeur license pictures taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s, and there are a number of folks from Bovina in the collection. I'll also be sharing other images from my collection or ones that people, such as Chuck McIntosh and Jim and Tom Hoy have allowed me to scan over the years. Enjoy.

127 years ago today, on January 1, 1898, 20-year-old Maggie Coulter made the following diary entry: "Weather ranging from zero to six above with wind blowing snow 10 or 12 inches deep. Mother & Maggie Storie visiting in Scranton at Chas. Shedds. Went the 30th of Dec. 1897. Started from home 8 o'clock A.M. and arrived in Scranton 5 oclock P.M. Aunt Mary Anne staying with us. Mrs. Geo. Archibald buried to-day. Died suddenly at the wedding of the son William to Sarah Hobbie at John Hobbie's. Post Office changed from Wm. McCunes to Alex Hilsons." Maggie later married J. Russell Boggs. They had three children - Donald, Norris and Robert. She died in 1951.

These images of Arthur Coulter were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Arthur Craig Coulter was born in Bovina in 1908, the son of Frank and Agnes Coulter. He lived in Bovina all his life and had just taken over the family farm when he died, only 30 years old, in 1938. He died from the effects of diabetes. Arthur was buried in Andes. His sister was Grace Coulter Roberts. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.

This undated postcard view of Bovina Center likely dates from the late 1930s or early 1940s. The view is looking west (Maple Avenue would be to the photographer's right). Image courtesy of Chuck McIntosh. 

Eighty-three years ago today, January 4, 1942, this telegram was delivered to Marjorie Russell while she was taking a train back to her home in Ohio where she was teaching. It appears she was planning to leave the train in Erie but was being advised to take the train on to Painesville where she would be met by Rae Storie.  Madison is between Painesville and Erie. 

139 years ago today, the Bovina column in the January 5, 1886 Stamford Mirror reported that "A donation for the benefit of Rev. Mr. Deming was held in Dickson's Hall on Wednesday eve. Dec. 30. Owing to the fact that the hall was formerly used as a skating rink, or, perhaps, because it is located so far above the earth, only a few were in attendance, and the proceeds amounted to only about twenty dollars." I'm not 100% sure but I think Dickson's hall was the second floor of what is now Brushland Eating House.

168 years ago today, the January 6, 1857 issue of the Bloomville Mirror carried this memorial poem composed on the death of Mrs. J. Lewis on Christmas Eve, 1856. Mrs. Lewis was Jane Wyear, born 1769 in Scotland. She had four children. Her husband, John, had predeceased her in 1853. She is buried in the old Reformed Church cemetery at County Route 6 and Bovina Road. 

128 years ago today, on January 7, 1897, Mrs. Thomas Gordon died.  The Andes Recorder reported that "This community was shocked to learn of the death of Mrs. Thomas Gordon.."  She was 46 years old and had just lost her daughter, Maggie, six weeks earlier.  The Recorder noted that "It is seldom that so sad an event is recorded.  The husband and son have the sincere sympathy of the entire community."   Mrs. Gordon was Mary Jane Oliver.  She married Thomas Gordon in 1871 and had two children.  In June 1899, Thomas Gordon would marry as his second wife Mary Richardson Scott and would have two more children, including daughter Margaret, who taught Social Studies at Delaware Academy for many years from the 1940s to the 1970s. This image shows Thomas (seated right) with what I believe are his children (Maggie, holding a cat, and John, standing), his wife, on the left holding another cat and an unidentified woman at the left, maybe Thomas's mother-in-law.  

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This shows the Bob Hall farm on Bob Hall Road. Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

This photograph of the McKenzie Sisters was likely taken by Marjorie Russell in 1973. Janet and Elizabeth McKenzie lived right across from Russell's Store in what is now Amy Burns' house. I wrote about these extraordinary sisters in my blog back in 2013. Here's the entry: https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/04/faces-of-bovina-mckenzie-sisters.html

129 years ago today, the January 10, 1896 Andes Recorder in its Bovina Column had the following commentary:  "Your correspondent thinks if parents would keep their children in off the street and out of the stores a little more there would be less fault to find about children being mean and saucy.  They are allowed to go where they please from morning until late at night and no one knows what mischief they are into."

Seventy-four years ago today, on January 11, 1951, Frederica Muller died in Delhi. She was born in Bovina in 1875, the youngest of 15 children. Her parents, Urban and Eloise Muller emigrated from Switzerland in 1870. Frederica was survived by one sister, Mrs. Jennie McCumber. Frederica was buried in the Bovina Cemetery. More on the Muller family can be found on the Bovina NY History blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/01/stories-from-bovina-cemeteries-muller.html

Ninety-six years ago today, the Bovina column in the January 12, 1929 Delaware Republican reported that "Mrs. Jane L. Dickson is taking a vacation with her daughters at Port Jervis and Poughkeepsie, also at Washington, DC."

145 years ago today, the January 13, 1880 Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "We have been informed that Mr. Black, our Supervisor, kept 2 1/2 percent of the school funds for his trouble paying over the same. Black is more for self than for the schools." This was refuted a couple of weeks later. A statement, published in the Utilitarian, reads: "Mr. Editor - That report in regard to Mr. Black retaining a percentage of the school moneys is false. I was wrongly informed. As I did not intend to injure Mr. Black in any way. I take this opportunity to correct the mistake, and say that there is no truth in the report." The Delaware Republican, which republished this statement, noted "No one acquainted with Mr. Black believed the story in the first place, and all fair men regarded his denial as conclusive. The person who made a direct charge, so capable of being refuted by the records, was probably the dupe or tool of some person who wished to injure Mr. Black without burning his own fingers."

Seventy-six years ago today, the January 14, 1949 Catskill Mountain News carried this Bovina column: 

Seventy-one years ago today, January 15, 1954, as later reported in the January 21, Bovina column in the Stamford Mirror, Mary Anne LaFever celebrated her 7th birthday at her home. Here's the full report of who attended. 

This image of Alex Hilson was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the early 1940s. James Alexander Hilson was born in 1915 and lived most of his life in Bovina. He married Lillian Schneider in 1939. They had four children, three of whom are still with us, Marianne, Jim and Tom. Alex died in 1990. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Henry and Ruth (Ormiston) Monroe celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in December 1960. Here they are with their children, Lauren Monroe, Eleanor Monroe Brink, Isabelle Monroe Deter and Frances Monroe Burns.  

138 years ago today, the Bovina column in the January 18, 1887 Bloomville Mirror included this item: "Jim knew we were going to have cold weather after New Years. So he prepared to face the cold blasts of winter by getting a large stock of mittens, on hand. Jim is long sighted." As to who is meant by 'Jim' I have yet to work out. The major merchants in Bovina at that time period were John Hilson, Thomas Strangeway and Thomas Hastings.

113 years ago today, the January 19, 1912 Binghamton Press reported the death of a Bovina doctor, under the headline "Dr. Dickson of Bovina Center Dies Suddenly of Apoplexy." The article went on to report that "Dr. Gilbert J. Dickson, an esteemed physician of Bovina Center…died suddenly at his home Wednesday morning. Apoplexy was the cause of death. He had been in his usual health Tuesday, having driven with several members of his family to the train, where they started for Syracuse University. On his return he attended some patients and went to the stable to look after his horses. He was found in a semi-conscious condition later, and died in a few hours. He was well known in Oneonta where his brother, James Dickson conducts a pharmacy." Dr. Dickson built and lived in the building that is now the Brushland Eating House. He left behind his widow, the former Jane Loughran and five children. Dickson is buried in Bovina.

Seventy-five years ago today, the January 20, 1950 Catskill Mountain News reported in its Bovina column that "Mrs. Frank Pindar of Grand Gorge visited her daughter, Mrs. Charles McIntosh, Saturday." This would be Eva McIntosh. The same column reported that "Some of our townspeople are taking advantage of the adult education classes held in the Delhi central school."

This image shows the old Delancey Presbyterian Church. It was built from the timbers of the old Bovina Associate Presbyterian Church, which stood at the corner of County Route 6 and Reinertsen Hill Road. The left section is the original church. The Delancey church added the belfry. The building burned to the ground on Christmas Eve 1896. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

This undated postcard of Bovina Center shows the hamlet looking east on what is now County Route 6. The image probably dates from the 1930s or early 1940s. Post card was provided by Jim and Tom Hoy. 

195 years ago today, on January 23, 1830, George Nesbitt was paid $12.25 for services as town clerk performed in 1829. 

Eighty-one years ago today, January 24, 1944, this invitation to the wedding of Glenn Hobbie and Anna Boggs was postmarked and sent to Cecil and Isabell Russell and their daughter Marjorie. 

177 years ago today, on January 25, 1848, the Commissioners of Excise for the town of Bovina issued this license to "Alexander Kinmouth to retail Strong and Spiritous Liquors…" His tavern was located at the former Clark Lay residence in Bovina Center. 

Ninety-seven years ago today, on January 26, 1928, later reported in the Andes Recorder, "There was considerable excitement for a short time last Thursday afternoon when a call went over the telephone for aid to save the house of W. C. Redman on the Russell farm at the Butt End.  Fortunately, it proved to be only a chimney fire." A little over a year later, in October 1929, the barn on the same property was struck by lightning and burned to the ground.

This image of the Bovina Busy Bees was taken probably in 1946 at a 4-H rally held at Delaware Academy. I could use some help identifying the children in the picture. The boy in the plaid shirt I think is Vince Trimbell and the girl crouching down behind the sign I think is Jean Parsons. 

Sixty years ago today, the Bovina column of the January 28, 1965 Delaware Republican Express reported that "Mrs. Jack Hilson's father, Malcolm Hotchkin, was taken to Cooperstown to the Bassett Hospital for further treatment last Monday. Mrs. Hilson was up to see him Friday and his condition was about the same." Malcolm passed away a little over a month later on March 13.

141 years ago today, January 29, 1884, this order was signed altering the road districts in Brushland (now Bovina Center).  Rev. Kennedy's house was the open land across from Brushland Eating House.  The Methodist parsonage was where Chuck and Betty McIntosh lived.  

194 years ago today, on January 30, 1831, Loruhannah Henderson was born in New Kingston, the daughter of James Henderson and Hannah Sprague. She married Francis Coulter in Bovina in 1857 and would have five children. She was predeceased by at least two children. Her sons Walter and James died 11 days apart in March 1900. Loruhannah died in 1909. Her husband died less than six months later. Both are buried in Bovina. This image shows their five children: Hannah and Walter in the back, James in the middle and Margaret and Elizabeth in the front.  

Fifty-two years ago today, on January 31, 1973, this letter was sent to the Board of Directors of the Bovina Center Cooperative Dairy. The letter noted that "on the basis of current product operation…that the cash flow will be exhausted about July 31, 1973." Given this situation, the creamery was closed two months later on March 31, 1973. 

A Week with Bovina People - January 1900 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

 

Life in Bovina 125 years ago, January 1900, from the Bovina correspondent for the Andes Recorder. 

January 5, 1900

• Thomas H. Liddle was in town Friday.

• G.D. Miller was at Andes the first of the week.

• Simeon Goodman was here Friday from Andes.

• James A. Gow is sexton of the United Presbyterian church.

• William C. Black and Thomas Miller were at Delhi Friday.

• The truant officer has commenced going the rounds of schools.

• Rev. T.M. Slater and wife have returned from Sterling Valley.

• Mrs. D.J. Miller and Jennie Campbell were at Walton Saturday. [Mrs. Miller was the former Elizabeth Campbell and was the sister of Jennie.]

• Mrs. Malcolm McNaught, of Hamden, has been visiting relatives here. [I think this is Mary Alice Doig, who was born in 1856 and died in 1945.]

• Mrs. Andrew Anderson, of Andes, has been visiting relatives recently.

• William S. Thomson and Fred Bramley were at the County Seat Saturday.

• Mrs. Nettie Donnally, of Davenport, has been visiting her father, D.L. Thompson. [Nettie was born Agnes Janet Thompson, daughter of David Lowe Thompson and Eliza Murray. She was married in 1884 and widowed 4 years later. She survived her husband by over 50 years, dying in 1951 at the age of 96.]

• The offering in the United Presbyterian church for the last quarter of 1899 were $194.17.

• Frank Liddle was here on Thursday with a load of lumber for James A. Gow’s new barn.

• At the annual meeting of the United Presbyterian congregation, Robert Doig and W.B. Smith were elected trustees.

• Monday, James L. Ormiston and his mother, Mrs. James Ormiston, started for Glencoe, Maryland, where Mrs. Ormiston will remain all winter with her son, Thomas.

• Mr. and Mrs. William Richardson entertained the G.A.R.’s and their wives last Friday evening in a right royal manner.  The culinary part under the supervision of Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Charles Boggs, from the turkey down through the bill of fare, made the veterans look happy, and the host and hostess have the tanks of the participants.

Notice

The annual meeting of the Bovina Co-operative Fire Insurance Company will be held at Strangeway’s Hall, Bovina Centre on Tuesday, January 9, 1900 at 1 o’clock for the election of directors and such other business as may come before the meeting.

R.F. Thomson, Sec. Bovina Centre, Dec 20, 1899

January 12, 1900

• Peter McNair was at Andes Saturday.

• William T. Black was down at Delhi Saturday.

• W.L. White was at the County Seat Thursday.

• Frank Gowanlock visited Delhi on Wednesday.

• John W. Blair and wife were at Delhi on Monday.

• William B. Scott and wife were here on Sabbath.

• John E. Gladstone has been visiting in town recently.

• James Taylor and daughter were in town Wednesday.

• Colfax Livingstone has been a guest at Rev. Samson’s.

• Putting in ice has been the order of the day the past week.

• There was a checker play at James Gow’s Wednesday evening.

• Mrs. Maggie Palmer, of Walton has been visiting relatives here.

• John Irvine has been drawing lumber for an addition to his barn.

• Born in Walton, January 2, to Mr. and MRs. John Doig, a daughter.

• F.R. Coulter, Fred Bramley and Herman Coulter were at Andes Tuesday.

• Miss Nellie Butts, a former teacher in the Centre school, has been visiting in town.

• William More and wife and W.J. Doig and wife visited Margaretville on Saturday.

• The next lecture in the course will be given by J. Williams Macy, January 16th. Admission 25 cents.

• Alex. Hilson and Thomas Hastings were at the County Seat Wednesday evening attending a railroad meeting.

• J.L. Coulter and E. George Gladstone have the job of putting up Commissioner Gow’s and John Irvine’s new barns.

• Rev. R.T. Doig, who is a native of this town, has been pastor of the West Kortright United Presbyterian congregation for 31 years and has taken few vacations. He now finds that he must take a little rest or quit entirely. 

• At the meeting of the Town Insurance Company Tuesday, William Richardson was chosen chairman, and Alex Burns, secretary. Michael Miller was elected president and Robert F. Thomson secretary. John R. Hoy, James W. Coulter and B.S. Miller were reelected directors.

• Mrs. John Downie was buried here Saturday. She died at the home of her sone, James, near Oneonta, last Tuesday. She was 67 years old and was stricken with paralysis several weeks ago. Her maiden name was Mary A. Scott, and she was the daughter of Jas Scott who lived on Roses Brook. It is over twenty years since she resided in this town.

Death Record for 1899

The following are the deaths in the town of Bovina during the past year:

Anna Burgin, age 7

Violet Johnson, age 67

Thomas H. Smith, age 81

Angia Robson, age 2 ½

Thomas H. Luddington, age 72

Ettie Archibald, age 28

Jane Stott, age 65

John W. Bramley, age 81

Margaret Bramley, age 74

Margaret A. Bramley, age 30

Nancy Erkson, age 80

There has been 15 births and 5 marriages during the year.

January 19, 1900

• John G. Russell was at Delhi Friday.

• David Oliver visited Andes Saturday.

• Alex Anderson has been visiting in town.

• Joseph Raitt has been in town this week.

• D.C. Worden now drives a span of mules.

• David Muir, of Andes, was seen in town Monday.

• Three foxes were shot in town Monday by our hunters.

• E.J. Graham and sister were here Saturday from Andes.

• Alex. Hilson and Albert Butts were at Bloomville Monday.

• Jackson & Mason’s team was here Tuesday with furniture.

• Mrs. Newal and daughters have been visiting at G.D. Miller’s

• William Crosier and G.D. Miller were at Roses Brook Saturday.

• William Armstrong and Douglas McCune were at Delhi Saturday.

• Mrs. Otis McCumber and Serena Connor were at Mrs. Muller’s Tuesday.

• It is stated that John McCune will teach the Centre school next term.

• William L. White and Orrin Reynolds visited the County Seat Saturday.

• F.C. Armstrong and William Richardson were down at the County Seat Monday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Crosier and William S. Thomson were among those at Delhi Monday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Bert Thomson, of Walton, were visitors in town the first of the week.

• John Blair and wife, Adam Laidlaw and Emma Campbell attended the entertainment at Delhi last week. [In 1902, Adam and Emma would be married. They were the parents of Margaret Laidlaw Hoy, who was the Bovina town clerk in the 40s-70s.]

• The road down the mountain has been repaired recently by the commissioner of the town of Stamford.

• Rose and Walter Barrett and Margaret Archibald attended the teachers’ examinations at Stamford last week.

• Mr. and Mrs. Robert Doig, of Walton, were guests of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Russell, Saturday. [Mrs. Doig was Alice Russell. She married Robert Doig in 1897.]

• The session has appointed William Maynard, superintendent and James L. Coulter, secretary and treasurer of the United Presbyterian Sabbath School.

• Last Thursday and Friday Commissioner Gow held his first examinations at Stamford, and 88 teachers were in attendance. This week he is at Margaretville holding training class examinations.

• The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be dispensed in the United Presbyterian church on the next Sabbath, the 21st Preparatory services will be held on Thursday and Friday evenings and on Saturday at 1:30.

• Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gowanlock entertained the old soldiers Wednesday evening.  The inner man was satisfied by a fine lay out, cooked and served in a right royal manner by Mrs. Gowanlock and Mrs. Charles Boggs.

January 26, 1900

• Frank Myers arrived in town Tuesday.

• Wilson Raitt went to Walton Monday.

• Miss Alice Oliver visited at Delhi on Tuesday.

• Oliver Dickson was up from Delhi on Tuesday.

• Ad Maxwell and Mr. Hagadorn were in town Friday.

• Considerable of the taxes remain uncollected in town.

• Fred Young, of Kortright, arrived in this place Thursday.

• G.D. Miller went to Pennsylvania Monday on a business trip.

• Bertha Phyfe went to Delhi the first of the week to attend regents’.

• William D. Thompson, the hardware agent, was in town Wednesday.

• John P. Dennis and William J. Doig were at the County Seat Monday.

• Thomas Barrett is moving from Alex Hoy’s house to a farm in Kortright.

• A young people’s party was held at Marion Robertson’s Wednesday evening.

• John G. Russell, John W. Storie and William Russell were at Delhi on Tuesday.

• Everett McPherson arrived in town Friday.  His horse died on Saturday night.

• Colfax Livingstone, of Chicago, who has been visiting in town, left for his home Monday.

• A number of students from this town were at Andes this week trying Regents’ examinations.

• School in the Coulter Brook district will finish Monday. In the Centre school will close on Tuesday.

• Among those at Delhi on Saturday were William L. White, Charles Palmer, William Russell and William S. Thomson.

• Harrison A. Gladstone of Andes, who worked for John M. Campbell last season, has hired to work for him again this season.

• John S. Hobbie is in Delhi, having returned from his western trip.  He was ill with typhoid fever at Binghamton for two months. [John, born in 1838, the son of Joshua Knapp Hobbie and Sara Reynolds, died in Fulton, NY in 1908.]

• Five members were added to the United Presbyterian church at the communion services on Sabbath; three by certificate and two by profession of faith.

• We learn that Rev. Acton Civill formerly pastor of Bovina M.E. church has entirely recovered from a serious mental difficulty the result of overwork and is now engaged in his former work at Mt. Kisco, Westchester Co. [It was reported in the November 10, 1899 Andes Recorder that Rev. Civill had attempted suicide by throwing himself on the railroad tracks in Mount Kisco. He was sent to the Bloomingdale Asylum for the Insane for about 2 months.]

January 1925 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

Here’s what was happening in Bovina 100 years ago this month, as reported in the pages of the Andes Recorder. 

January 2, 1925

• George Gladstone has been visiting his son, Walter, at Delhi.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Reinertsen, December 21, a daughter [this would be Gladys, who later married Clark Lay].

• Jason McCumber, who lives with his son uptown, suffered a shock recently.

• Miss Jane Archibald, who slept for several days last week, is now recovering.

• Attorney Lauren Dickson was home from Saratoga for Christmas and went back on Sabbath.

• Nelson Reynolds went to New Kingston on Tuesday to attend the funeral of John Reynolds.

• John R. Aitkens and son, Floyd, and Miss Helen Gladstone went to New York City last Friday.

• William Gordon was home from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, for the holidays and returned on Sabbath. [William was the brother of Margaret Gordon, who taught at Delaware Academy for many years.]

• Miss Ruth Gladstone has returned from Oneonta, where she had spent over the week end with her aunt, Mrs. Tripp. [Ruth later married Thomas McGowan. Mrs. Tripp was the former Cora Coulter, Ruth’s mother’s sister.]

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ward Fancher at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Miller, on Christmas Day, a son – Ward Jr.

• Millard Gow, of Brooklyn, and Willard Gow, of Binghamton, returned to their homes Monday, after spending over Christmas with their parents.

• Jane Hilson, accompanied by her friend Mary Flansburg, is home from East Orange, N.J. Mable Thomson is home from Winsted, Connecticut.

• Mrs. Lucy Coulter was called to New Kingston on Monday by the death of her sister, Mrs. Nettie Archibald, who had been in poor health for some time. [Lucy was the former Lucy Ward, married to David H. Coulter. Her sister was Janette Ward, who was the widow of James Archibald (who died in 1895).]

• George Baldwin, of Spring Valley, N.Y. who had been spending a week with his wife at the home of her mother, Mrs. G.J. Dickson, went to Syracuse on Monday. 

• Mr. and Mrs. Thos R. Boggs, who live in upper Bovina, celebrated the 59th wedding anniversary December 25.  Their four children and families were present for the occasion.

Delaware County voter Enrollment for Bovina: Republican 264, Democrat 74, Socialist 4

January 9, 1925

• Frank Miller was over at Andes on Monday on business errands.

• The Delaware Academy students returned to their studies Tuesday.

• Week of Prayer is being observed this week in the Church of the Covenanters.

• Miss Jane Hilson and Miss Mary Flansburg returned to East Orange, N.J., on Sabbath.

• Town Clerk David Currie issued during the year 1924 only 38 hunting licenses, all of them resident.

• Mrs. Julia McPherson received word Tuesday of the death of her brother, Fuller, at Lakewood, N.J. [Julia was the daughter of Richard and Ann Fuller. Julia was the widow of A. Fitch McPherson. Her brother was Henry Ferris Fuller, better known as Ferris. He died in Lakewood, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.]

• Mrs. George Decker, who several weeks ago had her hip injured by a fall, can now set up in bed. [This probably was Ada H. Tompkins, the daughter of Helson and Maria Tompkins. Mrs. Decker passed away 19 years later in 1944.]

• Communion services were held at the U.P. church last Sabbath. There was an accession of four the membership.

• Anna Dickson went back to Cornell University on Saturday and Mrs. Geo Baldwin went to her home at Spring Valley.

• Peter McGregor, who works for Wm. T. Russell on the former Dysart farm, had his shoulder dislocated one morning last week by being thrown from the milk wagon.  He was enroute to the creamery when one of the lines broke and the team ran away.

Gerry Superintendent Returns – From Our Bovian Correspondent

Captain J.E. Billings, superintendent of the Gerry farms at Lake Delaware, who a few weeks ago underwent a serious operation in Roosevelt hospital, New York, and since had been at Atlantic City, accompanied by Mrs. Billings, arrived at Lake Delaware on Wednesday. 

Bovina Man Dies

Fred Johnson died at the home of John Taylor on Elk Creek, Delhi, on Monday, 

January 5, aged about 72 years.  He was born in upper Bovina and practically his entire life had been spent in the town.  Several years ago he suffered a shock and had been practically helpless.  Since the death of his wife he had been cared for at Mr. Taylor’s.  The funeral was held from the Bovina R.P. Church on Wednesday, Rev. A.M. Thomson, officiating.

January 16, 1925

• Charles Fuller now drives a new coupe.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Hosa Sliter on January 10, a son – Donald Edward.

• The Seniors of Delaware Academy enjoyed a sleigh ride up to Adam Laidlaw’s last Friday night.

• Mrs. George Decker has so far recovered from her broken hip that she is able to be up in a chair.

• Mrs. William Burns was taken to the Delhi hospital Thursday night and Friday morning underwent an operation for hernia and complications. [Mrs. Burns was the former Emily Elliott. She died in 1966.]

• Attorney C.L. Dickson, of Saratoga was here over Saturday night. He had been at Binghamton on business for the firm and stopped on his way back.

• Rev. F.N. Crawford will be absent for two Sabbaths in Argyle, Washington county, assisting in special services. The pulpit of the United Presbyterian church is being supplied by Rev. T.C. Bookhout, of Delhi.

Native of Bovina

Mrs. Ella Davidson died at the home of her son in Binghamton on January 11, aged 68 years. The burial was at Delhi on Wednesday. She was a granddaughter of the late John Murray of Bovina, and married Charles Davidson. [Ella was the daughter of James and Isabella Murray.]

January 23, 1925

• Mrs. D.C. Worden, who some time ago underwent an operation for goiter, is very poorly. [Mrs. Worden, born Henrietta Ann Boyd, would pass away in March 1925.]

• Three children of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Banuat were operated upon recently at Delhi for the removal of their tonsils.

• Frank T. Miller, manager of the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery, was at Andes on business errands on Monday.

• Several farmers have been filling their ice houses with fine ice from the Lake Mahiken, on the former Thomas Mabon farm.

• There was no preaching at the U.P. church last Sabbath as Rev. Crawford was sick with a cold. He did not go to Argyle because of illness.

• J.D. Burns and Wm. C. Burns were at the County Seat on Saturday to see their wives, who are both in the hospital, the wife of the first named for treatment and Mrs. W.C. Burns is recovering from an operation.

Gerry Family Give $100,000

The Gerry family of Lake Delaware, through Robert Livingston Gerry, has recently pledged $100,000 toward the completion of the Cathedral of St. John, the Divine in New York. It was stipulated that $90,000 of the amount should be used for the erection of one of the great piers in the nave. The remainder of the fund, $10,000, is to go to the general building fund. 

January 30, 1925

• Thomas A. Raitt, of Andes, was in town Tuesday.

• A good many of the farmers in town are putting in ice.

• The trucks did not get through last Friday, but the roads were cleared so that they got thru Saturday.

• Elliott Thomson, who is spending the winter with his daughter, Mrs. Harry Robinson, at Andes, was here Monday.

• Mrs. Parsons and daughter, who resided on the former Wm H. Johnston farm, in upper Bovina, are visiting relatives in Connecticut.

• Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Gladstone and daughter, Anna, are visiting Mrs. Gladstone’s brother, James A. Thomson, on the river road above Delhi, this week. 

• Mrs. Jane L. Dickson, postmistress in Bovina Center, went to the hospital at Delhi on Monday and underwent an operation.  She is under the care of Dr. William Thomson with Miss Henderson as nurse. [Born Jane Loughran, she survived this operation, passing away in 1939.]

• Tuesday at the annual meeting of the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamer company the old directors were all re-elected. They are Frank T. Miller, Fred Henderson, Fred Bramley, Frank Coulter and Russell Boggs.

A Bovina Estate

Estate of Frederick Johnson, late of Bovina. Will admitted to probate and letters testamentary issued to Hamilton J. Hewitt. Estimate $4,000 personal and $4,000 real. To Emily Johnson McArthur and Elizabeth Miller is willed $2,000 each; residue to be divided equally among his nephews and nieces and wife’s nephews and nieces.

This Day in Bovina for December 2024

Here's the monthly compilation of entries from the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page for December 2024. Happy New Year!

113 years ago today, the December 1, 1911 Andes Recorder reported in its Bovina column that "180 barrels of dry milk were shipped from the Dry Milk plant here, to Vienna, Austria." The dry milk plant stood just behind the Bovina Center creamery.

Seventeen years ago today, the December 2, 2007 issue of the New York Times carried a review of "The Toy Farmer," a children's book written by Bovina native Andrew T. Pelletier.

164 years ago today, on December 3, 1860, John Dean died. Born in County Down, Ireland, he came to Bovina before the 1830s. He married Elizabeth Johnson in 1832 and they would have eight children. They lived in the area of present-day Regan Road.

136 years ago today, the Bovina column of the December 4, 1888 Stamford Mirror reported that "J.A. Whittaker, the optician, has been in town for the past week, looking after defective eyes." Whittaker was a jeweler in Margaretville as well as an optician. He died in 1918.

204 years ago today, December 5, 1820, John Johnston was born, son of William Johnston and Maria Lathan. He first married Sarah Mitchell and second Susan Brownell. He had four children by his second wife. Johnston died May 3, 1895, at the age of 74 at his son-in-law's house in Bovina.

143 years ago today, the December 6, 1881 Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "James Hoy, of Kansas, formerly of Bovina, is making his friends in this vicinity a visit." This likely is the James Hoy born in 1822. He married Helen Miller in 1847. She died in 1858 after having three children. James went to Iowa after his wife's death and remarried in 1862 to Martha Jones Smith. They had three children in Iowa. James died in Kansas in 1897.

142 years ago today, on December 7, 1882, Thomas Hamilton signed this document as part of his claim concerning an error on the 1880 tax roll which led to an overpayment of $15.39 in taxes. 

Thirty-two years ago today, the December 8, 1992 Delaware County Times included the weekly Bovina News by Ann Cairns:  

Seventy-two years ago today, on December 9, 1952, a benefit dance was held by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Bovina Fire Department "for Billy Aitkens, who was recently wounded by a shotgun…" The music was furnished by Ernie Russ. The Catskill Mountain News later reported that “Clear cash of $177 was realized.” Billy was the 13 year old son of Floyd and Que Aitkens. 

146 years ago today, the December 10, 1878 Stamford Mirror reported on an International Dairy Fair in New York City. The last paragraph of the article noted "W.L. Rutherford, of Bovina, Delaware co., entered nine packages of butter for exhibition." Rutherford's farm is where the Weber farm is now located.

141 years ago today, the December 11, 1883 issue of the Stamford Mirror reported on several illnesses in Bovina. They noted that "Mrs. John Hastings is quite sick with pneumonia." They noted that Dr. Telford's daughter Gracie also was sick with pneumonia and that the doctor himself was ill. And Rev. Lee's wife was reported as suffering from inflammation of the lungs. Mrs. Hastings, Grace Telford and Mrs. Lee would all recover, though Mrs. Hastings would die of pneumonia in 1889. Grace Telford, who was less than a year old when she became ill would live until 1953. Mrs. Lee died in 1897. Dr. Telford, however, would not recover and died January 11, 1884.

107 years ago, the Bovina column of the December 12, 1917 Andes Recorder reported that "Miss Leila Miller, who has spent the past three months with her brother, Earl, in St. Paul and other relatives in Wisconsin and Minnesota, returned to her home…" She was the daughter of John and Bertha Miller. They lived on Pink Street on what later became Suits Us Farm.

147 years ago today, on December 13, 1877, Andrew H. Archibald was born, the son of Barbara H. Archibald. Barbara was the daughter of Andrew Archibald and Elizabeth McFarland. There is no information as to who his father was. Barbara died nine days later. Her son only survived her by about three months, dying in March 1878.

Ninety-seven years ago today, the December 14, 1927 Stamford Mirror reported that "Bovina Center Has Two Fires." Both fires involved barns owned by the Hilson Brothers in Bovina Center in the area of the creamery. The first fire was big enough to require bringing in a second department from Delhi. It was noted that the lack of wind was fortunate, thus preventing the creamery and feedstore from going up in flames. Here's the full article. 

113 years ago today, on December 15, 1911, as announced in the Andes Recorder, “the ladies of the [Bovina] United Presbyterian church" held a masquerade social at the home of Mrs. Estella Oliver…" The paper went on to note that "All unmasked are expected to pay a fine of not more than $5 or less than 25 cents. All are cordially invited."

Ninety-seven years ago today, the December 16, 1927 Catskill Mountain News reported that "Two sites have been offered for the proposed Bovina Community house." One lot was reported as being "opposite the garage…" This likely meant across from what later became Clayt Thomas's garage and is land now owned by Mark Foster. The other option was "land opposite William Archibald's new house…" This is the spot that was chosen. The paper noted that "it is planned to erect a building 36 x 80 of one-story construction with basement."

The following noticed appeared in the Andes Recorder, dated 147 years ago today, December 17, 1877:  “All persons are hereby notified not to sell or give any intoxicating liquors to Hiram Scutt.  Mrs. Hiram Scutt" Scutt lived in Andes so his Bovina connection is not strong. And we can’t be sure whether this is the father or son. Hiram Sr was born in Bovina in 1815. The son was born in Andes in 1842. The father died in 1886, the son three years later in 1889.

126 years ago on December 18, 1898, Mrs. Charles F. Smith died at the age of 90.  The Andes Recorder, when reporting her death, noted that "Her maiden name was Christina Lamont and she came to this town [Bovina] over 40 years ago.  She was an excellent woman, a good neighbor; always cheerful and she will be missed in this community as well as in her home.  On Tuesday the funeral was held, the sermon being preached by Rev. Samson, and the interment was in the Bovina cemetery." Christina was the second wife of Charles Smith, marrying him in 1856, a few months after the death of his first wife. Charles survived his wife by 10 years, dying in 1908.

121 years ago today, the December 19, 1903 Hobart Independent reported "Sudden Death at Bovina Center." The article reported "The village people were very much surprised to learn of the sudden death of A. F. McPherson which occurred Saturday morning. Mr McPherson went downtown to shovel some snow, and on his way back, he felt ill and stepped in to a blacksmith shop, where he died. He had been a resident of that place all his life and was well thought of by all who knew him. He was aged 71 years. A widow and four children the youngest being 10 years old, survive beside a brother, Albert in Hobart. Funeral services were held Tuesday from the M E. church, interment in the village cemetery."

Ninety-six years ago today, the December 20, 1928 issue of the Stamford Mirror-Recorder reported: "Walter Coulter, with a few helpers, is tearing down the red barn by his mill. He will leave the basement and is taking the remainder up to the upper end of the village where he will make an up-to-date shop. They moved the large parts of the building with the tractor." This building still stands behind the house owned by Pat Parsons Miele next to the church.

103 years ago today, on December 21, 1921, Violet Hewitt, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hewitt, of Margaretville, died in Kingston following an operation for appendicitis. Her remains were brought to Bovina for burial.

210 years ago today, on December 22, 1814, James Gladstone was born, the son of Robert Gladstone and Ann Ray. He was born in Scotland and likely came to Bovina with his parents. He appears to have lived most of his adult life in Andes, but at his death in 1885, he was buried in Bovina in the Associate Presbyterian Church cemetery.

Eighty-one years ago today, the Bovina column of the December 23, 1943 Delaware Republican reported that "Andrew Reinertsen's horses ran away on Monday morning but little damage was done."

134 years ago today, on December 24, 1890, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "The Bovina Centre Brass Band will give a concert Christmas eve and the evening following."  This undated image of the band (though likely around the 1890s) is courtesy of the late Tom Hoy:  

104 years ago today, December 25, 1920, Henry and Ruth Monroe were married on Christmas Day. - https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2020/12/henry-and-ruth-monroes-wedding.html

142 years ago today, the December 26, 1882 Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "Dr. Dickson is moving his stock of drugs and medicines form the basement to the main floor of his store." His store is now the Brushland Eating House.

Eighty-nine years ago today, the December 27, 1935 Catskill Mountain News carried this Bovina column: 

Ellen Raitt was born 204 years ago today, December 28, 1820, the daughter of John Raitt and Catherine Shaw. She married Thomas E. Forrest and died on Feb 22, 1868 at the age 47.

160 years ago today, on December 29, 1864, several voters in the Town of Bovina submitted this petition requesting a special town meeting "for the purpose of determining by vote to pay a Bounty not [to] exceed Eight hundred dollars to each volunteer that shall be credited to the said town on the last call of the President for 300,000 men." 

114 years ago today, the December 30, 1910 Bovina column in the Andes Recorder reported that "Mrs. Charlotte Miller continues in very poor health." Charlotte was the wife of David William Miller. Born in 1860, she was the daughter of Robert Gow and Beatrice Graham. She married David Miller in 1887 and was widowed in 1892, left with a two-year-old son. Charlotte died about a month after this item appeared in the paper on January 24, 1911.

133 years ago today, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "a large party of young people had a dance in Strangeway's Hall on New Year’s Eve, [1891]. Music by Sutherland Bros. and Jas. Amos."