Some Briefs from the Newspaper, January 1899

The Delaware Republican for January 28, 1899, had two articles concerning butter and people from Bovina.  For what it's worth:

Sometime since Milton Doig of Bovina Centre purchased of Miss Etta Palmater of New Kingston her butter, representing that he was acting under orders of M.T. Menzie, the Delhi grocer.  Mr. Doig attempted to sell the butter to Mr. Menzie, but the latter refusing to purchase, shipped it to a New York Commission house in his own name.  Later, Doig made an assignment and the consequent result is that Miss Palmatier fails to realize on her sale.  A warrant was issued and Doig was brought before Justice Ives, Monday. He gave bonds to appear before the Grand Jury.  (from the Messenger)

I need to see if there is anything in the court records on this.

The second article, apparently not related to the first:

James Mabon, one of Bovina's prominent farmers, passed through town on Tuesday en route for Scranton for the purpose of selling a portion of his dairy of butter.  He returned on Thursday, having disposed of 3,200 pounds of butter, which he shipped this week.  Mr. Mabone is a gentleman who believes that hte farmer is as capable of transacting business as any one.  The result of his trip would indicate that this is true, and that he has no use fo rthe middleman.  (from the Walton Times)

And totally unrelated to butter, I found this little entry:

S.A. LaFevre will give an exhibition and lecture on the Cuban War, using 52 views of all land and naval battles during the recent conflict, by means of a magic lantern, at Mackey's Hall, Meridale on Thursday evening next, Feb. 2d.  Admission 25c; children 15c.

I am pretty sure that this is Sylvan Ackerman LaFever, my great grandfather.  He was someone who spent years trying to find his niche in the world. He finally found it working for the railroad, after several failed attempts at farming.  At the time of this article, he was trying to farm in Bovina.  About a year later, he was facing foreclosure.  Not long after the birth of his son (and my grandfather) Benson, he left Bovina with his wife and son.

Sylvan was not actually in the Spanish-American War.  It is likely that these images were a standard set from the war designed for such shows as this.  Showing these slides was one of his attempts to stay afloat financially.