This Day in Bovina for April 2026

 

Here's the compilation of the Town of Bovina Facebook page entries for April 2026:

Seventy-three years ago today, on April 1, 1953, Charles LaFever started working for LaFever Excavating. His job change was reported in the Catskill Mountain News, April 3 issue: "Charles LaFever, who has been employed the past three years at the Hilson Brothers feed store, has resigned and will start April 1 with his brother,  Howard, in bulldozing work." He would work for LaFever's for 40 years. He was honored for his 40 years by his nephew John in August 1994. 

Sixty-one years ago today, on April 2, 1965, as later reported in the Delaware Republican Express, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Monroe and daughter, Frances Burns, were guests Friday of his sister, Mrs. Arthur Kellam, at Binghamton."

129 years ago today, on April 3, 1897, "The catalogues have been printed and the Bovina Public Library was opened to the public… It contains many valuable books for both old and young."  The library at that time was located in the basement of the Bovina United Presbyterian Church. The church had started a library in 1879, but it ended after about a decade.  In 1896, E.T. Gerry donated $100 and Mr. H.C. Frick, of Pittsburgh, $50 to starting up the library again. Elbridge Gerry owned the Gerry Estate at Lake Delaware. He died in 1927. Frick was Henry Clay Frick, noted industrialist, financier and art patron. He died in 1919.

110 years ago today, at the primary election held April 4, 1916, only 34 people voted - 18 Republicans, 13 Democrats and 3 Prohibitionists.

131 years ago, Andes Recorder cast some disparaging remarks concerning certain people in Bovina and how they spend their money.  In its April 5, 1895 issue, the Bovina correspondent reported that "About thirty people in town purchased a copy of the Biographical Review, which shows that there are at least thirty fools in town."  The Biographical Review of Delaware County has proven to be an invaluable tool for genealogists, but this comment does confirm what I have done for years - take these biographies with a grain of salt. The full text of the Review is on the Delaware County Genealogy website at http://www.dcnyhistory.org/bioindex.html.

103 years ago today, the April 6, 1923 issue of the Andes Recorder reported in its Bovina column: "The dry milk plant of the Bovina Center Co-operative Creamery is now in operation.  The company is experimenting in the making of cocoa which only requires the addition of hot water to make it ready for use.  One sample shipment has been made." This Wyer image from 1946 shows the creamery. The dry milk plant is on the right with the two smokestacks. 

139 years ago today, the April 7, 1887 issue of the Hobart Independent reported on the death of James H. Bramley: "Our citizens were shocked on Thursday to learn of the sudden death of James H. Bramley, of Bovina, who also has resided at Kortright and in Delhi, and is well known and highly esteemed for his genial disposition and many worthy traits of character. He was in Delhi on Saturday, the 25th ult. in apparently good health. On Sabbath he complained of a pain in his breast, which continued at intervals without exciting especial alarm until Thursday, the 31st, when it was thought best to have medical advice, and his brother Girard, came to Delhi to procure a physician. Dr. Gates, who was desired, being absent at the time, his return was awaited as no immediate danger was apprehended, but in a short time a telegram came from Bloomville announcing that Mr. Bramley was dead." He was buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

Seventy-seven years ago, the Catskill Mountain News' Bovina columnist reported in the paper's April 8, 1949 issue: "I think everyone in town is rejoicing over the fact we have the daily Binghamton Press route back again. It was discontinued during the war and up to now no Press papers were available same day they were dated."

It was 106 years ago today, on April 9, 1920, that Elizabeth Murdock Doig passed away. The Andes Recorder reported her death under the headline "Last of Her Generation." The paper went on to note that "she was born in Bovina 81 years ago and her entire life had been spent in the town.  The funeral was held Monday from the U.P. church of which she had long been a member.  She was the last of the family of the late Andrew Doig." Born in 1839, she was the daughter of Andrew Doig and Margaret Sanderson.

114 years ago today, on April 10, 1912, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, " A.J. Nicholl was up from Delhi…for the purpose of organizing a Cow Testing association."  A cow-testing association was a group of dairymen organized for the purpose of improving their dairy herd and dairy conditions thru monthly milk, butterfat, feed, and profit or loss records of each individual cow in a member's herd, and thru a study of selection, breeding, and feeding.

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. These images are of what was then the Jack and Eleanor Damgaard farm. This was originally the John Hastings homestead and stayed in the family for over 100 years.  The farm came to Eleanor through her mother, Dora Hastings Barnhart. More about the Damgaard farm is in my blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/09/american-success-story.html  Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. Wyer Aerials 064 Jim Barnhart a AER144 Jack or Damgaard a

107 years ago today, the Bovina column of the April 12, 1919 Delaware Republican reported that "Hale Elliott, who has been laid up several weeks with injuries received by a fall in the dry milk plant, has returned to his work there." He was born in 1890 and died in 1980.

Eighty-six years ago today, on April 13, 1940, as later reported in the Delaware Republican, "Mr. and Mrs. Robert Boggs and children Bobbie and Barbara, were at Delhi on Sunday afternoon and called on her sister, Mrs. William Sanderson and her baby, Shirley Bell."

115 years ago today, the April 14, 1911 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported the following: "It is stated that Professor John P. Mabon, a son of Jas C. Mabon, in southern Bovina, contemplates giving up teaching and hopes to take up the business of farming." And it does appear he gave up teaching and was farming for some time in the Oneonta area. He died in 1953 in Oneonta. His obituary noted him as a "retired educator and farmer." He was widowed in 1935 and his only child, James Mabon, was killed by a lightning strike in 1944.

103 years ago today, on April 15, 1923, Margaret Coulter Boggs recorded the following in her diary: "Been a nice day. All went to church. First time Grandma has been to church this year. We saw a flying machine go over today. First one this way." Not sure who she means by grandma, but she's likely referring to her mother-in-law, Alice Jane Russell, the wife of William Fountain Boggs. Alice would die in June 1923.

The Andes Recorder reported 158 years today in its April 16, 1868 issue, the following:  "Ho! For California – the following persons left for California on Monday last.  Mssrs Robt. Smith, Daniel Smith and Jas. Armstrong, of Delhi, Mr. James Miller, of Bovina, and James Davidson of Andes, with their families; and Mr. John B. Scott of Bovina.  They will sail from New York on the 15th, by the North American Line, for San Francisco.  We wish them a safe passage and a pleasant journey." Robert and Daniel Smith likely were the sons of Robert Smith and Christiana McFarland. Daniel died in Salinas in 1886 and Robert in Fresno in 1903. James Miller probably is the son of James Miller (1802-1878) and Agnes Coulter (1802-1869). He appears to have settled in Gilroy, Santa Clara County, California. His cousin Libbie Miller married Robert Smith and traveled with him to settle in California. [I was not able to clearly identify James Armstrong, James Davidson or John B. Scott.]

This chauffeur license image of Mrs. Olav Nysather (or Nysether) was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Chauffeur licenses were required for anyone driving for hire or as part of their job or for any form of ID. Today this is known as a Class E license in New York. Mrs. Nysether, the former Margit Peterson, was born in Norway in 1902. She married Olva in 1926. The Nysathers lived in Bovina from the early 1930s to 1943 in the house where Dick and Carol Brannen now live. In 1943, the family moved to Wisconsin. Olav died in Madison, Wisconsin in 1970. Margit died in 1974. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

130 years ago today, April 18, 1896, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "H.G. Bramley was still making [maple] sugar…Sap was still running fairly well in his camp."

142 years ago today, on April 19, 1884, as later reported in the Delaware Republican, "Mr. W.J. Coulter, of Bovina Valley, passed through town….with beautiful specimens of Colorado Elk horns, three in number, sent by his brother, Mr. John A. Coulter, of Colorado. The horns of one of the larger ones measured from the center of the frontal skull-piece, or forehead, to the tip of the horns, one horn 4 feet 10 1/2 inches, the other 4 feet 11 inches; from tip to tip, 9 feet 9 1/2 inches." More about John Coulter is in my blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2020/05/bovina-ex-pats-john-coulter-colorado.html

145 years ago today, on April 20, 1881, John Russell, son of Stephen and Mary Russell, married Agnes Orr, the daughter of Robert and Barbara Orr. The Bovina column of the Stamford Mirror for April 26 reported that "Our friend, John Russell, went to Kortright yesterday, and returned in the evening, bringing a young bride with him." They would have three children, Henry, Clarence and Everett before John's death at the age of 56 in 1910. Agnes survived her husband by 23 years, dying in 1933.

192 years ago, a notice dated April 21, 1834, appeared for several weeks in the Delaware Gazette: "TEMPERANCE ADDRESS. An address on Temperance, delivered before the Bovina Temperance Society, by Mr. Douglas, just printed, and a few copies for sale at this office. April 21, 1834."

152 years ago today the Delaware Republican carried this ad dated April 22, 1874: "Farm for Sale. Said farm is situated in the town of Bovina, three miles from Brushland and one mile from Kingston Turnpike; contains 154 acres of land, well-watered by two streams of running water, large Orchard and Sugar bush, good Buildings. TERMS EASY. Will sell Stock with farm if desired, or trade for small place. Inquire of owner on the premises. John F. Graham." I think this farm was located on what is now Lee Hollow and later became the Lee Farm. 

146 years ago today, on the April 23, 1880, someone passed through Bovina that aroused enough interest for someone to post in the Bovina column of the Stamford Mirror this notice: "Does any one know who that young man was, who passed through Bovina village, Friday evening, April 23d, riding a small bay horse, with a large white strip in its face."

This chauffeur license image of Glenn Hobbie was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Chauffeur licenses were required for anyone driving for hire or as part of their job. Today this is known as a Class E license in New York. Glenn was born in 1913 in Bovina and spent his life there. Married to Anna Boggs in 1944, he passed away in 1970. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

This postcard view of the Bovina Center creamery dates from before 1913. 

105 years ago today, on April 26, 1921, the Bovina Town Board voted to have David G. Currie fill the unexpired term of town clerk Thomas Gordon, who had passed away on April 22.  “On motion the Supervisor with Justice Strangeway be appointed a committee to assist the present Clerk to examine all papers and records in the private office of the late Town Clerk and remove all that are of value to the Town, to the office of the Town Clerk.” My dad recalled that Thomas's daughter Margaret told him that she had to help the committee locate all the records in the house. Margaret was 13 at the time.

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. The image was labeled in the Wyer materials as "Wilson (Wally Hanson)." I think this is the Wally Hanson farm on Coulter Brook (though I have conflicting information that said it was in the Cape Horn area). The cultivated fields are cauliflower. According to the 1940 census, Hanson lived next to the old Schneider farm, which was on Coulter Brook. Wally was born in Colorado and came to Bovina when he was around 10 years old. His father died when he was 14. He stayed on the family farm until the late 1940s when he moved to North Carolina. Wally died in North Carolina in 1998 at the age of 83. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

127 years ago, the April 28, 1899 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that "David Finkle, of Lake Delaware, has been suffering for several months with sciatic rheumatism and through the kindness of Mr. Gerry he will receive treatment in a New York hospital." He returned home from his treatment about a month later.

169 years ago today, the April 29, 1857 Delaware Gazette carried this item, entitled "Carelessness with Fire Arms." "A young woman living with Mrs. Luddington, in Bovina, while sweeping at the head of the stairs, a boy about eight years old, a grand-child of Mrs. L. took a gun which he supposed was unloaded, and playfully pointing up at the girl, pulled the trigger. The charge mostly took effect in one hand, lacerating it so severely that the thumb and one or two fingers had to be cut off. The handle of the broom was shivered to pieces - some of the splinters hitting her in the face and making some scratches, but nothing serious. When will people learn to keep fire arms out of the reach of children?" Mrs. Ludington likely was Jane Northrup Ludington, widow of Henry Ludington, son of one of Bovina's Revolutionary War soldiers. I'm not sure who the 'young woman' was, but it might have been her servant, Jennet Shields, who would have been about 22 at the time of this incident.

Seventy-six years ago today, April 30, 1950, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Catskill Mountain News, "Milton Hastings visited Miss Lilly Happy at East Meredith on Sunday. He found her much improved in health. Sunday was her 87th birthday. She took great pleasure in reading many cards and letters which she had received in honor of her birthday." Miss Happy was Milton's housekeeper for many years. She had become ill about a year before. In the summer of 1951, she was moved to the Delaware County sanatorium, where she died that October.

A Week with Bovina People - April 1901 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

 

Life on the streets and roads of Bovina 125 years ago from the Andes Recorder

April 5, 1901

• Dr. Ormiston was in town Saturday.

• F.C. Armstrong was at Delhi Saturday.

• Gideon Miller was over at Andes on Sabbath.

• William Miller, of Walton, was here on Friday.

• Frank Gowanlock visited the County Seat Tuesday.

• Smyth, the marbleman, was up from Delhi Monday.

• The Misses Palmer visited relatives at Hobart last week.

• Wednesday at D.J. Miller’s sale heifers averaged $27.50.

• W.D. Thompson, hardware agent, was in this place Tuesday.

• Samuel Cowell and Daniel Shaw, of Delhi, were in town Friday.

• At James Mitchell’s sale last Friday the heifers averaged about $27.

• William Richardson and wife returned from Margaretville, Tuesday.

• Arthur Neish has moved to Lake Delaware and will work on Gerry’s farm.

• John, son of E.L. Coulter, is sick with the measles and a number are exposed.

• Quite a number from out of town attended Mrs. W.R. Miller’s funeral Friday.

• Dr. Rabuck has been appointed as health officer to succeed the late Dr. Phinney.

• David Draffin has moved from Thos. Ormiston’s farm to rooms in the old cooper shop building.

• John Blair, Frank Graham, Elliott Thompson and Elmer Hastings attended the Smith sale at Hamden Thursday.

April 12, 1901

• Mrs. Adolphus Banker is at G.D. Miller’s.

• Will Robertson, of Andes, was here Monday.

• A.O. Butts was at Andes and Delhi Saturday.

• Alex Hilson went to New York city Monday to purchase new goods.

• Misses Kate and Frederika Muller were at Andes Saturday and Sabbath.

• B. and C.B. Johnson and John Kemp were in town Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Miss Jennie Hastings has been home from the Oneonta Normal school for a few days.

• Rev. Williams started Monday to attend the annual Methodist Conference at Yonkers.

• Commissioner James A. Gow and F.C. Armstrong were among those at Delhi Saturday.

• Among those in town Wednesday Adam Scott, of Delhi, and Wesley Miller, of Oneonta.

• Mrs. G.J. Dickson went to New York city Friday to buy her stock of millinery goods.

• Oliver Dickson and sister have moved from Delhi to their farm on Pisgah for the summer.

• Miss Anna Phyfe has been home from teaching at Dogeville, for the Easter vacation.

• Supervisor Irvine and Assessor Cable went to Delhi Thursday to meet with the State Assessors.

• Rev. and Mrs. William Brown, of Mundale, were guests at Rev. Samson’s the first of the week.

• Miss Jennie Campbell is home from Hobart for a vacation. She has been offered the same position there for another year.

• The mail route has Bovina and Bloomville, via, Bovina Centre, has been awarded to James O’Donohue for $370 a year.

• At the missionary meeting Wednesday evening in the United Presbyterian church parlors, the receipts were something over $40.

• John Dennis, son of J.P. Dennis, is home from the Hahneman Hospital at Park avenue, 67 and 68 streets, New York city, where he underwent an op for the removal of a bunch over his right eye.

A Good Showing

During the past year the Bovina United Presbyterian congregation contributed for Missions and Church Boards through Presbytery’s Financial Agent, $1,491. Other contributions for Missions by Ladies Missionary Society, Junior Missionary Society, Christian Endeavor Society, Sabbath School and individuals amounted to $638, making a total of $2,129 for Missions. Total for all purposes for year ending April 1st, 1901, $4,0o85, of which the Sabbath School contributed $656.

April 19, 1901

• David Sloan went to Delhi on Thursday.

• Ad Maxwell was in this village Wednesday.

• judge grant was in this place Wednesday.

• HJ Hewitt was up from Delhi on Sabbath.

• Henry Raitt of Walton was in town Thursday.

• Smyth, the marbleman, was here on Thursday.

• Rev Williams returned from conference Monday.

• R. A. Thompson was over at Bloomville Wednesday

• David Oliver has traded horses with William Lambert.

• Alex Hilson returned from New York City Monday.

• Fred Bramley now drives a new wagon – one of J.W. Blair’s.

• Adolphus Banker of Grand Gorge was in town over Sabbath.

• Leonard Sloan and Ken Russell were among those at Delhi Monday.

• Thomas Ormiston has hired Albert Craig and wife to work his farm for him.

• Elisha Maynard, a former resident of this town, has moved from Hobart to Stamford.

• A number from out of town attended the funeral of William Lee Forrest Wednesday.

• Highway Commissioner Doig has sent out cards to the overseers of highways notifying them of a change in the road law.

• Tuesday and Wednesday Thomas Gordon and E.M. Norton appraised the medicines and other goods of the late Dr. Phinney.

• Francis Coulter is suffering with gangrene in his foot.  The doctors thought it advisable to amputate the foot, but Mr. Coulter would not consent to it.

• An epidemic of measles is raging in town, and nearly everyone who has not had them is either sick with them or has been exposed. Most of them were exposed at church.  Dr. Rabuck is kept very busy, it is stated that up to Wednesday night there were 55 cases, and more coming.

Monday William Lee Forrest died very suddenly. He and his father-in-law John Lunn were shingling, when he complained of not feeling well and Lunn told him he had better get down and go to the house, and he said that he couldn't. Lunn took hold of him and he fell over onto the roof. Chas Tuttle and James Boyd happened to be passing and came to Lunn’s aid. A rope was procured and Mr. Forrest lowered from the roof and carried to the house, but he only lived a few minutes. It is thought that he had an apoplectic shock.

Mr. Forrest was born on the farm now occupied by Robert R. Scott and was in his 45th year. He married Miss Mary Lunn 22 years ago, and she with a son and a daughter and his mother survive him. His father, Robert Forest, died in 1884, also dying suddenly.

The funeral was held Wednesday at 12 o’clock, from his late residence in Coulter Brook, Rev. Samson officiating. 

April 26, 1901

• James G. Seath was in town over Sabbath.

• David Oliver visited his son at Hamden Friday.

• W.T. Miller was at Andes the first of the week.

• A.E. Liddle was in town Monday from Andes.

• George Jobson, of Roses Brook, was here Monday.

• J.W. Blair and daughter visited at Delhi Friday.

• James Foreman and wife were at Delhi Friday.

• Frank Miller was in town Wednesday from Andes.

• Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy Warren were in town Saturday.

• Mr. and Mrs. A.O. Butts were down at Delhi Saturday.

• Rev. Williams and Alex Hilson visited the County Seat Friday.

• James G. Seath and David Sloan visited Hobart the first of the week.

• Dr. Seacord and Francis Graham made a trip to the County Seat Monday.

• We understand that D.L. Thompson has rented the “Rosemont” at Stamford.

• Mrs. A.S. Banker and son, Marion, returned to their home at Grand Gorge Saturday.

• W.W. Hoy of Pennsylvania visited his parents Mr. and Mrs. John R. Hoy here Friday.

• D.A. Oliver, formerly of this town, has been appointed street commissioner of Hamden village.

• Friday night Ezra Henderson, William Ward and Archie Coulter went to Livingston Lake fishing.  They had been there only a short time and had not yet secured any fish when they were pounced upon by officers Smith and Franklin and William Mason, and were arrested and taken to Delhi, when they settled by each paying $25.  Coulter and Ward had their heads cut open by being struck by the officers.

April 1926 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

Here's what was happening in Bovina a century ago in April 1926, as reported in the pages of the Andes Recorder.  The big news was the demolition of the Bovina Methodist Church, which stood across from where the Community Hall now exists.

April 2, 1926

• The frame of the Methodist church was taken down Monday. [March 29]

• John Nichols has gone to Jefferson for a visit of a few weeks.

• Howard Coulter and Carl Hamilton, of Andes, were here Friday.

• Miss Beatrice Hoy, who teaches at Bovina, will return another year.

• David Liddle, Arthur Coulter and Norton Forrest were County Seat callers Friday.

• Miss Margaret Gordon is home from the Albany Teachers College for a ten days’ vacation.

• Misses Jenet and Margaret Laidlaw have gone to New York City to spend over Easter with friends. [Janet and Margaret were sisters, daughters of Adam and Emma Laidlaw. Janet died in 1931 at the age of 25. Margaret married James A. Hoy and was the Bovina Town Clerk for many years. She died in 1981.]

• William J. Archibald has leased the farm of Hilson Bros and purchased their dairy of tested cows.

• Professor and Mrs. Leon Taggart and son, Thomas, of Oneonta, spent the week end with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Strangeway.

• Howard McPherson will have numerous improvements made to his house in the lower part of Bovina center – changing partitions, fitting up a bathroom, etc.

• The newly elected officers of the Women’s Missionary Society are Mrs. Douglas Davidson, president; Mrs. Jennie Hoy, vice president; Mrs. R.E. Thomson, secretary; Mrs. Elliott Thomson, treasurer; Mrs. C.S. Gladstone, thank offering secretary; Mrs. T.C. Strangeway, magazine agent. 

April 9, 1926

• Miss Nettie Doig, of Delhi, is with her sister, Mrs. T.C. Strangeway.

• Mrs. William C. Laing, of Andes, is visiting her niece, Mrs. Alex Hilson. [Mrs. Laing was the former Isabella Anderson.]

• Millard Russell has purchased a new Chevrolet sedan from Howard Coulter of Andes.

• Mrs. William T. Miller does not improve much and is now under the care of a nurse. [Mrs. Miller, the former Elizabeth Hastings, would last about another year, dying in August 1927.]

• Thomas A. Raitt and Miss Bell Elliott, of Andes, attended church here on Sabbath.

• Miss Mabel Thomson, who teaches at Winstead, Connecticut, is spending her Easter vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dixon Thomson.

• Everett Joslin has purchased and moved to what is known as the small Dickson house opposite Lancelot Thomson’s.  The reported price is $300.

• Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Thomson and Mr. and Mrs. Will Puffer, of Hobart, were visitors at Dickson Thomson’s on Sabbath, it being her birthday.

• Miss Agnes Thomson, of New Kingston, who on December 17, underwent an operation at Delhi for gangrenous appendicitis, was able to return home last week. 

• The Hard Maple Lumber Company, who are cutting logs up Coulter Brook, will locate their saw mill back of the Hastings feed store, adjoining the Pink street road.

• The Methodist church which was torn down last week, was built in 1849 and cost only $1,397.50.  It was built of native pine and hemlock and would have stood another 77 years. D.C. Worden will reconstruct it for a barn on the Ormiston farm.

April 16, 1926

• Albert Russell has had a hot water system installed in his residence.

• Miss Gladys Worden, who teaches on Long Island, has been ill with the measles. [Miss Worden married Maurice Hall in 1927. They farmed in Bovina for about two decades, then moved to Ithaca. Maurice died in 1974, Gladys in 1997.]

• Alex Myers, our painter and paper hanger is doing some work in Andes this week.

• Mr. and Mrs. James Rutherford, of Pepacton, spent Sabbath with her father, J.D. Burns.

• Robert A. Thomson, of Hobart, who has been helping John Thomson has returned home to work on the roads.

• There was a large attendance at the William Archibald sale last Thursday. The cows and young cattle averaged about $65.

• Petrolmen George Decker and Howard McPherson and their gangs have commenced working on the State road.

• Rev. F.N. Crawford and Elders T. C. Strangeway and W.J. Storie attended the meeting of Delaware Presbytery at Andes on Tuesday. 

• William Archibald is moving to the Hilson house and Charles A. McPherson is moving from the Strangeway farm to the Scott farm purchased of Mr. Archibald.

• Earl Tuttle, the 11 year old son of Ellsworth Tuttle in Tuttle Hollow, broke his leg just above the ankle recently by jumping from the wood house roof while playing. 

April 23, 1926

• Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Barnhart spent a few days recently with her people at Jefferson.

• Elmer Hastings, who has spent the winter with his brother, Milton Hastings, returned to his home at Saranac last Thursday.

• Miss Mary Thomson, who has been staying at the home of her brother, Elliott Thomson, has purchased a house in Oneonta.

• Mrs. Alex Hilson and son, James, were at Andes on Saturday, taking Mrs. W.C. Laing, who had been visiting here, to her home.

• A home talent play, the Ghost Breaker, was given in the hall Wednesday evening for benefit of William Workers and was well attended.

• Arthur Hamilton has been re-elected school superintendent for the towns of Bovina, Harpersfield, Kortright and Stamford, for a term of five years.

• How’s this for April 20? Tuesday morning Norton Forrest left his car standing in front of Cecil Russell’s store for a few minutes and it froze up. 

Bovina Farm Sold

J. Douglas Burns has sold his farm, located near Bramley mountain to Joe Adee, of New Kingston. The sale includes the personal property and the price is $7,000. The farm is probably in the best state of cultivation of any farm in the town. Mr. Burns purchased the farm of the late Alex Hoy 44 or 45 years ago. 

EIGHTY YEARS YOUNG

Mrs. Ann Bouton of Lake Delaware, Reaches Four Score Years

Saturday, April 10th, was the 80th birthday of Mrs. Ann Bouton of Lake Delaware and thirty of her friends gathered at home of her daughter, Mrs. Roscoe Brown, to celebrate. A lovely afternoon was spent and delicious refreshments were served. She was the recipient of many gifts, including a beautiful bouquet of red, white and pink roses, a potted plant, candy, dish, handkerchiefs, maple syrup and sugar. The presence of Mrs. Belle Bailey of Bloomville, one of her oldest friends, added much to the joy of the occasion. [Mrs. Bouton was the former Mary Ann Gillie. Born in 1846, she lived to be 91. Mrs. Brown was Lillian May Bouton. She died in 1945.]

April 30, 1926

• Mrs. Bertha Miller of Walton is visiting in town. [Bertha was the widow of John M. Miller, who owned what later became Suits-Us Farm. Bertha was widowed in 1920 and moved to Walton not long after the death of her husband.]

• Kenneth Kaufman is driving a new Studebaker coach.

• Archibald Thomson and sons of Walton were visitors at Sloan Archibald’s on Sabbath.

• Miss Mary Ormiston of Oneonta has been visiting her aunts, Mrs. Ormiston and Mrs. Myers.

• Mrs. Thomas Cowan of Palmer Hill, who was taken ill at the home of son, Millard Russell, is improving. [Mrs. Cowan was born Adalaid Coulter. Her first husband, Francis Russell, died in 1910. She was widowed again about six weeks after being ill at her son's. Addie would pass away in 1951.]

• Mr. and Mrs. Harry Robinson, Mrs. Elliott Thomson and Miss Mary Thomson were Oneonta visitors Saturday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Harold Robinson of Bainbridge spent Sabbath with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William A. Hoy.

• Miss Margaret Storie who spent the winter in Hobart with her nephew, Eugene Storie, has returned to her home here. 

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are DeWitt Sharpe to Bertha Sharpe $1 Frederick Johnson, Exr. Of (cemetery) to Geo VanDusen $1.

• It is probable that the mail route will soon be changed from Bloomville and come from Arkville by the Andes and Delhi. Much better service would result, mail being received not only but twice daily. 

This Day in Bovina for March 2026

 

Here's the monthly compilation of the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook daily entries for March 2026:

Charles and Elizabeth Adee were married in Bovina on September 1 1887. Charles was the grandson of early Bovina settler Darius Adee. He was born in 1852, the son of Samuel Adee. Elizabeth Coulter was also a descendant of an early Bovina settler, being the great granddaughter of Francis Coulter and Nancy Glendenning. She was the daughter of the early settler's namesake, Francis Coulter and Loruhamah Henderson. Charles and Elizabeth had two sons, Chester, who died in 1916 at the age of 25 and Marshall, who died in 1957. The couple started their married lives in Bovina but a few years after they had their children they purchased a farm near Kelly Corners, which became their home. Charles died at his home in 1922 in Hubbell Hill in the town of Middletown. His widow survived him for almost 15 years, dying in 1937.

 

217 years ago, on March 2, 1809, Peter Clark was born in Perthshire, Scotland. The son of William Clark and May Dewar, he likely came to the United States with his parents. He married Elizabeth Raitt in 1842. They had nine children and had a farm on Lee Hollow Road. He relocated to Walton after 1880, where he died in 1898 (he had been widowed in 1892). He is buried in Bovina.

Amanda Burgin died 158 years ago today, on March 3, 1868.  The daughter of Stephen Seacord and Abigail Canfield, she was married to Homer C. Burgin in 1849.  She had four children and was 37 years old at her death.  Amanda is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

103 years ago today, on March 4, 1923, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Miss Margaret Hoy, one of the oldest residents of Bovina, died on Sabbath, March 4, at the home of her nephew, Arthur Hoy, where she had lived since her health failed a year or so ago, so that she could not live alone.  She was the last of her generation and was born in Bovina 85 years ago and had always resided in the town.  The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon, from the United Presbyterian church, of which she was one of the oldest members."

148 years ago today, on March 5, 1878, the following letter appeared in the Andes Recorder: "Messrs Editors: - It is some time since I have written to the Recorder, but having good will to all men, I wish to occupy a brief space in your columns to show your readers that Brushland is still in a prosperous condition, owing, first, to the fact that we have no liquor license; second, we can’t get a license; third, we don’t want a license, consequently we are a sober, industrious people."

182 years ago today, March 6, 1844, a letter from Bovina was written to Mr. Gatchell, a temperance lecturer, from "a drunkard's wife."   The letter was later published in the Washingtonian, a temperance newspaper from Hudson, NY. The article published with the letter noted that the letter had "the genuine, unsophisticated feelings of a heart rejoicing because of the disenthrallment of her husband from the iron bondage of alcohol…how encouraging to the friends of temperance to know that such instances are daily occurring." The article went on to say that "many a wife's heart is made to rejoice when the news reaches her that her husband has signed the pledge; a new hope springs up in her bosom, and 'dreams of bright days to come,' when under the influence of temperance, her home, hitherto cheerless and desolate, shall be glad and happy." The letter read as follows: "Dear Sir-I take my pen in hand to inform you that we are in good health at present, hoping by the blessing of God that you are enjoying the same. All those that signed the pledge when you were here have not put on the fetters again. My husband has become truly pious, which is a great comfort to me. I hope that we shall gain our second independence. Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so early beset us. I am sensibly rejoiced at your success in Bovina and Delhi. I hope that you will continue to take pity on the distressed. I have no other way to express my gratitude at present but my hearty thanks."

D.J. Miller held an auction 126 years ago today, March 7, 1900.  The advertisement for the auction appeared in the Andes Recorder as follows: "D.J. Miller will offer for sale at Public Auction at his residence in Bovina at 10 o’clock a.m. on Wednesday March 7th the following property: 29 young Jersey cows, 4 two-year-old heifers, two year old bull, pair of mules also some farming and dairying implements and utensils.  Terms, on all sums under $10 cash, over $10 a credit of six months on approved notes." This farm was on Miller Avenue in the Bramley Mountain area and likely was the ancestral farm of his grandfather, also known as David Miller.

131 years ago today, March 8, 1895, the Bovina correspondent for the Andes Recorder reported what he felt was disturbing news: “We understand that W.T. Black is talking of selling his farm, we hope it is a false report.  The town of Bovina cannot afford to lose such a man.  He is an honor to the town. Lives an honest, honorable life, respected by everyone.  The best Supervisor we have had in office for years, and hope to have him hold the office for the next fifteen years if he lives to see that day.  The echo of the whole town of Bovina." Black went on later that year to build a new barn on the property and continued to farm but gave up being town supervisor.  He ran in 1900 successfully for Delaware County Clerk and sold his farm to John Irvine, the father of Isabell Russell.  Black and his wife settled in Delhi after he became County Clerk.

Eighty-one years ago today, the March 9, 1945 edition of the Catskill Mountain News reported that "Local Farmers Win Top Milk Production Honors." The Dairy Herd Improvement association awarded “honor roll diplomas” for the year ending June 30, 1944, to farmers whose herds averaged more than 350 pounds of butterfat per cow per year. In third place was Bovina’s Benson LaFever, with 415 pounds of butterfat from his Jersey herd.  The paper reported that two other Bovina farmers who had more than 350 pounds average were James Briggs and Millard Russell. I think James Briggs is a typo and should instead read James Boggs.

140 years ago today, on March 10, 1886, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Stamford Mirror, "At a special school meeting, held in the Brushland district … a tax of $2,000 was voted for the purpose of purchasing a new site, and building a schoolhouse large enough to accommodate two teachers." The school was built, but not until 1893. Today the building is the Bovina Public Library.

Eighty-eight years ago, the Andes Recorder in its March 11, 1938 issue, reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Gerry, Jr of New York and Lake Delaware, have gone to Aiken, South Carolina, to occupy Green Shingles for the season." Green Shingles was a home in Aiken's Winter Colony, where families like the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Harrimans came to play golf and polo.

This chauffeur license image of Ralph Barnhart was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Chauffeur licenses were required for anyone driving for hire or as part of their job. Today this is known as a Class E license in New York. Ralph was born in 1892, the eldest child of Jeremy and Kate (Miller) Barnhart. Ralph grew up in Bovina. Married three times, he had a son, Donald, from his first marriage to Anna Ruland. Ralph was widowed three times, dying in 1988. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

111 years ago, "Mrs. Margaret Palmer, who has been visiting her brother, George Gladstone, returned Saturday (March 13, 1915) to her home in Andes.” Mrs. Palmer was the widow of Roman Palmer of Bovina, who was killed in the Civil War in 1864. More about Roman on my blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/05/bovina-in-civil-war-supreme-sacrifice.html

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This is a view of Silver Lake/Cole's Lake/Lake Mohican on Route 28.  The lake was built in 1909 by a group of men hoping to promote it as a resort spot, mainly for fishing. They named it Lake Mahikan (also spelled as Lake Mohican and Lake Mohigan). The resort didn't last too long - it was sold in 1915. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

114 years ago, the Andes Recorder Lake Delaware correspondent reported in its March 15, 1912 edition that "The superintendent at the Lake is very good to his help, even letting them take the farm teams to dances, parties and even other things. It is tough on the horses, however, to be out all night and then have to draw a load from Delhi the next day, and it has told on some of them."

John B. Dunn was born 194 years ago today, March 16, 1832, the son of John Dunn and Elizabeth Doig.  He became a minister, serving as pastor in East Greenwich, New York.  He died at the age of 29 in 1862 and is buried in the old Associate Presbyterian Church Cemetery at Reinertsen Hill Road.

Ninety-eight years ago, as later reported in the Andes Recorder: The team of Harold Campbell took fright at the creamery Saturday morning [March 17, 1928] and ran away.  They collided with the bridge before reaching the street and left the wagon.  The team continued to run and went up the steep embankment at the Hilson house and into the fields and stopped.  The damage was not great.

Vera Lillian Davidson was born 135 years ago today, March 18, 1891.  She was the daughter of Douglass Davidson and Margaret Hoy.  She would be joined by two brothers, John George (1893-96) and Howard Fletcher (1895-1987).  Vera later went to Cornell and Stanford Universities and married Bill Storie in 1915.  Vera was widowed in 1963 and passed away in 1967. Vera was active in local history for many years. She was on the Board of the Delaware County Historical Association and was the mover behind the Bovina history pageant in 1955. Image taken in 1943 by Bob Wyer, courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.

Ninety-six years ago today, the Bovina Center column of the March 19, 1930, Delaware Republican reported on the illnesses of several people. "Mrs. Margaret D. Russell is at home sick with grippe." It was believed she caught it while nursing two daughters of James Boggs' and his sick mother-in-law, Kate Barnhart. Mrs. Russell recovered and died three years later, but Mrs. Barnhart died the day this news item came out. Another victim of grippe was Mrs. T.C. Strangeway. The paper noted that "Nettie Doig is with her." Mrs. Strangeway survived this attack, dying in 1936.

113 years ago today, on March 20, 1913, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "many streams were overflowing their banks and two bridges on the road above John Blair’s are under water." The road above John Blair's probably was the Miller Avenue area on Bramley Mountain.

185 years ago today, on March 21, 1841, Louisa McFarland was born in Bovina, the daughter of Andrew McFarland and Jane Russell. She lived in Bovina her entire life, dying of gastritis in 1911. She is buried in Bovina.

143 years ago today, on March 22, 1883, the Bovina Town Board met to deal with the fact that David Black, who had been elected Supervisor the previous month had refused to accept the office.  The minutes of that meeting reported how the issue was resolved:  "We the undersigned Justices of Peace of said town pursuant to section 61 and 57 article 3 Title 3 Chapter 11 Vol. 1 of the Revised Statutes of the State of New York hereby appoint Alexander F. Storie of said town to be supervisor of said town.” The next day, his father, Alex, reported in his diary the appointment of his son, also known as Fre, as supervisor. 

158 years ago today, March 23, 1868, Jane Maynard died in Bovina at the age of 70.  Born in New York City, she married Isaac F. Maynard, the son of one of Bovina's earliest settlers, Elisha B. Maynard.  Jane would have five children, including Judge Isaac H. Maynard.  Her husband survived her by eight years, dying in 1876. Both are buried in Bovina.

Seventy-three years ago, the Catskill Mountain News reported in its Bovina column, dated March 24 [,1953] and published in the March 27, 1953 edition that "Robert Burns, Robert Boggs and Cedric Kittle all had televisions installed in their homes the past week." We don’t know from whom they bought the televisions, but here’s an ad from the same issue of the Catskill Mountain News for M.H. Sanford & Son in Arena. 

136 years ago today, the Bovina column in the March 25, 1890 Stamford Mirror reported that "Alex Crozier is soon to commence keeping a grocery at Bovina, in a part of John Johnstons wagon shop building." Though not clear exactly where this was, this likely was located in the Mountain Brook area of the town.

236 years ago today, on March 26, 1790, Thomas Winter was born in Northumberland, England, the son of John Winter and Betty Allen.  He married Isabella Turnbull in Northumberland.  They settled in New Kingston and both died the same year, 1857.  Isabella died in June and Thomas in December.  Their main connection to Bovina is that they both were members of the Associate Presbyterian Church of Bovina. They are buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

143 years ago today, the Bovina column in the March 27, 1883 Stamford Mirror reported that "Rev. James Black, of Canada, is in town visiting his brother, David Black, who is still quite sick." The same column reported that Rev. Black would be preaching at the Bovina United Presbyterian Church. David died about 10 days later on April 7, 1883. James went back to Canada, where he died in 1915 at the age of 93.

This undated photo was in a collection from Stella McPherson and likely is a 4H related program. The three daughters of Henry and Ruth Monroe are in the back: far left is Isabelle, third from right is Frances and the far right is Elinor. Isabelle (1925-2018) married Arthur ‘Tex’ Deter. Frances was born in 1923 and married Clarence Burns. Elinor (1927-2025) married Horace Brink. I welcome any other identifications.

114 years ago today, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "J.B. Gordon, who has the contract to build the State road from Thomas C. Strangeway’s to the Center, was here Friday, March 29, 1912, to make arrangements to begin work. He has hired the barn on the Jennie Miller place below the village of Henry Campbell, and the foreman will be here next Monday and fit it up with bunks for the Italians. Work on the road will be begun about May 1." The state road in question is present County Route 6. Thomas Strangeway's place was on present Route 28 across from County Route 6.

Eighty-six years ago, on March 30, 1940, Marjorie Russell and Rae Storie arrived in Bovina to spend the spring recess with their parents.  Marjorie and Rae were students at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio.  Marjorie was a junior and Rae a freshman. They returned to Ohio on April 7.

115 years ago today, the Andes Recorder in its March 31, 1911 issue, noted that "John A. Irvine and James E. Hastings, two of Bovina's progressive farmers, have had acetylene gas plants installed and will light their farm-houses with gas.  They will also use the light [for their] barns."  The Irvine farm was on Coulter Brook (later known as the Elms Farms) and Hastings was on County Route 6, the farm that later became the Damgaard place.

 

 

A Week with Bovina People - March 1901 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

 

Life in Bovina from 125 years ago, March 1901, as reported by the Andes Recorder:

March 1, 1901

• O.S. Nichols was in town Monday.

• Charles Johnson was in town Friday.

• W.D. Thomson was in town this week.

• John Storie was over at Andes Wednesday.

• Newman Knapp returned Monday from Oneonta.

• Will Foreman, of Bloomville, was in town Saturday.

• W.B. Scott and wife were in town from Delhi on Sabbath.

• Some of the boys attended the dance at Andes Friday night.

• Miss Jennie Campbell has been home for a short vacation.

• Mr. and Mrs. William Crosier and son were at Delhi Tuesday. [Mrs. Crosier was the former Jennie Isabella Archibald and the son was Harry Crosier, born in 1890. Jennie died in 1920, William in 1931 and Harry in Ohio in 1958.]

• T. Gordon and wife were at W.B. Scott’s above Delhi on Thursday.

• Wilson Raitt is moving to Hamden and will work for Combs brothers.

• Monday George Persons and John Lyon, of Delhi, were in this place.

• Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Irvine, of Federal Hill, were visitors here on Wednesday.

• Wesley Miller and wife, of Oneonta, were in this village the first of the week.

• John Kemp of Delhi, and Barna Johnson, of Andes, were in this place Saturday.

• Among those in town Saturday were Harvey Smith and Charles Whitmore, of Bloomville.

• The closing entertainment of the lecture course will be given by Dr. Willett’s on March 6.  

• Richard Smith and wife returned on Monday from Walton, where they have been for about two months.

• J.W. Coulter went to New York on Thursday with Mrs. John Barker who will enter the hospital for treatment.

• Frank Graham has sold his place the Walter Graham farm near Lake Delaware, to his nephew, Francis Graham.

March 8, 1901

• Bovina has a case of measles.

• John Blair visited Delhi Monday.

• A.O. Butts was down at Delhi Monday.

• John E. Gladstone arrived in town Monday.

• Henry Kerr, of Almeda, was here on Thursday.

• M. Gerowe of Bloomville was seen in town Monday.

• J.D. Barnhart and G.D. Miller were at Andes on Saturday. [J.D. Barnhart probably is actually Jeremy T. Barnhart, who lived on Pink Street.]

• E.C. Smyth and John Aitkin were in town from Delhi Friday.

• Mrs. M.M. Boggs and son and Mae Liddle were at Delhi Friday.

• At Frank Graham’s sale near Lake Delaware, March 5, cows averaged $25 per head.

• Mrs. VanLeuvan, who has been nurse at R.A. Thompsons returned to her home in Delhi Monday.

• Recent real estate transfers in town were the heirs of John M. McNaught to Colin McNaught, $2,000.

• Dr. Phinney is ill with pneumonia and Drs. Wight and Gladstone of Andes were here in consultation Thursday.

• Mrs. Rebecka Ormiston widow of the late James Ormiston, died last Thursday at the home of her son, Thomas at Glencoe, Maryland of complications following the gripe.  She was 77 years old and had been a resident of Bovina the major part of her life.  The remains were brought here and the funeral held in the United Presbyterian church Saturday, Rev. Samson officiating.  Interment was made in the Bovina cemetery. [Mrs. Ormiston was the former Rebecca McFarland, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca McFarland.]

March 15, 1901

• Dr. Gladstone was here Saturday.

• Ad Maxwell was in town Monday.

• Peter McGregor was in town Friday.

• David Draffin was down at Delhi on Saturday.

• Mrs. John Barker has returned from New York City.

• Alex Hilson and John Blair were at Delhi Thursday.

• Mrs. John Oliver and son are visiting at Deposit.

• William Bryden has moved onto the Benj Tuttle farm.

• D.M. Coulter and son were in town Friday from Andes.

• Mrs. R.W. Scott and daughter returned from a visit at Walton Tuesday.

• A.T. Strangeway has been appointed a Notary Public for the term ending March 30, 1903.

• Drs. Miner, Gladstone, Gates, Ormiston attended the funeral of Dr. Phinney here Wednesday. [The doctors included Henry Gates and William Ormiston. I haven’t been able to determine who the other doctors were.]

• Frank Graham has moved from the farm recently sold by him, back to the village and occupies rooms in the old Gow house.

• It is hoped by Bovina people that our efficient supervisor John A. Irvine, may be the next chairman of the Board of Supervisors.  He is a hard working and painstaking member and would make an excellent chairman.

Dr. Phinney Dead

Sabbath evening this community was called upon to mourn the loss by death of Dr. L. Phinney, at the age of 51 years.  He was born in Greene county and in the fall of 1883 he located in Bovina Centre, succeeding Dr. William Telford, Jr., who died a short time afterward.  Before coming to this town he practiced in New Kingston.  He graduated in 1879 from the New York Medical University and was regarded one of the best physicians in this vicinity.  He leaves a widow and a son and a daughter to mourn his loss.

Dr. Phinney was a man who always attended to his own affairs and never meddled with the affairs of others in any way.  Always ready when called for to help those in need of a physician and his place will be hard to fill.  Perhaps no man in town had fewer people who had anything to say against them than Dr. Phinney had.  And wherever he went he won many warm friends all of whom regret his demise with pneumonia.  The funeral was held on Wednesday at 11 o’clock in the United Presbyterian church.  

His mother also died Sabbath about the same time.  [Phinney’s wife was the former Mary Archibald. She died in 1927. His mother, the former Mary Carter, died two days before her son in Freehold in Greene County.]

March 22, 1901

• Dr. Rabuck and wife were in town Friday.

• David Oliver was down at Delhi on Monday.

• Peter Gerry was at Lake Delaware last week.

• Will Lambert was in town from Delhi Monday.

• Will Coulter was over from Andes Wednesday.

• W.A. Miller, of Delhi, was in this place Tuesday.

• Frank Myers visited his son, Alexander, here this week.

• Miss Bertha Phyfe was home from Delhi over Sabbath.

• Charles Connor, of Andes, was seen in this place Tuesday.

• Leonard Sloan went to Albany Tuesday to meet his father. 

• Charles Kaufman, of Margaretville was in town Wednesday.

• Mrs. T. Gordon went to Delhi to visit her parents Wednesday. [Mrs. Gordon was the former Mary Richardson Scott, the second wife of Thomas Gordon. She was the mother of Margaret Gordon.]

• Wesley Miller and wife, of Oneonta, were visitors here Tuesday.

• There was a dance at Rob Robson’s at Lake Delaware Monday night.

• Mrs. John Oliver and son returned Monday from their visit at Deposit.

• Miss Mary Liddle, of Andes, was a guest at Frank Gowanlock’s this week.

• D.M. Coulter, Ed Hanlon and Chas Johnson were here from Andes on Friday.

• James Monroe was at Andes Monday after Miss Serena Connor, who will work for him this season.

• Postmaster Hilson is having locks put on the postoffice boxes this week in compliance with the law.

• Miss Jennie Gladstone, who for several weeks has been visiting at Shavertown, returned to this place Tuesday.

• Robert Hoy, son of Thomas Hoy, of this place, and Miss Fannie Elliott, of Margaretville, were married at that place Wednesday. [Sadly, this couple would have a short marriage. Fannie had two boys in 1904 and died two years later in 1906. Robert survived his wife by a decade, dying in 1916.]

• There is to be an entertainment at Strangeway’s Hall, Friday evening, March 22, for the benefit of the lecture course fund for 1901 and 1902.

• Dr. S.H. Rabuck, of Bloomville, has opened an office in the small building next to Mrs. Lauren’s Hotel and is now prepared to attend to all professional calls.  Dr. Rabuck comes to us highly recommended as a physician and as a good man to have in a community and we extend him a hearty welcome.

March 29, 1901

• William Crosier was over at Andes Friday.

• G.D. Miller and wife visited Delhi Friday.

• James Archibald was at Andes on Wednesday.

• Oliver Dickson was up from Delhi on Monday.

• Elliott Thompson visited the County Seat Monday.

• Robert Hoy and bride arrived in town on Sabbath.

• Elisha B. Maynard, of Hobart, has been in town this week.

• Frank Gowanlock and wife visited relatives at Andes Saturday.

• Dr. S.H. Rabuck moved his medicines from Bloomville Saturday.

• Andrew T. Doig is in New York city this week purchasing goods.

• A.G. Strong and Andrew Franklin were in town Monday buying eggs.

• Thomas Miller and D.C. Worden were among those at Delhi Monday.

• T.H. Liddle and daughter, of Andes, were visitors in this place Friday.

• Peter and George McNair and John McCune went to Margaretville Monday.

• David Sloan, of Colorado, is in town and expects to remain about two months.

• Alex Hilson, John Blair, Dr. Seacord and Mr. and Mrs. David Draffin visited Delhi Monday.

• Henry Rotermond, of Margaretville, and a veteran of the civil war, was a visitor in town Friday.

• It is stated that after May 1st Dr. Rabuck will occupy a part of the D.L. Thompsons and also have his office there.

• John Kemp, of Delhi, and B. & C. B. Johnson, of Andes, were the members of the legal fraternity in town on Friday.

• F.R. Coulter and Wilson Scott have rented their farm (the old Russell farm) to John W. Northrup, who will take possession April 1.

• D.A. Oliver, formerly of this town has leased for one year of G.W. & H. Youmans their farm in Hamden village, getting possession April 1st. [This probably is David A. Oliver, who died in 1923.]

• On account of the worms killing so many of the maple trees some of our sugar makers who have usually hung 1,000 buckets, have not tapped at all this year.

• D.L. Thompson has sold his house and lot and hardware store in this village to J.W. Coulter, and will give possession May 1. It is rumored that Mr. Thompson contemplates locating at Almeda. [The hardware store later became the Bovina Public Library and is now the Bovina Museum.]

• Mrs. William R. Miller died very suddenly Tuesday night about 10 o’clock.  She had just retired when she was taken with her heart and only lived about fifteen minutes.  Her maiden name was Mary Laing and she was born in Andes in October 1856 and was married about 22 years ago.  She leaves a husband and a son and daughter.  The funeral will be held Friday at 12 o’clock in the United Presbyterian church.

• A difference of opinion having arisen between Thomas Ormiston and David Draffin, growing out of the renting of Ormiston’s farm, and the fact that the stock had been quarantined and also owing to Ormiston wishing to have Draffin vacate before his time had expired, because of his having a chance to sell the farm.  Monday the entire matter was left to J.S. Kerr, J.P. Ganung and Frank Lomport, of Stamford, to arbitrate, and it is stated that these gentlemen decided that Mr. Draffin should receive back $40 of the $140 he had already paid Mr. Ormiston on the rent.

Auction

D.J. Miller will sell on Wednesday April 3, at 11 o’clock, at his farm near Bovina Centre, 37 two-year old heifers, fresh or soon will be, and one two year old bull. These are choice grade Jerseys. A credit of three months will be given.  [This was David James Miller. He later moved to Walton and died there in 1945.]