This day in Bovina for May 2016

115 years ago today, on May 1, 1901, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder, "Dr. J.D. Frisbee, of Andes, was in this place doing dental work.  He expects to visit this place every two weeks."

105 years ago today, on May 2, 1911, as later reported in the Andes Recorder Bovina column, a son was "born to Mr. and Mrs. A. Thomas Archibald, Mountain Brook…" This son was Marvin Archibald. Marv married Eleanor Burns in 1942 and would pass away in 1987.

140 years ago today, the May 3, 1876 Delaware Gazette reported that the "active measures adopted by the Stamford Telegraph Co., had the effect of entirely destroying the hope of raising sufficient funds to complete the proposed line from Delhi to Margaretville….Margaretville reported on $60.00 subscribed; Delhi nothing; Andes $1,200. Under the circumstances it has been considered best to abandon the project of building a through line, and to set about providing ourselves with the excellent communication which a line to Delhi will afford. We are pleased to announce that Delhi is subscribing liberally to the project, and also Bovina promises aid. Andes will raise the required balance, and we think the 1st of June will place us in telegraphic communication with all our sister towns and the world in general. If the people of Bovina will subscribe a sufficient amount to warrant it, a loop will be made, and an office located at Brushland."

Eighty years ago today, on May 4, 1926, two Bovina farms hosted woodchuck killing demonstrations held by the Farm Bureau. One at 10 am at the farm of James Boggs, the other at the W.J. Storie farm. The Catskill Mountain News, in reporting these under the headline "Woodchucks are Facing Death" noted that the demonstrations showed "how woodchuck dens are treated with calcium cyanide…" Farmers were being encouraged to use these "effective methods of ridding farms of the destructive animals."

254 years ago today, on May 5, 1762, Nathan H. Hilton was born in Connecticut. He was married around 1780 to Mary Pierce. Around 1795, they settled in Bovina. Nathan and Mary had eight children. She died in 1836 and Nathan the following year in 1837.

144 years ago today, on May 6, 1872, the Bovina Board of Excise met to review applications for licenses to sell liquor. No applications were presented. It likely is at this point that Bovina became a 'dry town' and would stay so until after the end of Prohibition.

127 years ago today, the Stamford Mirror for May 7, 1889 reported that "Word has been received that Wilson and Maggie Atkins, of Bovina, reached their journeys' end in due time. The latter is at J.L. Ormiston's, Raymore, Mo., and Wilson is at his sister's, in Jetmore, Kansas." Wilson and Maggie were the children of Isaac Atkin and Nancy Blair. Wilson was born in 1851, his sister in 1849.

133 years ago today, the Stamford Mirror for May 8, 1883 reported that "Gilbert D. Miller has purchase the Halstead place at Bovina Valley, for $1,650, and will go to work thereon at once."

Seventy-six years ago today, the Bovina column of the May 9, 1940 Delaware Republican reported that "Mrs. Addie Cowan was taken seriously ill last week Tuesday but is much improved at present writing." Addie Cowan was born Adalaid Coulter in 1870. She was married to Frank Russell. After his death in 1910 she was married to Thomas Cowan. She survived this illness and died in 1951.

Sixty-seven years ago today, in a notice dated May 10, 1949 in the Catskill Mountain News, it was reported that "Those who are driving new cars the past week are James Hilson with a Cadillac convertible, Martin Rabeler a Mercury sedan, Frances Schabloski a Ford sedan."

136 years ago today, the May 11, 1880 Stamford Mirror reported that "R.R. Gladstone caught two dogs chasing his sheep a few days ago, but was unable to stop them until three lambs had been killed."

Sixty two years ago today, on May 12, 1954, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "Mrs. Fred Thomson held a brush party at her home…"

Sixty-seven years ago today, the Bovina column of the Catskill Mountain News for May 13, 1949 reported that "Miss Jennie Hastings is spending some time at the home of her brother, Milton Hastings, and assisting Lillie Happy with her work while she is recovering from her recent illness."

118 years ago today, on May 14, 1898, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, " Woodburn & Smyth set up a monument... in the cemetery for Mrs. Muller, in memory of her late husband." Here's a photograph of the monument. 

134 years ago, on May 15, 1882, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Snow was reported to be over an inch deep on Bramley hill, Bovina…"

Fifty-three years ago today, the May 16, 1963 Delaware Republican-Express reported in its Bovina column that "Volunteers and carpenters will begin this week in remodeling the church basement."

Sixty-seven years ago today, it was reported in the Catskill Mountain News in an item dated May 17, 1949 that "We had several hard frosts in town last week. They did considerable damage to tender growths. It is hope this is the last for the season."

Seventy-seven years ago today, the May 18, 1939 Delaware Republican reported in its Bovina column that "Edward Snyder is to teach in the Herbert Huggin's district next year." Snyder actually was Edward Schneider. He later was the last teacher at the Maynard district on Bovina road and as of this writing, is still with us at 102. The Huggins district was Bovina District 5, located at Lee Hollow and Miller Avenue.

105 years ago, the May 19, 1911 Andes Recorder Bovina column reported that "William T. Miller has sold 12 milch cows to Alex Liddle, the Andes speculator."

Fifty-one years ago today, the Bovina column of the May 20, 1965 Delaware Republican-Express had the following notice: "The auxiliary of the Bovina Fire Department request that ladies having old sheets or pillow cases no longer usable please donate the same to use as cancer dressings. Please leave at the home of Mrs. Florence Thomas or at the Firemen's Hall soon."

Ninety-four years ago today, on May 21, 1922, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Triplets were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Davidson ....  All were girls and two of them have since died." The surviving girl was Jane Davidson. She survived to adulthood but died in December 1955.

Eighty-seven years ago today, the Bovina column of the May 22, 1929 Delaware Republican reported that "the post office inspector has recommended a change of mail route for Bovina. I am sure everyone will be glad."

Seventy-six years ago today, the May 23, 1940 issue of the Delaware Republican had in its Bovina column this item: "Mrs. Ralph Barnhart remains in a serious condition at present writing." Mrs. Barnhart was born Anna Irene Ruland and married Ralph Barnhart in 1921. They had one son, Donald. Anna was suffering from breast cancer and would pass away the following March in her home in Bovina. She was 40 years old.

134 years ago today, the May 24, 1882 Delaware Gazette issue included the following: "We regret to learn that David Black, Supervisor of Bovina, is not so well, in fact that his friends are very anxious and consider his condition critical." He would survive for a little less than a year, dying in April 1883.

143 years ago today, on May 25, 1873, Sarah Eliza Seacord died. Born in 1842, she was the daughter of Alexander Dean and Phoebe Ann Bramley. Married in 1862 to William Seacord, she had two children before her death at the age of 30. She's buried in the Bovina cemetery.

Sixty-three years ago today, on May 26, 1953, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, the young son of Howard and Theresa Conklin, Marty, "was burned on both arms and hands when he fell into a pail of water at his home last week Tuesday. He was rushed to Margaretville hospital where he remained overnight for treatment."

Fifty-two years ago today, the Bovina column in the May 27, 1965 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "James Hoy of Bainbridge has been transferred from the Bainbridge branch of the National Bank and Trust Company of Norwich to the Grand Gorge branch as branch manager. He will move there this week." Jim was the son of James and Margaret Hoy and grew up in Bovina.

Sixty-four years ago today, on May 28, 1952, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "Around 15 of the Bovina firemen attended the Elk's celebration at Oneonta Wednesday evening and took part in the parade with 16 other companies."

111 years ago today, on May 29, 1905, Mina Cook submitted this bill for $100 for her services as a teacher at Bovina District number 1 (the Maynard school). 

123 years ago today, on May 30, 1893, Bina Liddle died. Born in 1819, she was the daughter of Henry McDonald and Margaret Donald. She married Alexander Liddle and would have eight children. Bina was widowed in 1884.

140 years ago today, the May 31, 1876 Delaware Gazette reported that "Mr. Alexander Kinmouth, of Bovina, thinks a great deal of his Ayershire cow, which gives 48 lbs of milk a day. He makes 18 lbs of butter a week after using all the milk he wants for the family."