This Day in Bovina for February 2024

134 years ago, the February 1, 1890 Delaware Republican had a couple of items in its Bovina column on Bovina butter: Some of our farmers who were dreaming of 25c for their butter last September, are now selling for 15c. ''Tis true, 'tis pity; pity 'tis, 'tis true.'"  The column went on to note later "The way some of our farmers hang on to their butter is rather suggestive of the grippe."

Ninety-eight years ago today, on February 2, 1926, a program from the "Home Talent Minstrels" was held to benefit the "Basket Ball Team." The program included Clarence Becker, Frank Miller, Howard McPherson, Kenneth Kaufman, Sandy Myers, G.M. Banker, Sheldon Edgerton, Earl Smith, Lloyd Ormiston, George Storie, John Armstrong, Nort Forrest and Cecil Russell.

105 years ago on February 3, 1919, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Mrs. Mary Swart, who has been in poor health for some time, suffered a shock about 5 o’clock Tuesday morning, at the home of her niece, Mrs. William Crosier, and lies in precarious condition." She died a few days later on February 8.

125 years ago, on February 4, 1899, Mrs. Violet Johnson died suddenly at her home in the Mountain Brook area while on the telephone.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, “John Hewitt was talking to her during the forenoon and all at once he noticed something unusual but supposed something was wrong with the instrument.  When her son, Thomas, went into the house for dinner he found her laying on the floor dead.”  Violet was born in Scotland in 1834, the daughter of Thomas and Helen Hamilton. She married Thomas H. Johnston and had four children. She was survived by two of her sons, “who are proprietors of the Woolen Mills.”

204 years ago today, on February 5, 1820, bills were reported on petitions in the New York State Legislature. One bill, reported by Mr. Storrs, was "An act to erect a new town by the name Bovina…in the county of Delaware."

Ninety years ago today, on February 6, 1934, Archibald Phyfe died. Born in 1848, he spent his whole life in Bovina, most of it on the family farm. He married Mary Ormiston in 1875 and was widowed 10 years later. His sister Sarah moved in with him to help raise his two daughters. On February 4, 1928, Archie and his sister were overcome by coal gas. He survived but Sarah died. More about the tragedy involving Sarah can be found in the Bovina NY History Blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/02/dangers-of-coal-gas.html

Ninety-eight years ago today, on February 7, 1926, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Mr. and Mrs. John P. Dennis, celebrated the 55th anniversary of their wedding ... at their home, Glenwood, on the Richmond road Williamsburg, Virginia.  Miss Louise Dennis, a sister and the only guest at the wedding now living, was present, and also all of their children. Mr. Dennis is a native of Bovina, and for many years conducted the Dennis grist mill.  Around a quarter of a century ago he went to Virginia." John died at the end of December 1929, his wife in 1937.

123 years ago today, the Garnett (Kansas) Eagle, in its February 8, 1901 issue, reported on a call made by the congregation of the U.P. Church in that town. The report, later published in the Andes Recorder under the heading "A Bovina Boy,” went on to state that "At a congregational meeting of the United Presbyterian Church last Tuesday afternoon, it was unanimously agreed to call the Rev. W.T. Mabon to the pastorate of the church here.  Rev. Mabon has addressed this congregation a few times and the members were delighted with him.  He is a young man just graduated from the seminary at Xenia, Ohio.  His home is in Bovina Delaware County, N.Y.  It is understood that Rev. Mabon will accept the call. He will locate in Garnet in about a month."

160 years ago today, on February 9, 1864, Michael Miller signed this oath of office as town clerk for the Town of Bovina. He would serve for one term. 

Seventy-three years ago today, on February 10, 1951, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Catskill Mountain News, "A large number of people from Bovina attended John Deere day…at the South Kortright central school. A dinner was served to nearly seven hundred people. They were honored to hear Radio Farm Advisor Ed Mitchell with a fine speech." Ed Mitchell was a broadcaster on station WGY, starting in 1927.

159 years ago today on February 11, 1865, these two receipts were issued for payment to Robert Scott and James Elliott for $25 each.  Scott and Elliott incurred these expense by going to New York City to recruit volunteers to help Bovina meet its recruitment quota. 

Eighty-seven years ago today, the February 12, 1937 Otsego Farmer reported that "A Delaware County jury in Supreme Court at Delhi on Wednesday night, valued a human life at $2,250 when it returned a verdict after six hours' deliberation in favor of Mrs. Minnie Hansen of Bovina for the death of her son, Claude Hansen, fatally injured in an accident near Shavertown more than a year ago." The paper went on to report that her son Walford received $1,282 for injuries received in the same accident. He was incapacitated for over nine months. Claude died in December 1935 and was buried in the Bovina cemetery. His mother passed away in 1960. The Hansens had come to Bovina from Colorado in the 1920s.

121 years ago today, on the evening of February 13, 1903, in celebration of Valentine's Day, a Basket Social or Sociable was held at Strangeway's Hall. The Andes Recorder announced the event - "Come and get your Valentine at the Basket Social in Strangeway’s Hall, on Friday evening, February 13. Every lady will please bring a basket with lunch in it for two."  A few days later, on February 17, another "Basket Sociable” was held at Elmer E. Hastings, with the "Money to be used to purchase new Bible Songs."

124 years ago today, on February 14, 1900, "Archibald F. Maynard died at his home in the upper part of this town Wednesday night, aged 70 years." The Andes Recorder noted that "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."

Seventy-three years ago today, the February 15, 1951 Bovina column in the Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Last week the Bovina Center Co-Operative Dairy, Inc. again paid a thirteenth check to its patrons for milk delivered. A total of $19,410.00 or $.02 1/2 per dollar value of all milk delivered at the plant during the year 1950 was paid." The paper went on to note that "Over the period of the past eight years the Bovina Center Co-Operative Dairy, Inc. has paid its patrons total of $290,000.00 in thirteenth checks and special premiums or an average of $.234 per cwt. For all milk delivered at the plant during that time."

130 years ago today, the February 16, 1894 Andes Recorder in its Bovina column reported that "The plasterers are at work on Peter McNair's new home." This home is on Maple Avenue, now owned by Steve and Maureen Roberts. The same column also reported that "J.P. Dennis intends putting in a shingle mill in the near future. Bovina already has one shingle mill."

Eighty-one years ago today, on February 17, 1943, Kathryn Louise McPherson was born, the daughter of Lester McPherson and Margaret L. Russell. Better known as Louise, she married Wilford Barnhart in 1971 and, sadly, died in 1980 when she was only 37.

184 years ago today, on February 18, 1840, the Town of Bovina held its annual meeting and elected officers, including the Supervisor, Town Clerk, Assessors, Commissioners of Highway, Commissioners and Inspectors of Common Schools, Tax Collector, Constables, Overseers of the Poor and Justices of the Peace. The names of those elected are in the document below: 

Forty-three years ago today, on February 19, 1981, Margaret Hoy passed away. Born in Bovina in 1911, she was the daughter of Adam Laidlaw and Emma Campbell. She married Jim Hoy in 1935 and had three children before she was widowed in 1956. Margaret was the Bovina Town Clerk for a number of years, retiring in 1976.

136 years ago today, on February 20, 1888, William Clinton Burns was born. A lifelong Bovina resident, he married Emily Elliott in 1915. They had five children: Robert E., James, Eleanor, Clarence and Kathryn. Bill died in 1975 at the age of 87.

181 years ago today, on February 21, 1843, Walter Stott, Jr, the Commissioner of Common Schools in Bovina certified an alteration in school district 10, transferring James Aitkins from district 10 to district 2 (which was located in the area of Pink Street). 

144 years ago today, on February 22, 1880, Walter Thompson died. As later reported in the Bovina column of the Stamford Mirror, Thompson was a blacksmith in Bovina. The paper noted that "Mr. Thompson had been in poor health for some time, but was not confined to bed. On the morning of his death not feeling as well as usual a physician was sent for, but death ensued about half an hour after the doctor's arrival. The remains were taken to DeLancey for interment."

Eighty-three years ago today on February 23, 1941, as later reported in the Delaware Republican, "Mrs. W.J. Storie gave a ten-cent tea at her home for the benefit of the A.W.V.S…"

138 years ago today, on February 24, 1886, the Bovina Town Board appointed Gilbert D. Miller as overseer of the poor after John Hastings, who was elected to the office on February 9, refused to serve. Here is the document of appointment: 

103 years ago, the Andes Recorder for February 25, 1921 reported the following: "Mrs. Ann Bouton, of Lake Delaware, has in her possession a violin of interest to many.  Her father, Sandy Gillie (for many years court crier) bought the violin from Alva Belcher, the well remembered fiddler of his day, for his son, William Gillie, who died while serving his country in the civil war." For more on William Gillie, go to the Bovina NY History blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2012/05/bovina-in-civil-war-soldier-biographies.html.

Ninety-four years ago today, the Bovina column of the February 26, 1930 Delaware Republican reported that "T.C. Strangway has not been so well for a little while. Dr. Thomson was there on Saturday to bleed him. Mr. Strangeway had this done a year ago and thought it a relief." He survived this treatment a little over two years, dying in July 1932.

Seventy-six years ago today, the Bovina column in the February 27, 1948 Catskill Mountain News reported that "Robert Hall came out the first of the week with a new Oldsmobile, which is well worth the second look."

Thirty-five years ago today, on February 28, 1989, the Delaware County Times carried this article about Ed and Donna Weber's farm and an award they received. 

160 years ago today, on February 29, 1864, William B. Laidlaw and David A. Elliott signed these statements requesting to have the $350 owed to them by the town of Bovina as a bounty for enlisting paid to relatives. William's payment was to his uncle Ebenezer. David's payment was to his brother John A., himself a Civil War veteran who was discharged for disability the month before. David was captured in June 1864 and died in Andersonville prison in three months later.  

A Week with Bovina People - February 1899 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

 Here’s what was happening in Bovina 125 years ago, February 1899, from the pages of the Andes Recorder. 

February 3, 1899

• John Storie was at Delhi Thursday.

• Mrs. Emma Campbell was home over Sabbath.

• Adam Scott, of Delhi, was in town Saturday.

• David Muir and family visited in town Thursday.

• John K. Russell and Thomas Hutson were up from Delhi Monday.

• Mrs. Dixon Thompson was a guest of Andrew Kaufman at Margaretville last week.

• Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fiero visited his father, Peter Fiero at Margaretville last week. 

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. William L. Forrest, January 26, a son.  Think of Abraham and Sarah. [This was a reference to the fact that when the son was born the couple’s only other child was 19. The boy was Norton Forrest, who died in 1957. Mrs. Forrest was the former Mary Lunn.]

• Thomas Gordon, Robert A. Thomson, Lance Thomson and Frank Miller were among those at Delhi Tuesday.

• Mr. and Mrs. G.D. Miller returned from East Branch Friday, where they had been called by the illness of Mrs. Miller’s sister.

• At the first entertainment given by the Fortnightly Club at Strangeway’s Hall on Friday evening, January 27, everything from the first chorus to the last act was rendered in a pleasing and satisfactory manner.  Those who were fortunate enough to attend speak of it in words of highest praise.

• The following are some interesting facts in regard to the United Presbyterian Sabbath School for the year 1898: Total enrollment 297; average attendance 202; contributions $530; forwarded to church boards $471; scholars reciting catechism perfectly 19; scholars receiving Robert Raikes diploma 11. For the first three Sabbaths in 1899 the collections have amounted to $31.17 or about a dollar more per Sabbath than in 1898. 

• The Walton Times says: “James C. 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. Mabon is a gentleman who believes that the 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 for the middle man.

February 10, 1899

• Hugh Rose was in town on Thursday.

• William Richardson was at Delhi on Monday.

• Dr. Phinney was at the County Seat Monday.

• William J. Doig was over at Bloomville Monday.

• Miss Jennie E. Miller visited Bloomville Thursday.

• Monday Peter McNair made a trip to New Kingston.

• It is reported that Earley Eckart will move back to the village.

• Harry Oliver and George Elliott were in town this first of the week.

• Born in this village, February 6, to Mr. and Mrs. William L. Moore, a daughter. [The daughter was named Melissa Katherine. Her mother was the former Aggie Washburn. She went by the name Katherine. Married to Francis A. Shaw in 1918, she died in 1979 at the age of 80.]

• Jennie E. Miller has sold the part of her farm that is on the other side of river to Wilson Scott.

• Bills are posted for an auction sale of the goods in the Doig store.  Sale from day to day until all are sold.

• Fremont and Pearl Oliver, son and daughter of David Oliver, of Delancey, have been guests of relatives in town.

• George Raitt, who is employed by Olcott & Shanks of Walton, is doing a large job of plumbing for Elmer E. Hastings.

• Some Bovina people at Delhi Saturday were, Mr. and Mrs. George Gladstone, Albert and Charles McPherson, G.D. and B.S. Miller, E.C. Burgin.

• “The Midnight Charge” will be given here the last week in February for the benefit of the Methodist church. It will be under the management of Ed Hanlon. [The Midnight Charge was a play, the full title being “The Midnight Charge: A Grand Military Play in Four Acts” by W. Elsworth Stedman.]

• Perhaps some that heard the debate in Strangeway’s Hall may not know how many foreigners were in the army during the Rebellion.  There were native Americans, 1,523,000; Germans, 177,800; Irish, 144,2000; British Americans, 53,5000; English, 45,500; other foreigners, 74,900.

• Mrs. Violet Johnson, widow of the late Thomas Johnson died very suddenly last Saturday at her home at the Butt End, aged 68 years.  John Hewitt was talking to her [on the telephone] during the forenoon and all at once he noticed something unusual but supposed something was wrong with the instrument.  When her son, Thomas, went into the house for dinner he found her laying on the floor dead.  She leaves two sons, who are proprietors of the Woolen Mills.  The funeral was held Tuesday.

February 17, 1899

• Thomas Oliver was here on Saturday.

• Edwin J. Scott was at Delhi Monday.

• Earley Eckart has moved into the old cooper shop.

• Mr. and Mrs. Butts came back from Davenport on Sabbath.

• It is said that Walter Liddle will soon move into the village.

• Milton Doig has moved to John G. Thomson’s above the village.

• Otis McCumber and family were visitors at Mrs. Muller’s last Friday.

• Thomas Gordon was at Delhi Monday after the town meeting tickets.

• Mr. and Mrs. Lance Thomson and John Oliver were at Delhi Monday.

• Mr. and Mrs. John R. Hoy have returned from Oil City, Pennsylvania.

• Miss Belle Miller has been visiting her uncle, William Miller at Walton.

• Miss Anna Phyfe has completed her course at the Oneonta Normal school.

• Friday and Saturday mornings was reported the coldest so far this winter.

• Rev. Samson and wife went to Delhi Sabbath evening where he preached in the Second Presbyterian church.

• Archie Maynard is making preparations to build a fine new carriage house in the very near future.

• Mrs. D.L. Thomson has disposed of her millinery business at Walton and has moved to her new home here.

• John W. McCune has moved from D.L. Thomson’s rooms to the John Phyfe house, lately occupied by M.A. Doig, where he will remain until his new house is completed.

• “The Midnight Charge” is to be played here under the management of Ed. Hanlon, supported by a strong local cast, February 23 and 24, for the benefit of the Methodist church.

• As a usual thing Bovina is the banner town on making returns of taxes to the county treasurer and this year was no exception.  Collector Gladstone was the first of the nineteen collectors to settle with the treasurer.

Result of Town Meeting

Town meeting passed off very quietly Tuesday and there was no excitement to bring out the vote and only 157 exercised the right of suffrage. The excise question was not voted upon.

The following was the vote [r-Republican; d-Dempcrat]:

Supervisor-John Irvine, r, 112; A.A. Johnson, d, 28

Town Clerk-Thomas Gordon, r. 113; William Maynard, d, 28.

Justices-W.L. White, r, 111; Jacob Baily, d, 27; D.J. Miller, r, 109; John S. Hobbie, d, 30; George Currie, r, 112; Michael Dickson, d, 31; T.C. Strangeway, r 94; Archie Maynard, d, 41

Assessors-George Cable, r, 110; Jas T. McFarland, d, 25; Michael Miller, r, 93; William McCune, d, 37; John Whitson, r, 112; Horace C. Hogaboom, d, 26.

Commissioner of Highways-Frank C. Armstrong, r, 104; Thomas R. Boggs, d, 35

Overseer of Poor-D.C. Worde, r, 111; Andrew Johnson, d, 29.

Collector-Robert A. Thomson, r, 113; Russell Archibald, d, 28.

Inspectors-Robert Fiero, r, 112; James A. Thomson, r, 113; Charles A. Tuttle, d, 25; William A. Hoy, d, 26

February 24, 1899

• Thomas Miller was at Andes on Wednesday.

• Arthur Neish has rented rooms in A.B. Jardine’s house.

• Harry Oliver and Jay Hawver were here Sabbath evening.

• Mr. and Mrs. John Blair were down at Delhi on Thursday.

• Mr. and Mrs. William T. Black visited Andes last Thursday.

• Miss Carrie Hoy has been here from Walton visiting relatives.

• Irene Forrest and Nell McNee were over at Andes Thursday last.

• Thomas Gladstone and sisters were in town Tuesday from Andes.

• Alexander Hilson and John Storie were at the County Seat Friday.

• Mrs. James Elliott has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. Eugene Allen.

• William Richardson and wife are visiting relatives at Margaretville.

• Adolphus Frisbee and wife, of Andes passed through town Tuesday.

• T.W. Miller and wife of the Andes Recorder were in town Sabbath.

• David Taylor and family and Mrs. William Elliott were in town Saturday.

• Thomas Ormiston is to hold an entertainment on Friday evening, March 3, at the Centre.

• Among those we noticed in town on last Thursday, were Gurdeon Dibble, and Lou Cooper.

• Mr. and Mrs. E. George Gladstone returned Friday from a visit with relatives at Shavertown.

• John Irvine, Frank R. Coulter and Elliott Thomson went to New York City Monday morning. 

• At the recent special school meeting held in the Ed. Coulter district Thomas Mabon was elected trustee.

• Dauley & Wright, of Oneonta, have the contract to erect a handsome Hill O’Fare granite sarcophagus in memory of Duncan Campbell. [Campbell had died the previous December.]

• A social was held in the Christian Endeavor rooms of the United Presbyterian church last Friday evening for benefit of the Sabbath School. 

Edward O'Connor: "From the Young America, Farewell"

I’ve found another document concerning Edward O’Connor, the Bovina resident involved in the climax of the Anti-Rent War. More about O’Connor can be found in this blog at Bovina (NY) History: Stories from Bovina's Cemeteries - What Ever Happened to Edward O'Connor? (bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com)

In March 1921, David F. Hoy, Registrar at Cornell University, donated an item to the university archives. It was a poem written by Edward O’Connor, who had been sentenced to hang for the murder of Undersheriff Osman Steele in August 1845. The poem was written to his girlfriend, Janet Scott. 

It was written in Delhi on October 17, 1845 while he awaited his execution, scheduled for November 29, 1845. 

From the Young America

Farewell

Sore sure is my heart when I think of the night

So dark and so lonely so gloomy the sight

But little I thought I should never see more

My fond my sweet Jennett the girl I adore

So finally I pressed her soft bosom to mine

I loved her so dearly she was almost divine

But then when we parted what prophet could tell

I was bidding my fair one forever farewell

What tongue or what pen can my feeling express

To think of my loved one in keenest distress

My blood rushes through me and makes my heart swell

To write to my fond one forewell ah farewell

Oh well I remember the simple fond strain

When we parted she asked when shall we meet again

Our tears intermingled and swiftly they fell

But ah we were taking a final farewell

Oh Father in Heaven it is my desire

And ever shall be my humblest prayer

That Thou mayest protect her own parents as well

I send her my fondest my sweetest farewell

Edward O’Connor

Presented to my friends to preserve as a memorandum for him who died in his country’s cause November 29, 1845, aged 26 years the 17th October 1845.

Freedom’s willing son bleeds free

Through scourge and storm for liberty

E. O’Connor

On the back of the poem was this statement:

Edward O Connor, poetry whilst under the sentence of death for the murder of undersheriff Steel.

From the Cornell University Library, Rare and Manuscript Collections

Hoy says that his grandfather, David Miller, was one of a committee that appeared before the governor, urging leniency. The jury that convicted O’Connor pled for leniency, too, as did a number of correspondents to the governor. The governor was finally persuaded to commute the sentence to life in prison only a week before the scheduled execution. Ultimately, O'Connor was pardoned and released from jail within two years of his conviction.

Another letter written by O’Connor, donated by the late Andy VanBenschoten to the Delaware County Historical Association, was featured in this blog about a decade ago: Bovina (NY) History: "I did for friends and liberty" - The Jailhouse Letter from Edward O'Connor (bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com)

February 1924 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

Here's what was happening in Bovina in February 1924, as reported in the pages of the Andes Recorder.

February 1, 1924

• Mrs. James A. Gow spent last Thursday with relatives at Andes.

• Thermometers here were 24 below zero and some even lower on Sabbath morning.

• Word has been received of the death at Salinas, California, of David Gill, whose early life was spent in Bovina.  He was 84 years of age and went to California around 50 years ago.

• Alex. Myers has received announcement of the marriage of his nephew, George Kaufman. Mr. Kaufman, who lives at Saugerties, is surrogate of Ulster county. He is a son of the late Charles Kaufman, who was well known in this vicinity.

• The Annual meeting of the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery Company was held Tuesday and the following directors were elected, viz: Frank T. Miller, Frank A. Coulter, J. Russell Boggs, Fred H. Bramley and Fred J. Henderson. At a meeting of the directors, held the same day, Frank T. Miller was chosen president and Fred J. Henderson, secretary and treasurer. 

Buried in Delhi

Wallace Arbuckle died in Oneonta, January 27, and burial was made in Delhi on Tuesday. He was the son of Hon. James N. Arbuckle, who was born in Glenburnie on the farm adjoining the Soper farm, in Bovina. He was employed n a bank in Newark, N.J. for 25 years until his health failed a few years ago. 

February 8, 1924 

• Miss Jane Archibald is pending the week with friends at Andes.

• Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Burgin were at Andes last Friday evening.

• Andrew T. Doig has been confined to his home with sciatica rheumatism.

• A son was born recently to Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle at their home on Robert Gerry’s estate in southern Bovina. 

• Born to Mr. and Mrs Harold Cole, on the Chas Tuttle farm on the Turnpike in Bovina, February 6, a son.

• Mrs. Douglas Davidson and daughter, Mrs. William J. Storie, and Mrs. John Storie were shoppers at Delhi on Wednesday last.

• At United Presbyterian church Sabbath morning, the pastor, Rev. F.N. Crawford, preached a sermon especially for the children. 

• George Travis, who has been making his home with his aunt, Mrs. Wallace Smith, up-town, has entered a boy’s school through the kindness of Miss Gerry.

• William C. Russell is preparing to build a new house on the lot adjoining the residence of T.C. Strangeway in Bovina Center.  We understand that Jas. T. Aitken and son of Andes, will be the carpenters.  

• The Bovina Co-Operative Creamery Company had their ice house filled this week with 14 inch ice from Howard Coulter’s pond near Andes.  Other ice houses have been filled from the same source and from the Gerry Lake.  

Have a Son

A son was born February 4, to Mr. and Mrs. H. Glen Harper, of Delhi at the Brady Maternity hospital in Albany. The mother is a daughter of E.C. Dean and a granddaughter of the late John Bramley of Bovina.

February 15, 1924

• Harvey Burgin has been under the doctor’s care the past week.

• Andrew T. Doig, while improving from his illness, is still confined to his home.

• Owing to the furnace being out of order there was no preaching at the U.P. church last Sabbath.

• G.D. Miller, the only surviving veteran of the civil war, who has been confined to his home, able to be around again.

• The former Methodist church, that was purchased a couple of years ago by D.C. Worden, is being used for roller skating.

• Supervisor Wallace B. Smith was at Delhi the first of the week attending the organization meeting of the Board of supervisors.

• John Henry, who lives up-town, was quite severely injured last week by his wagon slewing around on the ice and throwing him out.

• Miss Mary Thomson, of Hobart, spent a few days last week with her brother, Elliott Thomson, and sister, Mrs. Jas A. Liddle.

• Mrs. Alex Crosier, who is spending the winter with her son in Philadelphia, recently underwent a successful operation for removal of gall stones.

• Miss Mary Belle Scott, daughter of John Scott at Lake Delaware, has graduated from the Oneonta Normal and has entered the State College at Albany. 

February 22, 1924

• William Coyert, of Unadilla, was in town Saturday.

• Hugh Garland has been working in the creamery during the illness of Harvey Burgin.

• Nelson Tompkins, our oldest resident, has been confined to his bed part of the time for the past few days.

• William J. Storie was at Delhi on Tuesday attending the first quarterly meeting of the Junior Extension Board.

• Wallace B. Smith was at Delhi on Monday evening attending a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

• “Ted” Burgin, son of Mrs. Ida T. Burgin, while cranking a [car] Saturday at Delhi had the misfortune to break his arm.

• Captain Billings, superintendent of the Gerry farms at Lake Delaware, was at Dehi on Tuesday and gave an account before Kiwanis club of his recent visit to Europe.

• The Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery Company are making extensive improvements.  The big boiler will be moved over beside the other two and a new pan put in.  A. Jones and his assistants, of Roxbury, are on the job.

• William C. Russell, who will erect a new house here this spring, has been hauling hemlock logs to “Wat” Couter’s mill from the Russell homestead farm in southern Bovina.  Some of the logs were over three feet in diameter.

Fell a Few Feet and Broke His Leg

Elmer Doig had the misfortune to break his leg between the knee and ankle last week while working on the new garage of Gaylie Hafele on the Thomson farm up Coulter Brook.  He and Mr. Hafele were on a scaffold putting on the roof and the scaffold swung sideways and went down carrying Mr. Doig with it.  Mr. Hafele managed to grasp the roof and save himself.  Mr. Doig only fell some five or six feet but struck among some stones.

Bovina Man Falls on Ice

Thomas R. Boggs, who lives in upper Bovina, and is one of the oldest residents of the town, had a narrow escape one day last week.  Mr. Boggs was going out into the orchard to cut some wood and was carrying an axe and a saw.  He slipped on the ice and in falling a gash was cut in his hand by the axe and the saw cut his neck.

Was Native of Bovina

Rev Joseph P. Dysart, a native of Bovina, passed away recently at his home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, having lived more than four score years.

Dr. Dysart was a son of the late Peter Dysart and was born on the farm now owned by William T. Russell in Bovina.  In his early ministry he was pastor of churches at Troy and Albany and thirty-two years ago located in Wisconsin and found the Children’s Home society of that state, which has cared for more than 4,000 children by adopting them into good families.  He was also at one time president of the National Children’s Home Body. He was proud of his works.

Lake Delaware Infant Dies

The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Loton Doolittle, who live in a house on the estate of Robert L. Gerry in southern Bovina, died February 19, aged 28 days. Rev. Edgelow conducted the funeral service and the body was placed in the vault at Delhi. 

February 29, 1924

• Mrs. E. Thomson, of Walton, is at Andrew T. Doig’s.

• The town  board has purchased a new Ames road grader.

• Charles Hafele had one of his team or horses die the past week.

• Town Clerk David G. Currie has been re-appointed notary public.

• Andrew T. Doig continues critically ill at his home in Bovina Center.

• From a bake sale the Whitcomb circle of the United Presbyterian church realized $10.

• Eli Felton, who lives uptown has sold his entire dairy of cows to Will Ceas, the Bloomville cattle dealer.

• Miss Alice Joslin, of Cabin Hill, spent from Friday until Monday with her sister, Mrs. Alex Thomson in upper Bovina.

• Mrs. Kate Muller was taken with an attack of appendicitis the first of the week but it is now hoped that an operation can be avoided.

• The Junior class of Delaware Academy enjoyed a sleigh ride an spent the evening with their class mate, Miss Helen Gladstone.

• Mrs. Alex Hilson is preparing to build a new house the coming summer on the site of the present residence opposite Hilson Bros store.

• Ruth, the 8-year-old daughter of Mrs. Hull, housekeeper for Floyd W. Hyatt, was taken ill on Monday with what proved to be appendicitis and she was taken to Delhi on Tuesday and operated upon.