This Day in Bovina for October

138 years ago today, on October 1, 1880, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, "the Russell boys upset their threshing machine over the bridgeway to Robert Forrest's barn, but fortunately the machine was not much injured."

This chauffer license photo of Fletcher Davidson was taken in August 1942 by Bob Wyer. Fletcher was a lifelong Bovina resident. Born in 1895, he was the son of Douglas Davidson and Margaret Jane Hoy. Fletcher served in the U.S. Marines during World War I, serving in France. He married Lois Ormiston in 1922. They had three sons and a daughter who lived to adulthood. Fletcher was the Bovina town historian and the Delaware County Historian for many years and was also a primer mover in the Delaware County Historical Association. The Library/Archives were named in his honor. Widowed in 1976, he spent his last few years living with his son in California. Fletcher died in San Diego in August 1987, at the age of 92. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.



122 years ago today, on October 3, 1896, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "The Bovina ball players were at Delhi Saturday and played the Delhi team. And in five innings the score stood eight to nine in favor of Bovina."

Seventy-eight years ago today, the October 4, 1940 Catskill Mountain News had the following ad: "WANTED-Man on farm by month. Wages $40 per month. Cedric Kittle, Bovina Center." Here’s an undated image of Cedric from the Burns family photos. Cedric was the father of Millie Reinertsen and Gert Hall.



Ninety-nine years ago today, Sunday, October 5, 1919, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "There was no preaching in any of the churches in Bovina Center last Sabbath – a thing that has happened but once before as far back as runneth the memory of man.

164 years ago today, on October 6, 1854, Isabella Dickson Cathells passed away at the age of 77. She was married to James Cathells, Sr., who survived Isabella by 10 years, dying in 1864. Both are buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

134 years ago today, on October 7, 1884, the Stamford Mirror Bovina column reported several births: "Orrin Carman smiles - it's a boy. T.K. Hobbie laughs - it's a girl. James Andrew Russell shouts for joy - it's a boy." The sex of these children appears to have confused by the correspondent. In each case he/she got it wrong. Orrin Carman's child born at this time was a girl, Nellie, born on September 11, 1884. Russell's child also was a daughter, Orlena Mae, born September 6, 1884. She would later marry Rev. William Robb. The closest match for the Hobbie child is Rema M. Hobbie, who was born July 16, 1884. He was the son of J.K. Hobbie. Rema was married to Bessie McDonald and the father of Glenn Hobbie (1913-1970).

119 years ago today, on October 8, 1899, David Laidlaw, of Auburn, Washington, drowned in the White Horse rapids in the Yukon River, Alaska. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, Laidlaw had left Bovina about ten years earlier and was "on his way to Dawson City.." with a group. "They attempted to shoot the rapids without a pilot and their scow was wrecked on a boulder." David is buried in Bovina.

102 years ago today, on October 9, 1916, a complaint was submitted by the town health officer concerning a nuisance at the lower end of the Bovina Center hamlet.



Seventy-eight years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 10, 1940 Delaware Republican reported that "Mr. and Mrs. John Blair returned Sunday from a week's visit with their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Thompson in Manhassett, L.I."

123 years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 11, 1895 Andes Recorder reported on some Bovina people being in New York City. They noted that "Andrew T. Doig and wife" were spending the week in the city. The column also noted that Louise Dennis was in the city the same week "purchasing millinary (sic) supplies."

168 years ago today, on October 12, 1850, Margaret Hamilton Coulter passed away. The daughter of Thomas Hamilton (1774-1853) and Elizabeth Arneil (1776-1836), she married David Coulter and had four children. After her death, David remarried to Fannie Taylor and had three children with her. David died in 1877.

125 years ago, the October 13, 1893 issue of the Andes Recorder reported that "T.E. Hastings has sold his store and goods to Andrew Doig, one of Bovina’s young men. The inventory was taken last week. Mr. H. reserves the right to sell feed." This is the store that later became Russell’s Store.

This photograph of Hugh McPherson was taken in May 1943 by Bob Wyer. Hugh was born in Bovina in 1912, the son of Howard and Eva Burns McPherson. For many years he was the road commissioner in Bovina and later worked for the New York State Department of Transportation. Hugh died in 1998 at the age of 86. Photo courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.



Sixty-four years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 15, 1954 issue of the Catskill Mountain News reported that "Charles LaFever has received his diploma for completing a radio repair course. He has opened a radio repair shop in his home."



Sixty-five years ago today, October 16, 1953, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News by the paper's Bovina correspondent, "Several Farm Bureau committeemen and their wives from the Bovina area attended the chicken barbecue and membership drive meeting at the Grange hall in South Kortright Friday."

Sixty-five years ago today, on October 17, 1953, Lauren Monroe married Lois Hogg from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Happy 65th Wedding Anniversary Lauren and Lois!

Howard McPherson, the father of Hugh McPherson (profiled October 14), was born in Bovina in 1881, the son of A. Fitch McPherson and Julia Ann Fuller. He married Eva Jennette Burns in 1910. Hugh was their only child. Howard died in October 1952 This photo was taken by Bob Wyer in September 1943. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.



Seventy-nine years ago today, the 'Bovina Centre' column of the October 19, 1939 Delaware Republican reported on the return of a couple of travelers. It noted that Alex and Lil Hilson had returned from "their honeymoon at Washington, D.C., and other places of interest." Alex's sister Jane D. Hilson and her friend Margaret Hotchkin (sister of Jane's future sister-in-law Barbara Hilson) "have returned after spending last week at New York City and the World's Fair."

106 years ago today, on October 20, 1912, Harold Lounsbury was born. In 1938, he was married to Mary Burns. They ran for a number of years Burn-Lou Century Farm as a resort on Crescent Valley Road. Harold and Mary had five foster children: Dorothy and Joe Bolduc, George and Clare Easly and Karl Waterman. Mary died in 1971. In 1973, he married Anna Boggs Hobbie. Harold died in June 1982 at the age of 69.





112 years ago today, October 21, 1906, Berry Shaw Miller died. Born in 1837, he was the son of William Miller and Isabella Dickson. He served in the 144th NY Volunteers in the Civil War and suffered after-effects of his service throughout his life. He married Kate Oliver and was widowed in 1892. Berry was active in the Civil War veterans' group, the Grand Army of the Republic, attending numerous reunions.



Sixty-four years ago today, on October 22, 1954, the Bovina Fish and Game Club held a dance at the community hall. Here's the ad that appeared in the Catskill Mountain News.



Eighty-nine years ago today, the Bovina Center column of the October 23, 1929 Delaware Republican reported that "The Bovina Creamery Co are making cheese for the present while doing some repair work to the dry milk plant."

107 years ago today, on October 24, 1911, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder, "Thos. C. Strangeway was at Andes on Tuesday and purchased two cows of Will Doig."

123 years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 25, 1895 Andes Recorder noted that "Quite a number of our farmers have sold their butter for 18 and 20 cents a pound. Not a very high price, but better than many received last year."

134 years ago today, the October 26, 1884 issue of the Andes Recorder reported in its Bovina column that "R.A. Thompson has had his house painted in colors. Alex. Myers and William Sloan were the artists."

This photograph of Millard 'Stub' Russell was taken by Bob Wyer in August 1949. Stub was born in 1924, the son of Millard F. and Isabella Hyzer Russell. He married Clare Rabeler in 1946 and had three children. He operated Mountain View Farm, the family farm on Russell Hill Road in Bovina for many years, raising registered Holsteins. Stub was widowed in 1994 and passed away in 2015. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.



120 years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 28, 1898 Andes Recorder reported that "The village school is prospering finely under the directorship of James Gow, assisted by Miss Nellie Butts. Some of the boys say that if a boy feels like having some fun in school and jumps over the seat, he very soon learns that he is not the boss."

101 years ago today, on October 29, 1917, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, “The rain on Monday night caused the Pink Street brook to rise so much that the foot bridge on Main street was swept down against the arch bridge and about totally wrecked. Harry Robinson’s family were taken out of their house at 4 o’clock in the morning in a lumber wagon. Wood was carried away and several hens were washed out of Gideon Miller’s hen house.” This postcard view of the stone bridge shows the metal arch railing of the pedestrian bridge on the left. The building beyond is Strangeway's Store, which later became Clayt Thomas's and later still Wayne Gallant's garage and is now owned by Tom Hetterich.



133 years ago today, on October 30, 1885, John A. Miller died at the age of 80 of a stroke, caused by a urinary disease. He was the son of James Miller and Isabella Armstrong. John was born in Scotland, coming to the United States with his parents around 1818. He married Elizabeth Telford. They had three children. John was widowed in 1851.

107 years ago today, on October 31, 1911, as later reported in the Andes Recorder "The Hallowe'en pranks were not as numerous as usual. Will Thomson's livery sign appeared at Wm. Crosiers' and one of his wagons found its way to the platform at Wat Coulter's mill."

School Fair at Bovina Center

At the auction at the old McPherson farm in August, I was able to get for the Bovina Historical Society this cup, thanks to the financial support of Larry and Lori Karam. 

The cup was a gift from J.L. Smith, the jeweler in Delhi, to be used at the annual school fairs held in the town of Bovina. The cup was donated in 1925 and used for over a decade. The Stamford Mirror-Recorder in its September 30, 1925 issue reported on the school fair and the cup. 

The fairs were a competition among the one room schools operating in Bovina. They involved both school students and 4-H club members. The cup is covered with inscriptions. By 1934, it had almost run out of room. The last three award years - 1934, 35 and 36, the award information was inscribed on the handles and just noted the teacher's name and school district number. In this case, Marion McPherson, who was a primer mover in the 4-H for many years. 

The fairs continued after the cup ran out of room, however. In 1937, it was reported in the Binghamton Press that 125 students and 4-H club members attended the fair in Bovina. 

Here's the complete text of the information on the cup:

Presented by

Smith’s Jewelry Store

For the

[4-H emblem]

Bovina Township Fair

Won By

Upper Grades

District No 4

G. Banker – Teacher

Primary Grades – 1926

District No 4

Edith Van Duesen

Teacher

Back

1927 Dist. 3

Beatrice Hoy Teacher

Upper Grades

Dist. No. 4

Grace Bromley Teacher

Marjorie Ormiston

Dist. No. 4

Primary Grade

Dist. No. 4

Grace Coulter Teacher

1930

Upper Grades – Dist. 4

Beatrice Darlin

1932-33

Handles

Dist. 3 Marion McPherson 1936

Dist. 3 1934 Marion McPherson 1935

Thank you very much to Larry and Lori for their generosity. I'm happy this cup will stay in Bovina and be on display for everyone to see. 

Here are a few other photographs of the cup.

Grandma's First Husband - "Deeply Regret to Inform You"

On October 23, 1918, my grandmother received the last letter she would ever receive from her husband James D. Calhoun. Written from France in September, she did not know that by the time she received the letter that James was already dead.

James died 100 years ago today on October 13, 1918 near a town called Montfacon, France (though the first notice of his death said he died on the 14th). Anna was notified by telegram on November 16, two days after her first wedding anniversary and five days after the Armistice.

Madeline Farmhouse, Montfaucon, France. James was killed near this house with many other American soldiers. The house is shown here just after the war.  Image courtesy of  Louise Smith from her blog about her Uncle, who died the day after James in the same area. The house was badly shelled in the battle. Louise's blog entry about Madeline Farm is at http://halfwaybrook.com/?p=4264. 

Over the next few months, Anna Bell contacted a number of people to find out more about the circumstances James' death. A letter from Lieutenant Charles Allen written January 14, 1919 from Anderauch, Germany, provided her more detail about how James died:

“Perhaps I can give you what information you want.  On Sept 29 we relieved the 79^th Division near Montfaucon.  We were at all times subjected to a heavy fire but your husband came thru O.K. until Oct 14^th.  At all times during the actions he showed wonderful courage and was highly respected and loved by all of the men in the company including Lieut Spencer and myself.  I was slightly wounded on Oct 12 and left for the hospital but the particulars I received were that on the night of Oct 14^th James and Lieut Williams were sleeping together and a shell landed near.  A large piece struck James killing him instantly.  Lieut. Williams suffered the same fate.  James was buried just east of Montfaucon near the town of Romange and Cierges.”

Another version of the story was contained in a letter from Emma Y. Dickson, also from Anderuach, Germany, dated January 20, 1919.  She worked in the YMCA of the 7^th Infantry and she noted that “I feel as if they were all my children, so when the list comes in of the brave boys who have ‘gone west’ I too feel it very deeply.”  She received permission from James’s captain to write with more details:

“It happened on October 13 near the town of Cunel.  The first battalion was about to attack but there were some German machine guns concealed in the underbrush at the right and it was necessary to clear them out before the advance could be made - so Sergeant Calhoun volunteered to accompany Lieutenant Williams and arrived with hand grenades they bravely started to clear the way for their comrades, and it was while doing this courageous thing that the same shell brought them both instant death.”

About 9 months later, Anna received a letter from the mother of George Votee, who served with James in service.  She reported that her son was back home and had responded to Anna’s letter to him last winter.  “The letter must have been lost.”  She went on to report that James was killed during the Battle of the Argonne.  Her son was in the same battle but not together with James.  He was not with him when he was killed but heard about it the next day.  James was hit with a shell fragment - “he was cut clean through.” 

I sometimes wondered if telling Anna that James was killed instantly was a way to save her from thinking he suffered, but about two years after my grandmother's passing, I ordered the graves registration records for James. When his body was exhumed for shipping to the US his head was missing, so in this instance, James did die quickly.

The aftermath and impact of James' death on his family and friends will be presented next month. 

October 2018 - 100 Years Ago "in That Thriving Town"

October 4, 1918

·         James A. Gow is now on duty at the Center creamery.

·         At the Red Cross social at the home of Charles F. McPherson, last Friday evening, $48 was realized.

·         The Dry Milk company are shipping five more car loads of powdered milk to help feed the boys “over there.”

·         Someone stole several hives of bees  - all he had except a skep he had in the attic – from Lancelot Thomson one night recently.

October 11, 1918

·         Tracy Sherman has gone to Erie, Pennsylvania, to spend the winter with his brother.

·         The three members of the County Equalization Committee were on their rounds in town on Tuesday.

·         Mr. and Mrs. John B. Lee have been notified that their son, Clarence Lee, who is in France, has been missing since an engagement September 6.

·         Charles A. McPherson has bargained for the sale of his large farm on Bramley Mountain to Mr. Muller who came to this country from Switzerland some 18 months ago.

October 18, 1918

·         Mr. and Mrs. Herman Johnson will move to Bayone, N.J.

·         Mrs. Ella Telford is occupying her rooms in the village again.

·         Mrs. Mary J. Gill, of Andes, will be here October 23, with a full line of hats.

·         A liberty loan rally is to be held in the town hall, Bovina Center, Thursday evening.  The town is not yet over the top.

·         Mr. and Mrs. James A. Gow have moved from Halcott Center to their house here.  Mr. Gow is the tester at the Center creamery.

·         An inspector has been here and gave orders that all men employed in the creamery and Dry milk must be given one day off in every seven.

·         Ely Wight is the new herdsman at the Gerry farms at Lake Delaware.  He is moving into rooms in Alonzo Tuttle’s house on the site of the old Flower’s hotel.

·         Several mild cases of influenza are reported in town principally among the students of the Delhi school, which by order of the board of health is not in session this week.

Bovina’s Doctor Called

            Dr. Norris B. Whitcomb has been called into the war service.  He was in New York this week to buy his outfit.  Mrs. Whitcomb is packing up to go to Walton to live while he is in the service.  This leaves the town without a doctor.

Secures a Good Job

            William S. Boggs, manager of the McLean estate at South Kortright, has engaged Robert A. Thomson, of Bovina, to work in the barn.  Mr. Thomson will move to South Kortright after election and will occupy Al. Boggs’ new house in that village.  When Wm. H. Maynard was elected County Clerk he engaged Mr. Thomson as manager of his large farm in upper Bovina and he has been with him ever since.

October 25, 1918

·         The total [voter] registration in Bovina is 451.

·         Dr. Whitcomb is now recovering from his illness, but Mrs. Whitcomb is still quite ill.

·         The schools in town have been closed by the Board of Health until further notice, but no serious cases of influenza are reported.

·         The body of George S. Burdick was brought here for burial Tuesday from Treadwell.  He was a blacksmith and formerly resided here.

·         There was no preaching in any of the churches on last Sabbath, and if the influenza cases increase there will be none next Sabbath.

·         Clarence Lee of the U.S. army in France, who was reported missing in action, has written home stating that he was in a hospital there, but was improving.

·         The Liberty Loan rally on Thursday evening was a great success, thanks to Delhi men and the Andes Band.  We went about $13,000 over our quota of $20,000.

George S. Burdick “died Sunday afternoon at the home of Mrs. H.J. Elderkin in North Franklin, to which place he went last Tuesday evening, suffering with influenza, contracted while on a hunting trip.”  He worked for Gideon Miller in Bovina for several years. Burial was made in Bovina.

This Day in Bovina for September

One hundred years ago today, on September 1, 1918, as later reported in the Delaware Republican Bovina column, "a number of patriotic citizens of this place observed the first gasless Sunday by driving their horses to church instead of their automobiles." The paper also noted that "few pleasure cars passed through" town and that "most car owners tried to be patriotic and avoided the unnecessary pleasure trip on that day." The first World War still was raging and though there was no official gas rationing, efforts like this were ways people could "do their part."

Deliah Sprague Bailey, wife of Jacob Bailey, died 138 years ago today on September 2, 1870 at the age of 60. She was the mother of six children. Her husband survived her by less than two months, dying October 28, 1870.

Arnold Schneider was born in Bovina on Christmas Day 1909, the first child of Emil and Margaretha (Butler) Schneider. He grew up on the family farm on Coulter Brook Road and was joined by brothers Edward and Carl and his little sister, Lillian (who would later marry Alex Hilson). Arnold was a veteran of World War II, serving from 1942 to 1945. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal. This image by Bob Wyer was taken only days after his official discharge in June 1945. Arnold married Mary Rose and settled in Endicott. He died suddenly in 1961 in Elmira as the result of a heart attack. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.




Darius Adee, the son of Samuel Adee and Sarah Bloomer, died 173 years ago today, September 4, 1845. Born in Connecticut in 1793, he was married to Harriett Jewell. They would have 11 children. His youngest child, Mary, was just shy of the age of one at his death, the eldest, Samuel, was 25. His widow survived him for 36 years, dying in 1881 at the age of 84.

Seventy-four years ago today, on September 5, 1944, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican-Express, "the trembling of the earth was felt early Tuesday morning by many people."

138 years ago today, on September 6, 1880, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, J.B. Hastings, T.H. Lee, James Black and W.P. Miller left home to attend Hamilton College…." James Blair Hastings (1860-1920) was the son of Thomas E. Hastings and Jane S. Blair. He eventually settled in Cape May, NJ, where he was the mayor. T.H. Lee likely was the son of Rev. James B. Lee and James Black probably was the son of Rev. John Black. I have yet to determine who W.P. Miller is.

Seventy-nine years ago today, on September 7, 1939, the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican reported that "Mrs. W.J. Storie and daughter, Rae, Mr. Craig Banuat and Miss Mary Banuat, returned last Wednesday from their trip to California. They were away nearly six weeks."

133 years ago, on September 8, 1885, the Stamford Mirror reported that "James Coulter has a squad of men at work rebuilding the mill dam that was carried away by the high-water last spring. Pretty late for the young boys to try their bathing suits."

107 years ago today, the September 9, 1911 Andes Recorder reported in its Bovina column that "The rains of the past week have filled the springs much to the relief of those who have had to draw water for domestic use."

Ferris Todd was born in Delhi in March 1921. He started farming at an early age. In 1945, he was married to Wilhelmina Sellhorn. Together, they purchased a farm in Bovina. For some time, they combined dairy farming with a summer resort. After their barn burned down in 1972, they moved to Perry, NY and farmed there until retirement. They spent their last years in Delhi. This Bob Wyer photo of Ferris was taken a few months before his marriage to Wilhelmina in May 1945. Wilhelmina died in 2001. Ferris died at the age of 85 in 2007. They are both buried in the Bovina cemetery. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.


134 years ago today, on September 11, 1884, the Stamford Mirror reported that "Quite a number of our citizens went to the Delhi fair today…" The paper also noted that "those who remained at home were favored with a fine view of the balloon as it passed over the town, north of Brushland about 4 p.m."

Ninety-nine years ago today, the September 12, 1919 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that "the weeds and brush is being cut in the old cemetery above the Center." This probably is referring to the old Associate Presbyterian Church at Reinertsen Hill Road.

117 years ago today, the September 13, 1901 Andes Recorder reported on the attempt to make the new 'uptown' creamery in Bovina one that would operate only six days a week: "'Six days shalt thou labor and do all they work' to be exemplified by the new co-operative creamery company of Bovina (the upper one) a majority of the stockholders having signed an agreement to make the plant a six day creamery. Bovina is noted for its strong Sabbath observance sentiment and practice, but such a rule as has been adopted at the 'Butt-end' creamery is the first on record so far as our knowledge goes and is to be commended. Of course some will sneer and wag their heads but these people believe that they can care for the Saturday night’s and Sunday morning’s milk to their own advantage at their homes on Monday, and they are going to risk it anyway may success attend them." Ultimately, they were unable to do this and operated seven days a week.

Ninety years ago today, on September 14, 1928, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "The gross receipts of the hot dog roast … under auspices of the V.I.S. were $35."

Fifty-two years ago today, September 15, 1966, the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Arthur Russell attended the State Exposition at Syracuse and spent some time in the Adirondacks during his vacation." This photo of Art was taken by Bob Wyer in May 1951. Photo courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.



This photograph of Rev. Stanley McMaster was taken in September 1951 by Bob Wyer. He was the pastor of the Bovina United Presbyterian Church when this picture was taken. Born in 1922 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, McMaster served in the British Army in World War II. In 1948, he emigrated to the United States. For over three years, he was the pastor in Bovina. He left the Bovina church in 1953 to become a US Army chaplain. Stanley served as a chaplain for thirty years, serving at army bases in the U.S. and overseas. Stanley died in 2012 at the age of 90 in California. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.


105 years ago today, on September 17, 1913, Helen Dennis died at her home in Bovina Center. The Andes Recorder reported that "death was due to chronic myocarditis…" She had lived in Bovina all her life, the daughter of Thomas Dennis.

Ninety-two years ago today, September 18, 1926, as later reported in the Arena column of the Stamford Mirror, "The young ladies of Arena crossed bats with the young ladies of Bovina….. Unfortunately, Arena was defeated."

122 years ago today, on September 19, 1896, Lois Jane and Lloyd Boggs Ormiston were born, twins of Thomas J. Ormiston and Margaret E. Boggs. Lois married Fletcher Davidson in 1921 and would have seven children, of whom four made it to adulthood - Jane (1922-1955), Ed (born 1923), Alan (1925-2004), and Richard (born 1930). Lois died in 1976 at the age of 79. Lloyd never married and predeceased his sister, dying in Walton in 1971. Lois and Lloyd are both buried in Bovina.

Paul Furhmann arrived in Bovina ninety-seven years ago today, September 20, 1921. He had recently purchased the farm of W.G. McDivitt on Coulter Brook Road. The house was on a side road off Coulter Brook not far from Seedorf Road. The house was destroyed in a fire in the 1960s.

100 years ago today, the September 21, 1918 issue of the New Berlin Gazette reported that "The Bovina Dry Milk Company is loading several cars of milk to be consigned to the British government. This company has leased the Bovina Center Co-operative creamery for a year."

Fifty-two years ago today, the Bovina column of the September 22, 1966 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Many of our young people have left or will be leaving in a few days for college. Lee Archibald is at Rocky Mountain College; Miss Jean Damgaard at Susquehanna University; Miss Joan Damgaard, Keuka College; Miss Louise Wilkens, Russell Sage College; Walter Wilkens, old Dominion College; Miss Judy Chase, State University College at Potsdam; Byron Trimbell, G.E. Technical Training School; Lynell (sic) Trimbell, Alfred Technical Institute; Howard B. LaFever, Clarkson College; John LaFever, New York State Agricultural and Technical Institute at Canton; Thomas Hoy, Cornell University; Jack Robson, Auburn Community College; Miss Clair Easley, Ulster County Community College; Miss Dorothy Bolduc, Central City Business Institute; Miss Christine Hilson, Culver-Stockton College; Miss Norma Reinertsen, State University College at Oneonta; Robert McIntosh, Albany Business College; Edward Hall, Orange County Community College."

155 years ago today, on September 23, 1863, Esther Lull was paid as a teacher in Bovina District Number 11 (Coulter Brook). Here's the receipt for the payment. Esther was born in 1847, the daughter of William Lull and Martha M. Bell. She never married but was a teacher for some time, living with various siblings. In 1880 she was living in New Jersey with her brother Andrew. In the 1905 census she back in Bovina, living with her sister Mary Bramley but by 1910 was back in New Jersey, residing with her nephew Herbert Hoffman. In 1920 she was living with her sister Martha Hoffman in Camden, NJ.



102 years ago today, on September 24, 1916, Mrs. John Elliott died. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, she had been in New York city the previous month for a cancer operation "but with no beneficial results." She was brought back to Bovina the evening before she died. She was born Ella Squires in New Kingston and was 55 years old. She was survived by four children - William (1883-1956), James (1888-1969), Hale (1890-1980), and Emily (1887-1966).

107 years ago day, on September 25, 1911, Miss Henrietta McPherson died at the home of Elmer Harrington near Dunraven. A native of Bovina, the Andes Recorder noted that "last spring she was injured by a fall and never fully recovered." The daughter of Alexander and Eliza McPherson, she was 87 (though the Recorder reported her age as 90). Her funeral was held in the Bovina Methodist Church, with burial in the Bovina Cemetery.

135 years ago today, on September 26, 1883, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, "A valuable horse, belonging to John Hilson, was found dead in the stable…."

G.D. Miller was showing off a good-sized cluster of black raspberries of unusual size ninety-nine years ago today, on September 27, 1919.

The girls got the upper hand over the boys in a ball game played in Bovina 123 years ago today on September 28, 1895. The girls won by a score of 32 to 27.

Tom and Helen Wallis lived on the Gerry estate, where Tom was the estate manager for a number of years. Mr. Wallis was born in 1901 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Mrs. Wallis was born Helen Corcoran in Brooklyn in 1903. They had a son, Tom Jr in 1924. Tom's photo was taken by Bob Wyer in November 1942. Helen's picture was taken in December 1943. Tom died in 1980, his wife the following year. Images courtesy of Delaware County Historical Association.





Civil War Veteran John R. Hoy died 117 years ago today, on September 30, 1901. The son of James Hoy and Elizabeth Robertson Hoy, he married Isabella Wilson Miller in 1854. They had eight children, including David Fletcher Hoy (1863-1930), who was the registrar at Cornell University and created the Bovina Families genealogy files that I still use today in researching families in Bovina. Two of John's daughters, Mary Isabella and, after her death, Margaret Jane would marry Douglass Davidson. Margaret was the mother of Fletcher Davidson.

Grandma's First Husband - "I shall endeavor to write more at the first opportunity."

The letters that James Calhoun wrote to his wife, Anna Bell Barnhart from France in September 1918 would be the last he ever wrote. The month started out with a modest announcement in a PS at the top his September 1 letter concerning a change in rank.  He was promoted from Corporal to Sergeant.  The letter was received on September 21. 

(PS - You note a slight change in my rank).  JDC

Somewhere in France

Sept 1- 1918

My dear Anna;

I must drop you a little note this morning regardless of the amount of work demanding my attention for I know my good wife is or will be anxiously awaiting word from me about the time that this note will reach her.  I get over anxious at time about my work and then must get down hard on myself and stop and pen my loved ones at home at note because I know how anxious you are through these long days of waiting.  I am so grateful this Sabbath morning that my life is still spared and that I am well and full of vim.  This is a most wonderful world after all isn’t it.  Things are extremely hard at times but dear Anna just think of the joy that will be ours if I can come safely home again and I trust I will by God’s constant care and guidance. 

 This is rather a dark gloomy morning but not stormy but we have been having some wonderful weather.  Just such weather as we have in the States during September. 

I bought me a fountain pen from one of the boys just newly here who needed the money.  It is nearly if not just as good as the one I lost [next word crossed out] just after we came; you remember the pen I used when on cow test work; that was the one I lost I also have bought a leather cover folding note book with a place for a picture in the fly leaf.  The picture of you and I was just right size to fit the frame so you can imagine where said picture is carried.

I have appreciated those pictures all so much and wish you might send any extra pictures you may have and care to dispose of.  They help to keep me in touch with home.  The picture of Wilford was excellent.  The last picture I received was the one of the wedding party on the lawn. 

I have had no letters from you for about 10 days so I trust that I shall soon get another installment of messages.

I am letting my hair grow long on top now and do not think I shall get it cut short again this autumn.  I looked a worse fright than usual with my head shaved so you can imagine how the Dutch ran when they caught sight of me.  It was hard to be so frightful in appearance but then what was the difference when such does benefit the good old U.S.A. as in case stated.  I think had I kept going I could have walked right into Berlin.

Please write often and pray for your poor miserable excuse for a husband.  May God bles and keep you.  Your most loving husband, James

PS - Am enclosing a little souvenir

The souvenir probably was a handkerchief, as noted in Anna’s log of letters received.

James wrote again 2 days letter, though the letter was received the day before the September 1 letter.  This letter is typewritten.

Somewhere in France

Sept. 3, 1918

My dear Anna;

The noon hour has just closed and I shall soon commence work for the P.M. but not until I send a line of love to a certain little girl, who is anxiously awaiting to hear from me.  I am at present anxiously awaiting to receive a letter from that same lady.  Autumn is at hand and I am not in a position to come to you as I hoped that I might be or at least be planning to come.  I am not disheartened in the least just the same, because where there is love hope cannot die.

I owe many letters to friends and relatives at home and I seem to be unable to secure the time to get them answered.  I should write to James Boggs, Bryson George, Will Storie and a number of others besides my relatives who have so kindly written.  I think that Aunt Margaret must be very lonely and I know that she feels that I should write to her more often than I have.  If you are able to get to Andes at anytime just drop in and pay her a visit.  She will be more than pleased I feel certain.

I know that articles have increased greatly in price in the states since my departure and think that they will be still higher if this trouble continues.  Everything we buy here is very high in price.  In fact these French people think the American soldier is made of money and so they charge double price for their goods.  The French people can buy much cheaper than the American pays for the same article. 

I had a letter from Archie, Florence and Peter a short time past.  They feel that I am very tardy in writing to them as indeed I have been.  I was very glad to get a letter from them and to know that they were well.  Perhaps you will be able to get to see them this autumn and that will have to be visit for both of us.

George Votee is with me in this work just now.  He is the only one the fellows from near home that I see real often.  We have been rooming together for a short time past.  It does seem very good to have someone with me that knows some of the people and places at home. [George Votee was from South Kortright and sailed to France with James. He would survive the war and stay in France on occupation duty until June 1919.]

I have had another installment of lice since I last wrote you and had to take vigorous methods to rid myself of the living little fellows.  I should like to send you a few in a letter if only I could find an envelope strong enough to keep them prisoner during the long trip across the ocean.  I am certain they would live through the journey all O.K. if I could keep them from walking away with the letter.

My helper has just come in so I will close this and get to work.  Surely you will get some of my letter and if you get this one you may know that I am safe and provided the cooties or lice do not overwhelm me.  Give my best re- to all of our people and write real often.

May God’s blessing be with you all,

Your most loving husband, James

James wrote again two days later on September 5, received by Anna on September 28.

Somewhere in France

Sept 5, 1918

My dear Anna;

It is time for me to pen you a few lines as to my welfare.  I am glad to say that at this date that I am quite well and O.K.  I am tired tonight and am hoping I can get a real nights sleep and then I expect I shall be able to perform another days duty.  I have a real bed ready for to occupy tonight.  I have not received mail yet but surely shall soon.

There has been a little thunder storm this evening but do not think it will amount to much.  There has been but little thunder and lightning here this summer. Perhaps there is not so much thunder and lightning here any year as in the U.S. but for all that I prefer the U.S. don’t you.  Be it ever so humble there’s no place like home.

I am letting my hair grow on top now and will soon become as I used too to appear.  It is now about 3/4 of an inch in length on top of my head and thicker than hasty pudding.  I am still chasing lice but think I have them nearly all chased out now.  They surely do make a person feel uncomfortable but we must endure them when we can not get rid of them and keep rid of them.  I never had to endure them in civil life and will not if I am permitted to return to civil life again.

It is getting dark so I will close.  May God bless and keep you.  With fond regards to all.  Your most loving husband, James.

James wrote again on September 8.  The letter was received the same day as that of September 5. It is another of the typed letters James sent.

Company “D” 7^th Infantry

American E.F.

8^th Sept., 1918.

My dear Anna;

I like to get short letters and I love to get real long letters especially from you and I know that you shall be glad to get even a short letter from me.  I shall proceed to send you a few lines of ragged type.

Yesterday’s mail brought me your three excellent letters of July 28, Aug. 4 and Aug. 6, 1918.  I must say that I spent a good time last evening by the candle light reading them.  I also enjoyed the clippings very much.  I must say that if it was not for you I should hear very little from home but the others all know that you are faithful in writing to me and of course they do not write as often as otherwise.  It is hard work to write letters except to those we love very dearly.  It has been exceptionally hard for me to keep up with my correspondence at all and I must confess that I have not written to many of those that have remembered me with a letter, and I have not written home a soften as I should have because I know that they hear from me even if I do not write.

This is a beautiful Sabbath morning and the sun is shining brightly.  It is just such a morning as I should love to be getting ready to go to church with you.  Wouldn’t that be fine.  It is nice that you can have even a substitute as partner at church and I think it just fine of Ruth to be so considerate of you.  I think she realizes how you are feeling these days.  You must have had many very warm days in the states: here it has not been so warm as to be oppressive much of the time.  It is well that it has not been as it would have been terrible at times.  The hail must have been very heavy: Archie and Florence wrote me that they gathered enough to make ice cream twice and that the small hollows in the earth had filled in in places. 

A nice little bundle of correspondence came in to me as I was writing the above paragraph and I have just finished answering letters and other work called for.  You will think your poor excuse of a husband is engaged in fine work for the God Given day of rest.  Please do not hold this against me.  Remember that I am in the army now.  I wonder what Mother C. would think if she knew.  She never wanted me to write even a friendly letter and I never dated my letters written to her on Sabbath when I was away from home.  I guess I was tough and mean to play such tricks on my mother but I did not do that very much.  It is now 2: P.M. according to my new watch.

I must tell you about my watch.  I bought it of one of the boys who was broke of funds as we say in the army.  I paid forty francs or about $7.50 American money but it would have cost me much more had I bought direct from a French store.  It is a very neat 0 size wrist affair with a face shield and a gray wrist strap.  I hated to spend the money but I needed a watch so much in my work that I felt it to be a necessity.  I would have bought one sooner had watches not been so costly in all the French shops where I inquired.  I think this one cost the first purchaser about seventy five francs.  One dollar of American paper money is worth 5.55 francs at this date.

You would like to challenge me one penny for my thoughts would you.  I think that you could guess my thoughts much of the time.  My thoughts are very valuable at such times and I assure you they are worth much more to me than a penny.  I should be glad to let you have them for the asking but they are very sacred to me.  I shall not forget the night you did challenge me and it gave me much courage.  I am ever glad that affairs turned out as they did and I should do exactly the same if I had the choice to make again.  I have wonderful confidence in you and I know that you will never disappoint me and may God grant and help me to ever be true to you.  The day cannot come to soon when I can return to you.  May God grant that I may be permitted to return to you sound in health and strength.  There is so much that I owe you and our people in the way of service.

Everyone has been so good and considerate of us and I think they all have a deep interest in us.  I should be only to glad to repay them and prove to them by good works that we are trying to be worthy of their confidence and faith in us.  You have provide to them by a life of service and good works that you are worthy of their deep trust and respect.  I have that to prove and only hope that it is my privilege to try and do so.  

I enjoyed the bit of news that Ralph and Edith sent in your letter.  I hope they enjoyed the onion.  Those on the parlor door was fine.  Give them a bit of army news for me.  Tell them that I am eating bread, corned beef, army slum, and boiled spuds with an occasional onion these days.  Also beans boiled, baked or roasted.  I had forgotten them.

You surely have a nice lot of berries and do not be to sure that the Barnhart family will have to eat them all.  I am hoping to be there whether I help eat the berries or not.  I know about the little patch across the creek.  Have you made any combination trips for berries and earth this summer?

You have surely gotten on fine with the hay.  It is good that you do not have to cut the lower flat.  You have all worked very hard indeed and it will be a relief that the harvest is over as it must be at this date.  It is hard that you lost the calves because it costs heavily to raise them.

I will write more very soon.

Lovingly yours, James     

James did not write again until September 21.  It is a brief letter, using only one side of the four sides of the writing sheet he used.  Anna received the letter on October 23.  It was the last letter she would receive, though it was not the last one written.

On Active Service with the American Expeditionary Forces

Sept 21, 1918

My dear Anna;

Today, I received four most excellent letters from you, one from mother, one from Cora, one from James B and one from Harold C.  I am so glad to hear so many good news.  I should answer your letters in full and hope to soon but my heart is too full tonight I dare not trust myself.  Perhaps tomorrow I shall be able to write if I can find the time and paper. 

Your most loving husband, James

PS - I am well, J.C.

The last letter James wrote to Anna (or at least the last one she received) was written on September 23, received on October 21. 

Somewhere in France

Sept 23, 1918

My dear Anna;

I was so grateful to receive your 4 fine letters written between July 3 and 19.  They surely did put new life into me.  You have no doubt received several letters from me sent since those you sent those of the above mentioned date; in those letters I have sent you will learn a few of the doings over here and will be enabled to form a vague idea of the situation at the time.

I am glad to know that you had good weather for hay harvest and that you all kept quite well.  You have all worked very hard and know that the exceptionally warm weather has made it very hard for you all.  It was hard for Ralph and Wilford to be so sick.  It seemed strange that they should both be taken so suddenly and at nearly the same time; their sickness must have been caused by something they had eaten. 

As I told you in the note that I sent a few days ago of the second letter from James B.  He surely is a prince and so thoughtful of others.  Indeed, I believe as you do that he is about perfect.  I do not wonder that you sympathize with him.  He said that since his harvest help had gone that he is lonesome.  I must try soon and write him as cheering a letter as possible.  In his letter he told me the results of his dairy for the past year.  His herd averaged nearly $100.00 per head profit per year.  He indeed has my sincere sympathy in his recent bereavment.

We are not enjoying the nice weather of the forepart of the season.  I understand that we may expect considerable rain from now till sometime to come. 

You had better take good care of yourself and not expose yourself too much to the weather.  I know how anxious you are to help and I am glad that you can do for our people but you must also remember that health comes first and that when you are sick others have to suffer for it. 

I am sorry that you read the article in McCall’s.  Do not believe for a single moment that you did me a wrong because you did not.  I did you the wrong and not you me.  I only wanted the privilege to do for you and give all that I can for your welfare and comfort and I am afraid instead that I have only added to your troubles and responsibility.  I cannot but feel that there are better days coming and we shall both be more than glad for the trials of this time.

Do not mind about my missionary money at this time as you have enough at this time without that and we can attend to that later besides I feel that we have an excellent reason for passing it up at this time.  I am glad the money reached you safely and that the allotment for June reached you O.K.  I hope to be able to send you more cash a little later.

Your garden must be fine this year.  At this time of high prices homegrown foodstuffs are very precious indeed.  Cora writes me that she is making preserves and etc but that she has to be saving of sugar because of the scarcity. 

Do not worry about my health as I am well and am rooming with a medical man so you see I am all O.K.

It is fine that the young people enjoy themselves so thoroughly and I know frm experience just how they enjoy themselves when they get together. 

The new draft is calling away many more men and I am glad that Wilford is not old enough to come within the age.  It seems tough to see the boys leave home before they reach the age of manhood.  Cora writes that Herbert will go.  Poor, faithful boy.  I wish I might serve in his place as well as my own.

Outdoor bathing has been plentiful here this year; possibly even more so than over there.  It is a great privilege indeed and one that I would like to enjoy right now.  I have not been cast into disgrace yet because I still have a supply of cooties (body lice) and expect I shall heave a few at all times unless conditions change.  I like the honor of having them but must say they are a pest to have around.

I shall endeavor to write more at the first opportunity. 

Your most loving husband, James

If James wrote any more letters, they were not received by Anna. On November 15, she received the telegram announcing that James had been killed the previous month.