This Day in Bovina for October 2021

Here is the compilation of the daily entries from the Town of Bovina Facebook page for October:

James Archibald Boggs was born 137 years ago today, October 1, 1884, in Bovina, the son of Thomas Boggs and Jane Archibald Boggs.  He would spend his whole life in Bovina and run the family farm.  James was married three times.  He married first Elizabeth Felton in 1913.  They had one son who died at the age of two months.  Elizabeth died in 1918.  The following year, James married Edith Barnhart (my great aunt).  They would have five children, daughters Anna, Mary, Grace and Helen and son Clifford.  Grace died at the end of 1929.  In early 1930, Edith died after giving birth to Clifford (he died in 1933).  James married for the third time in 1947 to Catherine Cameron Kelsey.  He died in 1972 at the age of 87. 

James with his third wife, Catherine. Taken by Bob Wyer, courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

109 years ago today, on October 2, 1912, Helen Miller Blair was married to Marshall W. Thomson in Bovina. They were married for 50 years, until Marshall's death in 1962, less than two weeks after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Helen would live another 35 years, dying in 1997 at the age of 107, two days after 85th anniversary of her wedding. Here's the invitation to the wedding, received by John Hilson and his sister Jane.   

133 years ago today, the October 3, 1888, the Delaware Gazette carried an article entitled Building in Bovina. "Alex. Hoy is preparing to build a new house on one of his lots, and A.F. Maynard a large barn. John Hastings and A.T. Strangeway are each building a new hall, and Wm. D. Thomas has just moved into a new house, which is one of the finest in that part of town." Alex. Hoy's house is now the house I live in. He owned three lots to the west of his house.

The Andes Recorder from 120 years ago today, October 4, 1901, reported that “The [Bovina] uptown creamery is now running full blast and is making 5 ¾ pounds of butter from each can of milk.”

127 years ago today, October 5, 1894, a baseball game was played at Indian Rocks.  Given that it was the Sabbath, it caused some controversy.  The Andes Recorder, when reporting this game in its Bovina column, stated that “how the game succeeded we do not know, but such actions as this should be stopped immediately.”

James, son of Alex Bryden near Lake Delaware, died in Fall Clove 122 years ago today, October 6, 1899, of spinal meningitis.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder: “He had ridden his bicycle over there and was quite warm and this may have had something to do with his illness.  The funeral was held from his home Monday at 11 o’clock, Rev. W.L.C. Samson, officiating, and the interment made here [Bovina cemetery].” He was 21 years old.  

101 years ago, on October 7, 1920, the Bovina Town Supervisor and Highway Superintendent requested that a proposition be placed on the November ballot to appropriate money for a “Steam Road Roller.”  The proposition was placed on the ballot, but the Andes Recorder later reported that on election day "Bovina taxpayers voted down a proposition to appropriate the sum of $4,680 for the purchase of a steam roller for use on the road.  The vote was a tie – 64 to 64." The appropriation was approved the following March at a special town meeting.  

Forty-one years ago today, the October 8, 1980, the Delaware County Times reported in its Bovina column that "Thirty farmer breeders from Holland arrived at the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Inman last Wednesday. The tour was arranged through the Holstein-Friesian Association of Brattleboro, VT. The farmers also visited the Dreamstreet herd at the Bond Farm in Bloomville. They left for the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisc."

118 years ago today, October 9, 1903, the Catskill Mountain News reported in its Bovina column that “Hamilton Russell of Bovina is building a fine two-story house, 22 x 44 feet, with piazza in front, and equipped with all the modern improvements.  John Tweedie is the mason and James Scott of New Kingston is the carpenter.”  This house was on Mountain Brook Road and was later the Charles Rabeler farm.

114 years ago today on October 10, 1907, the first load of freight shipped to Bovina via the new station on the Delaware and Eastern at Andes was brought to town by Milton Hastings.  Previously, items shipped by railroad had to be picked up in Delhi.

126 years ago today, the October 11, 1895, Andes Recorder in the Bovina column had the following item:  “A letter recently came to this point office addressed to, Miss Maggie, Bovina Centre, N.Y.  This shows one of the many thousands of examples of carelessness that floods the Dead Letter Office every year.”

Twenty-eight years ago today, the Bovina column from the Delaware County Times for October 12, 1993, carried this item: "Beth Rossley, club news reporter for the Bovina Happy Hearts 4-H club reports that there will be a meeting for new members from ages 8 to 18 on October 22nd at 7:30 at the Bovina community hall. Mrs. Carol Brannen is the leader."

128 years ago today, on October 13, 1893, James Coulter headed out for the Chicago World’s Fair.  In reporting this its Bovina column, the Andes Recorder noted that “others talk of going.  We say go, you will never regret it.”

110 years ago today, October 14, 1911, “The lady friends of Miss Jennie Miller made her a welcome home party .... All rejoiced that she is now able to see. Miss Miller was also presented with sum of money.” Jennie had traveled to New York the previous month for cataract surgery. This Jennie Miller was the daughter of David Miller and his second wife, Isabella Turnbull. She was the great aunt of Fletcher Davidson. Born in 1841, she died in 1925. This photo was in the collection of Celia Coulter.  

155 years ago today, on October 15, 1866, Thomas Gordon became a citizen of the United States. More information about Gordon can be found at:

https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-people-of-county-who-knew-him-will.html

Eighty years ago today, the October 16, 1941 issue of the Delaware Republican carried this item in its Bovina column: "Miss Stella Sluiter and Mrs. Mary Anne Snell, teachers here, spent the week-end in New York City." Stella Sluiter was married a couple of years later to Frank McPherson. The same Bovina column also reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Alex Hilson arrived home from their western trip the first of the week." Also reported was that "Miss Ida Lay has finished her work at the Lovett's, at Lake Delaware, and has taken a job at Delhi with the Bruce Pitchers."

Ninety-one years ago today, the October 17, 1930, the Brooklyn Times Union carried this intriguing item: "Scranton, Pa, Oct 17 - William H. Taft, aged 75, of Bovina, N.Y., who said he is a first cousin of the late William Howard Taft (ex-president and supreme court justice), and Mrs. Nellie Coe, aged 65, also of Bovina, were married today by an alderman in the courthouse here. Taft's resemblance to the late President was so great the marriage license clerk asked him if he were a relative. 'First cousin,' he said, but made no further comment." A look at the 1930 census indeed finds a William Henry Taft in Bovina, living with a servant, Nellie Coe. He was a widow, born in Vermont. Taft had a farm on Yankee Street. The house burned to the ground in 1932, shortly after Taft had sold the farm. I have not been able to confirm how Bovina’s Taft was related to the President, if he was.

160 years ago today, October 18, 1861, Christina Smith was paid 29.72 for teaching in the Coulter Brook School district between May 1 and September 30, 1861. Here’s the receipt for her payment.  1861-10-18 Teacher payment Smith

John W. Bramley died 122 years ago today, October 19, 1899, of diabetes, age 81 years. Fifteen months earlier, in July 1898, he was found passed out on the side of what is now Route 28, with his wagon and team about a mile or so ahead. Likely it was the diabetes that caused him to pass out. After his death, the Andes Recorder reported that, “He was born and always lived in this town and was one of our most extensive and best farmers.  He leaves a widow and four children – three sons John G, William and Fred and one daughter, Mrs. E.C. Dean.  The funeral will take place on Saturday at 11 o’clock from his late residence.”  He was living in the Bovina Center hamlet at his death, but spent much of his life on his farm on Bramley Mountain, which likely was located in the area of Reagan Road.

Forty-four years ago today, the October 20, 1977, the Delaware Republican Express carried this item in its Bovina column about the Bovina Girl Scout Troop 534. 

Twenty-nine years ago today, the Bovina News from the October 21, 1992 Catskill Mountain News reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Cairns and daughter, Meagan, of Dover, NJ spent Columbus Day weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Len Cairns."

October 22, 1961, sixty years ago today, as later reported in the Delaware Republican Express, “Walter Reinertsen and his cousin Sverre Reinertsen of New York, were week-end guests at Walter’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Reinertsen.”

Forty six years ago today, the October 23, 1975, Stamford Mirror Recorder carried this item about the new Bovina Firehouse. 

111 years ago today, on October 24, 1910, this bill was issued to the Town of Bovina for bridge decking.  This appears to be the decking for a new bridge to the Bovina Center creamery.  The bridge was completed in November 1910.  

114 years ago tonight on October 25, 1907, as very briefly reported later in the Andes Recorder, “A party was held … at Frank Coulter’s.” Frank's place was the original Coulter family farm on Coulter Brook road, just over the bridge that goes over Coulter Brook.

144 years ago today, on October 26, 1877, Andrew T. Archibald was born in Bovina.  He would marry Mabel E. Johnston in 1901 and would have seven children, including an infant who died in 1913.  His surviving children included Mary (1903-1999), George (1905-1978), Elizabeth (1906-1986), Leonard (1909-1990), Marvin (1911-1987), and Herman (1913-1983).  Andrew died in 1963 and is buried in Bovina.

Ninety-five years ago today, on October 27, 1926, this bill was issued from the Standard Oil Company of New York to the Town of Bovina Highway Superintendent W.G. Coulter for "Furnishing and Applying Standard {6100 gallons of} Liquid Asphalt," for a total of $640.50.  

112 years ago today, at 1 pm on October 28, 1909, W.J. Doig, of Bovina Center, had for sale at an auction the following items, as advertised in the Andes Recorder:  “5 cows, 2 horses, surry, rubber tired buggy, 2 buggies, 2-seated buckboard, lumber wagon, truck wagon, mowing machine, 3 set single and 1 of double light harness, heavy work harness, bobs, 2-seat pleasure sleigh, 2 cutters, buffalo and lap robes, blankets, whips, harrow, cultivator, grind stone, chains, crow-bars, sledge hammers, whiffletrees, hay rigging, straw from 95 dozen oats, 10 barrels apples, 3 piece parlor suit, stoves, bedsteads, springs writing desk, 2 bracket lamp, hall rack, hall map, etc.”  The Recorder later reported that the sale could not be completed on the 28th and was continued on election day. Doig was selling these items before heading out west to Crested Butte, Colorado, which he did by mid-November.  He settled in Gunnison, Colorado, where he was a coal miner, a rancher and then a hardware merchant.  He died in California in 1939 and was buried in Colorado.

Seventy-eight years ago today, October 29, 1943, was the start of two days of distribution of "War Ration Book No. 4." These were issued at the Bovina Center school (now the Bovina Library). People coming for their new book were asked in the Delaware Republican Express to "bring War Ration Book 3 properly filled out." The paper went on to note that "Applications for War Ration Book 4 may be secured at the stores or at the Post Office or the schools. Fill out only one application for each family group."

138 years ago today, the October 30, 1883, the Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "On Monday last the family of John Hastings, was much frightened at the appearance, without wagon or driver, of the horse which John had left home with a short time before. Friends at once started out to find John and met him near the village, and learned that his horse had kicked and caught his foot behind the cross-bar of the thills and then tried to run. The wagon was overturned and John thrown out, and the harness broken, so that the horse became loosened from the wagon and soon arrived at home without doing very serious damage."

Ninety-three years ago on October 31, 1928, Mrs. Leon VanDusen held a Hallowe’en party Wednesday for the pupils of the primary room of the village school.

Bovina Ex-Pat: Isaac H. Maynard – Lawyer, Judge and Politician

Isaac Horton Maynard
from Munsell's History of Delaware County, 1880

Isaac Horton Maynard was a grandson of the early Bovina settler Elisha Maynard. Born on April 9, 1838, in Bovina, he was the son of Isaac Maynard and Jane (Falconer) Maynard. He spent his childhood and early adulthood in Bovina, leaving to attend Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. He was valedictorian of the class of 1862. From there, he came back to the area to study law in Delhi when he was admitted to the bar in 1865. 

Maynard didn’t move very far from Bovina. He settled in Stamford where in 1869 he was elected Town Supervisor for the Town of Stamford. He was re-elected in 1870. In his second year, he also served as chairman the Board of Supervisors of Delaware County. He continued his political career at the state level, serving as a member of the New York State Assembly in 1876 and 1877. He was elected County Judge and Surrogate of the Delaware County Court from 1878 to 1885.

In 1883 he tried for statewide office when he ran for Secretary of State of New York. He was the only candidate defeated on the Democratic ticket. In 1886, he was appointed First Deputy New York Attorney General. In 1887, he was appointed to national office as Assistant U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and remained in office until the end of the First Cleveland administration in 1889.

Afterwards he was appointed Deputy New York Attorney General again. At was at this point that his career took a major hit when he became involved in a case of electoral fraud in Dutchess County. In November 1891, he was counsel to the State Board of Canvassers. The Republican State Senate incumbent, Gilbert A. Deane, had received more votes than his Democratic challenger Edward B. Osborne. The Dutchess County Board of Canvassers did not allow thirty-one votes because of stray ink marks on the edges of the ballots, though many thought the marks could have been made in the process of printing the ballots. Osborne was declared elected, but the Republicans challenged the County Board's decision in court, and on December 5, the judge ordered the thirty-one votes to be counted and instructed the County Clerk to send the corrected result to the State Board. Another judge ordered a stay of the first judge's decision. On December 19, the New York Supreme Court vacated the previous stay, and the County Clerk mailed the corrected result to Albany.

On the same day however, the appeals court stayed the Supreme Court’s decision. The county clerk traveled to Albany and went to Isaac Maynard's home demanding to have the corrected result returned to him. They went to the New York State Comptroller's office, and Maynard retrieved the letter from the incoming-mail pile and handed it over to the county clerk. Subsequently, the original result was canvassed by the State Board, and the Democratic candidate was declared elected, giving the Democrats a majority in the New York State Senate.

In January 1892, Maynard was appointed to the New York Court of Appeals to fill a vacancy. Two weeks later, his connection with the Dutchess County election problem became known to the public. The New York State Legislature, having a Democratic majority, continued to support Maynard, but public indignation never subsided.

In January 1893, Maynard was re-appointed to the Court of Appeals, to fill another vacancy, although the Bar Association had urged the Governor against it. At the New York state election that fall, Maynard ran on the Democratic ticket for a full term on the Court of Appeals. Not only did Maynard lose the election, he dragged down the whole ticket, leading to a Republican victory. 

Maynard continued his legal practice in Stamford and made frequent trips to Albany. It was while on one of these trips in 1896 that he died suddenly of a heart attack in his room at the Kenmore Hotel in Albany. Maynard was buried at the Woodland Cemetery in Delhi.

October 1921 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

Here's what was happening in Bovina a century ago, as reported in the pages of the Andes Recorder. 

October 7, 1921

·         Frank Miller and wife motored to Andes in their new car Saturday evening.

·         The Bovina state road has been almost impassible the past summer and now the State is having the holes filled with loose stones and gravel.

·         Jacob Gerkins, who has been living on the Alex Bryden farm, has rented a farm on Cabin Hill.  A number of the neighbors made them a farewell party last Wednesday evening.

October 14, 1921

·         Charles J. Russell has purchased a Dodge car.

·         John M. Campbell is putting up the foundation for a new house which he will erect on his farm.  South Kortright carpenters will do the job.

·         Mrs. Elizabeth Irvine, Mrs. Sloan Archibald, Mrs. John Blair, Mrs. Fred Thomson and Mrs. Cecil Russell were on a shopping trip to Kingston last week. 

·         The legal machinery has been set in motion by the New York Conference for the sale of Methodist church and parsonage in Bovina Center.  The membership has been reduced to a mere handful by deaths and removals.  For the last few years no services have been held in the church. [The parsonage is now the home of Chuck and Betty McIntosh.]

October 21, 1921

·         Thos C. Strangeway has the frame up for his new residence in Bovina Center [now the home of Jim and Peg Hilson].

·         Alex Myers is painting and finishing the interior of new house of Gustave Lifgren up Pink street.

·         Mrs. John M. Miller, of Walton, is visiting in town.  Her two daughters, Shirley and Leila, were here over Sabbath.

·         Wendell Ormiston and family, of Goshen, spent a few days the past week with his mother, Mrs. Thomas Ormiston.

·         Elliott Thomson has sold his house in Bovina Center to George Decker for $2,500.  Mr. Thomson will move to rooms in Mrs. Julia McPherson’s house.

·         John Blair and wife were called to Glen Spey, Sullivan county, last week by the illness of their daughter, Mrs. Marshall Thomson.  She is now improving. [This is Helen Thomson, who lived to be 107.]

Bovina Farm Sold

            George Decker has sold his farm, located near Lake Delaware, in the town of Bovina, to Harvey Wickham, of Shavertown.  The sale includes the personal property on the farm and the price is reported to be $6,000 for the farm and $1,500 for the personal.  The farm is the former Thomas Purdy place and Decker had erected a $3,000 house thereon.  Mr. Decker will move to Bovina Center.

October 28, 1921

·         Walter G. Coulter is having his mill re-shingled.

·         Elliott Thomson, who sold his house to George Decker, is moving to rooms in part of Sloan Archibald’s house.  Mrs. Harry Robinson and Mrs. Robert G. Thomson, of Bainbridge, are here assisting.

·         A surprise party was held at the home of Edith Liddle last Saturday evening for Frances Bell.  Games were played after which refreshments were served.  Then each girl went home to dream of Gobblins and ghosts.  

Bovina Has a Runaway

Horse of Paul Furhmann Takes the Thills and leave Wagon

            Tuesday morning as Paul Furhmann, who recently purchased W.C. McDivitt’s farm, was on his way to the creamery his horse attached to a buckboard, started to run on the hill above the U.P. church.  Just above the old Lauren hotel, now owned by T.C. Strangeway [now the home of Jim and Peg Hilson], the outfit collided with a tree and the wagon stopped but the horse continued up Maple Avenue and onto the flat above.  Mr. Furhmann was thrown out but the wagon remained right side up and the milk was not even spilled.  No one was injured and the damage was broken thills.

Boost the committee

            The first number of the Bovina Lecture course has already been given and the next one will soon be here.  Everyone was well satisfied.  Now lets try to boost our lecture course committee by having every seat sold again this time.  Chew less tobacco and gum and give it toward something that is really worth while.

This Day in Bovina for September 2021

Here's the compilation of the daily entries on the Town of Bovina Facebook page for September: 

Fifteen years ago today, the September 1, 2006 Delaware County Times carried this photo of Bovina Fire Queen Faith Burns serving iced tea at the Bovina Fire Department's annual chicken barbecue on August 24.  

 

Seventy-eight years ago today, the September 2, 1943 Delaware Republican reported in its Bovina column that "Warren Sarle of Chicago is spending a few days with his father, Dr. W.C. Sarle, who recently submitted to an operation for cataracts." Dr. Sarle had been the doctor in Bovina since 1927. He left Bovina not long after the surgery and died in 1946.

 

154 years ago today, the September 3, 1867 Bloomville Mirror carried this curious item from a Bovina correspondent, dated August 25th, 1867: "Having been a constant reader of your paper for many years, and never as yet having submitted anything through its columns to the public, I thought I would follow the example of others, and send you for publication the following problem. And, although it may have come under the observation of many of your readors, yet to others it may be new, and for the consideration of which, we submit it. It may be that your Bovina correspondent, Mr. Rutherford, he who solves problems as slick as Lincoln got out of the theatre, (or some one else) can solve the following one, as slick as Mr. Butler gained renown by stealing silver spoons :

A person has a wagon with a mechanical contrivance, by which the difference of the number of revolutions of the wheels on a Journey may be determined. It is known that each of the fore wheels are 5 1/4 feet, and that each of the hind wheels are 7 1/8 feet in circumference. Now when on a journey the fore wheel has made 2,000 revolutions more than the hind wheel, how great was the distance traveled." It was signed A.D.

A response was received and published the following week from someone in Kortright Centre: "The fore wheel is 5 1/4 feet in circumference, and makes 2,000 revolutions, which is 10,500 feet. Now the fore wheel is 1 7/8 feet shorter in circumference than the hind wheel, and if it loses 1 7/8 feet in one revolution it would make as many revolutions as 1 7/8 is contained in 10,500, which is 5,600, or the number of revolutions made by the hind wheel in the whole distances, and 5,600 x 7 1/8 - 39,900 feet, or 7 miles and 183 3/4 rods, the whole distance traveled."

 

121 years ago today, on September 4, 1900, Fred Bramley, of Bovina, and Lucy Jackson, of Andes, were married at Delhi. The Andes Recorder noted that the "marriage occurred just ten months to the day after the death of his first wife." His first wife, Margaret, died in November 1899. They had been married for seven years and had two children, both who died young. His marriage to Lucy lasted 14 years until her death in 1914. They would have five children. Fred would marry a third time, but waited nine years before marrying Christina Close in 1923. He would be widowed a third time when she died in 1943. He died the following year.

 

179 years ago today, September 5, 1842, Bovina resident Henry Luddington was drowned in the Delaware River near Delhi at the age of 59.  He is buried in the Brush Cemetery in the Bovina Center hamlet.

 

Thirty-five years ago today, the September 6, 1986 issue of the Daily Star (Oneonta) carried this article by Diane Galusha about Hilson's Store.  

 

120 years ago today, the September 7, 1901 Delaware Republican had the following item of news ('borrowed' from the Andes Recorder): "Needle in Her Foot - For some time Mrs. Joshua Hobbie, who resides in the upper part of Bovina, has been suffering severely with swollen foot, it was thought she would have to go to the hospital and undergo an operation. Last week she was rubbing the afflicted member when she felt something sharp in the foot and called to others of the family and an examination showed that the point of a needle protruded and when pulled out by Mr. Hobbie it was found that with the exception of being broken at the eye the needle was intact. How the needle got there is a mystery, as Mrs. Hobbie has no recollection of ever running a needle into herself. She still has a very bad foot." This likely is Matilda Pangburn Hobbie. Born in 1862, she survived the needle and died in 1927.

 

Ninety-seven years ago today, September 8, 1924, Hillis's garage in Bovina submitted this bill for $10.45 to the Town of Bovina for a tire and tube.  This garage later became Thomas's garage and is now owned by Tom Hetterich.  

 

Fifty-six years ago today, the Bovina column in the September 9, 1965 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Robert Burns and older daughter, Amy, have been on a seashore vacation and other places of interest. Mrs. Jack Burns kept the baby in their absence." The baby was daughter Colleen.

 

173 years ago today, September 10, 1848, John W. Seacord died. Born in 1794, he was the son of William Seacord and Lydia Ganoung. He married Jeanette Fuller in 1821, who survived him. John is buried in Brush cemetery.

 

Roxanna A. Hobbie, the three year old daughter of Joshua Knapp Hobbie and his wife Sarah, died 186 years today on September 11, 1835.  She is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

 

132 years ago today, the September 12, 1889 Hobart Independent had this item: "Archie Maynard, of Bovina, who has been roaming about this vicinity during the summer, and ‘cutting up’ peculiar capers, has been adjudged insane by a commission—which consisted of Dr. Buckley of Delhi, and Drs. McNaught & Odell of Hobart"

 

131 years ago today, the September 13, 1890 Delaware Republican in its Bovina column reported that "Several of our farmers have refused 22 cents for their butter. From the experience of last year it seems as though they ought not to refuse such an offer as that."

 

134 years ago today, the Delaware Gazette carried this item in its September 14, 1887 issue: "When the Delaware and Otsego railroad is completed to the county line all the towns will be touched by railroad except Bovina, the richest of them all."

 

On September 15, 1858, 163 years ago today, Rhoda Davis died in Andes.  As reported in the Bloomville Mirror on September 21, Mrs. Davis was the widow of Samuel.  She was 88 years old at the time of her death.  The paper went on to report that "She was one among first settlers in Bovina.  Her exemplary life endeared her to all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance."

 

111 years ago today, the September 16, 1910 Catskill Mountain News carried an article entitled "Kindness of the Gerrys." "Through the kindness of Miss A. Gerry, daughter of Hon. E. T. Gerry of Lake Delaware and New York, about twelve children from Bovina and Bloomville and vicinity were sent in care of a matron Tuesday morning, to be placed in various institutions of learning in the city, where they will receive instructions. The liberality of the different members of the Gerry family has been manifested where necessary among the people in the vicinity of their summer home as well as among the poor of the city."

 

Fifty-three years ago today, the September 17, 1968 Daily Star (Oneonta) included this photo and caption of the new barn being built by Jack and Bob Burns. The barn still is in use by Dominic and Laurie Gullow. 

 

Forty-seven years ago today, the September 18, 1974 issue of the Stamford Mirror Recorder carried in its Bovina column this item: "Mrs. Charles LaFever, Miss Janet McKenzie, Mrs. Francis Tatem and Mrs. Ernest Russell attended the four county book selection committee meeting on Thursday of last week at the Andes library." The same column also noted that "Miss Kate Birdsall of Albany spent the weekend at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Roberts."

 

120 years ago today, on September 19, 1901, a memorial services was held at the Bovina United Presbyterian church for recently assassinated U.S. President William McKinley.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, the service was presided over by the church's pastor, Rev. Samson.  "Charles Arbuckle read the scripture lesson; Margaret Swart read the President's proclamation, and addresses were made by Rev. Slater, R.E. Bergman and Rev. Samson."

 

105 years ago today, September 20, 1916, Cecil Russell was married to Isabell Irvine. Here is the invitation to the wedding received by Henry Monroe and his sister Martena. 

 

Fifty-one years ago today, the September 21, 1970 Binghamton Press carried this notice: "The Bovina Ski Club will sponsor a round and square dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday at the Bovina Center Community Hall. Music will be by Ernie Russ and his orchestra."

 

105 years ago today, September 22, 1916, the J.W. Coulter Hose Company had a ball game, a Chicken Pie supper and an entertainment in the evening to raise funds.

 

Sixty-eight years ago today, a newspaper (unidentified) reported in its September 23, 1953 issue that "The first meeting for lessons in first aid was held at the fire hall Wednesday evening, Sept. 16, with 11 enrolled in this course. The beginners course will last for eight weeks and the advanced course will take another four weeks with mettings to be held once a week. This course is being taught by Earl Many and Harold Morse of Hobart. Those enrolled are Mrs. Floyd Aitkens, Mrs. Victor Rose, Mrs. John Renner, Mrs. Howard LaFever, Mrs. Leif Reinertsen, Mrs. Clifford Hall, Mrs. Norton Forrest, Mrs. Magdalena Rosa, Victor Rosa, Floyd Aitkens and George Storie."

 

Fifty-nine years ago today, on September 24, 1962, Rema Hobbie died on the family farm on Cape Horn Road in Bovina. His obituary was published a few days later in the Catskill Mountain News. [

 

141 years ago today, the September 25, 1880 issue of the Port Jervis (NY) Evening Gazette carried this item: "Thomas H. Ludington of Bovian, Delaware county, says he milked 17 1/2 cows, calling a two year old heifer half a cow, and he made and sold 240 pounds of butter to a cow, beside what they used in the family. They are paying in Roxbury for choice dairies now 30 cents. That would be $72 from a cow, saying nothing about the pork made from the buttermilk. The butter alone brought over $1,200. How is that for butter making?"

 

Eliza Atikin, the 31 year old wife of David Atkin, died 177 years ago today on September 26, 1844.  She is buried in the Old Reformed Presbyterian Church cemetery.

 

Seventy-four years ago today, on September 27, 1947, the Delaware County Jersey Club held its second annual Consignment Sale at the Charles McPherson Farm in Bovina. This was later the farm of Frank and Stella McPherson. Here's the cover of the sales catalog. 

 

Fifty-four years ago today, the Bovina column of the September 28, 1967 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Mrs. Leon Tag[g]art of Albuquerque, N.M., is visiting her sisters, Mrs. Helen Hilson and Mrs. Frank Dickson."

 

Fifty-five years ago today, the Bovina column in the September 29, 1966 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "The Recreation Club met last Thursday for a luncheon meeting. Officers elected for the coming year are: Chairman, Mrs. Stanley Hewitt, vice-chairman, Mrs. Alex Rabeler sr., secretary-treasurer, Mrs. William J. Storie." The same column also reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Howard LaFever and son Allan took their son John to Canton last week-end where he will enter college for his freshman year. They also visited Mrs. And Mrs. Benson LaFever at Massena."

 

126 years ago today, on September 30, 1895, people around Bovina woke up to snow covering Bramley mountain and Mount Pisgah.

Bob Wyer Goes to Camp, Part II - Tunis Lake Camp

 A little over a decade after the Lake Delaware Camp was established, someone established a camp at Tunis Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Mirski established a boys’ camp at the lake in 1922.  Unlike the Lake Delaware Camp, the Tunis Lake Camp had cabins for the campers. The Mirskis ran the camp until 1944, when they sold it to concentrate on the companion girls’ camp they established on Perch Lake in Andes.  The camp was owned in the 1950s and into the 1960s by George Kaye and Oscar Newman. It became a co-ed during their ownership. They sold the camp in the late 1960s. The last year the camp operated was in 1970. The property was sold to Eric Weidemeyer who created the Tunis Lake development.  Today, the area is occupied by individual homeowners, with the lake as a common ground.

This Wyer image of Mr. Mirski was taken in February 1939.

This first set of images are from the off-season in November 1940:

Wyer was back in the camp in July 1941:

In July 1945, he was back to photograph some indoor activities of the campers: 

In the summer of 1946, Wyer did a series of aerial photographs, including these three images:

Unfortunately, Wyer did not take any photographs of the camp after this time period, though it continued operating until 1970.

If anyone reading this has any memories of attending this camp, I would LOVE to hear from you. 

 

September 1921 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

September 1921 saw a couple of property changes in town while the spat between Hadley and Lifgren up on Pink Street continued.

September 2, 1921

• The schools of the town will open next Tuesday.

• Wilson Monroe spent the past week with cousins in New York city.

• Attorney and Mrs. Ernest Bergman and son, of New York, are visiting his sister, Mrs. William T. Russell.

• Miss Margaret Gordon who has spent the summer vacation at the Scott homestead in Fall Clove, has returned home.

• Mr. and Mrs. Felix Crevier, of Paterson, NJ are now in possession of the Edward L. Coulter farm on the turnpike, which they have purchased together with the personal property.  The price is reported to be about $13,000.

The Bovina Town Picnic

The Annual Affair Well Attended Last Thursday

There was a large crowd – about 1,000 – at the annual picnic for the town of Bovina held last Thursday [August 25] and the day was an ideal one.

Following the picnic dinner Rev. F.N. Crawford, the president of the day introduced Assemblyman Lincoln R. Long of New Kingston, and he was followed by Rev. Marvin J. Thomson, of Troy and both gave fine addresses.

The sports included a peanut hunt by the small boys, a wheelbarrow race, tug of war, races and broad and high jumping.  A ball game between the married and single men resulted in favor of the married men.  

September 9, 1921

• Edward L. Coulter, who recently sold his farm, is storing his household goods in the small Dickson house in the Center.

• Postmaster Lauren Dickson has returned from a trip to New Haven, Connecticut.

• Mrs. G.J. Dickson has gone to Ossining, N.Y. to visit her daughter, Mrs. George Baldwin.

• A thorobred Jersey heifer disappeared last week from the pasture of Will Storie and it is thought to have been stolen.

• Thomas C. Strangeway has commenced digging the cellar for a new house on his lot just at the rear of the hotel building which he now owns.

• The Hadley-Leftgren [Lifgren] feud still continues and the latest trouble was caused by Hadley’s calves straying onto the Leftgren land and he shut them up.

• Bovina students who have entered high school at Delhi are: Mary Brown, Helen Gladstone, Jennette Laidlaw, Ruth Coulter, Beatrice Hoy, Francis Bell, Gladys Worden, Margaret Gordon and William Gordon.

At Rogers Cottage

Joseph Rogers, wife and son, and William Gordon and nurse, Miss Flyshour, of new York, arrived at the Rogers cottage at Lake Delaware last Thursday to spend a few weeks.  Mr. Gordon is slowly recovering from an illness of several months from blood poisoning and rheumatism.

September 16, 1921

• John Blair, John Hilson and Will Archibald are attending the State fair at Syracuse this week.  

• Alex Myers is painting the residence of James A. Gow, which stands nearly opposite the U.P. church.

• Last week it cost A.E. Hadley $10 to get his calves which had strayed to the land of Gustave Lefgren.  Hadley has now has supreme writs served on Lefgren and his son.

• The body of James D. Calhoun, who was killed in France during the world war, arrived here this week and burial was made Wednesday in Bovina Center cemetery.  Members of Calhoun post of Andes, acted as bearers.

Bovina Farm Sold

Walter G. McDivitt has sold his 228 acre farm up Coulter Brook, in the town of Bovina, to Paul C. Furhmann of Brooklyn.  The sale includes stock, tolls and crops, and possession is given October 1.  The place was formerly the William T. Miller and Robert Biggar farms.

September 23, 1921

• Sheffield Smith has purchased another truck.

• Mrs. Elliott Thomson picked a dish of ripe strawberries last week.

• Sloan Archibald is building a new barn at the rear of his residence.

• Paul Furhmann, who recently purchased the farm of W.G. McDivitt up Coulter Brook, arrived with his household goods Tuesday.

• Thos C. Strangeway has the cellar completed for his new house and Al Boggs is putting up the forms for the concrete foundation.

Ford Over the Wall

Last Friday two women, strangers in town, whose names could not be learned, went off the road and over the stone wall in a Ford car, near where the Coulter Brook road meets the uptown road.  The car was upset but the women escaped injury.  Help was secured and the car gotten back on to the road and the women went on their way.

Bovina House on Fire

The farm house of John Thomson, up Pink Street was damaged by fire on Wednesday.  During the forenoon the chimney burned out and soon after noon fire was discovered in a partition.  Help was summoned by telephone and in addition to neighbors three or four cars went from the village and the fire was put out with comparatively small damage.  

September 30, 1921

• George Cable and wife moved this week to Bainbridge, and have rented their hosue here.

• Lauren Dickson will leave this week for New Haven, Connecticut, to take a course in the Yale Law School.

• Jacob Gerkins, who has been on the Alex Bryden farm for the past two years, will vacate the place October 1.

• William Gordon has purchased a Ford for the use of himself and sister in going back and forth to school in Delhi.

• Galie Hafele will work with Al Boggs at the carpenter trade.  He has rented W.A. Hoy’s tenant house in Bovina Center.

• Miss Louise Dennis is again confined to her bed and her niece, Miss Emma Dennis, of Walton, is here helping care for her.

• Rev. and Mrs. Charles Lay and four children, who had spent two weeks with her parents, Mr and Mrs. George Miller, returned to Mundale o Friday.

• A number of the lady friends of Mrs. John A. Irvine and Mrs. John McCune made them a surprise visit last Friday evening at the home of the first name.  The occasion was birthday of the two ladies – one falling on Friday and the other on Saturday.

Death of Infant

The two weeks old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Bye died in southern Bovina last week of intestinal poisoning.  The mother will be remembered as Mary Mason.

 

This Day in Bovina for August 2021

 

Agnes Bell (Aggie) Armstrong was born 149 years ago on August 1, 1872, the daughter of Frank C. Armstrong and Jennette Burns.  Sadly, she would die only three days later.  She is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.  Three years less one day after her death, the Armstrongs had another daughter that they named Agnes Jeanette.  Sadly, she too would die young, dying when only two months old.

 

Ninety-one years ago today, August 2, 1930, this article appeared in the Binghamton Press.  Gilbert D. Miller was Bovina's last surviving Civil War veteran.  He would die a few months later on March 13, 1931.

 

Seventy-seven years ago today, the August 3, 1944 issue of the Delaware Republican Express including two items about the McKenzie family: "Miss Elizabeth McKenzie of Newark, N.J., returned to her work on July 30th, having spent a month's vacation here with her parents, Rev. and Mrs. Peter Mckenzie." Another item appeared about Elizabeth's brother: "The Rev. Gordon McKenzie of Scranton, Pa., was in town last Tuesday. He brought his daughter Janet and a friend to join her mother and sister Elizabeth, who are spending the summer in the Callie Boggs house (now the home of Harlo and Donna Bray)."

 

106 years ago today, the August 4, 1915 issue of the Delaware Gazette carried this article about three deaths in Bovina: 

 

Fifty-four years ago today, on August 5, 1967, Fred Ganger died unexpectedly at his home in Delhi. A native of Germany, he had a farm for a number of years on Cape Horn Road before retiring to Delhi.

 

Fifty-seven years ago today, August 6, 1964, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican Express, “Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rabeler and her mother, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rabeler, and two daughters, Richard Jardine and sister Martha, and Tanya Lay took the bus from Delhi to the Worlds Fair at New York….."

 

112 years ago today, on August 7, 1909, the barn of William H. Maynard burned down. I believe this farm was about a mile off Cape Horn Road and was once the Warren Farm near the Bovina/Stamford town line. The foundations of the farm still exist. Here's the news article about the dramatic fire from the August 12, 1909 Binghamton Presss and Sun Bulletin: 

 

126 years ago today, August 8, 1895, there was a 'theft' at the home of Rev. Hayes. It was briefly reported in the Andes Recorder: "At the reception at Rev. Hayes' last Thursday evening some one borrowed two cakes."

 

129 years ago today, on August 9, 1892, as later reported in the Delaware Republican, "T.A. Archibald had one of his nice gray horses killed by lightning…"

 

194 years today, on August 10, 1827, George Laidlaw was born in Scotland, the son of David Laidlaw and Helen Knox Hart.  He came to America as a child and married Janet Hume in Delhi.  They would have five children.  George died at the age of 49 in 1877 and is buried in Bovina.

 

123 years ago today, on August 11, 1898, the Board of Railroad Commissioners of the State of New York held a public hearing on the application of the Delaware Railroad Company to lay a railroad from Delhi to Andes, with a spur to Bovina.  Here's the Public Notice as published in the August 6 Delaware Republican.  And there are a series of entries in the Bovina NY History blog, starting with March 5, 2011, about this most serious attempt to get a railroad into Bovina: https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/03/when-trains-almost-came-i-everything.html

 

Seventy-eight years ago today, the Bovina column in the August 12, 1943 Delaware Republican reported that "Miss Kate Birdsall, who is in nurses' training at Vassar Hospital, Poughkeepsie, is home on vacation." She likely also was home for the wedding of her cousin, Catherine Banuat. The same column reported that Marjorie Russell gave a shower in honor of Catherine.

 

Thirty-seven years ago today, the August 13, 1984, Daily Star (Oneonta) carried this article about Stella McPherson and her wonderful flower gardens: 

 

Sixty-eight years ago today, August 14, 1953, this photograph was taken of the "Beacon Lights" Sunday School class. The class met to hold a surprise party for Mrs. William J. Storie in honor of 25 years teaching the class. The class held a program on the theme 1928, including a history in photographs, popular songs and a fashion parade. Unfortunately, this is the best quality copy I have of the photo. If anyone has one that is better, I'd love to know. Front:  Elizabeth Mabon, Marion McPherson, Marian Spear, Vera Storie, Mary Burgin, Helen Hall; Second: Stella McPherson, Marjorie Walley, Ruth McGowan, Eleanor Archibald, Bea Thompson, Helen Burns, Dorothy Russell, Margaret McPherson, Marjorie Russell, Celia Coulter, Grace Roberts, Helen McDivitt; Third:  Helen Forrest, Mrs. Stanley McMaster, her guest from Canada, Leona LaFever, Gladys Lay, Laura LaFever, Helen Tyrrell, Gladys Doig, Doris Rabeler, Margaret Gordon, Rae Vandenbord

 

133 years ago today, on August 15, 1888, Mr. Frank Armstrong of Bovina was married to Mrs. Mary Brown of Colchester. It was his second marriage. His first was to Jeanette Burns, who died in 1885. His second wife died in Bovina in 1911. Frank would get married for a third time, marrying Mary E. Niesh. He would be widowed a third time when that Mary died in 1924. Frank died in 1925. Mary Brown's history is interesting. She came into the marriage with a son, James Franklin Brown. His father is unknown. James married a Coulter and had several children, including Mary Brown, who married Edwin "Ted" Burgin. Here's a framed certificate commemorating Frank and Mary's marriage. 

 

Sixty-nine years ago today, on August 16, 1952, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "An amateur show for the benefit of the Bovina library was held … at the Community hall. It was directed by George Duphily. Twelve others took part. There was selections of music, songs and two movies. About 75 were in attendance for which a nice sum was realized. Much credit is due Mr. Duphily and others who helped to make it a success."

 

141 years ago today, the August 17, 1880 Bovina column of the Stamford Mirror reported that "an ice-cream sociable, in the interest of the M.E. Church, was held at the house of Mrs. Loughran … proceeds amounting to $10.65."

 

128 years ago today, the following item appeared in the August 18, 1893 Andes Recorder - "Bovina is noted for its great butter - pure Jersey butter that is a strong competitor of Elgin [Illinois], and is growing in favor with the butter men every year.  A correspondent says: 'When we were young 100 pounds of butter per cow was a fair average; now from 300 to 400 pounds per cow does not satisfy the Bovina dairyman.  We expect, if they keep on grading their stock, by the time of the next centennial the Bovina cow will be giving butter instead of milk.'"

 

The Seventh Annual Coulter Family Reunion was held ninety-six years ago today on August 19, 1925 at three residences in Bovina Center, George Russell's (the Robson House),  James Thomson's (the Pelletier house) and Harvey C. Burgin's (the Jason and Lisa Stanton house).

 

102 years ago yesterday, on August 20, 1919, one hundred and fifty relatives attended the Archibald reunion held on Wednesday at home of William J. Archibald.

 

138 years ago today, the August 21, 1883 Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "Coulter Bros. have taken their portable sawmill to Shavertown to do a large job of sawing at that place."

 

119 years ago today, on August 22, 1902, the Bovina Fortnightly Club held an entertainment. 

 

151 years ago today, the August 23, 1870 Bloomville Mirror carried this plea concerning the post office in Brushland: 

 

Ninety five years ago today on August 24, 1926, William Gavett of Delhi, was severely scalded by steam Tuesday while employed at the Bovina Center Co-operative Creamery.

 

110 years ago, the August 25, 1911 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder included the following item: "Robert Graham, who went to Canada in the sixties, is visiting relatives in town. In his younger days he was a teacher and went to Canada to teach because wages were much better there. His last visit here was 25 years ago." Graham, born in Scotland in 1830, died in Canada in December 1925.

 

The descendants of David, William and Berry Miller held their annual reunion ninety-seven years ago today (August 26, 1924). The reunion was held at Belle Miller's (now Amy Burns' and Tom Lamport's house across from Russell's Store). Later newspaper reports said that about 75 people were present but that "several families were not represented."

 

Seventy-nine years ago today, the Bovina column of the August 27, 1942 Delaware Republican reported that "Mrs. Margaret K. Gladstone of Suffern, N.Y., is visiting relatives in town."

 

Ninety-two years ago today, on August 28, 1928, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, Bovina resident "Miss Caroline Dickson arrived home…from her European trip. Her sister, Mrs. Curran accompanied her here." Caroline had left for Europe on July 6. She had arrived back in New York harbor two days before on the "Carona," which had left from LeHavre on August 18. This is the passenger list from the Carona, downloaded from Ancestry.com, showing her listing. 

 

113 years ago today, the August 29, 1908 Hobart Independent carried this report concerning the railroad coming to Bovina. This wasn't the first attempt but it was almost the last. The interest that was so strong when the major attempt took place in 1898 had waned considerably as the automobile came into being.

 

140 years ago today, the Bovina column in the August 30, 1881 Stamford Mirror reported that "Quite a number of our farmers have finished their oat harvests." The same paper also reported that "Rev. J.B. Lee has purchased a horse."

 

160 years ago today, on August 31, 1861, Alphonzo Lee died at the age of 54. As later reported in the Delaware Gazette, Lee was "respected and esteemed among those with whom he had business or social relations. Kind and indulgent as a husband and father, accommodating as a neighbor, and benevolent as a man and christian, his memory will long be held dear by those who have enjoyed his acquaintance and friendship." Lee was born in Connecticut in 1807 and came to Bovina likely in the 1820s.