Arthur Austin started work as a secretary in charge of checks and letters at the Sullivan County Highway Department, at least by 1937. He would work there for eleven years, counting the four years he served in World War II.
Art’s brothers worked for the County Highway Department also. Bill worked on the road with pick and axe. Bob was a surveyor.
Art boarded or would board with Alfred and Bessie Hill whose home (on the east side of Eldred) was near where Highland Lake and Proctor Roads intersected.
The Austin brothers’ cousins: Clara, Clinton, Anna, and Jim Leavenworth; and later Charlee Hirsch, lived on the west side of Eldred.
The Leavenworths, January 1937
Saturday, January 2, Ella bought six chairs from Rasmussen’s for $10.50. (Rasmussen had a funeral home and a furniture store in Narrowsburg.)
Wednesday Clinton helped John Dunlap cut wood. Garfield worked for Dr. George Mills.
Thursday everyone was home. The men didn’t work and there was no school due to an ice storm. Ella worked on her crazy quilt. Oliver Dunlap must have slid over that day when he visited Clinton.
Thursday, January 14, it rained part of the day, and night crawlers were out by the hundreds. Clinton drove his cousin Bill Austin to Monticello.
Friday afternoon Jennie Austin called on (visited) Ella. Clara and Ella were sewing quilts.
Saturday Clinton cut wood for his grandmother Anna Sergeant in Highland Lake. Garfield worked for George Mills again.
Tuesday, January 26, Jennie called. Garfield worked eight hours for Dr. Mills.—Excerpt from “Farewell to Eldred.”
