March 1931

by Louise Smith Posted on March 25, 2015

1934: Julius Maier on left; his sister Annie in the center. Photo courtesy of the Bosch Family.

March 1931
Sunday Jim Leavenworth started the month off at his friend Ken Crandall’s house. (Ken Crandall Sr. was a carpenter at the Scout Camp.)

Grant and Charlie Sergeant, and Herman Bosch were at the Leavenworth home in the evening.

Herman’s uncle Julius Maier and his sister aunt Annie lived nearby on Crawford Road.

[Does anyone recognize other people in the photo? Click the image to make it larger.]

The Wolff brothers visited on Monday evening. Friday Anna was down to the MacIntyres. Garfield bought a ton of hay from Averys for $15 and also fixed the brooder coop.

Frank Wolff was over the third week of March for advice on buying a house.

Ella finished Mary Sergeant and Bertha Wilson’s dresses on Tuesday, March 24. Charlotte, Garfield’s sister, was there for supper later that day. She visited them again the next day as did Minnie and Archie Myers.

The end of the month, Charlie Dunlap stopped by for a visit.

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March 1930 News

by Louise Smith Posted on March 24, 2015

Ted Wicks Sr. with co-workers at the Empire State Building. Photo taken around 1930 courtesy of the Bosch Family.

The Empire State Building
In March construction started on the Empire State Building. Up to 3,000 men worked on the framework which rose at a rate of four to five stories per week. The masonry work started in June and was completed in November.

Ted Wicks Sr. was one of the construction workers. He was the husband of Tillie Bosch who had grown up in Highland Lake.

Frozen Foods
The first frozen foods of Clarence Birdseye were sold in March 1930, in Ringfield, Massachusetts.

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March 1927

by Louise Smith Posted on March 23, 2015

R.B. Collins, Madison, N.J., to Mort Austin, Eldred
March 9, 1927
Dear Mort,
How are all you dear folks? You like myself are getting to be an old man, I will be 87 in July next and you can’t be far behind.

I had a letter from Tom’s wife Emma Kelso, saying that she thought of going up to Eldred this summer, just for a change of climate. She thought it would do her a lot of good to breathe again the sweet, strong, healthy air of that dear old place.

I have not been up to the nice old place for some time. Dear old Eldred, I shall never forget the years I spent there, and the acquaintances I made there. I often think of the services in the old church. That was long ago.

I left Eldred in the Spring of 1862—during the Civil War, for New Jersey, to begin my life work as a Methodist Preacher, and for 37 years I faithfully and joyfully tried to do my work and I had good success. Then my voice failed me, and I had to stop. I have been living with my dear daughter [Bertha Noe] and her husband in a delightful home among the roses.

Remember me to all the members of your family who still live and I loved. Best wishes, R.B. Collins

Robert Collins’ sister-in-law Emma wrote to Mort’s brother Lon regarding her home and cows on Collins Road, not far from the Herman Bosch residence.

Emma K. Collins, Tenafly, N.J., to Lon Austin, Eldred
March 18, 1927
Dear Friend,
Thank you for taking my cattle for a while. We hear the roads are very bad, so I am afraid to risk sending a moving van full of furniture up until later, for fear they should get stuck in the road in front of my place.

The same man that brought the cows down is going to take them back. Be careful of the cows. Feed them well—they will be pretty well shaken after the long ride.

Now Lon, about the second week in April, I would like you to open up the house and have Herman Bosch fix the pump in the kitchen. I will settle all bills with you when I get there. I am feeling better, but am not real well yet.

Hope this finds you and Aida well. With kind regards. Your friend, Emma K. Collins

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March 1921

by Louise Smith Posted on March 22, 2015
Elizabeth Austin, 1911–1921, eating a meal at her home, Mountain Grove House.

The years 1921 was one of deep heartache for Mort and Jennie Austin and their four sons.

Thursday, March 24, Dr. Smith arrived at the Austin home to take out Elizabeth’s tonsils. The operation took place on the family’s kitchen table.

Still perhaps recovering from the death of their son McKinley in France during World War I, one can imagine the deep sorrow of the family when the unthinkable happened—Elizabeth died from a “heart clot following an operation for tonsils and adenoids.”

Elizabeth, the only daughter of Mort and Jennie Austin, died four days before she turned 10. Mort Austin wrote down his thoughts.

Mort Austin’s Letter
March 24, 1921
Our only daughter died on the 24th day of March, 1921. My dear Elizabeth. I did not know how much we loved you until now. I hope that it will not be long before I meet you in Heaven. I know you are happy there and I hope through the goodness of God, in a few years to be with you. Father

Guenther and Vonderhost Deaths
The year 1921 was also a year of terrible sadness for Freida Meyer Guenther and Louise Vonderhorst.

Joseph Guenther, a butcher, had a meat market in Lackawaxen and Shohola where he worked with his friend Fritz Suessman.

On a foggy March morning as Joseph and his dog Spot crossed the railroad tracks to the Shohola Depot, they were struck by an Erie train. Joseph, 35, died about two weeks later as a result of his injuries. Spot also died.

Joseph’s wife Frieda was now a widow with five children: Freida, 11, Edith Vera, 10, Clinton Joseph, 7, Helen Katherine, 6, and Viola, 2.

Louise and Eric Vonderhorst were building a boarding house up above Washington Lake when Eric, still in his twenties, died of typhoid fever. Louise Vonderhorst would raise their children: Carl, 6, Walter, 3, and Elsie, 1; and run Lake View Inn for at least another twenty years.

Other letters of sympathy sent to Mort and Jennie Continue reading →

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March 1913

by Louise Smith Posted on March 21, 2015

In March of 1913 Jennie and Mort Austin welcomed another son, Arthur, named for President Chester Arthur. Dad’s siblings: McKinley, 14, Charles Raymond, 12, Willie, 10, and Elizabeth, 2.

Willie Austin holding his brother Art. Elizabeth looks on.
Raymond and Art on the mule. Willie on the right, Elizabeth on the left.
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March 1911

by Louise Smith Posted on March 20, 2015
Elizabeth Austin in her high chair.

A New Sister for the Austin Boys
In March 1911 McKinley, Raymond, and Will Austin had a new sister—Elizabeth Austin. Mort and Jennie Austin, the happy parents, would have two more sons by 1915.

Mort and Jennie would say they had two families as there were 8 years between Will and Elizabeth.

John W. Johnston, Author, Dies
In March 1911 John W. Johnston died. He was the author of Reminiscences, the history of the Town of Highland.

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Jennie writes Lillie, March 1904–1905

by Louise Smith Posted on March 18, 2015
Lillie Austin and her cousin George Ellery. Photo courtesy of Kathy T.

Jennie Crawford, Eldred, to Lillie Austin, Bethel
March 20, 1904
Dear Lillie,
George [Crandall, her future husband] has been away for 10 days. He is to Shohola today. It rains. The March wind is turning me green. I will be sorry when school ends. I’ll have no money and will have to work like sin.

Now that I am trying to write, every kid asks a question. I have 27 here today so I can afford to write to you in school.

Don’t criticize my spelling. I am trying to watch Charlie Rundle and Leo Morgan. They are cute kids.

What kind of truant officer have you? The one we have is worse than none. Well as you see I am laboring under difficulties. I will stop. Please come out. Jennie J. Crawford

Jennie Crawford, Eldred, to Lillie Austin
March 27, 1905
Dear Lillie,
I have just written to Nell. She has had the diphtheria. Gotlieb Metzger is dead. Frank Kelley has partial paralysis of the face.

Bertha Hulse has a young daughter. Lottie Scott is better.

Crandall’s folks have sold their place. Mom washed today. Aunt Etta sprained her foot. I got my feet wet tonight coming up. With love, Jennie J. Crawford

Related posts:
Jennie Crawford, 1902
Lillie teaches in Cochecton
1903 Lillie Austin, teacher
1908 Cochecton

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C.S. Bok 1899

by Louise Smith Posted on March 17, 2015
Mortimer McKinley Austin, 1900.
Bertha Collins in 1890.

C.S. Bok, Brooklyn, N.Y., to Mort Austin, Eldred
March 11, 1899
My dear old Friend Mort,
I am so glad to hear from you. Let me congratulate you for doing so well in having a little son come to bless you.

I suppose you think I have forgotten you, like some of your city friends. I was on the point to write you many a time and have thought of you often. About Christmas time last December I was taken down sick…and also had a relapse of it that renders me more or less ill ever since then.

Thank you most heartily for your kind invitation to visit you next summer. Perhaps then I may have the other half of me as well as myself come to see you.

Are you going to run a boarding house for the summer? I like to know of this and I may be able to tell some of my friends about it especially those who go away during the hot season.

It is now a very long while since I saw you last. I think it was the time when you brought the horses to Walker.

Are you still in the old farm? My dear old man, how delighted would I be if I can see you now and talk together about everything both of the old times and of today.

It surprised me greatly when I heard of the marriage of Noe and B.C. (Bertha Collins last seen here). C.C.I. has sent out quite a number of fellows and girls, in two of a kind. I mean in pairs, hasn’t it?

Please excuse this paper. It happens this is the only thing I have in the house and I don’t want you to wait any longer until I get some paper, to hear from me.

Remember me kindly to your wife, and hug little McKinley for me. I am ever your friend,
C. Soule Bok

C. Soule Bok, friend of Mort Austin

C.S. Bok, 1894

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Charles C.P. Eldred, 1808 to 1890

by Louise Smith Posted on March 16, 2015
Cover to History of Town of Highland, portraying settlers headed for Highland, originally the Town of Lumberland.

Charles Cotesworth Pickney (C.C.P.) Eldred Dies
In March 1890 Uncle C.C.P. Eldred, the brother of Mary Ann Eldred Austin, Eliza Eldred Gardner, and Maria Eldred Austin, died.

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Eldred was seven when he arrived in Lumberland with his family at the end of 1815. They had settled in an old log cabin with a sawmill near Halfway Brook.

C.C.P. Eldred had joined the Congregational Church of Lumberland in March 1824.

He was very active in the work of the church and served as a deacon from 1849 until his death in 1890.

C.C.P. had also been Postmaster of Eldred for a number of years. He was responsible for renaming Halfway Brook Village when the U.S. Post Office required a shorter name.

So the charming, much preferred (to me, anyway) name of Halfway Brook Village became Eldred, named after C.C.P. Eldred’s father, James Eldred, or named after C.C.P. himself—both stories are told.

In March, Charles C.C.P. Eldred died at his Eldred home after a three week illness. He was buried the following Wednesday in Highland Cemetery in Eldred.—The Port Jervis Union, March 12, 1890.

He [C.C.P. Eldred] was an honest industrious man of most excellent qualities which made him a great favorite in the community in which he lived.—The Evening Gazette, March 10, 1890.

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March 1873

by Louise Smith Posted on March 13, 2015

Albany, New York, Term 3, March 1873
My Dear Father,
I had quite a serious time getting to the depot that morning as I had to change cars several times. I do not know what was the matter with the street cars; they would go a little ways and then stop and go back and would have to change cars. There was a gentleman and lady on the cars going to the same depot and by following them, I managed to get along very well.

When I arrived at Albany, I found the streets so blocked with snow as to prevent the cars from moving further than State Street which was however far enough for me. I got to Mrs. Wrighter about four in the afternoon. The next day I went up to school and after school went in to see Dr. Alden.

At first he seemed to think that I would be unable to make up what I had lost in staying and he was very kind however and said he was perfectly willing that I should try.

As to my voice he said it would not prevent me from graduating, though I had to ask him several times before he answered me. He thought I had better board though and I have concluded to, for a few weeks at least.

I will write again soon. Ever your aff. Emma

Albany, New York, March 14, 1873
My Dear Mother,
I arrived here in safety that afternoon about 4 o’clock. When I got here, I found the streets literally blocked with snow. The street cars were only running as far as State Street. This however was just far enough for me. I came at once to Mrs. Wright’s where I succeeded in getting board.

I did not go up to see Dr. Alden that evening, but went up to school the next morning. He came to me and wanted to know why I had not come back sooner, if you had received his letter before I came away, etc. etc.

I answered his questions to the best of my ability but evidently not to his satisfaction. He said that I could of course do as I pleased about staying, but that he did not think I could make up what I had lost and that I might better have remained at home this term. He said that you kept me at home simply because you chose to do so and that I must suffer the consequences. Continue reading →

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