Appendix - 1920-1929

Memorabilia Related Research Material

1920-02-19 Mrs. John Howes Surprise Birthday Party

ASHLEY FALLS

A surprise birthday party was given Mrs. John Howes at her home last Friday night by her friends. Every one had a good time. Miss Bertha Woodford and John Howes rendered a few solos which were very much enjoyed by all. Ice cream and assorted cakes were served and each departing guest wished Mrs. Howes many more. happy birthdays. Mrs. Howes received some very pretty and useful gifts.

Miss Laura Brewer of North Adams was home over Sunday.

Feed the birds. They are unable to secure food and many of them are starving.

Kenneth Roberts spent Sunday at George Hall's.

Mrs. Howard Bailey spent Wednesday of last week at her home.

Mr. and Mrs. Roy J. Drumm of New Haven spent the week-end with their grandmother, Mrs. J. F. Roraback.

Philip N. Rood of Worcester spent the week-end at his home.

Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Smith and daughter Margaret of Thomason, spent Sunday at Maplewood Inn.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Smith and children of New York are visiting at Maplewood Inn.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Vicetal on Feb. 5.

Mrs. John B. Hall of Saratoga Springs is caring for her daughter, Mrs. John Dunham, who has been very sick.

Mrs. Charles L. Rood is confined to the house by sickness.

Several from here attended a whist party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Griffith in Sheffield, the proceeds of which were given to the Village Improvement Society.

Ward M. Langdon of Copake, N. Y. recently visited his sister, Mrs. J. F. Roraback.

Miss Olive M. Rood is spending a few days at her home.

There has been no service on Sunday for the last few weeks owing to the severe snow storm.

Miss Lillian Hall spent Saturday and Sunday at her home.

Mrs. A. C. Bowen and daughter Margaret and Helen, have been on the sick list the past week.

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From the 1920-02-19 Connecticut Western News

1920-06-10 Chas. Coxon's Motorcycle Catches Fire

Chas. Coxon of Stottville was unfortunate in having his motorcycle catch fire while climbing Fog Hill recently.The fire was extinguished, but not before some damage was done.

Mr. and Mrs. Coxon visited their uncle, J. W. Coxon for a few days and on Wednesday engaged Robt. Sweet to take them and their machine back to Stottville in his auto.

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From: Red Rock column, Chatham Courier, pg2, 1920-06-10

1920-10-07 John Howes Re-elected Trustee of Red Rock Cemetery Assoc

RED ROCK

At the annual meeting at the Christian church Monday afternoon all of the former officers were re-elected. At the cemetery meeting the three trustees, John Howes, Irving Ford and Wm. Lamoree were re-elected and Richard Henderson was elected clerk.

E. S. Howes is doing mason work for E. Mercer in Austerlitz.

Walter Briggs and family of Pittsfield spent Sunday with his mother, Mrs. Alice Briggs.

Frank Everett entertained his sister, Mrs. Gage from Hudson Sunday.

Jay Powell of Pittsfield was a recent guest at E. R. Blunt's.

Mr. and Mrs. John Howes of Ashley Falls were recent guests at J. W. Coxon's.

Mr. and Mrs. George Revera and friends of Torrington, Conn., motored to the place owned by G. F. Fuller of Gt. Barrington Sunday. They told inquiring friends that Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are both in very poor health.

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From the 1920-10-07 Chatham Courier, page 4

1920-10-07 Mr and Mrs John Howes of Ashley Falls Guests at J. W. Coxon's

RED ROCK

At the annual meeting at the Christian church. Monday afternoon all of the former officers were re-elected. At the cemetery meeting the three trustees, John Howes, Irving Ford and Wm. Lamoree were re-elected and Richard Henderson was elected clerk.

E. S. Howes is doing mason work for E. Mercer in Austerlitz.

Walter Briggs and family of Pittsfield spent Sunday with his mother, Mrs. Alice Briggs.

Frank Everett entertained his sister, Mrs. Gage from Hudson Sunday.

Jay Powell of Pittsfield was a recent guest at E. R. Blunt's.

Mr. and Mrs. John Howes of Ashley Falls were recent guests at J. W. Coxon's.

Mr. and Mrs. George Revera and friends of Torrington, Conn., motored to the place owned by G. F. Fuller of Gt. Barrington Sunday. They told inquiring friends that Mr. and. Mrs. Fuller are both in very poor health.

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From: Red Rock column, Chatham Courier, 1920-10-07

1922-01-26 Stanley Kellogg Filling His Ice House From John Howes' Pond

GREEN RIVER

School opened Monday after a week's vacation.

Those who have been filling their ice houses from the Oar Bed pond are J. F. Dunn, Charles Post, Geo. German, Charles Owens, Seward Doty, M. O'Connors, Stanley Kellogg is filling his from John Howe's pond in Austerlitz.

Mrs. McCourt has returned from New Britain where she was called by the illness and death of her son.

Mr. McCourt has returned from New York where he was called by the death of his mother.

John Dunn hurt his foot quite badly by dropping a cake of ice on it.

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From the 1922-01-26 Chatham Courier, page 9

1922-05-11 C. W. Coxon & John Howes Visit at James Coxon's

FOG HILL

Cornelius King of Long Island City spent several days last week at James Coxon's.

Mrs. Nadler, and son John and Freda Nadler spent Sunday in Canaan.

C. W. Coxon and family of Hudson and John Howes of Ashley Falls Mass, were recent visitors at James Coxon's.

Hugo Nadler received a shipment of 500 grape vines last week which he is setting out on his farm.

Arbor day exercises were observed by the school Friday.

Mrs. E. M. Dedrick of Springfield was an over Sunday guest at A. McCaggs.

Mrs. A. McCagg spent last Wednesday at Wm. Quinn's in West Stockbridge.

Robert Sweet has purchased an auto Hugo Nadler and son John spent Saturdav in Pittsfield.

The Misses Ruth, Elsie and Rachel Carpenter who have been spending several weeks at E. C. Carpenters, have gone to Glendale to visit their aunt.

Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Carpenter spent Sunday at Harry Alexander's in West Center.

Geo. D. Powell spent Monday in Hudson.

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From 1922-05-11 Chatham Courier, page 13

1922-05-25 OBSERVING HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF CHRISTIAN CHURCH

RED ROCK ANNIVERSARY TO BE HELD MEMORIAL DAY

OBSERVING HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Morning, Afternoon and Evening Exercises-Morning, Pageant Will Represent Formation of the Organization and the Formal Opening of the Church-Descendants of Charter Members to Participate.

The plans for the formal observance of the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Red Rock Christian church are nearing completion.

The exercises will be held next week Tuesday, May 30 and will begin at ten o'clock in the forenoon, eastern standard time. The morning program will consist of special music and an address. At noon there will be a basket lunch and the afternoon excersises are scheduled to begin at 1:30 o'clock. They will include a pageant or pantomime representing the organization and early history of the church, a reading, by Ashley B. Howes of Canaan Center, of an historical sketch of the church, an address and special music. The evening exercises will include the musical pantomime entitled "Oh, Zion Haste" presented by seven girls, Misses Doris Lamoree, Miriam Kline, Myrtle Goodrich, Dorothy Black, Helen Jenkins, Hilda Briggs, and Arline Doty. An address by a speaker prominent in the activities of the Christian church will conclude the programme.

Episode number one in the historical pageant in the afternoon will represent a meeting of neighbors in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Starks. Stephen Soule urges the organization of a new church. Starks is at first doubtful of the success of such project but is finally convinced. At this point David Ford suggests calling in conference three elders from Kinderhook. This meets the approval of all present and Starks writes and dispatches to them an invitation.

Episode number two represents a meeting in the school-house near Reuben Jenkins' home. The elders arrive and address the gathering and a church organization is perfected, seven charter members signing the roll.

The third episode represents the olden-time singing school which part and parcel of churches in the bygone years, the members of this school being impersonated by the Red Rock choral club.

The fourth and final episode represents the exercises that were held in connection with opening the new church.

Among those who impersonate the men and women who were prominent a hundred years ago, in forming this church organization are the following:

Ashley B. Howes as Amos Starks, Mrs. Henry Frisbee as Mrs. Starks Harry M. Doty as Stephen Soule, Chester I. Ford as David Ford, Miss Doris Lamoree as Mrs. Ruth Starks, Miss Harriet Kline as Molly Starks, Miss Eleanor Doty as Betty Starks, Charles W. Havens, Alfred Kline and Richard Henderson as the three elders from Kinderhook. Mrs. Emma Ford as Mrs. Harriet Ford, James Black as Jonathan Ford, Eldridge Howes as master of the singing school. Various other characters will be represented but it is not possible to name them at this time.

Attics and old clothes presses in Red Rock and vicinity have been explored and much old-time attire has been found which will be used on this occasion. A very large part of the costuming will, however, be provided by Miss Mary Eberle of Chatham who is directing the production.

The new bell for the church arrived early in the week and on Wednesday was placed in the church belfry. It first use, as was stated last week, will be when it rings next Tuesday to signalize the centennial anniversary of this church.

The painting of the church, as well as minor repairs thereto, will be completed this week and if the weather man is in an amiable mood, next Tuesday will be a red letter day in the history of Red Rock, a day to be long remembered by all who attend these interesting exercises.

Present plans contemplate holding the greater part of the afternoon exercises out of doors but should the weather prove stormy, it will probably be necessary to hold them in the church.

In forming the cast of characters at effort was made to select those who are descendants of the seven charter members of the church or of those who were afterward prominently identified with its activities.

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From: The Chatham Courier, Page 1, 1922-05-25

1922-06-08 Jessie Goodrich Dies

JESSIE GOODRICH

Former Town of Chatham Resident Died in Saugerties

Jessie Goodrich, brother of Fred Goodrich of Red Rock, died Sunday in Saugerties at the age of seventy-two years, after an illness of a few hours with acute indigestion. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon in the Chatham Center Methodist church, The Rev. Mr. Lewis Pastor of the Chatham Center Methodist church officiating. Burial was in the Chatham Center cemetery. For many years the deceased, who was a son of the late Lorenzo Goodrich, was a resident of the town of Chatham. At one time he lived on a farm between Chatham Center and Old Chatham and, later, on a farm near Kinderhook lake. From that place he moved to Pittsfield, thence to Saugerties where, at the time of his death, he was living with one of his daughters.

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From: Chatham Courier, pg1, 1922-06-08

1922-07-13 Mr. and Mrs. John Howes Guests at James Coxon's

FOG HILL

Frank Osmers and family of New Jersey arrived at their farm for the summer.

John Nadler recently purchased a Ford coupe of West Stockbridge parties.

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and daughtor of New York spent Sunday at Carry Osmer's.

Mr. and Mrs. John Howes of Ashley Falls were recent guests at James Coxon's.

Huckleberries are beginning to ripen and are unusually large on account of so much rain.

Geo. D. Powell is in New York on business.

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From 1922-07-13 Chatham Courier, page 7

1922-07-27 John Howes Guest at James Coxon's

FOG HILL

Gladys and Earl McCagg of Chatham are visitors at A. McCaggs.

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Gleason of Chester were Sunday callers at Alfred Ruesch's.

Recent guests at James Coxons were, Mr. James Uyllie and family of Albany, Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Frink and Mrs. Emmeretta Frink of Canaan Valley and John Howes of Ashley Falls.

Recent visitors at Camp Osmers, were Mrs. Weasman and son Charles and Miss Margaret Flynn of New York.

Charles Coxon and two brothers of Stottville and Peter Van Allen and Alex 'Tanner of West Ghent visited at Robert Sweet's Sunday.

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From the 1922-07-27 Chatham Courier, page 8

1922-09 Austerlitz History by H. D. Harvey

AUSTERLITZ HISTORY

The first settler in the eastern part of the town of Austerlitz was Asa Harvey, the great grandfather of the writer. He came from Rhode Island, in 1788 his father coming from England about 1750. He settled on what is known as Harvey mountain in the town of Austerlitz. He came through a portion of Connecticut and Massachusetts a great part of which was then a wilderness, and went as far as the Hudson river, but on account of heavy timber and swampy conditions of the land he returned to what is now the town of Austerlitz and settled on the mountains east of that village, the timber here was much lighter and the ground drier than in the low lands, and the virgin soil was then rich and productive even on the hill tops.

What is now the village of Austerlitz was then a dense hemlock swamp almost impassable, the three streams, one from the east, one from the north and the other from the west, united in this valley to form the "Green River," noted for its fine trout fishing and taking its name from the green color of the water seen in all the deeper pools. Fallen trees had dammed up streams thus flooding the valley and turning it into an almost impenetrable swamp.

Mr. Harvey said that he found but two log houses with little clearing around each between where he settled and the Hudson river one of these was on the farm now owned by Harvey Gott between Austerlitz and Spencertown, and the other was where Ephriam Angel once lived in the town of Ghent. He must have followed the hills north of what is now the village of Spencertown for there is said to have been settlers there as early as 1765, there was also a small settlement located at West Center in the Massachusetts a few miles east of where he settled.

Old Highways

Probably the first highway in that part of the town was the road over the top of the mountains which was cut through by the Revolutionary soldiers on their march from Hartford to Albany. This was undoubtedly a small squad as I have been unable to find any record in history of any army having made this march. My father when a young man purchased at an auction, two ox chains which the man then over eighty years of age, told him that he made them with which to draw their cannon on this march, he being a blacksmith and none of the soldiers. People settled along this road and from about 1800 to 1840 it was a populous and highly cultivated section, with farm houses half a mile or mile apart, each containing a numerous family. The road has long since been discontinued and in many places so overgrown as to be difficult to follow it.

Another road, the first from Austerlitz to Spencertown, ran along the hillside on the west side of Austerlitz valley, through the woods west of the village and then turned west along the Austerlitz valley, through the woods west of the village and then turned west along the edge of the woods south of, and nearly paralleling the present highway which it crossed about half way up the hill west of where the stream crosses the present road, here it went through the woods north of the present location uniting with the present highway where the old school house, in former district No. 6 stood, It then probably followed about the course of the present high way until near the large piece of woods where it entered what it locally known as the "Fort" which was at one time a plowed field of some 60 or 80 acres, but now overgrown with trees and brush. The fort probably consisted of a strong log house with loop holes cut for defense.

The road ran along the fence on the south side of this field and entered the wood perhaps a quarter of a mile north of the present highway and running about parallel to it through the woods, and then north of the glacial moraine which had formed a large gravel knoll north of the present highway and just west of the woods, the remains of what probably were abutments of a bridge, may still be seen at the side of the small stream, which crosses the highway at this place, this bridge was located near the north side of this field. It continued at an angle until it reached a point about half a mile north of the present highway when it veered toward the south and again crossed it at a point near the top of the long hill east of Spencertown, it then continued along the fence on the east side of the large field between the state road and the one going to "Fire Hill" when it reached this it followed the present course to the village of Spencertown, from there on there is no indications of its having come other than the course of the present state road.

There is said to have been an earlier road which went North from what is locally known as the "Everett lot" just at east side of wood road. This road which is now marked only as a wood road, must have gone some distance North of the one just described but of its location nothing remains except the wood road leading north from the aforesaid Everett lot.

Store

The store in the village of Austerlitz is a very old building and so far as I know the only one ever used for that purpose in the village. The first proprietor that I have any knowledge of was Anson Brown who died about 1860 at an advanced age. He had made a competence and retired to private life twenty or more years before this and about 1840 Aaron Bell purchased the stock of goods and continued as proprietor until about 1865 or 70 when he too retired on a well earned competency. These dates are only approximate as I have no way of …

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[dif]ferent people kept the store but, the advent of the mail order house, the habit of people going to the largest places to trade so reduced the income that none survived.

MILLS

Probably the first erected was a grist mill on the stream from at a point nearly opposite where the road to Red Rock branches from the Fog Hill road, a pine log which is still to be seen, was thrown across the stream forming a dam which threw the water into a canal running along side the stream to a point near the upper end of the village. The plow has obliviated all traces of it in the field but it soon entered the woods on the hillside where it is plainly to be traced following the stream until just above the first house the village where the water was carried over the wheel which turned the mill, the tale race of which is still plainly to be seen.

About 100 rods above where the aforesaid log dam was located was afterwards built a shingle mill which was run until about 1859. This mill was made to cut shingles from blocks of chestnut logs and was run by water power from a dam on the site.

Another of the early mills was a sawmill located on the east stream about half a mile east of the village. This mill was run until about 1880 before being discontinued. During the latter part of the time a shingle mill was added for cutting chestnut shingles Still farther up this same stream was built a mill about 1850 for the purpose of turning wagon hubs, the mill was built by a man named Ephriam Gleason but was never operated to any extent.

Another mill which I believe was built for cutting shingles about 1840 was located on the stream from the west and about a quarter of a mile from the village of this not even a trace is left to show where it was located.

Two other mills were located near the south line of the town, the first a saw mill which was in use until very recently and a short distance below this a grist mill recently torn down. Prior to about 1860, date not known a man by the name of Brainard erected machinery in this mill for the manufacture of small carpenter's tools as gages, tysquares[sic] and bevels, after the discontinuances of this business it was run as a grist mill until the breaking away of the dam stopped all operations.

Churches

The first church erected in the village of Austerlitz was a Congregational church built in 1792, the Christian church was built in 1851, a short history of these churches is given in the the published history of Columbia county.

Among the characters in this village may be noted a blacksmith named Clark Beeby[sic] who occupied a shop in the north part of the village until about 1860 when he retired from business, Mr. Beeby was a veteran of the war of 1812 and a great story teller of the Broddingnangrian[sic] type, but he had told them so often that perhaps he himself had come to believe them almost true. The following is given to illustrate. During the war desertions had become so numerous that it was decided that the next deserter was to be shot from a cannon. The gun was loaded with powder and the man put in head foremost and shot out over a hemlock swamp, his legs spread out and he mowed a swath through the tops of the trees. Some of the men thought to see if any trace of him could be found, and went to the other side of the swamp where they found him sitting on a log picking the slivers out of his legs.

Counterfeits

Among the early residents was a number engaged in passing counterfeit money which was said to have been made in a cave in the mountains. It is well known that counterfeit money was made at what is known as Bung Hill in Great Barrington by one Gil Belcher, but this was before the days of the Austerlitz gang and has no connection therewith, of this I have the names of only a few connected with it and because many of these have relatives and descendants now living will omit all personal mention. It was some where between 1820 and '40 that it was carried on and as far as I know, none of those engaged therein were ever brought to trial, but some of them escaped only by a timely flight to other localities. One of the men said he did not do it to make money but that he enjoyed the excitement of matching his wits against those in authority, but as a last resort he too was obliged to seek safety in the western part of the state to save himself from a prolonged stay in State prison.

The location of the cave where the money was made was never generally known, but thought to have been in the neighborhood of Alford, Mass. A story was told of a man who was at work in the fields in that section and when he ate his dinner one day he sat down on what appeared to be an old moss covered log, during his meal he used a table fork which he jabbed into the log instead of laying it down, when the log began to move and proved to be an immense snake which disappeared into this cave. The general supposition afterward was the snake story was invented to keep people away from this cave which was thought to be where the money was printed.

The devices for passing the money were numerous and many of them quite ingenious, one man became a tin peddler, both his cart and harness being in that last stage of usefulness. The harness had an ample back pad in which the terrets and check hook were screwed, by unscrewing one of the terrets a space was revealed in which he kept his supply of counterfeits. The harness was tied up with strings in

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stop in some unfrequented place ostensibly to tie up some part of his harness, unscrew the terret, take out a bill and replace the terret again, thus if arrested he had only one counterfeit bill which it was easy for him to explain that he had got it in making change, as he was handling only two dollar bills at the time and the possession of one bad bill could not be held as indicating that he was passing counterfeit money.

At another time he was traveling through the country on foot, he then carried his money wrapped in tinfoil so that in case of necessity it could easily be thrown away, at one place he stopped at a store and bought a back comb for his wife giving in payment a ten dollar bill. He soon started on keeping a sharp lookout for all that was transpiring, he soon saw that he was being followed and taking his counterfeit money tossed it down in a conveniently located place and leisurely proceeded on. He was taken back by the officer who arrested him, was searched, but the only money found on him was the change he had received, which he gave up together with the comb, pleading innocence of any knowledge of the bill being counterfeit, claiming to be on his way home and that the bill passed was all the money he had. He was allowed to proceed on his way as the possession of one bill could not be made a case against him. When he arrived at the place where he had thrown the money he sat down to tie his shoe and in that way was enabled to again possess himself of his stock in trade.

Another man that was quite successful in passing the money lived just across the street from the village store in Austerlitz, he had but one eye and that he claimed was nearly blind, so that was his excuse for not

To be continued.

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Clipped from the Chatham Courier, 1922-09-07 nyshistoricnewspapers.org
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HISTORY OF AUSTERLITZ

BY H. D. HARVEY, HILLSDALE, N. Y.

Continued from last week

Another man that was quite successful in passing the money lived just across the street from the village store in Austerlitz, he had but one eye and that he claimed was nearly blind, so that his excuse for not seeing the difference between good and bad money seemed very natural. One day his little daughter was in the store when several men were looking at a bill that was thought to be spurious, she looked at the bill and then said "Oh that is alright I know it is for papa has got a whole big roll of them. A man who was in the ring chanced to be in the store, he slipped out quietly, went across the street and informed the other man of what had happened whereupon he slipped quietly out of the back door to the woods beyond and there Austerlitz was minus one of its citizen's.

Another man had been spotted as one of the gangsters and who lived in Green River was obliged to seek safety in flight, one day he came to his home in the early morning and was up stairs in bed when the posse came to the house to arrest him, he heard them and hastily donning his mother's light gown and nightcap came down to the room where the officers were a handkerchief to his face sobbing. "My son will surely be arrested," the officers were misled by this apparent grief and went up stairs to take the culprit, no sooner had they left the room than the nightdress and cap, were discarded and a quick getaway made for the woods which were reached in time to save him. Another man who had been honored by the sheriff sought to have his revenge on that officer. This man had a friend who lived within a few rods of the Massachusetts line which runs along the top of the mountain east of Austerlitz, through this friend he let it be known that he would be at his house on such a day and hour. The sheriff arrived at that time and went in to arrest his man, who at once left by the back door and ran until he had crossed the state line when he halted and allowed the sheriff to overtake him, he then proceeded to give that officer a terrible beating remarking that he would learn him better than to chase him into Massachusetts again. Being out of his jurisdiction the officer had no authority to arrest the man neither could the man be charged with resisting an officer.

There are other instances which might be given where ready wit saved the evil doers from the penalties they so richly deserved. Tho gang was finally dispersed most of them seeking safety in flight, and it was never known for a certainty who it was that printed the money or where it was done.

Years afterwards another gang sprang up, this time it was horse stealing that was the principal objective but even murder is supposed to have been committed. As a boy I well remember a barn that was built with this object in view. This barn was built in a meadow quite a distance from any house or highway, ostensively as a hay barn. It was built against a ledge of rocks so that a load of hay could be driven in the upper part of the building on a floor for that purpose. There was a hay bay in front and one on each side for holding the hay, this building was about four feet from the rock and at the middle of this side several boards were secured so as to be easily taken down; these were filled with hay so that any one going on that side of the building would think that it was filled under the floor as well as at the sides with hay. The horses were taken to this barn where there was always plenty to eat, and a trough of water thus obviating any necessity for attention until they were to be shipped to the next station, which was done at night and thus they were taken from place to place until a suitable distance away when they were sold.

The man who owned this barn was the only one who, so far as I know was imprisoned. He was arrested and convicted and the judge sentenced him to five years imprisonment, after the passing of sentence the man soundly berated the judge for his conduct of the trial, the judge quietly heard him through, then thanked him for his compliments and added nine months more to the sentence.

The term of imprisonment was served out and when he returned to his home he settled down to a quiet and orderly life and was thereafter respected by all who knew him as an honest and industrious member of society.

There is one other chapter in his life, which although not definitely proven is still without a doubt in the minds of those who knew him, the farm on which he lived when a young man was sold and he occupied the one adjoining during the latter part of his life. Now on the farm he first owned was a well near the barn apparently filled with stones, and the man who occupied this farm said to him one day that he thought he would clean out that old well and put a pump in it so as to water his stock therefrom the reply was, "you can't do it, there is more than a hundred load of stone in that well'. The then present owner thought in that case it would not pay to do it, and so the matter rested for a time, but what was his surprise on passing the well afterward to see it empty of the stones and on looking down he saw the water. He then proceeded to clean it out and found only a few stones and some pieces of rotten plank, an investigation showed that sticks had been driven in the wall a short distance from the top, planks, laid on them and a few stones to make it appear that the well was filled with stone.

Railroads

The advent of the railroad caused considerable interest to be taken by the residents of the mountain as it passed near on its way from Hudson to West Stockbridge. This was about 1830 or 40, and my grandfather was one of the first from that section who decided to patronize the new institution. Now it was some four miles to the station at West Stockbridge but a point where the railroad could he reached was little more than half that distance, so he walked to that place and awaited the train. As it approached he waved his hand as a signal for them to stop, but instead of doing so they continued on at the amazing rate of about eight miles an hour and as they passed, the engineer opened the petcocks on the cylinder and spurted steam on him. This so enraged the old gentleman that he hastily gathered up a handful of stones and as long as they were within reach, he hurled them into the engine cab with such force that the engineer and fireman were forced to do some lively sidestepping to obviate being hit. He then went home where he remarked that "he guessed that railroad would never amount to much if they were not more accommodating." The next day he hitched up his horse and drove to Hudson and the railroad company was out two fares.

The first roads were built, with longitudinal timbers spiked to the cross ties, and on these were nailed strips of iron to take up the wear of the wheels, these irons often became loosened at the ends and curled up so that the wheels ran under, instead of over them, with the result that they were forced up through the bottom of the car. These were called "snake heads," and were a menace to the traveling public.

The Boston and Albany railroad, while none of it is in the town of Austerlitz, still it runs through Columbia county and some items of interest relative to it may not be out of place here. At an early meeting of the directors the question of a rate of speed at which the trains should be run was discussed and the majority of them favored a rate of ten miles an hour. One however objected maintaining that such a rate of speed was positively dangerous.

Another instance happened in the town of Canaan, where some stock belonging to a farmer strayed upon the tracks and were killed. The owner sent a bill to the railroad company which however was not allowed, the company maintaining that the train could not be stopped. To test the matter the farmer cut a very large black oak tree which was drawn partially across the track, when he unhitched all but one yoke of oxen and sent them to the barn by a hired man, the farmer with the remaining pair of oxen hitched to the log awaited the coming of the train when he commenced making an apparently strenuous effort to draw the log from the track. The train came to a stop and the conductor went forward to see what the trouble was, when the farmer turned to him and said "I thought you couldn't stop," we had to or be thrown off the track was the reply, "yes but when my cattle were on the track you couldn't stop," retorted the farmer, just await until I can go to the barn and get some more oxen and I will get the log off the track, he then walked leisurely to the barn, brought back the two yoke of oxen and removed the log. It is needless to say he got pay for the stock killed.

Grants

Grants to large tracts of land were made in this section notably the Livingston grant in the southern part of the county and the Van Rensselaer grant in the northern section, some of this latter grant was in the town of Austerlitz, of the first much has already been written in the Columbia county histories, but of the latter there is very little as the land was sold to the settlers much earlier than in the Livingston grant so that the complications due to anti-rent troubles were not so noticeable in this section. A humorous instance of the Van Rensselaer occupation may not be out of place here. Van Rensselaer was a very large and pompous man, and always insisted on prompt attention from his tenants. On one of his tours for collecting rents, he drove up before the house of an Austerlitz farmer, and as he did so the farmer, who was engaged in burning charcoal, and not considering his appearance as being very presentable having on no other clothing but an old cotton shirt and pair of pants, barefooted and black as an etheopian[sic] from coal dust ran into the house to make himself more tidy. Van Rensselaer saw him and called to have him come and take care of his horse, as he did not at once appear, Van Rensselaer called again and this time in so determined a manner that the farmer dared not wait to make any change of apparel and appeared as he was, Van Rensselaer then demanded to know why he did not come at the first call to which the farmer replied that he wanted to change his clothes. Van Rensselaer looked him over and then said, change your clothes, great God, what did you have on before?

It is generally known that the mowing machine was invented by a man by the name of Beal in Spencertown, but that the first model of the self-rake reaper was made in Austerlitz is known to but few. It was my maternal grandfather, Henry Comstock, a mill-right by trade, who while living in Austerlitz made the aforesaid model He did not realize the worth of the invention and allowed his children to use it as a plaything until it was broken up. Some years afterwards he went to Brockport N. Y. to work for the McCormic[sic] Reaper Co., and told them of the model. They at once saw its value and under his directions, patterns for it were made, his only recompense was his daily wages.

Schools

The school house originally stood some distance north of the present location, opposite the residence of the late George Peterson, and was removed to its present location by him some years ago. The building was then a very old one, I remember it sixty five years ago, then a very old building, so that the original frame which is still with us, must be well over a hundred years old, and probably nearly that when I attended school there in 1857. That Austerlitz once had an academy is probably known to but few persons now living. It was located just north of the Presbyterian church, between that and the road leading to West Stockbridge, and was burned somewhere about 1845. It was in operation but a few years and was only a small building. In those days all such higher schools were maintained solely by those attending, the state giving no support.

District schools were also supported principally by those attending although the state gave some support to these schools in the way of public money. At the close of the school term a rate bill was made out, each scholar being charged pro-rata for the number of days attendance, the teacher receiving no compensation until the close of the school and the tax had been collected. In those days school was in session six days in a week, but about 1860 the custom of keeping school on every other Saturday was inaugurated. It being stipulated in the contract whether the teacher should hold school each Saturday or only on alternate Saturdays, in a few years Saturday sessions were eliminated entirely.

H. D. HARVEY HILLSDALE, N. Y.

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From The Chatham Courier https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83031284/1922-09-14/ed-1/seq-6

1922-10-22 Fred Goodrich Jr., Carpenter

The garage which is being erected on Center street by Hall brothers is nearing completion and will soon be ready for occupancy. Fred Goodrich, Jr., is the carpenter.

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Transcribed from: The Chatham Courier, Thursday, October 12, 1922, News of Chatham and Vicinity column

1922-12-14 Red Rock School Honors

Red Rock School Notes

The following in the Red Rock school receive honors for the month of November.

Spelling—Franklin Lamoree, 97; George Coxon, 90; Edward Black, 90; George Gotham, 93; John Conon9(sic), 94; Charles Briggs, 91; Tyler Gleason, 95; Helen Linker, 97; Lewis Jones, 91; Alexander Dolisher(sic), 92; William Clarkson, 99; Kenneth Ford, 99; Margaret Gorham, 97.

Arithmetic—George Coxon, 97; Franklin Lamoree, 97; Edward Black, 91; George Gorham, 95; Ernest Gleason, 92; John Coxon, 90; Tyler Gleason, 90; Alexander Doleski, 95; William Clarkson, 96; Kenneth Ford, 90; Ernest Tweedy, 92.

English— Charles Briggs, 95; John Coxon, 90; George Gorham, 90.

—
From: Red Rock column, Chatham Courier, pg11, 1922-12-14

1923-01-18 Red Rock School Honors

Red Rock School Notes

Honors earned for the month of December at Red Rock school:

Arithmetic grade 8—Kenneth Ford, 90; John Coxon, 90; William Clarkson, 93.

Grade 7—Ernest Gleason, 92;

Grade 5—George Gorham, 99; Geo. Coxon, 96; Tyler Gleason, 97; Franklyn Lamoree, 99.

Grade 3—Charles Briggs, 90.

Spelling, Grade 3(sic)—William Clarkson, 99; John Coxon, 97; Kenneth Ford, 99.

Grade 7—Earnest Gleason, 99; Edward Black, 97;

Grade 5—Tyler Gleason, 99; George Coxon, 98; George Gorham, 92; Franklyn Lamoree, 96; Lewis Jones, 100.

Grade 2—Edwin Levy, 96; Ernest Tweedy, 100;

English, Grade 5—George Gorham, 91; George Coxon, 90;

Grade 3—Charles Briggs, 93; Alexander Doleski, 91.

—
From: Red Rock column, Chatham Courier, pg11, 1923-01-18

1923-03-22 Funds Raised for Christian Church Bell

RED ROCK

A silo on the Ten Broeck or Sawyer farm Was destroyed during Friday's wind storm.

Mrs. Black has purchased Ralph Franklin's team.

J. W. McGowan of New York and J. Harding of Schenectady spent Sunday at their respective homes.

Cal. Buel has returned to his sisters Mrs. Duodoire's.

Frank Doleski's family are recovering from illness.

The list of contributors to the fund with which to purchase and install a bell in the Christian church is as follows:

Chester Ford $5, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kline $5, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Lamoree $2, Edward Jenkins $1, Charles Reynolds $2, Mrs. J. F. McGowan $3, D. J. Jones $1, E. S. Howes $1, Marie and Richard Henderson $8, J. N. Dudoire $2, Elsie Black $2, Carrie Strada $1, A. B. Howes $2, Marie Schaible $1, H. C. Pierson $1, Florence Croceti $1, D. R. Blunt $.50 Harry Doty $1, E. H. Griswold $1, Reuben Seymour $1, M. C. Bailey $1, Wilson Terry $1, Wm. Hatmaker $1, Charles Eberle $2, John Howes $2, Vincent Henderson $5, E. B. Reynolds $1, Frank Pratt $1, Enla Cook $1, E. B. Gifford and Son $2, A. B. Ford $1, Wm. Powell $5, Charles Havens $2, Henrietta Boright $4, Dr. Charles Harmon $2, John Eberle $2, Randa Drumm $1, Ann Ford $1, Dr. J. C. Mesick $8, Wilson Gallup $5, Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Bemiss $2, Ida Spencer $1, Mrs. E. A. Johnson $.50, C. E. Covey $1, Charles Seipel $1, Warren Wood $1, Henry Frisbeen $2, Edgar Vanderburgh $2, Bertha M. Bitzer $5, Canham and Marcy $1.15.

Total $96.15.

The report of Chester Ford, who is treasurer of the fund, shows that the entire amount was expended for the purchase of the bell, freight, material and supplies. The cost of the bell was $59,65.

—
From the 1923-03-22 Chatham Courier, page 7

1923-10-04 Working the Roads Editorial

WORKING THE ROADS.

The Courier has previously made reference to the manner in which highways are worked (?) in the average town. It is a method that is being continued and we cannot understand why. The system we refer to is that of scraping the grass and dirt from the ditches into the middle of the road and, in many instances, leaving the sod in the road to be pulverized by traffic.

As we see it, the only benefit derived is that of cleaning the ditches and this is but temporary. This soil is worn out, powdered, pulverized. It positively will not make roadbed but is shoved back into the ditches by automobiles, there to remain until it is again dragged into the middle of the rod. In times of wet weather it constitutes a menace to every person who passing over it in a car because of skidding inasmuch as there is absolutely nothing in this soil that will provide traction. On hills this is especially dangerous.

Apparently town road working methods have not kept pace with modern progress. In the days when the highways were used only by horse drawn vehicles, this method may have sufficed but it is antiquated now and has been for several years. As we see it nothing is worked but the taxpayers for it is certain that they get nothing of a permanent, or even semi-permanent, nature for the money expended.

We realize that all the roads in each town cannot be transformed into what are termed improved highways but it would seem that the local road-working forces could do the next best thing, namely remove this worn out soil from the roadways and replace it with good, clean creek gravel which is obtainable along the majority of the roads or, at least, without a haul so long as to be prohibitive. It as true that not as much road could be worked at one time under this method but it is also true that whatever was done would have a semblance of permanence, and, we believe, the result would be more satisfactory and much more economical in the long run.

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Transcribed from: The Chatham Courier, Thursday, October 4, 1923, Editorial

1926-01 George & John Coxon Passed the Regents

Regents Results:

The following passed the Regents in Geography. Those marked N.R. are non-residents: L'Marie Levick, Helen Murphy, Gertrude Berr n. r., George Coxon n. r., John Coxon n. r., John Griswold n. r., Lewis Kirby n. r., Minnie Kuhmist n. r., Nicholas Perry n. r., Lavancha Reed n. r., Patrick Slattery n. r., Robert White n. r.

The following passed Spelling: Martha Alvord, Viola Belcher, Rita Dowd, Arthur Eberle, Edith Gallup, Marion Garner, Delmar Goodrich, Welcome Gott, Ruth Hanor, Nelson Hoffman, Mary Hogle, Delbert Loomis, Irene Lee, L'Marie Levick, Everett Marston, Helen MeGuire, Helen Murphy, Josephine Navarra, Madeline Ostrander, Walter Palmer, Estella Pulver, Elinor Shay, George Shultis, Ella Staats, Laura Staats, Edna Strever, De Witt Tubbs, non-residents: Frances Barringer, Charles Belding. Ruth Bristol, Frances Cockrell, Kenneth Freehan, Forde Gathan, George Gorham, John Griswold, Leona Hand, Frank Hatch, Edith Jenks, Minnie Kuhmist, James Leonard, Agnes Pettit, John Quinion, Lavancha Reed, Patrick Slattery, Charles Wagner, Sylvester Walker, Marcella Williams.

Arithmetic: Martha Alvord, Rita Dowd, Edith Gallop, Delmar Goodrich, Ruth Haner, Nelson Hoffman, Mary Hoke, Wm. Knapp, Delbert Loomis, Everett Marston, Madeline Ostrander, Walter Palmer, Earl Sitzer, Caroline Sharp, George Shultis, Ella Staats Laura Staats, Edna Strever, De hitt Tubbs, Ernest Van Buren, Malcolm Van Loan.

Non Resident: Estephan Dellea, Clara Hoch, Martin Mordenstein, Lavancha Reed.

Reading: Raymond Brown, Beatrice Decker, Caroline Sharp, Helen Moore. Non-rosidents: Charles Belding, Frances Cockrell, Kenneth Freehan, Forde Gathan, Clara Hoch, James Levnard, Martin Morgenstein, John Quinion, Lavancha Read, Michael Tinger.

Elem. U. S. History with Civics: Madeline Potter. Non residents: Lewis Bemiss, Robert Butcher, John Coxon, Kenneth Freehan, Vincent Stratford, Sylvester Walker, Wilho Wilska.

Elem. English: Non residents: Lewis Bemiss, Robert Butcher, Frances Cockrell, Kenneth Freehan, Forde Gathan, Clara Hoch, James Leonard, Martin Morganstein, John Quinion.

High School. Elem. Algebra: Ruth Armitage, David Dardess, James Drumgoole, Donald Barnes, Gerald Hartigan: Harry Hogeboom, Beatrice Casey, Dorothy McGuire, Agnes Moore, Susan Craft, Kathryn Moore, Andrew Pinkerton, Madeline Potter, Lilian Rowe, Frances Shapiro, Mildred Stone, Dorothy White.

Physics: Hazel Sharp.

Int. Algebra: Joseph Barry, Robert Jenkins, Julia Oles, Elsie Rundell, Ellwynne Vreeland.

Civics: Elizabeth Tank. Allen Van Alstyne,, Frederick Willis, Herbert Young, Marie Bell, Doris Burrows, Mary Callahan, Evelyn Christensen, Susan Craft, Violet Cruden, Everett Dunton, George Flood. Ethel Goodrich, Maida Goodrich, Jesse Johnson, Richard Johnson, Frederick Laing, Perry Miller, Walter Quinion, Peter Raup, Thorn Silliman, George Southard, Vina Staron, Katherine Steuerwald, Alice Stone.

Solid Geometry, Wm. Beyer.

Biology: Mary Connell, Susan Craft, Laura Gathen, Sarah Van Alstyne, Grace Wolfe.

History C: Esther Dowd, Margaret Mowbray. Marian Mowbray.

Plane Geometry: Bertha Vosburgh.

There were 59 pupils from 19 different school districts here for examinations.

—
From: Chatham Courier, 1926-01

1926-02-25 AMOS JACKSON AGED COLORED MAN, WON OLD-TIME FIDDLERS' CONTEST

AMOS JACKSON AGED COLORED MAN, WON OLD-TIME FIDDLERS' CONTEST

Receives $50 Offered by Times-Union—Was Born in Town of Chatham and Has Played Violin 65 Years—Pupil of Prof. Ed. Lee.

Amos Jackson of Ghent, 77, winner of the Times Union old time fiddler’s contest in Albany Tuesday evening, has played the violin since he was twelve years old. He now holds the title of champion fiddler in the Albany area.

He was born in the town of Chatham and says that one night he heard a man playing a violin, was pleased with the music and decided to learn to play. His mother was opposed to the idea because, she said, she believed it would interfere with his education "and," remarked Amos "She was right; it did."

A man named Horace Halsey who lived in the community called Piersonville, near Chatham, gave him a violin. He started taking lessons from Professor Edward Lee, an old-time musician who lived in Hudson and who became better known as a violin player and orchestra leader than any other man in Columbia county before or since. He also took lessons of Emil Percelt, an Albany man who was a widely known teacher at that time. During these years Jackson lived near Red Rock, a small village in the town of Canaan.

When he was fourteen years old he played for his first dance which was held in the kitchen in the home of Oscar Vandenburg who lived in Piersonville. From 8:30 in the evening until 2:00 o’clock in the morning he played alone and was highly complimented at the conclusion of the dance.

For his services he received seventy-five cents, his supper and a pair of socks.

He made rapid progress with his lessons and in a comparatively brief time his services were in wide demand. Prof. Lee was so favorably impressed by his playing that he frequently used him in his orchestra in various parts of Columbia county and in adjoining counties.

Jackson finally organized his own orchestra, a member of which was Archie Brown of Albany, a well known cornet player. Another member was Joseph Marone of Albany a harp player of unusual ability. He and Jackson composed the entire orchestra at hundreds of dances in various sections.

Although Jackson is a colored man, none of the Columbia county musicians drew the color line and he was always welcome in any orchestra because of his ability and pleasing personality.

His fame spread beyond the confines of the county and he frequently played in Pittsfield, Great Barrington and Sheffield, Mass., and Canaan Conn.

Every Saturday evening for twenty-six years he has played the violin for dances in Odd Fellows Hall on Beaver street in Albany where the Symphonic dancing class meets. Here he plays both the modern and old- time music. He says he learned to play jazz because it was necessary and not because he liked it. He prefers the old-fashioned selections.

He says that although he has not kept an accurate account, he has earned thousands of dollars with his violin.

For many years he was a resident of Chatham where he was employed as delivery clerk by W. H. Ten Broeck, grocer, and later by the late Charles Hawley in a hardware store. After Mr. Hawley sold the business, Jackson moved to Albany and resided there until a few years ago when he came to Ghent.

The violin he played in the contest was loaned by Orville Ferris at Kline Kill, near Chatham. Its age is not known although is considerably more than 150 years old and is valued at $500.

—

OLD-TIME FIDDLERS' CONTEST TO-NIGHT AND TO-MORROW NIGHT IN CHATHAM

It is expected that an audience that will tax the capacity of the Orpheum theater will assemble this evening, the occasion being the Courier's old-time fiddlers' contest.

Among the contestants who have been nominated are Robert Westover, David Harder, J. W. Crain, William Kittle, Charles Westover, Geo. Hitchcock, George Westover of Chatham, Lewis Lobdell of North Chatham, John Vosburg of Canaan Center. The contest will be continued Friday (tomorrow) evening at which time it is expected several other violinists will participate inasmuch as the competition is open to all. The winners will be chosen by the audience.

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Transcribed from: The Chatham Courier, Page 1, Thursday, Feb. 25, 1926

1926-03-04 VIOLIN MADE OF CIGAR BOX AND BOW OF HAIR FROM HORSES TAIL

VIOLIN MADE OF CIGAR BOX AND BOW OF HAIR FROM HORSES TAIL

Although Hindered by Many Obstacles, George Coxon of Fog Hill is Determined to Learn to Fiddle.

Reading the article in last weeks Courier about Amos Jackson, an old time fiddler, and the few lines "Music Has its Charms" about George Coxon, he being a young acquaintance of mine, brings to my mind a few interesting things in regard to this young man.

George, who is but sixteen years old lives on a farm on Mt. Pleasant more commonly known as "Fog Hill" or "Huckleberry Mt." not far from Red Rock one of the highest, driest. and most inaccessible places this side of the Himalayas. He is a grandson of John Howes who formerly lived on this farm.

George is a young man of exceptional muscal talents. His musical education started a short time ago when he got possession of a mandolin. After playing it by ear for a while he began to think about taking lessons but how could he take lessons when there was no mandolin instructor within commuting distance.

As a result George began to think ahout violins but as violins don’t grow on huckleberry bushes he endeavored to make one from a cigar box, in this he was quite successful but then, how could one fiddle without a bow so after rummaging around in the attic he finally came across an old bow which once belonged to his great uncle but with age had lost the horse hair so George procured a lock of hair from "Old Dobbin's Tail" which he used to complete the bow.

In sawing on this cigar box instrument he soon became quite proficient but as a baby can’t creep all its life he soon outgrew this musical sawhorse and by this time was what some would call "fiddle crazy" He played so earnestly and stuck to it so faithfully that his father bought him a real violin. He at once began taking lessons of Chauncey Smith, violin instructor and orchestra leader of State Line, Mass.

George tells me that after a heavy snow it is almost impossible to travel in that section without the aid of snowshoes, skiis or wings, therefore, he says, he occasionally misses a lesson.

George loves to listen to other musicians and from them has learned several old-time dance pieces which he delights in playing.

He recently displayed his musical ability for the first time in public by contributing a few selections at the dances held in the Piersonville school house.

The interesting part of this is that this school house is next to the former Oscar Vanderburg place where Amos Jackson first displayed his talent at the age of fourteen years.

Who knows but what George when an old man, may play in some contest and win a prize or, like Mollie Dunham, may fiddle for some future industrial magnate such as Henry Ford?

X. Y. Z
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Transcribed from: The Courier, Thurs., March 4, 1926

FOG HILL

Frank C. Osmers of Haworth, N. J., was a week end guest at James Coxon's.

George Coxon went on skiis to State Line Saturday to take his violin lesson.

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Transcribed from: The Chatham Courier, 1926, Fog Hill column

Uncle George and the Cigar Box Violin

While searching old newspapers for hints to my family history around Mt. Pleasant (aka Fog Hill), and looking for information about the Red Rock and Mt. Pleasant Telephone Co. I came across the preceeding cool stories about Amos Jackson and my dad's kid brother George. I had never heard of Amos Jackson. And I never heard of Uncle George's fiddling either. Dad mentioned one time playing banjo with his mom at the Show Boat in New Lebanon NY. I'm thinking that could have been with "Pop" Sweet who grew up in the Fog Hill area and married my dad's Aunt Margaret Coxon. I'm guessing they all might have played together at times but haven't tried to research that yet.

There are other connections to me and my family in these articles but I won't bore you with them here.

1926-08-05 Piersonville Would Have Best Country School

Piersonville

The many friends of Fred Goodrich Sr., will regret to learn that he is again in poor health.

WOULD HAVE BEST COUNTRY SCHOOL

Such is Aim of Residents of Piersonville District Near Chatham.

Joseph Dudoire, trustee of the district school in Piersonville, between Chatham and Red Rock, says an effort is being made to have this the best equipped one-room school in New York state and it is hoped to accomplish this end without resort to additional taxation on the district property. Funds are being raised holding lawn parties, by suppers and other public gatherings and because the residents of the district are cooperating with him, they are well patronized and are decidedly successful. At present it is desired to have the school building wired for electric lighting and a new floor laid. The proceeds of ice cream sales bought a piano and a Victrola was also provided as were pictures and other furnishings and equipment. Because of the rather unusual interest the parents and friends, of the pupils are taking, it is believed the goal for which they are striving will be reached.

On Tuesday evening, of this week an ice cream sale was held on the grounds and about 100 people attended although the event had very limited advertising. Next week Tuesday evening, August 10, there is to be another ice cream and cake sale and a dance will also be held.

This is one of the smallest schools in the county. Last spring there were but six scholars and when school opened last fall there were but two. This number was considerably increased, however, during the winter. The attendance will be larger during the coming school year inasmuch as there are now more children in the district than formerly. Mrs. Lester Goodrich has been the teacher for several years. Inasmuch as she has given excellent satisfaction she has been re-engaged. The district officers are: Trustee, Joseph Dudoire; clerk, Lester Goodrich; treasurer, Eugene Stickles.

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Clipped 2023-07-29 from: The Chatham Courier, Local News, 1926-08-05.

1927-04-28 Dairymen's League Notes Passing of Mr. Fred Goodrich

DAIRYMEN ENJOY ANNUAL DINNER

Was Held at the Chatham House Last Saturday Night.

The Chatham Local of the Dairymen's League held their third annual dinner at the Chatham House on Saturday evening April 23.

Fifty dinners were served to League members their wives and a few invited guests.

After all had eaten their fill of the excellent well-served dinner for which the Chatham House is known cigars were passed and everyone settled themselves comfortably.

Director Culver then introduced Mr. Davis, Ulster County President, who told of the great success of the League. On the first of May the League will pay off its first certificate of indebtedness, which a great many people doubted it would ever be able to do. He praised the League attorneys for the victories they had won not only for the League but for the Wool Growers Association and other Co-operative organizations in their legal battles. Thus he brought out the fact that the League was not working only for the benefit of the dairy farmer but for all farmers.

He spoke of the great battle ahead, the fight against the bringing in of Western milk. He said it would hat eastern agriculture in its most vital spot as 53 per cent of all farm produce in New York State is milk. The eastern farmer cannot long compete with cheaper western milk. He reminded them that the price of milk is steadily approaching the cost of production plus a reasonable profit. But with western milk flooding the New York market the bottom would drop out of milk.

He urged the league members to help in this fight, to acquaint the business men of the community with this grave danger, dangerous to them as well as the farmer for it meant deserted farms and deserted farms mean less business.

Mr. Davis called attention to the Presentment by President Slocum of the League to the New York City, Board of Health and classed it as one of the greatest farm works of all times, A. B., Buchholz, Farm Bureau Manager spoke of the hearty support given the League by Columbia County Farm Bureau in the past and assured them of continued support.

President Russell of the local dairy men's league, and William Dean, County President each spoke n few words.

The President spoke with regret of the passing of Mr. Fred Goodrich one of the founders and the first President of the local Dairymen's League.

All present voted this the most successful dinner of the League has yet given.

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From: The Chatham Courier, Page 1, 1927-04-28

1927-04-28 Wildcat on Hood of Stuck Car

ALBANY MAN USES STALLED CAR AS BARRICADE AGAINST WILD ANIMAL

While Car Was Stuck in Mud Between Lebanon and Canaan, Strange Creature Mounted the Hood and Made Faces at Him Through, Wind-shield.

According to the stories heard in Canaan, folks who have occasion- to travel the road between New Lebanon village and Lake Queechy, should either ride in cars that will not become stalled in the mud or should provide themselves with firearms suitable for hunting big game.

A few days ago Randolph Parker of 140 State street, Albany, was attempting to negotiate this road when his car ran into a mud hole and became stalled. He made his way to a nearby house and telephoned to the Canaan garage firm of Bither and Fingar for assistance.

As he was returning to the car, he heard a noise in a clump of bushes along the road and immediately afterward saw a strange animal leap a fence and start in his direction.

Parker hurried to his car, with the animal in pursuit, although the progress of the latter was more or less leisurely. When Parker reached the auto, he immediately closed all the windows as a means of barricading himself against the animal which began circling about the car and approaching nearer and neerer. Finally it mounted one of the running boards then explored the rear portion of the car's exterior, them mounted the other running board and finally clambered on the hood. According to Parker's story, from this vantage point the animal amused itself by making faces at him and continued to do this until it was scared away by the approach of Bither and Fingar with their motor truck and other apparatus.

It was not at all hasty in making its departure and the men in the truck were enabled to approach closely enough to get a short range view. It was an animal that none of them recognized although Bither and Fingar, who have had more or less experience with jungle inhabitants, believe it was a Canadian Lynx, a sort of first-cousin to a wild cat.

Parker was unable to give a good description of it excepting to say that it had long ears and a fairly long tail.

When the truck approached, the animal slunk away, went through a fence and disappeared in a swamp and after an examination of the footprints the belief was strengthened that it was a lynx inasmuch as they did not resemble those of a wildcat.

Although many hunters have been in that section of the town of New Lebanon this year, none of them have reported seeing an animal of this kind an it is believed to be the first to appear in that locality.

Bither and Fingar are not agreed in their description of the lynx, if that's what it was. Hen declared it was a sort-of pinkish blue and Percy says it was a sort of lavender-green with trimmings of brownish black edged with old ivory and cream. There is just the slightest suspicion that neither of these descriptions is correct but you see that Hen and Percy had just been out to Hudson to a convention of tire agents and anyone is likely to get somewhat mixed up on colors when he has been denied a large part of his usual twelve hours' sleep.

Since the news of the presence of this animal became known, many hunters have traveled the Lebanon-Queechy road and have also, explored the territory adjacent thereto but it has not made its second appearance.

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From: The Chatham Courier, Page 1, 1927-04-28

1927-07-10 Goodrich Family Picnic

Piersonville

The Goodrich family held a meeting, picnic and reunion on the farm, Sunday, July 10th. Those being present included: Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Goodrich and family, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Lamoree and Gladys, Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Goodrich and Maida, Mr. and Mrs. William S. Goodrich and family, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon E. Goodrich and family, Mr, and Mrs. Jesse C. Goodrich and family, Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Hoyer and family, Mrs. Sarah L. Campbell, Edythe, Muriel and Evelyn Goodrich, also chauffeur Chas. Williams.

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Clipped from: The Chatham Courier, Local News, 1927-07-14

1927-08-11 F. L. & Jesse C. Goodrich Lease the Farm From the Estate

Piersonville

Mrs. Lester C. Goodrich and daughter, Maida, are spending to weeks in Auburn visiting with friends and relatives.

Mrs. Mueller, Mrs. Glynne and Erna Mueller of New York, are at Mulready's.

Eddie Mooney of New York is at the Mulready's.

It is reported that Chas, Stever has sold his farm to a New York party.

Jesse C. Goodrich and family have moved from Cobleskill to the Goodrich estate in this place.

Fred L and Jesse C. Goodrich have leased of the heirs, the whole properties of the estate and have taken possession.

Robert Ross is working in the Chatham Farmers' Exchange feed store.

Stewart Goodrich is employed by Doyle Bros.

Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Stickles entertained a party of friends and relatives Sunday.

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Clipped from the Chatham Courier, Local News, 1927-08-11

1928-05-17 John Howes Remains Brought From Ashley Falls

RED ROCK

Mr. and Mrs. Malvin Clark of Rock City, and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Jones of Chatham, spent Sunday at D. J. Jones'.

Mr. Frear and family of Pittsfield, were recent guests at Herbert Harrington's.

E. S. Howes spent the week end with friends in Pittsfield and Lenox.

Messrs. Clark of Washington and Osmers of New Jersey, have been spending a few days at their summer homes.

The Ladies Aid Society will meet with Mrs. Gleason this week and on Wednesday, May 23rd with Mrs. Linker's.

Dr. W. B. Park of Chatham attended service here Sunday.

Mr. and. Mrs. Charles Reynolds, Jesse Reynolds and C. C. DeGroff attended the funeral of Roderick Pettit, Wednesday.

Jacob Linker and family and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Linker, of Pittsfield, Wm. Lamoree and family, Daniel Lamoree and family, Mr. and Mrs. Pitcher and H. M. Pitcher were among those who attended a birthday party for Joseph Jenkins at his home near New Concord, Saturday evening.

The remains of John Howes, a former resident were brought from Ashley Falls Thursday, for interment in Red Rock cemetery.

Mr. Howes is survived by his wife, two sisters, Mrs. Royal Frink of Canaan Valley, and Mrs. A. H. Ford of this village, a daughter, Mrs. Coxon of this place and four grandchildren.

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Transcribed from: The Courier, Third Section, Red Rock Column, Thurs., May 17,1928

1929 Charles Merriman Coxon Probate

Name Charles Merriman Coxon Probate Date 18 May 1929 Probate Place Middlesex, England, United Kingdom Probate Place (Original) Middlesex, United Kingdom Death Date 8 Mar 1929 Beneficiary's Name Adelaide Florence Coxon

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Citation: "England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPL8-QTXN : 17 September 2018), Charles Merriman Coxon, 18 May 1929; citing Probate, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Great Britain.; FHL microfilm .

— revised 2024-07-24 jhc