More on the 1906 Village of North Pelham Elections in Which the Village Blacksmith Surprised Republicans and Democrats Alike and Won

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The Village of North Pelham election in 1906 was remarkable. Village blacksmith James Reilly ran for Village President (i.e., Mayor) on the "Municipal Ownership" ticket and the "Independent Democratic" ticket and defeated his Republican and Democratic opponents in part by hiring up all the snow sleighs in the area during a major snowstorm on election day to ensure that only his supporters could get to the polls. See:

Friday, July 8, 2005: How Did a Village Blacksmith Win the 1906 North Pelham Election by Cornering the Market on Sleighs?

Wednesday, August 17, 2005: More on the Village Blacksmith Who Won the 1906 North Pelham Election by Cornering the Market on Sleighs.

As I continue to document elements of the campaign and the election that led to this interesting result, I am transcribing below portions of a couple of newspaper articles that addressed the topic.

"VILLAGE BLACKSMITH WINS AT THE POLLS.

------

MOUNT VERNON, N. Y., March 20. -- Village elections were held to-day in various places in Westchester County. In North Pelham James Reilley [sic], the village blacksmith was elected President on the Independent Democratic ticket after a lively campaign. Reilley, who is a Fire Commissioner, made a canvass, speaking nightly and bringing to his support many followers of the old parties. He made the race on a Municipal Ownership ticket and surprised his opponents by winning out."

Source: Village Blacksmith Wins at the Polls, The Evening World, Final Results Edition, Mar. 20, 1906, p. 1, col. 4.

"LOCAL WESTCHESTER POLITICS.

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Village Blacksmith Running in North Pelham - Other Features.

MOUNT VERNON, N. Y., March 18. -- Several village elections are to be held in Westchester county on Tuesday. . . .

In North Pelham, which is one of the smallest villages in the State, James Reilly, who is known as the village blacksmith, is running for president. The two older parties overlooked Reilly at their convention and he is making the race on the Municipal Ownership ticket. His emblem is the anvil and he is making speeches nightly, urging the people of the town to rally to his support. . . .

In Pelham T. L. Jaques, manager of the Murray Hill Hotel in New York is sure to be elected president, because there is no other candidate in the field. . . . "

Source: Local Westchester Politics, The Sun, Mar. 19, 1906, p. 2, col. 4.

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Photograph of John F. Fairchild Published in 1905

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John Fletcher Fairchild lived in Pelham in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a civil engineer with offices in Mount Vernon. He servied as engineer of the Pelham Heights Company and was principally responsible for the layout and civil engineering aspects of that lovely neighborhood. He also published two editions of a superb Atlas that contained maps of Pelham in the first decade of the 20th century.

I have written on the Historic Pelham Blog about John F. Fairchild before. See: Thursday, December 6, 2007: Biography of John F. Fairchild, Engineer of the Pelham Heights Company During the 1890s.

Below is a photograph of John F. Fairchild that appeared in the September 10, 1905 issue of the New-York Tribune. The newspaper published the photograph on the occasion of John Fairchild and Arthur W. Nugent, a resident of Yonkers, being named as new captains of the 10th Regiment.

Source: New Captains of the 10th Regiment, New-York Tribune, Sep. 10, 1905, p. 7, cols. 3-4.

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The Village Elections in Pelham in 1904 - Only Nine Votes Cast for President of Village of Pelham

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In 1904, the Town of Pelham included three villages: the Village of Pelham, the Village of North Pelham and the Village of Pelham Manor. The Village of Pelham, known today as the neighborhood of Pelham Heights, was then the smallest village in the State of New York. During Village elections that year, only nine votes were cast for the position of President (i.e., Mayor) of the Village of Pelham. A brief article on Westchester County election results that appeared in the March 16, 1904 issue of The Sun recounted results in the Pelhams.

"WESTCHESTER REPUBLICANS WIN.

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Larchmont Elects K. L. Hopkins Mayor Over W. C. Figner.

MOUNT VERNON, March 15. -- Eight of the villages in Westchester county held annual elections to-day. In Larchmont, North Tarrytown and North Pelham, where party lines were drawn, the Republicans won easy victories. Larchmont elected K. L. Hopkins, the Republican candidate for President, by 122 votes over W. C. Figner, a Southern Democrat.

In North Pelham, William Edinger, Republican, was reelected President over his Democratic opponent, Dr. Barker, by 29 votes, and in North Tarrytown, Samuel Horton, the Republican candidate won over his Democratic opponent, James Lann. The issue in North Tarrytown was on the purchase of waterworks.

Frederick W. Allen, a lawyer and clubman, was elected President of Pelham Manor on a fusion ticket, and H. D. Lent, another fusionist, carried Tuckahoe. Henceforth, it is announced, the lid will be on in Tuckahoe and there will be less gambling and cock fighting. In Pelham, which is the smallest village in the State, A. M. Searles was elected President. Only nine votes were cast and he got them all."

Source: Westchester Republicans Win, The Sun, Mar. 16, 1904, p. 3, col. 2.

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An Interesting Pelham Love Story: Youngsters Married in 1901, But Kept Marriage Secret For Nearly a Year

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Two youngsters who lived in Pelham Heights in 1901 fell in love. The parents of Chester S. Walz and Lulu Schwartz reportedly objected to marriage by the couple. On September 21, 1901, they quietly married anyway and kept their marriage secret for nearly one year. Once the marriage became known, the New-York Tribune published an article about the couple. The text of that article appears below.

"KEPT MARRIAGE SECRET A YEAR.

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YOUTHFUL PELHAM COUPLE WEDDED IN SPITE OF PARENTS' OBJECTIONS--BRIDEGROOM SON OF EX-SECRETARY OF ICE TRUST.

Friends of Chester S. Walz, of Pelham Heights, and Miss Lulu Schwartz, of North Pelham, were treated to a surprise when it became known that they had been quietly married on September 21 last, and had succeeded in keeping it a secret ever since. This was the culmination of a pretty little romance which commenced two years ago, when Ms. Schwartz and Mr. Walz first met at a dance.

The bride is nineteen, while the bridegroom is one year her senior. C. A. Walz, president of the Hotel Keepers' Protective Association, is the father of the bridegroom, who is also secretary and treasurer of the same association, with offices at No. 7 East Forty-second-st. The father was the first secretary of the ice trust, and is at present making a tour of the United States with his wife. The bride's father, Edward A. Schwartz, is a drummer.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Walz are members of the Pelham Heights Tennis Club and Pelham Golf Club, and considered experts at the games. For some time they have been noticed a great deal in each other's company on the tennis court and golf links, but the older members of the club thought it was a case of youthful love, and would never amount to much. None of them suspected that for nearly a year they had been man and wife. It is said that mr. and Mrs. Walz, sr., were opposed to the match, but, despite this, the young couple went to New-York on September 21 and had the knot tied. They decided to keep the match a secret until the bridegroom reached his majority, but the news finally leaked out, and Mr. Walz decided to publish the announcement of his marriage, which appeared in the local papers yesterday."

Source: Kept Marriage Secret a Year, New-York Tribune, Aug. 23, 1902, p. 5, col. 4.

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Lucky to Be Alive: David Pettet of North Pelham Struck by Train on December 16, 1901 and Lived

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During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Pelham residents often walked along the railroad right-of-way to travel between Pelham and Mount Vernon. As one might expect, such a practice led to tragic accidents on numerous occasions. David Pettet of the Village of North Pelham was one such traveler. He was struck by the Boston Express while walking from Mount Vernon to Pelham on December 16, 1901. Here is an account of the incident.

"THROWN FORTY FEET AND LIVED.

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MAN STRUCK BY TRAIN GOING FIFTY MILES AN HOUR HAD ARM AND COLLAR BONE BROKEN.

David Pettet, sixty years old, of North Pelham, while walking on the New-Haven Railroad tracks from Mount Vernon to Pelham, yesterday, was struck by the Boston express, which was running at the rate of fifty miles an hour. He was tossed forty feet down an embankment.

The train was stopped, and when the trainmen went to pick up a dead man, as they supposed, they found that Mr. Pettet was still alive. He was taken to the Mount Vernon Hospital, where it was said that his collar bone and right arm were broken, and that he was badly shaken up, but otherwise uninjured."

Source: Thrown Forty Feet and Lived, New-York Tribune, Dec. 17, 1901, p. 14, col. 1.

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Train Schedule for the New Haven Branch Line Through Pelham Manor in April 1886

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The New Haven Branch Line once carried passengers through Pelham Manor where there stood a little Depot at the end of the Esplanade on land now covered by I-95. The commuter schedule for the so-called Harlem River Branch line periodically appeared in New York City newspapers. Below is such a schedule published in the April 26, 1886 issue of the New-York Tribune.

"HARLEM RIVER BRANCH.

NEW-YORK, NEW-HAVEN AND HARTFORD R.R.

Trains leave Harlem River Station, corner 132d st., and Lincoln-ave., near Third Avenue Bridge across Harlem River (reached by Third Avenue Elevated Railroad) daily except Sundays at 6:45, 7:50, 9:10, 10, 11:55 a.m., 2:10, 3:55, 4:40, 5:40, 6:40 and 8 p.m. for Port Morris, Casanova (Oak Point), Hunt's Point, West Farms, Van Nest, West Chester, Timpson's, Bay Chester (Pelham Bay), Bartow (City Island), Pelham Manor and New Rochelle, connecting at New-Rochelle with trains for all points on the main line of the New-York, New-Haven and Hartford Railroad, Shore Line and Air-Line Divisions; New-Canaan, Middletown, New-Britain and Sutfield Branches; and Boston and all points East.

Midnight train for New-Rochelle and all intermediate stations at 12:10 a.m. daily, except Mondays.

Sunday trains for New-Rochelle and all intermediate stations at 12 noon and 9:30 p.m., the latter train connecting at New-Rochelle with way trains to Grand Central Depot and Stamford."

Source: Harlem River Branch, New-York Tribune, Apr. 26, 1886, p. 6, col. 5.

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The Old Hunter House Burns to the Ground in an Arson Incident on Travers Island on April 4, 1889

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On April 4, 1889, a tragic fire burned a lovely old home on Travers Island known as the "Old Hunter House". Named after John Hunter of Hunter's Island who had remodeled and improved it, the main portion of the structure actually had been built in 1812 by Temple Emmett, a member of the Emmett Family that long resided in the area.

An interesting article about the fire and the firemen's response included a brief history of the house appeared in the April 5, 1889 issue of the New-York Tribune. The text of that article appears immediately below.

"A HOUSE LOST AND A TREE SAVED.

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FLAMES AT TRAVERS ISLAND - MEMBERS OF THE NEW-YORK ATHLETIC CLUB REJOICE THAT THE OLD OAK ESCAPED.

When Thomas Toby, the New-York Athletic Club's superintendent at Travers Island, who occupied apartments in the old Hunter house, opened the back door to go out at 5 o'clock yesterday morning he was literally slapped in the face by a sheet of flame that burst through the open door, impelled by the strong northeast wind. Mr. Toby was so surprised that for some time afterward he was unaware that his eyebrows, lashes and beard had been singed away as cleanly as if removed with a razor. Mr. Toby summoned the dozen or more laborers employed to put the grounds in readiness for the spring meeting of the club, and set them at work removing the contents of the building. Everything was saved from the basement and first floor, including kitchen, dining-room and reception-room furniture, but by the time this was accomplished, almost the entire exterior of the house was on fire, and the men had to run for their lives.

The fire was seen at New-Rochelle and three engines were sent to the scene. The firemen, finding there was not enough water to save the house, turned their attention to saving the giant oak on the lawn, whose wide-spreading branches stretched out over the house with a downward swoop, wonderfully suggestive of the idea that the tree was protecting the old homestead. The firemen knew that the club men loved the noble old tree and they succeeded in saving it, but the house burned down. The loss on the house and its contents is about $14,000, which is fully covered by insurance.

Captain W. G. Schuyler, vice-president of the club, went to the island yesterday, returning to the club-house, No. 104 West Fifty-fifth-st., last evening. The new club-house, which will be ready for occupancy in May, he said, was not damaged, being some 600 feet from the burned building. President Cox said that personally he was glad the house had gone instead of the oak. Many a good story was told, many a fragrant Havana burned to ashes and many a refreshing liquid quaffed underneath the shadowing branches of the old tree last summer, and there was happiness last night that the pride of the island still stood. President Cox said that the fire was probably incendiary, as it had originated on the outside of the building, in the rear, where there was nothing that could in any way start a blaze. A year ago a large stable in the rear of the Potter house, adjoining the new club house, was burned in a similar way. There is no clew [sic] to the supposed incendiary, and the members of the club know of no reason why arson should be adopted by any one as a measure of vengeance.

The old house was built in 1812, and various additoins [sic] had been made at intervals since then. The original portion of the structure contained a wide, old-fashioned hall. On the first floor was an antique fireplace, big enough to roast an ox in, over which as an inscription, 'Well befall hearth and hall.' The house was built by Temple Emmett, a descendant of Robert Emmett, the Irish patriot, and the island was for a long time known as Emmett Island. It was sold to Richard Sheffield, a boat builder, who in turn disposed of it to John Hunter, Mr. Hunter building two new wings and modernized the structure. Arthur Hunter, the amateur steeplechase and cross-country rider, and his wife, occupied the house in the summer of 1887, after which the island was sold to the New-York Athletic Club."

Source: A House Lost and a Tree Saved, New-York Tribune, Apr. 5, 1889, p. 2, col. 4.

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The New York Athletic Club Opens Its New Travers Island Boathouse in 1888

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Yesterday I published to the Historic Pelham Blog an item about the opening of the New York Athletic Club's new summer clubhouse on Travers Island in Pelham on June 10, 1888. See:

Tuesday, February 17, 2009: The New York Athletic Club Opens its New Clubhouse on Travers Island in Pelham in 1888.

Only a few weeks later, the NYAC opened a lovely new boathouse on Travers Island. A brief article about the event appeared in the August 12, 1888 issue of the New-York Tribune. Below is the text of that article.

"IN THEIR FINE NEW BOAT-HOUSE.

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THE HANDSOME ISLAND HOME OF THE NEW-YORK ATHLETIC CLUB.

The members of the New-York Athletic Club have just taken possession of their handsome new boat-house, at Travers Island. Having sold all the buildings they formerly occupied at One-hundred-and-fiftieth-st. to the Young Men's Christian Association, they purchased thirty acres at Travers Island and during the last few months have been beautifying these new grounds. The situation is an admirable one; is easy of access, and yet sufficiently isolated to insure privacy. The island is connected with Glen Island by ferry-boats; and yesterday to a Tribune reporter approaching the boat-house from that direction a gala appearance was presented. Hundreds of the club members were bathing, boating or sitting on the broad verandas which surround the building.

The boat-house is probably the largest in the country, and is certainly one of the most complete. On the first floor are the boats, which include everything in that line from a single shell to a seven oared barge. The members expect in a short time to have a full complement of sailing vessels; and one man intends to add a small schooner to the collection. On the second floor are bath-rooms and long rows of lockers, each provided with a combination lock. On this floor also is a large veranda, from which can be obtained a splendid view of all the neighboring islands. A little to the left of the boat-house is the cafe, which was formerly a cottage, and which in its present use is only a temporary arrangement. About four hundred feet northeast of this a large club building with a frontage of seventy-five feet will be erected in a short time. The dining-room will occupy the whole of the first floor; and, in the upper floors there will be about fifty rooms for those who desire to live on the island.

The building will cost about $40,000, including the furnishing expenses. There are a number of smaller buildings, and of all them and a small stable in the rear are painted a dark red; and, surrounded by beautiful groves, and lawns on which are a number of tennis courts, they present a beautiful appearance. About ten acres of the property of the club is marsh-land, which it is their intention to fill up and raise to the level of the surrounding grounds. Between the cafe and the site of the proposed new club-building is a fifth of a mile cinder track. The governing board of the club at present consists of twenty-one directors, who have the power to appoint all sub-committees."

Source: In Their Fine New Boat-House, New-York Tribune, Aug. 12, 1888, p. 16, col. 2.

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The New York Athletic Club Opens its New Clubhouse on Travers Island in Pelham in 1888

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A number of articles appeared in local newspapers in 1888 describing the opening of the New York Athletic Club's new clubhouse on Travers Island in Pelham. One such article appeared in the June 11, 1888 issue of the New-York Tribune. The text of that article appears below.

"ATHLETES IN THEIR SUMMER HOME.

-------

THE NEW-YORK ATHLETIC CLUB ENTERS ON ITS NEW CLUB-HOUSE AND GROUNDS.

Whenever clubmen have the treat of entering new quarters and vieing the results of the labors of a committee, always selected from those who are known for their good taste and their ability to act in accordance therewith, they are wont to show their appreciation in an enthusiastic manner. Such a spectacle was that witnessed when one of the firmst clubs of New-York took possession of its new house in Fifth-ave. a few weeks ago, but the enthusiasm displayed then could not compare for intensity with the feelings which were shown by half a thousand members of the New-York Athletic Club when they enjoyed the opening of their new summer home on Long Island Sound yesterday.

At 10:30 a.m. a special train left the Grand Central Station for Pelham Manor, and seven carloads of athletes were shortly after deposited on the greensward amid the usual attributes of a country scene. The jovial crowd at once strung out into a long line, which proceeded over typical country roads and footpaths to their destination in a kind of slow-going steeplechase over single-plank bridges, stone-walls, rail fences and all, to Travers Island. Among those who set their dusty feet on the island for the first time after its reconstruction were Walter Stanton, Thomas R. Keator and son, Joseph Longhman, G. Y. Gilbert, T. Warren Lawton, J.P. Thornton, Washington Morton, Frank Dickinson, William Murray, A. H. Curtis, B.C. Williams, Walter E. Peck, W.F. Shaw, Dr. Bartlett, Dr. Taylor, Charles T. Belden, William H. Raymond, James Schuyler, R. S. Luqueer, Carl Mayhoff, George H. Scott, J.J. O'Donahue, Edward Schenck, Frank Romayne, E. Clifford Potter, G. Hilliard, James Moore, Arthur H. Moore, J. Rhinelander Dillon, A. W. S. Cockran, Captain Frank Evans, Captain Waldo Sprague, Archibald Townsend, Charles Coster, Ed. Seibel, Edward Fuller, A. G. Mills, Dr. Guitteras, the ex-champion middle-weight of Harvard, Major Kipp, Judge Hyett, H. E. Toussaint, the champion swimmer, John Gulick, William E. Cable, Douglas Smythe, the club-house architect, J. H. Dalliva, of Detroit, Dr. D. McKeon, C. Cuskley, Max E. Moore and Edward Townsend.

Before noon a number of delegations arrived, among them being representative groups of the members of the New-York Riding Club, The Citizens' Bicycle Club, the Larchmont Yacht Club, the 7th Regiment and a number of rowing clubs. Shortly after noon T. Warren Lawton made a short address on behalf of President A. V. DeGolcouria, whom illness prevented from being present, and Mr. Lawton formally handed over the island to the club members, and, on the other hand, in the name of the club, thanked the members of the island committee for their endeavors."

Source: Athletes in Their Summer Home, New-York Tribune, June 11, 1888, p. 2, col. 6.

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Outgoing Town of Pelham Supervisor Embroiled in Dispute Over Town Accounts in 1906

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More than 100 years ago, the outgoing Supervisor of the Town of Pelham was embroiled in a nasty dispute that eventually led to litigation. Questions arose over the Town accounts during his tenure. An early news article described experts' reports prepared as part of competing analyses of the Town's bookkeeping records. The text of that article appears immediately below.

"HONEST JOHN'S ACCOUNTS.

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Report of the Experts Employed by the Town Board of Pelham.

When Lord & Co., accountants for the Town Board of Pelham, Westchester county, handed in a report last May calling on John M. Shinn, the outgoing Supervisor of the town of Pelham, to account for a deficit of about $17,000 Mr. Shinn proposed to vindicate his appellation of Honest John by a counter report. He employed J. W. Marsh & Co., 150 Nassau street, to make the investigation, and the report just made public gives vouchers and affidavits purporting to show that the town owes Shinn over $1,000.

Lord & Co. charged to Shinn the collection of taxes on land not assessable and other amounts not collected. The difference of about $18,000 in the reports is declared to be more of an impeachment of Shinn's bookkeeping than of his honesty.

The two reports will be submitted to the Town Board of Westchester county at the next meeting in January."

Source: Honest John's Accounts, The Sun, Dec. 15, 1906, p. 7, col. 3.

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Early 20th Century Lawsuit Brought Against the Witherbee Real Estate and Improvement Company Over Title to Lands in Pelham

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A brief news article that appeared in the June 5, 1909 issue of the New-York Tribune offers an intriguing reference that seems ripe for follow-up research. The article describes a decision by Justice Tomplins of the New York Supreme Court for the County of Westchester in which he rejects plaintiffs' claims for a partition of 19.74 acres of Pelham land held by the Witherbee Real Estate and Improvement Company. The text of the article appears below.

"Title to Land Valued at Two Million Dollars Confirmed by Court.

Justice Tompkins, of the Supreme Court, filed a decision at White Plains yesterday in which he dismisses the action brought by Mrs. Josephine W. Jessup, Maude A. Apley and others against the Witherbee Real Estate and Improvement Company, involving the title to a $2,000,000 estate in the town of Pelham, which has been contested in the courts for several years. Henry W. Taft, a brother of President Taft, who appeared as counsel for the defendants, at one time owned the property.

The action was brought for a partition of 19.74 acres of land. The plaintiffs are the widow and children of Edwin C. Jessup, who died August 30, 1908, intestate."

Source: Title to Land Valued at Two Million Dollars Confirmed by Court, New-York Tribune, Jun. 5, 1909, p. 14, col. 2.

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1910 Obituary of William Henry Sparks Who Served as Police Justice in the Town of Pelham for Sixteen Years

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William Henry Sparks served as Police Justice in the Town of Pelham for sixteen years after he moved to Pelham in 1861. He died in 1910. An obituary appeared in the September 27, 1910 issue of the New-York Tribune. Sparks Avenue, on which Village Hall for the Village of Pelham now stands, was named after Sparks. The text of his obituary appears below.

"WILLIAM HENRY SPARKS.

William Henry Sparks died late on Friday night in Chappaqua, Westchester County, where he had lived since 1902. Like his father and grandfather, Mr. Sparks was a native of New York City, where he was born on January 14, 1822. In his early life he lived far downtown, in Gold street, then a residence street of high respectability, into which neither wholesale nor retail trade had made way.

He married, on October 19, 1842, Miss Hannah Smith, a young English woman, and their married life continued for sixty-two years, as she died only two years ago.

In the winter of 1846-47 Mr. Sparks set up in business for himself as locksmith, but gave it up temporarily to serve as captain of the old police force in what was known as the 10th Ward precinct. For eleven years he was a member of the old Fire Department, in Temperance Hose Company, 15. In 1861 he removed from this city to Pelham, and thereafter until his death remained a resident of Westchester County. For sixteen years he served as police justice in the town of Pelham. Mr. Sparks leaves two sons and two daughters. The funeral will be to-day."

Source: William Henry Sparks, New-York Tribune, Sep. 27, 1910, p. 7, col. 6.

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Void Ballots in Court-Ordered Recount Change Election Result for Town Clerk of Pelham in 1905

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In 1905, a hard-fought battle between the Republican and Democratic candidates for Town Clerk of Pelham led to litigation and a decision by a Supreme Court Justice that changed the results of the election. A brief, but interesting article about the dispute appeared in the November 28, 1905 issue of The Sun, published in New York City. The text of the article appears below.

"MUST REMOVE VOID BALLOTS.

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Justice Dickey Issues an Order Which Changes Election Result in Pelham.

Supreme Court Justice Dickey in Brooklyn yesterday granted a writ of mandamus directing the inspectors of election for the town of Pelham, Westchester county, to reconvene and to remove from the ballot box forty-two void ballots that were discovered on the recount in the Supreme Court last week, and to correct the returns. In all there were 427 ballots found in the box when it was opened in the presence of Justice Dickey.

The order to open the box was granted by Justice Dickey on affidavits declaring that there were three or more void ballots in the box. Harry A. Anderson, the present town clerk and the Republican nominee for the office on the face of the returns, was defeated by one vote by his Democratic opponent, Eugene B. Sanger. The ballots were scrutinized carefully by counsel for both parties and when they could not agree the ballots were handed to Justice Dickey, who decided whether they were good or not. Forty-two ballots were thus declared void. This changed the result so that Mr. Anderson is elected by a majority of three."

Source: Must Remove Void Ballots, The Sun, Nov. 28, 1905, p. 2, col. 3.

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Another Article About the 19th Century Boundary Dispute Between Pelham and New Rochelle

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Periodically I have written about Pelham's 19th century boundary dispute with neighboring New Rochelle. See, e.g.:

Thursday, March 16, 2006: 1869 New York Herald Article About Pelham's Boundary Dispute With New Rochelle.

Monday, September 17, 2007: Articles About the 19th Century Boundary Dispute Between Pelham and New Rochelle.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting transcribes an additional article that appeared in the New-York Tribune on November 26, 1900 regarding the dispute.

"PELHAM WINS OVER NEW-ROCHELLE.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has given a decision affirming the decisions of the lower courts in the suit involving the boundary line between the city of New-Rochelle and the town of Pelham in Westchester County. The opinion sustains the Supervisors, who in 1897 gave the town of Pelham a strip of land containing fifty acres, which for many years had been in dispute and had alternately been assessed by the authorities of the two towns. The strip is a long, narrow one, running entirely through the villages of Pelham, Pelham Manor and North Pelham and the inhabitants for years had been in doubt as to where they were entitled to vote and should pay taxes. A number of plots of land on which taxes were not paid were sold by both towns, and it was a frequent occurrence for the residents to have their votes challenged at the local polling places."

Source: Pelham Wins Over New-Rochelle, New-York Tribune, Nov. 26, 1900, p. 7, col. 2.

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Approximately 13,970 Westchester County Residents Lived in the Area Annexed by New York City in 1895

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While researching other Pelham-related issues, I recently ran across a fascinating tidbit in a tiny reference published in the August 25, 1900 issue of the New-York Tribune. In a lengthy item detailing growth of the population of the Bronx, there is a brief reference to an estimate of the number of Westchester County residents (including Pelham residents) who lived within the area annexed by New York City at the time of annexation. I have excerpted the pertinent information from the material below.

"BRONX POPULATION INCREASE.

THAT BOROUGH SHOWS A GROWTH OF 127 PER CENT IN LAST DECADE.

To the Editor of The Tribune.

Sir: Herewith I send you a statement in regard to the population of New-York City, which I am ready to verify and which I think ought to be published in justice to the Borough of The Bronx, as showing the great increase in its population:

* * * * * * *

BOROUGH OF THE BRONX.

In 1890 the territory now known as the Borough of The Bronx consisted of the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards of the city and county of New-York, and the town of West Chester, part of the town of East Chester and part of the town of Pelham of the county of Westchester. In 1890 the Eleventh Census showed the population of the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards of the city and county of New-York to be 74,085, and that portion of Westcchester above mentioned, and which was annexed to the city and county of New-York in 1895 and made a part of the Borough of The Bronx in 1898, to be as nearly as can be approximated 13,970, making a total of 88,085 in the territory now known as the Borough of The Bronx. The census of 1900 gives the population of the Borough of The Bronx as 209,507. The numerical increase during the decade is 112,452, or 127.70 per cent.

* * * * * *

JAMES L. WELLS.
No. 141 Broadway, New-York, Aug. 21, 1900."

Source: Bronx Population Increase, New-York Tribune, Aug. 25, 1900, p. 12, col. 2.

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More on Pelham's Displeasure with the Loss of Pelham Bay Park Lands from the Tax Rolls in the 19th Century

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Readers of the Historic Pelham Blog will know that I have been researching Pelham's displeasure in the 19th century with the removal of Pelham Bay Park lands from the Town's tax rolls. See:

Wednesday, February 4, 2009: Pelham Has Second Thoughts in 1887 About the Proposal to Create Pelham Bay Park.

Thursday, February 5, 2009: New York City Corporation Counsel to Pelham in 1887: We Told You So!

Further research reveals that Pelham residents were so upset with the impact on their taxes that they succeeded in getting a bill before the Assembly Committee on Cities in the State legislature to compel New York City to pay taxes to the Town of Pelham on the Pelham Bay Park lands. A lengthy article on the topic appeared in February 5, 1888 issue of the New-York Tribune. The text of the article appears below.

TO TAX PELHAM BAY PARK.

------

TRYING TO BLEED NEW-YORK HEAVILY.

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AN ALMOST USELESS PARK THAT MAY COME HIGH -- TWO SIDES TO THE STORY.

There is a bill now under consideration before the Assembly Committee on Cities, the object of which is to compel the city of New-York to pay taxes on the Pelham Bay Park property in the town of Pelham, Westchester County, taken by the city for park purposes. The Commissioners of Appraisal, George W. Quintard, Luther R. Marsh and J. Seaver Page, have finished taking testimony, but have not yet made their report on the awards to be made the owners of the value of the property taken. Mayor Hewitt, when asked what he thought of the bill to compel the city to pay taxes on the park property, said:

'This bill will be discussed, among others, when the heads of departments meet with me on Monday. It would be manifestly improper for me to discuss it now. This I can say, however, that last year I tested against the city being compelled to take this property for a park. It is outside the city boundaries and too far away for the purpose for which it is intended. Such a thing as taxing public property is entirely unknown. Hence the introduction of this bill. If it passes, it will leave the city, so far as this park is concerned, at the mercy of the town authorities of Pelham. They can place on the park almost any valuation they please, and a consequent high tax, and the city would be powerless to prevent it. The entire scheme of the Pelham Bay Park, from first to last, is wrong.'

A COURSE AS NOVEL AS WRONG.

President Coleman, of the Tax Department, said: 'The idea of taxing this city for a public park is entirely novel and, of course, wrong. The park was forced on the city, in the first place, against the protest of the city authorities. There is no necessity for a park there for twenty years to come, and probably not at that time. No park belonging to the city should be outside the city limits. All the city authorities protested against the scheme of a park at Pelham Bay, and an endeavor was made to exclude it from the new parks scheme. If this new bill passes, New-York City will be compelled to pay the greater part of the taxes of the town of Pelham. That much is certain. If it could be done, it would be much better to allow the land to revert to the original owners, and pay them for any damage they may have sustained by reason of their lands having been taken for the new park.'

'Could not the city sell enough of the land acquired by it to reduce largely the park area and in good part reimburse itself for the outlay up to that time?'

'To enable the city to do so would need a special act, and would probably be resisted by the adjacent land owners whose property might be depreciated in value in consequence of the reduced area. The better way, if it can be done, is to abandon the Pelham Bay Park scheme altogether and pay the property owners for the small amount of damage they have received. This is better than to go on and spend millions of dollars for a park that will only benefit Westchester County.'

PELHAM'S SIDE OF THE CASE.

A well-known citizen of the town of Pelham has sent a letter to Mayor Hewitt calling his attention to the fact that the town of Pelham has a total area of about 3,000 acres, assessed at $1,200,000. Of this area, 1,700 acres, assessed at $500,000, are located within the limits of Pelham Bay Park. Under the present law this park property will, as soon as acquired by the city, be exempt from taxation. The taxable property of the town will be reduced to 1,300 acres, valued at $700,000, and the tax rate increased to nearly 6 per cent. This means bankruptcy for the town. It will be obliged to maintain many miles of expensive highway through the park without the right to tax the latter. The town will be obliged to maintain the same schools as now without the right to tax many hundred acres now contributing to their support. With the largely increased excursion travel, the town will have to increase its police force and this will add to the expense. The entire burden of the bonded indebtedness of the town will be thrown on less than one-half of its territory. The letter asserts that the great majority of the citizens of the town were opposed to the park. It is proposed that the city continue to pay taxes on the land to the town of Pelham until the town is annexed to the city. If the bill is passed it will increase the taxes of the city only 1-800 of 1 per cent on its assessed valuation and it will save the town of Pelham from bankruptcy."

Source: To Tax Pelham Bay Park, New-York Tribune, Feb. 5, 1888, Supplement p. 9, col. 6.

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New York City Corporation Counsel to Pelham in 1887: We Told You So!

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Yesterday I published to the Historic Pelham Blog an item entitled "Pelham Has Second Thoughts in 1887 About the Proposal to Create Pelham Bay Park". It described a meeting between a delegation of Pelham residents and the Mayor of the City of New York held in 1887. During that meeting, the Pelham residents expressed anger over the proposal to create Pelham Bay Park and remove the park lands from the tax rolls of the Town of Pelham because the move would double the taxes of Pelham residents.

Today's posting is a follow-up. A few days after the newspaper report that I transcribed and published yesterday, a second report noted that the New York City Mayor had asked the City's Corporation Counsel to explore whether repeal of the act requiring the city to purchase Pelham Bay Park would be possible or whether the courts might compel New York City to pay damages to Pelham as a consequence of the loss of tax revenues. The second report detailed the Corporation Counsel's conclusion. Interestingly, the Corporation Counsel chided Pelham for not supporting New York City's efforts only two years earlier to have the act repealed, saying Pelham lacked courage at the time. The text of the news report appears below.
"Fainthearted Citizens of Pelham.

Corporation Counsel Lacombe has replied in a long letter, with reference to Mayor Hewitt's inquiries as to the effect of the repeal of the act requiring the city to purchase Pelham Bay Park. He is in doubt as to whether the courts would compel the city to pay damages, or to what extent such damages might be recovered. He concludes as follows:

'It is greatly to be regretted that the large number of residents and taxpayers of the town of Pelham, of whom you speak, did not appear in the early part of 1885 to assist the local authorities in passing the bill which was then being urged to repeal the act of 1884, before any particular expenditure had been had or damage accrued under its terms. They sedulously kept aloof at that time, the excuse advanced in favor of some of them being that their social surroundings would be made so unpleasant for them if they undertook to secure the repeal of the bill that they would not dare to oppose the wishes of their neighbors in the matter. Had they possessed at that time some measure of the courage which they now exhibit, the passage of the repeal act, at a time when it could do least harm to the city, might have been secured.'"

Source: Fainthearted Citizens of Pelham, The Sun, Mar. 29, 1887, p. 4, col. 2.

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Pelham Has Second Thoughts in 1887 About the Proposal To Create Pelham Bay Park

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During the 19th century, as the proposal for New York City to a new park to be named Pelham Bay Park gained momentum, Pelham residents initially supported the idea. Reports at the time make clear, however, that Pelham's support for the proposal waned.

An interesting, though brief, article that appeared in the March 25, 1887 issue of The Sun published in New York City clarifies an important reason for the change in sentiment in Pelham. Town residents realized that because the park lands would not be subject to taxation, taxes on the rest of the Town of Pelham would double as a consequence of the removal of lands from the Town's tax rolls. Below is the text of that brief article.

"Pelham as Sick of the Park as We Are.

A delegation of officials and residents of the town of Pelham, introduced by Dr. John A. Hardenbrook, called upon Mayor Hewitt yesterday, and urged the propriety of amending the scheme for the new uptown parks by taking off the park situated in the town of Pelham. Mayor Hewitt received them graciously, and said:

'I am glad to meet you. I appreciate the situation. I think it was outrageous for the Legislature to pass the bill compelling the city of New York to buy a park eight miles from Harlem River Bridge, and compelling the taxpayers to pay for it. I am opposed to such special legislation, and I will cheerfully cooperate with you to recommend its repeal. I will forward your request to the Common Council at its meeting next Tuesday.'

Pelham got very tired of the park scheme when it discovered that the park lands would not be subject to taxation, and that taxes on the rest of the town for local purposes would, therefore, be doubled."

Source: Pelham as Sick of the Park as We Are, The Sun, Mar. 25, 1887, p. 4, col. 3.

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"Small Scale" Pirates on City Island in 1880

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The annals of crime in Pelham include some odd incidents. One involved "Pirates on a Small Scale", as an 1880 newspaper article labeled the incident. The article appeared in the New-York Daily Tribune on January 10, 1880 and is reproduced below.

"PIRATES ON A SMALL SCALE.

A CURIOUS EXPEDITION IN LONG ISLAND SOUND.

Three men landed from a small schooner on City Island, Long Island Sound, October 16, and their movements excited suspicion. In the night the sail loft of William Darling was broken into, and sails valued at $600 were stolen. The schooner was pursued in a steam tug and overtaken in the Hell Gate channel. Police Officer Runge visited the vessel in a rowboat, but was warned off by two men who held revolvers. The three men took to a small boat and reached the Long Island shore. The schooner fell into the hands of the police, and the sails and other stolen articles were found on her.

Recently Thomas Mack, alias Thomas McEnery, was arrested for a theft in the Bowery and was identified by Officer Runge as one of the men who had pointed pistols at him on the schooner. The prisoner was convicted in the General Sessions yesterday and sent to State Prison for five years."

Source: Pirates on a Small Scale, New-York Daily Tribune, Jan. 10, 1880, p. 2, col. 6.

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Brother Shoots Brother in the Pelhamville Train Station in 1880

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In 1880, a bitter divorce battle led to a fight between two brothers at the Pelhamville train station. One shot the other.

The train station at that time was a wooden building that stood essentially where the post office at One Wolfs Lane now stands (the Pelham National Bank building). To see one of the only known images of the Pelhamville Depot, see:

Friday, August 12, 2005: The Little Pelhamville Depot: Forerunner to the Train Station Serving New Haven Line Passengers Today.

An article about the altercation appeared in the February 22, 1880 issue of The Sun published in New York City. I have transcribed the text of the article below.

"SHOT BY HIS BROTHER.
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The Culmination of a Bitter Quarrel of Several Years' Standing.

Thomas Barker of this city, formerly of Pelhamville, separated from his wife some three years ago, and she went to live with her brother-in-law, Charles Barker. Thomas Barker brought a suit for divorce, which was susequently [sic] discontinued. The accusation was adultery. The brothers met yesterday morning for the first time since the beginning of the suit for divorce. The meeting was at the railway station in Pelhamville, to which village Thomas Barker had gone to visit his mother. On seeing his brother, Charles is reported to have said: 'You scoundrel! I have not met you before since you made the charge against me in court. I now have you, and I mean to kill you.'

Thomas warned him not to resort to violence, but a scuffle ensued, and on extricating himself from his brother's grasp, Thomas said: 'I am armed, and if you strike me again I shall defend myself.'

Charles then seized a poker and threatened his brother, and the latter drew his pistol and fired. Charles threw up his hands, and said to the ticket seller: 'I'm shot, Charley; go for a doctor.
The 7:11 train for New York came along, and Thomas Barker got aboard and rode to Williams Bridge, but, not knowing the extent of the injury to his brother, he returned to New Rochelle on the next train, and consulted with his lawyer, Martin J. Keogh. In company with his counsel he started to surrender himself, but was met by a messenger from Pelhamville, who said that the injury to his brother was not so serious as was at first supposed, the bullet having torn the flesh of one arm before reaching the body. Thomas Barker then came to this city. Charles was taken to his home."

Source: Shot by His Brother, The Sun, Feb. 22, 1880, p. 5, col. 3.

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