Another Silent Film Recorded in Part in Pelham In 1912:

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There was a time before the advent of Hollywood that the region around Pelham was the center of the world of movie production.  Production studios that created silent films distributed throughout the world existed on City Island and in New Rochelle.  Consequently, silent movie scenes often were filmed in and around Pelham.  I have written about such silent films before.  See:

Fri., Jun. 30, 2006:  Is There New Evidence of a Previously Unknown Thanhouser Company Silent Film That Was Filmed, in Part, in Pelham in 1911?

Mon., Feb. 24, 2014:  Mack, the Movie Star Traffic Cop of Pelham Manor, 1916-1928 (Noting that Mack (John McCormack), the Smiling Traffic Cop of Pelham Manor, became famous merely from directing traffic at the intersection after he landed a minor role in a silent film released in theaters nationwide in October, 1921. The Goldwyn Pictures Corporation film was "The Invisible Power" directed by Frank Lloyd and starring House Peters, Irene Rich and DeWitt Jennings).

In 1912, Thanhouse Company, filmed a one-reel 900 foot silent drama entitled "Conductor No. 786."  The film was released, according to the magazine The Billboard, on August 23, 1912.  Thanhouser was formed in the fall of 1909 and began its operations in an empty skating rink located in New Rochelle.

The story told in the movie centered on an elderly trolley car conductor (Conductor No. 786).  The conductor's son was a successful major league baseball player who met a "woman with some money and no sense" and became engaged.  The conductor's son feared that if his soon-to-be-bride discovered his father's blue collar occupation, she would leave him.  The son begged his father to give up his job, but the old conductor loved his job and those with whom he worked so much that he simply could not bring himself to do it, despite his love for his son.  Behind his father's back, the son approached the Superintendent of the trolley line and convinced him to fire his father.  The Superintendent reluctantly agreed to fire the old conductor and tells him his services are no longer necessary.  The conductor's fellow employees learn of the situation and storm the meeting to make clear that they would not tolerate any such firing of their friend.  The conductor stands by as his friends assail the Superintendent and tears of gratitude roll down the face of the conductor.  The Superintendent is so moved that he reverses course and tells the conductor to take out his trolley car on its usual route.

Advertisement for Showing of Conductor No. 786

on September 11, 1912, About Two Weeks After

Thanhouser Company Released the Silent Film.

Source:  New Princess Theatre Cool as a Cave

[Advertisement], Bryan Daily Eagle and Pilot [Bryan, TX),

Sep. 11, 1912, p. 3, cols. 3-4.

With Thanhouser Company located in New Rochelle at the time, one might expect that many of the scenes in Conductor No. 786 would have been filmed in and around nearby Pelham.  Indeed, there is at least one newspaper article indicating that at least one scene was filmed on Pelhamdale Avenue.  

With the film centered around a trolley conductor, one of the trolley lines near the Thanhouser studio was the one operated by the Westchester Electric Railway Company that ran from the Pelhamville Station along Wolfs Lane to Colonial Avenue where it turned toward New Rochelle and traveled to Pelhamdale onto which it turned and, at the time, ran along Pelhamdale to the Pelham Manor Depot at the end of the Esplanade.  Significantly, this line was the line on which Fontaine Fox rode in 1909 when he was inspired by the rickety trolley and its idiosyncratic conductor to create his famous comic strip, "Toonerville Folks."

Conductor No. 786 was filmed barely three years after Fontaine Fox took the fateful ride on the Pelham Manor Trolley along Pelhamdale Avenue that inspired his runaway comic strip "Toonerville Folks" that ran for nearly fifty years.  Research has not yet revealed whether a print of the film Conductor No. 786 still exists, although many of the Thanhouser films do still exist.  However, it would be extremely significant if a copy of the film could be located because it possibly would show the very trolley ridden by Fontaine Fox on August 8, 1909 when he was inspired to create his comic strip.  At a minimum it would be expected to show one very much like the trolley ridden by Fox that fateful day.  

Below is the text of a newspaper article that appeared in the August 21, 1912 issue of The Evening Standard published in New Rochelle.  It describes the filming of the movie and notes that a portion was filmed on "Pelham Dale Avenue."  Following the text of that article is the text of a very brief newspaper entry reflecting a screening of the movie by employees of the Westchester Electric Railway Company on Glen Island in 1912.

"William B. Wheeler, superintendent of the Westchester Electric Railway Company, will take a day off tomorrow, something unusual for him. They had war maneuvers in Connecticut last week, but Wheeler and his trolleymen are to take Glen Island by storm. He posed for superintendent in Thanhouser's 900 foot reel, Conductor No. 786, which will be run off at the island. The story is thus told: "The old conductor has a son who is a big league ball player and wins a woman with some money and no sense. The groom fears to have the bride learn the father's occupation. Unable to persuade his father to give up the job he loves, the son persuaded the superintendent of the road to do him the favor of discharging his own parent. If you love me, said the son to the superintendent, fire father. But the superintendent has a hard job doing it. He really tells the old man that his services are no longer needed, but all of father's old friends on the line get together and see the superintendent about it. While the indignation meeting is going on in the railroad men's office, the old conductor stands meekly by with tears in his eyes. This latter circumstance settles the superintendent. He orders the veteran to take out his car as usual. He was between so many fires that he just didn't know how to move. "'Just like Wheeler.' all the boys will say when they see it. The Westchester Railway Superintendent and 20 of the road's employees posed for the reel at the Westchester car barn, Pelham Dale Avenue and Wilkes Lane...."

"William B. Wheeler, the genial superintendent of the trolley company, reflects new lustre.  Mr. Wheeler recently posed for 'superintendent' in the Thanhouser's 900-foot reel, 'Conductor No. 786,' which was run off at Glen Island on Thursday when the trolleymen held their big picnic."

Source:  [Untitled], New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 24, 1912, p. 5, col. 7.  

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Pelham Native, Samuel Bowne, and His Brother Revolutionized Ferry Service Between Brooklyn and Manhattan Beginning in 1809

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Pelham native Samuel Bowne, and his brother Rodman, reportedly revolutionized ferry service between Brooklyn and Manhattan in the early decades of the nineteenth century.  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog will provide a little background in this regard and will transcribe an article published in 1931 that described Samuel and Rodman Bowne's accomplishments.  Additionally, an agreement executed among the City of New York and the Rodman brothers in 1820 providing the brothers a 19-year renewal period to offer their ferry service is included as well as minutes of a New York City Common Council meeting held in 1820 approving the draft of the agreement.

Samuel Bowne was born on Pelham Neck (today's Rodman's Neck) in 1790.  He later became a notable resident of Brooklyn.  

In 1789, prior to Samuel Bowne's birth, New York City awarded a ferry lease to establish ferry service between Brooklyn and Manhattan.  At the time, the City required "that the boats, together with their masts and sails, be of such form and dimensions as the wardens of the port of New York should approve; that each boat be constantly worked and managed by two sober, discreet, and able-bodied experienced watermen; that each boat be always furnished with four good oars and two boat-hooks."  Ostrander, Stephen M., A History Of The City Of Brooklyn And Kings County, Vol. II, p. 27 & n.1 (Brooklyn, NY:  Published by Subscription, 1894) (citing "Historical Sketch of Fulton Ferry, 1879.").  

Six years later, in 1795, a new ferry was established at Catherine Street.  See id. at p. 27.  This ferry came to be known as the "New Ferry" or the "Catherine Ferry."  In 1809, Samuel Bowne and his brother obtained rights to run the Catherine Ferry and promptly revolutionized the service, thereby capturing a large share of the ferry traffic that connected the cities of New York and Brooklyn at the time. 

Within a short time the brothers did away with sails and oars as the principal motive power and introduced horse-drawn ferries.  According to one source, "The horses were retired in 1822, when steamboats were first used on Catharine Ferry, and two years later the Bowne brothers scored another tremendous 'scoop' by introducing on their line two splendid single-hull steamboats, the first of their class that ever crossed the East River."

An image of Pelham Native Samuel Bowne appears immediately below.  The transcribed text referenced above appears immediately thereafter, with each item followed by a citation and link to its source.

"Samuel Bowne, Who Promoted ferry transportation

between Brooklyn and New York a century ago."

Source:  McLoughlin, Maurice E., Stories of Old Brooklyn:

First Steam Ferry Named Washington, Brooklyn Daily Eagle,

Oct. 29, 1931, p. 1, cols. 6-7.  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

"Stories of Old Brooklyn
-----
First Steam Ferry Named Washington
-----
Dedication of Hudson Span Recalls Time When Bowne Brothers Used New York - Brooklyn Line to Honor Father of Country
-----
By Maurice E. McLoughlin

The opening of the new George Washington Bridge over the Hudson a few days ago brought to mind the fact that Washington was honored over a century ago by having a Brooklyn-New York ferryboat named after him.

The twin ferryboat of the George Washington was called Independence.  The Revolutionary War was still fresh in the minds of every one and the names were received with much favor by Brooklynites who went gallavanting to New York and by New Yorkers who came over to get rest and recreation in Brooklyn.

Samuel Bowne, who was one of the outstanding citizens of the old village of Brooklyn, did much to promote adequate transportation between Brooklyn and New York and as a partner in the firm that owned one of the ferry lines he showed his patriotism by choosing the names menioned for his boats.

Improved Service

In 1809 Samuel Bowne and his brother, Rodman, purchased the New Ferry, or Catharine Ferry, and by making many improvements in the service, captured a good share of the traffic between the cities.

In 1814 they again showed their enterprise by doing away with sails and oars as motive power and by introducing the first ferryboat propelled across the river by horse power.  It was rather monotonous work for the horses, which although they walked many miles every day, really got nowhere.

Strange as it seems, this innovation revolutionized ferry traffic and folks rushed to the Bowne ferry to enjoy the thrill of quick transportation from shore to shore.  

The horses were retired in 1822, when steamboats were first used on Catharine Ferry, and two years later the Bowne brothers scored another tremendous 'scoop' by introducing on their line two splendid single-hull steamboats, the first of their class that ever crossed the East River.  It was these twin vessels that were given the names that proved the patriotism of their owners.

Samuel Bowne and his brother managed Catharine Ferry together until 1836, at which time Samuel secured a seven-year lease in his own name, at a yearly rental of $3,500.  On Jan. 24, 1852, he disposed of his interests to the firm of Smith & Bulkley, who eventually merged their interests with those of the Union Ferry Company.  

Samuel Bowne lived in a fine house at Washington and High Sts., not far from the point that later was chosen as the site for the entrance to Brooklyn Bridge.  He died there in 1853, deeply mourned as one of Brooklyn's leading citizens.

Mr. Bowne was born at Pelham Point, N. Y., in 1790.  He was descended from the Bowne family of Flushing and the Pells and Rodmans of Westchester County.

Samuel and Rodman Browne started in business together at Catharine Slip, New York City, and became interested from the start in shipping.  This is how they entered the ferry business, which built the foundation of a substantial fortune."

Source:  McLoughlin, Maurice E., Stories of Old Brooklyn:  First Steam Ferry Named Washington, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Oct. 29, 1931, p. 1, cols. 6-7.   

1814 Advertisement by Agents Selling 8-Month

and 12-Month Commuter Passes on the

"New-York and Brooklyn Ferry."  Source:

Ostrander, Stephen M., A History Of The City Of Brooklyn

And Kings County, Vol. II, Between pp. 28 & 29 (Brooklyn, NY:  

Published by Subscription, 1894).  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

"FERRY FROM CATHARINE SLIP.

This Indenture made the twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, between the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New-York of the first part, and Rodman Bowne and Samuel Bowne of the second part, Witnesseth, That the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New-York, for and in consideration of the rents, covenants, payments, articles and agreements herein after mentioned, on the part and behalf of the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, to be observed, paid, performed, fulfilled and kept, have demised, granted, and to farm let, and by these presents do demise, grant, and to farm-let, unto the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, all that certain 

     [Ferry from Catharine Market Slip to foot of Main-street, Brooklyn.]

Ferry established from the New or Catharine Market Slip, in the city of New York, over the East River to the foot of Main-street, in Brooklyn aforesaid, back to Catharine Market Slip aforesaid, with all and singular the usual accustomed ferriage, fees, perquisites, rents, issues, benefits, profits, and advantages whatsoever to the said Ferry belonging, or therewith used, or thereout arising, and also the Ferry-house and Lot in Brooklyn appertaining to the said Ferry, to have and to hold the said Ferrry with the appurtenances, and house, and lot, unto the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, for and during the full end and term of nineteen years from 

     [From 1st May, 1820, 19 years, to the 1st May, 1839.] 

the first day of May, last past, yielding and paying therefor, yearly and every year, during the said term unto the said, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New-York, their successors and assigns, 

     [Rent for seven years, $1275.  Rent for five years, $1800.  Rent for seven years, $2000.  Payable quarterly.]

the annual rent herein after mentioned, that is to say, during the first seven years of the said term, the sum of twelve hundred and seventy-five dollars, annually; during the next ensuing five years of the said term, the sum of eighteen hundred dollars, annually; and during the next [Page 9 / Page 10] ensuing seven years of the said term, the sum of two thousand dollars, annually; all of which sums are to be paid in quarter yearly payments, on the usual days of payment of rent, that is to say, one fourth part thereof, on the first days of August, November, February, and May, in each and every year during the said term -- the first payment to be made on the first day of August next.  

     [Rights of the Corporation in case of default of lessees.]

Provided always, and these presents, and the premises hereby demised, are upon this express condition, that if it should so happen, that the said yearly rent, or any part thereof should be behind and unpaid for the space of ten days after any day of payment on which the same, or any part thereof ought to be paid, as aforesaid, or if the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns, shall neglect to pay, perform, fulfil, and keep, any or either of the payment on which the same, or any part thereof ought to be paid, as aforesaid, or if the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns shall neglect to pay, perform, fulfil, and keep, any or either of the payments, articles, covenants, clauses, agreements matters and things herein contained, which on their part are to be paid, performed, fulfilled and kept during the term aforesaid, according to the true intent and meaning of these presents, that then and in every such case or cases, it shall and may be lawful to and for the said, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New-York, their successors and assigns to enter into, and upon the premises hereby demised, and to have, possess, and enjoy the same as fully as though these presents had not been made, any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.  

     [Right to establish a Ferry from foot of Walnut street, 100 feet west of Little-street, L. I. reserved by Lessors.]

And provided further, and it is hereby expressly agreed by and between the parties to these presents, that it shall and may be lawful to, and for the parties of the first par, and their successors, at any time during the continuance of this lease, without any prejudice to the right and interest in the same of the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, to establish a Ferry across the East River from the foot of Walnut-street, or from any point to the westward of it, not exceeding 100 feet, or from any point to the eastward of it to the Wallabout, or to any point to the westward of the Wallabout, or to any point to the westward of Little-street, on the Long Island shore, with all the privileges usually appertaining to Ferries; and the said parties of the first part, for themselves and their successors, do covenant and agree to, [Page 10 / Page 11] and with the said parties of the second part, for themselves, their executors, administrators and assigns,

     [Corporation to keep the Chain in repair.]

to keep the chain used on the easterly side of the said Ferry, at the foot of Catharine Slip in good order and repair during the continuance of this lease; and the said parties of the second part, for themselves, their executors, administrators and assigns, do covenant, and agree to, and with the said, the Mayor Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New-York, their successors and assigns, by these presents, that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, shall, and will yearly, and every year during the said term, well and truly pay unto the said parties of the first part, their successors or assigns, the said yearly rents or sums of money herein before mentioned, at the days and times above specified for the payment thereof, without fraud or delay.  

     [Lessors to provide two Team and three row Boats.]

And also, that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, shall, and will during the whole of the said term of nineteen years, at their own proper costs and expenses, furnish, provide, and navigate upon the said Ferry, from Catharine Slip to Brooklyn, aforesaid, two good and substantial Team Ferry Boats, to be propelled by not less than eight good and substantial horses, and keep the said Team Ferry Boats at all reasonable times thereafter, continually employed on the said Ferry, during the term hereby granted.  And also that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, shall and will, during the said term of nineteen years, if thereunto required by the said parties of the first part, or their successors, or the Committee on Ferries for the time being, maintain, and keep at their own proper costs and charges, three good and substantial Row Boats, of such size and construction as now is, or may be required by the Common Council, to carry and transport carriages and effects across the said river, from either side thereof, with safety, convenience, and expedition; and that the said Boats shall, when required, at all times during the said term, be kept in good and sufficient repair, and be furnished with good and sufficient oars, and other implements, at the proper expense and charges of the said parties of the second part, their executors, admin- [Page 11 / Page 12] istrators and assigns, and that each of the said Boats when required as aforesaid, shall be manned with two honest, sober, skilful, and able bodied men, who shall be competent to row said Boats, and who shall at all reasonable times give their constant and ready attendance to the said respective places of landing for the prompt and expeditious transportation and conveyance of passengers and effects across the said River; and also, that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns, shall and will

     [Lessees to repair Frames, Ferry stairs, and Bridges -- the whole of the old, and half of new part of Pier on the easterly side.]

keep the Frames, Ferry-stairs and Bridges, used at the said Ferry on each side of the same, and the whole of the old part of the pier on the easterly side of the Slip, occupied for the use of the said Ferry at Brooklyn, and one half of the new part of said pier, in good order and repair, at their own expense, during the continuation of this Lease; and also, that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors or administrators,

     [Lessees not to transfer without consent.]  

shall not nor will at any time during the ame term, in any manner grant assign, transfer, or set over this present Lease or any part thereof, or the above described and demised premises, or any parcel of the same without the leave and consent of the said parties of the first part, or their successors, in writing, under their common seal, first had and obtained; nor shall do, commit, or suffer any act or acts, thing or things, either by commission or omission, which shall create a forfeiture of these presents, or the premises hereby demised, or in anywise lessen, injure, or encumber the same, or the rents and revenues thereof; but that they, the said parties of the second part, 

     [Ferry, how to be conducted.] 

will conduct and manage the said Ferry agreeably to such ruels, regulationss and restrictions as now are, or from time to time hereafter during the said term, shall by any by-laws, ordinance, order or resolution of the said parties of the first part, or their successors, be reasonably made or passed, in relation thereto.  

     [Premises to be surrendered at the expiration of Lease.]

And also, that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns, shall and will on the last daay of the term hereby granted, or other sooner determination hereof, well and truy deliver up the said hereby demised premises, with the rights, privileges, and appurtenances thereunto belonging, into the hands and possession [Page 12 / Page 13] of the said parties of the first part, their successors or assigns, without fraud or delay; and the said parties of the second part, for themselves their executors, administrators, and assigns, and the said, the Mayer, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New-York, for themselves and their successors, do mutually covenant, grant and agree to, and with each other respectively, in manner following, that is to say,

     [Boats and furniture to be paid for by appraisement.]

that the Team Boats and all other boats and furniture of what description soever, as shall be actually employed on the said Ferry, at the expiration of the said term, shall be valued by three indifferent persons or appraisers; one to be chosen by the said parties of the first part, or their successors, one by the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns, and the third by the persons or appraisers so chosen by the said parties to these presents, and before they proceed to make the said valuation the decision of two of which said persons or appraisers given in writing under their hands and seals, shall be final and conclusive, provided that the said parties of the first part shall not be bound to pay for any number of boats commonly denominated Team Boats, exceeding two, unless the saiid parties of the first part, or their successors, shall during the said term request the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns, to build a greater number of Boats of that description.  And it is hereby further agreed by and between the said parties, that such decision shall be made and given within twenty days after the expiration of the said term, or other sooner determination of these presents as aforesaid.  And the said parties of the first part, their successors and assigns, shall and will within ten days thereafter, pay to the said parties of the second part, his executors, administrators, or assigns, the sum awarded to be due to him or them, provided the said Boats and Furniture shall be assigned and delivered over within the said term, by the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns to the said parties of the first part, their successors or assigns, free and clear from any claims and demands from any person or persons whatsoever.  

[Page 13 / Page 14]

In testimony whereof, to one part of these presents remaining with the said, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New-York, the said parties of the second part, have set their hands and seals; and to the other part thereof remaining with the said parties of the second part, the said, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New-York, have caused the Common Seal of the city of New-York to be affixed, the day and year first above written.

Sealed and Delivered in presence of OGDEN EDWARDS.  }

RODMAN BOWNE, [L. S.]

SAMUEL BOWNE, [L. S.]"

Source:  FERRY LEASES, NOW IN FORCE; Printed Under the Direction of the Comptroller; Ordered by Resolution of the Board of Assistant Aldermen, of October 22, 1832, pp. 9-14 (NY, NY:  Board of Assistant Aldermen, 1832).

"COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES 24 July 1820 . . . 

The Counsel presented the following Communication.  Vizt

'The Counsel herewith submits for execution the Draught of a Lease to Rodman Bowne and Samuel Bowne of the Ferry from Catherine Slip to the foot of Maine Street at Brooklyn for nineteen years from the first day of May last.  This Lease has been prepared in pursuance of the Report of the Ferry Committee upon this subject and of subsequent directions given by them.

These directions were, first, that the Lease shoud be made to Samuel and Rodman Bowne, second, that the Ferry granted should be from Catherine Slip to the foot of Maine Street at Brooklyn, instead of from Catherine Slip to Brooklyn.  To this alteration Mr. Bowne has consented.  Third, that the Lessees shall have the Ferry house and the Lot appertaining to the Ferry during the continuance of the this Lease.  This House and Lot Mr. Rodman Bowne has considered as an appurtenance to the Ferry, although it is not expressly mentioned in his Lease, and has heretofore occupied it as such.  

The Counsel also submits for the acceptance of the Board a release from Rodman and Samuel Bowne and wife of the westerly side and half part and Northerly or outer side of a certain pier on the Easterly side of the Ferry Slip at Brooklyn, now used by Messrs. Bownes, and also a smalll block or pier at the outlet of the Slip.  This release is made in pursuance of a former agreement with the Corporation,

Respectfully Submitted

(Signed)  Ogden Edwards"

Source:  MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK 1784-1831, Vol. I, p. 240 (NY, NY:  Published by the City of New York, 1917).

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Compensation Paid by the Railroad After the 1885 Pelhamville Train Wreck

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On December 27, 1885, the mail express train out of Boston known as the "Owl Train" because it traveled overnight between Boston and New York City reached Pelhamville during a major windstorm just as a gale lifted the wooden station platform into the air and flipped it onto the tracks.  Engineer Riley Phillips cut the steam and braked, but the engine smashed into the overturned platform, left the rails and tumbled end-over-end down the 60-foot embankment dragging the fire tender and a large mail car with it. Phillips and his fireman, recently-married Eugene Blake, were thrown out of the cab. Phillips was bruised, but lived.  Eugene Blake was crushed in the incident and died a short time later.

One of the mail clerks who was sorting mail in the mail car at the time of the wreck, James H. McCoy, was injured not during the accident but, instead, in the aftermath as he tried to free his fellow mail clerks who were trapped in the mail car with a fire burning in the pot-bellied stove used to provide heat.  

Only known photograph showing the aftermath of the "Pelhamville

Train Wreck of 1885.” The January 16, 1886 issue of Scientific

American included an artist’s depiction of the same scene in

connection with an article about the wreck describing it as 

"A Remarkable Railroad Accident" that occurred on the New Haven

Line in Pelhamville (now part of the Village of Pelham) at about 6:00

a.m. on December 27, 1885. See A Remarkable Railroad Accident,

Scientific American, Jan. 16, 1886, Vol. LIV, No. 3, pp. 31-32. 

The engine and tender lie in the foreground with the mail car behind.

NOTE:  Click Image To Enlarge.

It has taken years of research to identify what payments may have been made as compensation for the death of Eugene Blake and the injuries suffered by others.  Last year I wrote about the settlement of the lawsuit brought by Eugene Blake's widow against the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad.  The widow received a payment of $4,000 to settle the suit.  See Wed., March 26, 2014:  Postscript To the Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885 - Settlement of the Widow's Lawsuit Against the Railroad.

Although a number of payments likely were made after the accident, I have recently been able to identify two additional instances of compensation by the railroad.  Postal Clerk James H. McCoy, who was injured while working to free his comrades from the mail car after the accident, received a $1,000 payment from the railroad described in a news account as compensation for his "bravery" and "for injuries sustained" in the accident.  Additionally, the engineer, Riley Phillips, who was thrown from the engine during the accident and was bruised badly but survived, received only half pay for a number of months after the accident while he recuperated and then received a $250 payment from the railroad as compensation. 

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes two very brief newspaper references to the payments.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"“DESERVED THE REWARD. 
----- 
A Postal Clerk Receives $1000 for Bravery During the Pelhamville Accident. 

PUTNAM, Conn., March 10. – Postal Clerk James H. McCoy of this place, whose route lies between Boston and New York, has received a check for $1000 from the railroad company for injuries sustained in the Pelhamville accident last spring. McCoy received his injuries while he loyally endeavored to release his comrades from the burning cars.” 

Source: DESERVED THE REWARD – A Postal Clerk Receives $1000 for Bravery During the Pelhamville Accident, The Boston Daily Globe, p. 13, col. 3 (NOTE: Paid subscription required to access link).

"-- Vice-President Reed, of the Consolidated Road, has presented Riley Phillips, the heroic engineer of the recent disaster to the Boston Express train at Pelhamville, with a check for $250.  Phillips has been on half pay recently but has now gone on the road again."

Source:  [Untitled], New Rochelle Pioneer, Mar. 13, 1886, p. 6, col. 1.  

*          *          *          *          *

I have written extensively about this tragic Pelhamville train wreck.  For some of the many examples, see:  

Mon., Sep. 24, 2007:  The Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885. 

Tue., Sep. 25, 2007:  More About the Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885. 

Wed., Sep. 26, 2007:  The Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885 Continued . . . 

Thu., Sep. 27, 2007:  Findings of the Coroner's Inquest That Followed the Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885. 

Fri., Dec. 21, 2007:  1886 Poem Representing Fictionalized Account of the Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885. 

Wed., Jan. 9, 2008:  The Aftermath of the Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885. 

Thu., Apr. 02, 2009:  Biographical Data and Photo of the Engineer of the Train that Wrecked in Pelhamville on December 27, 1885. 

Fri., Jul. 15, 2011:  Another Newspaper Account of The Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885. 

Mon., Feb. 17, 2014:  Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885:  Another Account Published with a Diagram of the Aftermath of the Crash.  

Wed., Mar. 26, 2014:  Postscript To the Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885 - Settlement of the Widow's Lawsuit Against the Railroad.

Wed., Feb. 11, 2015:  Coroner's Inquest Jury Found Railroad "Criminally Negligent" in the Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885.

Bell, Blake A., The Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885: "One of the Most Novel in the Records of Railroad Disasters, 80(1) The Westchester Historian, pp. 36-43 (2004).

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Fire Destroyed the Old Pelham Manor Post Office in 1945

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Helen Mann, whose husband was away on business, was sound asleep in the couple's ground floor apartment in the old Pelham Manor Post Office building that once stood at the end of the Esplanade (where it ends at today's I-95 concrete sound barrier).  It was shortly before four o'clock in the morning on April 19, 1945.  There was no hint yet of a rising sun. 

Mrs. Mann startled from her sleep.  She thought she had heard the sounds of heavy objects falling, but wasn't sure if it was a dream.  She arose and crept to the door of her apartment.  She opened the door and looked into the lobby.  

Flames were roaring and climbing the stairs toward the apartments on the upper floors.  She began screaming to warn other apartment occupants in the building.  She ran to her bedside telephone and called in the alarm.  

The old Pelham Manor Post Office building, long since converted to apartments, a small grocery, and a plumbing shop was burning.  The blaze was a bad one.  When the flames were extinguished more than two-and-a-half hours later, four were hurt.  Seven occupants were saved by firemen.  Two firemen were hospitalized.  The structure was not rebuilt because it lay in the path of the proposed I-95 New England Thruway.

Map Detail Showing Location of Pelham Manor Post Office Building.

(NOTE:  Click Image To Enlarge).

I have written before about the history of the Pelham Manor Post Office that once served the neighborhood and was the center of business activity in the area.  See:  Tue., Jan. 28, 2014:  The Pelham Manor Post Office.  

Immediately below is a previously-unpublished and rare post card view of the Pelham Manor Post Office.  Train cars on the tracks of the Branch Line may be seen in the lower left of the image.

Post Card View of Pelham Manor Post Office, 1908.

"No. 206.  Post Office Pelham Manor, N. Y."

NOTE:  Click Image To Enlarge.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog collects a little more about the history of the Pelham Manor Post Office building and also transcribes the text news reports about the fire that destroyed the building as well as other news items relating to the history of the building and its occupants. 

The Pelham Manor Post Office operated in the Pelham Manor Depot for many years until 1904 when the post office was moved to a nearby residence on Terrace avenue, a roadway that no longer exists due to the construction of I-95.  The post office remained in that residence until a new post office building was built near the front entrance to the nearly new Pelham Manor Train Station built of stone that was designed by noted architect Cass Gilbert and opened in about 1908.  

The Pelham Manor and Pelham post offices were designated as branches of the New York City post office in 1910.  The Pelham Manor branch operated in the same building for the next 26 years.  The Pelham Manor branch was closed due to lack of business on December 31, 1936.

A small grocery operated in the Pelham Manor Post Office building for many, many years.  In about 1925, two brothers from New Rochelle named Harry B. and Joseph Adolph O. "Al" Bernsohn, became proprietors and ran the grocery until the building burned in 1945.  

In 1926, Joseph Adolph O. Bernsohn was involved in an unusual traffic accident while driving a grocery truck for the Pelham Manor Grocery.  On November 1 of that year a woman from Tennessee, Mrs. Leota Pennington, was walking along Boston Post Road when a vehicle driven by Arthur Anderson of Newark, New Jersey struck the grocery truck at the intersection of Boston Post Road and Fowler Avenue causing Bernsohn's truck to leave the road and strike a road sign.  The sign toppled onto Mrs. Pennington and injured her ankle.  

Mrs. Pennington and her husband filed lawsuits in New York state court against Al Bernsohn and the Newark driver seeking $50,000 in damages, but the Newark driver "stayed out of the jurisdiction of the court."  A first trial of the suit against Bernsohn ended in mistrial.  A second trial, however, resulted in a verdict against Bernsohn of $3,200.  Articles about the accident and subsequent lawsuits are also transcribed below.

Once the Branch Line ended commuter service to Pelham Manor in the 1930s and the Pelham Manor Post Office closed in 1936, the area around the old Pelham Manor Post Office building grew quiet.  The train station was abandoned (although it later served as the headquarters of a model railroad club).  A plumbing shop owned by Robert M. Mullins opened in the former post office space.  In addition to the grocery and plumbing shop, apartments were carved out of the remainder of the building.  There was an apartment on the ground floor, two apartments on the second floor, and another apartment on the third floor.  This was the building layout when the fire gutted the building on April 19, 1945.

The Mullins Plumbing shop moved to 517 Pelhamdale Avenue, around the corner from the old Pelham Manor Post Office building.  Below is an advertisement for the relocated business that appeared in the September 27, 1945 issue of The Pelham Sun.

September 27, 1945 Advertisement for

Relocated Business of Mullins Plumbing.

Source:  R. M. Mullins [Advertisement], The Pelham Sun,

Sep. 27, 1945, p. 12, col. 6.

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"Three Hurt in Manor $25,000 Fire; Seven Saved by Firemen
-----
Manor Grocery Store, Mullins Plumbing Shop and Four Apartments Gutted in Blaze Early This Morning in Old Manor Post Office Building.
-----

One woman and two firemen were taken to New Rochelle Hospital early this morning during a stubborn $25,000 fire which was fought by combined forces of Pelham Manor and North Pelham for two and a half hours.  The flames gutted the big frame building at Esplanade and Pelham Manor abandoned railroad station.  

The injured woman is:

MRS. CHARLES HARMON, who sustained a fractured pelvis and burns on the right foot and leg when she and Mr. David leaped from the second story.  He was treated for smoke inhalation.  Firemen said that Mr. David jumped after Mrs. Harmon had landed on her prostrate fo[illegible].  This could not be verified.

The injured firemen are:  

HAROLD HOCKING, 432 Fifth avenue, North Pelham volunteer fireman who sustained a badly bruised hip when a section of floor caved in.  He is in New Rochelle Hospital, detained for further examination.

GEORGE TRUCKENBROUGH, 56, of 1151 Clay avenue, a volunteer fireman of Pelham Manor and well-known Legionnaire, cut an artery in his right arm severed by glass.  He was treated at New Rochelle hospital and returned home.

On the ground floor of the building is the Manor Grocery operated for 20 years by Harry and Al Bernsohn of 315 Sickles avenue, New Rochelle.  The store was gutted and loss heavy.  The plumbing shop of Robert Mullins, which occupied the site of the old post-office abandoned years ago, was gutted.

Mrs. Helen Mann, who occupied a ground floor apartment awakened about 4 a.m. by sounds as of heavy objects falling, opened the door of her apartment and saw the building was on fire.  She raised an alarm from her bedside telephone.  Her screams aroused the other occupants of the buildding and neighbors.  Mann was alone her husband, a Federal inspector, being in Washington, D. C.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Jenzen and her children, Carl, 11, Robert [illegible] and Margaret, 5, were rescued in their night clothes from a third-floor apartment.  They suffered from shock.

Mrs. E. Harmon and Mr. Davidson and Mrs. Constance Moore and baby occupied apartments on the second floor.  Mrs. Moore's husband is in the armed forces overseas.  She and her children were rescued by firemen.  Harmon and Mr. Davidson climbed or jumped.

When Manor firemen and Chief Nelson Rundlett arrived, the building was blazing.  Fire poured from the windows and rose up from the roof.  Chief Rundlett called for aid from North Pelham and two pieces of apparatus and 20 men turned out to help with a stubborn fight [to bring] the flames under control about 6:30 a.m.

Kenneth R. Kelly, county [illegible] man of disaster and relief of the Red Cross, was on hand.  He procured hot coffee from Mrs. Southland at the Country Club and served firemen and fire victims.  

Mrs. Goldie Russell of 1155 Clay avenue opened her home to the scantily-clad victims and neighbors sent in clothing for them.  

Most of the occupants of the building carried insurance.  The co-operative work of the two fire departments was excellent.

The building may not be restored as it is on the route of the projected track of the New England Thru Way."

Source:  Three Hurt in Manor $25,000 Fire; Seven Saved by Firemen -- Manor Grocery Store, Mullins Plumbing Shop and Four Apartments Gutted in Blaze Early This Morning in Old Manor Post Office Building, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 19, 1945, p. 1, cols. 1-3.  

"Pelham Manor Fire Injures Four Persons

PELHAM MANOR -- Four persons were injured yesterday morning when flames raced through a three-story shingle and stone building at 1107 Esplanade damaging the structure beyond repair in a fire described by Chief Nelson Rundlett as 'the largest and toughest in this village in many years.'

The building which houses the Manor Grocer and the Robert Mullins plumbing establishment and four apartments was burned throughout its interior as the flames which are said to have broken out in the lobby spread up the stairs and quickly burned through the second floor apartment rooms."

Source:  Pelham Manor Fire Injures Four Persons, The Herald Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Apr. 20, 1945, p. 7, col. 3.  

"Obituary News

*     *     *

Harry B. Bernsohn

Harry B. Bernsohn, 68, of 710 Warburton Ave., former proprietor of the Manor Grocery in Pelham Manor, died last Thursday at St. John's Riverside Hospital.  He had been a resident of Yonkers for the past 26 years.

Born Sept. 14, 1896 in New Rochelle, Mr. Bernsohn was the son of the late Adolph Otto and Caroline Bernsohn.  He married the former Elizabeth Boyd, served as a seaman with the Naval Reserve in World War I and later became a member of the American Legion, New Rochelle Post 8.

Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Anne Bennett of Brooklyn; a brother, Alfred Bernsohn of Ormond Beach, Fla.; and three sisters, Mrs. Helen Himmell of Forest Hills, N. Y., and the Misses Ruth and Clara Bernsohn, both of New Rochelle.

DEATH NOTICES

BERNSOHN--Harry B. Of 710 Warburton Avenue.  On July 15, 1965.  Beloved husband of Elizabeth Boyd.  Father of Anna Bennett.  Brother of Helen Himmell, Ruth, Clara and Alfred.  Services at the Geo. T. Davis Memorial, 14 LeCount Place, New Rochelle 3:00 P.M. today."

Source:  Obituary News . . . Harry B. Bernsohn & DEATH NOTICES -- BERNSOHN--Harry B., Herald Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Jul. 19, 1965, p. 2, col. 1.  

"ASKS $50,000 FOR INJURY TO ANKLE
-----

Trial was started yesterday before Supreme Court Judge Josepoh H. Morschauser and a jury at White Plains in the $50,000 accident damage suit of Mrs. Leota Pennington, of Tennessee against Joseph Adolph O. Bernsohn, of No. 315 Sickles avenue, New Rochelle proprietor of the Manor Grocery, Pelham Manor.  Mrs. Pennington who was visiting her daughter whose home is at No. 108 Iden avenue, Pelham Manor in November 1926 was injured in an accident in which Bernsohn's marchine figured, at the intersection of the Boston road and Fowler avenue.  Bernsohn's car was hit by another machine, and it crashed against a street sign.  The sign fell and injured Mrs. Pennington's ankle. 

Suit has also been started against Arthur Anderson of Neward driver of the other car, but he has stayed out of the jurisdiction of the court.

Edgar C. Beecroft of Pelham Manor is attorney of record for Bernsohn, and former city Judge Jacob S. Ruskin is trial attorney.  Mrs. Pennington is represented by Sidney Syme of Mount Vernon."

Source:  ASKS $50,000 FOR INJURY TO ANKLE, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 27, 1931, Vol. 21, No. 52, p. 1, col. 3.  

"$3,200 AWARD FOR INJURY TO ANKLE
-----
Jury Decides Against A. O. Bernsohn Accident Suit in Supreme Court.
-----

Verdicts totalling $3200 were returned by a jury before Supreme Court Justice Frederick P. Close, Tuesday afternoon in favor of Mrs. Leota Pennington and Walter M. Pennington, in their suits against Adolph O. Bernsohn, of New Rochelle, owner of the Pelham Manor grocery.

Mr. and Mrs. Pennington, who live in Chattanooga, Tenn., but who were visiting their daughter at 108 Iden avenue, at the time of the accident, sued to recover $50,000.  

According to her complaint, Mrs. Pennington, who was awarded $2,000 of the $35,000 she sought, was walking on the Boston Post road near Fowler avenue in Pelham Manor on November 1, 1926 when Bernsohn's truck collided with a car driven by Austin O. Anderson of Jersey City, N. J.  After the collision, the grocery truck veered to the side of the road and struck a street sign.  The sign was knocked over and struck Mrs. Pennington, fracturing one of her ankles.

The sum of $1200 was awarded to Mr. Pennington, who sued for $15,000 for loss of his wife's services.

The trial this week was the second one in the case, since a mistrial had been declared three weeks ago, when Sydney A. Syme attorney for the Penningtons, moved for the withdrawal of a juror because one of the witnesses failed to appear.

Corporation Counsel Edgar C. Beecroft of Pelham Manor was attorney for Bernsohn, while former City Judge Jacob S. Ruskin of New Rochelle was trial counsel."

Source:  $3,200 AWARD FOR INJURY TO ANKLE -- Jury Decides Against A. O. Bernsohn Accident Suit in Supreme Court, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 24, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 4, p. 5, col. 2.  

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Pelham Mourned the Death of FDR as His Body Passed Through the Town by Train on April 15, 1945

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During the spring of 1945, the forturnes of war had turned in favor of the United States and its allies.  The hour of victory was approaching, as some then said.  During the same period, however, the health of our nation's president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was deteriorating rapidly.  Indeed, when President Roosevelt returned to the United States from the Yalta Conference and addressed a joint session of Congress on March 1, 1945, he delivered his remarks while seated, with grayish skin, and with halting speech to the stark concern of many members of Congress.

On Thursday, April 12, 1945, President Roosevelt died at Warm Springs, Georgia, at a polio treatment center he previously had founded to ease the lives of those, like him, who suffered from the terrible disease.  FDR's body was placed on a "funeral train" and was carried from Warm Springs, Georgia to Washington, D.C. for a funeral service.  After the service, his body was placed on the funeral train for transport to the Roosevelt homestead in Hyde Park, New York, for interrment.  

Franklin Delano Roosevelt on December 27, 1933.

Source:  Photograph by Elias Goldensky (1868-1943), Library

of Congress Division of Prints and Photographs, 

Digital ID cph.3c17121.

Pelham residents were shocked and saddened to learn of the President's passing.  Soon they learned that the President's funeral train would pass slowly past the Pelham Train Station at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 15, 1945.  

Commander Daniel Brown of Pelham Post No. 50, American Legion, oversaw the formation of a guard of honor, a color guard, and a company of members from the Post to pay respect to the deceased Commander-in-Chief as the funeral train moved through Pelham.  In addition, local Boy Scout officials and Boy Scouts presented their own color guard with its colors draped to salute the deceased President as the funeral train passed.

At the appointed time, the first of two trains that formed the funeral train procession traveled slowly past the Pelham Train Station.  More than one hundred Pelham residents stood on the station platforms to pay their respects, not realizing that there were two trains in the procession.  

Once the first train made its way past the station, some of those who had waited on the platform departed for home, not knowing that the President's body was carried in the second train.  About one hundred mourners including the Legionnaires, Boy Scouts and others, however, remained on the platforms when the second train slowly passed.  Those still on the platform saluted solemnly and paid their respects.  According to one account, "sorrow was evident among them."

Photograph Said to Depict FDR Funeral Train in April, 1945.

Pelham mourned the passing of President Roosevelt in ways more profound than viewing the funeral train early Sunday morning.  The previous day, Saturday, April 14, 1945, at 4:00 p.m. when the funeral service in Washington, D.C. was held, the bell at the North Pelham fire headquarters tolled for five minutes and nearly every business closed out of respect.  Flags were flown at half-staff for the next thirty days and special memorials were held by the Town Board, the School Board, and the local Lions Club.  Special services were held by various of the churches and church organizations of the Town, and prayer services were conducted.  

Pelham, without regard to politics, paid homage to the man who had led the nation to the brink of victory in one of the gravest challenges the nation ever faced -- World War II.

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"Pelham Mourns Death of President Roosevelt
-----

Pelham was shocked in common with the rest of the country by the news that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had died Thursday at Warm Springs, Ga.  All flags on public buildings were ordered at half mast and on Saturday nearly every store was closed during the 4 o'clock funeral service hour.  The bell at fire headquarters tolled for five minutes.

Color Guard, Legion and Scouts

When the news came that the train bearing the body of the late President Franklin Delano Roosevelt would pass through Pelham at 5:30 A.M. Sunday morning, Commander Daniel Brown called for a color guard and a company of members from Pelham Post No. 50, American Legion to form a guard of honor.  With colors draped they formed on the station platform and saluted as the train proceeded slowly through the station.  About a hundred persons were present.  The funeral cortege consisted of two trains on the second of which was the body of the President.  After the first train passed some of those present departed and missed seeing the second train.

In addition to the guard of honor of the Legionnaires was a number of Boy Scouts of Troop 2 in uniform with Scout Commissioner Archer Wirth and Scoutmaster John De Caprio in command.  Their colors were draped and they saluted as the train passed through.  About 100 persons were on the platform at the time and sorrow was evident among them.

Board of Education Resolution

At the meeting of the Board of Education on Thursday, former president of the Board William L. Chenery, moved that suitable resolutions taking cognizance of the death of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt be prepared and that the flags of the school buildings be ordered flown at half-mast during the mourning period of thirty days.

Town Board Met and Adjourned

Supervisor George Lambert called a special meeting of the Town Board on Friday night.  In opening the meeting, at which all members were present, Supervisor Lambert spoke of the loss which the nation has sustained by the passing of President Roosevelt just as the hour of victory approaches, and in turn each member of the Board was called upon to express his personal sorrow.

The Board adjourned immediately afterward.

Lions Club Mourns Passing

At the Lions Club luncheon on Monday, President Thomas M. Kennett ordered club national colors draped in mourning for thirty days.  He spoke of President Roosevelt as an international humanitarian deeply aware of the principles of democracy for which this country was founded, and one who placed the common welfare of all the people over whose destinies he presided as one of the most important of his responsibilities.  

At Christ Church

Prayers for the late President were read at all the services in Christ Church on Sunday morning.  At the 7:15 and 11:15 o'clock services special processions to the War Shrine in the church were made and prayers led by the rector, Rev. Edward Taggard.

A memorial Eucharist was held on Friday morning in Christ Church.  

At Church of Redeemer

After the National Anthem was sung at the beginning of the morning service on Sunday at the Church of the Redeemer, the rector, Rev. William S. Banks, spoke feelingly about the loss which the country has sustained in the passing of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the national grief that was evident.  Special prayers were offered for the repose of his soul for the welfare of the country and for the new President and the coming peace of the world.

Christian Endeavor Group Pay Tribute To Late President

The Christian Endeavor of the Congregational Church of the Pelhams devoted the entire portion of its weekly worship service to a tribute of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  The service was written and conducted by Miss Hope Tyson [sp?] and incluuded the reading of the 103rd Psalm which was a favorite of the late President.

Accompanied by Miss Barbara Durham at the organ, the group sang 'Lead Kindly Light,' 'Battle Hymn of the Republic,' 'Abide With Me,' 'Onward Christian Soldiers,' and 'Faith of Our Fathers,' hymns for which Mr. Roosevelt had indicated a preference.

In the prayer dedicated to Mr. 

(Continued on Page 4)

Pelham Mourns The Passing Of Pres. Roosevelt
-----
(Continued from Page One)

Roosevelt, which she herself composed, Miss Tyson led the group in a petition for God's blessing on the late President and the work which he had started but was not permitted to finish.  

Following the worship service which was held in the Chapel Sunday evening, Miss Tyson was elected vice president to serve in the place of Miss Louise Dickenson who is moving to Florida.  Plans were formulated for the Spring Dance which the group will sponsor in May.  The business meeting was presided over by the president, William W. Downes, son of the pastor.

*  *  *  *

Special Service At Congregational Church

Special prayers were offered for Franklin Delano Roosevelt and President Harry S. Truman at the morning worship service of the Congregational Church of the Pelhams.  Paying tribute to the late President, the pastor, the Rev. W. Wallace Downes, said that 'altho we may have differed with him in many things; altho in the heat of political campaigns we may have opposed him, no one, I feel, may justifiably take from him the sincerity of his purposes, the vision which he had, the ideals of world brotherhood which he sponsored, and the emancipation of all peopleds which he undertook in the name of the citizens of our nation.'

Mr. Downes spoke of the courage of Mr. Roosevelt in overcoming 'a bodily impediment that to a lesser mind and heart would have been an insurmountable barrier,' and concluded by saying that 'he fell, a martyr to the cause to which hed had pledged himself, even as our men and boys are giving their lives on the far-flung battlefields of this global holocaust.'"

Source:  Pelham Mourns Death of President Roosevelt, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 19, 1945, p. 1, cols. 2-3 & p. 4, cols. 2-3.  

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