More on the Suicide of the Manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Club on Prospect Hill in 1899

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Yesterday's Historic Pelham article detailed a little of the history of the Pelham Manor Golf Club founded in 1895 by a group of leading socialites from Pelham Manor and New Rochelle.  The tiny golf course was located between today's Washington Avenue and the New York City Boundary and opened on November 6, 1895.  The article noted that the golf course seems to have ended operations after the 1899 season, less than four years after its founding.  The demise of the club seems to have been tied to the founding of the first Pelham Country Club in 1898 with its beautiful nine hole golf course located nearby and the suicide of the manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Club after the close of the golf season in 1899.  Today's Historic Pelham article sheds more light on the terrible suicide of that club manager, Frederick B. Russell.

Frederick B. Russell was the manager, groundskeeper, greenskeeper, and superintendent of the Pelham Manor Golf Club during what appears to be the club's last season in 1899.  He was born in Hudson, New York.  Some reports say he was 35 years old in 1899.  Others say he was 40.  All agree that he was unmarried and had no children.  Russell came from an affluent New York family.

For many years, Russell was employed as a clerk with Davis Collamore & Co.  According to one source:

"Davis Collamore & Co. was a high-end New York City importer of porcelain and glass, headed by Davis Collamore (7 October 1820 — 13 August 1887). The firm, rivals to Tiffany & Co. and Black, Starr & Frost, commissioned designs from Copeland Spode and Thomas Minton Sons, that featured hand-painted details over transfer-printed outlines and often rich gilding."

Source:  "Davis Collamore & Co." in Wikipedia -- The Free Encyclopedia (visited Jun. 17, 2017).  

Russell seems to have lost his clerk position at Davis Collamore & Co. in about 1896.  He turned to the Russell family lawyer, William C. Findlay, for help.  

Findlay had a law office at 19 Liberty Street in New York City.  He provided Frederick Russell with a desk and space in his law office to permit Russell to operate a small real estate business from his law offices.

Russell's real estate business turned out to be a bust.  Over time he attended to the business less and less.  He also spent less and less time at Findlay's offices.  At least one source suggests he was drinking.

It is not known for certain when Russell began working as manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Club.  Sources suggest that although he was in ill health during the summer of 1899, he was hired to manage the club on July 29, 1895 by notable Pelham Manor resident and club member William B. Randall.  It appears that Russell served the club from that date until the end of the 1899 golf season (in November of that year).

While working as Pelham Manor Golf Club manager, Russell lived with an elderly relative named H. H. Hadley at 451 South Seventh Avenue in Mount Vernon.  Hadley was a retired lawyer.  Russell occasionally worked as secretary to Hadley. 

On Monday, December 4, 1895, Russell entered Henry Dreyfus' "Devil's Island Hotel" (known as the Dreyfus House) on Main Street in New Rochelle.  Dreyfus later claimed that Russell told him that he had been employed as manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Club and that his financial accounts were $60 short (some reports said $65 short).  He claimed that the Club had "threatened him with arrest" unless he repaid the money by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 1899.  

Early in the morning on Wednesday, December 6, Russell approached Dreyfus again and asked to borrow $60.  Dreyfus refused to loan him the money.  Dreyfus later claimed that upon refusal of the requested loan, Russell said that he "would commit suicide before he would allow himself to be arrested."   

A little before 2:00 p.m. that same day, Frederick Russell went to Brady's Hotel on Main Street in New Rochelle.  Brady's Hotel was operated by Alderman Daniel B. Brady who also served as bartender in the hotel bar.  Russell ordered a drink and seated himself in the bar area for a while.  Once the bartender's attention was diverted by another customer, Russell quietly slipped into an anteroom and sat down there.

At about 2:00 p.m., Frederick B. Russell pulled out a loaded pistol and held it to his chest.    He pointed the muzzle directly at his heart and pulled the trigger.

The crack of the gunshot startled all.  Russell was found on the floor with a gunshot wound to his chest.  Dr. O. N. Raymond, who lived across the street from Brady's Hotel, was summoned and was on the scene within three minutes.  It was too late.  Russell already was dead.  

The body was taken charge by Coroner Banning of Mount Vernon.  It was removed to Davis' morgue in Mount Vernon.  

Within days newspapers throughout the region blared headlines and news that Russell had shot himself over a $60 (or $65) debt owed to the Pelham Manor Golf Club.  One headline, for example, read:  "SHOT HIMSELF FOR LACK OF $60. -- Manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Links Committed Suicide Rather Than Face Arrest."

Suicide over a minor debt made for sensational news, even if the news was not true.  On December 9, 1895, though only two days before it had published a prominent story about the suicide and the debt that reputedly was owed on page 2, the New York Times published a tiny reference buried on page 16 stating, in its entirety, as follows:

"The statement that Frederick B. Russell, manager of the Pelham Manor golf links, who committed suicide  in a hotel at New Rochelle on Wednesday, was worried over his inability to raise $65 which he desired to pay to the club, has elicited from George K. Perry, Secretary of the club, a statement that nothing was owing to it by Mr. Russell.  Mr. Perry says the dead man left the club's employ at the termination of the Summer season with his accounts correct."

We may never know why Frederick B. Russell, manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Club, killed himself that day.  Some reports indicated he was in ill health and may have lapsed into dementia.  Others suggested he was in financial distress.  It does not appear, however, that he was threatened with arrest for a minor debt owed to the Pelham Manor Golf Club.

Hand Colored Half Tone Depicting a Golf Match in 1895.

"A LONG PUTT TO HALVE THE HOLE. -- DRAWN BY A. B. FROST."

1895 Hand Colored Half-Tone.  15 1/2 x 11 Inches.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.  

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Below is the text of a number of articles that touch on the subject of today's Historic Pelham article.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"SUICIDE IN BRADY'S HOTEL.
-----
Frederick B. Russell, a Native of Hudson, N.Y., Kills Himself.

Frederick B. Russell, until recently greenkeeper [sic] of the Pelham Manor Golf Club, committed suicide Wednesday afternoon in this city.  He went into the saloon of Alderman Daniel B. Brady, in Main street, and while the attention of the bartender was attracted to another customer seated himself at a table in a rear apartment and put a bullet through his heart.

Doctor O. N. Raymond, whose residence is diagonally opposite the hotel, was summoned.  When he arrived, in less than three minutes after the shooting, Russell was dead.

Russell was about forty years old, and for many years had been a clerk with Davis Collamore & Co., importers of crockery, in New York city.  A few years ago he opened a real estate office at No. 19 Liberty street but as business grew slowly he closed it up.  On July 29 last his health became poor and he took charge of the links of the Pelham Country Club [sic] as superintendent and greenkeeper [sic], and continued there until about two weeks ago, when he lost his place, it is said, from drinking.  Russell was well educated and came of a good family, and it is supposed that he brooded over his misfortunes and failing health until he became demented.  The body was taken in charge by Coroner Banning, of Mount Vernon, and removed to Davis' morgue.

Russel's home was at No. 451 South Seventh ave., Mount Vernon, where he had an elderly relative, H. H. Hadley, a retired lawyer, to whom he sometimes acted as secretary.  Russell came originally from Hudson.  He was not married.

Henry Dreyfus, proprietor of the Dreyfus House on Main street near Drake avenue, which Russell frequented, made a statement that Russell had informed him that he had fallen $65 behind in his accounts with the golf club, and would have to settle at 2 o'clock Wednesday.  He told Dreyfus, so the latter says, that unless he obtained the money before that time he would kill himself.  The officials of the club deny that Russell was short in his accounts.  The body will be taken to Hudson this morning."

Source:  SUICIDE IN BRADY'S HOTEL -- Frederick B. Russell, a Native of Hudson, N.Y., Kills Himself, New Rochelle Pioneer, Dec. 9, 1899, Vol. 41, 38, p. 1, col. 1.  

"SHOT HIMSELF FOR LACK OF $60.
-----
Manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Links Committed Suicide Rather Than Face Arrest.
-----

NEW ROCHELLE, N. Y., Wednesday. -- Frederick B. Russell, who, according to cards found in his pockets, had a real estate office at No. 19 Liberty street, New York city, committed suicide by shooting himself through the heart in Alderman Daniel B. Brady's hotel on the Boston Post road, at two o'clock this afternoon.

Very little is known of Russell in this city.  He was employed as manager at the Pelham Manor golf links.  

Russell was in Henry Dreyfus' Devil's Island Hotel, in Main street, on Monday.  Dreyfus said to-night that Russell had been employed for the Pelham Manor Club by William B. Randall and his accounts were $60 short.  The club had given him until this afternoon to make good his default and had threatened him with arrest unless he did so.  He tried to borrow $60 from Dreyfus this morning, and when the loan was refused he said he would commit suicide before he would allow himself to be arrested.  Dreyfus believed he made this remark simply to show that he was desperately in need of the money.  Russell was thirty-five years old and unmarried.

-----

Russell Had Been a Real Estate Broker in William C. Findlay's Office.  

At the office of William C. Findlay, in No. 19 Liberty street, who is attorney for the Russell family, it was said yesterday that Russell had had desk room with Mr. Findlay up to about three months ago.  He had done something as a real estate broker, but had not been very successful."

Source:  SHOT HIMSELF FOR LACK OF $60 -- Manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Links Committed Suicide Rather Than Face Arrest, N.Y. Herald, Dec. 7, 1899, p. 8, col. 5.  

"GOLF CLUB MANAGER'S SUICIDE.
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Frederick B. Russell of the Pelham Manor Links Shoots Himself.

NEW ROCHELLE, N. Y., Dec. 6. -- Frederick B. Russell, manager of the Pelham Manor golf links and formerly a real estate broker, with an office at 19 Liberty Street, Manhattan, shot and killed himself to-day in Alderman Daniel D. Brady's hotel here.  He had been connected with the golf club about two months.  He had a room there, and took table board at the home of a relative at 451 South Seventh Street, Mount Vernon.  Business troubles are supposed to have led to the suicide.

According to Henry Dreyfus, proprietor of the Dreyfus House, who made a statement to the police, Mr. Russell was worried over his inability to raise $65, which he desired to pay to the club.

Mr. Russell was about forty years old, and had been employed with Davis, Collamore & Co., glassware up to about three years ago.  William C. Findlay, attorney for the Russell family, said that Mr. Russell had not been well of late, and he knew of no reason for the suicide unless ill-health had brought about despondency.  Mr. Russell came originally from Hudson, N. Y."

Source:  GOLF CLUB MANAGER'S SUICIDE -- Frederick B. Russell of the Pelham Manor Links Shoots Himself, N.Y. Times, Dec. 7, 1899, p. 2, col. 3.  

"BROKER COMMITS SUICIDE.
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Frederick B. Russell, of This City, Shoots Himself in a Cafe at New Rochelle.
-----

Frederick B. Russell shot himself through the heart yesterday afternoon in an anteroom of Alderman Daniel A. Brady's hotel at New Rochelle.  Russell was a real estate broker, and had an office at 19 Liberty street, Manhattan.  He entered the hotel about an hour before he shot himself and called for a drink.  He remained about the cafe, and when he entered the anteroom nothing was thought of it.

Russell had been in this vicinity only a few days, passing most of his time on the links of the Pelham Manor Golf Club.  He stopped at a hotel on the Boston post road.  There were no papers in his pockets to show why he killed himself.

Mr. Russell, it was said, lived in Seventh avenue, Mount Vernon, and came of a prominent family.  It is understood that his health was not of the best, and that of late he had gone to his office at infrequent intervals."

Source:  BROKER COMMITS SUICIDE -- Frederick B. Russell, of This City, Shoots Himself in a Cafe at New Rochelle, The Morning Telegraph [NY, NY], Dec. 7, 1899, p. 4, col. 6.  

"Mr. Russell Not in Debt to the Club.

The statement that Frederick B. Russell, manager of the Pelham Manor golf links, who committed suicide  in a hotel at New Rochelle on Wednesday, was worried over his inability to raise $65 which he desired to pay to the club, has elicited from George K. Perry, Secretary of the club, a statement that nothing was owing to it by Mr. Russell.  Mr. Perry says the dead man left the club's employ at the termination of the Summer season with his accounts correct."

Source:  Mr. Russell Not in Debt to the Club, N.Y. Times, Dec. 9, 1899, p. 16, col. 2.  

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More on the Prospect Hill Golf Course of the Pelham Manor Golf Club

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Many in Pelham know that there once was a golf course in the area of today's Fowler Avenue opened in 1898 by the first Pelham Country Club, a predecessor to today's Wykagyl Country Club in the City of New Rochelle.  See Tue., Nov. 29, 2016:  1902 Report on Activities of The First Pelham Country Club on Fowler Avenue.  Fewer, however, know that several years earlier a golf course opened on Prospect Hill in Pelham Manor.  Pelham, it seems, was in the midst of the golf craze that swept over the New York Region in the mid-1890s.  

On Wednesday, November 6, 1895, Mrs. John Cunningham Hazen (of Pelham Hall, also known as Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls) and her daughter, Miss Edith Cunningham Hazen, opened a tiny golf course on Prospect Hill in Pelham Manor.  The Hazen women, working with others, decided to market the new golf club as an incredibly exclusive club limited to only one hundred upper crust members from Pelham Manor and New Rochelle.  I have written about the Pelham Manor Golf Club before.  See, e.g.:

Tue., Apr. 29, 2014:  More on Golf in Pelham During the 19th Century.  

Tue., Oct. 20, 2009:  Manager of Pelham Manor Golf Links Committed Suicide in 1899. 

Mon., Mar. 09, 2009:  Another Brief Account of Golf at Pelham Manor in 1895. 

Mon., Jan. 14, 2008:  Golf at Pelham Manor in 1895. 

Bell, Blake, The Early Days of Golf in Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 36, Sep. 10, 2004, p. 12, col. 2.

The opening of the new course was held in a tent near the first tee.  The course seems to have been located in an area between today's Washington Avenue and the New York City boundary adjacent to an area denoted in some newspaper articles as "Prospect Hill Park."  The principal organizers of the new club, all women, received guests in the tent.  They included "Mrs. John C. Hazen, Mrs. Robert C. Black, Mrs. Jabish Holmes, and Mrs. Frank Hunter of Pelham Manor, and Mrs. Robert Lathers, Jr., Mrs. Henry Loomis Nelson, and Mrs. Henry D. Noyes of New Rochelle."

Among the notable members of the club who once hacked around the rolling countryside of Prospect Hill were famed western artist Frederic Remington (who lived and painted in New Rochelle) and publishing magnate Howard Scribner, a Pelham resident.

The records of the Pelham Manor Golf Club no longer exist.  Because little was written about the club, it has been exceedingly difficult to piece together its history.  The club seems to have operated until about 1899 when the manager of the club committed suicide after the close of the club's summer season.  At about the same time, of course, the first Pelham Country Club founded in 1898 was offering its members a lovely new nine hole golf course in the area of today's Fowler Avenue.  These two developments seem to have spelled the end of the Pelham Manor Golf Club.

Below is a very brief news item published on November 11, 1895 noting the opening of the new course.  

Hand Colored Half Tone Depicting a Golf Match in 1895.

"A LONG PUTT TO HALVE THE HOLE. -- DRAWN BY A. B. FROST."

1895 Hand Colored Half-Tone.  15 1/2 x 11 Inches.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.  

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"THE PROGRESS OF GOLF.
-----
NEWS AND GOSSIP FROM THE CLUBS IN NEW YORK DISTRICT. . . .

The links of the Pelham Manor Golf Club on Prospect Hill adjoining Pelhamville [sic] Park, were formally opened on Wednesday and a reception was held in a tent near the first tee.  The guests were received by Mrs. John C. Hazen, Mrs. Robert C. Black, Mrs. Jabish Holmes, and Mrs. Frank Hunter of Pelham Manor, and Mrs. Robert Lathers, Jr., Mrs. Henry Loomis Nelson, and Mrs. Henry D. Noyes of New Rochelle. . . ."

Source:  THE PROGRESS OF GOLF -- NEWS AND GOSSIP FROM THE CLUBS IN NEW YORK DISTRICT, The Sun [NY, NY], Nov. 11, 1895, p. 8, col. 4.  

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Fascinating Summary of Organizations and Clubs in the Pelhams on the Eve of the Great Depression

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In 1927, the Roaring Twenties were well underway.  The Town of Pelham was in the midst of a massive real estate boom and a population boom.  Indeed, between 1920 and 1930 the population of the town more than doubled from 5,195 to 11,851.

As the town grew, so did the number of fraternal, social, civic, and patriotic organizations that served the town.  Thus, on the eve of the Great Depression, there were dozens and dozens of such organizations each with hundreds of members.  These organizations, of course, form an important part of the history of the little Town of Pelham.  

On January 19, 1927, a lengthy article entitled "PELHAM KNOWN AS ATTRACTIVE SOCIAL CENTER" listed dozens of such organizations and provided information and, at times, a little history on each.  The article, with no byline, most certainly was a real estate puff piece intended to attract attention to, and interest in, the growing town of Pelham, New York.  Nevertheless, the article provides a fascinating glimpse of a time in Pelham's history when Pelhamites had fewer demands on their time and fewer entertainment alternatives.  This may explain why the town had so many such organizations with so many members and why so few of those organizations have survived to the present day.

Among the organizations addressed in the article are:  the Men's Club (with 600 members), the Manor Club (with membership limited to 500 members), the Winyah Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Winyah Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Fellowcraft Club, the Comfort Society, the Degree of Pocahontas, the Iroquois Tribe 476 of the Independent Order of Redmen, the Parent-Teacher Association, the Pelham Chapter of the League of Women Voters, the Pelham Branch of the Red Cross, the Young Men's Republican Club, the Democratic Club, Post 50 of the American Legion (and its women's auxiliary), the Walsh-Marvel Post of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a variety of Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations.  The article did not even attempt to address church-related organizations and other small social and philanthropic groups throughout the Town.  

The article is a quick read and provides fascinating insight into a variety of Pelham organizations, what they did, who led them, and when they were founded.  It should be required reading for students of Pelham history.

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"PELHAM KNOWN AS ATTRACTIVE SOCIAL CENTER
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Numerous Fraternal, Social, Civic and Patriotic Organizations In the Town Are Active
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WIN MUCH ATTENTION
-----
Manor Club's Work Gains Wide Recognition -- Has Interesting Groups
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600 IN MEN'S CLUB
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Political Associations Progress, Too -- Many Church Societies in Three Villages
-----

There are enough fraternal, social, political, or patriotic organizations in the Pelhams to appeal to everyone.  The mere enumeration of these -- the Men's club, the Manor club, Winyah chapter, O. E. S., Winyah lodge, F. and A.M.; Fellowcraft club, Comfort society, Degree of Pocohantas [sic]; Irokuois [sic] Tribe 476, Independent Order of Redmen; the Parent-Teacher association, league of Women Voters, Pelham branch of the Red Cross, Young Men's Republican club, the Democratic club, Post 50 American Legion and its auxiliary, Walsh-Marvel post, Veterans of Foreign Wars -- is sufficient to give one an idea of the wide range of activities covered by these groups.

No account is made here of the other small groups or church organizations, including young people's societies and women's organizations of various kinds which contribute much to the social and church life of the Pelhams.

600 in Men's Club

One of the largest and most representative men's organizations in this section is the Men's club of Pelham, which has a membership approaching 600.  Non-sectarian and non-political, this draws Pelhamites from virtually all walks of life into its membership.  Its only goal is neighborliness and co-operation, and at any of the monthly meetings of the organization, this spirit is as refreshing as are the arranged programs of diversion and entertainment.  Well known speakers address the monthly meetings, and there is usually an exceedingly meritorious program of music.  Once or twice a year, there is a ladies' night, such as was recently held when the Princeton musical clubs gave a concert under the auspices of the club.  The Men's club first started as a small group organized by the Rev. Herbert H. Brown, of the Church of the Redeemer, but it was later reorganized as a non-sectarian social club which because of its large membership and real spirit of camaraderie is unique.  The officers of the Men's club are:  Ralph C. Angell, president; Lockwood Barr, vice president; Kenneth C. Ogden, secretary; Thomas F. Diack, assistant secretary; Elliot C. House, treasurer; and George Kirch, jr., assistant treasurer.  Meetings are held in the Memorial High school auditorium on the evening of the second Tuesday of each month.

The executive committee includes the Rev. Herbert H. Brown, William L. Chenery, A. F. Decker, Col. Charles S. Haight, William W. Hawkins, Ralph Hess, Walter H. McIlroy, Frank Mann, Earl Newsom, J. H. Redding, Robert H. Shaw, Milton Towne, Stacy Wood, Arthur Van de Water, and Theodore C. Young.

Manor Club Widely Known.

The largest social organization of women in the Pelhams, and one of the most widely known in the county, is the Manor club, which includes in its membership, women of fine taste and talent in virtually every field of art.  The membership of the club is limited to 500.  Mrs. James F. Longley is president.

The clubhouse, a charming and most artistic structure, is located on the Esplanade, near Penfield Place, in Pelham Manor.  A theatre and a large reception hall are features of the building.

Art, music, drama, gardening, literature, and other activities are included in the doings of the members of the club.  Each of these subjects is taken up by a special section of the club, which conducts a regular program of activities during the club season.  The art section, of which Mrs. George N. Hersey is chairman, meets regularly at the club or at the residence of one of the members, and a discussion of art and the history of art is held.  Several noteworthy exhibitions of the arts and crafts are held at the Manor club for the public during the season.  

The music section, of which Mrs. Carroll B. Haff is chairman also meets regularly for a musica [sic] or for a study of classic or modern music.  A special feature of the musical activities at the club is the formal concert given by the choral.  While several informal recitals or musicales are given at the club on occasions, the big work of the choral consists in the regular rehearsal of the big concert which winds up the season.

Another activity which hundreds are interested in at the Manor club is that of the garden section, which makes a study of horticulture in its relation to the beauty of the home.  Planning of gardens, and the study of various forms of flower and shrub for home decoration are included in the business of the garden section.  There is also the annual flower show, in which many take part, and in which prizes are awarded.  Last fall, the garden section successfully staged its first fall flower show.  Mrs. J. E. Ackland is chairman of this section.  

One of the most active sections in the club is the drama section.  This group, in addition to making a study of drama in an academic way, stages several plays during the season, the most recent production being 'The Road to Yesterday,' which was staged at the Manor club two evenings.  A special afternoon performance was also given for the children of the community.  The drama group also takes part, with honors in the annual Little Theatre tournament held each year in Westchester county.  Histrionic talent of much merit is displayed by the members.  The chairman of the drama section is Mrs. G. Munro Hubbard.

Literature Section

Original poems and short stories comprise the most interesting feature of the work done by the literature section, the chairman of which is Mrs. H. G. K. Heath.  At regular meetings, conducted at the residence of the chairman or at the club, special literary programs are arranged for the afternoon.  A study is also made of modern writing and the classics, and book reviews are also made by members of the section.  One of the interesting events during the season is the gathering of original short stories or poems written by the members for what is called the 'Unpublished Magazine.'  These articles are read by the authors at a special gathering of the club.  During the latter part of the season, prior to the closing the club activities, a series of porch readings is conducted at the clubhouse.

Mrs. James F. Longley, the president of the club, is assisted by the following staff of officers in the management of the club activities:  Mrs. Edward C. King, vice-president; Mrs. Henry E. Day, second vice-president; Mrs. H. Washington Fairfax, treasurer; Mrs. Harry D. Wright, secretary; Mrs. William B. Shaw, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Robert C. Black, honorary chairman of the board of directors; Mrs. Edwin C. King, chairman of the house committee; Mrs. Walter B. Parsons, chairman of the program committee; Mrs. G. B. Davies, chairman of the press and printing committee; Mrs. Stanley D. Pearce, chairman of the junior committee; Mrs. Northrop Dawson, chairman of the social committee, and Mrs. William B. Randall, custodian of records.

The Manor club, of which Mrs. James F. Secor, honorary president, was for many years the leader, is the scene of many activities in addition to those enumerated.  One of these is the holding of a series of interesting lectures each season, on current world politics.  These are open to the membership at large and are a prominent feature of club activities.

Junior Committee

The junior committee of the club, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Stanley D. Pearce, has as its function the providing of a series of dances for the young people of the Pelhams.  These are most enjoyable functions and are attended by hundreds.  The largest event arranged by the junior committee is the Christmas dance staged at the clubhouse during the holiday season, this function drawing upon the hundreds of young people home from prep schools and colleges for the Christmas vacation.

Masonic organizations include Winyah chapter, F. and A. M.; the Fellowcraft club of Winyah lodge, and Winyah chapter, Order of Eastern Star, the latter having been lately granted a charter.

These organizations stage their social functions and meetings in the Masonic temple in Sixth avenue, North Pelham, and are among the most active groups in the Pelhams.  Meetings of Winyah lodge are held on the first, third and fifth Tuesdays.  The following new officers were just installed on the evening of January 4:  Uel R. Piersall, master; Benjamin W. Hobson, senior warden; Walter B. Robinson, junior warden; John M. Shinn, treasurer; Harry Hamilton, secretary.  The Fellowcraft club is composed of members of the Masonic order in Pelham, and was organized recently to take care of the recreational activities of the Masons.  Sidney C. Smith is president, and Benjamin W. Hobson, secretary, of the Fellowcraft club.

Winyah Chapter Active

An active organization in the social life of the Pelhams, is Winyah chapter, Order of Eastern Star, which was organized on March 10, 1925, and instituted on November 10 of that year.

Under the leadership of its founder and present matron, Mrs. Elfreda M. Schminke, the organization has grown from a membership of 32 to 68.  Dances, card parties, children's parties, and other activities occupy the season of the chapter.  During the past summer, the members of the chapter staged several delightful parties for the children of the Pelhams.  Among the most interesting of these being outdoor parties for the children at the North Pelham school playground.

The officers, installed on January 5 last, include the following:  Mrs. E. A. Schminke, worthy matron; John P. W. Ceder, worthy patron; Mrs. Grace L. Rice, associate matron; Mrs. S. Anna Lyon, treasurer; Mrs. Adella M. Wirth, secretary; Mrs. Reine M. Donzel, conductress; Mrs. Louisa M. Berle, associate conductress; Mrs. Luisa J. Weser, Mrs. Charlotte Payne, and George N. Rice, trustees.

Organized during the World War for the entertainment of wounded war veterans, the Pelham Comfort society has continued to be a source of happiness and cheer for hundreds of convalescent veterans who are still in government hospitals in this section.  The society was founded by Mrs. Edwin L. Adair, who remained its president for seven years.  Mrs. Minnie Godfrey Oden, now president, has been in office for two years.  While the organization was in the presentation of the 'Pelham Follies,' given at the High School during the presidency of Mrs. Adair.  Mrs. Oden has continued the activities of the society in a capable manner, and during her reign, many theatre parties and dinners have been held, the latest being the annual Christmas entertainment, which was held for 400 men at the Kingsbridge hospital last month.

The present officers of the Pelham Comfort society are:  Mrs. Minnie G. Oden, president; Mrs. Adam Berle, vice-president; Miss Charlotte Kurtze, recording secretary; Mrs. Grace Logan Lyon, corresponding secretary; Miss Dorothy Kurtze, treasurer; executive committee, Mrs. Godfrey Keller, Mrs. E. Schaefer, Mrs. Jennie Pickard, Mrs. Joseph Carraher, and Mrs. Mathew Herman; sick committee, Mrs. Frank Chaloux, Miss Lucia Mannberger, and Miss Margaret Merian.

Parent-Teacher Association

The Pelham Parent-Teacher association, of which Mrs. Charles H. Stewart is president, was organized several years ago to secure cooperation between parents and teachers, toward the full development of the child along educational, and healthful lines.  The staff of officers are now doing fine work in the Pelham school activities, sponsoring among other things, a school playground, and a study of the needs of the child in the school and at home.  Interesting and instructive talks are enjoyed by the members of the Parent-Teacher association at their meetings.  The association is also divided into several groups, which take up separately the study of health in the home and at school; child psychology and home economics.  

General meetings of the Parent-Teacher association are held at the public schools, mainly at the Pelham Memorial High school, on third Wednesday afternoon of each month.  Mrs. Stewart has as her staff of officers, Mrs. Clarence Campbell, first vice-president; Mrs. E. G. Clemenson, second vice-president; Mrs. Edwin Van Riper, treasurer; Miss Katherine Ensign, recording secretary.  The chairman of the various committees are:  Mrs. Ralph Towle, social; Mrs. Walter Parsons, program; Mrs. Robert Adams, membership; Mrs. Frederick B. Davies, publicity; Mrs. L. B. Louis, playgrounds; Mrs. T. P. Stevenson, study groups.  The sub-chairmen of the study groups are:  Mrs. J. A. Migel, psychology group 1; Mrs. Benjamin Robinson, psychology group 2 (sex); Mrs. D. H. Grant, health; Mrs. R. H. Smith, economics; Mrs. Roy Sterne, librarian.

Iroquois tribe, 476, Independent Order of Red Men, is one of the active fraternal organizations in the Pelhams.  Meetings are held regularly at the North Pelham fire hall.  The order is headed by Henry Velon, sachem; James L. Caffrey, jr., senior sagamore; William Timbers, junior sagamore; Robert Penfield, chief of records; Louis Kurtze, keeper of wampum; John Rogaveen, prophet; and Ezra Daggett, trustee.

A sister organization to this is Nyods council 207, Degree of Pocohantas, which meets at the fire hall in North Pelham on the evenings of the second and fourth Thursdays.  The following officers were installed last Thursday:  Miss Johanna Milck, Pocohantas; Mrs. William Hamilton, winonah; Miss Anna Booth, prophetess; Mrs. M. Herman, collector of wampam; Mrs. M. G. Oden, keeper of wampum; Miss Charlotte Kurtze, keeper of records; Henry Velon, Powhatan.

Three Political Bodies

There are three political organizations in the Pelhams, namely:  The Pelham branch of the League of Women Voters; the Young Men's Republican club, and the Democratic club.

The woman's organization, of which Mrs. Henry E. Dey of Pelham Manor has been the leading figure, has just concluded a successful campaign to double its membership, under the leadership of the following officers:  Mrs. Henry E. Dey, chairman; Mrs. Carl D. Jackson, vice chairman; Mrs. I. Balch Louis, secretary; Miss Eleanor Seed, treasurer; Mrs. Frank Chaloux, publicity chairman.  While classed here as political, the organization is not associated with any one party.

The present Democratic club is a recent organization, which is at present occupied in building up a strong body for the town political activities in the fall.  At a recent organization meeting, Morgan Mann was elected chairman; Charles J. O'Reilly, vice chairman; Edward F. Campbell, treasurer; James Connolly, secretary.  The town democratic committee includes J. T. Kallenberg, Remington Schuyler, Edgar J. MacGregor, F. H. Allen, John F. Larkin, Frederick T. Head, George Walsh, Harry E. Kuhlman, Charles J. O'Reilly, John T. Fenlon, Morgan M. Mann, John T. Brook, John F. Shields, Joseph Ryan, Stephen Ryan, Edward F. Campbell, Richard Orchard, James Carroll, Ed. Browne, William McBride, C. W. Gaylor, M. J. Murphy, Edmund Von Hasein, Joseph McCarthy, Harry Tierney, and George P. Breckenridge.  

In February, 1926, the sentiment in Pelham seemed to favor the organization of a Young Men's Republican club.  Sponsored by Elmer S. Davis and Harry C. Jackson, meetings were held in the town and an organization was perfected, known as 'The Young Men's Republican club.'  During the year 1926 monthly meetings were held at the town hall.  

The members elected Elmer S. Davis first president of the Young Men's Republican club, and elected Harry C. Jackson, Walter Burnell and Harry Mela vice-presidents; and Robert Mullins, secretary and treasurer of the club.  A constitution and by-laws were adopted and the club functioned efficiently during the entire year.  At the monthly meetings of the club, speakers of prominence were in attendance.  Among those were Judge David A. L'Esperance, Judge Charles E. Rice, jr., Judge Anthony M. Menkel, Honorable Charles M. Miller, David L. Gorfinkle and other notables.  The membership grew from a small body to a membership of one hundred in the short period of a year.  The club served the Republican committee at the fall elections by providing workers at each of the five districts and providing automobiles for getting out the voters in all of the five districts on Election Day.

At the election of officers to succeed the initial officers of the club, President Elmer S. Davis, refused to continue as president, and Charles A. Hollister was duly elected to succeed him as president for the year 1927.  Other officers are:  Vice presidents, Harry C. Jackson, Sylvester Powers, A. P. Walker, jr.; secretary, J. Fisher, jr.; treasurer, Robert Mullins; committeemen, Fred Herzberg, Elmer S. Davis, chairman, Max Stoller, James B. Lawrence and Burgess B. Fields.

Looking back over the year 1926 the officers and members of the Young Republicans club of Pelham feel satisfied with the formation of the organization and the work they accomplished during the year.  They feel that the work accomplished is an acknowledgment of a need of such an organization and a need of aid to the Republican men in the town.  The new president, Charles A. Hollister, is admirably suited for the office to succeed the retiring president, Elmer S. Davis, as he has been in close touch for some time with the local political association.

Military Organizations

Military organizations in the Pelhams include Walsh-Marvel post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Pelham Post 50 of the American Legion, the latter being assisted in its activities by a women's auxiliary.

Walsh-Marvel post has in the past taken an active interest in the patriotic celebrations held in the town from time to time, and has cooperated in the setting up and care of suitable war memorials in the town.  Meetings are held at regular intervals, with county officers as the guests, at the North Pelham fire hall.  The officers include Gardner Minard, commander; Gorham B. Head, quartermaster; and A. M. Telford, adjutant.  

Pelham Post 50, American Legion, began the year 1926 with Commander Raymond C. Smith succeeding himself as commander of the post for the second consecutive year.  The legion post functioned monthly in the same manner that it functioned the previous year.  Monthly meetings were held at which increasing attendance of legionaires [sic] was noted and a spirit of co-operation shown, which spoke volumes in behalf of the legion.  The legion cooperated with the village and town officers during the year in the holding of patriotic and memorial services throughout the town.  Commander Smith and Adjutant Elmers Davis during the year 1926 were among the hardest working legion officers of the post, and to Commander Smith is due the credit of upholding the standards of the legion post during the year.  

In October, 1926, new officers of the Legion Post 50 were elected:  Commander, Richard L. Gulatsi; vice commander, Sidney C. Smith; vice commander, Maxwell Nesbit; vice commander, F. B. Fahrbach; adjutant, Russell Clegg; treasurer, Frederick Wirth.

Commander Gulatal appointed strong committees for the ensuing year and for the remainder of 1926 held exceptionally fine meetings.  Notables in the Legion world and business world and official worlds were obtained as speakers for the balance of the year, and meetings attended by over one hundred members.  Commander Gulatsi started the new year 1926-1927 with a vim that bespeaks a wonderful year for Pelham Post 50.

Post 50 was recognized in the county organization in the election of Elmer S. Davis, as second vice commander, which position, due to unforeseen circumstances, made him acting county commander for some time.  The Pelham post had much mention in the press and in the Pictorial Review for its three meetings for the end of 1926.  The outlook for 1927 for Pelham post 50 is brighter than ever before in its history and with Commander Gulatsi at its head, many meetings of interest are looked forward to.  

The post is assisted by the Ladies' auxiliary, which recently elected officers as follows:

Mrs. G. G. Fahrbach, president; Mrs. Richard Gulatsi, vice president; Mrs. Kneeland B. Durham, jr., treasurer; Mrs. Raymond Smith, secretary; Mrs. Jacob Wirth, chaplain; Mrs. George W. Rice, historian; Miss Anna Clegg, sergeant-at-arms; Mrs. J. W. Caffrey, Mrs. Clyde F. Howes, and Mrs. J. D. Kennedy, executive committee; Mrs. D. J. Kennedy and Mrs. J. W. Carey, county delegates.

Branch of Red Cross

Among other organizations is the Pelham branch of the Red Cross, which has served the community on many occasions.  Mrs. Edward H. Townsend is chairman, Mrs. Joseph C. Wilberding, honorary chairman; Mrs. Raymond H. Smith, vice chairman; Mrs. Morton R. Cross, treasurer; Mrs. Mary S. Sills, secretary; Miss Mills, chairman of the roll call division; Mrs. R. C. Smith chairman of the production committee.

Boy Scout organizations are one of the interesting features of life in the Pelhams for the younger generation.  Girl Scouts are also active in many fields of work in Pelham.  An interesting part of their work locally is to take care of children, when mothers attend meetings of the Parent-Teacher association, while of course the conduct other forms of scoutcraft."

Source:  PELHAM KNOWN AS ATTRACTIVE SOCIAL CENTER, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 19, 1927, p. 11, cols. 1-8.  

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John E. Price of City Island, One of Pelham's Earliest Commercial Oystermen

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Not much is known of the earliest oystermen in the Town of Pelham.  Not much, of course, was done to document their lives during the early to mid-19th century.  By piecing together snippets from a wide variety of sources, however, it is possible to assemble a rough portrait of some of those pioneer oystermen.  One such pioneer oystermen was John E. Price, among the earliest oystermen to operate from City Island in the Town of Pelham.

According to a host of sources including several Federal census records, John E. Price was born in New York in about 1826.  As a young man in the 1850s he began oystering from City Island in the Town of Pelham.  At the time, the natural oyster beds off the shores of Pelham were rich with the bivalves.  Additionally, oystermen in the region were just developing the practice of "planting" oyster beds in the waters of Long Island Sound.  Thus, Price began oystering at the best possible time.

According to an obituary, Price soon "started a string of boats, and made a comfortable fortune" by oystering off the shores of Pelham.  

As one might expect, John E. Price planted and maintained oyster beds in Long Island Sound.  This is known because in 1879, famed City Island oysterman Joshua Leviness became the first person in the State of New York charged with illegally dredging oysters using steam power.  At trial, the attorney for Leviness argued that Leviness was hired by the owner of an artificial oyster bed that was adjacent to a bed planted by John E. Price to harvest the owner's oysters from his bed.  The attorney contended that the statute did not bar steam-powered equipment when dredging one's own oysters from one's own artificial bed -- only when dredging natural beds or unlawfully dredging the artificial beds of others.  The argument failed and Leviness was convicted.

The Federal Censuses for the Town of Pelham in 1850, 1860, and 1870 suggest that oysterman John Price married a woman named Caroline who was born in New York and was three years younger than he and that the couple had several children including:  (1) Stephen, born in about 1847; (2) John E., born in about 1850; (3) Robert H., born in about 1856; (4) Charlie S., born in about 1858; (5) Annie, born in about 1861; (6) Sarah, born in about 1863; (7) Maura, born in about 1866; (8) Mable E, born in about 1868; (9) Jennie, born in about 1869; and (10) William, birth date unknown.   A brief obituary in a local newspaper indicates that Jennie died at the age of 16 in 1885 of "lingering consumption."

Brief newspaper clippings from the 1880s and 1890s shed a little light on the life of John E. Price.  For example, he was hailed as a hero in December, 1881 for saving the life of City Island oysterman Joseph Horton.  Horton was operating a skiff with a sail while oystering off the shores of City Island.  The sail snagged on a stake marking the boundary of an oyster bed, capsizing Horton's boat.  Horton scrambled out of the cold water and climbed onto the bottom of the skiff bobbing upside down in the waters of Long Island Sound.  He began to shout.  

John Price and one of his sons were out oystering as well.  They heard Horton's shouts and rescued him from his imperiled condition.

Several different accounts emphasized John Price's love for sailing and rowing in the waters of Long Island Sound for fun.  Indeed, an obituary noted that he rowed all around in the waters off the shores of City Island only days before his death in 1910 at the age of 85.  Another example was a sailing race Price ran against Samuel Pell of City Island in September, 1885.  Pell raced his large oyster sloop Louise H.  Price raced a smaller oyster sloop, the Wm. H. Lockwood.  Because Pell's boat was so much larger, Pell had to give a "time allowance" (i.e., spot Price some time).  Although the race was highly anticipated, there was no wind that day.  The race began at 1:00 p.m. from City Island Bridge and only involved a ten-mile course, but with no wind it took the sloops until dark to complete the race.  Pell's sloop, the Louise H., finished 3 minutes and 20 seconds ahead, but when the time allowance was considered, Price's sloop, the Wm. H. Lockwood, was declared the winner by 47 seconds.  

As one of the earliest oystermen on City Island, John E. Price became one of the most respected mariners in the Town.  His counsel and guidance were sought by oystermen throughout the island.  

Members of John E. Price's family also gained similar respect.  For example, one of his sons, John E. Price, Jr., was a leader of City Island oystermen during the infamous 1895 Oyster War about which I have written before.  See:

Wed., Jun. 24, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part I. 

Thu., Jun. 25, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part II.

In 1899 John E Price had the sad duty of searching for and discovering the body of his friend, Thomas Collins.  Collins was 80 years old at the time of his death and was said to have been, at the time, "the oldest fisherman of City Island."  Since the 1840s Collins had been engaged in the oystering trade and fished the waters around City Island.  Indeed, he and John Price had virtually grown old together oystering in Long Island Sound near City Island.  Yet, on April 8, 1899, Collins headed to the oyster beds near City Island for the last time.

No one knew what happened.  In the evening, two of his sons returned home and were surprised not to see their father.  They searched for him, but found only his rowboat overturned on a nearby beach where it had been washed ashore.  All of City Island was called out to search for old Thomas Collins in the waters around City Island.  According to the New York Times:

"It was almost 9 o'clock, however, before John Fordham, John Price, and Henry Glazier, grappling from the sides of their boat, came upon something heavy.  It was the body of their old friend Collins.  They towed the body to shore and stretched it on the beach.  A doctor sad the body had been in the water for at least four hours.  It was taken to the Collins home at 31 Carroll Street."

John E. Price died in his home at 146 King Avenue on November 24, 1910.  He was found dead "of paralysis" (likely a stroke) by William Price, one of his sons.  According to his obituary, "until a few days ago was able to row around the island as easily as any boatman of the younger generation.  He owned some property near his home."

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Below is the text of a number of newspaper articles that touch on the life of City Island oysterman John E. Price.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"STEAM DREDGING FOR OYSTERS.

Yesterday in the Court of Sessions, at White Plains, the first case under chapter 302 of the Laws of 1878, providing that in none of the waters of the State of New York shall dredging for oysters be done by steam power, was tried before Judge Silas D. Giffor and Associate Justices Howe and Lawrence.  The District Attorney was assisted by ex-Judge J. M. Peters, and Martin J. Keogh was counsel for the defendant.  The indictment in the action charges that Joshua Leviness, an oysterman, dredged on John Price's oyster-bed with his steam dredge in violation of the statute.  It appeared that Charles McClellan owns, or is reputed to own, an adjoining oyster bed, and that Leviness had been engaged to take up some of the oysters for him.  When he got to the boundaries of the bed he had to go upon Price's bed but did not dredge thereon or raise any of the oysters.  These beds are in Long Island Sound, off the Town of Pelham, near City Island.  The defense claimed that they had the right to dredge for their property by whatever means they chose.  Inasmuch as it was not a natural bed of oysters.  The prosecution, and the Judge in charging the jury, said that the letter of the law 'dredging for oysters in the waters of the State by steam power,' had been violated, and the jury found Leviness guilty of dredging upon private grounds."

Source:  STEAM DREDGING FOR OYSTERS, N.Y. Times, Dec. 9, 1879, p. 5, cols. 1-2.  

"City Island. . . .

Just before sunrise on Saturday morning last, Mr. Joseph Horton, with a sail in his skiff, started out to work.  The sail caught in an oyster stake off House Rock, capsizing his boat.  Mr. Horton climbed up on the bottom of the boat and set his vocal powers to work, and was heard by some oystermen and was rescued by Capt. John Price and Son.  Mr. Horton was very numb with the cold when picked up and is now confined to his bed. . . ."

Source:  City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 16, 1881, Vol. XIII, No. 639, p. 2, col. 4.  

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND. . . .

Miss Jennie, daughter of Mr. John Price, died of lingering consumption on Monday afternoon last, and was buried from the M. E. Church, Wednesday.  The young lady was 16 years of age. . . ."

Source:  PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 15, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 817, p. 3, col. 3.  

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND. . . .

The match race between the oyster sloops, Louise H. owned by Mr. Samuel Pell, and Wm. H. Lockwood, owned by Mr. John Price came off last Saturday, as announced, but it was rather a tame affair as there was little or no wind, the boats being nearly six hours going over the course of ten miles.  The boats started about one o'clock from City Island bridge and it was nearly dark when they returned to the starting point.  The Louise got in 3 minutes and 20 seconds ahead, but as she is a larger boat than the Lockwood, and had to give time allowance, the later won the race by 47 seconds.  The friends of the respective boats each think their favorite is the smarter and the late contest will, in all probability, result in another, when it is hoped the conditions of the weather will be more favorable to a more exciting race."

Source:  PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 4, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 833, p. 2, col. 4.  

"OLD FISHERMAN DROWNED.
----
Thomas Collins's Boat Comes Ashore Alone at City Island -- Body Found.

The body of Thomas Collins, known as the oldest fisherman of City Island, was found last night in the oyster beds near Rodman's Neck, from which he had gained a livelihood for the last fifty years.  He was 80 years old.

Collins was in the habit of going alone on the Sound to catch fish and gather oysters.  He had three sons, and for many years they helped him, but recently all got jobs as clerks and left their father to ply the old trade by himself.  

Yesterday afternoon, the sky being clear, he ventured to the foot of Carroll Street, where he had his boathouse, with the intention of rowing out to the oyster beds.  He was not expected home until suppertime, and his daughter set the table in anticipation of his return.

At about 6 o'clock his two sons, Frank and Stephen came home for their supper and inquired for their father.  They waited until 7 o'clock and then started a search.  They found their father's rowboat overturned on the beach north of the boathouse, the tide having washed it ashore.  Immediately the little colony of fishermen on the island was informed and about fifty of them went with lanterns and grappling hooks in rowboats and launches to the oyster beds, about 600 feet from shore.

It was almost 9 o'clock, however, before John Fordham, John Price, and Henry Glazier, grappling from the sides of their boat, came upon something heavy.  It was the body of their old friend Collins.  They towed the body to shore and stretched it on the beach.  A doctor sad the body had been in the water for at least four hours.  It was taken to the Collins home at 31 Carroll Street."

Source:  OLD FISHERMAN DROWNED -- Thomas Collins's Boat Comes Ashore Alone at City Island -- Body Found, N.Y. Times, Apr. 9, 1899.

"STORM AT CITY ISLAND.
-----
Wind and Lightning Combine to do Considerable Damage.
-----

During the thunderstorm which passed over City Island yesterday lightning struck the flagstaff on the large yacht shed in the shipyard of Robert Jacob.  This is the second pole struck by lightning in this shipyard within two weeks.

Another bolt struck the chimney of Dr. Seifert's residence, completely demolishing it and tearing away a portion of the roof of his house.  The occupants were badly frightened, but no one was injured.

A tree in the Pelham Cemetery was struck, and at the residence of John Price, an oysterman, the chimney was carried away by the wind."

Source:  STORM AT CITY ISLAND -- Wind and Lightning Combine to do Considerable Damage, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 28, 1900, p. 5, col. 4.

"Old City Island Oysterman Dead.

John E. Price, one of the first oyster men on City Island, was found dead of paralysis at his home, 146 King Avenue, last night, by his son, William.  He was 84 years old.  He was known to every one on City Island, and until a few days ago was able to row around the island as easily as any boatman of the younger generation.  He owned some property near his home."

Source:  Old City Island Oysterman Dead, N.Y. Times, Nov. 25, 1910, p. 11, col. 6 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"Pioneer Oysterman Dead.

John E. Price, the pioneer oysterman of City Island, died suddenly at his home, No. 146 King Street, City Island, last night in his eighty-fifth year.  He went to City Island sixty years ago, when oysters were plentiful in the neighboring waters, started a string of boats, and made a comfortable fortune.  When the supply gave out he retired, but was very active up to a month ago, spending most of his time rowing about City Island."

Source:  Pioneer Oysterman Dead, The Evening Post [NY, NY], Nov. 25, 1910, p. 14, col. 4.  

"PIONEER OYSTERMAN DEAD.
-----

John E. Price, the pioneer oysterman of City Island, died suddenly at his home, 146 King street, City Island, on Thursday night of last week, in his 85th year.

He went to City Island 60 years ago, when oysters were plentiful in the neighboring waters, started a string of boats, and made a comfortable fortune.  When the supply gave out, he retired, but was very active up to a month ago, spending most of his time rowing about City Island."

Source:  PIONEER OYSTERMAN DEAD, New Rochelle Pioneer, Dec. 3, 1910, p. 2, col. 5. 

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The oystering industry was, for decades, a critically-important economic activity in the Town of Pelham.  Many residents of City Island made their living from the industry or ran businesses that catered to the oystermen.  Accordingly, I have written about Pelham oystering on many, many occasions.  See, e.g.:

Thu., May 11, 2017:  Nineteenth Century Fake News: Announced Discovery of Another Great Oyster Bed in 1871 Led to a Near "Oyster Riot".

Wed., Mar. 29, 2017:  Important Description of the Oyster Industry in Pelham in 1853.

Thu., Feb. 11, 2016:  Was a City Island Hotel Keeper Among the First to Learn of the Great Oyster Bed Discovered in 1859?

Wed., Jun. 24, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part I.

Thu., Jun. 25, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part II.

Mon., Dec. 01, 2014:  Jury Finds City Island Oystermen Guilty of Stealing Oysters from Planted Bed in 1878.

Tue., Nov. 11, 2014:  Efforts by Herman Le Roy, Jr. of Pelham to Build an Oyster Pond in the 1830's.

Thu., Aug. 07, 2014:  Oysterman Joshua Leviness of City Island Accused of Stealing Oysters Near High Island in 1883.

Tue., Feb. 04, 2014:  Pelham: Once Oyster Capital of the World.

Thu., Mar. 25, 2010:  Discovery of "The Great Oyster Bed" in Long Island Sound in 1859.

Wed., Mar. 24, 2010:  The Oyster War of 1884 Between Glen Cove and City Island Intensifies.

Tue., Mar. 23, 2010:  Yet Another "Oyster War" in 1884; Glen Cove Officials Feud with City Island and Connecticut Oystermen.

Mon., Mar. 22, 2010:  77-Year Old City Island Oysterman Joshua Leviness Reminisces in Testimony Provided in 1884.

Fri., Mar. 19, 2010:  The New York Legislature Stepped Into the Oyster War on Long Island Sound in 1895.

Thu., Mar. 18, 2010:  1859 Town of Huntington Record Reflecting Dispute with City Island Oystermen.

Wed., Mar. 17, 2010:  Report of September 13, 1884 Tour of Oyster Beds by Captain Joshua Leviness of City Island.

Tue., March 16, 2010:  More on 19th Century Oystering in Pelham - Descriptions of Oyster Beds Off Hart Island, City Island and in Pelham Bay Published in 1887.

Mon., Mar. 15, 2010:  More on 19th Century City Island Oyster Industry - City Island Oystermen Complaint of Pollution.

Fri., Mar. 12, 2010:  Early History of Oystering in the Waters Off City Island in the Town of Pelham.

Thu., Mar. 11, 2010:  The "Great Oyster War" Between City Island and Tarrytown in 1877 and 1878.

Thu., Dec. 3, 2009:  Pelham News on May 30, 1884 Including Allegations of Oyster Larceny and Meeting of the Pelhamville Improvement Association.

Mon., July 30, 2007:  1885 Report Notes Decline of Oyster Industry Near City Island in the Town of Pelham.

Fri., Jul. 27, 2007:  Possible Origins of the Oyster Feud Between City Islanders and Huntington, Long Island.

Thu., Jul. 26, 2007:  Pelham's City Island Oystermen Feud with Long Islanders in 1869.

Fri., Apr. 13, 2007:  Oystermen of City Island (When It Was Part of the Town of Pelham) Pioneered Oyster Cultivation.

Fri., Jan. 26, 2007:  A History of the Early Years of City Island When it Was Part of the Town of Pelham, Published in 1927.

Mon., Sep. 18, 2006:  A Brief Description of Oystering in Eastchester Bay and at Pelham Published in 1881.

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