Professor David A. Van Buskirk's Scandalous Musicale in North Pelham in 1897

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Pelham tongues wagged for weeks over the scandal.  Indeed, Pelhamites were made to look like fools by one of their own, Professor David A. Van Buskirk of River Avenue in the Village of North Pelham.  (River Avenue disappeared with the later construction of the Hutchinson River Parkway.)

Professor Van Buskirk announced that he would sell tickets and hold a "musicale" on the evening of Saturday, January 30, 1897.  He put up posters all over Pelham announcing that famed actress Lillian Russell, famed minstrel performer George H. Primrose, famed Broadway producers Weber & Fields, and a host of other "leaders of the stage" would attend the musicale.

Ticket sales were brisk.  On the appointed evening, the old wooden Town Hall (predecessor to today's Town Hall building at 34 Fifth Avenue) was full.  Indeed, it was "crowded."

The evening began with Professor Van Buskirk stepping in front of the audience waving a handful of supposed "telegrams" from all of the leaders of the stage, each "regretting their inability to appear" but "wishing him much success" with his musicale.

The crowd was disappointed, but settled in for an entertainment.  Little did they know that the opening performer was none other than little Sadie Van Buskirk, beloved daughter of Professor David A. Van Buskirk.  

The next performer was another youth who performed "some rather vulgar songs."  Some of the audience were offended, and left.  Then the "youth reappeared later partly dressed and began some risque stories."  The crowd turned ugly and began hissing.  Every woman in the audience stood and left.  All but a handful of the men in the audience followed.  

Professor Van Buskirk "came out smiling" and urged the crowd to wait, saying that "the floor would now be cleared for dancing."  There was, however, no one left to dance because all had left.

The scandalous show "almost ruined future really worthy entertainments given at the hall for two years."

Detail from Undated Photograph of the Original Pelham Town Hall

on Fifth Avenue on an Election Day.  This is Where the "Musicale"

Was Held on January 30, 1897.  Source: Courtesy of The Office of

The Historian of The Town of Pelham. Note: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Detail from Plate 20 of John F. Fairchild's Atlas of Mount Vernon and Pelham

Published in 1899 Showing Location of Original Meeting Hall and

Courthouse on the Fifth Avenue Lot Where Today's Pelham Town

Hall Stands.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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Below is the text of the fascinating article that forms the basis of today's Historic Pelham article.  On March 1, 1896, North Pelham resident J. Gardiner Minard founded a local newspaper named "Pelham Press."  The newspaper lasted only a couple of years until Minard left to serve in the Spanish-American War.  Few copies of any of the newspapers exist today.  Luckily, however, during the 1920s Minard submitted to The Pelham Sum summaries of the news from his copies of the Pelham Press, often styled as "Pelham 30 Years Ago" and the like.  Occasionally, he added commentary to explain references from the old newspapers.  Below is one example of "Pelham 30 Years Ago" published on January 28, 1927.  It contains information regarding David A. Buskirk's "musicale."

"PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO
(Pelham Press January 23, 1897)

Next Saturday night a musicale will be given at the town hall with a dance following.  The proceeds are for the benefit of Prof. David A. Van Buskirk of River avenue.  [Editor's Note:  The following parenthetical was not reported in the original Pelham Press on January 23, 1897.  Instead, it was a "Note" added to the reprint in 1927 by J. Gardner Minard long after the fact regarding the "musicale" that was held as announced in the Pelham Press.]  (Note -- The posters announced that Weber & Fields, George H. Primrose, Lillian Russell and a host of the leaders of the stage at that time would appear.  The hall was crowded and Van Buskirk appeared with 'telegrams' from the different stars regretting their inability to appear and wishing him much success.  The singing of Miss Sadie Van Buskirk, daughter of the professor, was good, but when a youth appeared next with some rather vulgar songs, some of the audience left.  The youth reappeared later partly dressed and began some risque stories which caused every woman and all but a handful of men to leave amid much hissing.  Van Buskirk came out smiling and said the floor would now be cleared for dancing, but there were none to dance, and all left.  This show almost ruined really worthy entertainments given at the hall for two years.)  [Editor's Note:  End of updated added by J. Gardner Minard in 1927.]

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Henry Iden has men engaged in cutting the ice on his pond on Wolf's lane.  The work began last Wednesday and it is expected that the ice house will be filled with this crop.

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Philip Flynn, of the oldest and best known residents of City Island died at his home there last Saturday.  The interment took place Thursday.

Two cases of pneumonia were reported this week:  Mrs. H. T. Stone of Fourth avenue and Mr. Wilson-Barker of Second avenue, North Pelham.

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The North Pelham board of health complains that out of town doctors practising in the village are not reporting contagious cases as required by law.

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Ethel Jones, little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. H. Jones of Mayflower avenue, found a bottle labeled 'poison' in a vacant lot last Friday and brought it to the North Pelham school.  Principal Hill saw her about to drink some and asked her what it was.  She replied 'cough medicine.'  He took the bottle from her and brought it to Lyman's drug store where it was found to be laudanum.

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During the early part of the week a rumor was in circulation that the Adam's Express Co. would move its North Pelham office to Pelham Manor.  The agent states that while it is true a branch will be opened in the Manor, the Pelham office will remain.

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Miss Florence Archer of Chester Park was seriously injured in an accident last Monday.  She had driven Mr. Miller of Chester Park to the Pelham station and in turning around, the horse cut too short, dumping the young lady out, the carriage passing over her.  she was carried to Lyman's pharmacy in a fainting condition.  She was cut about the head and face but appeared to be all right otherwise.  The horse was caught by James Conkling.

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Former Justice of the Peace Gustav I. Karbach is being mentioned as a possible candidate for that office at the town election which takes place March 16.

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The Pelham Social club held a very successful masquerade ball at the town hall last night.  A large number came from Mount Vernon and New Rochelle.  The feature was an immense Japanese umbrella suspended from the center of the ceiling.  The grand march was led by Thomas Morrelly of North Pelham and Miss Anna Moore of Mount Vernon."

Source:  PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO -- (Pelham Press January 23, 1897), The Pelham Sun, Jan. 28, 1927,  p. 13, cols. 1-2.

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1936 Announcement that Pelham Manor Depot Would Be Re-Purposed as Model Train Headquarters

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For years after the New Haven Branch Line stopped running passenger service at the beautiful little Pelham Manor Depot designed by noted architect Cass Gilbert, a model railroad club used the station.  The Westchester Model Club, Inc. built a massive model railroad that even included a tiny replica of the very Pelham Manor Depot within which the model railroad sat.  The Club used the Depot until late April 1953 when the building had to be demolished to make way for today's I-95, the New York Thruway.  

The Club and its model railroad attracted national attention.  The O-Gauge model railroad was a marvel of miniature engineering operated with time-table precision over about 3,500 to 4,000 feet of track (the equivalent of about 27 scale miles).  The miniature railroad was believed at the time to be the longest model railroad of its type in the world.  When the club held another of its annual public viewings of the model railroad over two weekends in 1946, it attracted more than 3,000 visitors.  Newspapers and magazines throughout the nation wrote breathlessly about the amazing model railroad maintained by the Club in the little depot in Pelham Manor, New York.

Many still living in Pelham remember visiting the model railroad in the old Pelham Manor Depot.  I have written about Westchester Model Club, Inc. and its model railroad before.  See, e.g.:  

Wed., Dec. 14, 2016:  History of the World Record Pelham Manor Model Railroad of the Westchester Model Club.

Thu., Jul. 09, 2015:  The Model Railroad Once Housed in the Abandoned Pelham Manor Station on the New Haven Branch Line.

Fri., Apr. 09, 2010:  The Closing of the "Eastern Railroad" of the Westchester Model Club, Inc. in the Pelham Manor Depot in 1953. 

Tue., Oct. 13, 2009:  Film of the Westchester Model Club, Inc.'s Model Railroad in the Pelham Manor Depot Before its Demolition. 

Tue., Apr. 21, 2009: 1950 Article Mentions Model Railroading Club That Used Pelham Manor Depot.

Today's Historic Pelham article provides additional information about the announcement that the club would take over the deserted Pelham Manor Depot in 1936.  An article that appeared in The Pelham Sun on October 30, 1936 reflected the announcement and, significantly, provided the names of a number of Pelham residents who were involved with the venture.

Edwin P. Alexander of New Rochelle was the moving force behind the club's decision to move its headquarters from a tiny location in New Rochelle to the spacious Pelham Manor Depot.  Alexander was president of the American Model Railroad Co., Inc. which manufactured parts for miniature railroads.  He and his company were known for the construction of an amazing Baltimore & Ohio model railroad exhibit at the Empire State Building that drew crowds of visitors in Manhattan.

Edwin P. Alexander had help in moving the club headquarters members of the club from Pelham.  Those members included William F. Crosby of Pelham Manor who was the editor of Rudder, and Charles A. Penn, also of Pelham Manor, editor of Mechanical Craftsman.  

"William F. Crosby, residence on Stellar Place, Pelham Manor,

New York.  Model railroad, Mr. Crosby at work."  This Image

Shows Westchester Model Club Member William F. Crosby in

His Basement Workshop on Stellar Place Working on a Model

Train on May 8, 1941.  Source:  Library of Congress, American

Memory Collection:  Digital ID gsc 5a07115 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/gsc.5a07115

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

On October 30, 1936, The Pelham Sun reported that the deserted Pelham Manor Depot would be used again and would see new life as the headquarters of The Westchester Model Club, Inc.  The newspaper reported:

"'Two tickets for Pelham Manor' -- Once a common phrase with commuters when the Branch Line of the New Haven Railroad, was a popular mode of transportation, has been all but forgotten these thirteen years since passenger service on the line was discontinued.  However The Pelham Sun learned this week that it won't be long until the 'Limited' makes regular stops at Pelham Manor depot.

That's not an announcement to rouse the interest of commuters, but it is mighty important to a group of Westchester residents who are interested in the program of the Westchester Model Club.  The club has arranged with the New Haven Railroad to use the deserted Pelham Manor depot for a meeting place, and plans now under consideration provide for the installation of one of the largest miniature railroad systems in the metropolitan area within the depot."

After years of dormancy, the Pelham Manor Depot would host Pelhamites yet again!

Above is a Fascinating Film of the Model Railroad Inside

the Pelham Manor Station as it is Being Operated by Club

Members in the Early 1950s Before the Station Was Closed

and Demolished.  Note that at the 0:35 Second Mark in the

Film, You Will See a Miniature Version of the Pelham

Manor Train Station in Which the Model Railroad is

Being Operated.  Click on Image to Begin Video.

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Below is the text of the announcement published in The Pelham Sun on October 30, 1936.  It is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"'Limited Trains' Will Stop At The Pelham Manor Depot
-----
Miniature Railroad to be Installed in Deserted Pelham Manor Station -- Westchester Model Club Arranges to Hold Its Meetings There.
-----

'Two tickets for Pelham Manor' -- Once a common phrase with commuters when the Branch Line of the New Haven Railroad, was a popular mode of transportation, has been all but forgotten these thirteen years since passenger service on the line was discontinued.  However The Pelham Sun learned this week that it won't be long until the 'Limited' makes regular stops at Pelham Manor depot.

That's not an announcement to rouse the interest of commuters, but it is mighty important to a group of Westchester residents who are interested in the program of the Westchester Model Club.  The club has arranged with the New Haven Railroad to use the deserted Pelham Manor depot for a meeting place, and plans now under consideration provide for the installation of one of the largest miniature railroad systems in the metropolitan area within the depot.

Edwin Alexander of New Rochelle, president of the Westchester Model Club explained to The Pelham Sun this week that the use of the depot by his organization will not be for commercial purposes.  The Westchester Model Club is composed of mechanically inclined men whose hobby it is to construct model railroads, etc.  Its members include William F. Crosby, of Pelham Manor, editor of Rudder; Charles A. Penn, also of Pelham Manor, editor of Mechanical Craftsman.  Mr. Alexander is president of the American Model Railroad Co., Inc. which manufactures parts for miniature railroads.  His company constructed the Baltimore & Ohio model railroad exhibit at the Empire State Building in New York City.

When the branch line was open for passenger service many Pelham Manor commuters used it as a means of conveyance to New York City.  From 1910 to 1920 there was twenty minute service between Harlem River and new Rochelle.  Before the popularity of the automobile it was the only means of conveyance to City Island and to Pelham Bay section of the Bronx.  With the construction of the subway to Pelham Bay Park and the opening of bus lines to City Island, the line lost patronage."

Source:  Limited Trains' Will Stop At The Pelham Manor Depot -- Miniature Railroad to be Installed in Deserted Pelham Manor Station -- Westchester Model Club Arranges to Hold Its Meetings There, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 30, 1936, Vol. 27, No. 30, p. 1, cols. 7-8.

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Laying of the Cornerstone of Pelham's New High School in 1909, Now Known as Siwanoy Elementary School

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Not long after the turn of the Twentieth Century, the population of the Town of Pelham began to explode.  In 1900, the population of the Town was 1,571.  In 1905, the population had reached 1,841.  By 1910, the population had grown to 2,998 -- nearly doubling over a ten-year period.  With the expanded population came expanded needs for young scholars in the Town. 

Pelham, however, did not have its own high school.  The Pelham public school system offered only eight grades of study.  It sent its young scholars who wished to continue their education to the high schools of other communities such as Mount Vernon and New Rochelle.  The time was ripe.  The need was great.  The citizens of Pelham and their Board of Education stepped up and created the "Pelham High School, and Siwanoy Grammar School."  The school building they built we know today as Siwanoy Elementary School located at 489 Siwanoy Place in the Village of Pelham Manor.

Undated Postcard View of Pelham High School with Notation: "Pelham

High School, Pelham, N.Y."  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

I have written rather extensively before about the history of Pelham's new high school and grade school opened in 1911.  See Mon., Mar. 10, 2014:  Dedication of Pelham's New High School in 1911, Now Known as Siwanoy Elementary School.  Today's Historic Pelham article, however, focuses on the laying of the cornerstone in 1909.

The cornerstone of the new High School was laid on Saturday, October 23, 1909 during an elaborate and well-attended ceremony centered around placing a copper box time capsule to be opened by future generations of Pelhamites.

The ceremony was attended by Town, Village, and School Board officials as well as citizens and students of all three grade schools in Town:  the old Prospect Hill School (a predecessor to today's Prospect Hill Elementary School), the old Pelham Heights School (a predecessor to today's Colonial Elementary School), and the old Hutchinson School (a predecessor to today's Hutchinson Elementary School) began with a prayer led by the Reverend Lewis G. Leary, Ph. D., Pastor of Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church.  The school children of Pelham next offered a song and were led by Hutchinson School Principal Isaac C. Hill.  School Board President Robert A. Holmes then introduced Judge Charles G. F. Wahle who delivered the keynote address.  (Seventeen years later Judge Wahle delivered a similar address and helped lay the cornerstone of the new Colonial Elementary School in 1926.)

Luckily, The Daily Argus of Mount Vernon printed the substance of Judge Wahle's keynote address that day.  He outlined briefly the history of educating young scholars in New York from the days of New Amsterdam to the present.  He then turned to the ceremonial copper box time capsule to be placed in the cornerstone.  Significantly, he listed in his remarks the contents of the time capsule.  They are:

"Statistics of the fire department, of the town of Pelham, of the villages of Pelham Manor, North Pelham, and Pelham, of St. Catherine's [sic] Church, the Church of the Redeemer, Huguenot Memorial Church, Congregational Church, the Mothers Club of Pelham, the Pelham Village Club, the police departments of the three villages, copies of the by-laws of the board of education of the Union Free School District, of the town of Pelham, reports and school census of the board of education, the contract for the building, copies of current local papers, copies of current New York papers, copies of New York papers containing accounts of the Hudson-Fulton celebration, Masonic statistics, coins, stamps and copy of the program of exercises."

Upon the laying of the cornerstone, the young students and the audience sang "America."  The ceremony then ended with a benediction by Reverend Leary.

Deep within the cornerstone of today's Siwanoy Elementary School is a blackened copper box that continues to contain these relics of a forward-looking day nearly 110 years ago when much of Pelham gathered to celebrate education and its young people.  God only knows when that box will be opened and its contents unveiled.

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"FRONT ELEVATION

SCHOOL HOUSE.  DISTRICT NUMBER 1 OF THE

TOWN OF PELHAM, N.Y."

Source:  CORNER STONE FOR NEW SCHOOL IN TOWN OF

PELHAM, IS LAID, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 26, 1909,

p. 11, cols. 1-2.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"CORNER STONE FOR NEW SCHOOL IN TOWN OF PELHAM, IS LAID.
-----

Pelham Manor, Oct. 26 -- With impressive and interesting exercises the corner stone of the high school building was laid Saturday afternoon the presence of a large gathering of people and pupils from the three schools of the town.  An instructive and inspiring address was delivered by Judge Wahle.

The exercises opened with prayer by the Rev. Lewis G. Leary, Ph. D., after which there was a song by the pupils of the public schools in charge of Principal I. C. Hill.  President Robert A. Holmes, of the board of education, then introduced Judge Wahle.

After referring to the early customs of laying corner stones for institutions Judge Wahle said in part:  'so we have come here this afternoon with our children to set this corner stone realizing the fact that this the corner stone of the public school is the corner stone of our nation.  The beginnings of the free common school reach back to the earliest Colonial times.  In New England, at least, the predominant motive for promoting education was religious rather than political.  The elementary school of that period quickly merged into the academy or secondary school, where the promising lads were prepared for college.  However, the idea, that the early education should be free and in considerable degree compulsory upon all, found early expression.

'The general court of Massachusetts in 1642 enjoined upon town authorities the duty of seeing that all children acquired at least the rudiments of an education.  The order even went so far as to require the removal of children from those parents who persisted in bringing up their offspring in ignorance.  The selectmen of every town were further required to have a vigilant eye over their brethren and neighbors, to see that none of them shall suffer so much barbarism in any of their families, as not to endeavor to teach, by themselves or others, their children and apprentices, so much learning as may enable them perfectly to reach the English tongue and obtain a knowledge of the capital laws; upon penalty of 20 shillings for each neglect therein.  In 1635 Boston made public provision for the support of a school.  In 1638 New Haven set up a school under Ezekiel Cheever, who was paid out of the common stock of the town.  Rhode Island established a public school at Newport in 1640 and Providence one, 20 years later.  In 1633 the first Dutch school master arrived at Manhattan.  By 1650 the 800 inhabitants of New Amsterdam paid their schoolmasters regularly from the public treasury.  The pay was doubtless meagre enough, but the principle of free public education was in active operation.

More or less rudimentary beginnings of public education are found in the older colonies as in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Carolinas.  In the South, however, the free school idea was not so hospitably received as in New England and in New York.  An oft quoted expression by Governor Berkeley of Virginia may be cited.  When the English commissioners of foreign plantations asked what course was taken in Virginia for instructing the people in the Christian religion, Governor Berkeley replied:  'the same that is taken in England out of towns, every man according to his ability of instructing his children'  He also added:  'I thank God there are no free schools or printing presses, and I hope that we shall not have them, these three hundred years, for learning has brought disobedience and heresy and sects into the world and printing has divulged them and libels against the best of governments; God keep us from both.  So far as Virginia and the remainder of the South was concerned good Governor Berkeley had his wish for it was not until after the Civil War that that section of the United States was supplied with anything like a system of free public schools.

'I mention these facts because you can draw the dividing line between those parts of the country where the public schools were first started in this country and that part where the public schools were not tolerated.

'So we come to this ceremony today.  The box which you see there will vanish.  We are told that in ancient days when the important ceremonies of laying corner stones were held, molten gold and silver were poured upon the boxes containing the valuable records and votive offerings.  So we place in this box our votive offering.  But what you put in their will some day vanish.  The papers will rot; the bronze will tarnish and the gold and silver will blacken.  Future nations will not be able to read what is in there.  But that which we plant in the hearts of our children that to which we make them inheritance, future fathers and mothers yet unborn, that will have its influence in the centuries to come.'

The laying of the corner stone then occurred and Clerk Kneeland S. Durham placed in the opening in the rock the copper box, the inventory of the contents being as follows:  Statistics of the fire department, of the town of Pelham, of the villages of Pelham Manor, North Pelham, and Pelham, of St. Catherine's [sic] Church, the Church of the Redeemer, Huguenot Memorial Church, Congregational Church, the Mothers Club of Pelham, the Pelham Village Club, the police departments of the three villages, copies of the by-laws of the board of education of the Union Free School District, of the town of Pelham, reports and school census of the board of education, the contract for the building, copies of current local papers, copies of current New York papers, copies of New York papers containing accounts of the Hudson-Fulton celebration, Masonic statistics, coins, stamps and copy of the program of exercises.

Following the laying of the corner stone the school pupils and audience sang 'America,' after which the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Leary.

The new high and graded school building will be one of the most attractive structures of its kind in Westchester county when completed.  It will stand on high ground overlooking Witherbee avenue and will be reached by a sloping walk from the street on either side of which will be a beautiful lawn.  The building will be 115 feet long and 60 feet 6 inches in width; two and a half stories high and will contain nine class rooms and an assembly hall which will seat several hundred people.  The main entrance for the public will face the street and there will be entrances for the school children on either side.  The building will be of stone foundation, brick and the roof will be slate with two cupolas.  The structure will be graced with large attractive windows, the upper portions of which will be oval, providing plenty of light for the scholars.

On the platform Saturday were Robert A. Holms, the president of the board of education; Judge Wahle the speaker of the day; the Rev. Mr. Leary, James F. Secor, School Trustee Willard P. Brown; School Trustee Henry L. Rupert; School Trustee H. Elliott Coe; Clerk, Durham and Contractor Dominick Smith, who is erecting the building.

The building committee is composed as follows:  James F. Secor, chairman; Trustees Holmes, Francis, Rupert and Seymour.  The board of education is as follows:  Robert F. Holmes, President; James F. Secor, Lewis W. Francis, Willard P. Brown, Walter A. Seymour, Hugh Herndon, Henry L. Rupert, H. Elliott Coe, Charles T. Johnston."

Source:  CORNER STONE FOR NEW SCHOOL IN TOWN OF PELHAM, IS LAID, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 26, 1909, p. 11, cols. 1-2.

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Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen Against Connecticut Oystermen in 1873-75

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During the late 1860s, a giant natural oyster bed was discovered by oystermen off the harbor of Bridgeport, Connecticut.  Enterprising oystermen throughout the region harvested hundreds of thousands of bushels of seed oysters and carried them to oyster planting grounds in New York, Connecticut, and even New Jersey.  For several years the giant oyster bed served as "a never failing source of supply to the oyster planters" of surrounding states.

In 1873, however, something changed.  Connecticut oystermen "joined together to monopolize" the bed and began to exclude oystermen from other states from harvesting seed oysters -- actually, any oysters -- from the bed.  New York oystermen, including those based on City Island in the Town of Pelham, were furious.  Indeed, they asserted that although the bed was off the harbor of Bridgeport, Connecticut, it actually was located in New York waters.

Yet another oyster war began.

Port Washington, Long Island oystermen were the first to throw down the gauntlet.  On March 15, 1873, a large number of them met formally and voted to approve the following resolutions:

"Whereas the oystermen of the State of Connecticut are endeavoring to prohibit and prevent the oystermen of this place, and others of the State of New York, and who are citizens thereof, from catching seed oysters in certain portions of the waters of Long Island Sound, more especially off the harbor of Bridgeport, as has ever been our custom and right; and whereas we believe said bed of oysters to be within the boundaries of the State of New York, as we are informed by competent counsel and other reliable authority, and none but citizens of this State (New York) have a right to work said bed; and whereas we are satisfied that large quantities of territory belonging to said State of New York have been taken up and planted with oysters in violation of law and the rights of the people of this State, more especially off Norwalk Islands, Shippan, Darien and other places; therefore, be it

Resolved. That, while we are and have ever been willing to share our rights and privileges in common with our neighbors, if the oystermen of Connecticut attempt to deprive us of or curtail those rights, that we, the oystermen and citizens of the State of New York, are determined to resist further encroachments and assert and maintain those rights which belong to us.

Resolved.  That we claim that the bed known as the Bridgeport bed is in New York State waters, and that only the citizens thereof have the right to catch oysters thereon.

Resolved.  That such grounds in this State as have been taken up and planted at Norwalk Island and other places by the oystermen of Connecticut be reclaimed from them for the use of our own citizens.

Resolved.  That a committee of five be appointed to confer with the oystermen of City Island, Oyster Bay, Staten Island, Little Neck and other places to insure co-operation.

A considerable sum of money was then raised and the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the Chair."

New York oystermen defied their Connecticut brethren and harvested oysters off Bridgeport Harbor.  On Thursday, May 29, 1873, however, things became more heated.  The New York smack Henrietta Scott was harvesting oysters in the area when it was boarded by five men who demanded that the two-man crew of the smack provide some evidence of their "authority" for harvesting oysters in the area.  When no such "evidence" was forthcoming, the five men overpowered the crew of the smack and had a tug tow the smack back to Bridgeport.  There, the men instituted a civil lawsuit alleging trespass on the oyster bed against the captain of the smack, Harry Scott.  Captain Scott was about to become a famous man.

Skirmishes continued and New York oystermen continued to slip in and out of the giant bed.  Within months the New York legislature decided to look at the matter.  The legislature adopted a resolution "calling for information relative to the respective rights of Connecticut and Long Island to the oyster-beds of the Sound."  It seems that the legislature was contemplating enactment of legislation to address not only "a question of boundary between Connecticut and New-York," but also claims under an old colonial charter under which New York claimed its boundary extended to low water mark on the Connecticut shore and Connecticut claimed the boundary line was in the middle of the stream between two shores.  As one Assembly member stated, "the disputed questions involve millions of dollars worth of property, beside excited feeling and prejudice between the residents of the two shores."

The oystermen, of course, could not be bothered to wait for a tortoise-like investigation followed by a log-rolling legislative process.  Oysters and the money they brought were at stake.

New York oystermen continued their assault on oyster beds off the Connecticut shores.  In May of 1874, Connecticut oystermen decided to seek revenge with a counter-attack.  A flotilla of about two hundred oystering vessels descended upon planted oyster beds maintained by the oystermen of Sayville, Long Island.  The Connecticut vessels harvested more than $50,000 worth of oysters from the beds (nearly $1.5 million in today's dollars).  A local newspaper reported:

"The Suffolk County Oyster Planters' Association, of Sayville, composed of about one hundred members, having some 200 acres under lease, near Nichols' Point, have been almost entirely cleaned out, and the Society broken up.  Much indignation is felt over the matter, and it was feared at one time that the parties would come in hostile collision, but milder counsels prevailed, and those who planted under the leases, have resolved to try the uncertain issue of the law for redress.  If the law will allow one man to reap where another man has planted, it is high time, in our estimation, that a stronger and more just law was enacted.  If the people own the bay bottom they own no oysters, except those that grow naturally, and to rob another of oysters, bought, paid for and planted, even though they are planted in the wrong place, and contrary to law is an outrage upon the commonest rights of property.  We hope this matter will be thoroughly sifted and the wrong placed where it belongs."

Cooler heads may have prevailed in that instance, but the oyster war continued for many months.  Indeed, in October, 1875, several New York boats were caught by Connecticut oystermen harvesting oysters off Connecticut shores yet again.  The Connecticut oystermen successfully boarded and seized the New York vessels.  It seemed this brought the matter to a head.  

According to one news report, a truce was announced to allow the civil trespass case against Captain Scott to be decided by the courts and, hopefully, resolve the matter.  The report stated:

"Mr. Bullock, of Bridgeport, counsel for the seizers, received a letter from Mr. Scudder of New York, requesting that no further proceedings be taken toward a condemnation of the boats seized, pending a decision in the courts of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' the main case to determine the constitutional and jurisdictional rights of Connecticut over the oyster interest.  A consultation was had in New York Wednesday between Judge Shipman, H. J. Scudder, counsel for New York, and Mr. Bullock of Bridgeport, in which it was determined to release the seized boats upon pledges from the New York interest as represented by Mr. Scudder that pending a final adjudication of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' no encroachments upon the oyster beds of our coast by New York parties shall again occur, and upon further pledges by the owners of the boats seized that their boats should not be permitted to return.  It is therefore well understood that Connecticut oystermen shall be no further annoyed by non-residents or oyster boats owned outside of the State.  The first hearing -- 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' probably will be had during the Autumn.  The schooner Undine was the first to be released, and the other boats now held will soon be realized." 

Yet another oyster war was paused.  Scott vs. Ketcham, it seems, is a story of its own -- to be continued. . . . . 

*          *          *          *          *

"OYSTER CONTROVERSY BETWEEN TWO STATES. -- 

Our readers will recollect that some five years ago there was a large bed of oysters found in the Long Island Sound, off the harbor of Bridgeport, Conn., from which hundreds of thousands of bushels of seed oysters were caught and carried to the different harbors and planting grounds and planted not only in this State, but in New Jersey and Connecticut; since which time said bed has been a never failing source of supply to the oyster planters of these States.  It now appears that though this oyster bed is in New York State boundaries, the oystermen of Connecticut have joined together to monopolize the working of said bed to the utter exclusion of all others, and this without a shadow of law or right.he T  On the other hand, the oystermen of this State are determined to protect their rights and interests, and are holding meetings and raising money to carry the war into Africa.  At a large and earnest meeting of the oystermen of Port Washington, L. I., and vicinity, held at the above place March 15, 1873, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted -- John Mackey, Sr., in the chair, and W. S. Weeks, Secretary: -- 

Whereas the oystermen of the State of Connecticut are endeavoring to prohibit and prevent the oystermen of this place, and others of the State of New York, and who are citizens thereof, from catching seed oysters in certain portions of the waters of Long Island Sound, more especially off the harbor of Bridgeport, as has ever been our custom and right; and whereas we believe said bed of oysters to be within the boundaries of the State of New York, as we are informed by competent counsel and other reliable authority, and none but citizens of this State (New York) have a right to work said bed; and whereas we are satisfied that large quantities of territory belonging to said State of New York have been taken up and planted with oysters in violation of law and the rights of the people of this State, more especially off Norwalk Islands, Shippan, Darien and other places; therefore, be it

Resolved. That, while we are and have ever been willing to share our rights and privileges in common with our neighbors, if the oystermen of Connecticut attempt to deprive us of or curtail those rights, that we, the oystermen and citizens of the State of New York, are determined to resist further encroachments and assert and maintain those rights which belong to us.

Resolved.  That we claim that the bed known as the Bridgeport bed is in New York State waters, and that only the citizens thereof have the right to catch oysters thereon.

Resolved.  That such grounds in this State as have been taken up and planted at Norwalk Island and other places by the oystermen of Connecticut be reclaimed from them for the use of our own citizens.

Resolved.  That a committee of five be appointed to confer with the oystermen of City Island, Oyster Bay, Staten Island, Little Neck and other places to insure co-operation.

A considerable sum of money was then raised and the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the Chair."

Source:  OYSTER CONTROVERSY BETWEEN TWO STATES [Special Notice], N.Y. Herald, Mar. 25, 1873, No. 13,365, p. 1, col. 2.  

"The oyster boats owned by New York dealers have been withdrawn from the Connecticut coast.  This has been done because the smack Henrietta Scott was captured off Point-no-Point, about five miles from Bridgeport harbor, last Thursday by five men.  The captors say that the foreign boat was dredging for oysters on a forbidden bed.  When asked to show their authority they would not or could not comply; but overpowering the two men on board the Henrietta Scott, towed her to Bridgeport harbor with the tug Knickerbocker, of Bridgeport, with which they had overhauled her.  Harry Scott, captain of the captured vessel, had a suit for trespass instituted against him at Stratford, Conn.  He says, if he is beaten, he will appeal to the United States Court, and make it a test case.  The oystermen throughout the city are ready to fight the matter to the end. -- Sun."
Source:  [Untitled], Queens County Sentinel [Hempstead, NY], Jun. 5, 1873, Vol. 16, No. 1, p. 4, col. 6.  

"ALBANY.
-----
AFFAIRS AT THE STATE CAPITAL. . . . 
THE LONG ISLAND OYSTER WAR. . . .

The resolution offered in the Assembly by Mr. Prince, and adopted, calling for information relative to the respective rights of Connecticut and Long Island to the oyster-beds of the Sound, contemplates further legislation to test the constitutional questions involved.  An appropriation of $1,500 was made in the Supply bill last year to defray the expenses of litigation on the subject, but the terms of the appropriation were not sufficiently broad to cover all the questions that arise in the case.  It is not only a question of boundary between Connecticut and New-York from the use of the oyster-beds.  New-York claims that, under the old Colonial charter, her boundary extends to low water mark on the Connecticut shore, while Connecticut claims that the boundary line is in the middle of the stream between the two shores.  Mr. Prince says the disputed questions involve millions of dollars worth of property, beside excited feeling and prejudice between the residents of the two shores. . . ."

Source:  ALBANY -- AFFAIRS AT THE STATE CAPITAL. . . . THE LONG ISLAND OYSTER WAR, N.Y. Tribune, Jan. 8, 1874, Vol. XXXIII, No. 10,224, p. 1, col. 4.  

"The Oyster War.

Some two weeks since we spoke of a raid made by the oystermen of Brookhaven upon the oyster beds at Sayville, but then, not having the full particulars, we now publish the following lengthy account of the same affair from the Babylon Signal, under the caption of 'An outrage under cover of Law:'

For the past ten or twelve years the oystermen of Sayville have devoted considerable attention to the planting of oysters in the Bay opposite that place, some by authority from Brookhaven, (which town still holds jurisdiction over the waters set off when the town of Islip was formed;) others operated under the oyster act of 1866.  The bottom occupied was taken from portions of the Bay where there were planted, and the business has grown into an important one, many thousands of dollars being ingested in the stocking of the beds.  It seems in the management of this business many planters had not conformed to the strict requirements of the law, in the fact that they had occupied more land than the law allowed, though barren of natural oysters originally.  Acting on this latter fact, the oystermen from different parts of Brookhaven town, with a fleet of 200 boats, appeared on the Sayville beds in April, and have been actively engaged since taking up the oysters planted by the Sayville men.  Remonstrance in some cases prevailed, but not to the extent of saving the oysters, except in some instances where the parties held leases from Brookhaven, but not all of these were respected.  It is estimated that over $50,000 worth of planted oysters have been taken up and carried away by men who never planted an oyster within miles of these beds.  The Suffolk County Oyster Planters' Association, of Sayville, composed of about one hundred members, having some 200 acres under lease, near Nichols' Point, have been almost entirely cleaned out, and the Society broken up.  Much indignation is felt over the matter, and it was feared at one time that the parties would come in hostile collision, but milder counsels prevailed, and those who planted under the leases, have resolved to try the uncertain issue of the law for redress.  If the law will allow one man to reap where another man has planted, it is high time, in our estimation, that a stronger and more just law was enacted.  If the people own the bay bottom they own no oysters, except those that grow naturally, and to rob another of oysters, bought, paid for and planted, even though they are planted in the wrong place, and contrary to law is an outrage upon the commonest rights of property.  We hope this matter will be thoroughly sifted and the wrong placed where it belongs."

Source:  The Oyster War, Sag-Harbor Express [Sag Harbor, Long Island, NY], May 28, 1874, Vol. XV, No. 46, p. 2, col. 5.

"Oyster War.

A few days ago mention was made of the capture in Connecticut waters of several boats owned in New York and engaged in fishing for oysters.  Mr. Bullock, of Bridgeport, counsel for the seizers, received a letter from Mr. Scudder of New York, requesting that no further proceedings be taken toward a condemnation of the boats seized, pending a decision in the courts of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' the main case to determine the constitutional and jurisdictional rights of Connecticut over the oyster interest.  A consultation was had in New York Wednesday between Judge Shipman, H. J. Scudder, counsel for New York, and Mr. Bullock of Bridgeport, in which it was determined to release the seized boats upon pledges from the New York interest as represented by Mr. Scudder that pending a final adjudication of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' no encroachments upon the oyster beds of our coast by New York parties shall again occur, and upon further pledges by the owners of the boats seized that their boats should not be permitted to return.  It is therefore well understood that Connecticut oystermen shall be no further annoyed by non-residents or oyster boats owned outside of the State.  The first hearing -- 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' probably will be had during the Autumn.  The schooner Undine was the first to be released, and the other boats now held will soon be realized.  --  New Haven Courier."

Source:  Oyster War, Queens County Sentinel [Hempstead, NY], Oct. 14, 1875, vol. 18, No. 20, p. 2, col. 6.

*          *          *          *          *

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 and various oyster wars such as that during the 1870s that is the subject of today's article, on many, many occasions.  See, e.g.:

Wed., Jul. 05, 2017:  Pelham's Most Entrepreneurial Oysterman Was Forced To Sell His Steam Engine Oyster Dredge in 1882.

Tue., Jun. 27, 2017:  John E. Price of City Island, One of Pelham's Earliest Commercial Oystermen.

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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