News from the February 2, 1903 Issue of The Pelham Republican

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He had done it many times, always when he was in a hurry to make it to the New York bound platform at the Pelham Train Station from Pelham Heights.  At the time (1903), there was a low metal fence that separated the east-bound and west-bound tracks at Pelham Station to discourage commuters from trying to run across the tracks to get to their platforms.  The fence, however, extended only slightly beyond the station house on the eastern end.  Thus, Pelham Heights commuters running late would simply cross the tracks where the metal fence ended, as August R. Kolb of Pelham Heights tried to do in late January, 1903.  Kolb was late for the 8:41 a.m. train to New York City that fateful day.

The day was foggy.  Visibility was down to a few hundred feet.  Yet, Pelham commuters could see enough.  They watched in horror from both platforms as events unfolded.  

August R. Kolb made his way to the tracks from Pelham Heights at a point near the eastern end of the low fence separating the east- and west-bound tracks.  He was trying to get to the New York bound station platform before his train pulled into the station.  Wearing a fedora and carrying a package, he was running late.  Looking both ways, he began to dart across the tracks.

Precisely as he reached the center of the tracks, two trains burst out of the fog bearing down on him.  As Pelham commuters looked on in horror from the platforms, the two trains barreled past with poor August Kolb nearly in between them.  Commuters watched as his fedora was blown from his head by the rushing hulks and was lifted high into the air.  Some, if not all, may even have turned away from the scene, not willing to view the aftermath.  .

The aftermath, it turned out, was August R. Kolb standing at the end of the low fence separating the tracks frozen in fear and still grasping the last rail of the little fence.  When the trains first burst out of the fog, he had realized he had no chance of making it across either of the two tracks, so he froze in the center of the tracks between the two trains.  It was so tight that as the tumult sucked the fedora from his head and blew it high into the sky, one of the trains also grazed the package he held under his arm.  Though traumatized, Kolb was untouched.  He did, however, miss the 8:41 to New York City that day. . . . 

We know of the close call of August R. Kolb that day because, at the time the Town of Pelham had two tiny local newspapers:  The Pelham Republican and The Pelham Record.  Thirty-seven years later in 1940, August R. Kolb's daughter, Gertrude Kolb, provided a copy of the February 2, 1903 issue of The Pelham Republican to the then local newspaper (The Pelham Sun) which prepared a lengthy article describing the contents of the old newspaper.  The lead story on the front page of The Pelham Republican described how August R. Kolb cheated death.  

We are lucky to have The Pelham Sun article published in 1940 describing the contents of the old newspaper because the old news reported a number of notable Pelham matters and subsequent The Pelham Sun added important commentary with important information including information about the history of the two Pelham newspapers once known as The Pelham Republican and The Pelham Record. 

Trolley Operator James Bailey Was the Inspiration for the Toonerville Trolley Skipper

For nearly a century, there has been debate regarding who was the Pelham Manor trolley car operator who inspired Fontaine Fox to create "the Skipper" who operated the "Toonerville Trolley" in the internationally-famous comic "Toonerville Folks" that was syndicated in newspapers across the United States and ran for nearly fifty years.  Fontaine Fox repeatedly said that he was inspired to create the "Toonerville Trolley" and its skipper based on a trolley ride he took in Pelham Manor.  During that ride he observed the trolley car operator gossip with passengers and, once, stop the vehicle to pick apples in an adjacent orchard.  Who was the trolley car operator who inspired Fontaine Fox to create the "Skipper" and the trolley that "met all the trains"? 

A number of trolley operators on the line claimed that distinction.  See, e.g.:  

Thu., Jul. 06, 2006:  Who Was the Skipper on the Pelham Manor Trolley the Day Fontaine Fox Rode the Line and Was Inspired?

Fri., May 27, 2016:  Was Max "Maxie" Martin the Man Who Was the Skipper on the Pelham Manor Trolley the Day Fontaine Fox Rode the Line and Was Inspired?

The best evidence always has suggested that the Pelham Manor trolley operator who inspired Fontaine Fox that day was James ("Old Jim") Bailey who lived for many years at 717 Grote Street in the Bronx.  Now, the combination of a reference in the February 2, 1903 issue of The Pelham Republican and the 1940 commentary on the reference printed in The Pelham Sun provides further evidence in support of Old Jim Bailey.  

The Pelham Republican reported in 1903:  "The courteous and popular trolley conductor of the Pelham Manor route was laid up for a few days last week as the result of a fall he received at the car yard of the company.  The injuries received, while painful, were not serious and he is at his post again."  The Pelham Sun, in turn, commented on the report as follows:  "Remember Jim Bailey, the 'Skipper' of the Pelham Manor car?  Fontaine Fox sets 1909 as the year in which he discovered Jim and drew from him the inspiration for the famous 'Toonerville Trolley' cartoons.  Jim had proven his worth to the editor of The Pelham Republican as far back as 1903."

More on the Histories of The Pelham Republican and The Pelham Record

One complete and one partial copy of The Pelham Republican are the only copies of the newspaper published in at least 1901, 1902, and 1903 known to survive. (Lockwood Barr, in his popular History of the Ancient Town of Pelham published in 1946, listed a newspaper published in Pelham known as The Republican, but says it was published only in 1903.) 

The newspaper seems to have been founded in 1901 and was published at least as late as February 3, 1902.  The newspaper was published each Monday and was distributed in the Villages of Pelham, North Pelham and Pelham Manor.  For $2.00 a year, subscribers received a weekly publication that was about eight pages long and focused on local news. The editor and publisher of the paper was W. F. C. Tichborne. On Friday, November 14, 1902 the Board of Trustees of the Village of North Pelham voted to designate the publication as the "official newspaper" of that village.

A summary of the news that appeared in the February 2, 1903 issue of The Pelham Republican appears at the end of today's Historic Pelham article.  The 1940 commentary on that news (published by The Pelham Sun) provides a little additional information on The Pelham Republican.  It said:

"The Pelham Republican was absorbed by The Pelham Sun many years ago.  The late Walter W. F. C. Tichborne was editor and publisher of the eight page tabloid-size weekly newspaper.  According to J. Gardner Minard, Pelham's unofficial journalism historian, the office and printing plant of The Pelham Republican was located on Wolf's Lane not one hundred yards south of the present location of The Pelham Sun office.  The Republican was the first newspaper to be printed in the Town of Pelham.  Tichborne used a Gordon hand press to run off a few hundred copies of his newspaper each Monday."

The 1940 article in The Pelham Sun also provided a little additional information regarding The Pelham Record, the principal competitor of The Pelham Republican in 1903.  It stated:  

"There was one other Pelham newspaper published at that time.  Charles B. Forbes of New Rochelle printed The Pelham Record.  Both of these newspapers served the town for several years until the late Peter Ceder established The Pelham Sun, and in later years The Republican and The Record were absorbed by The Sun."

The news in the February 2, 1903 issue of The Pelham Republican makes for fascinating reading.  It is well worth your time (see below).

1995 U.S. Postal Service Postage Stamp Commemorating

the "Toonerville Folks" Comic and Showing the "Skipper" at

the Back of the Toonerville Trolley Tossing an Anchor to Slow

its Descent Down a Hill.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"Pelham In February, 1903
-----
A page of local history is gleaned from an old newspaper.

An interesting example of early journalism in the Pelhams was viewed this week by The Pelham Sun staff when Miss Gertrude Kolb of Pelbrook Hall brought to light a copy of the Feb. 2, 1903 issue of The Pelham Republican.  The 36-year-old newspaper contains many news which are of pertinent interest to Pelhamites who still reside in the communities.

Among the social items we read the following:  Mrs. Dey's play, 'Desperate Measures, or the Domestic Problem Solved,' will be given next Wednesday at Trinity Parish House, New Rochelle, for the benefit of the Women's Exchange.'  Mrs. Henry E. Dey, the author of the play, is still a resident of Pelham Manor.

And -- 'Mr. James Cremins, of Pelham Manor sailed on Saturday for Europe.  He is going on a short business trip.'  Mr. Cremins, the father of Receiver of Taxes Robert A. Cremins will not recall that trip to Europe.

And this -- 'President William Edinger of North Pelham last week struck his thumb with a hammer.  The finger became so inflamed that it had to be lanced.'  President Edinger was the father of former Fire Chief Louis Edinger of Fourth avenue.

Perhaps Seth T. Lyman of Linden avenue, former Postmaster and pharmacist will remember the occasion for this article appearing in The Republican:  'Mr. George P. Hermes is in charge of Lyman's Pharmacy while its proprietor is on a trip through Pennsylvania.'

Here's one for Fontaine Fox:  'The courteous and popular trolley conductor of the Pelham Manor route was laid up for a few days last week as the result of a fall he received at the car yard of the company.  The injuries received, while painful, were not serious and he is at his post again.'  Remember Jim Bailey, the 'Skipper' of the Pelham Manor car?  Fontaine Fox sets 1909 as the year in which he discovered Jim and drew from him the inspiration for the famous 'Toonerville Trolley' cartoons.  Jim had proven his worth to the editor of The Pelham Republican as far back as 1903.

The Pelham Republican was absorbed by The Pelham Sun many years ago.  The late Walter W. F. C. Tichborne was editor and publisher of the eight page tabloid-size weekly newspaper.  According to J. Gardner Minard, Pelham's unofficial journalism historian, the office and printing plant of The Pelham Republican was located on Wolf's Lane not one hundred yards south of the present location of The Pelham Sun office.  The Republican was the first newspaper to be printed in the Town of Pelham.  Tichborne used a Gordon hand press to run off a few hundred copies of his newspaper each Monday.  There was one other Pelham newspaper published at that time.  Charles B. Forbes of New Rochelle printed The Pelham Record.  Both of these newspapers served the town for several years until the late Peter Ceder established The Pelham Sun, and in later years The Republican and The Record were absorbed by The Sun.

Miss Kolb has had reason to hold this single issue of The Pelham Republican for all these years.  The leading article tells of her father's narrow escape from death death on the New Haven Railroad tracks.  Following is the account:

Had a Narrow Escape

'Mr. B. Kolb [sic; it was Gertrude Kolb's father, August R. Kolb] of Pelham Heights had a narrow escape from death last Monday morning.  He was hurrying to catch the 8:41 train for New York and crossed the tracks at the upper end to reach the station in time.  The weather was foggy and he could not see more than a few hundred feet ahead of him.  When he reached the center tracks he saw both the local and an express train approaching.  There was only one thing to do, and that was to stand between the tracks.  He held firmly to the post at the end of the fence while both trains grazed him.  A package he held under his arm was touched by one of the locomotives.

'Passengers on the station platform who saw the situation thought surely that Mr. Kolb ws killed, as his hat was blown high into the air.  

'Mr. Kolb did not catch his train.  He was pretty well frightened and is not likely to cross the tracks again.

'This is the dangerous place where Mrs. Smith was killed a few years ago.  A number of people cross there daily, and it is a wonder that more have not been killed.'

Following are a few articles reprinted from the 36-year-old newspaper:

St. Catherine's [sic] Church Euchre

'The Euchre held under the auspices of St. Catherine's Church of North Pelham, last Wednesday at Lyman's Hall was a great success.  About 250 persons from Pelham and neighboring cities were in attendance.  A large representation from the Knights of Columbus came down from New Rochelle.  Just 164 sat at the tables.  The game was conducted by Mr. Gilligan, formerly of Pelham.  A most enjoyable time was spent by every one present, and there was much praise spoken for the way all the arrangements were carried out.  After the games, refreshments were served and the younger folks participated in dancing until 12:30 o'clock.

'The ladies' prizes were awarded to Miss Rachel G. Hewitt, Mrs. W. Edinger, Miss M. Smarkey and Miss Katie Griffin.

'The following gentlemen won:  Mr. Daniel Y. Jenning, Mr. Peter Sheridan, Mr. John A. Peterson.  Booby prize, Mr. Frank F. Brennan.'

Pelham Manor P. O. Promoted.

'The Pelham Manor Post Office, owing to its increase in business has been raised from a fourth to a third class office.  This means beside having the government pay the rent and fuel bills, that there will be better facilities.  The Pelham Manor Post Office will now be on the same footing with the one in Pelham.  This has come about principally through the efforts of Postmaster G. H. Kerr and our County Committeeman.'

At the time the newspaper was issued, John D. Rockefeller, Sr., was increasing his holdings at Pocantico Hills.  From information received from an 'exchange' Editor Tichborne announced that Mr. Rockefeller was planning to erect a half-million dollar residence on Kykuit Hill, and an observatory on Buttermilk Hill.

Where Were the Fire Commissioners?

In an editorial urging that prominent men take an interest in local affairs, Editor Tichborne remarks, 'The office of Fire Commissioner doesn't seem to mean a great deal to those holding office at present.  We have not been informed of a meeting held by them for nearly a year.  When they convened last they recommended an appropriation for a fire alarm system, but did not stipulate where the boxes were to be located.  They have never recommended an appropriation for the heating and we think it is a shame to ask the active members of the company to pay for the same out of their pockets.  If the town profits by the work of the firemen who volunteer to get out of bed at any time during the night, whetherr it be Summer or Winter, it should surely appreciate the protection to its inhabitants to the extent of paying the expenses of the fire house.

'Gentlemen of the Town of Pelham, it's nearly time we shook off the lethargy which has so long been characteristic of the place.  If we expect to grow, if we desire to have Pelham a safe and wholesome place to live in, we must be up and doing something all the time in order to have something always doing.'

Included among the advertisers in The Record were several who are now advertising in The Pelham Sun.  Ware's Department Store in New Rochelle offered '$1 and $1.25 calico wrappers at 49 ccents.  George Fennell of Mount Vernon was advertising Westchester's Biggest Furniture Store; J. D. Kennedy, local real estate broker has a house for rent in North Pelham at $15 per month.'

The Board of Education advertised the sale of an $18,000 bond issue for the purpose of erecting a new school for the Village of Pelham.  

1903 seems a long time ago."

Source:  Pelham In February, 1903 -- A page of local history is gleaned from an old newspaper, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 8, 1940, p. 10, cols. 5-8.  


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