Has One of the Most Enduring Pelham History Mysteries Been Solved? The Mystery of Charles A. Voight!

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On August 8, 1909, a man named Fontaine Fox arrived with his wife at the Pelham Station in the Village of North Pelham.  The couple hopped on the rickety little trolley that met all the trains.  

The little trolley shuttled back and forth, at that time, between the Pelham Station on the New Haven Line and the Pelham Manor Station on the New Haven Branch Line.  In 1909, the rattletrap trolley click-clacked along tracks laid on Wolfs Lane to Colonial Avenue where it turned toward New Rochelle.  It traveled along Colonial Avenue for a few hundred feet, then turned east onto Pelhamdale Avenue along which it traveled to its final stop near the Branch Line railroad trestle above Pelhamdale Avenue.  From there, the trolley operator reversed the trolley and returned along the same route to the Pelham Station.  (The following year, 1910, the trolley line was extended all the way to the end of Pelhamdale Avenue at Shore Road.)  

On that summer day in 1909, Fontaine Fox and his wife were on their way to visit their cartoonist friend, Charles A. Voight, who lived in Pelham Manor.  On the couple's brief trolley ride, as Fox later described in numerous letters and magazine interviews, Fox was struck by the folksy trolley operator with his Airedale beard, the idiosyncratic and rickety little trolley car known locally as the "Pelham Manor Trolley," and the concept that the little trolley met all the trains.  Fontaine Fox was so inspired by the ride that he created caricatures of the trolley operator, whom he named "Skipper," and the rickety little trolley that he called the "Toonerville Trolley that Meets All the Trains."  From there he created the wildly successful comic strip entitled "Toonerville Folks" that ran in syndication for the next forty years and made Fox a famous and wealthy man.  As Fox stated in one interview:

"After years of gestation, the idea for the Toonerville Trolley was born one day up in Westchester County when my wife and I had left New York City to visit Charlie Voight, the cartoonist, in the Pelhams.  At the station, we saw a rattletrap of a streetcar, which had as its crew and skipper a wistful old codger with an Airedale beard.  He showed as much concern in the performance of his job as you might expect from Captain Hartley when docking the Leviathan."

Source:  A Queer Way to Make a Living, The Saturday Evening Post, Feb. 11, 1928, p. 6.

Example of Sunday Comic Strip "Toonerville Folks" by

Fontaine Fox Featuring the Toonerville Trolley and its

Skipper.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

For decades, one of the most enduring Pelham history mysteries has been the location of the Charles Voight home that Fontaine Fox and his wife visited on August 8, 1909.  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog attempts to shed light on that question.

Charles Anthony Voight was born in Brooklyn on April 28, 1887.  He showed artistic talent as a youngster and dropped out of school at the age of fourteen.  He became a member of the art staff a the New York World, a New York City newspaper, and did freelance advertising art work on the side.

Voight became an early comic strip artist.  Eventually he became best known for his long-running comic strip entitled "Betty."  According to one brief biography:

"In 1908, he drew his first comic strip, Petey Dink, for the Boston Traveler.  When [the comic strip] moved to the New York Herald it became simply Petey (sometimes titled Poor Little Petey).  He also drew for the New York World, and for Life, he created a series titled The Optimist.

The Sunday page of his popular glamour girl strip Betty began April 4, 1920 in the New York Herald, there was no daily strip.  Comics historian Don Markstein described the strip and characters [as follows]:  Betty Thompson's life was filled with cocktail parties, cotillions and affairs of that nature.  She wore all the latest high-class fashions, amply displayed by Voight's lush, stylish and highly individual illustration.  While Tillie the Toiler, very much a working girl, may seem to have little in common with Betty, they had one strong point of similarity.  Both went through handsome dashing men by the carload. . . ."

Source:  "Charles A. Voight" in Wikipedia -- The Free Encyclopedia (visited Jan. 2, 2017).

The comic strip Betty ended its run in 1943.  Thereafter Voight created art for comic books.  He died on February 10, 1947.

Voight and his wife, Nina, lived in Pelham Manor for a time.  The million-dollar-question, of course, is "where did they live on August 8, 1909."

Recently, while researching World War I draftees from Pelham, New York, I ran across a newspaper reference to the drafting of Charles A. Voight in July, 1917.  According to that record, Voight's address at the time was "541 Rochelle Place" in Pelham.  It turns out that there was no such address in Pelham at the time.  A quick review of World War I draft registration records, however, quickly revealed that on June 5, 1917, Charles Anthony Voight lived at 514 Rochelle Terrace in the Village of Pelham Manor.  (See immediately below.)

World War I Draft Registration Record for Charles

Anthony Voight of 514 Rochelle Terrace in Village

of Pelham Manor.  NOTE:  Click on Link to Enlarge.

The address is a starting point, of course, but certainly does not answer the question of where in Pelham Voight lived eight years earlier when Fontaine Fox visited him.  Thus, the 1910 Federal Census for Pelham was next consulted.  Neither Charles Voight nor his wife Nina, however, may be found anywhere in Pelham in the 1910 U.S. Census.  Nor has research yet revealed either of them anywhere else in the United States in the 1910 Federal Census.  If correct, this suggests, of course, that as was so often the case, they were among the members of the population who were missed in the census count that year.

This leaves us to review the 1905 and 1915 New York State census counts to try to find Charles Voight and his residence.  

Sure enough, the 1915 New York State Census shows Charles A. Voight and his wife, Nina, living with a live-in servant (a cook) in the Village of Pelham Manor at 457 Pelham Street.  There no longer is a street in Pelham Manor named Pelham Street.  That street once was located essentially where today's Monroe Street runs between Hunter Avenue and the end of Monroe Street.  The area was profoundly changed by the construction of the New England Thruway (I-95) through the neighborhood during the 1950s.  (See map detail immediately below.)

Detail from Map Published in 1910 Showing Location of

Pelham Street in Lower Left Quadrant of the Detail.

Source:  "Part of the Town and Village of Pelham Manor"

in Bromley, George Washington, Atlas of Westchester

County, New York, Vol. 1, p. 18 (Philadelphia, PA:  G.W.

Bromley & Co., 1910).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Detail from 1915 New York State Census, Westchester County,

Pelham, Assembly District No. 2, Election District No. 2, Page

14 of 21.  (Note:  Access via this link requires paid subscription).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The Voight home at 457 Pelham Street in 1915 was very near the terminus of the Pelham Manor trolley in 1909 when Fontaine Fox took his fateful ride.  That fact, of course, is encouraging.  It turns out, however, that Voight and his wife seem to have moved into the home at 457 Pelham Street some time after 1909.  At the very least, someone else was living in that home in 1910.

Returning to the 1910 U.S. Census for Pelham, it is possible to find the home located at 457 Pelham Street and identify the occupants of that home at the time the census was taken in May, 1910.  There were five residents in the home:  Felix J. Rush (father and head of household), Centa Rush (wife), Marie G. Rush (daughter), Philomena S. Rush (daughter), and Joseph Dirnago (a brother-in-law).  Neither Charles Voight nor his wife is listed.  Thus, it would seem that the couple did not live there in 1910 and may well have moved into that home at a later date.

Detail from 1910 U.S. Census, New York, Westchester

County, Town of Pelham, District 0110, Page 48 of 65

(Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Alas, although this research has added to the body of information regarding various homes in which famed cartoonist Charles A. Voight resided during his time in Pelham, the question of precisely where he lived on August 8, 1909 when Fontaine Fox visited him remains an unanswered question.  It remains, for now, one of the most enduring Pelham history mysteries to be resolved, hopefully, in the future.

*          *          *          *          *

Below is a bibliography including links to a few of my many previous postings dealing with the topics of the "Toonerville Trolley," horse-drawn railroad cars, electric trolleys and other trolley-related information pertinent to Pelham, New York.

Bell, Blake A., Pelham and the Toonerville Trolley, 82(4) The Westchester Historian, pp. 96-111 (Fall 2006).

Bell, Blake A., Pelham and the Toonerville Trolley, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 11, Mar. 12, 2004, p. 10, col. 1.

Thu., Sep. 15, 2016:  Pelham Manor Residents Complained of Awful Service on the Toonerville Trolley Line as Early as 1899.

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?

Thu., Sep. 10, 2015:  Pelham Manor Citizens Voted to Reject Bus Service and Keep Their Toonerville Trolley in 1936.

Fri., Jul. 24, 2015:  The Day the Brakes Failed on the Pelham Manor Trolley, Inspiration for the Toonerville Trolley.

Tue., Jan. 06, 2015:  Extension of the Toonerville Trolley Line in Pelham Manor in 1910.

Wed., Mar. 19, 2014:  Another Confirmation the Famous "Toonerville Trolley" was Inspired by the Pelham Manor Trolley in 1909.

Wed., Mar. 05, 2014:  Trolleys Came to Pelham in the 1890s.

Tue., Jan. 05, 2010:  More on the Extension of the Pelham Manor Trolley Line in 1910 -- The Toonerville Trolley Line.

Wed., Dec. 30, 2009:  Opening of the Extension of the Pelham Manor Trolley Line in 1910 -- The Toonerville Trolley Line.

Wed., Dec. 23, 2009:  Attack on the Toonerville Trolley Line by Strikers in 1916

Thu., Aug. 27, 2009:  October 19, 1898 Report that the Tracks of the Toonerville Trolley Line Had Been Laid in Pelham.  

Mon., Aug. 17, 2009:  Efforts by Pelham Landowners in 1900 to Halt Construction of a Trolley Line on Shore Road.

Thu., Jul. 30, 2009:  Pelham-Related Trolley Franchises Granted in 1897.

Wed., Mar. 25, 2009:  Another Brief Account by Fontaine Fox Describing Trolley in Pelham Manor as Inspiration for Toonerville Trolley Comic Strip.

Mon., May 28, 2007:  Brief Biography of Henry De Witt Carey, 19th Century Pelham Justice of the Peace.

Mon., Mar. 05, 2007:  An Ode to the Toonerville Trolley and its Skipper Published in 1921.

Tue., Sep. 19, 2006:  Toonerville Trolley Cartoons Available For Free Viewing Online.

Tue., Sep. 19, 2006:  Toonerville Trolley Cartoons Available For Free Viewing Online.  

Wed., Aug. 9, 2006:  The Saddest Day in the History of Pelham Manor's "Toonerville Trolley"

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

Thu., Mar. 09, 2006:  Photographs of the H Line and A Line Trolleys on and Near Pelhamdale Avenue.

Tue., Oct. 11, 2005:  The Toonerville Trolley Pays Its Bills -- Late!

Tue., Sep. 20, 2005:  Pelham's "Toonerville Trolley" Goes To War.
Fri., Jun. 17, 2005:  "Skipper Louie" of Pelham Manor's Toonerville Trolley


Tue., Apr. 19, 2005:   Pelham Manor Residents Fight Construction of the Toonerville Trolley Line

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Pelham Marches Into World War I in 1917

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This year marks the centennial of the entry of the United States into World War I on April 6, 1917.  That day, the United States entered the fight with its allies, Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Serbia, Montenegro, and Japan.  With the Centennial of that historic date approaching, it is time to document the role Pelham and its citizens played during World War I.  The task, however, has proven exceedingly difficult since no copies of the local newspaper, The Pelham Sun, exist for that period.

Pelham men lost their lives in the war.  Pelham men were wounded in the war.  Pelham developed a sophisticated home defense program.  Pelham founded the Pelham Comfort Society and the Junior Comfort Society to assist Pelham soldiers.  Pelham created its famed Pelham Service Flag.  Pelham participated in the Liberty Loan Program.  It participated in the United War Work Program.  The Pelham Red Cross Society Program supported the war effort.  Young war recruits were quartered in Pelham homes before they shipped out.  Pelhamites grew Victory Gardens in support of the War effort.  Native Pelhamite James Montgomery Flagg created the famous "I Want You" Uncle Sam recruiting poster.  Pelham men and women drove ambulances at the front.  Pelham residents even won the French Croix de Guerre for their service during World War I.

Over the course of the year, the Historic Pelham Blog will include a series of articles intended to document Pelham's role in World War I.  Today's is the first such article.

Despite years of effort by President Woodrow Wilson to keep the United States neutral and, thus, out of World War I, those efforts ended in 1917.  In the beginning of that year, with the war raging in Europe, Germany decided to resume attacks on every commercial ship en route to Great Britain.  Though Germany knew that, as a consequence, America likely would enter the war, its submarines began sinking American ships in the North Atlantic.  On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany.  Months later, on December 7, 1917, the United States also declared war against the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  

Within days of the nation's entry into the war, the Westchester County Commission of General Safety's "Committee on Enrollment for Military Service" began calling for local men to enter into the service "for Liberty, Democracy, Honor."  Westchester County was assigned a quota to provide half a million men for the war effort, as indicated in the advertisement that appeared in a local newspaper below.

Local Newspaper Advertisement Published on May 9, 1917

Seeking First 3,500 "Loyal Stalwart Men" to Begin Fulfillment

of Westchester County's Quota of Half a Million Men to Fight

the War.  Source:  Service for Liberty, Democracy, Honor

[Advertisement], The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May

9, 1917, p. 9, cols. 1-8.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The full text of the advertisement that appear above is transcribed immediately below to facilitate search.

"'The supreme test of the nation has come.  We must all speak, act and serve together'
-- WOODROW WILSON

Service for Liberty, Democracy, Honor
-----
WESTCHESTER COUNTY'S QUOTA OF HALF A MILLION MEN NEEDED
To Bring Up To Full Fighting Strength, the REGULAR ARMY, the MARINE CORPS, and the NATIONAL GUARD is
3,500 LOYAL STALWART MEN
Young Men of Westchester Volunteer To Serve NOW.  Don't Wait:  Apply To Your Local Recruiting Committee.

COMMITTEE ON ENROLLMENT FOR MILITARY SERVICE
WESTCHESTER COUNTY COMMISSION OF GENERAL SAFETY
COUNTY COURT HOUSE, WHITE PLAINS, N. Y."

At about the same time, Congress enacted and the President signed into law the Selective Service Act, Pub. L. 65-12, 40 Stat. 76 (enacted May 18, 1917).  The Act provided for a compulsory draft that, unlike the draft during the Civil War, did not permit those drafted to send substitutes in their stead.  The Act required all males aged 21 to 30 to register for the draft.  The law was amended more than a year later to expand the age range to include all men 18 to 45.  The men aged 21 to 30 who were registered for the draft became known as the "First Call Men."

The first National Registration Day for the draft was held on June 5, 1917 for all men between the ages of 21 and 31.  Within about a month, on July 20, 1917, local authorities held the requisite draft lottery.  The local draft lottery encompassed young men in Pelham, Bronxville, and Tuckahoe.  More than one hundred Pelham men received the news that their numbers had come up  (See the list of draft lottery numbers with names and addresses of the men from Pelham below.)  

Even before exemption boards began considering appeals from First Call Men who sought exemption from the draft, young men in Pelham began volunteering before they were formally drafted into the service.  In July and early August, 1917 it seems that there were two military units that accepted Pelham volunteers.  One was "Mount Vernon division" of naval militia that was formed when officers of the U.S.S. Granite State visited the City of Mount Vernon "to see if enough young men were willing to enlist so that a division, to be a part of the new fifth battalion, could be formed."  Continue Recruiting For Naval Militia Division, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 26, 1917, p. 1, col. 1.

Once again, Pelham and its young men were marching off to war.

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Below are the names of the young men of Pelham who were among the "First Call Men" whose numbers were selected in the early draft during July, 1917.

2         Murel H. Consorty  (52 Young Avenue, Pelham)
3        Gong. Chang          (300 Fifth Avenue, Pelham)
5         Salvatore Cortaino (River Place, Pelham)
7         Thos. F. Carraher  (221 4th Avenue, Pelham)
12       Thos. A. Cornwall  (318 3rd Avenue, Pelham)
21       Geo. M. Clegg       (8 2nd Avenue, Pelham)
22       John Costello        (412 Fifth Avenue, Pelham)
24       Leslie S. Clark       (314 Seventh Avenue, Pelham)
26       Louis F. Edinger    (222 5th Avenue, Pelham)
28       Joseph Enright      (444 5th Avenue, Pelham)
30       Marno Barr            (19 Linden Avenue, Pelham)
34       Albert Brennley      (18 Storer Avenue, Pelham)
35       Luciano DeFillippi  (580 Sixth Avenue, Pelham)
39       Joe De Guglielmo  (582 Seventh Avenue, Pelham)
42       Wm. Daull              (520 River Avenue, Pelham)
44       Leon E. Leighton   (146 3rd Avenue, Pelham)
45       Martin J. Lowery    (21 5th Avenue, Pelham)
47       Edward Lambert    (56 Fourth Avenue, Pelham)
53       Allen Ferguson      (719 Pelhamdale Avenue, Pelham)
55       Thos. F. Flanagan (423 1st Avenue, Pelham)
57       Jesse A. Miller       (224 Fourth Avenue, Pelham)
60       Valentine Miller     (15 Linden Avenue, Pelham)
66       George Merz, Jr.   (534 River Avenue, Pelham)
68       James W. McGovern (65 Harmon Avenue, Pelham)
70       Angelo Gianico      ([Illegible] 5th Avenue, Pelham)
73       John Godfrey         (345 7th Avenue, Pelham)
74       John Godfrey         (345 7th Avenue, Pelham - same as above)
78       Salvatore Giordano (522 6th Avenue, Pelham)
80       Marno Barr (19 Linden Avenue, Pelham)
82       Fred W. Broege     (113 3rd Avenue, Pelham)
86       Joseph E. Bolding (34 5th Street, Pelham)
97       Geo. Kurtze           (226 5th Avenue, Pelham)
98       Gordon Kann         (222 1st Avenue, Pelham)
101     Angelo Tesero       (618 5th Avenue, Pelham)
110     William C. Penny   (31 Linden Avenue, Pelham)
106     Dominic Tardio      (439 7th Avenue, Pelham)
108     Edwin Pickhardt    (46 6th Avenue, Pelham)
110     William C. Penny   (31 Linden Avenue, Pelham)
111     Charles M. Pickhardt  (43 Sixth Street, Pelham)
116     Sabato Pesano     (439 7th Avenue, Pelham)
123     Francis J. Walker, Jr.  (24 Clifford Avenue, Pelham)
132     Geo. W. Saul         (137 3rd Avenue, Pelham)
134     Nicholas F. Spor    (30 1st Street, Pelham)
135     Frank Sattarelle     (133 6th Street, Pelham)
137     Peter F. Satterale  (138 6th Avenue, Pelham) (also listed as 138 6th St.)
139     Dominick C. Smith (65 Harmon Avenue, Pelham)
141     Ralph Renouf        (101 Fifth Avenue, Pelham)
143     Edwin W. Rottach  (413 First Avenue, Pelham)
145     James E. Reilly      (454 3rd Avenue, Pelham)
149     Jos. P. Ryan          (510 River Avenue, Pelham)
152     Albert C. Rice        (214 3rd Avenue, Pelham)
155     Sidney W. Tuttle    (50 Boulevard, Pelham)
159     Joseph P. Ryan     (510 [illegible] Avenue, Pelham)
162     R. D. Kenee           (489 Willard Avenue, Pelham)
165     John Asfendiancs  (New York Athletic Club, Pelham)
166     Carracos Ciriacos  (New York Athletic Club, Pelham)
167     James Akostulu     (Travers Island, Pelham)
170     Wilson Austin         (525 Willard Avenue, Pelham)
171     Samuel Abernathy (464 Siwanoy Place, Pelham)
172     Arthur Augur          (516 Fowler Avenue, Pelham)
173     Jas. H. Archer       (4745 Boston Post Road)
176     Albert J. Lambert   (Bolton Priory, Pelham)
177     Edward B. W. Luce (919 Pelhamdale Avenue, Pelham)
178     S. Lowy                  (Travers Island, Pelham)
179     Jas. R. Lawler        (283 Corlies Avenue, Pelham)
182     Guiseppe Clerice   (New York Athletic Club, Pelham)
184     John F. Connolly   (139 Reed Avenue, Pelham)
186     Thos. Bahan          (New York Athletic Club, Pelham)
188     F. S. Babcock        (Pelham)
192     Barclay Beaver      (132 Manor Circle, Pelham)
195     Edward F. N. Beck (207 Carona Avenue, Pelham)
196     Henry T. Boland    (New York Athletic Club, Pelham)
197     Edward H. Bragg   (Loring Avenue, Pelham)
198     Robert D. Brooks   (211 Secor Lane, Pelham)
200     Joseph A. Brown   (245 Corona Avenue, Pelham)
201     Clarence McGuire  (Monterey Avenue, Pelham)
203     Joseph Meribelli    (105 Wolfes [sic] Lane, Pelham)
204     Robert J. Miller, Jr. (Witherbee Avenue, Pelham)
208     John J. Miner        (Travers Island, Pelham)
215     Lyall Dean             (Willard Avenue, Pelham)
217     Walter M. Dotts      (248 Monterey Avenue, Pelham)
219     John Dickerson      (562 Monterey Avenue, Pelham)
226     James Sagules      (Travers Island, Pelham) [See below]
226     James Siagules     (Travers Island, Pelham)
227     John Simohojlon    (New York Athletic Club, Pelham)
232     W. V. K. Gillett        (Pelham)
233     Frederick Gaeng   (New York Athletic Club, Pelham)
234     William G. Graham (165 Boulevard, Pelham)
235     Estonestas Gilagaran (155 Corona Avenue, Pelham)
238     Roy H. Gardener   (New York Athletic Club, Pelham)
239     William Geist          (Pelhamdale Avenue, Pelham)
242     Christos Papacostintinoce (New York Athletic Club, Pelham)
243     Alfonse Paggano   (100 Wolfe [sic] Lane, Pelham)
252     Henry Tilford          (109 Hunter Avenue, Pelham; see also 253)
253     Henry Tilford          (109 Hunter Avenue, Pelham)
259     Imari Heino             (71 Witherbee Avenue, Pelham)
261     Frank L. Harrington (211 Secor Lane, Pelham)
263    Allen S. Hubbard     (James Street, Pelham)
264    Lenox Harve           (262 Pelhamdale Avenue, Pelham)
266     Chas. Ronccare     (New York Athletic Club, Pelham)
273    Cozo Thara             (Pelham Manor Road, Pelham)
276    Nelson H. Jewett     (444 Pelham Manor Road, Pelham)
277     Stephen Thomas Jones (1022 Pelhamdale Avenue, Pelham)
281     Charles A. Voight   (541 Rochelle Place, Pelham)
286     Wallace White        (177 Nyac Avenue, Pelham)
289     Shawbut C. Walz    (200 Elderwood Avenue, Pelham)
290     Edgar Walz            (200 Elderwood Avenue, Pelham)
293     Henry C. Wolffenstein (226 Highbrook Avenue, Pelham)
295     Edward F. N. Beck  (207 Corona Avenue, Pelham)
316     Northrop Dawson    (400 Pelham Manor Road, Pelham)

Source:  MEN OF VICINITY CALLED TO COLORS, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 25, 1917, p. 3, cols. 1-4.

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Another Confirmation the Famous "Toonerville Trolley" was Inspired by the Pelham Manor Trolley in 1909

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Trolley tracks once criss-crossed lower Westchester County carrying clattering streetcars and their passengers throughout the region. By 1899, travelers could journey between the Battery and any of New Rochelle, Pelham, Mount Vernon or Yonkers for a single fare of eight cents. 

Early last century, one of those trolley lines in Pelham inspired the creative genius of a man named Fontaine Talbot Fox (1884-1964). He created one of the most popular comics in the United States – “Toonerville Folks”. The syndicated comic strip ran in newspapers for nearly fifty years and became one of the most popular comics of all time, inspiring movies, books, games, toys, and much more.

The cartoon centered around the quirky inhabitants of a town called “Toonerville” and its rickety and unpredictable trolley. The operator of the trolley was “The Skipper.” Fontaine Fox, as he stated a number of times in published interviews, based the comic on his experience during a trolley ride on a visit to Pelham on August 8, 1909. “Toonerville Folks” ran in hundreds of newspapers from about 1913 to 1955 and brought national attention to Pelham. 

I have written before of the now well-established fact that nationally-renowned cartoonist Fontaine Fox's comic strip, "Toonerville Folks," and its trolley known as the "Toonerville Trolley" were inspired by a ride Fox took on the Pelham Manor trolley from the Pelham train station to the home of cartoonist Charles Voight in Pelham Manor in 1909.  See:

Wed., Nov.15, 2006:  Another Letter by Fontaine Fox Describing How the Pelham Manor Trolley Inspired Him to Create the Toonerville Trolley.

Wed., Mar. 25, 2009:   Another Brief Account by Fontaine Fox Describing Trolley in Pelham Manor as Inspiration for Toonerville Trolley Comic Strip.

Example of "Toonerville Folks" Comic 
Featuring the Toonerville Trolley.

Source:  The Pelham Sun, Vol. 22, No. 39, 
Dec. 18, 1931, Section 2, p. 1, col. 2.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog Posting transcribes a newspaper article about the Pelham Manor Trolley line that quotes yet another letter written by Fontaine Fox and sent to The Pelham Sun in which he reaffirms that his August 8, 1909 ride on the Pelham Manor Trolley inspired him to create his famous comic strip later the same evening.  After the transcription of the article, I have provided links to countless earlier postings I have made about the Toonerville Trolley, the Pelham Manor Trolley line, other trolley lines in Pelham, and a horse car railroad line that once operated in Pelham.

"Has 'The Toonerville Trolley' Lived Up To The Reputation Established For It By Cartoonist?
---------
Record of Escapades Proves That Fontaine Fox Knew What He Was Drawing When He Started Famous 'Toonerville Trolley' Series; In Thirty Years Service Old Trolley Car Has Provided Much Humor for Residents of Village.
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By Ed Browne

'Ay tear her frayed old trolley wire down,' but what would Pelham Manor have done twenty-five years ago without its 'Toonerville Trolley?'  Today the old Pelham Manor car is little more than a bad weather accommodation, but the old timers will tell you that the line old timers will tell you that the line was indispensable.  Perhaps the villagers have not been able to depend upon the old car for several years; perhaps the Westchester Electric Railway Company is running the line at great expense, but to those in Pelham Manor who recall the days in which the 'Toonerville Trolley' provided the only swift (don't laugh) means of getting from Pelham Manor over to Pelham station, the Pelham Manor car means quite a lot.  

In the days when 'Maxie' Martin was the 'Skipper'; days when the old car could be used to assist in dragging mired cars and stalled 'motor buggies'; days when society gathered at the athletic events held at Travers Island, when the clubhouse was new; days when Wolf's Lane was flooded under two feet of water; days when the electric plough [sic] of the trolley company was the only means by which a thoroughfare could be cleared of snow; days when the Branch line of the New Haven provided twenty-minute service and was a favorite commuters' line; days when Wolf's Lane was a dirt road and Pelhamdale avenue had its first macadam pavement; days when the street car was the only sure means of getting to the depot in time for your train; those were the days when the 'Toonerville Trolley' was in its prime, and they did not talk about putting a motor bus on in its place.

Much was heard about the old Pelham Manor trolley at the public hearing held in Pelham Manor on Monday night.  The fate of the car which was made famous by Fontaine Fox attracted nationwide attention and New York newspapers and press syndicate men were in attendance to learn what Pelham Manor would decide about the car which inspired one of the most popular comic cartoons that the modern newspaper has known.

It was unfortunate that Fontaine Fox himself could not attend.  The Pelham Sun endeavored to have the cartoonist present at the hearing, but he had recently departed for Florida.

The Pelham Manor car which operated between Travers Island on the Long Island Sound and Pelham station, where it makes good its boast of meeting as many trains as possible, has been in operation since 1900, according to the best information.  It was quite a necessary feature of village life according to the story of the old timers, but even in its early days it was source of much humor.

The Pelham Manor village fathers demanded that the traction company run a line from the Sound side of Pelham Manor to the New Haven station in Pelham before they would grant a franchise for the operation of the main line between Mount Vernon and New Rochelle.  The franchise of the latter line provides that service must be maintained on the Pelham Manor line, 'even although it be a loss to the company.'

In 1909 there was living in Pelham Manor an artist who had gained quite a reputation as a cartoonist.  He was Charles Voight, known as the originator of the amusing 'Petey' cartoons.  One bright Sunday afternoon Voight invited out to Pelham Manor a young cartoonist by the name of Fox.  A small town boy, Fox made most of amusing situations which he remembered from his boyhood in the South.  Among his early drawings there had been some which poked good natured fun at small town trolley systems, but when young Fox came to Pelham and rode in the Pelham Manor car, he realized that he had found a 'natural.'  Here was the very idea in real life.

He found at the helm of the one-man car one whom we all knew as 'Maxie' Martin, who was the soul of courtesy.  'Maxie' wouldn't move his car until all of his passengers were made comfortable.  He even stopped at an apple orchard on Wolf's lane and picked some apples for his passengers.  You would have imagined that 'Maxie' had the Twentieth Century Limited in charge had you ridden with him.

When the car reached the street on which Voight lived, 'Maxie' got out and accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Fox up the hill and pointed out the Voight residence.  The result was that immediately on returning to New York City that night, Fontaine Fox drew the first 'Toonerville Trolley' cartoon, and the nation has been laughing at it ever since.

The above story was recently told us by Mr. Fox himself, and The Pelham Sun has a letter from the cartoonist certifying the authenticity of the Pelham Manor car as the original 'Toonerville Trolley.'

'Maxie,' was the skipper of the car for more than twenty years.  He could be depended upon at any and all hours of the day.  Many's the time that Pelham Manor housewives availed themselves of Maxie's services when they were too busy to go over to North Pelham to John Smith's store.  Maxie would never bring back sugar when it was salt that was needed.  

Rumor has it that although Maxie attempted to adhere to his regular schedule, he could not bear to see any villager inconvenienced, so many times the schedule was disrupted to accommodate a villager who had to go in the direction opposite in which the car was going.

Maxie was retired in 1924 and his place was taken by Emil Matter, who is known to the villagers as 'Louie,' although few can tell why.  'Louie' has a companion, Edward Glaser, who operates on the morning run.  'Louie' and 'Eddie' have proven worthy successors to the original skipper.

It is useless to endeavor to recount the incidents in which the 'Toonerville Trolley' has proven its sense of humor.  Residents of the Pelhams are well aware of the fact that the car is an inexhaustible source of fun.  There are few weeks in which something does not happen which is just as amusing as the picture which Fontaine Fox is drawing.

In recent years there have been many reports as to the discovery of the 'original Toonerville Trolley' in various sections of the country.  The Pelham Sun recently called the attention of Mr. Fox to a report that the original line was found in South Orange, N.J.  We received in reply an amusing letter from the cartoonist informing us that the Pelham Manor car was truly the 'Toonerville Trolley.'  His statement as follows set at rest all other claims:

'The trolley in Pelham was my direct inspiration to start an imaginary trolley line of my own.  Years before I had poked some fun at a real trolley line in my home town of Louisville, Ky.  Here and there I ran across a funny trolley line in various parts of the country something or other in connection with my first ride on your Pelham line gave me the urge to start the 'Toonerville Trolley' at once.  In fact the first 'Toonerville Trolley' cartoon drawn was made late that night after returning from my visit to Charlie Voight.'

Maybe the 'Toonerville Trolley' has outlived its usefulness, but it will always be cherished by those who knew it and its little idiosyncrasies and pay it tribute as one of the outstanding institutions of Pelham Manor, which contributes its part to the homeliness of the delightful residential community.

The 'Toonerville Trolley' will always occupy a corner in the hearts of those who cherish the memory of days when 'Mack' was traffic officer at the Red Church corner; Edward Penfield took the time away from making famous paintings to act as street commissioner of Pelham Manor; days when Jim Reilly's blacksmith shop was the meeting place of the Grand Jury members; days when it was a social asset to belong to the volunteer fire department; days when . . . Oh, well, they were the days.

'The Toonerville Trolley' fails to meet all the trains,' you say.  Don't bring that up, we were being sentimental, not practical."

Source:  Has 'The Toonerville Trolley' Lived Up To The Reputation Established For It By Cartoonist?, The Pelham Sun, Vol. 22, No. 39, Dec. 18, 1931, Section 2, p. 1, col. 2.

Trolley car that ran from Pelham Station along Wolf's Lane with a short stint on Colonial Avenue then along the length of Pelhamdale to Shore Road where it turned around and repeated the trip.  The two trolley operators standing in front of the car were Skippers Dan and Louie. 

"Toonerville Folks" United States Postage Stamp Issued on October 1, 1995.

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As promised above, below is a bibliography including links to a few of my many previous postings that touch on the topics of horse-drawn railroad cars, electric trolleys and Fontaine Fox's "Toonerville Trolley" comic strip inspired by the Pelham Manor trolley.

Bell, Blake A., Pelham and the Toonerville Trolley, 82(4) The Westchester Historian, pp. 96-111 (Fall 2006).

Bell, Blake A., Pelham and the Toonerville Trolley, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 11, Mar. 12, 2004, p. 10, col. 1.

Tue., Apr. 19, 2005:   Pelham Manor Residents Fight Construction of the Toonerville Trolley Line

Fri., Jun. 17, 2005:  "Skipper Louie" of Pelham Manor's Toonerville Trolley

Tue., Sep. 20, 2005:  Pelham's "Toonerville Trolley" Goes to War

Tue., Oct. 11, 2005:  The Toonerville Trolley Pays Its Bills -- Late!

Thu., Mar. 09, 2006:  Photographs of the H Line and A Line Trolleys on and Near Pelhamdale Avenue.

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

Wed., Aug. 9, 2006:  The Saddest Day in the History of Pelham Manor's "Toonerville Trolley"

Tue., Sep. 19, 2006:  Toonerville Trolley Cartoons Available For Free Viewing Online.  

Mon., Mar. 05, 2007:  An Ode to the Toonerville Trolley and its Skipper Published in 1921.

Mon., May 28, 2007:  Brief Biography of Henry De Witt Carey, 19th Century Pelham Justice of the Peace.

Thu., Jul. 30, 2009:  Pelham-Related Trolley Franchises Granted in 1897.

Mon., Aug. 17, 2009:  Efforts by Pelham Landowners in 1900 to Halt Construction of a Trolley Line on Shore Road.

Thu., Aug. 27, 2009:  October 19, 1898 Report that the Tracks of the Toonerville Trolley Line Had Been Laid in Pelham.  

Wed., Dec. 23, 2009:  Attack on the Toonerville Trolley Line by Strikers in 1916

Wed., Dec. 30, 2009:  Opening of the Extension of the Pelham Manor Trolley Line in 1910 -- The Toonerville Trolley Line.

Tue., Jan. 05, 2010:  More on the Extension of the Pelham Manor Trolley Line in 1910 -- The Toonerville Trolley Line.

Wed., Mar. 05, 2014:  Trolleys Come to Pelham in the 1890s.

Below are materials I have posted in the past relating to the development and operation of horse-drawn rail cars in Pelham.  

Tue., Sep. 1, 2009:  Pelham News on February 29, 1884 Including Talk of Constructing a New Horse Railroad from Bartow to City Island.

Tue., Dec. 01, 2009:  Brief History of City Island Published in 1901.

Wed., Dec. 2, 2009:  Accident on Horse-Car of the Pelham Park Railroad Line in 1889. 

Thu., Dec. 31, 2009:  1887 Election of the Board of Directors of The City Island and Pelham Park Horse Railroad Company.

Mon., Jan. 4, 2010:  1888 Local News Account Describes Altercation on the Horse Railroad Running from Bartow Station to City Island.

Fri., Jan. 22, 2010:  1884 Account of Early Origins of Horse Railroad Between Bartow Station and City Island.

Tue., Jan. 26, 2010:  1887 Election of the Board of Directors of The City Island and Pelham Park Horse Railroad Company.

Tue., Feb. 2, 2010:  Information About the Pelham Park Railroad at its Outset.

Wed., Feb. 3, 2010:  Early Information Published in 1885 About the Organization of the "City Island Railroad", a Horse Railroad from Bartow Station to City Island

Wed., Feb. 24, 2010:  Attempted Suicide of City Island's Long-Time Horse Car Driver.

Thu., Feb. 25, 2010:  Photograph of Patrick Byrnes and Article About His Retirement of the City Island Horse Car in 1914.

Fri., Feb. 26, 2010:  1913 Decision of Public Service Commission to Allow Reorganization of City Island Horse Railroad for Electrification.

Mon., Mar. 1, 2010:  Flynn Syndicate Buys the City Island Horse Car Line in 1907 to Incorporate It Into Electric Trolley Line.

Tue., Mar. 2, 2010:  1901 Report Indicated that The Flynn Syndicate Planned to Buy the Pelham Bay Park & City Island Horse Car Line.

Wed., Mar. 3, 2010:  1879 Advertisement for Robert J. Vickery's City Island Stage Line, A Predecessor to the City Island Horse Railroad.

Thu., Mar. 4, 2010:  Beginnings of Horse Railroad - News from Pelham and City Island Published in 1884.

Fri., Mar. 5, 2010:  Construction of the City Island Horse Railroad in 1887.

Wed., Mar. 10, 2010:  1899 Article About City Island's New Bridge Describes History of Area and Includes Wonderful Images.

Fri., Apr. 02, 2010:  More on the So-Called "Horse Railroad" that Once Ran from Bartow Station to City Island.

Mon., Apr. 26, 2010:  Public Service Commission Couldn't Find Marshall's Corners in 1909.

Tue., Apr. 27, 2010:  New York City's Interborough Rapid Transit Company Sued to Foreclose a Mortgage on the Horse Railroad in 1911.

Wed., Apr. 28, 2010:  Efforts by the Pelham Park Horse Railroad to Expand and Develop a Trolley Car Line on Shore Road in 1897.  

Thu., Apr. 29, 2010:  City Islanders Complain and Force the Operators of Their Horse Railroad to Agree to Replace Antiquated Cars in 1908.

Fri., Apr. 30, 2010:  "Truly, An Illuminating Little Passage in the History of New-York!" - Efforts to Develop Shore Road Trolley Line in 1897.

Mon., May 3, 2010:  Efforts To Reorganize the Operators of the City Island Horse Railroad and Monorail in 1914.

Tue., May 4, 2010:  Questions Regarding the Trolley Franchise from Bartow Station to the Tip of City Island Arose in 1915.

Thu., May 13, 2010:  More on the Early History of the Pelham and City Island Railroad.

Mon., Jul. 18, 2011:  City Island Horse Railroad Temporarily Shut Down in 1892 Over Cruelty Concerns. 

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