Pelham Manor Firemen Helped Their San Francisco Brethren After the Great Earthquake in 1906

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Most were asleep when disaster struck that day.  At 5:12 a.m. on April 18, 1906, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 and a maximum Mercalli Intensity of XI (Extreme) virtually destroyed the City of San Francisco.  More than 80% of the city was destroyed and about 3,000 people were killed.  It was, of course, one of the deadliest earthquakes in United States History.  

Though the earthquake caused terrible damage, the fires that followed were even more destructive.  According to one source:

"It has been estimated that up to 90% of the total destruction was the result of the subsequent fires.  Within three days, over 30 fires, caused by ruptured gas mains, destroyed approximately 25,000 buildings on 490 city blocks.  One of the largest of these fires was accidentally started in a house on Hayes Street by a woman making breakfast for her family.  This came to be known as the 'Ham and Eggs Fire.'  Some were started when firefighters, untrained in the use of dynamite, attempted to demolish buildings to create firebreaks.  The dynamited buildings themselves often caught fire.  The city's fire chief, Dennis T. Sullivan, who would have been responsible, had died from injuries sustained in the initial quake.  In all, the fires burned for four days and nights."

Source:  "1906 San Francisco Earthquake" in Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia (visited Oct. 29, 2017).

Though many San Francisco firemen suffered personal losses, including the death of their beloved Fire Chief who was killed in the initial quake, they battled fires for four days to limit the damage as best possible under brutal circumstances using rudimentary fire fighting equipment.  Their valor did not go unnoticed.

Three thousand miles away, their brethren in the Pelham Manor Fire Department felt their pain.  From such a distance in such a day of limited travel means and speeds, there was little Pelham Manor firefighters could do except offer their prayers, their condolences, and money to help their fellow firefighters in San Francisco. Thus, on Friday, May 11, 1906, Pelham Manor firefighters hosted a grand fundraiser in the old Manor Club clubhouse (predecessor to today's Manor Club building).

Pelham Manor was, of course, an affluent New York City suburb.  The Pelham Manor Fire Department was known at that time as the "Millionaire Volunteer Fire Department" because it was composed of wealthy lawyers, brokers, businessmen, captains of industry, and other professionals.   

The lovely old Manor Club clubhouse was decorated with flowers including Dogwood blossoms.  Wives and friends of members of the Department assisted with the decorations and the refreshments for the grand ballroom dance.  Eight members of the Department oversaw the fundraising event.  They were:  Robert Beach (a civil engineer), Foreman;  Witherbee Black, First Assistant and a real estate speculator who was one of the wealthiest men in Westchester County; George Breckenridge, a successful attorney and Second Assistant; John Peck, treasurer for the event; Henry Dey, clerk and long-time associate editor of The New York Evangelist; mega-millionaire Martin Condon who was President of the American Tobacco Company; and W. P. Brown and Edmund Seymour. 

According to a local news account of the grand event:  "It has probably been some time since there has gathered such a body of prominent men as the fire fighters in a ball of the kind that was held last night.  The men wore full dress suits and the ladies appeared in handsome gowns.  The sight was one of unusual beauty."

The event raised several hundred dollars (roughly $8,700 in today's dollars) for the benefit of San Francisco firefighters who had suffered in the Great San Francisco earthquake of 1906.  Pelham was continuing what even in 1906 was already a long tradition of charitable giving.  

 Old Manor Club "Manor House" Where the Fundraising Ball Was Held

on Friday, May 11, 1906.  Image Published in 1892.  Source:  Manor

Club "Memory Book."   NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"PELHAM MANOR.
-----
FIREMEN'S DANCE
-----
For the Benefit of the San Francisco Sufferers Last Night.
-----

The 'Millionaire Volunteer Fire Department,' of Pelham Manor, so-called, held a ball in the Manor club house last night, for the benefit of the San Francisco firemen.  This department is composed entirely of New York business men, lawyers, brokers, and other professional men, who live in and own handsome residences in the Manor.

The club house was handsomely decorated with dogwood blossoms and other flowers.  Several hundred dollars were realized from the benefit.  The patronesses were the wives and friends of the members of the department.  The gathering was a large one.

The officers having in charge the ball were as follows:  Robert Beach, foreman; Witherbee Black, first assistant; George Breckenridge, second assistant; John Peck, treasurer; Henry Dey, clerk; together with W. P. Brown, Martin Condon and Edmund Seymour.

Mr. Beach is a well known civil engineer with offices at 32 Broadway.  Mr. Witherbee Black, the first assistant, is a member of one of the wealthiest families in Westchester county; George Breckenridge, the second assistant foreman, is a New York lawyer, and is representing the Pelham Manor property owners in their fight against the proposed route of the New York, Boston and Westchester railroad.  Martin Condon is president of the American Tobacco company, and Edmund Seymour is a brother of Ed. Seymour, the Republican leader of the west side of New York.

It has probably been some time since there has gathered such a body of prominent men as the fire fighters in a ball of the kind that was held last night.  The men wore full dress suits and the ladies appeared in handsome gowns.  The sight was one of unusual beauty."

Source:   PELHAM MANOR-- FIREMEN'S DANCE -- For the Benefit of the San Francisco Sufferers Last Night, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May 12, 1906, p. 5, col. 3.

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Grand Regatta, Ball, and Clam-Bake on Davids Island in 1857

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More than 160 years ago, on August 13,1857, nearly two thousand local residents gathered on Davids Island off the shores of New Rochelle and Pelham for a grand celebration.  Davids Island is a 78-acre island in Long Island Sound adjacent to Glen Island. The island is named after Thaddeus Davids who lived in New Rochelle and was famous for "Thaddeus Davids Electro Writing Fluid" and "Thaddeus Davids Ink" during the 19th century.  Davids bought the island in November, 1856.

Only a few months after purchasing the island, Thaddeus Davids permitted his island to be used for the celebration.  The celebration included a grand ball, an "Indian" clam bake, and a hotly-contested regatta held offshore.  

A short time before the celebration, Thaddeus Davids permitted the construction of "a very spacious building" on the island to serve as a ballroom for the event.  Selection of the island for such a grand party was no accident.  At the time, Davids Island was entirely undeveloped.  It was covered with wooded valleys and groves of old-growth trees.  It had "bold, rocky shores and sandy beaches."  Moreover, the view from the highest point on the island was spectacular.  According to one report published in 1857, "From its highest point can be seen the shores bordering on Long Island Sound, taking in at a glance City Island, Hunter's Island, Hart Island, Manursing Island, Throgg's Neck, Glen Cove, Orienta, Mamaroneck, Rye, and other suburban villages."

The location of the island also was important.  It was only a few hundred feet off the mainland shores of New Rochelle and Pelham Manor.  Moreover, it was only a quarter mile from an important steamboat landing at New Rochelle.  

On the morning of Thursday, August 13, 1857, people began streaming onto Davids Island.  The spacious ballroom building was decorated festively with flags and more.  At about 11:00 a.m. Dodworth's Band arrived from New York City to provide music throughout the day and evening.  The Dodworth Band of New York City was the premier brass band in the United States from the 1840s to the 1880s.  The band was founded by the Dodworth family in 1825 and grew to become one of the famous American bands of the 19th century.

With festive music as a background, a little after 1:00 p.m. the regatta began.  The yachts raced over a twenty mile course laid out in Long Island Sound.  There were four classes of competitors:  first class, second class, third class, and fourth class.  The winners of the top three classes each received a substantial $50 prize (about $1,850 in today's dollars).  The winner of the fourth class received a $30 cash prize.  

The Excelsior, owned by L. D. Huntington of New Rochelle, won the first class race.  The Electric Spark, owned by J. E. Ebling of Harlem, won the second class race.  The Emma, owned by Thaddeus Davids of New Rochelle, won the third class race.  The Dan Smith, of Oyster Bay, won the fifth class race.

The third class race clearly was the most exciting of the day.  Two of the yachts in the race were running neck-and-neck as they neared the end of the course at Davids Island.  The Emma and the Silence battled to the very end as crowds on shore cheered the two yachts jockeying side-by-side for a "considerable distance" to the very end.  The Emma finally edged out the Silence by about two boat lengths as the yachts crossed the finish line.  

The third class race was a bitter disappointment for the owner and friends of the Silence who had "bet very freely in her favor."  They immediately challenged the Emma to a rematch for a $200 stake which Thaddeus Davids immediately accepted.  The rematch was scheduled on the spot for two weeks later on August 27, 1857.  Sadly, no record of the result of the rematch has yet been located!

While the regatta was underway, an unusual "Indian style" clam bake was being prepared.  One account noted that the Indian style of clam bake was "quite a novelty on this end of the Sound."  The preparations were described as follows:

"Long pieces of wood were piled up in cross layers, with large paving stones interspersed, until the pile was about six feet high.  It was then set on fire, and when the wood was all burned out, the stones were nicely and evenly placed, and swept clean.  Forty bushels of Little Neck hard-shell clams were then dumped upon the hot stones, and the surface of the clams covered with green corn in the husk; and these covered over to the depth of six to eight inches with fresh seaweed.  The whole was then covered with a large sail.  In five minutes clouds of steam arose from the pile, and in about fifteen minutes more, the great clam-bake was ready; when there were plenty of anxious lookers-on, equally ready to go in for a share.  Two large boilers of chowder were also made, and said to be quite equal to that made at Marshfield by the late Daniel Webster."  

It did not take two thousand celebrants long to devour forty bushels of Little Neck clams and the two large boilers of chowder.  Once the food was gone, the crowd retired to the ballroom and surrounding area for a grand dance with the music of the Dodworth Band of New York City.  They danced the night away until 2:00 a.m.

Detail of 1867 Beers Map Showing Davids Island Adjacent to

Locust Island (Known Today as Glen Island). Source: Beers, Ellis

& Soule, Atlas of New York and Vicinity From Actual Surveys By

and Under the Direction of F. W. Beers, Assisted by Geo. E.

Warner & Others, p. 7 (Philadelphia, PA: Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1867)

("Plans of East Chester, Pelham and New Rochelle Westchester Co.").

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Thaddeus Davids in 1879, from the January 21, 1879

Issue of the Graphic. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

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I have written before about Davids Island, particularly Pelham's involvement with it during the Civil War.  For examples, see:

Wed., Apr. 26, 2017:  Thaddeus Davids of Davids Island Off the Shores of Pelham and New Rochelle.

Wed., Oct. 19, 2016:  Valor in the Waters Off Pelham During a Monumental Snowstorm in 1871.

Wed., Feb. 03, 2016:  Pelham Women Assisted Union Troops and Confederate Prisoners on David's Island During the Civil War.

Wed., Oct. 21, 2015:  Ministering to Troops on Hart and Davids Islands During and Shortly After the Civil War. 

Tue., Nov. 03, 2009:  Pelham Students Help Civil War Soldiers on Davids' Island in 1864. 

Fri., Jun. 3, 2005:  Davids' Island Off the Coast of Pelham Manor During the Civil War.

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"REGATTA, BALL, AND CLAM-BAKE AT DAVID'S ISLAND. -- Notwithstanding the extreme heat of the weather on Thursday, a vast concourse of persons visited David's Island, Long Island Sound, on that day, for the purpose of witnessing a regatta, and participating in a grand ball, Indian clam-bake, and other festivities.  David's Island comprises about one hundred acres of land, and is a quarter of a mile from the steamboat landing at New Rochelle.  The island is picturesquely diversified by dell and grove, alternated with bold, rocky shores and sandy beaches.  From its highest point can be seen the shores bordering on Long Island Sound, taking in at a glance City Island, Hunter's Island, Hart Island, Manursing Island, Throgg's Neck, Glen Cove, Orienta, Mamaroneck, Rye, and other suburban villages.  On reaching the island, we found that a very spacious building, which has recently been erected for a ball-room, was decorated with flags, &c., ready for the festive occasion.  About 11 o'clock, Dodworth's Band, from the city, made its appearance on the ground, and discoursed most excellent music at intervals, from that time until about 2 o'clock yesterday morning.

Shortly after 1 o'clock p.m., the regatta took place, over a course about 20 miles in length.  The judges decided the Excelsior, owned by L. D. Huntington of New-Rochelle, the winner of the first-class prize of $50; the Electric Spark, owned by J. E. Ebling of Harlem, winner of the second-class prize of $50; the Emma, owned by Thaddeus Davids of New-Rochelle, winner of the third-class prize of $50, and the Dan Smith of Oyster Bay, winner of the fourth-class prize of $30.  The race between the Emma and Silence was a most exciting one; running as they did side by side for a considerable distance, the Emma finally coming in by about twice her own length.  The owner and friends of the Silence having bet very freely in her favor, appeared sadly disappointed at the result and challenged her against the Emma for $200 a side, which was accepted; the match to come off at the City Island on the 27th inst.

While the yachts were pushing their way through the rippled waters, a clam-bake in the genuine Indian style was made on the island, and proved quite a novelty on this end of the Sound.  Long pieces of wood were piled up in cross layers, with large paving stones interspersed, until the pile was about six feet high.  It was then set on fire, and when the wood was all burned out, the stones were nicely and evenly placed, and swept clean.  Forty bushels of Little Neck hard-shell clams were then dumped upon the hot stones, and the surface of the clams covered with green corn in the husk; and these covered over to the depth of six to eight inches with fresh seaweed.  The whole was then covered with a large sail.  In five minutes clouds of steam arose from the pile, and in about fifteen minutes more, the great clam-bake was ready; when there were plenty of anxious lookers-on, equally ready to go in for a share.  Two large boilers of chowder were also made, and said to be quite equal to that made at Marshfield by the late Daniel Webster.  The knife, fork and spoon exercise being terminated, the party now numbering about 2,000 persons, dancing began, and was kept up until about 2 o'clock yesterday morning."

Source:  REGATTA, BALL, AND CLAM-BAKE AT DAVID'S ISLAND, New-York Tribune, Aug. 15, 1857, p. 7, col. 3 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

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Pelham Leap Year Celebrations in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s

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Pelham loves a party.  It always has.  One sort of celebration that seems to have waned in recent years, however, is the celebration of Leap Year.  With today being Leap Day in this Leap Year, it seems most appropriate to consider the history of Leap Year celebrations in our little town.  

For many years in many different nations (in earlier times), there were folk traditions providing that during a leap year women were "permitted" to propose to men with most such marriage proposals on Leap Day.  In some countries Leap Day was even referred to as "Bachelor's Day" in recognition of the folk tradition.

By the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s in much of the United States including Pelham, the tradition had evolved into a celebration where parties, dances, and events were scheduled with an expectation that women and girls would play a role that, in those days, men and boys traditionally played.  For example, women would ask men out, would send them a carnation or boutonniere in advance, would pick them up and escort them to the event.  At dances, women asked men to dance, cut in on other dance pairs, and the like.  As one wag put it, in terms more appropriate then than now, at such dances it was the men who were "wallflowers."  

1908 Leap Year Post Card:  "Be careful Clara, that's a fine

Specimen!"  Source:  WIKIPEDIA - The Free Encyclopedia:

Leap Year (visited Feb. 27, 2016).  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

During the 1920s, 1930s, and even the 1940s, clearly the most popular form of Leap Year celebration in Pelham was a "Leap Year Dance."  Such dances were sponsored by organizations including the Manor Club, the Young Men's Republican Party of Pelham, and others.  As one might expect, such dances also were held at Pelham Memorial High School.

Others hosted private Leap Year parties or sponsored gatherings such as bridge tournaments on Leap Day in honor of Leap Year.  Perhaps the oddest form of Leap Year celebration in the Town of Pelham, however, involved what Pelhamites called the "Leap Year Lily."

Some Pelham residents attempted to nurture a particular plant in the hope it might bloom on or near Leap Day.  The plant, native to Sumatra, was what we call today a "Corpse Flower" Also known as the Titan Arum (Amorphophallus Titanium).  In Pelham, the plant was known as a "Leap Year Lily" -- a name that seems unique to our town.  Residents apparently named their plants in this way because the plants were known to "leap" in growth by as much as fifteen inches in a day and, in the case of one such Pelham Leap Year Lily, reached a height of more than five feet.

Giant Corpse Flower, Also Known as the Titan Arum

(Amorphophallus Titanium), Similar to the Ones

Grown in Pelham in 1932 and Celebrated as

"Leap Year Lilies."  Source:  WIKIPEDIA - The Free

Encyclopedia, Amorphophallus titanium (visited

Feb. 27, 2016).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

In February 1932, neighbors of Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Burnett of 246 Loring Avenue streamed to the Burnetts' garden to see their "Leap Year Lily" that had grown to a height of 63 inches and bloomed.  As noted by the local newspaper, given the awful stench emitted by the plant -- a stench that evolved to attract insects that preferred carrion to pollinate the plants -- neighbors admired the odd curiosity "from a distance."  

Once the local newspaper reported on Pelham's Leap Year Lily, others came forward with stories of their own such Leap Year Lilies.  Mayor and Mrs. Edward B. Harder of the Village of North Pelham announced that they were cultivating several such plants that were smaller than the one cultivated by the Burnetts.  

Yes, Pelham has always loved a celebration.  Celebrating Leap Year with a Corpse Flower, however, certainly seems . . . . . . . a little odd.

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Below is the transcribed text from several stories that appeared in The Pelham Sun during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s describing Leap Year celebration events in the Town of Pelham.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.  

"SOCIETY . . . 
[Text Omitted]

Miss Lorna Doone, of Third avenue, entertained at a Leap Year Dance at her home recently.  The guests included:  Miss Marion Farrell, Miss Murtel Trigge, Richard and William Farrell, Stanley Parker, Frederick Hilderbrandt, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Young, and Joseph Farrelly, of Pelham.  Frederick Brown, Miss Anne Gogh, Miss Alice Doone, Miss Laura Smith, of New York.  Stanley Church, Albert Johnson, Herbert McCord, Miss Mary Simonson, of New Rochelle, Robert Kelley, of Cape Cod, Lee Seeley, of Mt. Vernon.  The Misses Borghild and Lillian Johnson, of Sherwood Park, Yonkers.  Miss Helen Payton and Harold Hungerford, of Scarsdale. . . ."

Source:  SOCIETY, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 24, 1926, p. 7, cols. 1-3.  

"LEAP YEAR LILY GROWS 15 INCHES IN SINGLE DAY
-----
Grew Fifty-three Inches in Fifteen Days at Burnett Home on Loring Avenue -- Lives on Air.
-----

The problem of how to exist during these days of depression has been solved by a plant -- so all ye bankers and brokers, take note.

Grandiflorum oderiferous obnoxious -- the Leap Year lily, a bulbous plant which, when laid on a saucer, without dirt or moisture, or other visible means of support is quite likely to suddenly shoot out a spike that will grow ten or even fifteen inches in a single day, and finally, after attaining the height of an average man, blossom forth in a glorious lily-like flower of blood-red hue, is one of the most curious plants seen in the Pelhams for many years.  Quite as disconcerting as its rapid growth, is the nauseating odor which it creates during its pollination season -- an odor of carrion, making it impossible for anyone to stay in a closed room with the flower for any length of time.

The Snake-tongue of the Orient as the flower is sometimes called, is in possession of Mrs. E. F. Burnett of 246 Loring avenue.  The bulb was given to her by a neighbor, Mrs. Goldsborough, four years ago.  Each summer after planting it has sent up a short red-tipped spike which would unfold into a magnificently veined green leaf about the size of an umbrella top.  The leaf dies down each fall and the bulb is taken up and stored in the usual manner.

This year, however, the early days of January witnessed a sudden appearance of a short red spike which thrust its way upward and began to grow with amazing rapidity until devoid of leaf and in appearance resembling a broom it reached an elevation of 10 1/2 inches on January 16th.  A record of its growth from then was kept by Mrs. Burnett.  It shows that on January 17th an inch was added and another inch the following day. On the 18th the plant added another 1 1/2 inches and repeated the performance the following day.  During the following two days it added 2 1/2 inches and then made a leap of 8 inches upward on the 22nd and 7 inches on the 25th; on the 26th it got into full stride adding 15 inches to its stature and the next day putting on 5 more; on January 28th with the addition of another day's upward climb the sturdy stalk had ascended to 57 inches and the two following days it added 6 inches for a total score of 63 inches.  The spike at the end of the stalk then unfolded into a lily 19 inches in height with a flaming tongue going on upward for 28 inches -- and then came the dawn, and the floral gas attack as the Literary Digest has described its pollination odor.  

Many neighbors have visited the Burnett home and viewed the flower from a respectful distance and marveled at its growth minus water and earth.  A botanist tells us that the bulb acts as a storage battery for the energy which is taken from the sun's rays through the agency of the green leaf.  The offensive odor is a means of attracting the carrion flies of the desert, which act as the fertilizing agent of the plant.  

The plant is a remarkable one to grow for once -- but once is enough."

Source:  LEAP YEAR LILY GROWS 15 INCHES IN SINGLE DAY -- Grew Fifty-three Inches in Fifteen Days at Burnett Home on Loring Avenue -- Lives on Air,The Pelham Sun, Feb. 19, 1932, p. 5, col. 1.  

"MORE LEAPING LILIES ARE FOUND HERE
-----

Publication last week of the story of the Leap Year Lily which grows in leaps as much as fifteen inches in  single day has brought to light more specimens of the same species which are growing in local gardens.  The lily, or, to use its proper name 'Amothorthalis,' [sic] which established the reputation for sudden growth, is the property of Mrs. E. F. Burnett of Loring avenue, but several smaller plants can be found at the residence of Mayor and Mrs. Edward B. Harder of North Pelham.

The bulbs of these plants came originally from Sumatra in the East Indies, and were brought to America by an uncle of Mrs. Harder who was captain of a vessel making the island a port of call.  These have not been so ambitious as that at the Burnett residence, and have reached a height of only a foot or so, but they show great promise of doing as well as the now famous Leap Year Lily.

Mrs. Harder tells of another member of of her family now residing in Montreal who has one of these plants which is about forty years old and has reached a height of six feet during blooming time."

Source:  MORE LEAPING LILIES ARE FOUND HERE, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 26, 1932, p. 8, col. 8. 

"JUNIOR DANCE AT CLUB MARCH 28th
-----

The Junior Dance Committee of the Manor Club is planning a spring dance for the Juniors at the Manor Club on Monday evening, March 28th at the Manor Club.

This dance will be a Leap Year affair and the young ladies will have an opportunity to invite their escorts.  Mrs. L. Leigh Willard, is chairman of the committee in charge."

Source:  JUNIOR DANCE AT CLUB MARCH 28th, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 26, 1932, p. 3, col. 3.  

"Many Prominent Guests At Young G. O. P. Social Fete
-----
Midwinter Social Function of Young Men's Republican Club Held at Pelham Country Club.
-----

Politics forgotten for the evening, more than 300 members and friends of the Pelham Young Men's Republican Club danced to the small hours in the Pelham Country Club on Saturday night.  The occasion was a Leap Year dance of the Young G. O. P. and proved to be a popular social event.  Dancing was from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.  Music was furnished by the Club Monitor Orchestra.

Included among those present were Supervisor Harold Davis, County Treasurer William Coffey; Alfred Sulla, Jr., Treasurer of the Young Men's Republican Clubs of Westchester County G.O.P., Dominic Amato, Mayor of North Pelham, and Town Councilman Henry Simmen.

Also, James Bollettieri, North Pelham Village Trustee; Henry Geller, Fire Commissioner of the First Fire District and Republican nominee for the post of North Pelham Village Trustee; Town Clerk George O'Sullivan, Theodore Van Twisk, E. F. Eilert, George Usbeck and Louis Engerud.  The dance was replete with good fellowship and termed by Benjamin Pevo, president as the most successful yet held by the Young Men's Republican Club."

Source:  Many Prominent Guests at Young G. O. P. Social Fete -- Midwinter Social Function of Young Men's Republican Club Held at Pelham Country Club, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 6, 1936, p. 6, col. 1.  

"HEARD AROUND THE HIGH SCHOOL
By
ARLINE SIMMEN
*     *     *
REVERSE PROGRAM AT SENIOR HIGH LEAP YEAR DANCE
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Girls are Escorts at Novel Program Staged in Gymnasium of School on Friday night.
-----

It was all staged backwards but resulted in one of the most successful dances ever held in the high school gymnasium, on Friday night, as girls cut in and boys became wall flowers.  The occasion was a Leap Year dance given by the General Organization of Pelham Memorial High School, which was attended by 275 students, their parents and friends.

The dance, classed by those present as the best given by the school in some years, was a Leap Year affair done in the traditional manner.  Many a manly student received a carnation from the florist before leaving home.  And when his girlish escort arrived he found she had purchased the tickets.

Friday being the 13th of March and the pet day of the superstitious those who were afraid of doing the wrong thing found signs tacked around the gym giving solemn warning.  Chaperons for the occasion were Mr. and Mrs. Carl Schilling, Miss Lois Chappell, Miss Janet Taylor and Mr. and Mrs. S. Wynne Keever.

The Cleff Dwellers Orchestra supplied music for the dance.  Miss Edyth Dean, featured vocalist with the Cleff Dwellers, rendered several vocal selections.  A tap-dance team of Jackie Weeks of Mount Verrnon, and James Kennett of North Pelham, entertained between dances.  

Miss Beverly Bender was general chairman of the dance committee.  Assisting in various duties were Inez Belucci, Cadi Roberts, Eugene Mortlock, Evelyn Bodin, Kay Anderson, Isabel Head, Jane Krause, Sybil Rose, Alice Willis, Dorothy Bryer, Dorothy Lavery, Virginia Swan and Ruth Szold.  Hostesses were Barbara Arnold, Shirley and Anne Feurst, Louise and Marion Hurlbut, Fanny Crowe, Patty Hawe, Jean Crozier, Lillion Manger and Phoebe Love."

Source:  Simmen, Arline, Heard Around the High School:  REVERSE PROGRAM AT SENIOR HIGH LEAP YEAR DANCE -- Girls are Escorts at Novel Program Staged in Gymnasium of School on Friday Night, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 20, 1936, p. 5, col. 1.  

"LEAP YEAR DANCE TONIGHT AT CLUB FOR JUNIOR SET
-----
Manor Club Will Be Festive With Spring Flowers for Annual Party for Younger Set.
-----

The annual Spring dance for juniors to be held at the Manor Club tonight will take a leap year guise with a group of young girls assuming the duties of a floor committee and the members of the fair sex generally, assuming the social prerogatives usually enjoyed by the boys.  Mrs. Lawrence Morris of Pelham Manor heads the Holiday Dance Committee in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Morris has announced the following floor committee:  the Misses Isabel Manger, Jacqueline McConnochie, Mary Dowdell, Louise Hurlbut, Virginia Morris, Nancy Bradley, Beverly Bender, Marion Hurlbut, Mary Carreau and Katherine Gillett.

The clubhouse will be decorated with Spring flowers for the party which is a major social event of the season for young people enjoying recesses from preparatory schools and colleges in different parts of the country.  

Music for dancing will be furnished by Ford's Orchestra,"


Source:  LEAP YEAR DANCE TONIGHT AT CLUB FOR JUNIOR SET -- Manor Club Will Be Festive With Spring Flowers for Annual Party for Younger Set, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 27, 1936, Second Section p. 1, col. 5.  

"EASTERN STAR OFFICIALS TO VISIT CHAPTER 
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District Deputy and Lecturer to be Greeted by Winyah Chapter on Wednesday Night, Feb. 21.
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*     *     * [Text Omitted]

Winyah Chapter is making plans for a Leap Year Bridge to be held in the Masonic Temple on Thursday night, Feb. 29 with Mrs. Duncan Taylor, Mrs. Clarence Elliott and Mrs. A. T. Wolf in charge."

Source:  EASTERN STAR OFFICIALS TO VISIT CHAPTER -- District Deputy and Lecturer to be Greeted by Winyah Chapter on Wednesday Night, Feb. 21, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 10, 1940, p.6, col. 4.  


"Bananas and Hamburger

There had been a Leap Year Dance at the High School and two girls of the fluffy age were telling about it on the bus.  One had undergone an experience which was just rank injustice.  The Leap Year rules called for the girls to take the boys out and pay their way -- which is a mighty bad precedent to set these days.  One was saying:  'I took him over to Lane's and we sat down and all I had was seventy-five cents.  I was careful to order a vanilla soda, and what DO YOU THINK -- he ordered a banana split, and I had to sit there and watch him eat it after I had finished mine.  Was my mouth watering.  I had planned to buy him some hamburgers after that but I just couldn't.'  Banana split and hamburger -- as a doctoring dyspeptic, we nearly collapsed at the thought."

Source:  Bananas and Hamburger, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 8, 1940, p. 2, col. 3.  

"DANCE ARRANGED BY SORORITIES POPULAR PARTY
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Pelham Country Club Scene of Inter-Sorority Leap Year Dance on Saturday Night in Manor.
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About 350 members of the younger set attended the Leap Year dance which was held at Pelham Country Club on Saturday night, sponsored by Phi Tau, Phi Delta and Sigma Phi Nu sororities.  

Blue and red cellophane featured in the decorative scheme.  Music was furnished by Bill Edwards' Sweet and Swing Orchestra.  A number of feature dances added variety to the program.

Gardenias were presented as favors to the chaperons who included Mr. and Mrs. Myron McLane, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Crozier, Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Tully, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Markey, Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Stirn and Mr. and Mrs. Harold B. Barnett.

The committee included Miss Doris Barnett, president of Phi Delta also Miss Marie Leyendecker, Miss Eleanor Anderson, Miss Lucille Wilson; Miss Mary Tully, president of Sigma Phi Nu, Miss Janet Bogart, Miss Eileen Stephenson, MMiss Helene Tylor, president of Phi Tau, Miss Barbara Williamson, Miss Jane Longus and Miss Jane Guard."

Source:  DANCE ARRANGED BY SORORITIES POPULAR PARTY -- Pelham Country Club Scene of Inter-Sorority Leap Year Dance on Saturday Night in Manor, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 2, 1940, p. 8, col. 1.  

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Invitation to Pelham Country Club's "Tercentennial Terpsichore" on October 9, 1954

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Throughout 1954, the Town of Pelham celebrated the tercentennial of the signing of the Pell-Siwanoy "Treaty" on June 27, 1654. Among the many celebratory events was a costume dance held at the Pelham Country Club.

Below is an image of an invitation to that dance. To facilitate searching, I have transcribed the text of the invitation. That transcription appears immediately below the image.

"YOU'RE ALL INVITED TO THE
Tercentennial Terpsichore

Members and their guests will be arriving . . .
By . . . [image of old-fashioned steamship]
By . . . [image of trolley car]
By . . . [image of old-fashioned bicycle built for two]
And By . . . [image of old-fashioned Model T style automobile]
to attend the

PELHAM COUNTRY CLUB COSTUME DANCE
Saturday, October 9th, 1954

Enliven the evening's activities by appearing in costume -- anything from hoop skirts or bustles for the ladies to checks, race track stripes or even red flannels (oh, no, Jeeves!) for the gents.

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PRIZES FOR THE BEST COSTUMES

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Costumes Not A Necessity But Rather A Welcome Addition to the Party.

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Come Out and Enjoy a Full Evening of Real Relaxation

[image of couple dressed in vintage clothing dancing]

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Music by
LESTER LANIN'S ORCHESTRA

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He'll mix the modern with some of the old-time standbys so that everyone, old and young, can trip the light fantastic!

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Dancing 9 to 1 O'clock

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Don't Miss the Dinner
6:30 to 8:00 O'clock

ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE
Ed Craig, Chairman"

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