Sixteen-Year-Old Received a Reward of a Nickel for Saving Six Lives in Pelham

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In 1892 a smart aleck and street-smart sixteen-year-old newsboy nicknamed "Swipes" (after a famous prize fighter of the day to be a subject of a future Historic Pelham article) saved the lives of six people off the shores of City Island in the Town of Pelham.  The story of the courage and quick thinking of Swipes made newspaper headlines throughout the United States from New York to California.  People throughout the nation marveled at his feat and laughed at the disdain he showed for those whom he rescued.  Today's Historic Pelham article tells the story of the rescue by Swipes and his subsequent determination that each of the lives of the six people he saved was worth only five-sixths of one cent. . . .

In the summer of 1892, the fishing village and summer resort known as City Island in the Town of Pelham was at the height of its renown as a vacation resort.  Each weekend (and many weekdays) thousands crowded onto trains, wagons, small ships, and even horseback and made their way to City Island in the Town of Pelham to enjoy bathing and boating in the waters offshore as well as wandering the streets of the quaint settlement.  

One of those who visited City Island on Monday, August 8, 1892 was sixteen-year-old Edward Gallagher.  He was known as "Swipes" and lived in Manhattan at 330 West 42nd Street.  He was described as "black-eyed, brown haired and small.  What his muscular development lack[ed] in quantity it more than [made] up in quantity."

Swipes worked as a newsboy.  He spent the better part of the day that Monday hauling armloads of newspapers and hawking them between New York City and City Island.  Having sold all his copies by late that day, he decided to hop into a rowboat at City Island and enjoy a little time on the waters of Long Island Sound.

At the same time, a small land-lubbing group of four men and two women from Greenpoint, Brooklyn, were wading and bathing in the waters near Belden Point at the tip of City Island.  Earlier, the group had sailed up the East River and lower Long Island Sound in the small sloop Agnes during the morning of the day.  

At about 6:30 p.m., with "Swipes" enjoying a leisurely row off the shores of Belden Point, the small group of landlubbers from Greenpoint commandeered a tiny skiff.  Three men and two women climbed in and paddled into the Sound while a fourth man swam leisurely behind them, trailing the skiff.

When the skiff made it about two hundred yards offshore, the man swimming behind it grew tired and decided to climb aboard.  Rather than climbing safely over the stern, he tried to climb over the side of the skiff and upset it, tumbling all five occupants into the water.  Several, apparently, were unable to swim.  

Swipes noticed the commotion and heard the cries for help.  He rowed furiously to the upset skiff and found six flailing in the waters around the skiff.  As he arrived, one of the men shouted forlornly "We're all lost!"  Swipes dragged all six to safety and paddled them back safely to the shores of City Island.

When the rowboat arrived and the landlubbers scrambled out, one of the men exclaimed to young Swipes, somewhat condescendingly:  "that was great work you done."  He turned to the other landlubber survivors and collected what money they had to gift as a reward to young Swipes.  The landlubber passed the hat among his compatriots and raised only thirty cents .  He then handed it over to Swipes explaining sheepishly that it was only thirty cents because "You're only a boy, you know."

According to a contemporary account, young Swipes shook his head and gave the man back twenty-five cents.  Swipes next said to the group "I ain't goin' to overcharge you.  The hull gang of yer ain't wort' more'n 6 pence."  Young Swipes then turned and left the landlubbers, later telling a New York Herald reporter that he first became disgusted with the group when one of the men cried from the water "We're all lost!"  According to Swipes, the entire group made him "weary."

Swipes, it seems, had the final say.  Though he was "only a boy, you know," newspapers throughout the United States reported this Pelham vignette.  Virtually all reported that Swipes had affirmed the lives of such people off the waters of Pelham to be "dull and in small demand -- spot cash, five-sixths of a cent each person."

Undated Postcard View of Belden Point and the Waters Off its Shores

in About 1914.  "ST. BARTHOLDI CAMP, BELDEN POINT, CITY ISLAND,

N.Y."  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

Below is the text of a newspaper article on which today's Historic Pelham article is based.  The text is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"SWIPES KNEW THEIR VALUE.
-----
A Newsboy Who Would Only Accept Five Cents for Saving Six Lives

Human life is dull and in small demand -- spot cash, five-sixths of a cent each person -- at Belden Point, on City Island.  These figures are the result of the and experience of Edward Gallagher, of 330 West Forty-second Street New York.  Edward is a newsboy, sometimes called 'Swipes the Newsboy,' as a compliment to his ability.  He is not the original 'Swipes.'  Edward is 16 years old, black-eyed, brown haired and small.  What his muscular development lacks in quantity it more than makes up in quantity.  He sold a big armful of newspapers between this city and City Island on Monday afternoon and then went rowing near Belden Point.  Four men and two women who had sailed up from Greenpoint in the small sloop Agnes went in bathing at half past 6 o'clock so 'Swipes' says.  Three of the men and the women presently got into the skiff and paddled out into the sound followed leisurely by the fourth man, who swam.  Two hundred yards from the shore he grew tired, tried to climb into the skiff over the side instead of the stern and upset it.  'Swipes' said he rowed fiercely to the rescue and saved them all. 

'They make me weary,' he confided to a New York Herald man.  'When I began taking them in all the men could say was:  'We're all lost!'  Soon's I got 'em ashore one says:  'Johnny, that was great work you done.  I'm goin' to take up a c'lection.'

'He passed the hat and raised 30 cents out of all their clothes.  When he give it to me he says:  'You're only a boy, you know,' an' I gave him back his quarter an' says:  'Yes, an' I ain't goin' to overcharge you.  The hull gang of yer ain't wort' more'n 6 pence.'  Then I skipped.'

But will not some society or some kind individual give 'Swipes' a medal?"

Source:  SWIPES KNEW THEIR VALUE -- A Newsboy Who Would Only Accept Five Cents for Saving Six Lives, St. Hilaire Spectator [St. Hilaire, Polk County, MN], Aug. 10, 1892, Vol. XI, No. 3, p. 4, col. 5.  See also WIPES [sic] KNEW THEIR VALUE -- A Newsboy Who Would Only Accept Five Cents for Having Six Lives, The Daily Leader [Gloversville, NY], Aug. 4, 1892, Vol. V, No. 308, p. 4, col. 2 (same text); WIPES [sic] KNEW THEIR VALUE -- A Newsboy Who Would Only Accept Five Cents for Having Six Lives, Bridgeport Chronicle-Union [Bridgeport, Mono County, CA], Nov. 19, 1892, Vol. XXXI, No. 1,585, p. 4, col. 4 (same text).

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The Sad Tragedies that Marked the Opening and First Week of Willson's Woods Swimming Pool in 1928

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"The Pelham youngsters are assured of a clean

and safe place to bathe at Willson's Woods."

-- The Pelham Sun, July 6, 1928.

After numerous drownings in Pelham Reservoir during the first two decades of the 20th century, Westchester County decided in the 1920s to develop "Willson's Woods Park" at Pelham Reservoir and to construct an amazing "one-million-gallon" swimming pool and recreational facility with the most modern safety features and recreational amenities.  With construction of the Hutchinson River Parkway at about the same time, Westchester hoped to turn the region into a recreational mecca to supplement the beautiful parkway intended, initially, for world-class recreational automobiling.  

Westchester County acquired Willson's Woods in 1924.  The area was named after a former owner, Charles Hill Willson, who became wealthy after founding the Willson & Adams Lumber Company.  The twenty-three acre park is one of the oldest in the Westchester County Park system.  

In 1927, Westchester County began construction of a major swimming and recreational facility in the new park.  It was a one-million-gallon swimming pool with a two-story Tudor Revival style bathhouse and dance hall.  The facility reportedly cost about $500,000 (about $7,000,000 in today's dollars) to construct in 1927 and 1928, shortly before the stock market crash in 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression.

It is only possible to understand the importance of the two projects to establish Willson's Woods Park and to build Willson's Wood's Bathing Pavilion and Swimming Pool if one also understands the intent behind the construction of the adjacent Hutchinson River Parkway at about the same time.  The Parkway was not intended, at the time, to serve as the broken and overburdened major transportation artery that it is today.  Rather, the "park" was intended to be an automobile "parkway" -- something all of Pelham and the surrounding region expected to be an impressive recreational centerpiece of the region.  The entire region expected that the Parkway and its associated local parks, paths, and recreational facilities would become the envy of the nation and a centerpiece of the affluent suburban life of leisure in the New York metropolitan region.  Obviously, "we wuz snookered."  

Yet,looking back lovingly at our history without hindsight, Willson's Woods Swimming Pool was built in 1927 and 1928.  It was scheduled to open on June 29, 1928.  Heavy rains in the last weeks of June that year, however, delayed some of the final work required to complete the facility and a roadway leading to it.  Thus, the opening and dedication ceremonies were rescheduled for Wednesday, July 4, 1928:  Independence Day.  

On the appointed day, many Pelham public officials attended the opening ceremonies.  The Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon, Hon. James F. Bert, delivered the keynote address.  Additionally, officials of the Westchester County Park Commission participated in the program.  At the conclusion of the remarks, a large crowd of bathers crowded into the massive pool.  According to The Pelham Sun, the "majority" of swimmers that day (and, it turned out, for a long time to come) were Pelhamites.  

At the time of opening of the wonderful facility, the Pool Director who supervised it was Lyman Jordan of Chester Park in the Village of North Pelham.  He managed a large crew of lifeguards who were led, in turn, by Albert Abkarian from the Village of North Pelham.  He was a Cornell University student who served as Captain of the lifeguards.  Three lifeguards were on duty at all times Monday through Friday.  An additional two lifeguards were added on Saturdays and Sundays.  

Though the pool was open from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. daily, no additional swimmers were admitted to the facility after 8:00 p.m. each evening.  A particularly notable feature of the new facility was that it was lit with electric lights for "night bathing."

The admission price to Willson's Woods Swimming Pool on weekdays was 35 cents for adults and 15 cents for children.  On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the admission price climbed to 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children.  To encourage youngsters to use the facility, there was no charge for children under twelve on Tuesday and Friday mornings.

At its opening, the pool had the most modern safety features then available.  According to The Pelham Sun:  

"The most modern safety devices have been installed in the pool.  Where the depth changes from four to ten feet a line of red lights will gleam from the bottom of the pool.  A guard rope will also float across surface of the water at this point.  For night swimming powerful electric lights have been installed along the base of the diving pool.  In the bathhouses a fully equipped First Aid station has been installed.  Compete life guards will be on duty at all hours when bathing is permitted."

The facility also was an impressive marvel of architecture and functionality.  There was an immense, "splendidly designed entrance through which one gets the first glimpse of the shimmering water in the immense pool beyond."  The main bathhouse had two wings, with dressing rooms that opened off the main entrance in both wings.  The second story of the bathhouse included a tea room and a dance floor.  Upon opening of the facility, weekly dances in the second floor ballroom became a feature of the facility.  The facility was able to accommodate fifteen hundred people at once.  

Huge chlorination tanks provided support for the one million gallons of water, all of which was "frequently filtered and changed to insure perfect sanitation."  At the time of opening, a major playground adjacent to the pool was still under construction, although it was finished the first season.  Smith Brothers Contracting Company of the Village of North Pelham was heavily involved in grading for the project and in completing the roadway to the pool "in record time."  

The natural wooded setting of the new pool in the midst of what then remained of "Willson's Woods" made the facility "one of the most attractive places in this section of the country" according to one news report.  The pool itself was massive.  It was 235 feet long and 135 feet in width.  Its depth ranged from one foot to ten feet.  For two hundred feet, its depth was only four feet, allowing hundreds of young people and even non-swimmers to frolic in the water on hot days "in perfect safety."  At one end of the pool, there was a ten-foot deep area marked for swimmers and swimming competitions that ran the width of the pool (135 feet) and was thirty-five feet wide.

At the time of its opening, the facility became a major recreational destination for Pelham.  Since then, generations of Pelham youngsters and their families have enjoyed a respite from summer heat in the Willson's Woods Swimming Pool just as many Pelhamites did when the pool first opened on July 4, 1928.

That hot, sunny Independence Day, bathers crowded into the pool immediately after the last remarks during the opening ceremony.  A major swimming competition was scheduled in the pool later that day.  

One certainly can imagine the peals of laughter, the squeals of joy, the splashing, and the chatter of the crowd.  The pool was filled with Pelhamites, as well as citizens of Mount Vernon and the surrounding region enjoying the sparkling new facility.    

The lifeguards, of course, were vigilant.  The crowd was massive, however.  It seems that even with the "most modern safety features then available" as well as a team of well-trained lifeguards considered to be among the elite of "college athletes" from Cornell, Notre Dame, and Colgate, things could still go awry.

Only hours after the bathing pavilion and pool first opened, tragedy unfolded and "clouded the opening" of the new facility.  In the midst of all the joyous confusion, the body of nineteen-year-old Wilbert Hogan of 647 South Sixth Avenue in Mount Vernon was found at the bottom of a shallow portion of the pool.  The new lifeguard crew of college athletes, led by Pelhamite Albert Abkarian, recovered Hogan's body.  Medical examination failed to reveal whether the poor young man suffered heart failure "or died through some injury received in diving."  

A most joyous occasion was marred by a terrible tragedy and became part of the history of Willson's Wood Swimming Pool, summer home of generations of Pelham youngsters.  Yet, tragedy was not yet over, it seems.

On Thursday, July 9, 1928 -- only five days after the initial pool opening -- tragedy struck again.  A little before 7:00 p.m. that evening, 58-year-old Olive N. Vander Roest of 214 Second Avenue in the Village of North Pelham was bobbing, swimming, and enjoying the fresh, cool waters of the pool.  She hopped out of the water, likely dabbing herself with a towel and heading toward the dressing rooms.  

Mrs. Vander Roest felt ill and entered the bathing pavilion bathhouse.  She suffered a hemorrhage and died "a few minutes later."

News reports immediately announced that, wiithin five days, there alreaady had been two deaths at the new "Willson's Woods Swimming Pool."  Thankfully, such reports had little impact.  As the ocean waves of life washed over Pelham and Mount Vernon in the decades since, all in Pelham and the surrounding region have looked to Willson's Woods Park as a place of respite.

Today's DeMatteo Pavilion at Willson's Woods Swimming Pool.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Pool Area of Willson's Woods Swimming Pool.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

March 4, 1926 Architectural Rendering of Willson's Woods "Bath House."

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Early Construction of Willson's Woods Swimming Pool

on November 7, 1927.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"It Will Be A Glorious Fourth Of July At Opening of Willson's Woods Swimming Pool On Parkway
-----
Pelham Will Share Benefits Of Half Million Dollar Bathing Pool, Which Will Be Opened To Public Wednesday.  Many Protective Devices Will Assure Safety Of Swimmers.  Westchester County Park Commission Sponsors New Recreation Facilities
-----

It will be a real Fourth of July Declaration of Independence from the discomforts of summer heat that will be issued Wednesday morning when the Westchester County Park Commission opens the new Willson's Woods Swimming Pool, just across the Hutchinson River Parkway from Pelham.  Brief and informal ceremonies of dedication have been planned.  The Hon. James Berg, Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon, will make the dedicatory address.

Although the new swimming pool is situated entirely within the City of Mt. Vernon, its close proximity to the Pelhams will make it a local institution, and the youngsters as well as the grown ups of Pelham who enjoy aquatic sports will find much to their liking there.

Finishing touches are being put on the half million dollar bathhouse and swimming pool.  It was anticipated that the place would be ready today but the heavy rains delayed completion of concrete paving and other parts of the work.  Smith Bros. Contracting Co. of North Pelham, are constructing the roadway from East Lincoln avenue to the bathhouses.

The natural wooded setting of the new swimming pool makes it one of the most attractive places in this section of the country.  The pool itself is of the most modern type, measuring 235 feet in length by 135 feet in width.  Its depth ranges from one foot to ten feet.  For two hundred feet of its length the depth is no greater than four feet making it possible that many hundred youngsters and non-swimmers can frolic in the water in perfect safety, while for swimmers there is a thirty five foot wide by 135 foot long pool which is ten feet deep, that will provide ample room for enjoyment of the more strenuous aquatic sports.

(Continued on page 3)

Willson's Woods Pool Will Open Wednesday
-----
(Continued from page 1)

The most modern safety devices have been installed in the pool.  Where the depth changes from four to ten feet a line of red lights will gleam from the bottom of the pool.  A guard rope will also float across surface of the water at this point.  For night swimming powerful electric lights have been installed along the base of the diving pool.  In the bathhouses a fully equipped First Aid station has been installed.  Compete life guards will be on duty at all hours when bathing is permitted.

The bathhouse and power station group is constructed of tile and stucco.  Entrance is through a splendidly designed entrance through which one gets the first glimpse of the shimmering water in the immense pool beyond.  The dressing rooms open off the main entrance in both wings of the building.  Accommodations have been provided for fifteen hundred persons.

On the upper floor of the bathhouse a tea room and dance floor has been installed.  Weekly dances will be the feature of this part of the park.  

At the easterly side of the pool the [illegible] has been installed.  Huge chlorination tanks will accommodate one million gallons of water which is required to fill the pool.  Water will be frequently filtered and changed to insure perfect sanitation.

There also will be an immense playground arranged in the park adjacent to the swimming pool.  Work of grading this playground has already been started.

A small admission price will be charged at the swimming pool."

Source:  It Will Be A Glorious Fourth Of July At Opening of Willson's Woods Swimming Pool On Parkway -- Pelham Will Share Benefits Of Half Million Dollar Bathing Pool, Which Will Be Opened To Public Wednesday.  Many Protective Devices Will Assure Safety Of Swimmers.  Westchester County Park Commission Sponsors New Recreation Facilities, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 29, 1928, Vol. 19, No. 18, p. 1, cols. 2-3 & p. 3, cols. 4-7.  

"Youth Dies In Swimming Pool In Opening Day At Willson's Woods
-----
Body Of Mt. Vernon Youth Found At Bottom Of Pool.  Cause Of Death Not Determined.  Many Bathers Take Advantage Of New Facilities Offered By Westchester County Park Commission
-----

The unfortunate death of one bather clouded the opening of Willson's Woods Swimming pool Wednesday.  The body of Wilbert Hogan, 19, of No. 647 South Sixth avenue, Mt. Vernon, was found at the bottom of the pool a few hours after the bathing pavilion was opened to the public.  Medical examination has not revealed whether the youth was a victim of heart failure, or died through some injury received in diving.  The body was recovered by life guards.

Many Pelham public officials attended the opening ceremonies Wednesday morning.  The Hon. James F. Bert, mayor of the City of Mt. Vernon and officials of the Westchester County Park Commission participated in the program.  At the close of the ceremonies bathers were admitted to the pool for the first time.  During the week there have been several hundred bathers at the pool daily.  According to reports the majority are Pelhamites.

The pool is under the supervision of Lyman Jordan, of Chester Park.  He is assisted by an efficient life guard crew, composed of college athletes.  Albert Abkarian, of North Pelham, a student of Cornell University, is captain of the life guards.  Other members of the staff are Charles Johnson, of Colgate and Otto Streve, of Notre Dame.  Two additional life guards will be on duty on Saturdays and Sundays.  

The pool will open daily from 10 a.m.  None will be admitted after 8 p.m.  Bathers, however, will be allowed to remain in the pool until 10 p.m.  A battery of electric lights have been installed for night bathing.

Special provision has been made for the accommodation of youngsters, and there will be no charge for children under 12 years of age on Tuesday and Friday mornings.

During the week an admission price of thirty-five cents is charged for adults and fifteen cents for children.  On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays the admission price will be fifty and twenty-five cents.

The bath houses will accommodate fifteen hundred bathers.  Many bathers living in the neighborhood of the pool wear their bathing suits to the pool.  Bathers who wear their suits to the pool [must] also wear suitable outer clothing in crossing the parkway property.

Smith Bros. Contracting Co. have completed the roadway to the pool in record time.  Inclement weather had delayed work somewhat and the contractor was forced to crowd a large gang of workmen on the job in order to complete it within the specified time.

The Pelham youngsters are assured of a clean and safe place to bathe at Willson's Woods."

Source:  Youth Dies In Swimming Pool In Opening Day At Willson's Woods -- Body Of Mt. Vernon Youth Found At Bottom Of Pool.  Cause Of Death Not Determined.  Many Bathers Take Advantage Of New Facilities Offered By Westchester County Park Commission, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 6, 1928, Vol. 19, No. 19, p. 1, cols. 1-2.

"Youth Dies In Swimming Pool In Opening Day At Willson's Woods
-----
Body Of Mt. Vernon Youth Found At Bottom Of Pool.  Cause Of Death Not Determined.  Many Bathers Take Advantage Of New Facilities Offered By Westchester County Park Commission
-----

The unfortunate death of one bather clouded the opening of Willson's Woods Swimming pool Wednesday.  The body of Wilbert Hogan, 19, of No. 647 South Sixth avenue, Mt. Vernon, was found at the bottom of the pool a few hours after the bathing pavilion was opened to the public.  Medical examination has not revealed whether the youth was a victim of heart failure, or died through some injury received in diving.  The body was recovered by life guards.

Many Pelham public officials attended the opening ceremonies Wednesday morning.  The Hon. James F. Berg, mayor of the City of Mt. Vernon and officials of the Westchester County Park Commission participated in the program.  At the close of the ceremonies bathers were admitted to the pool for the first time.  During the week there have been several hundred bathers at the pool daily.  According to reports the majority are Pelhamites.

The pool is under the supervision of Lyman Jordan, of Chester Park.  He is assisted by an efficient life guard crew, composed of college athletes.  Albert Abkarian, of North Pelham, a student of Cornell University, is captain of the life guards.  Other members of the staff are Charles Johnson, of Colgate, and Otto Streve, of Notre Dame.  Two additional life guards will be on duty on Saturdays and Sundays.

The pool will open daily from 10 a.m.  None will be admitted after 8 p.m.  Bathers, however, will be allowed to remain in the pool until 10 p.m.  A battery of electric lights have been installed for night bathing.  

Special provision has been made for the accommodation of youngsters, and there will be no charge for children under 12 years of age on Tuesday and Friday mornings.

During the week an admission price of thirty-five cents is charged for adults and fifteen cents for children.  On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays the admission price will be fifty and twenty-five cents.

The bath houses will accommodate fifteen hundred bathers.  Many bathers living in the neighborhood of the pool wear their bathing suits to the pool.  Bathers who wear their suits to the pool much [sic; should be "must"] also wear suitable outer clothing in crossing the parkway property.

Smith Bros. Contracting Co. have completed the roadway to the pool in record time.  Inclement weather had delayed work somewhat and the contractor was forced to crowd a large gang of workmen on the job in order to complete it within the specified time.  

The Pelham youngsters are assured of a clean and safe place to bathe at Willson's Woods."

Source:  Youth Dies In Swimming Pool In Opening Day At Willson's Woods -- Body Of Mt. Vernon Youth Found At Bottom Of Pool.  Cause Of Death Not Determined.  Many Bathers Take Advantage Of New Facilities Offered By Westchester County Park Commission, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 6 1928, p. 1, cols. 1-2.  

"PELHAM WOMAN DIES SUDDENLY AT LOCAL POOL
-----
Mrs. Olive Vander Roest, Widely Known In Pelham, Victim of Heart Attach and Hemorrhage
-----
HAD BEEN IN BATHING
-----
Collapses After Coming from Pool and Dies In Short Time
-----
IN POOL SOMETIME
-----
LIved In Pelham Many Years -- Daughter of Late John T. Logan
-----

Seized with a hemorrhage while bathing last evening in the new Wilson [sic] Woods swimming pool, Mrs. Olive N. Vander Roest, 58, of 214 Second avenue, North Pelham, died a few minutes after she had left the pool.  Death was due to the hemorrhage and heart trouble according to Medical Examiner Squire who viewed the remains.

The death of Mrs. Vander Roest is the second death to occur at the new pool within five days, as Wilbert Hogan, 19, of this city, was drowned July 4 a few hours after the pool had opened.

According to a report made to the Mount Vernon police Mrs. Vander Roest was . . . bathing in the pool shortly before  7 o'clock.  She had been in the pool for some time.  She became ill and went to the pavilion at the bath house and died a few minutes later of a hemorrhage.

Gives Treatment

Dr. M. J. Mayer of Beekman avenue, who was at the pool at the time treated the woman.  The Mount Vernon hospital ws notified after the woman had become ill and Dr. Belsky responded with the ambulance.  

The Mount Vernon police were informed of the case shortly after 7 o'clock and Motorcycle Officer McDonald responded at the same time that the ambulance was called.  He reported that the woman had been seized with a hemorrhage in the mouth and died shortly after on the pavilion of the bath house.

The case was investigated by members of the Parkway police who where assigned to duty at the pool.
-----
Lived In Pelham

North Pelham, June [sic] 10. -- Mrs. Olive Vander Roest, 214 Second avenue, who died last night at Willson's Woods, the new Mount [sic] swimming pool, from a hemorrhage of the throat, was well known here.  

Mrs. Vander Roest, who had been born in New York city, had lived in North Pelham most of her life and was well-known in the village.  She was a daughter of John T. Logan, Civil War veteran, and was a widow.  

Mr. Vander Roest is survived by two sons.  Policeman George Vander Roest, of North Pelham and Edward Vander Roest, of Long Island City, and by one brother, Bert Logan, of North Pelham.

The funeral services will be held from the Church of the Redeemer and Rev. Brown will conduct the services.  The time and the interment will be announced later."

Source:  PELHAM WOMAN DIES SUDDENLY AT LOCAL POOL -- Mrs. Olive Vander Roest, Widely Known In Pelham, Victim of Heart Attach and Hemorrhage -- HAD BEEN IN BATHING -- Collapses After Coming from Pool and Dies In Short Time -- IN POOL SOMETIME -- LIved In Pelham Many Years -- Daughter of Late John T. Logan, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 10, 1928., Whole No. 11,778, p. 1, col. 1.  

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Two Brave Children Saved Their Father Off Pelham Shores in 1886

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By all accounts, little Walter and George Rahtjens of the Town of Pelham were bright little boys who lived in the tiny settlement of Bartow-on-the-Sound in 1886.  Walter Rahtjens was the youngest.  He was ten years old but was so tiny that he looked like a six-year-old child.  George was his older brother and was twelve years old.  

In 1885, the two little boys and their parents moved into a "neat little cottage" that overlooked the shore of Long Island Sound in the little settlement of Bartow in the Town of Pelham.  The following summer of 1886, the two tiny lads learned to swim.  It was a good thing that they did. . . . 

On Sunday, August 29, 1886, the boys and their father decided to go for a swim in Long Island Sound.  The three left Mrs. Rahtjens with the family's new baby in the little cottage on shore.  They rowed a little boat out into the waters and shed their clothes which they left in the boat.  The older brother, George, dove into the water and swam for shore.  The younger brother remained in the boat with the boys' father.

Mr. Rahtjens took his time to enjoy the day.  As his older son swam toward shore, he shed his own clothes and dove into the refreshing waters.  No sooner did he enter the water than he suffered a debilitating cramp and sank beneath the waves.  He struggled to get back to the surface and, for what seemed an "interminable period," he struggled to surface for air.  He made it to the surface, gasped for air and sank again without shouting for help.  Again he struggled beneath the waters until he could surface again when, this time, he shouted "lustily" for help.

Mrs. Rahtjens heard the shout from the cottage.  She put the baby on the floor and ran to the water's edge where she saw her husband fighting for his life.  According to numerous accounts, there Mrs. Rahtjens "stood wringing her hands, terrified beyond speech."  

Tiny little Walter Rahtjens also heard his father's cry for help.  Without hesitation, the little fellow plunged headfirst into the water and swam to his father.  At the same time his older brother, George, heard the cry.  George had nearly reached shore.  He turned and swam furiously back toward the boat to help his stricken father.

Little Walter reached his father first.  He grabbed his father by the chin and began kicking furiously to keep his father's head above the water.  Agonizing moments passed before the older boy, George, reached the struggling pair.  When he arrived, he grabbed his father by the arm and began kicking furiously to propel the threesome toward shore while his little brother held his father's face out of the water.  In the meantime, Mr. Rahtjens was doing all he could to quell his instinctive impulse to clutch at the two youngsters and drag them to their watery deaths with him.

Mrs. Rahtjens watched in terror for five agonizing minutes as the two youngsters struggled to get their father to shore.  Finally, the pair dragged their exhausted father onto land as Mrs. Rahtjens raced to the three.  According to a number of reports, "A little family thanksgiving took place right there" on the Pelham shore.

Soon the entire settlement of Bartow-on-the-Sound was aware of the heroic deed.  Everyone in the settlement was talking about it.

The New York Herald was among the first to report on the boys' heroic feat.  Soon, however, newspapers throughout the country were extolling their virtues and describing their rescue.  Newspapers Connecticut, North Carolina, Montana, and elsewhere told the story of the rescue off the waters of Pelham.  

The two little boys, however, were nonplused by the attention.  As the New York Herald put it, "The young life savers have borne their honors lightly.  They seem to think their deed the most natural one in the world."

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"BOYS TO BE PROUD OF.
-----
TWO YOUTHFUL SWIMMERS TOW THEIR DISABLED FATHER TO THE SHORE.

Two bright little boys of Bartow, on the Sound, have won for themselves the deserved commendation of their old and young friends by a display of courage and intelligence.  The whole village does nothing but talk about the heroism of the youngsters who last Sunday saved their father, Mr. George Rahtjens, from death by drowning.

The boys are named Walter and George, and are respectively ten and twelve years of age.  The family have lived in a neat cottage near the water's edge since last year, and the boys have this summer learned to swim.  Walter, the younger, is a smart lad, but in appearance is not more than six.  Sunday morning Mr. Rahtjens went down to the beach for a bath.  He took the boys with him, and together they divested themselves of their clothing, leaving it in a boat, which they had hauled off some distance from land.  George took the first header, and then swam ashore. 

Mr. Rahtjens jumped from the boat, but had no sooner struck the water than he was seized with a cramp and sank.  After what seemed to him an interminable period he rose to the surface.  For some reason he was unable to shout.  A second time he went down and then came up, and this time he called lustily for help.

The natural impulse of a small boy would be to run for help.  Not so with the ten-year-old son.  Into the water he plunged without a moment's hesitation.  He swam to his father, who was once more sinking.  Catching him under the chin with one hand, the little hero put the other around the exhausted man's neck and kicked with his feet to keep them afloat.  No far behind him was his brother George, who struck out from the shore at the first cry of distress.  George took hold of the father's arm.  

Mr. Rahtjens said he had to exert all his will power to refrain from clutching the boys and dragging them down to their death.  

Not a word was spoken.

Valiant little Walter, with tears coursing down his cheeks, did his utmost to keep his father's head above water, while the older son, his teeth hard set, struggled vigorously to tow him ashore.

Mrs. Rahtjens was tending the baby in her parlor when she heard the cry from her husband.  Leaving the child on the floor, she ran to the shore, and stood wringing her hands, terrified beyond speech.  Five minutes dragged their slow lengths along before the boys reached land with their burden.  A little family thanksgiving took place right there.

The young life savers have borne their honors lightly.  They seem to think their deed the most natural one in the world."

Source:  BOYS TO BE PROUD OF -- TWO YOUTHFUL SWIMMERS TOW THEIR DISABLED FATHER TO THE SHORE, N. Y. Herald, Sep. 6, 1886, p. 6, col. 4.  

"George and Walter Rahtjen, aged respectively ten and twelve years, saved their father from drowning in the Sound on Friday afternoon.  They were bathing off Bartow, when Mr. Rahtjen was taken with cramps and sank.  The two little fellows dove and raised their father to the surface and both held his chin out of water while they swam and floated him to the shore, about twenty-five feet distant.  The boys were almost exhausted."

Source:  [Untitled], Hartford Courant [Hartford, CT], Sep. 6, 1886, p. 3, col. 6 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"TWO BRAVE BOYS.

Two bright little boys of Bartow, on the Sound, have won for themselves the deserved commendation of their young and old friends by a display of courage and intelligence.  The whole village does nothing but talk about the heroism of the youngsters who last Sunday saved their father from drowning.  

The boys are named Walter and George, and are respectively 10 and 12 years of age.  The family have lived in a neat cottage near the water's edge since last year, and the boys have this summer learned to swim.  Walter, the younger, is a smart lad but in appearance is not more than six.  Sunday, Mr. Rathjens went down to the beach for a bath.  He took the boys with him, and together they divested themselves of their clothing, leaving it in a boat, which they had hauled off some distance from land.  George took the first header, and then slowly swam ashore.  

Mr. Rahtjens jumped from the boat, but no sooner struck the water than he was seized with a cramp and sank.  After what seemed an interminable period he rose to the surface.  For some reason he was unable to shout.  A second time he went down and came up, and he called for help.  The natural impulse of a small boy would be to run for help.  Not so with the 10-year-old son.  Into the water he plunged without a moment's hesitation.  He swam to his father, who was once more sinking.  Catching him under the chin with one hand, the little hero put the other around the exhausted man's neck and kicked with his feet to keep them afloat.  Not far behind them was his brother George, who struck out from the shore at the first cry of distress.  George took hold of the father's arm.  

Mr. Rahtjens said he had to exert all of his will power to refrain from clutching the boys and dragging them down to their death.

Not a word was spoken.  

Valiant little Walter, with tears coursing down his cheeks, did his utmost to keep his father's head above the water, while the elder son, George, with his teeth hard set, struggled vigorously to tow him ashore.

Mrs. Rahtjens was tending the baby in the parlor when she heard the cry from her husband.  Leaving the baby on the floor, she ran to the shore, and stood wringing her hands, terrified beyond speech.  Five minutes dragged their slow length along before the boys reached land with their burden.  A little family thanks-giving took place right then and there.  The young life-savers have born their honors lightly.  They seem to think their deed the most natural one in the world."

Source:  TWO BRAVE BOYS, Goldsboro Messenger [Goldsboro, NC], Nov. 18, 1886, p. 6, col. 1 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  See also Two Brave Boys, Great Falls Tribune [Great Falls, MT], Nov. 13, 1886, p. 2, cols 1-2 (same text; paid subscription required to access via this link).  

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Tragic Accident Off the Shores of Pelham in Early 1802

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The waters of Long Island Sound that surround City Island and Hart Island have been the scene of many tragedies during the last 350 years.  There have been countless drownings, shipwrecks, ship collisions (including a number with consequent sinkings), drowning suicides, sailors frozen to death, and even murders on anchored (and passing) vessels.  The story of one tragedy, however, bears retelling because of the noble efforts of rescuers involved.

On January 7, 1802, heavy winds whipped the waters of Long Island Sound near Hart Island.  The waters of the Sound were running high and large waves lashed at the shores and local shipping.  

That cold and windy day, a sloop was passing near Hart Island.  On board, in addition to the crew of the vessel, was one of its owners, Peter Jessup, as well as George Lockwood and his 22-year-old son, John Lockwood.  The Lockwoods lived on Horse Neck (a narrow neck of land sticking protruding into Long Island Sound in the Township of Greenwood, Fairfield County, Connecticut in what now is part of what is called Old Greenwood).

As the sloop passed Hart Island, a particularly strong gust of wind caught the sails and caused the vessel to jibe (i.e., to change tacks by steering away from the wind so that the leach of the sail swings across the so-called "eye of the wind").  As the vessel rolled violently from the sudden change of tack, young John Lockwood was pitched from the deck of the sloop quite a distance into the cold, frothing waters.

Members of the crew immediately began trying to reach John Lockwood and render any form of assistance possible.  Simultaneously, Peter Jessup and the young man's father, George Lockwood, unlashed a small boat stored on the deck of the sloop and lowered it into the violent waters.  The two men cast off in the tiny vessel with the riotous waves pounding their craft.  

For thirty minutes John Lockwood bobbed in the violent waters as the crew of the sloop and the two men in the tiny boat tried to save him.  After a half hour, however, John Lockwood slipped beneath the waves and was drowned.

Once it was clear to all that the young man was gone and could not be saved, it was time to get the little boat with Peter Jessup and George Lockwood back to the sloop and safely on board.  Though it took some time, finally the small boat was able to get to the side of the much larger sloop.  As the two men scrambled to climb aboard, the small boat overturned, dumping both into the same cold waters that had just taken the life of John Lockwood.

Now it was Peter Jessup and George Lockwood who were bobbing in the violent waters as the crew of the sloop tried to save them.  Peter Jessup repeatedly yelled to George Lockwood "don't be frightened!" "don't be frightened!" as he repeatedly tried to right the small boat.  The crew of the sloop cast ropes and, soon, George Lockwood grabbed one and was pulled from the waters.  

Peter Jessup was not so lucky.  He was never able to right the small boat and soon slipped beneath the waves and was drowned.  

The cold, gray waters around City Island and Hart Island took two lives that day.  Many, many more were to follow.   

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"FATAL ACCIDENT.

Mr. John Lockwood, son of Mr. George Lockwood of Horse-Neck, aged 22 years, on his passage from New-York, on board a sloop, on the 7th inst. near Hart-Island, when on the boom of the vessel, casting off the reave plat [sic; perhaps "reeve plate"], a flaw of wind struck the vessel, which caused her to jibe; in which situation he was cast a distance from the sloop.  He was afforded every assistance possible, not only from the sloop but from the shore, being near the land; he remained above water nearly half an hour; but at last drowned.

Mr. Peter Jessup, of the same place, part owner of the sloop, was on board.  --  In order to save his fellow creature in distress he had resort to the boat, which was on deck; but with the assistance of the crew he soon had it overboard.  Mr. Jessup and Mr. Lockwood took the boat, and attempted to save Mr. J. Lockwood; but the wind blowing fresh and the sea running high, they could not effect their purpose.  When they had lost sight of him they attempted to regain the sloop.  In running along side the boat overset [sic].  Mr. Jessup was frequently heard to say to Mr. Lockwood, don't be frightened; but not being able to right the boat he was drowned.  Mr. Lockwood, was saved by getting hold of a rope, cast from the sloop."

Source:  FATAL ACCIDENT, New-York Evening Post, Jan. 23, 1803, No. 59, p. 2, col. 5 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link; free version available here).  

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