The Bitter Battle Over the Incorporation of the Village of North Pelham in 1896 Continued After The Vote to Incorporate

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One of the two or three most bitter political battles ever fought in the Town of Pelham was the "Bitter Fight" among competing factions over whether to incorporate the settlement of Pelhamville as the Village of North Pelham in 1896.  I have written before about this seminal political battle that left residents' feelings quite raw some fifty years later.  See, e.g.:

Tue., Mar. 17, 2015:  Recollections of the "Bitter Fight" To Incorporate the Village of North Pelham Published Fifty Years Later.

Mon., Oct. 27, 2014:  Pelhamville Votes to Incorporate as the Village of North Pelham in 1896.  

Tue., Jul. 01, 2014:  Why Do We Call It the Village of Pelham Instead of Pelhamville? Because We Were Duped!

Fri., Apr. 15, 2005:  How Pelhamville "Lost" Its Name! 

During the mid-1890s, many residents of Pelhamville looked longingly toward their neighbor to the south, the Village of Pelham Manor that had been incorporated in 1891.  Through taxes and issuance of bonds, the Village of Pelham Manor was engaged in a host of infrastructure improvements including road improvements, sidewalks, and even sewers.  

A large group of Pelhamville residents banded together and formed a "club" named the "Citizens' League."  The initial purpose of the Citizen's League was to support an initiative to incorporate the settlement of Pelhamville as another village within the Town of Pelham.  Almost immediately, a group of Pelhamville residents who opposed incorporation formed the "People's Party" to oppose incorporation.  Members of the People's Party were so upset with the notion of incorporation that they proposed, instead, that Pelhamville should be annexed by the City of Mount Vernon.  Members of the People's Party grew to hate members of the Citizens' League and vice versa.  

The Citizens' League, led by Otto E. Stroetzel, a local merchant and resident of Chester Park, argued that major infrastructure improvements could be funded with little or no increase in taxes by incorporating a village that then could issue bonds.  They argued that the sale of bonds would immediately fund major improvements while the combined repayment of the amortized principal with the annual interest service would lead to sufficiently-low taxes so that Pelhamville residents would feel little economic impact.  

In contrast, the People's Party, led by Pelhamville resident , argued that taxes would skyrocket and that excessive debt would choke growth of the little settlement.  They argued that if the area were annexed by Mount Vernon, the tax burden would be spread across a much larger tax base and, thus, would permit the funding of needed infrastructure improvements with much lower tax rates.

Pelhamville residents were bitterly divided.  On Saturday, August 29, 1896, a referendum on the proposal was held.  A total of 132 Pelhamville residents cast ballots.  Once counted, there were 67 ballots cast in favor of incorporation and 65 against.  Had only a single voter in favor of incorporation decided, instead, to vote against the measure, the vote would have resulted in a tie.  

An election to install village officers for the newly-incorporated Village of North Pelham was scheduled for about four weeks later.  Feelings remained so raw, however, that the Citizen's League and the People's Party continued to battle and ran two slates of candidates against each other in the election.  To make matters worse, there were initial allegations that changes in certain election laws implemented by New York State earlier in the year (1896) meant that the referendum should not have been held under an older law implemented in 1894.  According to members of the People's Party, the old law allowed any resident of majority age to vote in such a referendum but, under the new law, only taxpayers could vote.  That meant, according to the People's Party, that about fifty of the 132 ballots cast in the referendum were invalid.  The People's Party began consultations with a local lawyer to invalidate the results of the vote.  

On September 26, 1896, residents of the newly-incorporated Village of North Pelham gathered to cast ballots for officers of the new village.  The officers would serve for about six months until new elections could be held during the ordinary election cycle in March 1897.  The Citizen's League offered a slate of candidates led by Jacob Heisser for President of the new Village.  The People's party offered a slate of candidates led by Daniel Kennedy for President.  One hundred twenty five votes were cast.  What followed is nearly unbelievable.  According to one account:

"After the polls closed the tellers proceeded to count the ballots.  There were 125 votes cast.  On the first count the tellers elected Daniel J. Kennedy as President by one majority.  The tellers were requested to count the ballots again.  They did so, and found that Daniel Kennedy and Jacob Heiser [sic] were tied for President.  The ballots were counted again, and the tellers declared that Heiser was elected by one majority.  George H. McGalliard and Louis O. Young were elected trustees by one majority.  Baltis F. Crowell and Alexander Anderson, both seeking the treasureship, were tied.  The People's party will take the matter to the courts to try and have a new election held."  (See full text of article below.)

Citizen's League member and pro-incorporation Pelhamite Jacob Heisser was declared the victor and served as the first President of the new Village.  Though somewhat unclear, it appears that the People's Party filed no lawsuits, apparently because the new 1896 election law was deemed not to apply to a referendum of the sort conducted for Village incorporation.  Nevertheless, feelings continued to run high as the two opposing camps hurtled toward the new elections in the spring.    


In early March, 1897, the two opposing camps each held nominating conventions for the election.  It seems that by that time, passions had moderated and tempers had cooled somewhat.  There are indications that residents of North Pelham and members of the People's Party had settled into the notion that the decision to incorporate as a village would not be reversed.  Thus, the two opposing camps began to battle over other issues like which infrastructure improvements should be made first and whether the voters should be consulted before undertaking some of those improvements.  According to one account:


"The nominations of the Citizen's Party were made first, at a convention held Thursday evening at the Fourth avenue Parish House.  The nominees chosen are:  Jacob Heisser, president; Otto Stroetzel, trustee for two years; Thomas R. Schott, treasurer; William Edinger, collector.  Mr. Heisser and Mr. Edinger have served the village faithfully and conscientiously during their first term and this will probably secure for them a re-election.  Mr. Stroetzel, to whose indefatigabe efforts incorporation is largely due, possesses all the qualifications for an efficient trustee.  School Trustee Scott would make an excellent village treasurer.  Several resolutions were adopted at the meeting to the effect that the party favors the sewering and macadamizing of Fifth avenue and Fourth street from throughout their entire extent as the first step towards improvements and also such other improvements as the taxpayers desire.

The Peoples party held its convention on Saturday evening in the Town Hall.  The following were the candidates chosen:  Michael J. Lynch, president; Daniel J. Kennedy, trustee; Baltis F. Crewell, treasurer; John T. Logan, collector.  The chief points of the platform adopted are as follows:  That the party disapproves each resolution of the platform of the Citizens' party.  That the first improvement should be the establishing of a general grade in the village.  The next step should be to properly grade and repair each and every road in the village.  That laying of sidewalks is favored if the same are voted by a majority of the tax payers."  (See entire article quoted below.)


On Tuesday, March 16, 1897, voters gathered again to select from the candidates presented by the two opposing camps.  A total of 128 ballots were cast.  In contrast to the election held the previous September, this election resulted in a complete victory for the People's Party.  The results were described as follows:


"The following are the candidates and the number of votes received by each:  for president -- Michael J. Lynch 66, Jacob Heisser 55; for trustee -- Daniel J. Kennedy 70, Otto E. Stroetzel 51; for treasurer -- Baltis F. Crewell 67, Thomas R. Scott 54; for collector -- John T. Logan 62, William Edinger 61."  (See text of entire article included below).


The Citizen's League and the People's Party were becoming interwoven within the fabric of the politics of the newly-incorporated Village of North Pelham.  Incorporation, it turned out, was the right decision for the little settlement of Pelhamville.

Map of Pelhamville Published in 1868. Source: Beers, F.W.,

Atlas of New York and Vicinity from Actual Surveys By and

Under the Direction of F.W. Beers, Assisted By A.B. Prindle

& Others, pg. 36 (NY, NY: Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1868) (Detail

from Page 36 Map Entitled "Town of New Rochelle, Westchester

Co., N.Y. (With) Pelhamville").  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

Transcribe below is the text of a host of additional articles touching on the topic of today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"PELHAM AND WOODLAWN.
-----
Pelham. . . . 
-----

THE PROPOSED INCORPORATION

CHESTER PARK, July 13th, 1896.

To the Editor of The Chronicle:

Dear Sir: -- Permit me to thank the people of Pelhamville and the Chronicle through the columns of your most estimable journal for the interest taken and the valuable support given me in my struggle to incorporate Pelhamville and that part of Chester Park belonging to the Town of Pelham.  There can be no doubt at all as to the result, now that every body has come to understand that there will be no assessments levied for improvements; that, after bonding the new village, the tax rate will be hardly any higher, and that there will be no expensive officials to pay.  The election for or against incorporation will take place on Saturday, August 29th, between 10 A.M. and three P.M., the election for village officers three weeks later, on Saturday September 19th.  Contrary to the belief of some of the taxpayers, the law provides that every voter shall take part in these elections, and not only taxpayers.

The survey and map have been ordered and will be ready for examination in about eight or ten days; the census has been taken, and according to law notices will be posted that this census, mmp and verbal description are open to public inspection at a place yet to be designated.

Permit me to say furthermore that, while our committee is sure of victory, it does not intend to go to sleep, knowing very well that we have a small but very determined minority to overcome.  While we respect the opposition of those whose opposition is based on honest conviction, and have no respect for those who oppose incorporation for selfish reasons, we intend to fight them all, tooth and nail, until the end is accomplished.

Very respectfully yours,

OTTO E. STROETZEL.

PELHAM, N.Y., July 13th, 1896.

Editor of The Chronicle:

It is to be hoped that the vigorous attempt now being made by Mr. Stroetzel and his colleagues to accomplish the incorporation of Pelhamville (as it is still familiarly called) will be staunchly backed up.  It was evident at the mass meeting, held last week, that there was an undercurrent of opposition, but after listening to the statements there made, it is difficult to see on what possible grounds this opposition is based.

Even supposing the improvements so badly needed had to be paid for by a small addition to the tax rate, the benefits reaped in an increased value of land for residential purposes, would make it a splendid business bargain.  But, on the contrary, it was clearly shown by reference to Pelham Manor, that a thoroughly general and efficient system of improvements in roads, sidewalks, lights, &c., could be had and paid for by a bond issue, the yearly interest charge for which would be less than is now paid for the spasmodically poor attempts of the past few years.

Surely, if the issue is studied fairly and thoughtfully, every resident, be he owner or renter, trademan or wage earner, must feel that the argument for incorporation is all one way.

With the village incorporated and improvements made, outsiders will be attracted and instead of being  kind of 'Sleepy Hollow' this place will take that position in the rank of suburban residential places, which its beautiful natural advantages fully entitle it to.  And the undoubted pecuniary gain to property owners accruing, should make them a solid unit in the endeavors now being made to bring it about.

Yours obediently, 

SUBURBAN."

Source:  PELHAM AND WOODLAWN -- Pelham, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 17, 1896, p. 3, col. 3.  

"PELHAM AND WOODLAWN
-----
Pelham.
-----

The Incorporation Committee has issued  circular entitled 'Why should you vote for incorporation of North Pelham?'  It is an excellent treatise on the matter of incorporation and plainly foretells the benefits and advantages to be derived from such an incorporation.  In it the question of how to secure improvements, such as good roads, sidewalks, drainage, sanitation and lighting, is asked, and is answered in the following extract:

'First -- You can get greater improvements under present conditions by simply increasing your tax levy.  But the burden of immediate payment would make this course unjust and intolerable.

'Second -- You can get them by annexation to Mount Vernon.  But the system of assessments for improvements in vogue there would be as burdensome.  Undoubtedly, great advantages would follow annexation, but how about immediate benefit?  Would you not be somewhat in the position of the residents in the districts recently annexed to New York, who have immediate taxation with remote benefits?

'Third -- You can have village incorporation as now advocated.  After incorporation as now advocated.  After incorporation you can raise by the issue of bonds, sufficient funds to make all necessary improvements, such as roads, sidewalks, etc., at once, under your own direction, and therefore, exactly as you wish them done.  The yearly interest charge on bonds will be less than we now pay for repairs.  Therefore, you should vote for incorporation.'

The election is held next Saturday from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M."

Source:  PELHAM AND WOODLAWN -- Pelham, The Chronicle [Mt. Vernon, NY], Aug. 21, 1896, No. 1755, p. 3, col. 3.  

"PELHAM AND WOODLAWN
-----
Pelham.
-----
INCORPORATION VICTORIOUS.
-----
It Was a Close Vote, But It Means That North Pelham Will Soon be a Village.
-----

It is now North Pelham.  Saturday the question of local incorporation was decided in the affirmative by the small majority of two votes.  132 ballots were cast, 67 being for and 65 against.  The election was conducted by Supervisor Shinn and Town Clerk Caffrey, the polls being open from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon.

During that time both the incorporators and the anti-incorporators worked hard in bringing out the voters.  Many business men staid [sic] home all day in order to vote and help their side to win.  In the afternoon the contest became exceedingly interesting and the outcome was awaited with eagerness and ill forbodings.  When the votes were counted however there was a loud hurrah by the victors.

Mr. Otto E. Stroetzel, President of the Citizen's League, who instituted the movement, and the committee in charge, deserve special praise for their untiring and successful efforts.

The election of officers will be held sometime before the 18th inst.  The complement of officers consists of a president, three trustees, a treasurer and a clerk, the last of which is appointed.  For the office of president, the names of Mr. O. E. Stroetzel and Dr. Charles A. Barker have been mentioned, but no caucuses have been held yet to nominate tickets of which there will be at least two. . . . 

Since Saturday evening a beautiful American flag has been floating from the tower of MMr. Stroetzel's handsome home in Chester Park, to commemorate the incorporation victory."

Source:  PELHAM AND WOODLAWN -- Pelham -- INCORPORATION VICTORIOUS -- It Was a Close Vote, But It Means That North Pelham Will Soon be a Village, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 4, 1896, p. 3, col. 3.  

"WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
-----
A Village Election.

To-day an election of officers for the newly incorporated village of North Pelham is being held in the town hall at that place.  There are two tickets in the field, one comprising those who favor incorporation, and known as the citizens' party candidates, and the other is called the People's ticket and was organized by the anti-incorporation voters.  As both parties have nominated prominent men an exciting contest is generally looked for."

Source:  WESTCHESTER COUNTY -- A Village Election, The Evening Post [NY, NY], Sep. 26, 1896, p. 20, col. 6.  

"THE COUNTY. . . . 

TO-DAY'S ELECTION IN NORTH PELHAM. -- The recently incorporated village of North Pelham will have its first election of officers, this afernoon.  There are two tickets in the field -- one supported by those who favored incorporation, and the other by those who were opposed to it."

Source:  THE COUNTY, The Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Sep. 26, 1896, Vol. XIII, No. 3945,  p. 4, col. 4.  

"COUNTING IN NORTH PELHAM.
-----
With 125 Ballots Cast the Tellers Can't Decide the Election.

MOUNT VERNON, N. Y., Sept. 26. -- The first election of village officers in the town [sic] of North Pelham ws held to-day in the Town Hall, and it created great excitement.

A month ago the citizens held an election and voted for incorporation of the town [sic] of North Pelham by two majority.  The citizens in favor of annexation formed a league which they called the People's party.  Those in favor of incorporation formed a club which they named the Citizens' League.  To-day both leagues had tickets in the field.  The polls opened at 9 A.M. and closed at 4 P.M.  After the polls closed the tellers proceeded to count the ballots.  There were 125 votes cast.  On the first count the tellers elected Daniel J. Kennedy as President by one majority.

The tellers were requested to count the ballots again.  They did so, and found that Daniel Kennedy and Jacob Heiser were tied for President.  The ballots were counted again, and the tellers declared that Heiser was elected by one majority.  George H. McGalliard and Louis O. Young were elected trustees by one majority.  Baltis F. Crowell and Alexander Anderson, both seeking the treasureship, were tied.  The People's party will take the matter to the courts to try and have a new election held."

Source:  COUNTING IN NORTH PELHAM -- With 125 Ballots Cast the Tellers Can't Decide the Election, The Sun [NY, NY], Sep. 27, 1896, Vol. LXIV, No. 27, p. 9, col. 2.

"PELHAM AND WOODLAWN.
-----
Pelham. . . . 

Those who were opposed to incorporation have engaged S. J. Stilwell as counsel to have the election declared void on the ground that it is illegal, having been conducted under the laws of 1894 instead of 1896.  The difference between these laws is that in the latter one, only taxpayers are qualified to vote while formerly all residents were entitled to cast a ballot.  The anti-incorporators were defeated in the first village election, they electing only one trustee and a treasurer.  They are therefore rather disgruntled and desire to upset the whole thing.  The prime movers in the matter are ex-Judge Vincent Barker, defeated candidate for village trustee, Justice F. M. Lyon, Town Clerk Caffrey and others.  Those who uphold incorporation claim upon legal advice that the election will stand."

Source:  PELHAM AND WOODLAWN -- Pelham, The Chronicle [Mt. Vernon, NY], Nov. 13, 1896, No. 1767, p. 3, col. 3.  

"NEW ROCHELLE. . . .

The faction which was opposed to the incorporation of the village of North Pelham is making arrangements to have the recent election of village trustees set aside.  It is alleged that over fifty persons voted who were not taxpayers.  The proposition for incorporation was carried by a plurality of one vote."

Source:  NEW ROCHELLE,   N.Y. Tribune, Jan. 23, 1897, Vol. LVI, No. 18332, p. 10, col. 6. 

"THE COUNTY. . . . 

NOT SETTLED YET. -- The North Pelham village incorporation election is not settled yet.  The faction which was opposed to the measure is taking steps to have the election set aside, on the ground that over 50 persons who cast votes were not taxpayers.  The measure was carried by a plurality of only one vote."

Source:  THE COUNTY, The Yonkers Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Jan. 23, 1897, Vol. XIV, No. 4044,  p. 4, col. 4.  

"PELHAM AND WOODLAWN.
-----
PELHAM. . . . 

The Approaching Election.

The second election of the Village of North Pelham will be held on Tuesday next at the Town Hall, the polls being open from 1 P. M. until sunset.  The candidates for the four offices which will be vacant were not nominated until the latter part of last week.  They are given below.

The nominations of the Citizen's Party were made first, at a convention held Thursday evening at the Fourth avenue Parish House.  The nominees chosen are:  Jacob Heisser, president; Otto Stroetzel, trustee for two years; Thomas R. Schott, treasurer; William Edinger, collector.  Mr. Heisser and Mr. Edinger have served the village faithfully and conscientiously during their first term and this will probably secure for them a re-election.  Mr. Stroetzel, to whose indefatigabe efforts incorporation is largely due, possesses all the qualifications for an efficient trustee.  School Trustee Scott would make an excellent village treasurer.  Several resolutions were adopted at the meeting to the effect that the party favors the sewering and macadamizing of Fifth avenue and Fourth street from throughout their entire extent as the first step towards improvements and also such other improvements as the taxpayers desire.

The Peoples party held its convention on Saturday evening in the Town Hall.  The following were the candidates chosen:  Michael J. Lynch, president; Daniel J. Kennedy, trustee; Baltis F. Crewell, treasurer; John T. Logan, collector.  The chief points of the platform adopted are as follows:  That the party disapproves each resolution of the platform of the Citizens' party.  That the first improvement should be the establishing of a general grade in the village.  The next step should be to properly grade and repair each and every road in the village.  That laying of sidewalks is favored if the same are voted by a majority of the tax payers.

Mr. Lynch is at present one of the Town Commissioners of Highways with which office he has been connected for a number of years.  Mr. Kennedy who was defeated for president last year by one vote, will undoubtedly make a strong run.  Mr. Crewell has very ably looked after the duties of the treasurer since his election.  Mr. Logan, who was defeated for collector last year, has been renominated."


Source:  PELHAM AND WOODLAWN . . . The Approaching Election, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY]., Mar. 12, 1897, p. 3, col. 3.  


"PELHAM AND WOODLAWN.
-----
People's Ticket Victorious.


The election of the Village of North Pelham on Tuesday was a complete victory for the People's Party, its full ticket being chosen.


The polls opened at one o'clock and closed at 6:04 P.M.  The total vote cast was 128.  The election was conducted by Trustees McGalliard and Young and Village Clerk Case.  The balloting was done in a quiet and orderly manner.


The following are the candidates and the number of votes received by each:  for president -- Michael J. Lynch 66, Jacob Heisser 55; for trustee -- Daniel J. Kennedy 70, Otto E. Stroetzel 51; for treasurer -- Baltis F. Crewell 67, Thomas R. Scott 54; for collector -- John T. Logan 62, William Edinger 61.


The entire vote -- 128, exceeded that of last year by three."


Source:  PELHAM AND WOODLAWN -- People's Ticket Victorious, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 19, 1897, p. 3, col. 3. 

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Stories About The Old Wolf Homestead in Pelhamville, Told by J. Gardiner Minard

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For many years there stood in Pelhamville a house built by Anthony Wolf.  It stood on the north side of Third Street between today's Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.  The home was said by many to be the oldest home in the Village of North Pelham.  It stood along a dirt pathway barely wide enough for a single horse and cart.  That simple, unpaved roadway followed a pathway once carved into the countryside by local Native Americans that ran parallel to the Hutchinson River.  The pathway extended from the Boston Turnpike (today's Boston Post Road) all the way to the little house built by Anthony Wolf.  Today we know that little country lane as Wolfs Lane and Fifth Avenue.  

In about 1898, Henry Straehle, Sr. and his wife took possession of the Anthony Wolf home.  They redesigned the interior and converted the home into a boarding house.  Henry Straehle also installed bottling equipment and, later, refrigeration equipment in the basement.  He operated a soda bottling business from the basement for about a decade.  Straehle sold and delivered his bottled sodas along a route that covered mostly City Island and Mount Vernon, although he had some soda bottling business customers in Pelham.  I have written about Henry Straehle, Sr. and his bottling business before.  See Fri., Jul. 11, 2014:  Bottlers Who Operated in the Pelhams in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries.

Anthony Wolf Farmhouse in an Undated Photograph.

Photograph Courtesy of The Office of The Historian

of the Town of Pelham.  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

In 1908 or 1909 (J. Gardiner Minard believes it was 1909), the Wolf homestead was moved to make way for the Fifth Avenue Station and the tracks of the New York, Westchester & Boston Railway that once passed through the Village of North Pelham.  The home was moved around the block to 210 Sixth Avenue.

J. Gardiner Minard was a former Pelham newspaperman who became one of the oldest residents of the Village of North Pelham.  He once boarded at the Wolf Homestead while it was operated by Mrs. Straehle as a boarding house.  Periodically Minard wrote about his reminiscences of Pelhamville and the early days of the Village of North Pelham.  In 1938 and 1939, he published in The Pelham Sun a three-part series in which he recounted anecdotes about the old Anthony Wolf Homestead.  The text of each of those three articles, followed by citations and links to their sources, appear immediately below.

"THE OLD DAYS 
By
J. GARDINER MINARD

In another column of The Pelham Sun is a legal ad that will probably be noticed by about one reader in a hundred; and about one in ten of those will read it through with interest.  It is a foreclosure sale of the house and lot on the east side of Sixth avenue between Fourth and Third streets.  More properly it may be identified as 210 Sixth avenue.  It is the Wolf homestead.  The oldest house in North Pelham, it stood originally on an acre of ground on the north side of Third street from Fifth to Sixth avenues.  In 1909 the property was sold to the new Boston and Westchester and the house moved to its present location.  The house has a peculiar interest to me for it was the house that I gave as my home when I enlisted in 1917 and it so appears in my enlistment papers.

But here is another story; in 1908 on a bright June morning I was seated on the front porch when my attention was attracted by a short, stout man:  almost bald, with ruddy face and snow white moustache.  He was coming up the driveway, his eyes sweeping the entire front of the building and smiling broadly.  He greeted me cordially and said:

'I am Andy Wolf; the last of the tribe.  I was born in this house and a short time ago a notion occurred to me to find out whether the house was still standing and, if so, to see it once more before I die.  I wrote a friend to that effect and he replied that the house was still standing so I have come all the way from California to see it.'

I called Mrs. Straehle who gave him a hearty greeting and after explaining that she was very busy, asked me to show him over the house.  We first went down the stone steps to the basement and his eyes danced with joy as he identified the flat slabs of sandstone with which the areaway was paved and remarked that his father laid those stones.  He chuckled upon entering the kitchen in the basement and remarked that his family also had used the basement for a kitchen but the wood burner had given way to a coal range and there was no hot water boiler then.  We entered the cellar but he was not so sure of himself as now it was filled with bottling machinery and and a big ice box had been built there; but he showed some excitement when he pointed to the girder and floor beams overhead which showed the marks of the adz.  These timbers, he explained, were all hewn by hand from trees felled on the spot.  We now went up the same cellar stairs that he had ascended as a child and he again registered joy as he found the dining room unchanged and the old fireplace still there.  The pantry was now Mr. Straehle's office.  

His eyes glistened as he stood in his old bedroom which had not been divided into two rooms, as were two other bedrooms.  We now went down to the front door and first opened the two glass doors in the panels and pointed to the iron grill covering it from the outside.  This, he explained, was for the purpose of identifying anyone who came knocking at the door at night.  You carried the lamp to the door and opened one of these little doors and asked the caller to come close so you could see who he was.  Again he registered happiness when he beheld the old original door bell.  You pulled a handle and it drew a wire and started the bell on the end of a spiral spring jingling.  Again and again he pulled the knob and told how as a child he liked to ring it and was often scolded for it.

He stood on the porch and waved his hand toward Lather's woods (Pelhamwood) and said 'The woods extended right down to the river.  My father and grandfather cleared it and where all these houses and stores are now was the farm lands and pasture.  There was a lane that began at the Boston Turnpike and came right up to the front door.  I noticed a street sign the other side of the track showing they still call it Wolf's Lane.'

What lucky star directed Andy Wolf to the house in 1908?  A year later he would have found it in a different location and he most certainly would never have derived the same amount of satisfaction."

Source:  Minard, J. Gardiner, THE OLD DAYS By J. GARDINER MINARD, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 4, 1938, p. 10, cols. 6-7.

"THE OLD DAYS 
By
J. GARDINER MINARD
 Tales of the Old Wolf Homestead No. 2

While cleaning up the pile of rubbish in the pavilion, Jack Pellicci, who was giving me a hand, called out, 'Hey!  What do you call this?' and held in his hand what looked like a cross on a long pole.  At sight of it my memory went back to a mid-Summer day in 1899.  The Straehles had taken possession of the old Wolf homestead in November, 1898.  Directly across the street, where the Boston & Westchester station now stands, was Reilly's blacksmith shop.  Mrs. Straehle came from the County Clare, Ireland, and spoke Gaelic fluently.  Reilly also spoke the language, but as he had no one to converse with for years, he was somewhat rusty in its use.  It did not take him long to discover Mrs. Straehle's familiarity with it and he spent much time there brushing up on his Gaelic.  In those days Reilly's shop was a favorite meeting place for all the famous characters of the 'Pelhamville' era.  

Being a news gatherer, I put in about an hour a day absorbing the village gossip.  A dime spent for a growler of beer was good for a column of news.  Reilly was welding old horseshoes together and showing much enthusiasm over it.  This evoked my curiosity, and when we were alone he confided to me that he was making an old-fashioned Irish pike such as the Irish in olden times used in opposing the attacks of the English soldiers.  It was to be a present for Mrs. Straehle.  He hammered out a spear head and across the shank one side soon had a long narrow axe like blade and on opposite side a hook.  When it was completed he went to Jake Heisser's store where you could buy anything from a pound of butter to a plow.  He purchased a long rake handle which he fitted in the pike head.

Learning from him the approximate time it would be ready for presentation.  I sat with a group in the bar room when Reilly entered with his pike.  Smiling broadly, he glanced about and taking a position in the middle of the floor where all could see, he held it up before Mrs. Straehle who was behind and asked, 'Did you ever see one of those, Mrs. Straehle?'

'I did not, Jim,' she replied.

'You're a fine Irishman,' he growled.  Let me state here that Jim Reilly in those days did not carry an ounce of fat.  He was slightly stoop-shouldered and his hair, eyebrows and flowing moustache were coal black.  Taking a half-squatting position, he held the pike firmly in his hands and with the lethal end up at an angle of 45 degrees, explained that the English soldiers, mounted, were charging the Irish who are afoot.  The glint of battle was in his eye as he watched his victim approach.  With a sudden lunge forward and a sweep of the arms he yelled, 'You take the hook and hook the bridle of his horse and break the reins -- that makes him lose control of the horse.  Now, (another hook in the air and yank) you hook him by the neck and drag him off the horse to the ground.'  Before the astonished soldier was aware just what had happened, Reilly sprang forward and placing a foot on the helpless victim brought the spear down.  'Then you drive the spear through his heart,' he explained.  Reilly now seized the handle with both hands near the end and gave an imaginary tug to withdraw the spear and jumping to one side he made a chop with the axe and said 'then you cut his head off.'

Having finished a good job, he turned in triumph to Mrs. Straehle whose face registered horror.  'And did he kill him, Jim?' she asked.  Reilly regarded her with disgust for a second.  Gentle reader, this is a family paper and I cannot repeat Mr. Reilly's exact words, but they implied that the Englishman was really dead.

*     *     *     *

In the pile of rubbish in the center of the floor I found an Irish blackthorn.  When Reilly completed his first term as Village President, he returned to Ireland, his first visit since coming to this country during the 80's.  Returning, he brought with him a half dozen blackthorns and this one he had presented to Mrs. Straehle.  [NOTE an "Irish Blackthorn" is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel typically made with a large knob at the top.]  What strikes one forcibly is with all the time, labor, material and expense to which people go to give pleasure to others, the articles become junk when the principals die."

Source:  Minard, J. Gardiner, THE OLD DAYS By J. GARDINER MINARD -- Tales of the Old Wolf Homestead No. 2, The Pelham Sun, May 12, 1939, p. 12, cols. 6-8.  

"THE OLD DAYS
By
J. GARDINER MINARD
Tales of the Old Wolf Homestead No. 3

I put a catch on the window of the bedroom at the southwest corner of the upper floor.  To my knowledge there has been no lock on that window in 45 years and I doubt if there ever was one, as no screw marks show.  That window has a little story of its own.  When the Straehle's took possession in 1898, Mrs. Straehle decided to take in boarders and had that room divided so as to increase the number of bedrooms.  The corner room was a spare and the adjoining one was occupied by Henry, Jr., better known as 'Son.'  I often used the spare room.  Straehle established a soda bottling plant in the basement and had two large routes; one in New Rochelle and the other in City Island.  He had a smaller route in Pelham.

During the busy season the bottling machines had to be operated all day.  Son was a pretty good bottler, but he could not be gotten out of bed before noon.  This necessitated the hiring of a bottler.  In vain his father and step-mother tried to get him out of bed in the morning and would appeal to me as to whether they should get a doctor for him inasmuch as they thought he always retired early.  I knew what was the matter but kept it secret.  Son loved to dance and attended dances every night.  He knew just where the next one would be held, whether in New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, Tuckahoe, etc.  He would start for bed at night, noisily undress, shake the bed and then quietly get dressed, sneak out that window, creep over the piazza roof and climb down the corner post and away.  After the dance he would return and get in the same way.  When I occupied this room it was necessary for him to pass through.

Around the top of the piazza is a row of heavy wooden fancy ornaments, one over each post.  The one on the corner he would put his arm about in order to swing over the gutter.  One morning while returning, this ornament broke loose and both came tumbling to the ground, hitting the tub of water below for watering the horses and dumping it over him.  He gave a yell that aroused the household.  I explained that he was walking in his sleep.  This satisfied Mrs. Straehle, but when his father could talk to me alone he winked and said, 'It's a good think the Missus didn't smell his breath.'"

Source:  Minard, J. Gardiner, THE OLD DAYS By J. GARDINER MINARD -- Tales of the Old Wolf Homestead No. 3, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 2, 1939, p. 4, cols. 1-2. 

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The Great Furniture Fight of 1896: Company of Pelhamville Firemen Resigned En Masse

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Very early in its history, Pelhamville's Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 experienced a great deal of turmoil among its members.  On one occasion in 1896, nearly all of the members of the company resigned en masse in what came to be know as the Great Furniture Fight of 1896.  I have written before about the events that embroiled the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 during the spring of 1896.  See, e.g., Fri., May 6, 2005:  The Great Furniture Battle at Pelhamville's Relief Hook and Ladder Company in 1896.  

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog provides additional background and context to the dispute which, of course, was about much, much more than furniture.  In early 1896 there were a variety of disputes among members of the organization as members tried to resolve early political squabbles.  Eventually, those disputes resulted in resignation of most members of the company, the removal of the furniture from the new firehouse, and litigation.


Political infighting seems to have intensified in March of 1896 when the Board of Fire Commissioners of Pelhamville summoned two brothers, Eugene and Frank Lyon, who were members of Liberty Hose Company No. 1 and the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, respectively.  The brothers were charged with insubordination for unspecified conduct that the local newspaper was very careful not to disclose, referring to their conduct only as "the questions at issue."

The Board considered the allegations sufficiently serious that it retained counsel to serve as "the prosecution" during the hearing.  (Arthur M. Johnson served as the prosecutor.)  The two brothers appeared before the Board represented by their own counsel, S. J. Stilwell.  A first hearing was held, but no decision was reached and the hearing was adjourned until March 24, 1896.  On that occasion, "the questions at issue were disposed of and the Messrs. Lyons exonerated."  Source:  CHARGES AGAINST LYON BROTHERS DISMISSED.  -- Commissioner Sparks Alleged Insubordination, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 27, 1896, Vol. XVL, No. 1218, p. 2, col. 4.

Although no record has been located to indicate what were the origins of the allegations of insubordination, it seems nearly certain that the charges were tied to a disputed election to determine who would serve as the Fire Chief held in 1896.  Frank M. Lyon, one of the brothers charged with insubordination, was the Foreman of Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and led the revolt.

Applicable law at the time gave the Board of Fire Commissioners the power to appoint a Fire Chief and an Assistant Fire Chief to lead the Department consisting of the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and the Liberty Engine and Hose Company No. 1.  It seems that in early 1896, each of the two companies nominated one of their own members to stand for election to the position of Fire Chief.  The Liberty Engine and Hose Company No. 1 was the larger of the two companies, so the result of the election seemed a forgone conclusion.

What happened next, however, became a matter of dispute for decades thereafter.  When the election ended, the two companies' candidates for Fire Chief were tied.  Rumors swirled that the smaller Relief Hook and Ladder Company had pulled some sort of unspecified "fast one . . . under the noses of the commissioners" in an attempt to swing the vote favor of its candidate.

The rumors that some sort of fix was in intensified when the Board of Fire Commissioners ordered a new election.  The Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 objected to any such new election.  Rumors swirled anew that the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 knew that it would not be able to repeat its election feat and, thus, refused to cooperate further.

Angry and fed up with the bickering, the Board of Fire Commissioners decided to exercise its statutory prerogative and appoint the Fire Chief.  They decided to appoint neither of the two candidates nominated by the two companies but, instead, appointed one of the most illustrious members of the community:  Jacob Heisser (who, months later, became the first President -- i.e., Mayor -- of the newly-established Village of North Pelham).  

Jacob Heisser in an Undated Photograph.

Source: The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY],

Jan. 19, 1927, Special Pelham Section, p. 9, col. 2.

NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

Pelhamville firemen were outraged.  They viewed the appointment of Jacob Heisser as an infringement of a right to choose their own Fire Chief that had evolved without regard to the statutory provisions authorizing the Board of Fire Commissioners to appoint a chief.  

Frank M. Lyon, the foreman of Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and one of the two Lyon Brothers previously charged with insubordination, led a revolt.  He called a special meeting of the company and proposed that the company be disbanded and that all the furniture (all of which had been purchased by the firemen) be removed from the firehouse.  Five company members, led by Phil Godfrey, refused to participate and warned the rebels that "they were making a serious mistake that would create more enemies than friends."  The rebels ignored the warning.  The vote to disband the company carried with only five members voting "no."  The fact that there were five "no" votes, however, eventually became very important.

Philip Godfrey, Leader of the Dissenters Who Voted

Against Disbanding the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.

"PHILIP GODFREY in the first uniform of Relief Hook

& Ladder Co. No. 1"  Source:  Allyn Van Winkle, G, Volunteer Fire

Companies In First Fire District Were Organized In 1893,

The Pelham Sun, Apr. 12, 1935, pg. 11, col. 1 (Pelham, NY).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The rebels proceeded to remove the furniture of the fire house including even the chairs on which the five dissenters had been seated.  They carted desks, chairs and furnishings away, locking it all in a nearby barn.  

The Board of Fire Commissioners responded quickly.  In a special meeting they ordered the firemen to return the furniture.  According to one account, in response to their order, the commissioners "only received the rebel cheer."  Next they filed suit seeking return of the furniture.  

At a hearing held in White Plains, counsel for the firemen "produced the books to show that a meeting was held and the motion duly carried; also he produced receipts to show that the firemen had bought the furniture and had a right to remove it."  Counsel for the Board of Fire Commissioners, however, had a novel theory.  He argued that although the rebels had resigned from the company, they had failed effectively to disband the organization because the by-laws provided that "five men shall constitute a quorum to proceed with the business of the meeting."  According to the argument, after the rebels resigned and carried off the furnishings, the remaining five dissenters continued the meeting as a quorum and remained members.  Thus, the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 continued to exist with the five dissenting members.  The court ordered return of the furniture.  The chagrined rebels were forced to submit to the will of the Board of Fire Commissioners.

Members of the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1

in a Photograph Taken At About the Time of the Events

Described in Today's Posting.  Original Image from an

eBay Auction Listing Identifying the Photograph

Only as "Pelham, NY" and "1895."

NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

Below are transcriptions of a several articles (and an excerpt of one article) that describe the events summarized in today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blow.  Each is followed by a citation to its source.

"CHARGES AGAINST LYON BROTHERS DISMISSED.
-----
Commissioner Sparks Alleged Insubordination.
-----

Some weeks since William H. Sparks, a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners of Pelhamville, summed [sic] before that body Eugene and Frank Lyon, borthers, and members of Liberty Hose and Relief Hook & Ladder Companies respectively, charging them with insubordination.

At the first hearing the accused appeared with counsel.  No decision was reached, however, and an adjournment was taken to Tuesday evening, March 24.

On that occasion the questions at issue were disposed of and the Messrs. Lyons exonerated.  S. J. Stilwell represented the Lyon brothers and Arthur M. Johnson, the prosecution."

Source:  CHARGES AGAINST LYON BROTHERS DISMISSED.  -- Commissioner Sparks Alleged Insubordination, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 27, 1896, Vol. XVL, No. 1218, p. 2, col. 4.

"Pelhamville Volunteer Fire Dept., 45 Years Old
-----
Old Timers Recall Days When Fire Department Was Organized As 'Bucket Company'; When Citizens First Volunteered To Render Community Service in Fighting Fires.
-----

*     *     * [Portions omitted]

Under the Town Laws the fire commissioners had the power to appoint a chief and assistant chief; each to hold office at the pleasure of the board.  At the earnest request of the firemen, this law was waived and the firemen permitted to elect their own candidates.  This resulted in one of the biggest upheavals in the department.  The hose company had a larger membership than the truck company, and each nominated its own candidates; the rule being that the two officers could not represent the same company.

In 1896 an election was held; the commissioners, as usual, acting as inspectors of eoection.  It resulted in a tie vote.  The commissioners ordered another election, but the truck company objected.  Many rumors were afloat as to why this should be, but the one that persisted was that the truck company had pulled a fast one on the hose company under the noses of the commissioners and knew it could not be repeated.

Angered by the refusal of the firemen to carry out their order, the commissioners thereupon exercised their prerogative and appointed -- not one of the candidates -- but Jacob Heisser, who was not a candidate.  It was not that the firemen objected to Mr. Heisser, but they saw their privileges being curtailed.  Judge Frank M. Lyon, the local butcher, and foreman of Relief Hook and Ladder Co., called a special meeting and laid the matter before the volunteers.  He suggested that the company be disbanded and, as the furniture had been purchased by them, they take it away with them.  Phil Godfrey warned the men that they were making a serious mistake that would create more enemies than friends, but the motion was made and carried, Godfrey and four others alone voting against the motion.  'Come on boys, follow me' called the foreman, seizing the swivel chair on which he had been seated and swinging it over his shoulder.  The others picked up chairs, desk and other articles of furniture and marched out, taking with them the chairs, desk and other articles of furniture and marched out, taking with them the chairs on which the dissenting members had been seated.

The commissioners held a special meeting and ordered the firemen to return the furniture, but only received the rebel cheer.  Then the commissioners carried the case to court at White Plains.  Counsel for the firemen produced the books to show that a meeting was held and the motion duly carried; also he produced receipts to show that the firemen had bought the furniture and had a right to remove it.  Counsel for the commissioners produced the by-laws of the company that stated that 'five men shall constitute a quorum to proceed with the business of the meeting,' and as five members still remained in the company, it still existed as a company.  The Court agreed with the commissioners and ordered the furniture returned.  The furniture, which had been stored in Merritt's barn at the foot of Fourth avenue and First street, was brought back. . . ."

Source:  Pelhamville Volunteer Fire Dept., 45 Years Old, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 1, 1938, Vol. 28, No. 52, p. 1, cols. 2-3. 

"PELHAMVILLE'S ANGRY FIREMEN.
-----
At Law with the Commissioners over Their House Furniture.

PELHAMVILLE, N. Y., April 21. -- It has been decided to settle the trouble in Relief Hook and Ladder Company in the courts.  Foreman Frank M. Lyon and a majority of the members of the company resigned last week, declared the company disbanded, and carried away the furniture of the firehouse.  J. Heisser, as Chief of the Fire Department and a member of the company, objected to this proceeding and secured a writ of replevin from Justice Swinburne at New-Rochelle Saturday, and the goods were carted back to the firehouse and placed under lock and key by a Deputy Sheriff.  The Deputy Sheriff still has possession of the goods.  The case will come before Justice Swinburne Tuesday.  Foreman Lyon says he and his friends will carry the matter to the higher courts and fight until they get possession of the furniture.

Foreman Lyon says the whole trouble has arisen because the Fire Commissioners have taken from the firemen the right to elect their Chief and have made the office an appointive one. The firemen who have resigned declare that the Fire Department of Pelhamville is going to pieces unless the Commissioners yield."

Source:  PELHAMVILLE'S ANGRY FIREMEN, N.Y. Times, Apr. 22, 1896, p. 3, col. 4 (paid subscription required).  

*          *          *          *          *

Below is a list of prior Historic Pelham Blog postings that touch on firefighting and the history of fire fighting units within the Town of Pelham.

Thu., Feb. 12, 2015:  Rare 19th Century Image of Pelhamville Firemen Who Served in Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.

Fri., Dec. 12, 2014:  Parade and Housewarming Hosted by Pelhamville Fire Department in 1894.

Thu., Jul. 24, 2014:  Dedication of the New Fire Headquarters in the Village of Pelham on December 29, 1927.

Wed., Jul. 02, 2014:  Election Shenanigans Involving Fire Commissioner Election in 1898.

Thu., Apr. 24, 2014:  Information About the History of Fire Departments in the Town of Pelham Published in 1927.

Fri., Jan. 24, 2014:  Early Days of Organized Fire Fighting in Today's Village of Pelham.

Fri., Jan. 15, 2010:  Photograph of Augustine C. McGuire, President of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the First District Fire Department in 1913.

Thu., Jan. 14, 2010:  1913 Report of the Firemen's Benevolent Association in Pelham.

Thu., Dec. 10, 2009:  More 19th Century Baseball and Firefighting References.

Tue., Dec. 08, 2009:  The Darling Triplets: Three Brothers Among Pelham's Earliest Firefighters.

Thu., Oct. 08, 2009:  Firefighting Units on City Island in Pelham During the Early 1890's.

Mon., Aug. 31, 2009:  Contest in 1891 To Determine Which Steam Fire Engine Company Could Throw a Stream the Greater Distance.

Fri., Aug. 28, 2009:  Reorganization of the Minneford Engine Company on City Island in February, 1891.

Thu., Aug. 06, 2009:  Brief History of the Fire Department in the Village of North Pelham Published in 1913.

Wed., Aug. 05, 2009:  Pelham Manor Fire Chief Pleads for Taxpayers to Authorize Purchase of Village's First Fire Engine.

Wed., July 15, 2009:  Liberty Hose Company Election in 1898.

Thu., Jan. 19, 2006:  Pelham Manor's Earliest Fire Fighting Equipment.

Mon., Aug. 01, 2005:  An 1896 Inspection and Drill of the Fire Department in Pelham.

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