Prank Pulled on Editor of Pelham Newspaper by Pelham Manor Prankster in 1897

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It was an early instance of unintended Fake News!  In 1897, Pelham had -- for the first time in its history -- competing weekly newspapers.  J. Gardiner Minard of the Village of North Pelham was founder, editor, and sole beat reporter of the Pelham Press.  In 1897 Alfred E. Stevens of Mt. Vernon noted the success of the Pelham Press and decided to start a rival newspaper:  the Pelham Record.  

Many Pelhamites resented what they deemed to be the "intrusion" of a rival newspaper based outside of their community in Mount Vernon.  That summer, one Pelham resident decided to do something about it.  He pulled a prank on the Mount Vernon-based editor of the new newspaper.  

I have written repeatedly about the history of newspapers in the Town of Pelham.  For a few examples of many more such articles, see:

Fri., Feb. 22, 2019:  More About The Pelham Manor Tribune (1893 - 1896), One of the Earliest Newspapers Published in Pelham.

Mon., Aug. 04, 2014:  A History of Newspapers Published in Pelham.

Thu., Jun. 26, 2014:  A History of the Early Years of The Pelham Sun, A Pelham Newspaper Institution. 

Mon., Sep. 05, 2005:  The Pelham Republican: Official Newspaper of The Villages of Pelham and North Pelham in 1902. 

Mon., May 23, 2005:  Thomas M. Kennett, Long Time Editor of The Pelham Sun. 

Fri., Apr. 01, 2005: The Earliest Newspaper in Pelham?

Jim Beecroft of the Village of Pelham Manor was the consummate prankster.  Indeed, he was so good at his craft that he could execute entertaining pranks at a moment's notice as he did one summer afternoon in 1897 when he happened to see the Mount Vernon editor of the new Pelham newspaper, Alfred E. Stevens, on the streets of Pelham.

That afternoon Beecroft was standing outside the local pharmacy at One Fifth Avenue speaking with J. Gardiner Minard, editor of the Pelham Press.  The pair observed Alfred E. Stevens, editor of the new rival newspaper, walking along Fifth Avenue toward them.  Beecroft whispered to Minard not to "give me away" and slipped into the pharmacy as Stevens approached.

Stevens arrived, greeted Minard, and the two men began speaking.  Soon, Beecroft emerged from the pharmacy with an arm bandaged and resting in a sling.  As Minard looked on, Stevens asked Beecroft how he had been injured.

Beecroft spun a fantastic yarn -- a tale of epic seamanship that led to injury.  Though he was an experienced sailor himself, Beecroft intentionally misstated details of the ship on which he supposedly was injured -- details experienced mariners would recognize as false but an uninitiated land lubber would certainly not.  Beecroft reportedly told Stevens:

"I was one of 18 guests aboard Commodore Gerry's private catboat 'Sea Nymph,' on a cruise up the Sound yesterday, when off Execution light a sudden squall came up and the crew were sent aloft to take in the topsails.  I saw they were in trouble and being something of a sailor myself through experience on my own cruising yacht, I went up to give them a hand.  I was standing on the yard at the mizzen holding the reef when a sudden blow yanked the sail from my hands and I lost my footing and fell to the forecastle deck and broke my arm.  Fortunately Commodore Gerry's physician was aboard and set it.  He says it will be alright in a couple of weeks."

J. Gardiner Minard played along with the prank.  He listened to the wild account told by his friend and nodded with appropriate concern and empathy.  

Little did land lubber Stevens know that a "catboat" such as that on which Beecroft claimed to be injured was barely bigger than a rowboat.  It was not, as seamen of the day would say, a "full rigger" with topsails, a yard, and mizzen sail.  It could not possibly carry a crew, an owner, eighteen guests, and a physician.  Nor would such a tiny boat have topsails.  Yet, the editor of the new rival newspaper fell for the story "hook, line and sinker."  He returned to his newspaper offices and wrote an entire article that recounted Beecroft's terrible injury when wind yanked the reef from his hands and toppled him to the forecastle deck, breaking his arm.  The article appeared on the front page of the newspaper in its next issue.

The Cat Boat by Edward Hopper (1922), Etching on Paper.

Smithsonian American Art Museum.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Jim Beecroft was not yet done with his prank, however.  Once the newspaper hit local newsstands, Beecroft bought many extra copies and mailed them to local seamen including a number on City Island.  

Among those to whom he mailed the newspaper was Captain Jake Smith, retired seaman and owner of the Macedonia Hotel on City Island.  Captain Jake, as he was called, received the newspaper and gathered local seamen in his bar at the hotel where he read the article.  All had a grand laugh at the expense of poor Alfred E. Stevens and the Pelham Record.  Then that group of seafaring men hatched their own plan to enjoy even more laughter at the expense of Editor Stevens.

For years thereafter, whenever any new sailor appeared in the bar of the Macedonia Hotel, Captain Jake would tell the story of Jim Beecroft and his fall from the yard at the mizzen sail to the forecastle of a catboat where he broke his arm.  Each time each skeptical sailor would dispute the account and question the sanity of Captain Jake.  Captain Jake then would bet a round of drinks for everyone in the bar if he could "prove" his account.  Once the bet was made, Captain Jake would whip out the newspaper article and claim that it "proved" the account.  Typically, though not always, the new sailor would acknowledge that he had been had and, with great laughter, would buy a round of drinks for all in the bar.  According to one account:  "The game was worked day after day until the clipping became so frayed that it was hardly legible.  Every sailor caught wanted to pass the buck to some shipmate and Jake did a land office business."

"THE OLD HISTORIC MACEDONIA HOTEL, CITY ISLAND, N. Y."

An Undated Postcard Image of the Macedonia Hotel.  NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

Captain Jake made a small fortune from the many rounds of drinks that newcomers were forced to buy over the years in the bar of the Macedonia Hotel.  Consequently, after Captain Jake learned how the news story had originated from a prank played by Jim Beecroft with the participation of Captain Jake's close friend, J. Gardiner Minard (editor of the rival Pelham Press of Pelham), Captain Jake never allowed Minard to pay for a meal or drink in when he partook in the Macedonia Hotel.  

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Below is an account of the prank pulled by Jim Beecroft and J. Gardiner Minard in 1897.  The text is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO
(Pelham Press, June 18, 1897)

(Continued from Last Week)

The Pelham Press had now been running 15 months and was firmly established in the hearts of the residents of the town so that when the new paper, Pelham Record, put in its appearance, the people resented the intrusion.  No matter how editor Stephens worded his news items, the one concerned was angry, but he was a glutton for punishment and always came back for more.  It remained for 'Jim' Beecroft of Pelham Manor to spill the beans for him.  Jim had a fertile brain for mischief and on a fine June morning in 1897 he was in conversation with the editor of the Press on the corner of Fifth avenue and First street when the latter remarked that the editor of the new paper was approaching from near Second street, 'is that the new editor?  Hold him until I come out and don't give me away,' replied Jim as he disappeared into Lyman's drug store on the corner, without further explanation.

The two editors were in conversation when Jim emerged with his left arm bandaged and in a sling.  Stephens gazed at the arm and asked what was the matter, and this is the story Jim told:  'I was one of 18 guests aboard Commodore Gerry's private catboat 'Sea Nymph,' on a cruise up the Sound yesterday, when off Execution light a sudden squall came up and the crew were sent aloft to take in the topsails.  I saw they were in trouble and being something of a sailor myself through experience on my own cruising yacht, I went up to give them a hand.  I was standing on the yard at the mizzen holding the reef when a sudden blow yanked the sail from my hands and I lost my footing and fell to the forecastle deck and broke my arm.  Fortunately Commodore Gerry's physician was aboard and set it.  He says it will be alright in a couple of weeks.'

Stephen swallowed the whole story, hook, line and sinker, and it appeared on the first page properly displayed.  Jim bought several copies and mailed marked copies to several friends.  Among these was Jake Smith, a retired sea captain who owned the Macedonia Hotel at City Island.  Smith's place was situated near the shipyards, sail lofts and dock and was the first place sailors stopped when vessels put in to be refitted or overhauled.

There was always a number of seafaring men in the small barroom and Captain Jake was popular.  

The Record arrived and Jake took off the wrapper, adjusted his spectacles and read the story with astonishment.  Then he rapped on the bar for attention, glared under his bushy iron red eyebrows to see that his order was obeyed and began to read the story.  Hardly had he read two lines before the men began arising from tables and chairs and approached the bar with open mouths and staring eyes.  He silenced all talk and laughter until he had finished and asked all hands to have a drink while he told his plans.  The men agreed to co-operate with him and he cut the article out and placed it in a drawer behind the bar.  The men returned to their places and appeared in ordinary conversation when a newly arrived captain strolled in, and walked to the bar.  Jake feigned great annoyance and the captain remarked that Jake looked worried about something.  Jake replied that he was worried; a great friend of his had met with a bad accident.  He then began relating the story and the visitor who had raised a glass to his lips, stopped suddenly, stared at Jake, replaced his full glass slowly on the bar and exploded, 'Jake, what are you talking about?  Topsails on a catboat, carrying a crew, besides 18 guests, owner, physician and possibly a number of stowaways.  Why, a catboat isn't any bigger than a rowboat.'

Smith feigned irritation at this and offered to bet drinks for the house he was right and could prove it.  The visitor swore that Jake was crazy and would stake his life and all he owned including his ship that Jake was referring to a full rigger and not a catboat.  The other men arose and backed Jake and the visitor swore some more and accepted Jake's offer of drinks for the house and defied him to prove his claim.  Jake first put out the drinks and then solemnly took the clipping from the drawer and handed it gravely to the skipper.  The latter started reading and punctuated every line with an oath.  He roared, argued and  swore but finally paid for the drinks.  With the money in his hand, Jake smiled, which was a signal for all hands to break into a hearty laugh except the stranger.  Then Jake asked all to drink up and have a drink on the house.  Everything was explained to the skipper and he joined in the laughter and said, 'wait here and I will bring the mate and we will put it over on him.'

The game was worked day after day until the clipping became so frayed that it was hardly legible.  Every sailor caught wanted to pass the buck to some shipmate and Jake did a land office business.  The editor of the Pelham Press and Jake were old friends and when Jake was informed how the story originated, the editor never could pay for anything he ordered at the Macedonia Hotel."

Source:  PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO (Pelham Press, June 18, 1897), The Pelham Sun, Jul. 1, 1927, p. 12, cols. 1-5.  

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News From the Pelham Press of June 4, 1897

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In 1896 and 1897, the new Village of North Pelham was so tiny that one could stand "in the center and see every neighbor across its boundaries."  Yet, the tiny little settlement previously known as Pelhamville had its own little newspaper:  the Pelham Press.  

The few reports from the Pelham Press that exist are extant only because the editor of the newspaper, J. Gardner Minard, provided transcriptions of news from the little newspaper to The Pelham Sun which published the news thirty years later, in 1926 and 1927, in a series of columns entitled "Pelham 30 Years Ago."  Historic Pelham has transcribed a number of such columns given their historical significance and interest.  See, e.g.:

Wed., Oct. 07, 2015:  The Week that Was in 1896: Pelham Press News of Pelham, November 19, 1896 to November 25, 1896.

Tue., Aug. 30, 2016:  News Reported by the Pelham Press on February 13, 1897. 

Wed., Jan. 31, 2018:  News from the Pelham Press Printed on May 21, 1897.

 Fri., Sep. 29, 2017:  Professor David A. Van Buskirk's Scandalous Musicale in North Pelham in 1897 (transcribing "PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO" that reproduced news from the Pelham Press published Jan. 23, 1897).

Today's Historic Pelham article focuses on news from the Pelham Press published on June 4, 1897.  The news, reprinted by The Pelham Sun on June 10, 1927, is transcribed at the end of today's article.  

As one might imagine, in a tiny settlement like North Pelham in 1897 with a series of dirt roads that criss-crossed the neighborhood, there were no street signs.  Though many of the dirt roads had street names, even some North Pelham residents did not know the name of the streets on which they lived.  Consequently, the Pelham Press began agitating for the erection of street signs.

As the Pelham Press noted, the expense necessary to erect such signs would not require the issuance of a bond.  The newspaper admitted, however, that it was "True it is no easy matter to get lost in a village where you can stand in the center and see every neighbor across its boundaries, but many local residents would like to be enlightened as to the name of the street on which he resides."  Interestingly, the paper cited one example involving Park Place in North Pelham, a tiny one-block street that still extends between Eighth Avenue and Ninth Avenue just north of today's Lincoln Avenue.  The newspaper said:  "One gentleman who has resided on Park place for over six months just learned from us yesterday the name of his street."

Another fascinating aspect of the news from the Pelham Press of June 4, 1897 involved the new-fangled "safety bicycle" that swept the nation during the last two decades of the 19th century.  A variety of news reports Pelhamville and, later the Village of North Pelham, make clear that from the time wood plank sidewalks were first established in Pelhamville in the mid-1880s, bicyclists using the sidewalks instead of the muddy, rutted roadways were an annoying and dangerous problem.  In 1897, the Village of North Pelham had a relatively new ordinance forbidding bicyclists from using its sidewalks to ply their hobby.

Despite the ordinance, bicyclists continued to avoid the roadways and use the local sidewalks.  The Pelham Press expressed sympathy for local bicyclists, however.  It noted:  "
North Pelham should repair the streets of the village, especially Fifth avenue, so as to make it passable in wet weather.  Who can blame bicyclists for using the sidewalks."

One bicyclist who found himself in the clutches of the law in the Village of North Pelham in 1897 was William Howe of nearby Mount Vernon.  Howe, it seems, was a resident of Third Avenue in Mount Vernon and was a long-time bicycle enthusiast.  He is noted in a local newspaper as early as 1892 as having fallen from his bicycle and "strain[ing] both hands."  

On Monday, May 31, 1897, William Howe was delivering a new bicycle to a family in the new neighborhood of Chester Park in North Pelham.  The family was none other than that of Mr. and Mrs. William T. Standen, the founders of Chester Park.  The couple had purchased a new "Safety Bicycle" for their daughter.

A "Safety Bicycle" as it then was called, was a bicycle that resembled what we think of today as an ordinary bicycle with two equally-sized wheels.  This distinguished it from the so-called "High Wheelers" with a giant front wheel and tiny rear wheel.  Such High Wheelers were difficult to mount, difficult to dismount, and could be wobbly and hard to maneuver.

Image from 1904 Dictionary of Technology Showing an 1880

"High Wheeler" Bicycle on the Left and a So-Called "Safety

Bicycle" on the Right.  Source:  "Safety Bicycle" in Wikipedia --

The Free Encyclopedia (visited Feb. 4, 2018).  NOTE:  Click on

Image to Enlarge.

Howe rode the Safety Bicycle through North Pelham on his way to deliver it to Chester Park that day.  As he rode, a Town Constable at the corner of Fifth Avenue and First Street near Lyman's Pharmacy saw him and shouted at him to stop riding on the sidewalk.  According to the Pelham Press, "Howe was going at a good speed and tried to obey the command but not fast enough to please Marks who promptly placed him under arrest."  Howe was hauled before Judge Lyon who fined him $10 under the new bicycle ordinance (about $355 in today's dollars).  After Howe protested and threatened to test the new ordinance in court, Judge Lyon reduced the fine to $5.

The Pelham Press further criticized the Town Constables for what it believed was uneven and unequal enforcement of the North Pelham bicycle ordinance.  The newspaper claimed that the ordinance was enforced against non-residents, but was not enforced against North Pelham residents.  As the newspaper put it:

"Complaint is being received at this office that the local constables are drawing a distinction in making arrests for violation of the North Pelham ordinances, especially the one relating to the riding of bicycles on the sidewalks.  We have seen enough evidence to give this report much color and would suggest that these officers of the law enforce against all, local as well as outsiders."

The Pelham Press of June 4, 1897 also reported on the status of efforts by the Village of Pelham Manor to install new sewers.  The village sewer commissioners, according to the account, voted during a meeting held on Friday, May 28, 1897 to award a contract for installation of the new sewers to Smith Brothers, a contracting firm based in the Village of North Pelham.

It is difficult to imagine a time in Pelham when the main news of the day involved the need for street signs so people would know the name of the street on which they lived, the enforcement of ordinances against riding new-fangled "Safety Bicycles" on the local wood plank sidewalks, and a contract to construct new sewers.  Yet, such was the time in Pelham on June 4, 1897 before our little town grew up.

 

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"PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO
(Pelham Press, June 4, 1897)
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Bruce T. Dick and family have removed to Prospect Hill, Pelham Manor.
-----

A meeting of the board of trustees of the village of North Pelham will be held next week for the purposes of appointing a village treasurer.
-----

At the meeting of the sewer commissioners of the village of Pelham Manor held last Friday night, the contract for the installation of the new sewers was awarded to Smith Bros.
-----

Frank Benz killed a large muskrat in the stream in the rear of his residence last Sunday.  Frank says the stream is swarming with them.
-----

North Pelham should repair the streets of the village, especially Fifth avenue, so as to make it passable in wet weather.  Who can blame bicyclists for using the sidewalks.
-----

The Ivanohoe Giants of New Rochelle defeated the Pelham Manor Field Club last Saturday to the tune of 23 to 20.
-----

Louis Schwab, a driver for John Grab, a New Rochelle beer bottler, was arrested by Constable Marks last Friday for selling bottled beer in North Pelham in violation of the village ordinance in peddling without a license.  Schwab protested that he was only receiving orders and later delivering them, but was unable to produce an order book for evidence.  Judge Lyon found him guilty and imposed a fine of $5.
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The young son of John Lowery of Fifth avenue was run over last Tuesday by a wagon belonging to J. Trohn of New Rochelle.  The little fellow was crossing the street near Heisser's grocery store when he was struck and the rear wheel passed over his leg.  He was not seriously hurt, however.
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William Howe of Mount Vernon was arrested last Monday afternoon by Constable Marks for riding his bicycle on the sidewalk.  Howe was on his way to Chester Park to deliver a safety bicycle to the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William T. Standen.  Marks was on the corner of 5th avenue and First street at the time and shouted to Howe to get off the sidewalk.  Howe was going at a good speed and tried to obey the command but not fast enough to please Marks who promptly placed him under arrest.  Before Judge Lyon he was fined $10 but protested and the fine was reduced to $5.  This he paid with a threat to have the case tested in the higher courts to decide whether the paths in North Pelham come under the laws governing sidewalks.
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Relief Hook and Ladder company received an invitation from Clinton Hook and Ladder company to be its guests at the parade in Mount Vernon last Monday.  Unfortunately the invitation had to be declined with with thanks as the local company is reduced to five members while Clinton has sixty.
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One of the most necessary improvements in North Pelham and one which will require no bond issue is the installation of street signs.  True it is no easy matter to get lost in a village where you can stand in the center and see every neighbor across its boundaries, but many local residents would like to be enlightened as to the name of the street on which he resides.  One gentleman who has resided on Park place for over six months just learned from us yesterday the name of his street.
-----

Complaint is being received at this office that the local constables are drawing a distinction in making arrests for violation of the North Pelham ordinances, especially the one relating to the riding of bicycles on the sidewalks.  We have seen enough evidence to give this report much color and would suggest that these officers of the law enforce against all, local as well as outsiders."

Source:   PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO (Pelham Press, June 4, 1897), The Pelham Sun, Jun. 10, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 16, p. 10, cols. 1-3.

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News from the Pelham Press Printed on May 21, 1897

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During the late 1920s, the Village of North Pelham Historian, J. Gardner Minard, pulled out old copies of the Pelham Press that he published in the late 1890s and made them available to The Pelham Sun which, thankfully, reprinted news from those early newspapers.  In 1927, The Pelham Sun periodically reprinted the news from 1897 in a column titled "Pelham 30 Years Ago."  

Today these periodic news vignettes provide a fascinating glimpse of life in Pelham at the very end of the 19th century.  For example, on May 27, 1927, The Pelham Sun published news from the May 21, 1897 issue of the Pelham Press.  Today's Historic Pelham article highlights some of the more significant news of that day and transcribes the text as printed by The Pelham Sun, followed by a citation and link to its source.

The news of the Pelham Press made a brief reference to a fascinating piece of Pelham history.  In 1896, the tiny settlement of Pelham Heights with only a handful of residents stole a march on the adjacent settlement of Pelhamville and obtained special legislation authorizing it to incorporate as the smallest village in the State of New York.  When Pelham Heights incorporated, it co-opted the name "Pelham" and had its village boundaries set to include ALL of the New Haven main line railroad properties including the railroad station within the new Village of Pelham.  To the shock and dismay of Pelhamville residents, the long-time name of the railroad station, "Pelhamville Station," was scrapped and the station was renamed "Pelham Station."  For more, see:

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

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

Mon., Sep. 29, 2014:  The Heights Tells North Pelham: So What if We Pulled a Fast One and Renamed the Train Station? Get Over It! 

Thu., Oct. 05, 2017:  North Pelham Officials Wouldn't Let it Go: 1906 Resurrection of the Fight Over Naming the Train Station.

Shortly after the Village of Pelham was incorporated in 1896, Pelhamville incorporated as the "Village of North Pelham."  There was a deafening outcry in North Pelham over not only the co-opting of the Pelham name by the handful of residents who lived in Pelham Heights, but also the fact that the valuable New Haven line properties including the renamed railroad station were included within the Village of Pelham, thus giving that tiny village substantial property tax revenue paid by the New Haven railroad.  

Pelham Heights would not relent on being renamed, but in 1897 it relented on the placement of its northern boundary.  The Village of Pelham agreed to move the boundary to the center line of the New Haven main line railroad tracks, thus placing the railroad station within the boundaries of the new Village of North Pelham.  According to the Pelham Press:

"The village of Pelham has ceded to the village of North Pelham one-half of the property of the New Haven Railroad Company, including the downtown station.  When the village of Pelham was incorporated last year the entire railroad property was included within its boundaries.  This gave the village a valuable bit of good taxable property."

The Pelham Press of May 21, 1897 also notes that in May, 1897 "A new drinking fountain [was] placed at the corner of Fifth avenue and Fourth street for horses and animals.  This is one of the only known references to the horse fountain that once stood at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Lincoln Avenue (known as Fourth Street in 1897).  There are no known images of the North Pelham horse fountain, unlike the horse fountain that once stood at the intersection of Boston Post Road and Esplanade in Pelham Manor.  See:

Wed., Jun. 22, 2016:  1904 Newspaper Photograph of Pelham Manor Horse Fountain on Boston Post Road.

Fri., Aug. 15, 2014:   The Old Horse Fountain on Boston Post Road at the Esplanade.   

Thu., Nov. 05, 2015:   The Earliest Days of the Automobile in Pelham.  

Tue., Dec. 30, 2014:   Article from April 23, 1910 Issue of The Pellham Sun. 

 "Fountain and Esplanade.  Pelham Manor, N. Y."

Undated Postcard View of the Horse Fountain at

Esplanade and Boston Post Road, Circa 1910.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

News from the May 21, 1897 Pelham Press also confirms another important fact of life in late 19th century Pelhamville and the early days of the Village of North Pelham.  There was no local hospital.  Thus, Lyman's Pharmacy at the corner of Fifth Avenue and First Street often served as a makeshift emergency care center.  

For example, during a baseball practice game held on the baseball diamond that once stood along today's Lincoln Avenue on Monday, May 17, 1927, Pelhamite Harry Patters sprained his ankle badly.  He was carried to Lyman's Pharmacy where he was treated for the injury.  Barely a year later, Harry Patterson was dead -- Pelham's only casualty during the Spanish-American War that raged briefly from April 21, 1898 until August 13, 1898.

1910 Postcard View of One Fifth Avenue, the Lyman Pharmacy

and U.S. Post Office, Designed by Architect Arthur G. C. Fletcher.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The same Pelham Press article also highlights an issue that seems quaint and odd in modern Pelham.  For many, many years, children who attended school where today's Hutchinson Elementary School now stands had to go to a well for a fresh drink during the school day.  The well is referenced in a number of sources.  According to one reference, it was dug in 1874:

"In 1874 a well was sunk at the foot of the stone steps leading up the hill to the school. Previous to this time two boys were usually sent for a pail of water. They would sometimes take this opportunity to waste a couple of hours of precious time."

Source:  Montgomery, William R., "THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE ON THE HILL PELHAMVILLE" (undated typewritten manuscript in collections of The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham).

By 1897, with water being piped to local households, such wells were unnecessary and dangerous.  Thus, according to the Pelham Press, in late May of that year the Board of Trustees of the Village of North Pelham ordered that the well be filled, which it was.

The text from the Pelham Press of May 21, 1897 contains a number of additional fascinating references to life in late 19th century Pelham.  It makes wonderful reading for students of Pelham History and appears below.

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"PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO
(Pelham Press, May 21, 1897.)
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The annual spring games of the New York Athletic Club are scheduled for June 5th.

The Pelham A. C. will cross bats with the North Sides of New Rochelle on Memorial Day.  Each team has scored a victory and this game will take place in New Rochelle will be for blood.

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The initial number of the Pelham Record made its appearance May 14.  We welcome our little brother.

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A new drinking fountain has been placed at the corner of Fifth avenue and Fourth street for horses and animals.  

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The old open well which stands in the lot opposite the North Pelham school has been filled in.  It was considered dangerous and the filling in was ordered by the North Pelham trustees.

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Mr. and Mrs. Pedro P. de Arozarena of Pelhamdale avenue, Pelham Heights, are sailing for Europe next week for an indefinite stay.

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At the regular meeting of the North Pelham trustees held at the Town Hall, Tuesday night, two bills were laid over because they were not made out on village bill heads.  Former tax collector, William Edinger, was present and asked that his bondsmen be released, which was granted.  The monthly report of the village treasurer was received but as it showed an unaccountable shortage the board held a recess to straighten it out.

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James Gillen, 13, of Mount Vernon was the first victim of the bicycle ordinance.  He had just bought a new wheel and was trying it out on the North Pelham sidewalks when Constable Marks arrested him.  Brought before Judge Lyon, the court did not take the offense so seriously and suspended sentence.

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Walter J. Moye, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Moye of Second avenue, met with a painful accident last Saturday.  While chopping wood a piece struck him in the eye impairing the sight.

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Times are pretty hard when a man will stoop so low to steal a tie rope, but that is what happened to Dr. Charles A. Barker last Saturday night.  He left his horse hitched outside his gate while he went inside and when he came out the animal was loose and the rope missing.  It was fortunate he came when he did as the animal is a fiery animal and has run away several times.

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Nathan Jacobs, a peddler, residing at 87 Clinton street, New York City was tried before Judge Lyon Monday night on a charge of disorderly conduct.  He was selling writing paper and matches and called at the blacksmith shop of James Reilly.  Mr. Reilly bought some paper from him and finding he had no license, gave him a friendly warning that the constable would get him.  His reply was a lot of indecent language and Reilly ordered Constable Marks to arrest him.  He was locked up and when arraigned before Judge Lyon was very repentant and wept copiously and the court suspended sentence with a warning.

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During a practice game on the diamond on Fourth street, Monday, Harry Patterson sprained his ankle badly and was brought to Lyman's drug store where it was attended to.  It will be some time before he can use it again.

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A grand missionary service will be held at St. Catherine's [sic] Church, Sunday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.  Father Godfrey, the famous missionary, will conduct the service.

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Mrs. Emily Fauret, of Fourth street, met with an accident last Friday.  While in Skinner's store in Mount Vernon, she was descending the stairs from the second floor when her heel caught in the rubber mat and she fell down the flight to the first floor.  She suffered only from shock and minor bruises.

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What might have been a serious accident occurred at the North Pelham school last Monday.  The pupils were being marched from the first to the second floor when suddenly the floor settled at the side about six inches.  The coolness of the teachers averted a panic among the pupils.

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On Thursday, May 20th, Mrs. Minna E. Raisbeck of Pelham Heights and John Butler of New York City were married at the First Reformed Episcopal Church, New York City, by the Rev. George W. Huntington.  Mr. and Mrs. Butler will make their home in Pelham Heights.

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The village of Pelham has ceded to the village of North Pelham one-half of the property of the New Haven Railroad Company, including the downtown station.  When the village of Pelham was incorporated last year the entire railroad property was included within its boundaries.  This gave the village a valuable bit of good taxable property."

Source:   PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO (Pelham Press, May 21, 1897.), The Pelham Sun, May 27, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 13, p. 14, cols. 1-3.

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Professor David A. Van Buskirk's Scandalous Musicale in North Pelham in 1897

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Pelham tongues wagged for weeks over the scandal.  Indeed, Pelhamites were made to look like fools by one of their own, Professor David A. Van Buskirk of River Avenue in the Village of North Pelham.  (River Avenue disappeared with the later construction of the Hutchinson River Parkway.)

Professor Van Buskirk announced that he would sell tickets and hold a "musicale" on the evening of Saturday, January 30, 1897.  He put up posters all over Pelham announcing that famed actress Lillian Russell, famed minstrel performer George H. Primrose, famed Broadway producers Weber & Fields, and a host of other "leaders of the stage" would attend the musicale.

Ticket sales were brisk.  On the appointed evening, the old wooden Town Hall (predecessor to today's Town Hall building at 34 Fifth Avenue) was full.  Indeed, it was "crowded."

The evening began with Professor Van Buskirk stepping in front of the audience waving a handful of supposed "telegrams" from all of the leaders of the stage, each "regretting their inability to appear" but "wishing him much success" with his musicale.

The crowd was disappointed, but settled in for an entertainment.  Little did they know that the opening performer was none other than little Sadie Van Buskirk, beloved daughter of Professor David A. Van Buskirk.  

The next performer was another youth who performed "some rather vulgar songs."  Some of the audience were offended, and left.  Then the "youth reappeared later partly dressed and began some risque stories."  The crowd turned ugly and began hissing.  Every woman in the audience stood and left.  All but a handful of the men in the audience followed.  

Professor Van Buskirk "came out smiling" and urged the crowd to wait, saying that "the floor would now be cleared for dancing."  There was, however, no one left to dance because all had left.

The scandalous show "almost ruined future really worthy entertainments given at the hall for two years."

Detail from Undated Photograph of the Original Pelham Town Hall

on Fifth Avenue on an Election Day.  This is Where the "Musicale"

Was Held on January 30, 1897.  Source: Courtesy of The Office of

The Historian of The Town of Pelham. Note: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Detail from Plate 20 of John F. Fairchild's Atlas of Mount Vernon and Pelham

Published in 1899 Showing Location of Original Meeting Hall and

Courthouse on the Fifth Avenue Lot Where Today's Pelham Town

Hall Stands.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

Below is the text of the fascinating article that forms the basis of today's Historic Pelham article.  On March 1, 1896, North Pelham resident J. Gardiner Minard founded a local newspaper named "Pelham Press."  The newspaper lasted only a couple of years until Minard left to serve in the Spanish-American War.  Few copies of any of the newspapers exist today.  Luckily, however, during the 1920s Minard submitted to The Pelham Sum summaries of the news from his copies of the Pelham Press, often styled as "Pelham 30 Years Ago" and the like.  Occasionally, he added commentary to explain references from the old newspapers.  Below is one example of "Pelham 30 Years Ago" published on January 28, 1927.  It contains information regarding David A. Buskirk's "musicale."

"PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO
(Pelham Press January 23, 1897)

Next Saturday night a musicale will be given at the town hall with a dance following.  The proceeds are for the benefit of Prof. David A. Van Buskirk of River avenue.  [Editor's Note:  The following parenthetical was not reported in the original Pelham Press on January 23, 1897.  Instead, it was a "Note" added to the reprint in 1927 by J. Gardner Minard long after the fact regarding the "musicale" that was held as announced in the Pelham Press.]  (Note -- The posters announced that Weber & Fields, George H. Primrose, Lillian Russell and a host of the leaders of the stage at that time would appear.  The hall was crowded and Van Buskirk appeared with 'telegrams' from the different stars regretting their inability to appear and wishing him much success.  The singing of Miss Sadie Van Buskirk, daughter of the professor, was good, but when a youth appeared next with some rather vulgar songs, some of the audience left.  The youth reappeared later partly dressed and began some risque stories which caused every woman and all but a handful of men to leave amid much hissing.  Van Buskirk came out smiling and said the floor would now be cleared for dancing, but there were none to dance, and all left.  This show almost ruined really worthy entertainments given at the hall for two years.)  [Editor's Note:  End of updated added by J. Gardner Minard in 1927.]

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Henry Iden has men engaged in cutting the ice on his pond on Wolf's lane.  The work began last Wednesday and it is expected that the ice house will be filled with this crop.

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Philip Flynn, of the oldest and best known residents of City Island died at his home there last Saturday.  The interment took place Thursday.

Two cases of pneumonia were reported this week:  Mrs. H. T. Stone of Fourth avenue and Mr. Wilson-Barker of Second avenue, North Pelham.

+++

The North Pelham board of health complains that out of town doctors practising in the village are not reporting contagious cases as required by law.

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Ethel Jones, little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. H. Jones of Mayflower avenue, found a bottle labeled 'poison' in a vacant lot last Friday and brought it to the North Pelham school.  Principal Hill saw her about to drink some and asked her what it was.  She replied 'cough medicine.'  He took the bottle from her and brought it to Lyman's drug store where it was found to be laudanum.

+++

During the early part of the week a rumor was in circulation that the Adam's Express Co. would move its North Pelham office to Pelham Manor.  The agent states that while it is true a branch will be opened in the Manor, the Pelham office will remain.

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Miss Florence Archer of Chester Park was seriously injured in an accident last Monday.  She had driven Mr. Miller of Chester Park to the Pelham station and in turning around, the horse cut too short, dumping the young lady out, the carriage passing over her.  she was carried to Lyman's pharmacy in a fainting condition.  She was cut about the head and face but appeared to be all right otherwise.  The horse was caught by James Conkling.

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Former Justice of the Peace Gustav I. Karbach is being mentioned as a possible candidate for that office at the town election which takes place March 16.

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The Pelham Social club held a very successful masquerade ball at the town hall last night.  A large number came from Mount Vernon and New Rochelle.  The feature was an immense Japanese umbrella suspended from the center of the ceiling.  The grand march was led by Thomas Morrelly of North Pelham and Miss Anna Moore of Mount Vernon."

Source:  PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO -- (Pelham Press January 23, 1897), The Pelham Sun, Jan. 28, 1927,  p. 13, cols. 1-2.

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News Reported by the Pelham Press on February 13, 1897

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For a brief time in the late 1890s, Pelham had its first local newspaper named the "Pelham Press."  I have written before of the founding of that little newspaper and have quoted the following account of its creation written by J. Gardiner Minard of the Village of North Pelham:

"During the winter of 1895-96, the late Mark A. Hanna, chairman of the Republican National Committee was forcing the presidential nomination of Governor William McKinley, of Ohio. There was much opposition to McKinley and Hanna with his millions was purchasing the support of certain newspapers. There lived in Stamford, Conn., a tall old gentlemen [sic] by the name of John T. Trowbridge. He resembled Charles Evan Hughes with his flowing beard. Trowbridge saw that Hanna was proceeding with a very expensive program and getting audience with the political leader unfolded the scheme which brought the Pelham Press into being, as well as several other weekly newspapers along the Long Island Sound shore from the Bronx to Milford, Conn. 

These newspapers were to sponsor the McKinley cause. A representative in each city, town and village would edit his particular sheet. All the papers would be printed alike with the exception of the heads, and subheads on the editorial page. Each group of news would be printed under the heading of the locality where it was to be circulated. The papers were printed in New York City and delivered in the various communities by train. The only expense to the editor was the fifty cents express charges. 

Mr. Trowbridge came to Pelham hoping to establish a link of his chain journalism here. I was recommended for the position as editor and I accepted the very flattering offer. 

It was never intended that these newspapers should survive the election, but the Pelham Press had made its mark and when the time for suspension came, the circulation list was rather substantial, and although I pocketed everything, Trowbridge continued to supply me with papers". 

Source: Minard, J. Gardiner, MANY NEWSPAPERS HAVE ENTERED PELHAM FIELD SINCE PELHAM PRESS WAS PUBLISHED IN 1896, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 5, 1929, p. 9, cols. 1-6.

Although copies of the Pelham Press no longer exist, The Pelham Sun periodically published the contents of the tiny little newspaper in the late 1920s as a column entitled "Pelham 30 Years Ago."  By republishing the news of the day thirty years previously in such a fashion, The Pelham Sun created a series of tiny, written time capsules that are the only record of certain happenings in Pelham during 1896 and 1897.

In its February 11, 1927 issue, The Pelham Sun published the Pelham Press news of the week ended February 13, 1897.  Much of the news summarized developments relating to the local fire department including election of leaders of the Relief Hook and Ladder Company as well as an upcoming special election of voters to approve the fire fighting budget for the ensuing year.  

The reports also remind us of a simpler time when the ice man made horse-drawn deliveries of large blocks of ice for placement in wooden "ice boxes" in nearly every home, forerunners of modern refrigerators.  The reports mention the ice houses that once stood near First avenue to store harvest of ice blocks cut from the Reservoir.  

The news of Pelham for the week ended February 13, 1897 offers a fascinating and entertaining glimpse of the nature of our Town shortly before the turn of the 20th century.  Below is the news of that week.

"PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO
(Pelham Press February 13, 1897)
-----

Prof. Van Buskirk of River avenue, North Pelham, for whose benefit a show was given at the town hall last Saturday night, moved with his family to New York City last Monday.

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Willis Morse, a young lad living on Loring avenue, Pelham Heights, has placed on sale at Lyman's pharmacy a number of 'Cuba Libre' buttons with a miniature Cuban flag.  The money derived from the sale of them will be devoted to the assistance of the sick and wounded patriots.

+++

The Christian Endeavor Society of the Church of the Covenant held a very enjoyable social at the church on Second avenue last Wednesday evening.

+++

Monday night a party of North Pelham men suddenly decided to have a good time, so they engaged two large sleighs in Mount Vernon for a straw ride; telephoned Thomas McMahon, proprietor of the Neptune house on Shore road for a beefsteak supper and dance.  'Aunt Jane' Burnett of Prospect Hill was asked through a messenger to collect about twenty dancing partners for the men for a dance to follow at the Burnett residence.  A long drive began at 8 o'clock which led through New Rochelle and landed the party at McMahons at 9 o'clock where a fine supper was awaiting.  After eating the party continued to Aunt Jane's where the dancing partners were waiting and dancing was kept up until 2 a.m.  It was unanimously voted a complete success.

+++

At the regular meeting of Relief Hook and Ladder company held at the fire house last Monday, James W. Penny was nominated for chief and Walter Barker was nominated for assistant chief.  Louis Epple was elected a member and William Edinger, who resigned last year was re-elected to membership.

+++

Notices have been posted for a special election of the taxpayers of the first fire district to be held at the fire house next Monday evening to vote upon the following proposition for the maintenance of the department for the ensuing year:  $50 for a new hose rack on which to dry the hose; $50 for premium on the fire insurance policy which is now due; $50 for lighting and heating the fire house; [illegible] for bills now due and overdue, and $75 for running expenses and repairs.

+++

The ice houses on First avenue having been filled with the last big crop from the reservoir and the prospects for another crop good, Lawrence B. Holler has started work on a second building to immediately adjoin the present structure.

+++

The U.S. Senate on February 9th confirmed the reappointment of Mrs. Katherine L. Merritt as postmaster at the Pelham station.  The local station is at present fourth class and the postmaster is dependent upon the number of stamps and postal orders sold for salary, so all residents are urged to buy at the Pelham office.

+++

Both Democrats and Republicans will hold their annual spring primaries for the nomination of town officials next week.

+++

The Pelham Social club has tickets out for a Calico Hop to be given at the court house on February 25.

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William H. Cars and family of Sixth avenue and Third street, moved last Monday to the Hiawatha-Evangeline apartments and store on the corner of east Third and Fourth streets, Mt. Vernon.  Mr. Cars also moved all his machinery from the Gurney hall and will re-establish his printery at the new location.  All the labels used by the Fleischmann Yeast company are printed at this plant.  Mr. Cars possesses a patent gum which causes paper to stick to tin foil."

Source:  PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO -- (Pelham Press February 13, 1897), The Pelham Sun, Feb. 11, 1927, p. 11, cols. 1-2.  

Detail of 1910 Map Showing Pelham Reservoir,

Filter Beds, and Area Where Ice Houses Once

Stood.  Source: Bromley, George W.

& Bromley, Walter S., Untitled Map Bounded by

Town of East Chester, City of New Rochelle,

Pelham Station, Clarefmont Avenue and Central

Boulevard in Atlas Of Westchester County, Vol. One,

p. 17 (Philadelphia, PA: G. W. Bromley & Co., 1910).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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