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 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.

-----

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

-----

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

-----

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.

-----

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

-----

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.

-----

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.

-----

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.

-----

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.

-----

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.

-----

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.

-----

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.

-----

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.

-----

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.

-----

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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News from the February 2, 1903 Issue of The Pelham Republican

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He had done it many times, always when he was in a hurry to make it to the New York bound platform at the Pelham Train Station from Pelham Heights.  At the time (1903), there was a low metal fence that separated the east-bound and west-bound tracks at Pelham Station to discourage commuters from trying to run across the tracks to get to their platforms.  The fence, however, extended only slightly beyond the station house on the eastern end.  Thus, Pelham Heights commuters running late would simply cross the tracks where the metal fence ended, as August R. Kolb of Pelham Heights tried to do in late January, 1903.  Kolb was late for the 8:41 a.m. train to New York City that fateful day.

The day was foggy.  Visibility was down to a few hundred feet.  Yet, Pelham commuters could see enough.  They watched in horror from both platforms as events unfolded.  

August R. Kolb made his way to the tracks from Pelham Heights at a point near the eastern end of the low fence separating the east- and west-bound tracks.  He was trying to get to the New York bound station platform before his train pulled into the station.  Wearing a fedora and carrying a package, he was running late.  Looking both ways, he began to dart across the tracks.

Precisely as he reached the center of the tracks, two trains burst out of the fog bearing down on him.  As Pelham commuters looked on in horror from the platforms, the two trains barreled past with poor August Kolb nearly in between them.  Commuters watched as his fedora was blown from his head by the rushing hulks and was lifted high into the air.  Some, if not all, may even have turned away from the scene, not willing to view the aftermath.  .

The aftermath, it turned out, was August R. Kolb standing at the end of the low fence separating the tracks frozen in fear and still grasping the last rail of the little fence.  When the trains first burst out of the fog, he had realized he had no chance of making it across either of the two tracks, so he froze in the center of the tracks between the two trains.  It was so tight that as the tumult sucked the fedora from his head and blew it high into the sky, one of the trains also grazed the package he held under his arm.  Though traumatized, Kolb was untouched.  He did, however, miss the 8:41 to New York City that day. . . . 

We know of the close call of August R. Kolb that day because, at the time the Town of Pelham had two tiny local newspapers:  The Pelham Republican and The Pelham Record.  Thirty-seven years later in 1940, August R. Kolb's daughter, Gertrude Kolb, provided a copy of the February 2, 1903 issue of The Pelham Republican to the then local newspaper (The Pelham Sun) which prepared a lengthy article describing the contents of the old newspaper.  The lead story on the front page of The Pelham Republican described how August R. Kolb cheated death.  

We are lucky to have The Pelham Sun article published in 1940 describing the contents of the old newspaper because the old news reported a number of notable Pelham matters and subsequent The Pelham Sun added important commentary with important information including information about the history of the two Pelham newspapers once known as The Pelham Republican and The Pelham Record. 

Trolley Operator James Bailey Was the Inspiration for the Toonerville Trolley Skipper

For nearly a century, there has been debate regarding who was the Pelham Manor trolley car operator who inspired Fontaine Fox to create "the Skipper" who operated the "Toonerville Trolley" in the internationally-famous comic "Toonerville Folks" that was syndicated in newspapers across the United States and ran for nearly fifty years.  Fontaine Fox repeatedly said that he was inspired to create the "Toonerville Trolley" and its skipper based on a trolley ride he took in Pelham Manor.  During that ride he observed the trolley car operator gossip with passengers and, once, stop the vehicle to pick apples in an adjacent orchard.  Who was the trolley car operator who inspired Fontaine Fox to create the "Skipper" and the trolley that "met all the trains"? 

A number of trolley operators on the line claimed that distinction.  See, e.g.:  

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

Fri., May 27, 2016:  Was Max "Maxie" Martin the Man Who Was the Skipper on the Pelham Manor Trolley the Day Fontaine Fox Rode the Line and Was Inspired?

The best evidence always has suggested that the Pelham Manor trolley operator who inspired Fontaine Fox that day was James ("Old Jim") Bailey who lived for many years at 717 Grote Street in the Bronx.  Now, the combination of a reference in the February 2, 1903 issue of The Pelham Republican and the 1940 commentary on the reference printed in The Pelham Sun provides further evidence in support of Old Jim Bailey.  

The Pelham Republican reported in 1903:  "The courteous and popular trolley conductor of the Pelham Manor route was laid up for a few days last week as the result of a fall he received at the car yard of the company.  The injuries received, while painful, were not serious and he is at his post again."  The Pelham Sun, in turn, commented on the report as follows:  "Remember Jim Bailey, the 'Skipper' of the Pelham Manor car?  Fontaine Fox sets 1909 as the year in which he discovered Jim and drew from him the inspiration for the famous 'Toonerville Trolley' cartoons.  Jim had proven his worth to the editor of The Pelham Republican as far back as 1903."

More on the Histories of The Pelham Republican and The Pelham Record

One complete and one partial copy of The Pelham Republican are the only copies of the newspaper published in at least 1901, 1902, and 1903 known to survive. (Lockwood Barr, in his popular History of the Ancient Town of Pelham published in 1946, listed a newspaper published in Pelham known as The Republican, but says it was published only in 1903.) 

The newspaper seems to have been founded in 1901 and was published at least as late as February 3, 1902.  The newspaper was published each Monday and was distributed in the Villages of Pelham, North Pelham and Pelham Manor.  For $2.00 a year, subscribers received a weekly publication that was about eight pages long and focused on local news. The editor and publisher of the paper was W. F. C. Tichborne. On Friday, November 14, 1902 the Board of Trustees of the Village of North Pelham voted to designate the publication as the "official newspaper" of that village.

A summary of the news that appeared in the February 2, 1903 issue of The Pelham Republican appears at the end of today's Historic Pelham article.  The 1940 commentary on that news (published by The Pelham Sun) provides a little additional information on The Pelham Republican.  It said:

"The Pelham Republican was absorbed by The Pelham Sun many years ago.  The late Walter W. F. C. Tichborne was editor and publisher of the eight page tabloid-size weekly newspaper.  According to J. Gardner Minard, Pelham's unofficial journalism historian, the office and printing plant of The Pelham Republican was located on Wolf's Lane not one hundred yards south of the present location of The Pelham Sun office.  The Republican was the first newspaper to be printed in the Town of Pelham.  Tichborne used a Gordon hand press to run off a few hundred copies of his newspaper each Monday."

The 1940 article in The Pelham Sun also provided a little additional information regarding The Pelham Record, the principal competitor of The Pelham Republican in 1903.  It stated:  

"There was one other Pelham newspaper published at that time.  Charles B. Forbes of New Rochelle printed The Pelham Record.  Both of these newspapers served the town for several years until the late Peter Ceder established The Pelham Sun, and in later years The Republican and The Record were absorbed by The Sun."

The news in the February 2, 1903 issue of The Pelham Republican makes for fascinating reading.  It is well worth your time (see below).

1995 U.S. Postal Service Postage Stamp Commemorating

the "Toonerville Folks" Comic and Showing the "Skipper" at

the Back of the Toonerville Trolley Tossing an Anchor to Slow

its Descent Down a Hill.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"Pelham In February, 1903
-----
A page of local history is gleaned from an old newspaper.

An interesting example of early journalism in the Pelhams was viewed this week by The Pelham Sun staff when Miss Gertrude Kolb of Pelbrook Hall brought to light a copy of the Feb. 2, 1903 issue of The Pelham Republican.  The 36-year-old newspaper contains many news which are of pertinent interest to Pelhamites who still reside in the communities.

Among the social items we read the following:  Mrs. Dey's play, 'Desperate Measures, or the Domestic Problem Solved,' will be given next Wednesday at Trinity Parish House, New Rochelle, for the benefit of the Women's Exchange.'  Mrs. Henry E. Dey, the author of the play, is still a resident of Pelham Manor.

And -- 'Mr. James Cremins, of Pelham Manor sailed on Saturday for Europe.  He is going on a short business trip.'  Mr. Cremins, the father of Receiver of Taxes Robert A. Cremins will not recall that trip to Europe.

And this -- 'President William Edinger of North Pelham last week struck his thumb with a hammer.  The finger became so inflamed that it had to be lanced.'  President Edinger was the father of former Fire Chief Louis Edinger of Fourth avenue.

Perhaps Seth T. Lyman of Linden avenue, former Postmaster and pharmacist will remember the occasion for this article appearing in The Republican:  'Mr. George P. Hermes is in charge of Lyman's Pharmacy while its proprietor is on a trip through Pennsylvania.'

Here's one for Fontaine Fox:  'The courteous and popular trolley conductor of the Pelham Manor route was laid up for a few days last week as the result of a fall he received at the car yard of the company.  The injuries received, while painful, were not serious and he is at his post again.'  Remember Jim Bailey, the 'Skipper' of the Pelham Manor car?  Fontaine Fox sets 1909 as the year in which he discovered Jim and drew from him the inspiration for the famous 'Toonerville Trolley' cartoons.  Jim had proven his worth to the editor of The Pelham Republican as far back as 1903.

The Pelham Republican was absorbed by The Pelham Sun many years ago.  The late Walter W. F. C. Tichborne was editor and publisher of the eight page tabloid-size weekly newspaper.  According to J. Gardner Minard, Pelham's unofficial journalism historian, the office and printing plant of The Pelham Republican was located on Wolf's Lane not one hundred yards south of the present location of The Pelham Sun office.  The Republican was the first newspaper to be printed in the Town of Pelham.  Tichborne used a Gordon hand press to run off a few hundred copies of his newspaper each Monday.  There was one other Pelham newspaper published at that time.  Charles B. Forbes of New Rochelle printed The Pelham Record.  Both of these newspapers served the town for several years until the late Peter Ceder established The Pelham Sun, and in later years The Republican and The Record were absorbed by The Sun.

Miss Kolb has had reason to hold this single issue of The Pelham Republican for all these years.  The leading article tells of her father's narrow escape from death death on the New Haven Railroad tracks.  Following is the account:

Had a Narrow Escape

'Mr. B. Kolb [sic; it was Gertrude Kolb's father, August R. Kolb] of Pelham Heights had a narrow escape from death last Monday morning.  He was hurrying to catch the 8:41 train for New York and crossed the tracks at the upper end to reach the station in time.  The weather was foggy and he could not see more than a few hundred feet ahead of him.  When he reached the center tracks he saw both the local and an express train approaching.  There was only one thing to do, and that was to stand between the tracks.  He held firmly to the post at the end of the fence while both trains grazed him.  A package he held under his arm was touched by one of the locomotives.

'Passengers on the station platform who saw the situation thought surely that Mr. Kolb ws killed, as his hat was blown high into the air.  

'Mr. Kolb did not catch his train.  He was pretty well frightened and is not likely to cross the tracks again.

'This is the dangerous place where Mrs. Smith was killed a few years ago.  A number of people cross there daily, and it is a wonder that more have not been killed.'

Following are a few articles reprinted from the 36-year-old newspaper:

St. Catherine's [sic] Church Euchre

'The Euchre held under the auspices of St. Catherine's Church of North Pelham, last Wednesday at Lyman's Hall was a great success.  About 250 persons from Pelham and neighboring cities were in attendance.  A large representation from the Knights of Columbus came down from New Rochelle.  Just 164 sat at the tables.  The game was conducted by Mr. Gilligan, formerly of Pelham.  A most enjoyable time was spent by every one present, and there was much praise spoken for the way all the arrangements were carried out.  After the games, refreshments were served and the younger folks participated in dancing until 12:30 o'clock.

'The ladies' prizes were awarded to Miss Rachel G. Hewitt, Mrs. W. Edinger, Miss M. Smarkey and Miss Katie Griffin.

'The following gentlemen won:  Mr. Daniel Y. Jenning, Mr. Peter Sheridan, Mr. John A. Peterson.  Booby prize, Mr. Frank F. Brennan.'

Pelham Manor P. O. Promoted.

'The Pelham Manor Post Office, owing to its increase in business has been raised from a fourth to a third class office.  This means beside having the government pay the rent and fuel bills, that there will be better facilities.  The Pelham Manor Post Office will now be on the same footing with the one in Pelham.  This has come about principally through the efforts of Postmaster G. H. Kerr and our County Committeeman.'

At the time the newspaper was issued, John D. Rockefeller, Sr., was increasing his holdings at Pocantico Hills.  From information received from an 'exchange' Editor Tichborne announced that Mr. Rockefeller was planning to erect a half-million dollar residence on Kykuit Hill, and an observatory on Buttermilk Hill.

Where Were the Fire Commissioners?

In an editorial urging that prominent men take an interest in local affairs, Editor Tichborne remarks, 'The office of Fire Commissioner doesn't seem to mean a great deal to those holding office at present.  We have not been informed of a meeting held by them for nearly a year.  When they convened last they recommended an appropriation for a fire alarm system, but did not stipulate where the boxes were to be located.  They have never recommended an appropriation for the heating and we think it is a shame to ask the active members of the company to pay for the same out of their pockets.  If the town profits by the work of the firemen who volunteer to get out of bed at any time during the night, whetherr it be Summer or Winter, it should surely appreciate the protection to its inhabitants to the extent of paying the expenses of the fire house.

'Gentlemen of the Town of Pelham, it's nearly time we shook off the lethargy which has so long been characteristic of the place.  If we expect to grow, if we desire to have Pelham a safe and wholesome place to live in, we must be up and doing something all the time in order to have something always doing.'

Included among the advertisers in The Record were several who are now advertising in The Pelham Sun.  Ware's Department Store in New Rochelle offered '$1 and $1.25 calico wrappers at 49 ccents.  George Fennell of Mount Vernon was advertising Westchester's Biggest Furniture Store; J. D. Kennedy, local real estate broker has a house for rent in North Pelham at $15 per month.'

The Board of Education advertised the sale of an $18,000 bond issue for the purpose of erecting a new school for the Village of Pelham.  

1903 seems a long time ago."

Source:  Pelham In February, 1903 -- A page of local history is gleaned from an old newspaper, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 8, 1940, p. 10, cols. 5-8.  


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