More on Extension of the Pelham Manor Trolley Line in 1910

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Trolleys once were a principal means of transportation throughout our region.  By 1899, one could travel between the Battery in lower Manhattan and any of New Rochelle, Pelham, Mount Vernon or Yonkers for a single fare of eight cents. 

Early last century, one of those trolley lines in the Village of Pelham Manor inspired the creative genius of a man named Fontaine Talbot Fox (1884-1964).  He created one of the most popular comics in the United States – “Toonerville Folks.”  The cartoon centered around the quirky inhabitants of a town called “Toonerville” and its rickety and unpredictable trolley.  The operator of the trolley was “The Skipper.”  Fontaine Fox, as he stated a number of times in published interviews and letters, based the comic on his experience during a trolley ride on a visit to Pelham on August 8, 1909. 

“Toonerville Folks” ran in hundreds of newspapers from about 1913 to 1955 and brought national attention to Pelham.  When Fontaine Fox made his now-famous visit to Pelham on August 8, 1909, the trolley line that inspired him ran along today's Pelhamdale Avenue to a stop near the railroad bridge of the New Haven Branch Line above Pelhamdale not far from today's Grant Avenue and Manor Circle.  

Barely a year later, the Westchester Electric Railway extended the Pelham Manor trolley line along Pelhamdale Avenue to Shore Road near the New York Athletic Club. I have written about that extension of the Pelham Manor Trolley line once before.  See Tue., Jan. 06, 2015:  Extension of the Toonerville Trolley Line in Pelham Manor in 1910.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog provides additional detail regarding the process of extending to Shore Road the little trolley line that inspired Fontaine Fox. At the end of today's article, I have listed links to the many previous articles I have posted about trolleys and the Toonerville Trolley.

In the late 19th century, the little Pelham Manor trolley line shuttled back and forth between the Town of Pelham's two principal commuter railroad stations:  Pelham Station on the New Haven Main Line and the Pelham Manor Depot on the New Haven Branch Line.  The trolley "met all the trains" -- a fact that Fontaine Fox played up in his "Toonerville Folks" comic strip when referencing his famous Toonerville Trolley.  

Until Labor Day in 1910, the Pelham Manor trolley began each run from a spot on Wolfs Lane near Pelham Station in the Village of Pelham (today's Pelham Heights) about where the buildings housing, among other things, Kravitz Real Estate, are located at present.  The trolley ran along Wolf's Lane to Colonial Avenue where it turned eastward (left) and proceeded the short distance along Colonial Avenue to Pelhamdale Avenue.  There it turned southeastward (right) and proceeded along Pelhamdale Avenue with intermediate stops along the way such as stops at the intersection of Witherbee Avenue and at Red Church Corner (today's Four Corners).  

When the trolley reached a point on Pelhamdale Avenue in the Village of Pelham Manor about where the New Haven Branch Line railroad overpass crossed the roadway, the trolley operator had to exit the vehicle, reverse the overhead connection of the trolley car to the electric wires and then begin a return trip along the same route back to the Pelham Station, always paying mind to the arrival times of all trains on both the Main and Branch Lines so as to meet all such trains.

By 1910, it was apparent to the Westchester Electric Railway, operator of the Pelham Manor trolley at the time, that so many people used the New Haven Branch Line to get to and from the New York Athletic Club facility and Long Island Sound at the end of Pelhamdale Avenue where it met Shore Road that it warranted extending the trolley line from its terminus near the Pelham Manor Depot all the way to the end of Pelhamdale Avenue at Shore Road.

In about early July of that year, the Westchester Electric Railway began staging work along Pelhamdale Avenue to prepare for laying trolley tracks along the roadway.  Because laying the tracks would require closure of the road, the Village of Pelham Manor asked Westchester Electric Railway to delay the work for a time because the only other way then possible to move through that portion of Pelham Manor was via Split Rock Road which then ran from Shore Road all the way to Boston Post Road.  That roadway was "practically closed" for repairs in July, 1910, thus prompting Pelham Manor to request a delay in closing Pelhamdale Avenue to lay the trolley tracks for the extension.

Although laying the trolley tracks for the Pelhamdale Avenue extension was delayed for a short time, during the week of July 19, 1910, the poles necessary to carry the overhead wires for the trolley extension were erected along Pelhamdale Avenue. 

By August, work to lay the trolley tracks beneath the New Haven Branch Line railroad overpass and along Pelhamdale Avenue to Shore Road was underway in earnest.  There was, however, a bit of a problem.

The giant rocky outcropping at the end of Shore Road known as the "Haunted Cedar Knoll" made the roadway at the intersection with Pelhamdale Avenue a little too tight for the small Pelham Manor trolley car to be maneuvered to a stop to allow passengers to disembark.  Track laying crews had to blast out about 100 feet of rock on Shore Road to make way for the trolley extension.

On Thursday, September 1, 1910, Superintendent William B. Wheeler of Westchester Electric Railway announced that all necessary poles and overhead wires had been erected and that the laying of the tracks for the extension was "practically completed."  He further announced that blasting of the 100 feet of rock on Shore Road was about to begin and the last 200 feet of rails would then be laid.  He further revealed that trolley cars would begin running on the extension on Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 1910.

Detail from a Photograph in the Collections of the Westchester County

Historical Society Showing "Four Corners," the Intersection of

Pelhamdale Avenue and Boston Post Road Before 1937. The "H Line"

Trolley is Returning from Shore Road Toward the Intersection. At this

Intersection, Trolley Tracks Along Pelhamdale Avenue Split With Some

Tracks Turning Onto Boston Post Road Toward New Rochelle and Others

Continuing Along Pelhamdale Avenue. The Trolley in the Photograph is

The Little Pelham Manor Trolley (i.e., The Toonerville Trolley).

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"TROLLEYS TO SHORE MONDAY
-----

According to an announcement made Thursday morning by Superintendent Wheeler of the Westchester Electric Railway, the extension of the Pelham Manor trolley line from the old terminus at the foot of the hill on Pelhamdale avenue to the Shore Road, will be in operation on Labor Day.  Superintendent Wheeler expects to start the cars running on the extension on that day.  

It is not known how many cars will be operated, but Superintendent Wheeler said that it all depended upon the amount of traffic.

The construction is now practically completed.  There is about 100 feet of rock on the Shore Road that will have to be blasted out, and as soon as this work is done, 200 feet more of rails will be laid, and then the extension will be ready for operation.  The poles are all up and the wires have been strung.

It is believed that this extension will be a money maker, as many people will use the trolleys from Westchester County and various parts of New York in order to reach the Sound and the grounds of the New York Athletic Club."

Source:  TROLLEYS TO SHORE MONDAY, New Rochelle Pioneer, Sep. 3, 1910, Vol. 52, No. 23, p. 4, col. 3.

*          *          *          *          *

Below is a bibliography including links to a few of my many previous postings dealing with the topics of the "Toonerville Trolley," horse-drawn railroad cars, electric trolleys and other trolley-related information pertinent to Pelham, New York.

Bell, Blake A., Pelham and the Toonerville Trolley, 82(4) The Westchester Historian, pp. 96-111 (Fall 2006).

Bell, Blake A., Pelham and the Toonerville Trolley, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 11, Mar. 12, 2004, p. 10, col. 1.

Fri., Feb. 23, 2018:  Toonerville Trolley Accidents in Pelham Manor.

Thu., Feb. 22, 2018:  More on the 1916 Trolley Strike That Brought Violence to Pelham.

Fri., Jan. 06, 2017:  Has One of the Most Enduring Pelham History Mysteries Been Solved? The Mystery of Charles A. Voight!

Thu., Sep. 15, 2016:  Pelham Manor Residents Complained of Awful Service on the Toonerville Trolley Line as Early as 1899.

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?

Thu., Sep. 10, 2015:  Pelham Manor Citizens Voted to Reject Bus Service and Keep Their Toonerville Trolley in 1936.

Fri., Jul. 24, 2015:  The Day the Brakes Failed on the Pelham Manor Trolley, Inspiration for the Toonerville Trolley.

Tue., Jan. 06, 2015:  Extension of the Toonerville Trolley Line in Pelham Manor in 1910.

Wed., Mar. 19, 2014:  Another Confirmation the Famous "Toonerville Trolley" was Inspired by the Pelham Manor Trolley in 1909.

Wed., Mar. 05, 2014:  Trolleys Came to Pelham in the 1890s.

Tue., Jan. 05, 2010:  More on the Extension of the Pelham Manor Trolley Line in 1910 -- The Toonerville Trolley Line.

Wed., Dec. 30, 2009:  Opening of the Extension of the Pelham Manor Trolley Line in 1910 -- The Toonerville Trolley Line.

Wed., Dec. 23, 2009:  Attack on the Toonerville Trolley Line by Strikers in 1916

Thu., Aug. 27, 2009:  October 19, 1898 Report that the Tracks of the Toonerville Trolley Line Had Been Laid in Pelham.  

Mon., Aug. 17, 2009:  Efforts by Pelham Landowners in 1900 to Halt Construction of a Trolley Line on Shore Road.

Tue., Sep. 19, 2006:  Toonerville Trolley Cartoons Available For Free Viewing Online.

Tue., Sep. 19, 2006:  Toonerville Trolley Cartoons Available For Free Viewing Online.  

Wed., Aug. 9, 2006:  The Saddest Day in the History of Pelham Manor's "Toonerville Trolley"

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

Thu., Mar. 09, 2006:  Photographs of the H Line and A Line Trolleys on and Near Pelhamdale Avenue.

Tue., Oct. 11, 2005:  The Toonerville Trolley Pays Its Bills -- Late!

Tue., Sep. 20, 2005:  Pelham's "Toonerville Trolley" Goes To War.

Fri., Jun. 17, 2005:  "Skipper Louie" of Pelham Manor's Toonerville Trolley


Tue., Apr. 19, 2005:   Pelham Manor Residents Fight Construction of the Toonerville Trolley Line

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Toonerville Trolley Accidents in Pelham Manor

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

To this day Pelhamites chuckle fondly when they reminisce about the tiny little Pelham Manor Trolley that met all the trains and that inspired cartoonist Fontaine Fox to create the "Toonerville Trolley" that also met all the trains as part of the long-running comic "Toonerville Folks."  Though the Pelham Manor trolley made its final run in 1937, more than eighty years later most residents of Pelham know of the trolley and the role it played in inspiring Fontaine Fox.

It seems quaint to think of a little rattle-trap of a trolley car bouncing along light rails down Pelhamdale Avenue on its way to the Pelham Manor Depot and, then, to Shore Road before it returned all the way back to the Pelham Train Station meeting all trains at both stations.  Truth be told, however, the trolley was a massive rail car plowing down the center of Wolfs Lane, Colonial Avenue, and Pelhamdale Avenue on dozens of trips a day with horse and buggy, pedestrian, and automobile traffic vying for parts of the same roadway and jockeying with the trolley for position.  Accidents were bound to happen -- and they did.

I have written about some such accidents before.  See, e.g., Fri., Jul. 24, 2015:  The Day the Brakes Failed on the Pelham Manor Trolley, Inspiration for the Toonerville Trolley.  As one might expect, there were other accidents involving the Pelham Manor Trolley including at least one additional accident involving failure of the trolley's brakes.  Today's Historic Pelham article provides information about such additional accidents.

One of the earliest serious accidents involving the Pelham Manor Trolley -- as opposed to trolleys that ran in North Pelham, on Fourth Street (today's Lincoln Avenue) between Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, and on Boston Post Road into New Rochelle -- was one that occurred on the evening of June 30, 1899.  The Pelham Manor Trolley was in its infancy.

The President of the Pelham School Board, John Beecroft, and his wife were returning from a school event at the Hutchinson School late in the evening in their horse-drawn carriage.  As they proceeded their horse shied and backed into the path of a Pelham Manor Trolley car approaching from the opposite direction.  The trolley struck the carriage and destroyed it, throwing the Beecrofts into the roadway.  Mr. Beecroft was knocked unconscious and received a severe cut to the head.  Mrs. Beecroft suffered a dislocated shoulder.

A few years later, on February 14, 1918, the little Pelham Manor Trolley was involved in another serious accident.  A large tank truck belonging to the "Texas Company," a predecessor to Texaco, collided with the trolley, shoving it off its tracks.  The truck was being driven by Charles McCarthy of New Rochelle.  It carried two passengers:  Morris Johnson of New Rochelle, agent for the Texas Company, and Bert Nelson, bookkeeper for the company.  The two passengers were injured, suffering lacerations and broken arms.  Miraculously, none of the passengers on the trolley car was hurt. 

On December 5, 1920, an odd "accident" involving Pelham's Toonerville Trolley occurred.  As the trolley proceeded on Wolfs Lane there was a loud crash.  Passengers were showered with broken glass.  The motorman stopped the trolley, jumped out and demanded to know who had thrown the rock that smashed a glass window of the trolley car.  Witnesses pointed to a man who had climbed aboard the trolley after the window was broken.  It turned out he was trying to catch up with a woman on the car and had been running alongside the car tapping on its windows, unbeknownst to the motorman.  The man finally grabbed a rock, said he would pay for the window and smashed the glass for attention, stopping the car.  Oddly, a news account suggests that once the unidentified man was identified by the motorman, all was forgiven and the trolley proceeded.

In mid-June, 1921, Pelham's Toonerville Trolley suffered yet another brake failure.  As the trolley car approached the end of its line where Pelhamdale Avenue intersects Shore Road, the motorman tried to apply the brakes to no avail.  Thankfully, a Pelham Manor police officer was on duty at the intersection and observed the car hurtling toward the intersection without slowing.  The officer, Officer Murphy, "saw the danger and held up autos approaching."  The trolley car left the tracks and missed one car "by six feet."  Two trolley car passengers, Mrs. and Mrs. Moran of 20 St. Joseph Street in New Rochelle, were "slightly shaken up," but apparently unhurt.

Barely a year later, on July 23, 1922, the Pelham Manor Trolley was involved in another crash.  Paul Deglinno of 10 South Sixth Avenue in Mount Vernon was driving a Ford Touring Car on Pelhamdale Avenue near Bolton Avenue.  A passenger, Camelia Strolle of 34 Fourth Avenue in Mount Vernon, was riding with him.

Deglinno was stuck behind the rattling trolley as it bounced along Pelhamdale Avenue.  He decided to pass the trolley being operated by motorman Edward Galzier.  Deglinno gunned the engine and tried to pass.  He misjudged the maneuver and struck the rear of the trolley car so violently that he launched his passenger through the glass windshield of the touring car, cutting her chin badly.  

The accident was witnessed by Pelham Manor police officer Philip Atkinson who assisted Deglinno to drive the injured woman to New Rochelle Hospital where she received stitches.  

There were other such accidents involving Pelham Manor's Toonerville Trolley during its forty-year span.  Those described today merely demonstrate a few of the many when trolleys once rattled along tracks in the streets of the tiny little Town of Pelham.

*          *          *          *          *

"EXTRA
-----
TROLLEY ACCIDENT AT PELHAM.
-----
JOHN BEECROFT AND WIFE INJURED
-----
A Wound on Head and a Dislocated Shoulder
-----

North Pelham, N. Y., July 1st -- This village was the scene of another trolley accident last night which occurred on Fifth avenue near Fourth street only a few feet from where little Ray Godfrey was hit and severely injured three weeks ago.

John R. Beecroft, President of the Board of Education, was returning to his home in Pelham Manor, with his wife, from the closing exercises at the North Pelham school over which he presided.  It was shortly after ten o'clock and as the carriage reached Third street on the way up Fifth avenue the horse shied and backed into a Pelham Manor trolley car coming from the opposite direction.  Mr. and Mrs. Beecroft were thrown out and the carriage completely wrecked.  

Mr. Beecroft was unconscious but escaped with a cut on his head and several bruises.  Mrs. Beecroft had her shoulder dislocated.

They were taken to the home of John Case and Drs. Fleming and Washburn summoned who set Mrs. Beecroft's shoulder and dressed her husband's wounds.  The motorman was arrested but later released."

Source:  EXTRA -- TROLLEY ACCIDENT AT PELHAM -- JOHN BEECROFT AND WIFE INJURED -- A Wound on Head and a Dislocated Shoulder, Mount Vernon Daily Argus, Jul. 1, 1899, Vol. XXIX, No. 2,227, p. 1, col. 4.

"Pelham Manor
-----
Accident Case Adjourned.

The case of Charles McCarthy, of New Rochelle, the chauffeur who drove the big tank motor truck of the Texas company, Thursday morning, when it collided with and pushed a Pelham Manor trolley car off the track on Pelhamdale avenue near Bolton avenue, came up yesterday morning before Justice of the Peace Ralph Rogers in the local court and was promptly adjourned until next Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock.  The two men who rode with McCarthy at the time of the accident Morris Johnson of New Rochelle, agent for the Texas company and Bert Nelson, the bookkeeper for the concern, are at the New Rochelle hospital where they were taken following the accident.  Their condition is reported as much improved and as no internal injuries of consequence have developed their condition is not serious.  The injuries are lacerations of the heads and each have a broken arm.  They will be able to leave the hospital in a few days.  None of the passengers who were in the trolley car have as yet reported injuries."

Source:  Pelham Manor -- Accident Case Adjourned, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 15, 1918, p. 9, col. 5.

"North Pelham. . . . 

The Pelham Manor trolley car had just left the Pelham station and was headed for the Manor at 7:15 o'clock last evening, when in front of Jeker's garage, there was a crash and a shower of falling glass.  The car stopped in front of the Pelham police headquarters and the motorman jumped off and asked who threw the stone through the window.  All rushed to the spot where two autos filled with people stood and asked the question there.  The autoists leaned forward and said:  'Do you see that man and woman who got on the car after it stopped?  Well, that man ran alongside the car and was tapping on the window.  The motorman did not hear or see him, so he said he would stop him and threw a stone through the glass, remarking at the time that he would pay for the window.'  There wass a stretching of necks to see who the man was, a chorus of 'Oh's' and the motorman remarked 'It's all right, never mind,' and the car was off."

Source:  North Pelham, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 6, 1920, p. 7, col. 5.

"Pelham Manor. . . .

The brakes on the Pelham Manor trolley car failed to work just as it was approaching the end of the line at the shore road, and ran across the shore road to the approach to the New York Athletic club.  Officer Murphy, who was on duty there at the time, saw the danger and held up autos approaching.  The car missed one auto by six feet.  Mr. and Mrs. Moran of 20 St. Joseph street, New Rochelle, were on the car and slightly shaken up. . . ."

Source:  Pelham Manor, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 18, 1921, p. 10, col. 4.  

"Woman Badly Cut When Auto Strikes Trolley
-----
Is Thrown Through Windshield By Impact.  Eight Stitches Taken In Chin At Hospital
-----

Thrown through the windshield of a Ford touring car, when it collided with the Pelham Manor trolley car.  Sunday afternoon, Miss Camelia Strolle, of No. 34 Fourth Avenue, Mount Vernon, received a deep gash in her chin, in which eight stitches had to be taken, by a surgenon at New Rochelle Hospital.

Miss Strolle was riding in the touring car which was operated by Paul Deglinno, of No. 10 South Sixth Avenue, Mount Vernon.  The couple in the automobile were going south on Pelhamdale Avenue, behind the trolley car, which was operated by Edward Galzier, Deglinno tried to pass the trolley car, but misjudged the clearance and crashed into it.

The force of the impact threw Miss Strolle forward, and her head struck the windshield, breaking it, and as her head passed through the broken pane of glass the jagged edge cut a deep gash in her chin.

Officer Philip Atkinson, of the Pelham Manor police department, witnessed the accident, and with Deglinno, drove the injured woman to New Rochelle Hospital.  There she received treatement and was removed to her home later.  There was no one else injured in the accident.  There was no damage done to the automobile than the broken windshield."

Source:  Woman Badly Cut When Auto Strikes Trolley -- Is Thrown Through Windshield By Impact.  Eight Stitches Taken In Chin At Hospital, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 28, 1922, Vol. 13, No. 22, p. 1, col. 5.

*          *          *          *          *

Below is a bibliography including links to a few of my many previous postings dealing with the topics of the "Toonerville Trolley," horse-drawn railroad cars, electric trolleys and other trolley-related information pertinent to Pelham, New York.

Bell, Blake A., Pelham and the Toonerville Trolley, 82(4) The Westchester Historian, pp. 96-111 (Fall 2006).

Bell, Blake A., Pelham and the Toonerville Trolley, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 11, Mar. 12, 2004, p. 10, col. 1.

Thu., Feb. 22, 2018:  More on the 1916 Trolley Strike That Brought Violence to Pelham.

Fri., Jan. 06, 2017:  Has One of the Most Enduring Pelham History Mysteries Been Solved? The Mystery of Charles A. Voight!

Thu., Sep. 15, 2016:  Pelham Manor Residents Complained of Awful Service on the Toonerville Trolley Line as Early as 1899.

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?

Thu., Sep. 10, 2015:  Pelham Manor Citizens Voted to Reject Bus Service and Keep Their Toonerville Trolley in 1936.

Fri., Jul. 24, 2015:  The Day the Brakes Failed on the Pelham Manor Trolley, Inspiration for the Toonerville Trolley.

Tue., Jan. 06, 2015:  Extension of the Toonerville Trolley Line in Pelham Manor in 1910.

Wed., Mar. 19, 2014:  Another Confirmation the Famous "Toonerville Trolley" was Inspired by the Pelham Manor Trolley in 1909.

Wed., Mar. 05, 2014:  Trolleys Came to Pelham in the 1890s.

Tue., Jan. 05, 2010:  More on the Extension of the Pelham Manor Trolley Line in 1910 -- The Toonerville Trolley Line.

Wed., Dec. 30, 2009:  Opening of the Extension of the Pelham Manor Trolley Line in 1910 -- The Toonerville Trolley Line.

Wed., Dec. 23, 2009:  Attack on the Toonerville Trolley Line by Strikers in 1916

Thu., Aug. 27, 2009:  October 19, 1898 Report that the Tracks of the Toonerville Trolley Line Had Been Laid in Pelham.  

Mon., Aug. 17, 2009:  Efforts by Pelham Landowners in 1900 to Halt Construction of a Trolley Line on Shore Road.

Tue., Sep. 19, 2006:  Toonerville Trolley Cartoons Available For Free Viewing Online.

Tue., Sep. 19, 2006:  Toonerville Trolley Cartoons Available For Free Viewing Online.  

Wed., Aug. 9, 2006:  The Saddest Day in the History of Pelham Manor's "Toonerville Trolley"

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

Thu., Mar. 09, 2006:  Photographs of the H Line and A Line Trolleys on and Near Pelhamdale Avenue.

Tue., Oct. 11, 2005:  The Toonerville Trolley Pays Its Bills -- Late!

Tue., Sep. 20, 2005:  Pelham's "Toonerville Trolley" Goes To War.

Fri., Jun. 17, 2005:  "Skipper Louie" of Pelham Manor's Toonerville Trolley


Tue., Apr. 19, 2005:   Pelham Manor Residents Fight Construction of the Toonerville Trolley Line

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

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

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

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.

*          *          *          *          *

"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.  


Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."