Reminiscences Of Long-Time Pelham Manor Resident Evelyn Randall Published in 1938

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Evelyn Smith Randall and her husband, William Bradley Randall, were important early residents of the Village of Pelham Manor.  The couple began spending their summers in Pelham Manor in a bungalow they built on a lot extending from Park Lane to Beech Tree Lane in the early 1890s when there were only a few homes built on Manor Circle and virtually no other homes between the branch line railroad and Shore Road along Long Island Sound.  In 1896, the couple moved to Pelham Manor permanently and expanded their bungalow into a beautiful home named the "Hermitage."  

The Hermitage, Home of William B. and Evelyn Randall in

Pelham Manor for Many Years.  The Home No Longer

Stands.  Source:  Courtesy of The Office of The Historian

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

I have written about William B. Randall, Evelyn Randall, and their home, the Hermitage, on a number of occasions.  See:

Thu., Apr. 30, 2015:  Obituaries of William B. Randall, a Notable Pelham Manor Resident, and Information About His Family and Home.  

Fri., Apr. 29, 2005:  Mr. and Mrs. William Bradley Randall And Their Pelham Home Known as The Hermitage. 

Tue., Jul. 10, 2007:  An Early Event in the History of Pelhamwood. 

Fri., Jul. 17, 2009:  Brief Biography of William B. Randall of Pelham Manor Published in 1900. 

Thu., Oct. 23, 2014: A Mystery: The Club House Built by the Pelham Shore Improvement Company.

In 1938, Evelyn Randall wrote a pair of articles published in the local newspaper, The Pelham Sun, recording her reminiscences of her early days in Pelham Manor.  She and her husband were active members of the community.  Consequently, Evelyn Randall's reminiscences touch on a host of historical matters including early development of the Park Lane and Beech Tree Lane area, the transition from horses to automobiles, the early days of the Manor Club and the Tuesday Afternoon Club, the origins of Wykagyl Country Club, and the origins of today's Pelham Country Club.  

Mrs. Randall's reminiscences provide a fascinating glimpse of life in Pelham Manor during a simpler, more rural time.  The text of her two articles appears immediately below.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"EARLY DAYS IN PELHAM MANOR

By EVELYN RANDALL (Mrs. Wm. B. Randall)

Reminiscences of an oldtime Pelham Manor resident, presenting an intimate and charming picture of life in the early days of the village.
-----

This article, the first in a series of two, written by Mrs. William B. Randall of Park Lane, longtime resident of Pelham Manor, will make its appeal to both old and new residents of the community.  To the former group, it will doubtless recall many pleasant memories and associations of other days, and to the newer residents it will serve to bring a vivid picture of what Pelham Manor was like in the days before the turn of the century and in the years that followed.  Mrs. Randall, long a prominent resident, has with Mr. Randall for many years taken a leading part in the social and club activity and general life of the community.  A woman of cultured tastes, her influence has long been felt in the Manor Club.

Early Days in Pelham Manor

When we were young, Mr. Randall and I used to enjoy traveling up from the City to see the Spring Games at the New York Athletic Club, and as we walked past Christ's Church and along the thickly shaded country road toward the railroad station [i.e., today's Pelhamdale Avenue] we thought that Pelham Manor must look like rural England, and that we should like to live in it.  

After we were married we did come to Pelham Manor where we acquired a modest lot on Park Lane.  

When children came the problem of where to go for the Summer became so urgent that we built a bungalow on our lot and we spent several Summers there before enlarging it for our year-round home in 1896.  [This is the origin of the home on Park Lane known as "The Hermitage."]  

Early Troubles

When we first came to the country, I was afraid of tramps, of the dark woods, of the noise of the hoot owls, in fact of everything.

If Mr. Randall were detained late in town I would go to bed with a pistol and a candle on a chair by my bedside.  In my nervousness I might easily have shot someone by mistake.  

In those first years we suffered many inconveniences.  We had neither water, gas, sewer, electricity, nor sidewalk, and of course, no telephone.  The narrow road had a layer of stone at the bottom but it needed several layers more before it could be called a road.  The road ended at our property and later on Mr. Randall extended the road down to the Sound at his own expense.  

Our land was very rough, it had never been subdued or cultivated in any way.  We struggled long to make a lawn, and had a gang of men with grub hoes to dig up the stones and rocks and level it off.  

In the fields adjoining, weeds and grasses grew as high as one's head, and one day our little daughter, Phoebe wandered down a tiny path and was lost for hours.  She was finally picked up by the carpenter and brought home.  We also were devoured by mosquitoes.  

In our year-round house we proudly put in one of the first hot water heating systems, the first pure white kitchen, and one of the first sleeping porches.  

As soon as we came to live in Pelham Manor, Mr. Randall joined the sewer commission.  We also struggled to put in water and gas and each achievement would seem like an exciting adventure.

As a reward for his efforts, Mr. Randall was elected a trustee of the village and he finally became President.  During his term an amusing incident occurred.

An Amusing Incident

One warm Summer evening at about nine o'clock, a gentleman wandered into the little old station at Pelham Manor to take the Branch Line train of the New Haven, to New York.  He was intoxicated after spending a happy day with his friends among the 'Indians' on Huckleberry Island, and he failed to make the train which was moving slightly.  He fell to the ground and our policeman, Joseph Colgan, and Mr. Harry Dey ran out on the track to assist him.  Unfortunately, he mistook them for robbers and to their horror drew out his gun.  They thought it unwise to force the matter to an issue and the intoxicated man walked the supposed 'robbers' all the way to the Athletic Club at the point of his pistol.  The man, later on, was identified, arrested and fined and after being lectured by the Rev. John H. Dey, editor of the Evangelist, on the evils of drink, he was glad to evaporate.

Spreading Out

Soon after we built our year-'round home we built a stable and began to keep horses.  We took on a coachman and a gardener and two maids and we laid out flower and vegetable gardens.  We also built cowshed and purchased a cow which unfortunately proceeded to run dry.  We purchased coops and a runway for chickens but as we did not understand chickens they soon failed to lay and we ate them.  There was a long, succession of dogs, large and small, and our boats ran from row boats up to power boats.  We also bought adjoining land until we owned five acres.  It was all in the game.  

The Old Manor Club

Our principal amusement, evenings, in those early days was going to the old Manor Club for dances, entertainments, pool and cards.  

Although the clubhouse was small, seating barely one hundred, our affairs had quite an air of smartness.  

People wore evening dress, the women wore long white gloves and at dances the men wore gloves.  I remember that Mr. Randall had eight pairs at once, and Mrs. Corlies would bring me a package of white gloves every year from Paris.  

The old Manor Club was restricted by the deed of gift of the land from having or serving alcoholic beverages and we were constantly troubled to make welsh-rarebits without beer.  The 'he men' of the period also complained at our mild refreshments of ice cream and cake and all this had a bearing on the success of the new Country Club where anything could be had to drink.  

The Tuesday Afternoon Club

One of the very best things that ever happened for the women of Pelham Manor was the founding of the Tuesday Afternoon Club in 1900.  This club was a modest little reading group.  It grew with the growth of the village until in 1914, when the Old Manor Club was about to expire it 'took over' the old club, and made it a regulation women's club with sections for the study of various subjects.  

The present Manor Club is a valued factor in the lives of the women of the Pelhams, enabling them to exercise their talents whether cultural or executive and to make and cement friendships.

Mrs. James F. Secor was the leading spirit in these two women's clubs, and she was the beloved president of one and then of the other during a period of no less than twenty-five years.  

Ed. Note:  The second and last article by Mrs. Randall presenting her reminiscences of other days, will appear in next week's issue of The Pelham Sun."

Source:  Randall, Evelyn, EARLY DAYS IN PELHAM MANOR By EVELYN RANDALL (Mrs. Wm. B. Randall) Reminiscences of an oldtime Pelham Manor resident, presenting an intimate and charming picture of life in the early days of the village, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 29, 1938, p. 7, cols. 1-2.  

"EARLY DAYS IN PELHAM MANOR
By EVELYN RANDALL (Mrs. Wm. B. Randall)
-----

This is the second and last article written by Mrs. Randall long a resident of Pelham Manor , in which she has presented a vivid and intimate picture of life in the village of days gone by.

Early Automobiling

About 1910, when a few automobiles began to be owned in Pelham Manor, we still clung to our horses.  

At that time people used to put up their cars in Winter, featuring to have them freeze or get blocked in a snow drift.

It used to give us considerable inward glee on cold, Winter mornings to see these rich and bloated owners of cars standing shivering on street corners waiting trustfully for the 'Toonerville Trolley' to take them to their train while we drove gaily by, nestling in fur robes, our sleigh bells jingling and red tassels waving.  If there happened to be room we would invite one or two to ride.

The Pelham Country Club

It may surprise you to learn that the original Pelham Country Club rented some farm land on the easterly side of Fowler avenue for a nine hole golf course in the early years of golf.  

After a time the land was sold and the club was forced to remove.  The old Disbrow farm on North avenue ,New Rochelle was rented and finally purchased and an eighteen hole course was built.  

The leading spirits were the men from Pelham Manor, though new members soon increased the membership.  The first three presidents were from Pelham Manor, Martin J. Condon, Paul Heubner and William B. Randall who also became life members.

The name Wykagyl was substituted by William K. Gillett who discovered a native Indian tribe associated with that neighborhood.  

About that time there was a tennis club in Pelham Manor which had its home at the Iden Mansion on Wolf's Lane, where they had six tennis courts.  

In 1908 this cljub decided to expand and they chose the present site of the Pelham Country Club.  

The property was the much despised Spreen Swamp which Mr. George Lahey described as 'a repository for discarded iron beds, boilers and tin cans and debris of every description.'  Drainage from half of Pelham Manor flowed into it; it contained a peat bed, quick sands and a swamp where frogs, snakes and mosquitoes flourished.  

With infinite courage and tenacity and at great expense, this unlovely spot 'has been transformed into a lovely park with fine trees, shrubs and running brooks, where formerly there was only rough terrain and stagnant water.'  A full length golf course was finally completed within the village.

This great undertaking was accomplished under the leadership of Mont D. Rogers, Edmjund E. Sinclair and William B. Randall, faithfully supported by the Board of Governors and the entire membership.

I quote again:  'After the construction of the golf course, Pelham Manor property in the vicinity that had been offered at $4,000 per acre, eventually sold as high as $40,000 per acre greatly increasing the wealth of the owners.'

The Pelham Country Club has been a boon to its members giving them health and pleasure."

Source:  Randall, Evelyn, EARLY DAYS IN PELHAM MANOR By EVELYN RANDALL (Mrs. Wm. B. Randall), The Pelham Sun, Aug. 6, 1938, p. 6, cols. 7-8.  

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Obituaries of William B. Randall, a Notable Pelham Manor Resident, and Information About His Family and Home

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

William Bradley Randall and his wife, Evelyn Smith Randall, lived for many years in a home they called The Hermitage located at 1385 Park Lane on a large plot of land that extended from Park Lane through to today's Beech Tree Lane in the estate section of Pelham Manor.  After Ther Hermitage was razed in the mid-20th century, the Randalls' land was subdivided and a number of homes were built on the site that now stand between Park Lane and Beech Tree Lane near Pelham's border with Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx.

William B. Randall was one of the most notable citizens of the Village of Pelham Manor in the early 20th century.  His wife, Evelyn, was a social force in the Village and was an important member of The Manor Club for much of her life until her death at the age of 94 in 1955.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of a number of obituaries of William Bradley Randall, includes a photograph of The Hermitage, includes the text of a couple of wedding announcements describing the wedding of the couple's daughter at The Hermitage during World War I, and transcribes the text of a brief biography of Evelyn Randall published in 1914.

"Deceased The Late WILLIAM B. RANDALL"

Source:  WM. B. RANDALL EARLY PRESIDENT OF

MANOR DIES, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 22, 1940, 

Vol. 29, No. 51, p. 1, col. 3.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"WM. B. RANDALL EARLY PRESIDENT OF MANOR DIES
-----
Took an Active Interest in Development of Pelham Manor for More Than 40 Years.
-----

William Bradley Randall, 82, former official of the Village of Pelham Manor, who was one of the pioneers of development of the residential village, died on Saturday at his home No. 15 Gramercy Park, New York City, where he had lived for the last two years.  Death followed a brief illness.  His Pelham Manor home was on Park Lane.

Mr. Randall was president of the Security Transfer and Registrar Company of No. 39 Broadway.  He had been trust officer of the Knickerbocker Trust Company from 1889 until he organized his own business in 1907.  He was also a vice-president of the Amalgamated Picohe Mines and Smelter Corporation, a director of the Bankers National Life Insurance Company, and former director of the Marine Midland Trust Company.  

Mr. Randall was born at South Lee,, Mass., the son of Abel Bradley Randall and Ann E. Ormsby Randall.  

When Mr. Randall and his family moved to Pelham Manor more than 40 years ago, there was neither water, gas, electricity or trolley service in the village.  A few weeks after his arrival here, Mr. Randall organized a committee to plan a new sewer system for the village.  Since that time, is [sic] committee, as an official, and as an individual citizen, he ccontinued his effort to make Pelham Manor an attractive residential community.  

Mr. Randall served as President of the village in 1902, and continued close association with its affairs subsequently as chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission.  He resigned two years ago, when he took up permanent residence in New York City.

Mr. Randall was one of the founders of the Pelham Country Club and was elected a life mem-

(Continued on Page 4)

W. B. RANDALL, FORMER VILLAGE OFFICIAL DIED IN NEW YORK
-----
(Cointinued From Page One)

ber.  He served as its treasurer for 17 years.  He was also one of the founders and a life member of the Wykagyl Country Club.  He served as president of the Wykagyl Club in 1912 and 1913.  He was the founder and first president of the Hampton Roads Golf Club, a charter and life member of the National Arts Club, a member of India House in New York City Railroad Club and the Downtown Athletic Club.  

Mr. Randall also was a director of the Southern States Lumber Co., Old Point Comfort Improvement Co., and Hurricane Lodge, in the Adirondacks.

Mr. Randall served for 20 years as a director of the Mount Vernon Trust Co.  He had been president of the Security, Transfer and Register Co. of New York City, a director of the Coal & Iron National Bank, the Puritan Mortgage Co., and was a director of the Chamber of Commerce of Westchester County.

He served as president and treasurer of the old Manor Club, which preceded the present organization.  

Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Evelyn Smith Randall, a son Bradley Randall and a daughter, Mrs. Vernon Radcliffe, of Pelham Manor.

The funeral service was held on Monday afternoon at St. George's Protestant Episcopal Church, East 16th street, New York City."

Source:  WM. B. RANDALL EARLY PRESIDENT OF MANOR DIES, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 22, 1940, Vol. 29, No. 51, p. 1, col. 3 & p. 4, cols. 4-6.

"WILLIAM BRADLEY RANDALL
----

The death of William Bradley Randall, removes from the list of old Pelham residents, one who had a great deal to do with the planning and development of the Pelhams as a high-class residential suburb.  He took a great deal of pride in the growth of Pelham, and was a zealous guardian of its residential interests.

From a very close friend, The Pelham Sun has received the following tribute:

'The death of our beloved fellow-townsman, William B. Randall has shocked us beyond expression.  Pelham has lost one of her great citizens, who will be sorely missed when vital questions confront the people.  His principles were interwoven with the sacred ideals of the early settlers of Pelham and these he defended strongly and stubbornly.  He was loath to follow the new communistic ideas which for a time have excited the American people.  He had a wonderful capacity for judging correctly the trend of the times, but he could never sympathize with the viewpoint of the radical socialist.

Aristocratic in his bearings, he portrayed in the highest degree the ideal of the old-time gentleman.  Yet he always exercised careful consideration for the opinions of his fellow men, weighing their judgment without bias.  He was gifted with a well-ordered mind which enabled him to decide methodically and logically the perplexing problems that were continually confronting him.  

He will remain indwelt in our memory for many years, and it is the hope of all of us that his mantle will fall upon one deserving of that distinguished honor.'"

Source:  WILLIAM BRADLEY RANDALL, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 22, 1940, Vol. 29, No. 51, p. 2, col. 1.  

The Hermitage, Home of William B. and Evelyn Randall in

Pelham Manor for Many Years.  Source:  Courtesy of The

Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham.

The Hermitage, pictured above, once stood at 1385 Park Lane in the Beech Tree Lane section of the Village of Pelham Manor.  It was, for many years, the home of William Bradley Randall, his wife (Evelyn), and their two children.  The home was the scene of the wedding of the couple's daughter, Phoebe Randall, at the height of World War I on February 12, 1918.  Below is the text of two brief announcements of the wedding.

"RADCLIFFE -- RANDALL.

Officers of the United States Signal Corps and several college professors attended the wedding of Miss Phoebe Randall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Bradley Randall, to Vernon Radcliffe, who is connected with the photographic division of the aviation department of the United States Signal Corps.  The ceremony took place at the Hermitage, the country home of the bride's parents, on Park lane, Pelham Manor, N. Y.  It was performed by Rev. William L. Sullivan, pastor of All Souls' Church, Manhattan.

It was a simple military wedding, because the bridegroom expects to be called to France on short notice.  The bride's only attendant was Miss Katherine Seymour, and her brother, Bradley Randall, was best man."

Source:  SOCIAL AND PERSONAL . . . RADCLIFFE--RANDALL, The Yonkers Statesman, Feb. 13, 1918, p. 5, col. 1.  

"Wedding of Miss Phoebe Randall to Vernon Radcliffe.

An out-of-town wedding of this afternoon which has a very decided interest for Brooklyn society is that of Miss Phoebe Randall to Vernon Radcliffe, son of Mrs. James Anderson of Manhattan, formerly of 201 Lafayette avenue, Brooklyn.  Mrs. Radcliffe, who before her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Wills Vernon, comes from the old Brooklyn family of that name.  Her son was graduated from Amherst class of 1911 and is now connected with the signal work of the United States Aviation Corps.  The wedding was hurried on account of Mr. Radcliffe's orders.  Miss Randall is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Bradley Randall of Pelham Manor, N. Y.  She attended Miss Master's School at Dobbs Ferry, N. Y.  The hour of the wedding which occurred at the Hermitage, the bride's home in Pelham Manor, was 3:30, the Rev. William L. Sullivan of All Souls' Church officiating.

Miss Randall's only attendent [sic] was her maid of honor, Miss Katherine Seymour, the bride's brother Bradley Randall, acting as best man for Mr. Radcliffe.

Bride roses, palms and smilax decorated the house.  Miss Randall's gown was of rich cream brocade and duchess lace, a family heirloom.  Her veil was also of the duchest lace and she carried lillies of the valley and bride roses.  

Only relatives and intimate friends witnessed the ceremony."

Source:  Brooklyn Society:  Wedding of Miss Phoebe Randall to Vernon Radcliffe, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Feb. 12, 1918, p. 7, col. 1.  

Immediately below is the text of a brief biography of Evelyn Smith Randall published in 1914, followed by a citation and link to its source.

"RANDALL, Evelyn (Mrs. William Bradley Randall, Park Lae, Pelham Manor, N.Y.

Born N.Y. City, 1860; dau. Addison P. and Phoebe (Cargill) Smith; ed. N. Y. City public schools; m. 1888, William Bradley Randall; children:  Jerome, Bradley, Phoebe.  Mem. Mary Washington Colonial Chapter D.A.R. (cor. sec.); treas.  Pelham Summer Home for Children.  Clubs:  Tuesday Afternoon, National Arts, MacDowell, N. Y. Browning.  Recreations:  Walking, music, art, literature.  Favors woman suffrage; mem. Suffrage League of New Rochelle, N. Y."

Source:  Leonard, John William, ed., Woman's Who's Who of America - A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporary Women of the United States and Canada, 1914-1915, p. 671 (NY, NY:  The American Commonwealth Co., 1914).

*          *          *          *          *

I have written about William Bradley Randall, his wife Evelyn Smith Randall, and their home known as The Hermitage on a number of occasions.  For examples, see:

Fri., Apr. 29, 2005:  Mr. and Mrs. William Bradley Randall And Their Pelham Home Known as The Hermitage.

Tue., Jul. 10, 2007:  An Early Event in the History of Pelhamwood.

Fri., Jul. 17, 2009:  Brief Biography of William B. Randall of Pelham Manor Published in 1900.

Thu., Oct. 23, 2014:  A Mystery:  The Club House Built by the Pelham Shore Improvement Company.

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Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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Early History of the Manor Club in the Village of Pelham Manor

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Today's Manor Club, located at 1023 Esplanade in the Village of Pelham Manor, is a cultural, civic and social club for women. Although it had its beginnings in the 1870s, it was not organized formally until January 10, 1882. The clubhouse that stands today is not the original clubhouse. Today's clubhouse opened in 1922. On July 23, 1910, the New Rochelle Pioneer reprinted from the Pelham Sun a brief sketch of the early history of the Manor Club located in the Village of Pelham Manor.
I have written before about the Manor Club.  See, e.g.:

Bell, Blake A., Early History of the Manor Club, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 20, May 14, 2004, p. 12, col. 2.  

Tue., December 13, 2005:  The Manor Club's First Clubhouse Built in 1887-1888.

Wed., December 28, 2005:  The Mystery of the "Manor Club Girl" That Set Pelham Tongues Wagging in 1913.

Fri., August 4, 2006:  Early Images of the Original and Current Clubhouse Structures of the Manor Club in the Village of Pelham Manor, New York. 

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the above-referenced article describing the early history of the Club that appeared in the New Rochelle Pioneer.

Image of the Manor Club's First Clubhouse Published in 1892

"THE FINE OLD MANOR CLUB
-----
Pelham Manor Social Organization Nearly Forty Years Old.

The Manor Club, the subject of this sketch, is situated at the corner of Highland avenue and the Esplanade, Pelham Manor. 

The history of this successful Club dates back to the seventies, when a number of residents banded together and formed it.  Among the earliest workers were Thomas Dewitt and Henry W. Taft, brother of President Taft.  In these early days they met in the homes of the members, but so large became the membership that very few private residences could accommodate them all on festive occasions.

Hence the need for a building to be used exclusively as a club house.  Mrs. Robert C. Black donated the ground upon which the building stands, her condition being that no intoxicating liquors should ever be used at the club house.

In 1883 the Manor Club was duly incorporated by Messrs. Robert C. Black, George H. Reynolds, John H. Dey, G. Osmar Reynolds and W. R. Lamberton.  The objects for which the corporation was formed were as follows:  For social, musical, dramatic and literary purposes.

During Henry W. Taft's term as president of the club the club house was erected.  The membership totals about 150 at the present time, the annual fee being $12.  Once a month a ball is given and every Saturday night entertainments of music, dancing, etc. take place.

The club house has fine bowling alleys, billiard rooms, card room, and reading room.  Greatly enjoyed and much used are the four tennis courts erected upon the grounds. 

The present Board of Directors consists of:  W. K. Gillette (president), C. F. Roper (secretary), W. B. Randall (treasurer), Edgar C. Beecroft and J. F. Longley. 

The club is self-sustaining and is quite a factor in the social life of Pelham Manor.--Pelham Sun."

Source:  The Fine Old Manor Club, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 23, 1910, p. 6, col. 1. 

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The Inaugural Run of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railroad Through Pelham for Local Officials in 1912

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A railroad known as the New York, Westchester and Boston Railroad was built in the early 20th century and once ran through Pelham.  Remnants of the railroad remain, including the railroad bridge that still stands over Highbrook Avenue. 

The inaugural run of cars on the new line carrying local officials occurred on May 16, 1912.  A brief article about the event appeared in the New Rochelle Pioneer two days later.  The text of that article appears below.

"WHEN THE NEW R.R. WILL START
-----
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONERS, RAILROAD OFFICIALS AND MUNICIPAL OFFICERS MAKE TRIP ON THURSDAY FROM BRONX TO THIS CITY.
-----

That the opening of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railroad for public traffic is but a matter of a few days, was shown on Thursday, when an official inspection of part of the system was made. 

The invited guests to the number of twenty-five, included Chairman Wilcox, of the Public Service Commission, First Department, Commissioners Heustis, Maltbie and Williams, President Miller, of the road; Senator Wainwright, Mayor Fiske, of Mount Vernon; Mayor Waldorf, of New Rochelle; President Ceder, of North Pelham; Chief Engineer Crider and other railroad officials and attaches of the Public Service Commission. 

The start was made by the two-car train at 11:30 from Adams street station, the Bronx.  Stops were made at all stations from this point to Mount Vernon, where the Third street station was made the stopping point.  From there at a slow gait, so as to give the passengers plenty of chance for observation, the train rolled up to the North avenue station in New Rochelle.  After an inspection there the train returned and made a stop at the Fifth avenue station, North Pelham, and then proceeded up the White Plains branch to Wykagyl station. 

Having arrived there, President Miller escorted the party to the Wykagyl Golf Club House, where the club's president, Mr. W. B. Randall [of Pelham Manor], received and a luncheion was served.  During the course of the same Commissioner Eustis offered a toast to the prosperity of the new road and health and happiness to its efficient President, Mr. Miller.

The luncheon at an end, the party returned to the train and sped for home.  Stops being made at stations convenient to the homes of detraining guests.  The opinion expressed by all was that the road construction is of the highest class, the equipment, rolling and stationary, of the most up-to-date and modern type, and the stations commodious, comfortable and of pleasing architecture and lavish interior finish.

The engineers of the Public Service Commission expressed their delight over the splendid signal system installed on the road, over the perfect appointment of the steel cars and of the almost noiseless running of the train.

Although the day was rainy and cloudy, the approbation expressed by the inspecting party produced sunny smiles upon the faces of President Miller, of Chief Engineer Crider and upon other railroad officials who have had a hand in producing this model of electric railroads.

On Monday President Miller will take a number of newspaper men over the route and entertain them at the Wykagyl Club House.

It will take several days yet before the road can be opened for public traffic."

Source:  When the New R.R. Will Start, New Rochelle Pioneer, Vol. 54, No. 8, May 18, 1912, p. 1, col. 4.

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Brief Biography of William B. Randall of Pelham Manor Published in 1900

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William B. Randall was a noted resident of Pelham Manor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  He had a house that stood between today's Beech Tree Lane and Park Lane near the Village border with Pelham Bay Park.  The house no longer stands. 

Below is a brief biography of Randall published in 1900.  The text is followed by a citation to its source.

"RANDALL, WILLIAM B. -- Banker, 66 Broadway, New York City; residence Pelham Manor.  Born in South Lee Berkshire Co., Mass., Oct. 2, 1859.  Educated at Prospect School, Bridgeport, Conn. (Married.)  Trust officer Knickerbocker Trust Co.  Treasurer Southern States Lumber Co.; treasurer and director Gorham Coal Co.; secretary and director Laguna Valley Co., and Hampton Roads Hotel Co.; secretary Ashtabula Water Co.; director Suburban Land Improvement Co.; trustee village of Pelham Manor.  Member National Arts Club."

Source:  Biographical Directory of the State of New York 1900, p. 391 (NY, NY:  Biographical Directory Co. 1900).

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Battle Royal in Pelham Manor to Stop the Westchester Lighting Trust from Erecting Electric Light Poles in 1902

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Wealthy residents of Pelham Manor nearly came to physical blows with workers from the Westchester Lighting Trust on April 3, 1902. The Trust had permits from New York City to erect electric light poles along today's Shore Road. When it tried to erect such poles along the roadway between the Pelham Bay Park boundary line and New Rochelle through a portion of Pelham Manor, however, local residents created a "lively scene". The article below, from the April 4, 1902 issue of the New-York Tribune, provides an interest account of the incident.

"WIN FIGHT AGAINST TRUST.

MRS. ANNIE J. ROOSEVELT HAS HER COACHMAN JUMP INTO A HOLE DUG BY LINEMEN.

Wealthy residents of Pelham Manor yesterday prevented by strenuous measures the New-York and Westchester Lighting Trust from erecting electric light poles in front of their homes. Despite the fact that the company had failed to get permits from the property owners, it tried to erect poles along Pelham Road from the Pelham Bay Park boundary line to New-Rochelle. When its men reached the property of Mrs. Annie J. Roosevelt there was a lively scene. Her coachman was ordered to jump into the post hole and prevent the pole from being erected. The linemen said they had a permit from the New-York authorities to erect the poles wherever they wished. 'This is not New-York,' replied Mrs. Roosevelt, 'and you shall not erect the poles, except where I tell you. If you do I shall stop you.'

Mrs. Roosevelt, who is prominent in Pelham Manor society, called her coachman, and when the employes dug a hole he jumped in it. Finally they started to dig directly in front of Mrs. Roosevelt's house. She telephoned to the Pelham Manor Railroad Commissioner and had the work stopped and the holes refilled.

A large gang of linemen then proceeded to work in front of the place of Frederick H. Allen and the Pelham priory. Mrs. Allen sent her employees to fill up the holes as fast as they were dug and telephoned to her husband, who was in New-York. He asked Village President [William B.] Randall to have the desecration of the church property stopped. Constables were sent to the scene, and the trust employes, after a skirmish, surrendered. Mr. Allen said the vice-president of the company called to see him last night and agreed to erect the poles where the property holders desired."

Source: Win Fight Against Trust, New-York Tribune, Apr. 4, 1902, p. 5, col. 4.

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An Early Event in the History of Pelhamwood

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Just north of the Pelham station of the New Haven Line is the lovely neighborhood known as Pelhamwood. The neighborhood was developed in the early 20th Century by Clifford B. Harmon and his company, Clifford B. Harmon & Co. A full history of the neighborhood was published in The Pelham Weekly in 2004. See Bell, Blake A., The Early Development of Pelhamwood, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 37, Sept. 17, 2004, p. 12, col. 2.

William B. Randall, who once lived between Park Lane and Beech Tree Lane in the Village of Pelham Manor and served as President of that Village for a time, bought the lands that became Pelhamwood in 1907. He intended to develop the land. Within a short time, however, he sold those lands. The actual development was performed by Clifford B. Harmon & Co.

While researching other matters, I recently ran across a brief item published in 1907 in The Sun [New York City]. The item describes Randall's purchase. I have transcribed it below, followed by a citation to its source.

"Miscellaneous. . . . .

William Bradley Randall of Pelham Manor, associated with Charles T. Barney, president of the Knickerbocker Trust Company; Col. Wallach, of the law frim of Wallach & Cook, and Frederick L. Eldridge, vice-president of the Knickerbocker Trust Company, has bought from the Richard Lathers estate the tract of land known as Winyap [sic] Park, Pelham, containing over 132 acres. They have incorporated as the Winyap Park Realty Company. It is the intention of the company to lay out the property as a high class residential park. Washington L. Jacques, proprietor of the Murray Hil Hotel, and Thomas Leclaire Jacques, president of the village of Pelham, have organized a hotel company for the purpose of erecting a hotel to cost about $350,000 and to contain about 300 rooms. They have also taken an interest in the land syndicate."

Source: Miscellaneous, The Sun, Jun. 21, 1906, p. 8, col. 2.

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An Odd Incident in Pelham Manor in 1902

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On September 19, 1902, The Sun published an article about an odd incident in Pelham Manor that involved a number of prominent Pelham citizens. A young man who tried to catch a train departing from the Pelham Manor Station on the branch line fell from the rear car and was dragged. The incident was witnessed by a Pelham Manor police officer and Harry E. Day, a prominent artist. When the two men went to the assistance of the young man, what happened next could not have been anticipated by either. An article detailing the incident is transcribed below.

"THIS BROKER ARRESTED A COP

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W. A. STRACHAN OF S. MUNN, SON & CO. HOLDS UP A PATROLMAN.

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The Policeman, Who Is Also a Pinkerton Man, Had Tried With an Artist to Aid Strachan, Who Called Them Robbers and Cowed Them at a Pistol's Point.

PELHAM MANOR, Sept. 18. -- W. A. Strachan, a young cotton broker of New York, was arrested to-day by Chief of Police Marks of Pelham Manor and held in $200 bail for trial as the result of some fun which he had on Sunday night at the expense ov the Pelham Manor police.

The broker, who is a Southerner, and comes of a prominent family, held up Patrolman Joseph Colgan, a Pinkerton man employed in the Manor, and Harry E. Day, an artist, and marched them a mile and a half at the point of a revolver. Mr. Day is a prominent citizen of Pelham Manor. His father is the Rev. John H. Day, formerly editor of the Evangelist.

Mr. Strachan is a member of the New York Athletic Club. On Sunday, in company with many others, he attired himself as an Indian, and attended the annual handshake of the Indians of the club and the flubdubs of the Larchmont Yacht Club, which took place at Huckleberry island on the Sound.

After the jamboree was over the broker returned to the Pelham Manor station to take the 9 o'clock train for New York. The train was pulling out of the station when he reached there, and in his anxiety to get aboard he ran after it and grabbed the handrail of the rear car. The train was moving too fast for him and he was dragged along and then thrown upon the track.

Policeman Colgan and Mr. Day, who saw him fall, ran to his assistance, supposing that he was killed. They were surprised upon reaching the prostrate man to have him spring up and level a big revolver at them. The broker declared to the officer and the artist that they were robbers, and he told them to throw up their hands or he would kill them. The two men, uncertain as to what he might do in his condition, obeyed. Then the broker proceeded to march them toward the New York Athletic Club.

The men protested that they had intended to do him no harm, and tried to explain who they were, but he would not listen to them. Every time they lagged or tried to explain he levelled the gun at their heads and threatened to fire.

The distance to the club is a mile and a half, over a lonely road, and the broker and his captives traversed it about ten paces apart. When the club gates at Travers Island were reached the broker faced the captives and, covering them again, said:

'Now, get, you rascals, get. If you don't I'll put a couple of bullets through your bonnets. Tell your friends that the Huckleberry Indians are hot stuff.'

The prisoners hurried away and the broker ran into the clubhouse and disappeared. The men who were held up were inclined to treat their experience as a joke, but some of the citizens of Pelham heard of the matter and brought it to the attention of the Village President, William B. Randall, who was forced to act.

Accordingly, a warrant was sworn out, and it was served to-day by Chief Marks, who found young Strachan at the office of S. Munn. Son & Co., in Beaver street. He brought the broker to Pelham Manor to-night and he was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Hill, who held him in $200 for trial.

Bail was furnished by Horace Hatch, a wealthy resident of the Manor. The young broker when arraigned still declared that he thought the two men when they rushed at him were robbers.

It was reported to-night that some of the people of Pelham Manor, indignant at the way their police officers had been treated, would bring the whole affair before the governors of the Athletic Club. Young Strachan's parents are in Europe. The family home at 57 West Seventy-sixth street is closed."

Source: This Broker Arrested a Cop, The Sun, Vol. LXX, No. 19, Sept. 19, 1902, p. 1, col. 5.

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