Clifton (Acquackanonk) July 100 Years Ago
ACQUACKANONK SOLONS
Official
Minutes of the Regular Meeting at Clifton.
Following are the special minutes of the Acquackanonk
Township committee and show what that body did at the meeting last night.
Clifton,
N. J., July 1, 1902.
The regular meeting of the Township Committee was
held on the above date, all members being present. The minutes of the meetings
held June 3rd and 14th were read, and approved as read.
The
treasurer reported a cash balance of $898.73 and the Clerk reported having
collected and turned over to the Treasurer $100.00 circus license fee and
$85.00 fines collected for violation of Township ordinances.
The
County Treasurer, in reply to a question, advised the committee that the amount
due the county from the Township account of road work to be $1,605.48.
The
committee appointed to procure furniture for use of the Township Committee,
reported having bought a table and the necessary chairs.
Counsel
W. B. Gourley reported that the road repair contract with Richard Berry had
been drawn and executed; that the road macadamizing contract with F. J. Marley
had been drawn but not executed; progress in the matter of collection of amount
due from the East Jersey Water Company, for unpaid taxes, and the matter of
bill of Richard Berry; which was referred to him as to its legality, that he
did not consider that there was any law bearing directly on the subject; that
the matter was one which must be left to the discretion of the committee.
The
committee appointed to close pool rooms in Lake View, reported that they were
satisfied with what had been accomplished.
On
motion the report was received, and the committee continued in power.
The
following bills were presented and, on motion, ordered paid:
Herbert
R. Sipp, account of poor, $73.75; services as poor-master, $25.00.
An
ordinance amending section 7 of Township License ordinance, so as to make fee
for circus license $150.00, was read, and, on motion, laid over until the next
meeting.
Richard
Berry offered a bond in the sum of $500.00 for faithful and proper carrying out
of road repair contract, with W. B. Gourley and Henry Hohenstein, as sureties.
On
motion, the bond was accepted and offered filed.
On
motion, the amount assessed on tax bill No. 522, for year 1900, was reduced by
$101.00 - $100.00 on personal property, and $1.00 on dog tax, and because of
error, bill No. 2,000 was reduced $300.00 in valuation of house.
On
motion, the Clerk was instructed to consult the Engineer relative to repairs on
Highland Avenue, and to notify Special Officer Kimball that complaints had been
received of frequent violations of the license ordinance in his district,
instructing him to give the matter his attention.
On
motion, the committee then adjourned, to meet at 8 p.m., July 7th.
Allison J. Van Brunt,
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
July 2, 1902
Clifton,
N. J., June 14, 1902
A special meeting of the Township Committee was held
on the above date in Main Avenue hall. Committeeman Piaget being absent.
On motion, the following named persons were appointed
special officers:
Henry Welland, Arthur Bailey, Joseph E. Marcy, John
T. Marcy and Henry P. Simmons.
The repairs contemplated on Township roads were
discussed, and on motion, the meeting adjourned.
Allison J. Van Brunt,
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
July 2, 1902
Daily Budget of Village
Happening Gathered For the News.
Tomorrow
night is the date for the International lawn fete under the auspices of the
Christian Endeavor Society. It will be held on Samuel S. Groocock’s grounds and
will be open at 5 o’clock. A German supper will be served at 6 o’clock or
earlier.
The
Japanese with their tea, the American with ice cream, the French with bonbons,
the English with fine linens and the Italians with fruit and peanuts, are all
very attractive. There will be ping pong, tennis and croquet sets free to all.
There is a promise of two addresses, some singing and anything else needed to
make the evening enjoyable. The following are the committees:
Reception
committee – Rev. and Mrs. J. S. Ellsworth, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Alyea and Mr.
and Mrs. Henry Aspell. American table – Misses Clare Rue, Florence Ker, Lottie
Disbrow, Edna Brown, May Birdsall and Nettie Adam, Walter Hascy and Charles
Cooper. British table – Mrs. Fred Pearce, Mrs. Joseph P. S. Alyea, Mrs. Tyler,
Misses Mary Bailey, Fanny Cooper, Emma Hascy, Mary DeMott, Theodore Price and
William H. Ker.
German
supper table – Misses May Shaffer, Alice Cooper, Margaret Clarkson, Edna ing, Mary Hichenbottom, Jennie Welland,
Venessa Furman, Carleton Aspell and Neil Adam. French table – Misses Alice
Hascy, Eleanor and Jessie Young, Eva Bogert, Edna Disbrow, Arthur Redfern and
Richard Young. Japanese table – Misses Angeline and Hester Nathan, Grace Young,
Eva Price, Anna L. Clarkson, Warda Hopper, Samuel Vought and Lester Meloney.
Italian table – Messrs. Frances Tilton, Percy Smith, Albert Laffray and Edwin
Bowers. All members of the society are requested to be at Mr. Groocock’s at 10
o’clock tomorrow morning and at 1 in the afternoon in order to decorate and
prepare booths. All donations, flags, lanterns and other lawn decorations must
be on the grounds not later than 3 o’clock.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
July
5, 1902
CLIFTON
LAWN PARTY
Enjoyable Event at the “Willows” the Other Evening.
One of the most brilliant, the most successful,
and most pleasing affairs of the season in Clifton has passed.
Yesterday
the one hundred and twenty-sixth anniversary of our national independence was
ushered in by the international lawn fete given by the Christian Endeavor
society of young people. The spacious and beautiful grounds, “The Willows,”
which were so kindly thrown open by Samuel Groocock, were well filled. Six
nations were represented, the American, the English, the German, the Japanese,
the French and the Italian. The American, gay with our flag, had a large
display of fireworks and also of ice cream.
When
the excitement caused by the booths had subsided, Adam Tornqvist, of Passaic,
rendered “The Star Spangled Banner” on the cornet. He followed this with “The
Watch on the Rhine.” Afterward William Ker gave a stirring patriotic
address.
After
this the enthusiasm spread quickly and there were calls for cheers for Mr. and
Mrs. Groocock, Harry Aspell, the society’s president, and many others.
The
chairman of the social committee desires to thank through these columns, each
member of the several committees, each helper and each donor for individual
aid.
As reported in the Passaic Daily
News.
July 5, 1902
FROM CLIFTON TOWN
Daily Budget of Village Happening Gathered For the
News.
There was some excitement caused yesterday
afternoon about 5 o’clock by the ringing of the fire bell. A lighted balloon
fell upon the roof of Mr. Cooper’s house in Passaic Avenue, but only the slightest
damage was done.
An
onyx medallion from a fob was lost somewhere in Clifton Thursday. The finder
will be suitably rewarded upon the return of the article to William Ker.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
July 7, 1902
CANNON SCARED THE HORSES
Italian Wedding Party Had a
Fright
TEAM RAN AWAY WITH COACH
Friends
and Neighbors Gathered to Welcome Them Home, But Noise Nearly Caused an
Accident – Happened in Clifton.
A
newly married couple was in a runaway yesterday and for a time there was great
excitement. The parties are Italian and reside in Lake Street, in Clifton, just
over the city line. They were married in the morning by one of the Italian
priests and when they returned to the bride’s home the neighbors and friends
had prepared a celebration.
A
cannon of fair proportions was brought into play and placed behind the front
gate. Just as the carriage containing the couple drove up to the house one of
the friends set off the cannon. The horses were frightened, to say nothing of
the neighborhood and dashed up the road at a fearful gait. The bride’s screams,
coupled with those of the relatives in other coaches, made the affair quite
exciting. People hurried from their homes, expecting to see the coach wrecked
and the newly married couple killed. A second coach dashed after the first one.
Luckily the driver quieted the horses after they had run several blocks.
The
cannon was put away quite suddenly and did not cut any figure in the remainder
of the celebration.
As
reported in the Passaic Daily News.
July 7, 1902
CORONER’S JURY IN ARNESMAN CASE
Murder Theory Strengthened
by Investigation
OFFICIALS ARE PUZZLED
How Came His Body at the Lonely Spot in Clifton and
Where is His Gold Watch and Money? – Inquest to be Held on July 21 in This City
– Funeral Was Held This Afternoon.
A thorough investigation into the causes that led
to the death of Cornelius Arnesman will be made by the Passaic County
authorities.
Today
Dr. F. Y. Yates, of Paterson, came to this city and instructed Constable
Burgoyne to empanel a jury. The jury at once viewed the remains, which were at
Arnesman’s home in Harrison Street. The inquest will be held on July 21 in this
city in the district court room in the Municipal building.
The
jury is made up of Edward Merrell, foreman; Jacob Van Winkle, Fred Geisert,
Cornelius Birkhoff, Thomas Hennan and Cornelius Bakelaar. At the inquest
Watchman DeWolff, who found the body on the morning of the fourth, and all
those who had seen Arnesman, will be summoned.
The
mystery as to how he came to his death is deepening today. Though the county
officers have been investigating, little has developed that will throw any
light on the case. It has been positively proven that Arnesman a few hours
before he met his death had a large amount of money about his person. There are
those who saw him at the festival in this city on Thursday night who say that
he had from fifty to sixty dollars in bills in an inside coat pocket. It has
been said that he produced the roll during the time he was at the festival.
His
relatives are as much at sea as any one in the matter. They say that he had
money and as he was not under the influence of drink when last seen and though
inquiries at all saloons fail to show that he was at any of them, they cannot
account for the finding of his body at the lonely spot in Clifton.
The
wounds on the head are such that might have been made by a club, though they
might possibly have been made by the cylinder head of a train.
The facts that strengthen the murder theory are
these:
Arnesman’s
pockets were empty. There were but ten cents found on his person.
How the man came to be at Clifton at such an early
hour – it was past 3 o’clock when watchman DeWolff says he found the body – is
mystifying the officials. There is a theory advanced that Arnesman may have met
a friend with whom he took a walk. That this friend robbed him after an assault
and left the body at the side of the track is a plausible theory. Physicians
say they believe the gash at the back of the head caused death and it will be
hard to prove whether this gash was made by a train or a club.
Arnesman
owned considerable property besides his home and the plot of ground at 447
Harrison Street. He had lots in Garfield and other places.
His
wife has been dead a number of years and he lived with his two sons in the old
house, the last one in Harrison Street, at the foot of the hill.
There
the body lay today when the coroner’s jury viewed it. A picture of Arnesman
when he was a policeman in this city, twenty-five years ago, hangs on the wall
above the black casket.
Twenty-five
years do not seem to have aged the man much and his face today is as natural as
ever. The funeral was held at 2 o’clock from his late home and at 3 o’clock
from the Holland church at Quincy Street and Harrison Avenue.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
July 8, 1902
NO EXPLANATION YET FOR ARNESMAN’S DEATH
“We will not let the matter drop until we are
assured that father came to his death through accident, “ said the two sons of
Cornelius Arnesman to a News man this morning.
The
sons and their brother-in-law, together with Policeman Vonk, are hard at work
in an effort to clear up the mystery surrounding the sudden death of the aged
man.
The
funeral was held yesterday from the Holland church at Hamilton Avenue and
Quincy Street. The pretty church was thronged with the friends and neighbors of
the Arnesmans. There were many in the congregation who remembered the dead man.
He had been charitable and many a dollar that he gave away to charity was never
remembered until yesterday when his friends who had profited by his generosity
gathered in the church.
The
Rev. Martin Flipse took occasion to remark that he believed that Mr. Arnesman had
met death at the hands of persons unknown. “It is the first time I have ever
been called upon to officiate at the funeral of one who has met death in this
manner,” he said. “I believe that our dead brother met death at foul hands, and
I say, may God pity those who are responsible.” The services were most pathetic
and few went away with dry eyes.
The
interment was at Lodi cemetery.
From
investigations made by News reporters the last seen of Arnesman on the fatal
July 3 was when he left the festival to go home. He crossed the Erie tracks and
passed McKeown’s saloon at the corner of Main Avenue and Oak Street. Then he
branched off into the clump of trees known as Scot’s woods. He was seen to
enter that point by several persons.
He
never reached his home in Harrison Street. It was always his habit to inform
his relatives when he entered the yard late at night. He would awaken them in
order that they might not be frightened. They are positive that he did not
reach the house after he left it early in the evening.
He
purchased a drink of beer in John Kalf’s saloon in Main Avenue early in the
evening but did not return after 7 o’clock.
The
theory advanced by his relatives is that he was set upon in the Scott woods and
that he may have been murdered there. They say it is possible that his body was
thrown on one of the cars of the freight that left Passaic shortly after
midnight, west bound, and that it might have fallen off at Clifton.
Besides
the money and the watch, which are missing, his pocketknife cannot be found.
This knife could not be opened by anyone but Arnesman. It had a patent spring
that he alone knew the secret of. This he carried on Thursday night, but it was
missing when the body was found.
As reported in the Passaic Daily
News.
July 9, 1902
ARNESMAN’S DEATH MAY BE MYSTERY
Authorities
Seem to Take Little Interest in the Case
MURDER THEORY HOLDS
Policeman Vonk is Busy
Investigating in His Spare Time, But so Far No Light Has Been Thrown on the
Man’s Death – Who Enticed Him to Clifton? Is the Question to Be Solved.
Little
has developed today to throw light on the mysterious death of the late
Cornelius Arnesman, of North Passaic. It would appear that the city and county
authorities are taking but little interest, for no one could be found who was
at work on the case.
They
all appear to believe that Arnesman was enticed to Clifton on Thursday night
for the purpose of robbery and that he was assaulted and left on the railroad tracks.
Some believe that he was struck by a train after the assault had taken place.
Who
enticed him to the lonely spot is yet to be found out and today’s view of the
situation would seem as though it is a mystery that will never be solved.
The
inquest is to be held on July 21, but unless some inquiries are made it can
amount to but little; as no effort is being put forth by the authorities to
learn the facts in the case.
Policeman Jacob Vonk, a son-in-law of the dead man, spends all his spare time on the case, but he is the only officer at work.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
July 10, 1902
FROM CLIFTON TOWN
Daily Budget of Village Happenings Gathered for
the News.
The evening of the Fourth of July will be
remembered by several families in Clifton, for thieves tried to break into
several houses. Mrs. Vanluci was alone in her house while the thief was trying
to open the window. Mr. Vanluci returned while the man was still at his work.
The thief heard his footsteps and made a dash past him. The neighbors were
called, but no traces of the man could be found. They also attempted robbery at
Mr. Mackintosh’s residence.
Yesterday
morning Miss Ada Conant hurt herself quite seriously on a wire fence. She was
returning from the store with a package under her arm and guiding her wheel,
which she was riding, with one hand. The wheel turned and she fell into the
fence and cut herself badly…
Tickets are now out for the lawn fete, which is to be given by the Athletic Club…
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
July 11, 1902
FROM CLIFTON TOWN
Daily Budget of Village Happenings Gathered for
the News.
For three consecutive nights the township
committee has held meetings to look over the books…
Considerable excitement has been caused three or four times lately by the animals in the circus at the racetrack. Yesterday afternoon several ponies got away from their places and led their owners on quite a chase before they were caught…
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
July 12, 1902
DESTROYED CROP ON CLIFTON FARMER
Mean Act of
Some Sneak Reported Today
LOSS IS A HEAVY ONE
Farmer Max’s Fine Garden Completely Ruined During the
Night – Has No Enemies and the Reason Cannot Be Explained – Thieves Attempt
Robbery Here – Another Clifton Theft.
About one of the meanest sneaks heard of in some
time was the party who destroyed an entire crop of about half an acre of sweet
corn which would have matured in about two weeks and could have been shipped to
market.
The
crop belonged to Gottlieb Max, a West Clifton farmer, who sells the most of his
produce to Passaic storekeepers. The destruction was done on Thursday night and
who the perpetrators are is still a mystery. Mr. Max says that he has no
enemies and can hardly believe that anyone could be mean enough to injure him
in such a way.
The
farmers are to call a meeting and take some action. It is believed that they
will employ detectives to try to run down the parties. A watchman will also be
employed to patrol the farms at night. The party of parties who are guilty of
such an offense might some night do untold damage to some other farm.
Another Clifton
Robbery
Another robbery occurred at West Clifton last
night. Frank Frankil, who has charge of the racetrack, placed a letterbox at a
gate on the Piaget Avenue entrance for the convenience of the letter carrier.
The thief stole the box, and Mr. Frankil says that there were two letters in it
which he intended the carrier to collect this morning on his rounds. Mr.
Frankil offers a reward of $50 for information as to the guilty parties. It is
thought that it will come under the postal laws and that the government will
take hold of the case.
Forced Two Locks
The other night thieves attempted to force their
way into the plumbing shop of Wall Brothers, in Quincy Street, near Lexington
Avenue. They forced both locks with a jimmy and were about to enter when the
burglar alarm went off and woke Richard Wall. He jumped from his bed and,
hurriedly dressing, started out to find the thieves. Just as he reached the
street a wagon was started and the horse whipped into a gallop. He believes
that the thieves had a wagon.
As reported in the Passaic Daily
News.
July 16, 1902
CATTLE FARM AT ATHENIA
Interesting Review of the Government Station
How the Imported Stock Is Cared For and Watched After
Arrival In New York Harbor – It Is an Important Station.
In the Breeder’s Gazette, George W. Pope, the
superintendent, thus describes the new United States government quarantine
station at Athenia, just outside of Passaic:
The
homes of valuable livestock will always be of interest to breeders and
stockmen. Of special interest must be the Atlantic coast quarantine stations,
established by the United States Department of Agriculture, as these stations
become the first, though temporary, home upon American soil of the cream of the
old-established herds of Great Britain and the Channel Islands. Of the three
Atlantic coast quarantine stations that for the port of New York is the most
important and of the greatest interest. It is here that the major portion of
imported animals are received. Here the land is owned by the government, which
fact insures the erection of permanent buildings and the establishment of such
improvements as would be unwarranted upon leased land.
Throughout
the country many owners of stock, not directly engaged in importing animals,
may have an indefinite idea of the system in vogue for the quarantine of
cattle, swine, sheep and all other ruminating animals entering our country. For
all such I will aim to make this article instructive. To those importers who
have at various times received animals from the Athenia quarantine station, but
who have never personally visited the place, it will be of special interest.
For
a suitable animal quarantine station several features are important. Such a
station should be readily accessible and so situated that animals can be
directly transferred to it from the ocean steamships either by water or rail.
It is important that there be good railroad facilities for shipping animals to
their destination at the expiration of the period of detention. A healthful
location with land elevated and well drained is desirable, and while somewhat
isolated, not to such an extent as to cause importers inconvenience in securing
forage of stock and board for attendants. In fact, an ideal quarantine station
should be so situated as to receive imported animals with the least possible
delay, expense and inconvenience to the owner and at the same time safeguard
our native animals from any possible infection; so situated and equipped as to
be favorable to the well-being of the new arrivals during their detention, and
also offering owners the best of transportation facilities at the expiration of
the quarantine period. In some respects a water front would be an ideal
location, but suitable and purchasable land accessible to such a port as that
of New York is not readily secured. In May, 1900, Congress made an
appropriation which enabled the United States Department of Agriculture to take
active steps in securing land for a new station, which, of course, signaled an
early abandonment of the old station and a return of the property to the
leasers. About this time representatives of the department made a thorough and
faithful search for a water-front location which would fulfill essential
requirements as above given and after a fruitless effort the idea was
abandoned.
Strangers
in New York, travelling westward by lines of rail leading through New Jersey,
cannot be very favorably impressed with their first view of that state. The
several miles of salt marshes extending along the coast present the monotony of
the prairie, but with their lack of
fertility. The traveler is reminded of the traditional mosquito and
recalls the fact that this low land is its habitat. This marshy and monotonous
waste is, however, soon relieved as the train enters a region of diversified
hill and dale, rich in foliage and exhibiting every evidence of thrift and
enterprise. It is in this region, twelve miles from New York, as M. Santos
Dumont would have us travel, and nestled in the foothills of the Orange
Mountains, that the quiet little hamlet of Athenia is found. Forty minutes ride
from New York via the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western railroad, fifty minutes
via the Newark branch of the Erie, eight miles from the large city of Newark,
and so favored by nature; it is remarkable that the entire section about
Athenia was not years ago claimed for suburban residences. Fortunately this was not the case and in
June, 1900, the Bureau of Animal Industry contracted for the purchase of about
forty-five acres adjoining the Erie railroad and one-fourth mile from the
freight and passenger station of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western road. It
is to the credit of all concerned that this ideal spot was chosen. It is
moreover creditable that the property was contracted for from six owners and
the purchase made at a reasonable price and without litigation. Thus the land
having been acquired, the state having ceded jurisdiction to the government and
the former owners given a reasonable time for vacating, the active work of
establishing a new animal quarantine station for the port of New York was begun
April 1, 1901.
One
important and practical feature in planning the new station was the location of
roads and buildings and in this matter due regard was given to the purposes for
which such a building exists – the guarding of our livestock interests from the
dangers incidental to the introduction of contagious or infecting diseases. The
buildings are isolated and a 32 foot road separates the various yards, that
extending from the siding at the railroad is a broad street for receiving and
distributing animals to the various buildings. Surrounding the entire plot is a
street terminating at each end of the loading platform. This street is for the
exit of animals. Thus it will be readily seen that complete isolation of the
various importations and avoidance of passing released animals over ground
recently covered by new arrivals is easily accomplished.
But
the plotting of the ground is not the first feature observed by a visitor.
Standing at the entrance to the grounds and in the center of a five-acre
reserve, is the recently completed residence for the superintendent. With a
side entrance to the office the building combines utility with substantial
grace, and when the landscape artist has completed his work there will be an
added beauty to this home like structure. For entrance to the quarantine
grounds and buildings a special written permit must be secured at the office,
for the station is not an exhibition ground, and a lack of restrictions would
be contrary to the purposes for which it was established. If the visitor be an
importer returning after a long absence in England, he will invariably prolong
his visit at the office and scan with avidity the columns of the Gazette and
other livestock papers kept on file – for during his voyage upon the Atlantic
some record-breaking sale may have taken place or other great event in the
livestock world have occurred. The permit secured, entrance to the grounds and
certain specified buildings is allowable.
The
substantial character of the station cannot fail to impress one upon entering
the grounds. Ranging in capacity from eleven head up to eighty, the general
plan for all is the same. Increased capacity is secured by increasing the
length of the building, all other proportions remaining constant. Constructed
of brick, with blue stone trimmings, these stables present a permanent and
serviceable appearance, and with front and rear entrances sufficiently wide to
admit of the passing of a team of horses, there can be no opportunity for
cattle to become bruised in entering or leaving their quarters. The exterior of
the buildings is but suggestive of the substantial construction of the interior,
and after all this is the portion of the grater interest to importers.
The
floor, walls and fittings remind one of the pus-ward of one of our modern
hospitals, as the absence of woodwork and the hard, smooth surfaces offer no
crevices for the lodgment of bacteria and render the problem of disinfection
comparatively simple. Woodwork of the interior of the buildings is confined
chiefly to the roof, which is sealed with yellow pine, matched lumber. The feed
boxes are of oak and easily removed for cleaning and disinfecting. Floors and walls are of cement. Gutters
are covered with an iron grating and the fittings of tubular iron are firmly
imbedded in the cement floors. A passageway of three feet in front of the
cattle is a convenience to the attendant when feeding. Buildings with a
capacity of eleven head have one large box stall and ten single stalls. In
larger buildings the number of box stalls is increased proportionately. Ample
provision is made for storing hay and grain and with running water inside each
building there is no necessity of turning animals out in inclement weather.
A
vital feature in the construction of a stable is the drainage. This problem is
solved by the construction of cesspools for each stable and into this the
contents of gutters are drained. It is intended that a hose be attached to the
hydrant and the drains thoroughly flushed each day, and upon the attendant’s
faithfulness in this matter depends the sanitary condition of drain and stable.
An
ample supply of pure water is essential for such a place as we are describing
and in this respect the Athenia quarantine station is particularly fortunate.
Standing upon an elevation near the center of the ground is the eleven thousand
gallon tank which is fifty-five feet above the front entrance. Below the tank
is the pump-house containing the pump and five-horse power gasoline engine.
Beneath is the six inch well sunk to depth of one hundred and sixty-eight feet
and exhibiting a rise of water to within sixty-eight feet of the surface. Three
inch, two inch and one inch pipes are laid throughout the grounds and inside
and outside of each building is located a hydrant which, at the attendant’s
will, furnishes for the cattle a supply of water unsurpassed in quantity.
For
loading and unloading stock with the least possible risk arrangements at the
new station are the best. Inspected animals are not allowed to pass over any
highway until released from quarantine. In order to accomplish this the
railroad siding is extended to the border of the station property and the stock
is loaded directly upon the quarantine grounds.
Excepting
at some of the large stock yards in our country the loading and unloading
facilities are such that cattle must pass up or down a steep incline. This
objectionable feature does not exist at the new station, for the track is
depressed, permitting animals to load at once from the car upon terra firma,
thus reducing to a minimum the dangers incidental to shipment.
There
are at present at the Athenia station fifteen buildings with an aggregate
capacity of four hundred and twenty-five cattle. Each importation is assigned a
separate yard and stable and attendants upon one importation are forbidden to
enter buildings or enclosures where animals of [any] other importation are
held, as this is a quarantine station and isolation is essential.
The
expense for transportation and feed must be met by the importer and it devolves
upon him to furnish an attendant. The superintendent of the station, a
veterinarian, carefully inspects the animals immediately upon arrival of the
ship in port and during the quarantine period observes them for evidences of
contagious or infectious diseases and when it is required furnishes medical
attendance. Other regular employees assist the superintendent in his duties,
care for the roads and fences, repair and disinfect buildings and assist in
loading and unloading livestock.
The
quarantine period for cattle is ninety days from the date of sailing of ship
which allowing ten days for the Trans-Atlantic passage, means about eighty days
at the station. For swine, sheep and other ruminating animals such as goats,
deer and camels the period of detention is fifteen days actual time at the station.
There
has been expended thus far at Athenia $61,000 in round numbers and of this
amount $31,000 was for land and residence and the balance for stables, water
system, fencing and miscellaneous items. Only one year has passed since active
work was begun. Less than eight months ago the first importation was received
and it could not be expected that in such a short time all improvements could
have been established. The thorough equipment of such a place is a matter of
years rather than months. A new appropriation made by Congress and available
July 1, will admit of the further erection of buildings and the continuation of
improvements which are but the beginning of a thoroughly equipped and model
station admirably adapted to the purpose for which it was established. As reported in the
Passaic Daily News.
July 22, 1902
DEATH ACCIDENTAL SAYS THE JURY
Murder Theory Not Upheld In Death of Cornelius Arnesman
INVESTIGATION COMPLETED
Dr. Yates Examined a
Number of Witnesses Last Night, But Little Additional Testimony Was Advanced –
Dead Man Was Last Seen at 13:10 O’clock on July 3 In Main Avenue.
The undersigned coroner’s jury empanelled to inquire into the death of Cornelius Arnesmann, do find that the deceased came to his death on July 4, at Clifton, Passaic County, N. J. We further find that the said Cornelius Arnesman came to his death accidentally having been struck by a passing train while on the tracks of the Erie Railroad company.
Edward
Morrell, Jacob Van Winkle, Cornelius Burkhoff, Thomas Horan, Fred Geisert,
Cornelius Bakelaar.
After
an investigation lasting two hours the coroner’s jury empanelled to bear
evidence in the death of Cornelius Arnesman, late of this city, whose body was
found on the morning of July 4, at Clifton, on the Erie railroad tracks, last
night brought in a verdict of death from accident, thereby dissolving the
theory of murder.
When
Arnesman’s body was found, the fact that it was in such a locality and that his
watch and money were missing, led to the general belief that there had been
foul play and the police of this city acting under Chief of Police Hendry began
an investigation. Coroner Yates, of Paterson, was called on and ordered a jury
drawn, which was done by Constable Burgoyne. The inquest last night was the
result of the investigations.
No evidence to show that Arnesman had met with foul
play was adduced and in fact the witnesses called could not testify to more
than the bare fact that Arnesman had been seen in this city on the night before
the Fourth, that he was not drunk, and that he was not on bad terms with any
one. How he came to be in Clifton on the Erie tracks between midnight on July 3
and the time his body was found the next morning, will never be known.
The
verdict of the jury declares that he met with accidental death, through his own
act in being on the tracks at night.
The
district court room in the Municipal building was crowded when Coroner Yates
opened the inquest. Chief Hendry assisted him in his questioning. John Keefe,
of Paterson, was stenographer, and Constable Burgoyne attendant.
Charles
DeWolff, the Holland watchman at the Consumers Match works, was the first
witness called. He did not seem to understand the nature of the investigation
and created some amusement by his attempts to make himself known. During the
inquest he declared that one of the previous witnesses was a “liar,” and
emphatically denounced his testimony. He often contradicted himself but this
was probably due to the fact that he was excited by the attempts of the coroner
to get a straight story.
DeWolff’s
testimony was not unlike his stories of the finding of the body, as have been
repeatedly told in the News. It would appear, however, that he left the mill
during the night to walk up the track and discovered the body on the rails.
Whether he returned to the mill and waited until daylight, or immediately
notified Thomas Bowman, the operator in the Erie signal tower a few hundred
yards away, was not made plain.
At
all events, DeWolff discovered the body as well as the man’s coat. He placed
the latter over the man’s head and then returned to the mill, where he waited
until the foreman arrived in the morning. Mr. Bowen testified that DeWolff
notified him of the finding of the body about 3:30 o’clock. DeWolff said that
he at first thought that the body was that of a drunken man or tramp and did
not disturb it, but when it had not moved he investigated and learned that the
man was dead. He had not known Arnesman and never saw him previous to this
night.
Mr.
Bowen, the Erie operator, testified to the fact that he was notified of the
finding of the body and that he sent word of the affair to the company office
and saw that the undertakers sent by the county physician took the body away.
He heard no fight during the night or anything that would tend to show that
there had been a row in that vicinity.
Policeman
Jacob Vonk, a son-in-law of the dead man, was called to the stand and
questioned at length. He spent some time investigating the murder theory and
his testimony was given to show what he had accomplished. Mr. Vonk declared
that his father-in-law had a dollar watch on the night he left home, but that
when found there was but ten cents in his pocket. The watch was missing. One
eyeglass was broken. He gave a detailed statement of the place where the body
was found and in answer to questions, declared that Mr. Arnesman wasn’t what
would be called a drinker, and rarely staid out at night, except in winter when
he cared for steam boilers in several buildings in this city.
Arnesman,
declared Mr. Vonk, worked on July 3, at John A. Willet’s place. He had no
enemies and was not on bad terms with any one as far as was known.
Dr,
McBride, the county physician, was next called. He said that he had examined
the wounds on the dead man and believed that they were made by the impact with
a train. He said he knew of no instrument that would cause the same injuries.
The back and side of the man’s head had been crushed. Parts of the skull were
loose and the brain had been mangled. There were two contusions on the wrist.
Samuel
Howard, a son-in-law of the dead man, who lived at his home with his wife and
two children, was next called. He said that the aged man left the home at four
o'’lock to go down town to do some work. He did not return and they did not see
him again until his body was brought there by an undertaker. Arnesman, declared
that witness, had no enemies and was not on bad terms with any one. He never
saw the man drunk but believed that he took beer once in a while.
Chief
of Police Hendry was put on the stand to tell what he had learned about the
case. He testified that he had learned that Arnesman had been at the Hospital
festival that evening and had last been seen on Main Avenue at Scott’s woos.
The Chief went to the scene of the finding of the body and there saw pieces of
skull and hair on the end of the railroad ties. It looked as though the man’s
head had struck the wood. He also interviewed the watchman and learned his
story.
Henry
Hosptra, of Sherman Street, was the last man to see Arnesman, as far as is
known. In company with several others this young man was walking up Main Avenue
towards his home when Arnesman crossed from the Erie tracks at Oak Street and
started towards Scott’s woods. He was walking fast. The witness did not think
Arnesman had been drinking heavily though he saw him in Kalf’s saloon earlier
in the evening.
John
Hook, a young man living in North Passaic, saw Arnesman on Central Avenue
between 11:30 and 12 o’clock on the night of July 3. He was on Central Avenue
and was carrying his coat on his arm. The witness said Arnesman was walking
slow and seemed to “lap.” This he explained was limping as though he was lame.
Henry
Haerman, another boy, was called but knew practically nothing of the case. He
saw the man, which he believed was Arnesman on the night of July 3.
George
Marcy and Herbert Westing, two young men, lost the last car from Paterson on
the night before the Fourth and walked to Passaic. They crossed from Main
Avenue through the lane near the match factory and met watchman DeWolff who
told them of the finding of the body. They looked at it and then went to the
Erie tower where they waited until the undertaker arrived. There was blood on
the ties, one of the witnesses stated, as well as pieces of bone and brain.
They thought a train had struck the body.
Charles
DeWolff, the watchman, was recalled to explain some of his previous testimony,
which was not made clear. He gave no additional details except that he denied
having found the body at 3:30 o’clock. He said it was daylight when he made his
discovery.
Frank
Franklin, a foreman in the match works was called and told of the watchman
reporting the finding of the body.
Andrew
Arnesman, a son of the deceased was called to testify to the results of his
investigations with Policeman Vonk and Mr. Howard. He said his wife saw his
father at the festival on the night of July 3 and talked with him. The witness
did not see him that day and not again until the body was brought to the house.
This
ended the taking of testimony. Coroner Yates told the jury to carefully consider
the testimony and render a verdict accordingly. The jury retired to a room and
then ten minutes later brought in the verdict as given above.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
THIS
SHOULD BE STOPPED
Fish Horn Accompaniment to Sunday Baseball Shocks Residents.
People resident within a half mile of the Olympic ground were treated on Sunday to the worse kind of ragtime music. The baseball game drew together about 600 rooters. Each had a fish horn, and their blowing on the ears was bad enough but at the grounds for three or four hours the tooting was such a nuisance that the neighbors are exasperated. If it should be permitted to occur again, it is likely to put an end to Sunday ball playing. Not for an instant was the deafening blowing of fish horns stopped, and all the church people at times heard more of it than of pulpit exhortation, while the singing was drowned by instruments outside.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
July 26, 1902
BARBOUR
LANDSLIDE
ACQUACKANONK
In
Acquackanonk Township there was the usual tussle. The primary was at Clifton
Hotel.
Two
tickets were in the field, both being represented by influential citizens of
the township. The Barbour ticket, however, had en easy thing of it, winning out
by a majority of 73.
The
result was:
Barbour
------------------------------------------------------------- 131
Stewart
--------------------------------------------------------------- 58
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
July 28, 1902
FROM CLIFTON TOWN
Daily Budget of Village Happenings Gathered for the News.
Mr.
Conant will begin repairs on the Clifton Post Office tomorrow. The old
partition is to be torn down and a new one put up. The new one will be across
the building from front to rear, instead of the position the present one
occupies. There will be two new distributing desks for the letter carriers to
sort the mails.
The
lawn party given by the Athletic Club on Norman Clarkson’s lawn Saturday
evening was a success financially. Although the evening was threatening a large
number attended. About sixty dollars was taken in. It is not known how many
tickets were sold, but $10 in money was taken in at the entrance. Everything
was sold. The fancy table under Miss Jeanette Adam’s direction realized about
$11, the cake table, which Mrs. Styles had, a sum of $7. The ping-pong table
brought in $1.50. Chances were sold on a watermelon and Mr. Neil Adam won this.
There were guesses on the weight of a large cake, which weighed over 3 pounds,
and Mrs. Harry Aspell and Miss Lottie Disbrow divided it between them. A handsome
pillow, which McLeod Wylie received, made $3. A great deal of ice cream was
sold also. The grounds were prettily decorated and lighted with Japanese
lanterns. The club will meet tonight at the clubrooms.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
As gathered by Donald C. Lotz 7/18/2002.