Clifton (Acquackanonk) August 100 Years Ago
August 4, 1902
FROM CLIFTON TOWN
Daily Budget of Village Happening Gathered For the News.
Clifton's new paper mill is nearly completed and if the machinery is set up and is running will be in use by the middle of next month. The building is on the canal bank in Ackerman Avenue. It will employ nearly 800 men.
Miss Edna Disbrow is ill with malaria.
The sale of ice cream under the direction of Mrs. Harry Aspell and Mrs. J. S. Ellsworth, Saturday evening, was very successful, and all the cream was sold...
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 6, 1902
AFTER THE AUTO OWNERS
Acquackanonk Township May Adapt A Speed Ordinance
EIGHT MILES AN HOUR THE LIMIT
Violators Liable to a Fine of $25 and Twenty Five Days in Jail - Objection Already Made to This New Move - Circus License Increased.
If the proposed ordinance which was read at the meeting of the Acquackanonk Township committee last night should become effective in its present shape automobilists will give the township a wide berth. It is proposed to regulate the speed to eight miles per hour and impose a fine of $25 and 25 days in jail for offenders. It is safe however to predict that it will not become a law in its present shape as all the committeemen claim that eight miles an hour is too slow a pace. The bill was drafted by Justice of the Peace, Charles Finn, of Clifton. It was referred to the counsel to draw it up in a legal form and will come before the committee at its next meeting. The ordinance increasing circus licenses to $150 passed its third reading and is now effective. The fee was formerly $100. It is claimed that when a circus arrives there is considerable damage done to the township roads with the heavy trucks the shows carry. Hence the increase.
Chairman Thorburn thought that the charges for making duplicate lists of names of property holders for Collector Keese were excessive, and also thought that the collector might get along without them. It was shown. However, that Mr. Keese needed the lists for information which he is often required to furnish to taxpayers. The clerk was instructed to ascertain if he could not have the work done cheaper than at present, which is $45.
The official minutes of last nights as well as a number of special meetings which, were held during July to revise the assessments of Assessor Berry follow:
Clifton, August 5, 1902.
The regular monthly meeting of the township committee was held on the above date in the Main Avenue hall, all the members being present. The minutes of the meetings held July 1, 7, 8, 9, 14, 21, 22 and 25 were read and approved as read. Bids for the repair of High Avenue were then opened, and it was found that Edward Dowling was the lowest bidder, at the price of $1.70 per cubic yard, for stone laid in place ready for travel. On motion it was ordered that the contract be given to Edward Dowling at the price specified and that the counsel be instructed to prepare a contract covering the work and that the chairman and the clerk be authorized to execute the same for the township.
A representative of the Erie Railroad Company was given the privilege of the floor and asked for a month's delay in the matter of the proposed gates at the crossing of that railroad over Crooks Avenue. The delay asked for was granted and the matter laid over until September2.
The treasurer reported a cash balance of $1,212.19, and the report was ordered filed.
A letter was received from G. Morse, of Mount Prospect Avenue, complaining of the conditions of that road. On motion the letter was referred to the clerk for proper reply.
The amendment to the license ordinance, amending section 7, so as to increase the license fee to be charged for circus performance, was then read for the second time, and on motion and call of the roll was read the third time and passed by a unanimous vote. An ordinance regulating the speed of vehicles on the roads of the township was presented and on motion referred to the committee for report. On motion the clerk was instructed to procure copies of the name books of property holders of the township at the lowest possible price and to give the same to the collector for use in his duties. The following bills were presented and on motion ordered paid:
Herbert R. Sipp, $87; S. G. Thorburn, $50; Richard Berry, $100; John S. Berry, $41.15; Joseph Richards, $43.25; News Publishing Company, $9.25; H. W. Frede, $3.50; Thomas Dutton, $4; Charles J. Finn, Justice of the Peace, $22; Alexander McLeod, $8.
On motion, because of error in valuation, the assessed valuation on the building on tax bill No. 928 for the year 1900 was reduced $300. The committee then entered into the consideration of roadside signs after which, on motion, it adjourned.
Allison J. Van Brunt Township Clerk
Clifton, July 7, 1902.
A special meeting of the township committee was held on the above date in the Clifton Hotel, all members being present. On motion it was ordered that East Passaic Avenue be repaired from Bloomfield Avenue to Essex County line, and the matter was referred to Committeeman Fredericks with power. The revision of the assessors books was then commenced and continued until, on motion, the committee adjourned.
Allison J. Van Brunt Township Clerk
Clifton July 8, 1902.
A special meeting of the township committee was held on the above date in the Clifton Hotel, all members being present. The revision of the assessors books was continued until, on motion, the committee adjourned.
Allison J. Van Brunt Township Clerk
Clifton, July 9, 1902.
A special meeting of the township committee was held on the above date in the Clifton Hotel, all members being present. The revision of the assessor's books was continued. On motion the assessed valuation on buildings situated on block 354, lot 50, was raised $200 in amount, and on motion the committee adjourned.
Allison J. Van Brunt Township Clerk
Clifton, July 14, 1902.
A special meeting of the township committee was held on the above date in the Clifton Hotel, all members being present. The revision of the assessor's books was continued. Several complaints from people who had been fined for violation of the township license ordinance were listened to. On motion the treasurer was instructed to pay the clerk $60 on account of services rendered and on motion, the meeting adjourned.
Allison J. Van Brunt Township Clerk
Clifton July 17, 1902.
A special meeting of the township committee was held on the above date in the Clifton Hotel, all members being present. The revision of the assessor's books was continued. On motion the treasurer was instructed to pay freight on shale for road repairs to the Erie Railroad Company to the amount of $140.00. On motion, because of excessive valuation, the valuation on tax bill No. 2,208 was reduced $5,500 for the year 1900, and on bill No. 2,654 reduced $8,300 for the year 1901, and on motion the committee adjourned.
Allison J. Van Brunt Township Clerk
Clifton, July 18, 1902.
A special meeting of the township committee was held on the above date in the Clifton Hotel, all members being present. The revision of the assessor's books was continued until, on motion the committee adjourned.
Allison J. Van Brunt Township Clerk
Clifton, July 21, 1902.
A special meeting of the township committee was held on the above date in the Clifton Hotel, all members being present. On motion the treasurer was instructed to pay the freight on nine cars of shale for road repairs to the Erie Railroad Company when said shale was delivered at Clifton station and on motion the chairman and clerk were instructed to execute a negotiable promise to pay for shale delivered and to be delivered for road repairs, payable when said shale has been delivered according to contract. The revision of the assessor's books was then continued until, on motion the committee adjourned.
Allison J. Van Brunt Township Clerk
Clifton, July 22, 1902.
A special meeting of the township committee was held on the above date in the Clifton Hotel, all members being present. The revision of the assessor's books was continued until, on motion the committee adjourned.
Allison J. Van Brunt Township Clerk
Clifton, July 25, 1902.
A special meeting of the township committee was held on the above date in the Clifton Hotel, all members being present. On motion the treasurer was instructed to pay to the Erie Railroad Company all freight due said company from time to time on shale for road repairs. On motion the treasurer was instructed to pay Richard Berry $200 on account of contract for road repairs and Herman B. Keese $200 on account of services as township collector. The revision of the assessor's books was then continued and completed and on motion the committee adjourned.
Allison J. Van Brunt Township Clerk
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 6, 1902
FROM CLIFTON TOWN
Daily Budget of Village Happening Gathered For the News.
At the Aid Society meeting it was decided to hold a peach festival on Friday evening September 5, at this fete will be peaches with whipped cream. There will be of course, ice cream and cake for sale and a good supply of cakes at the cake table. The Junior Aid Society will be represented by some novelty in the way of a "Children's Corner." On the last Saturday in September and each one in October bakeries will be held. A fine assortment of homemade bread, biscuit, cake and candy may be purchased at reasonable prices. Orders for anything in these lines will gladly be filled. It is not yet decided where these bakeries will be held, but the location will be given out later.
Mr. Cole and family, who have been living in Passaic Avenue, have rented S. Nash's house, on the corner of Union Avenue and Second Street.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 9, 1902
JUMPED FROM A CAR
Paterson Man Injured at Clifton Thursday Night.
In jumping from an electric car at Clifton at nine o'clock Thursday night Charles Green, 32 years old of 136 Fairfield Avenue, Paterson was thrown and when he landed in the roadway his head struck a rock.
He was picked up unconscious and conveyed on the car to St. Joseph's hospital, where it was discovered that he had a concussion of the brain. He was reported "resting quietly" yesterday afternoon, although his condition was regarded as serious.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 11, 1902
FROM CLIFTON TOWN
Daily Budget of Village Happening Gathered For the News.
Mrs. J. S. Ellsworth and Mrs. Harry Aspell sold ice cream again Saturday night at the parsonage. They have been very successful in earning a dollar each for the Christian Endeavor society's Experience Social...
A regular meeting of the Clifton Athletic Club will be held tonight. The business to be transacted is important and every member is requested to be present.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 15, 1902
PHILIP PIAGET PASSES AWAY
Well-Known Resident of the Notch Died Yesterday
COLONEL BOGART'S WAR COMRADE
Managed One of the Largest Truck Farms In the State - The Father of Philip H. Piaget, a Resident of This City.
Philip T. Piaget, brother of former Park Commissioner Louis A. Piaget and A. W. Piaget, both of Paterson, died at 3 o'clock yesterday morning at his house, Great Notch, after a brief illness, of hemorrhage of the spine.
Mr. Piaget was as well as usual Sunday, and had been at church. In the evening he was taken sick, and steadily grew worse until the end came this morning. The deceased was aged 63, and was one of the largest truck gardeners in New Jersey, employing 15 to 20 men the year around and running three wagons to New York and Newark and Paterson with the product of his place. He had 70 acres under cultivation.
Mr. Piaget was a widower, having lost his wife five years ago. He is survived by two sons and a daughter. The son's are Philip H., a traveling salesman for Vantine & Company of New York, who resides in this city, and Eugene Piaget, a member of the Acquackanonk Township committee, who lived with his father. The daughter is Mrs. William Clubb, of Montclair. The deceased was one of a family of six brothers and a sister, and his is the second death to occur among them, the first being that of Francis H. Piaget, who died in April last.
Upon the first call of President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers, Mr. Piaget, who was a chum of Colonel Bogart, of this city, came here the day after, and getting Mr. Bogart, the pair journeyed to Jersey City and enlisted in the Second New Jersey regiment of volunteers. Five days after the call they were on their way south. Mr. Piaget participated in the first battle of Bull Run. After his term of enlistment had expired he returned to New York and became a foreman in John Roach's shipyard. When his brother Louis, who was on the farm with his parents, enlisted, Philip gave up his place and returned to the farm. He was a member of John M. Wheeler Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Montclair. As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 16, 1902
CAUGHT IN POTATO PATCH
Man and Wife Are Accused of Theft by Mrs. Peter Bannigan.
A watchman in the employ of Mrs. Peter Bannigan, of Clifton, found John [ ] and his wife, Mary, in the potato patch at an early hour yesterday morning. The watchman, John Thomas, a colored man, summoned Mrs. Bannigan and her daughter, and the [suspects] were escorted to the farmhouse, a big basket bearing [Mary's] imprint, being taken along for evidence. The basket was filled with potatoes.
Justice Coughlan lives close by and he was summoned to make complaints against the couple. Constable Stock was called and the two were committed to jail.
The Bannigan farm and others in that section have been robbed for some months past, but all efforts to deter the thieves were without result until yesterday morning.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 16, 1902
IS A PROSPEROUS FARMER
Henry Hepburn Has Worked Industriously For Years
He Never Sold a Quart of Milk or Allowed His Wagons to Deliver Orders on Sunday - His place a Mecca For Young People.
Henry Hepburn's farm in the vicinity of Allwood, is the Mecca for many young people who enjoy long walks these days. The model farm, has for years been frequented by the fathers and mothers of the present generation and there is no doubt that its attractiveness will remain for years to come.
Mr. Hepburn, though over eighty years of age, is ever ready to conduct parties about the premises and he seldom allows young men to leave his place without giving them some excellent words of advice on the importance of beginning life right.
Though Mr. Hepburn has been in the milk business for many years he prides himself on the fact that he has never allowed a quart of milk to be sold on the Sabbath, nor have any of his delivery wagons ever been on the streets on that day.
To look at Mr. Hepburn one would not think him to be over fifty-five years of age. He is over eighty-three. He is strong and hearty and seldom has a sick day. He personally conducts the business about the farm and is as careful about the handling of his cattle and the milk as when he first undertook the business, which has made him a fortune.
Mr. Hepburn ran away from home when a boy and came to this country with a married man. The two travelers made their way to a saloon which Mr. Hepburn soon learned was a disreputable place. Mr. Hepburn proudly asserts that he was never asked for work more than once in his life and that he never slept in a boarding house.
The boy refused to stay at the place, much to the disappointment of his older companion. He straightway sought a friend who lived in Twenty-third Street and lodging for the night was provided for him. The next day he heard that a wealthy family in Newark desired a man to take care of the gardens and horses. He decided to make application for the job. He found that a man had already been employed, but his appearance so pleased the "missus" that she detained him in conversation and learned a little of the boy's history.
His truthfulness and sincerity so impressed the woman that she allowed him to stay and guard the home for a week while she spent a vacation to a neighboring place. When she returned she declared that she was so well pleased with the boy's conduct that she immediately engaged him to take care of the horses.
Mr. Hepburn says he remained there for a number of years. In fact, he got married while employed at that place. Later he became acquainted with the late Senator Wright, at that time one of the leading citizens of Newark. The senator engaged Mr. Hepburn to take care of his garden and after several years had elapsed furnished him with a farm for which he charged only a small rental, something in the neighborhood of $[ ]0 a year. This opportunity was the beginning of Mr. Hepburn's road to wealth. He worked industriously and was successful. He established a milk route, which he sold after a few years and then purchased property in Allwood.
When once settled comfortably he again went into the milk business, which is still in operation about this city. Mr. Hepburn established the Baptist Church at Athenia and is one of the leading and active members to this day.
He has raised a family of seven sons, all of whom are engaged in successful businesses. The farms of Daniel and Robert Hepburn are considered the best in this part of the country.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 18, 1902
NO SUNDAY WORK ALLOWED IN QUIET CLIFTON VILLAGE
An interesting episode occurred yesterday afternoon in the Main Avenue, Clifton. The New York and New Jersey Telephone company has been working on the roads laying subways for some time and the work has progressed as far as Washington Avenue, opposite the home of Samuel Groocock.
A gang, of fifty or more men, was at work in the excavation made for the underground system, in defiance of the law concerning work on Sunday. They were notified by Samuel Groocock to desist, but continued.
Unable unaided to amend matters, Mr. Groocock went immediately to the Rev. J. S. Ellsworth and to Chairman Thorburn of the township committee who accompanied him to the spot. They succeeded in exacting a promise from the foreman to call his men off, and after waiting a little while to see that the agreement was fulfilled, found that the overseer had disappeared leaving the men at work.
A justice was immediately seen, complaint was issued and Constable Storms in company with the other four men rode to the place where the men were at work. Justice Fenn ordered the constable and the men who acted as his deputies to arrest the workmen. At first a faint show of resistance was made but they quickly yielded and begged to be allowed to withdraw from work and go to their homes. No arrests were made. Nothing of the kind has ever been attempted before. Although Clifton is not puritanical in exacting observances of the Sabbath, yet, as the work is not necessary and in direct disobedience of the law, it was stopped.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 19, 1902
FROM CLIFTON TOWN
Daily Budget of Village Happenings Gathered for the News.
For the convenience of the letter carriers, people who have visitors are asked to give the names at the post office, or to the letter carrier. This will not only insure less trouble but prevent a delay in letters reaching the houses.
William Rennyson, a well-known singer and brother of Mrs. Meshew, who has until lately been a resident of Clifton, died Thursday, August 14, at Norristown, Pa...
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 21, 1902
BOLD ROBBERY FRUSTRATED IN CLIFTON LAST NIGHT
Joseph E. Marcy Was the Victim and He Followed With Gun and Dog, Nabbing
An Innocent Man - An Exciting Chase.
Early last evening, two suspicious looking characters were seen in Main Avenue, Clifton, by one of Clifton's townsmen, who remarked upon their rough appearance.
At 2:30 this morning Joseph E. Marcy's home, in Union Avenue and Second Street, was broken into. The man was first discovered in Mrs. Marcy's room. He stood at the bureau, handling several articles upon it and had a picture in his hand. The glass covering this fell on the marble top and broke into pieces. This awakened Mrs. Marcy. She called loudly to her husband in the next room: "A man's in the house!"
The burglar turned toward her. Mrs. Marcy is very positive in her description of the man and says she would know him anywhere.
He was rather heavily built and wore his hat slouched over his eyes and his coat collar turned up. When he saw she had discovered him he turned and went downstairs. By this time, Mr. Marcy had jumped out of bed, picked up a revolver and without waiting to dress rushed downstairs. Through the hall and dining room into a small room adjoining, the man led the excited chase. Here he made a bolt through the window. Mr. Marcy followed. In the dim light the man was seen behind a bush near the path. Mr. Marcy fired and the man gave a frightened scream. In an instant he was off and away down Union Avenue toward Main Avenue, with Mr. Marcy in hot pursuit. Three times he fired, but the man ran on.
He swerved from the straight road and dashed into a vacant field behind R. Clarkson's house. He was followed by his pursuer as best he could, but the brambles and stones, cut into his feet and, unable to keep up with the robber, Mr. Marcy returned home. Going to his room, he partially dressed. The dog, a large animal, was chained in the kitchen. Mr. Marcy unfastened him, picked up his double-barreled shotgun and followed by the dog, the second time made his exit through the window. In vain he looked for the lost track of the daring robber.
Reaching an open lot in Main Avenue, next to Mr. Trevitt's house, he hid himself and the dog in the long grass and waited. In a moment he heard footsteps near him. The sound ceased. Mr. Marcy, watching breathlessly and with a tight hold on his dog's collar, waited until he went on and the man came in full sight. Mr. Marcy unloosened his hold on the dog, who went up to the man growling. Mr. Marcy raised himself from his hiding place, pointed the gun at the man's head and said:
"Stop young man. I want you."
"I haven't done anything," the stranger answered.
Mr. Marcy explained, holding the gun to the man's head, that his house had been robbed. He proposed to take the man back and have his wife identify him. The man resisted and told his story.
He said he was Dennis Griffin, of No. 26 McLean Street, this city. His aunt, Mrs. Van Wagner, who resided in Passaic, had just died and he had been to attend the funeral. Feeling restless about 9 o'clock he started to walk to Paterson. There he had gone to the house of a man named Leonard, in Cedar Street. With him the stranger said he had some trouble and at 1 o'clock in the morning left the house and started for home.
Mr. Marcy heard him out but was not convinced. Then he took him back to the house at the point of his gun. When Mrs. Marcy saw him and looked at him attentively, she said: "It is not the one."
Nevertheless the two went together to Constable Berry who made the arrest, and hitching up his horse, drove them to Passaic to police headquarters. The man was detained while they sent to Paterson to ascertain the truth of his story. In every respect the evidence coincided with the man's words and he was discharged, perfectly innocent.
Returning home, Mr. Marcy set to work to find out what had been stolen. In the dining room, the drawers in the sideboard were all opened but one. In this was the prize, which had been overlooked. Silver amounting to $100 was kept there and this was untouched. In Mrs. Marcy's room, upstairs, the thief had evidently seized the pocketbook containing $7, but in his hurry to get away had dropped it on the floor. But he did get a plush jewelry case with nothing in it but a few worthless trinkets. There was considerable money and a gold watch on the bureau in plain view. Mr. Marcy feels rewarded for his vain search for the guilty party, that nothing was gone. Later on the gun which always stood against the wall was found under the table in the dining room.
In this attempt at robbery, things, which have been working up to this point, have reached a climax. It is rumored that some women have been assaulted during the past few weeks and the steps of a well-known man secretly dodged day and night.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 23, 1902
ACQUACKANONK'S TAX RATE A TRIFLE LOWER THIS YEAR
It Will Be 2.12 Per Cent., Which is a Decrease of 3 Per Cent. On Rate of Last Year. Acquackanonk Township's tax rate will be a trifle lower this year than last, when the rate was 2.15. This year it is figured as 2.12.
There is a decrease of two cents for the state school and county tax; also a decrease of two cents for macadamizing roads. The only increase is in the account for the support of the poor which is raised one cent.
The following table shows the increases and decreases between this and last year:
State school and county 82 80
Poor tax 04 05
Macadamizing 26 24
Repairing roads 65 65
Township school 98 98
Collector Keese will issue the tax bills in a few days, Delinquent taxpayers for the year 1899 will do well to pay up as Mr. Keese announces that he will sell the property on September 30.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
August 28, 1902
STOLE HER SWEET CORN
Farmers in Acquackanonk Bothered by Thieves.
Mrs. John Brodwick prided herself on having the choicest sweet corn in all Acquackanonk at her farm in Clifton.
At the sametime it seems that others were "stuck" on it, for on Tuesday night they took the entire patch, which contained about 1,500 ears, without Mrs. Brodwick's permission. Farmers in the vicinity of Clifton are being constantly bothered by thieves. It was thought that after John [ ] was detected stealing potatoes from the farm of Mrs. Bannigan, of Lakeview, that the culprit who had been making nightly raids on farms had been captured, but it seems that there is a regular gang of these garden thieves, who, it is thought, are peddlers, as they are well acquainted with all the farms and know where the choicest of vegetables grow, thus making it easy for them to make their hauls.
As reported in the Passaic Daily News.
As gathered by Donald C. Lotz 8/7/2002.