Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Newburgh Again: Jansen's Open at New Site

Newburgh-Beacon News
September 21, 1959






TRADING POST - Boy Scout trading  post, specializing in scout clothing and equipment, is part of the newly renovated Jansen's store at 390 Broadway. That's salesman Burton Polhamus is behind the counter.


The newly expanded E. W. Jansen Inc. men's clothing store is open for business at 390 Broadway in Newburgh.

About 1,000 square feet has been added to the store's floor space, according to Maynard Davidson, company president. The expansion, in addition to providing more room for the firm's enlarged line of men's clothing and accessories, provides space for new sportswear department and a Boy Scout trading post.

The Jansen company has been at 388 Broadway since 1955. Its new quarters put its entrance one door away from the old address.

The clothing outfit began in 1920 as "The Four", with a store on Water Street. Mr. Davidson, an employee since 1925, became president at the time of the Broadway move in 1955.

Salesmen are John Kerwick, Burton Polhamus, Bertram Stocks and Frank Gardner.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Newburgh Again: The Newburgh Daily News Building


 

Illustrated and Descriptive Newburgh (1906):

ONE OF THE SIGHTS OF THE CITY.-Among the possessions of which Newburgh boasts and to which Newburghers point with pride is the extensive and modernly equipped plant of The Newburgh Daily News, housed in its own handsome building at 40-42 Grand street. The building and equipment represent an investment exceeding $100,000. Like the paper itself, which is one of the most widely circulated, ably edited, typographically, artistic and largest issued outside of the first and second class cities, The News Building in appointment, extent and perfection of equipment is unusual in a city of Newburgh's size, being unequalled by any newspaper establishment outside of the half dozen leading cities of the state. The News Building is one of the show places of Newburgh, one of the "Sights of the town" to which visitors are invariably introduced. And a visit is well worth the while. The most advanced ideas in newspaper making and the conduct of allied trades are exemplified in the marvelous mechanical contrivances employed in the various departments throughout the establishment. From the big new Goss Stereotype Perfecting press, with capacity of 300 complete papers a minute (the only machine of the kind in this section of the State) on the ground floor, to the almost human linotype machines, on which the newspaper is "set," on the top floor, the visitor will find something novel to attract and hold his attention at every step. An idea of the extent to which the paper circulates may be gained from the fact that nearly a ton of white print paper is consumed every issue.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Newburgh Again: The Post Office

Illustrated and Descriptive Newburgh (1906): 

 

The Post Office is one of the most important in the state; its total receipts for the year 1902 were $65,480. 92; for 1903 they were $65,949.29; for 1904, $67,659.45; for 1905, $73,232.79, and the receipts for the last five months of 1906 were $32,273.20, and for the same five months of 1905 they were $28,247.84 showing an increase for this year thus far of $4,025.36. The total receipts for this year will in all probability exceed $80,000.00. The building cost with the site, $100,000.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Newburgh Again: Society Exotic As A Survival of a Quaint Past

The Newburgh Daily News - Sep 22, 1915

History by Mr. Hilton
One of the party had picked up a printed leaflet bearing the caption “secretary Report”. It was dated 1887 and signed by William H. Hilton. Mr. Hilton, reviewing the history of the Newburgh Horse Thief Detecting Society, had written as follows:

“The Newburgh Horse Thief Detecting Society was organized at the court house, in the City of Newburgh, August 17, 1861. The following officials were at the time elected: President, Mr. Sands Belknap; vice-president, Mr. Eli Hasbrouck; secretary, Mr. Thomas George; Treasurer, Doctor James Low. The membership fee was two dollars. No annual dues were collected until 1866. At a meeting called by the President, August 5, 1865. At the hotel of Jacob O. Terwilliger, at New Mills, it was resolved, that on and after January 1st, 1866, each member pay an annual due of one dollar in advance; and at the same meeting it was resolved, that a fine of fifty cents be imposed on each officer and twenty-five cents on each member for failure to attend the annual meetings of the society.

When the society was organized, riders were appointed semi-annually. At the August meeting, in 1865, this article of the by-laws was amended so as to read “annually” instead of semi-annually”. At the annual meeting held in the court house, Jan. 15, 1867, the resolution imposing a fine of fifty cents on officers and twenty-five cents on members, was rescinded. At the annual meeting held at the Orange Hotel, Jan. 22, 1874, the 8th article of the by-laws was amended so as to read: “The membership fee to be five dollars instead of two as heretofore”.

A special meeting was held at the Orange Hotel on the 7th day of February, 1874, for the purpose of re-organizing the society under the State act of 1862, as amended by the Act of 1870, a committee composed of the following gentlemen: Mr. Wm. R. Brown, Mr. A. S. Cassedy, and Mr. F. F. Corwin, was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws to be reported and acted upon at a meeting held at the Orange Hotel, Feb 24th, 1874. At this last meeting, the constitution and by-laws were adopted and the society was called “The Newburgh and New Windsor Horse-Thief Detecting Society”. Three trustees from the town of Newburgh were appointed: Mr. B. K. Johnston for one year; Mr. John L. Aderton for two years, and Mr. C. Gilbert Fowler for one year. Three trustees were also appointed from the Town of New Windsor: Mr. Aymar Van Beuren for one year; Mr. John Appleton for two years, and Mr. Wm. W. Patten for three years. Three trustees were also appointed from the City of Newburgh: Mr. James R. Dickson for two years, and Mr. G. W. Peters and Mr. Daniel A. Weed each for three years. As their terms of office expired they were each unanimously re-elected, except Mr. Wm. Patten, who declined in favor of Maj. Thos. Morton, and all trustees who were elected as above stated still hold the office, save those who have been removed from our midst by death.


Its Early Officers
“At a special meeting at the United States Hotel, Feb. 24, 1879, Mr. Daniel Barnes was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of C. G. Fowler, and at the annual meeting, Jan. 10, 1881, held in the Common Council rooms, Dr. P. M. Barclay was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. James R. Dickson, and today we are called upon to fill another vacancy, death having claimed another member, Major Thomas Morton. I think it fitting to say here none had the interest of the society more at heart than did Major Morton. For the last 13 years, ever since I have been treasurer, Major Morton never missed a meeting without writing me to say he could not be with us, and always wished me to let him know what had been done……

“The first meeting of the trustees was held in the Orange Hotel, Feb. 28, 1874, and they have held one annual meeting ever since and several special meetings……

“The first president, Mr. Sands Belknap, was elected Aug 17, 1861, and re-elected Sept. 27, 1862 and Sept. 26, 1863. He declined re-election again, and Mr. Hasbrouk succeeded him. Mr. Hasbrouck was re-relected Jan. 16, 1869. Then our present president, Mr. Beverly K. Johnston, The Old Reliable, was elected president, and not withstanding he has frequently expressed the wish to step down and make room, as he says, for someone else, for almost a score of years he has been unanimously chosen to preside over our meetings; and, more than that, he has not in all these years been absent from an annual nor special meeting, save once, when he was subpoenaed as a witness in a suit at Cooperstown, Otsego County. I think you must all agree with me when I call him Old Reliable, as you see nothing but the strong arm of the law has been able to keep him from his place at our meetings and I trust he may be long spared to come in and go out with us as president……


Total of Members 365
Concluding his resume, Mr. Hilton said:
“Since the organization of the society we had a total membership of 365. Of this number 143 have been removed by death; 55 have ceased to be members for various reasons, such as removal from the city; and 42 have been stricken from the roll for reasons unknown to me.

“We have collected from membership fees, fines and dues, $2,929; from interest on money in bank, $1,475.33 –making a total of $4,404.3. We have paid out $2,220.11, and have on hand $2,184.22. All the facts and figures I have given you are as I find them y carefully going over the records of the society for the past twenty-five years. The society having been organized twenty-five years lat August, and as this meeting is about our quarter-centenial, I have prepared a few statistics from which I trust some one may derive information, which, if they do I shall consider myself repaid for gathering them.



Thieves Run Down
“As the name indicates, the Newburgh and New Windsor Horse Thief Detecting Society was organized to protect owners of horses against theft. At that time there were many fine horses in Orange County, may fine sires were bred and thefts were frequent, even of animals of only ordinary value. The only means of communication was the telegraph, but this was imperfectly developed. Railroads were few and police protection in adequate. Whenever a horse was stolen the members bent every effort on corralling the thieves. A large reward was offered, riders spread the alarm and the hunt was pressed with every resource. The result of this was that very fact of man’s membership in the society had a salutary effect in deterring the unscrupulous from attempting to make away with his horses.

Nevertheless, the society was called upon frequently to carry out the purpose for which it existed. The records show many instances of thefts, the capture of the culprit and a conviction. There is one remarkable reference of the stealing of two horses from Daniel Barnes’ stable in Middle Hope. This was in 1898. The thieves set the buildings on fire and escaped. The fire destroyed the barns with much live stock. Eventually the responsible persons were brought to justice. There were two of them, James Plew and Walter Wells. In 1913 Plew was electrocuted in Connecticut for murder.

Aside from the enforcement of law and order, the horse Thief Detecting Society was a social organization, too. The annual dinners were elaborate affairs “Bev” Johnston who was long president, a prominent figure through-out Orange County, established the custom of giving an annual dinner at his inn in Coldenham. “Bev.” Johnston’s dinners always attracted a great throng, including relatives, friends, and enemies of the members.

Modern methods of communication and transportation have reduced the function of the society to a minimum. It is hard now to steal horses and get away with it. The last member to have live stock stolen was Samuel D. Stewart, who lost a pair of mules in 1910. With no rewards to pay every now and then, the society finds itself able to pay substantial dividends. There is about $2,500 in the treasury, which is invested. Aside from this its existence is perfunctory.

William H. Hilton joined the society in June, 1867. He was made secretary in 1874 and five years later treasurer. The duties of both offices were combined. The length of Mr. Hilton’s service as an officer is remarkable. It is an odd coincidence that his successor, David W. Jagger of this city is cousin of Major David Jagger of Orange Lake, who was prominent in the organization from its infancy till his death. Aymar Van Beuren, a trustee at present, is the only living charter member of the society.




Newburgh Horse Thief Detecting Society 2012 Update:

The NHTDS was once a vigilante justice group in the community -- today it's a social club that meets at a historic tavern in Newburgh. Everyone is welcome to come by to hang out. If you would like to be a member, receive a pin and membership card -- then send a tax-deductable donation of $50.00 to the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay & the Highlands, 189 Montgomery Street, Newburgh, NY 12550.

Meetings held on the last Friday of each month at the North Plank Tavern. The first meeting will be on July 27, 2012, because we are waiting for the tavern to reopen after the restoration work that's being done now.
President, Jeremiah V. Ventry-McGee
Vice-President, Zachary Costa


Friday, June 1, 2012

Alex Goldberg: Outfitter to men and boys

Illustrated and Descriptive Newburgh (1906):


ALEX. GOLDBERG.

Outfitter to men and boys, 83-85 Water street. 





Mr. Goldberg came to Newburgh from Poughkeepsie in 1881, so that this year of 1906 marks his quarto-centennial year in Newburgh. His is the largest and best equipped outfitting store in this section of the state, and is located on Newburgh's busiest block, between Third and Fourth streets. Occupying three floors, with a modern electric elevator making easy of access every part of the building, his constantly increasing business shows that the people of Newburgh appreciate his modern business methods and square dealing. He is a merchant who believes in the efficiency of the show-window and the show-counter as silent salesmen, and the interior of his store bears evidence of this in the many feet of glass show-cases, and the tasty decorations of the same. Mr. Goldberg caters particularly to the wants of the youngsters, and the entre second floor of his building is given up to clothing, hats and furnishings for boys and children. The stock carried is very large, and includes every article of wearing apparel that man or boy can possibly wish, with one exception-shoes. This modern store is a good example of 25 years of steady growth and progress, and really mirrors the growth and progress of the city, and the surrounding towns and villages.