Week of October 2

September 30, 1876 – 150 YEARS AGO

Rockland County Journal

CORRECTION

        Rockmoor is not, as stated in last week’s Journal, part of the Barmore farm, but is the name of Mr. Conklin’s place at Rockland Lake. It is on the north side of the Lake and extends back to the river through the lowest gap in the mountains, or, what is called “Trough Hollow,” and commands a most beautiful view, having Sing Sing directly opposite, Verplank’s Point in full right, and the beautiful peninsula called Teller’s Point lying like an island gem immediately below. Mr. Conklin’s present residence was at first intended as a Gate lodge, and, although it has been enlarged to more than twice its original dimensions, its owner still contemplates building a mansion on the top of the mountain, and has already constructed drives and summer houses there and otherwise improved and prepared the grounds for the expected residence.

SPECIMEN OF ART

        Mr. Abram A. Scank, our artist friend, has on exhibition in the drugstore of Messrs. DeGraff & Blauvelt, a fine painting of the yacht Ariadne, owned by T. A. Strange, of Hastings. The scene is during sunset, and the effect is very pleasing. The canvass upon which the painting is executed is 26 x 36 inches, and the scale of the yacht is one-fifth of an inch to the foot. The whole is an admirable specimen of workmanship and speaks volumes for the artistic taste of the artist who executed it.

October 2, 1926 – 100 YEARS AGO

Nyack Evening Journal

ESCAPED INMATE CAUGHT — CONKLIN PLEADS GUILTY TO ENTICING GIRL TO LEAVE LETCHWORTH VILLAGE — UNABLE TO PAY FINE GOES TO NEW CITY TO SERVE SENTENCT

[Image: Farming at Letchworth Village, ca. 1940. Image courtesy of the Nyack Library via NYHeritage.org.]

        “Maggie” Morgan, 20, who ran away from Letchworth Village on Monday morning of last week, found her freedom to be of short duration.

        Ira Conklin of Otisville, N.Y., went to the Letchworth Village institution to see the Morgan girl, claiming to be a relative. After he left, the girl sneaked out of the cottage in which she lived, climbed into his car and drove off with him.

        Trooper Haviland of the State Constabulary was notified that the girl had taken French leave. The members of the State Constabulary in the vicinity of Middletown were notified since that is the locality from which the girl came. She was committed six years ago from Graham, N. Y. The couple were located at Otisville by Sergeant Gilbert and Corporal Robin-son.

        Corklin was arrested and the couple were brought to Haverstraw on Friday. Judge Ecroyd fined Conklin $25.00 and gave him 30 days in jail, 15 days of which he suspended.

        At the hearing, the evidence was brought out that Conklin and the girl had been married at Slate Hill on Wednesday.

        Dr. Stores was the representative of the feeble-minded institution at the hearing and he took the girl back to Letchworth Village. It is probable that the marriage will be annulled by the State.

        Conklin was unable to pay the fine imposed by Judge Ecroyd. Hence, he will have to spend a day for every dollar as the guest of Sheriff Schriver; that is, he will sojourn there for forty days.

September 29, 1976 – 50 YEARS AGO

Our Town

ALL ABOARD FOR MYSTIC TOUR

        The Orangetown Bicentennial Committee will sponsor a one-day bus trip to Mystic Seaport in Connecticut on Saturday, October

        Chartered buses will leave the parking lot of the Town Hall in Orangeburg at 8 a.m. and will leave Mystic Seaport about 4:30 p.m., the trip itself taking about two hours.

        This will leave visitors more than six hours to explore the recreated colonial seaport village, including time for lunch and visiting the many shops in the area.

        Cost of the trip will be $10 for adults (over 16), $8 for children aged 6-15 and $6 for children five and under. All fees include the cost of the bus transportation and admission to Mystic Seaport. The only additional cost will be lunch at the restoration. A full-service restaurant is available, as is a fast-food court. In addition, visitors may bring their own picnic lunches and take advantage of the many free picnic areas at Mystic.

        Since the buses must be chartered in advance, reservations are required, according to Bicentennial Committee Chairman Robert Knight. Each bus accommodates 49 persons. At least one bus will definitely make the trip regardless of the number of reservations, Knight says, but additional buses will depend on the number of persons desiring to go. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come–first-served basis.

        Checks for the correct number of reservations should be sent in advance to the Orangetown Bicentennial Committee at PO. Box 1776, Blauvelt, NY. 10913. The trip is open to all county residents and is being undertaken at group rate costs by the committee, as a public service, Knight says.

        Those attending should wear informal clothing and comfortable walking shoes.

        Cameras are encouraged, since the trip is being held at the height of the New England fall foliage season, when the trees will be in their most brilliant color.

        The seaport is designed, to be self-guided, but interpreters and expert craftsmen are located in most exhibit buildings to share their knowledge of maritime life and the Seaport with visitors. At the entrance gate, visitors receive a map of the village and a schedule of events occurring that day, such as lectures, planetarium programs and demonstrations in crafts buildings.

        Mystic Seaport is a village straight out of the 18th and 19th centuries, similar to Sturbridge in Massachusetts except that village life is based on seafaring instead of farming. In addition to the 50 buildings comprising the village compound, there are numerous old ships open to inspection, including the famous Charles W. Morgan, a 100-year-old whaling ship. There are also the square-rigged training ship, the Joseph Conrad and the Gloucester fishing schooner L. A. Dunton, among others.

This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan for the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2026 by The Historical Society of Rockland County. #FBF Flashback Friday may be reprinted only with written permission from the HSRC. To learn about the HSRC’s mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.