Week of October 24
October 23, 1875 – 150 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Journal
WASHDAY MADE EASY
John Reichling, of Blauveltville, has secured the sole right to sell in Rockland Co. the CHALLENGE WASHING MACHINE and WRINGER, manufactured by S. W. Palmer & Co., Auburn, N.Y. As we have had a machine of the same description in our own family for the last six years, we know whereof we speak, and we have no hesitation in saying that we believe it to be far superior in almost every respect to three-quarters of the much-vaunted machines in use. How it sets, what it will do and what it costs will be found in an advertisement in another part of this paper.
FATAL ACCIDENT
On Thursday afternoon while Mr. William Seaman and his son, with their teams, were descending a wood road in the Ramapo mountains, near W. W. Furman’s farm, the former leading his horses in advance, stumbled and fell striking on his abdomen on a stone, and one of the wheels of the wagon running over his foot. He was cared for immediately by his son and conveyed to his home where he lingered in intense agony until Friday morning when he died. Mr. S. was in his sixty-eight year, and leaves wife and child to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father.
MISCHIEVOUS GOSSIP
We can conceive of no more mischievous form of gossip, in these times especially, than that which trifles and plays with the reputation and credit of business men. At a time when a return of confidence is needed to once more move the sluggish wheels of trade, all such gossiping rumors are particularly pernicious. We make this remark in view of the report so freely bandied about for some days past that the North River and New York Steamboat Company had made an assignment, and that one of our leading firms of merchants had also failed. There is not a particle of truth in the statement respecting either.— The reports were set afloat, doubtless from malicious motives, and though well calculated to work harm, we are glad to know have failed in their purpose.
October 22, 1925 – 100 YEARS AGO
Pearl River News
MIGHTY MOOSE FALLS BEFORE INTREPID NIMRODS — Hunting Party Return With Two Large Bull Moose — Woolsey Serven and Fred Holt Lucky Ones
The mighty hunters of Pearl River, Edwin Abrahamsen, Woolsey Serven and Fred Holt returned from the wilds of Canada on Monday evening.
Mr. Arthur Catchim started out with the party, but unfortunately was taken sick on the way with an attack of acute appendicitis and was operated on in Cortland, New York. Last reports are that he is doing well and is expected to be home this week.
The hunters were fortunate in getting two bull moose. The lucky ones were Woolsey Serven and Fred Holt. In fact, Fred Holt got his moose the first day he went out hunting, after being out four or five hours. Woolsey got his after hunting three or four days later. Ed Abrahamsen wasn’t fortunate enough even to see one.
They report having seen numerous deer, but of course saw them mostly when they were on the track of the moose and so did not shoot. They saw a number of wild animals, such as wolves. They also saw bear tracks and the tracks of many other animals. They hunted in the section of Canada called the “Bouchene,” which is mostly all large lakes and small creeks, and a good part of their hunting was done from canoes.
It took them four days to go in after they left the railroad train and none of them saw another human being for the whole fourteen days that they were in the woods. In travelling, they used the canoes going up the creeks and when they came to rapids or falls it was necessary to portage their canoes and packs around through the woods until they got to the other side of the rapids.
While in camp Ed Abrahamsen was cook, Woolsey Serven chopped wood and Fred Holt washed dishes and made the beds. After a few days they all became real efficient in these tasks. The boys say that Abrahamsen was some cook as he fed them very well and had plenty of good food.
They were also fortunate in securing one of the best guides in that section of the country. In fact, this guide was one of the guides that conducted the Prince of Wales while on his tour in Canada some time ago.
They all have many interesting and amusing experiences to tell of but they were all glad to be back to Pearl River and to civilization.
October 22, 1975 – 50 YEARS AGO
The Journal News
FIRE SPARES HISTORY
A mostly flameless but smoky fire drove County Historian William Dobbin and his nurse from his West Nyack home Tuesday but spared his valuable historical collection.
Both Dobbin and the nurse, Elnora Phillips, escaped uninjured.
Firefighters from the West Nyack and New City fire departments responded to the call at 426 Strawtown Road shortly after 12:30 p.m. They took approximately an hour to extinguish the blaze, which was confined to the chimney of the house.
A fire had been burning in Dobbin’s hearth, a fire official on the scene said, and a buildup of debris caused the heavy smoke, which hindered the efforts of firemen.
No damage estimate was available but several firemen said the effects appeared to be minimal.
Dobbin, who sat in his yard with the nurse and his daughter, asked anxiously whether his books were harmed and one firefighter assured him that the valuable historical collection appeared to be intact.
The 78-year-old former newspaperman, who is an invalid, has lived in his home on Lake DeForest for 20 years. “I’ve lived in the wilds most of my life,” he said, “and a thing like this isn’t going to bother me.”
Nurse Phillips said she rushed Dobbin out of the house when she saw smoke filling the main floor. Elizabeth Garlick, Dobbin’s daughter, sped to the scene from her home a mile away in New City after seeing fire trucks moving toward her father’s home.
She said she knew intuitively that there was danger at her father’s home as soon as she heard the sirens.
The man whom many in the neighborhood call “Grandpa” has lived in Rockland County since 1905. He pledged that the fire will not hinder his latest historical projects.
He is currently researching the only naval battle on the Hudson River during the Revolutionary War, fought between Nyack and Tarrytown. Dobbin said he hopes to see it re-enacted next July 4.
To do this, he is attempting to organize area boat-clubs to lend substance to the re-enactment. His other project is a biography of William Smith, an infamous Tory from West Haverstraw.
Dobbin will move into his daughter’s home until his is livable again. He expects to be back within a month or two.
This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan for the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2025 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.
