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This Week in Rockland: Newspaper Excerpts: Flashback Friday: Week of April 28

April 26, 1873 – 150 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Journal

AROUND HOME
   ☞ A boy in E. Burr’s shoe manufactor had one of his fingers so badly crushed, on Wednesday, by the molding machine, that it will have to be amputated.
   ☞ The new hotel on the hill is minus two painters—they are sojourning for a season at New City jail. Better stick to your oils and paints, and let Nyack whiskey alone, boys.
   ☞ Another corner vender was in town this week. He succeeded in drawing a crowd.— A fellow of this kind, a hand-organ and monkey and a dog fight can draw together more boys than a dozen school bells.

April 28, 1923 – 100 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Times

OLD MEMORIES RECALLED — Ossining Register Tells Story of Military Invasion of Haverstraw to Quell Brickyard Strike of 1877 — “THE INSURRECTION AT HAVERSTRAW — “Co. B. & C. of 16th Front. Battl. to the Front[Image: United States Hotel, Haverstraw, early 20th century. Courtesy of the Nyack Library, via NYHeritage.org]

“THE RIOT SPEEDILY QUELLED
       “On Wednesday of last week Sing Sing was stirred from centre to circumference by a call from Haverstraw for the militia to quell a riot occasioned by a number of brickmakers, who were not multiplying their finance fast enough to satisfy their thirst, &c., we suppose—after working a week they couldn’t stay drunk as long as they would like to, for the money wouldn’t hold out.
       “The uprising was not because of the money due them not being paid, nor had their wages been reduced; but they wanted more money, and being discontented with everything, they determined to have a season of war, and thereupon opened the ball by stopping one or two yards, which scared the proprietors, who immediately informed the sheriff, and he notified a few companies of 16th Batt. to hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment’s notice. The most defiant ones in the strike were men who did not belong to Haverstraw, and they were quietly pushed on by other men who belonged to the above place. Undoubtedly a bloody time would have occurred had not the militia been called out.
       “Maj. Downs received the first dispatch on Wednesday, May 23, and our company was soon acquainted with the orders from Headquarters, and on Thursday morning at 7 o’clock, the hour for assembling Co. C. was very strongly represented—but no orders being received to march, a majority expressed themselves disappointed. Nevertheless they were held in readiness by Capt. Jones, and later in the morning dispatch from Major Downs, who had visited Haverstraw, was received with deafening applause by the boys, who were to go on the 11 o’clock boat.— Some of the more nervous lads were despondent.— At 10.30 the company, after taking their last kiss from their families, and shook their last shake with friends, they fell in line at the armory and marched to the dock. On their way down Mr. Dick Kromer stepped up to Sargt. Brown and presented a box of cigars to him for the company, for which in their behalf, we heartily thank him. When Co. C. reached their destination they were regarded by an ugly looking group of men standing upon the corners near the hotels. Our company was quartered at the Eagle Hotel, while Co. B. who had preceded the former was stationed at the United States.
       “On Thursday morning the rioters had collected and made demonstrations, and stopped the work in the yard down in the “mud hole,” and were proceeding up through the village in a body, when the sheriff, backed by Co. B., ordered them to disperse; they didn’t budge; the company was commanded to charge, and falteringly they marched at the mass of men who moved not until the company was within about 10 feet of them, when they wavered and broke away to the right and left, letting the militia pass through. This seemed to intimidate the rioters, for their actions were less demonstrated and quiet was restored for the time being.
       On Friday morning at 4 o’clock, both companies were marched up through the brick-yards, for about three miles, but nothing was going on at this hour. How the Irish came out of their hovels, hurriedly dressing themselves, scared near to death, and looking wild; it was a grand spectacle to look upon. The companies returned without having a “jab” at that class our Company likes so well. Later in the morning they were called out again and they marched over the same route. The “bad men” had been out and stopped one yard, and when the militia met these fellows coming from the last scene, they had turned up another road and passed over a bridge, where they were followed. They were about 300 of them, and at first it had the appearance of business, but Co. C. was again disappointed. The militia were halted among lots of hard-looking men, the majority of the rioters having thrown away their cudgels and skulked off hiding and peeking out of the windows and crevices in numerous of hats. After this they were afraid of the boys in blouses, and they kept at a safe distance.
       “One or two men in the company here, felt a little shaky over on the other side of the river.— But there was not the least occasion for it.
       “The paper that says any of the members of our company ran away to get clear of the trip to Haverstraw, tells an untruth, for every man who heard of it and could go, went along even to a sick man.
       “Our company never had such a grand picnic, since their existence, as their last excursion to Haverstraw. They had the kindest of host and hostess, who placed before them the best kind of food for such a body of men, which were highly appreciated by the boys. Mr. and Mrs. Smith will not soon be forgotten by the company who scared the strikers out of Haverstraw. This company gave the above couple three rousing cheers before departing from the hotel on their homeward bound trip on Monday afternoon.” —Ossining Democratic Register

April 24, 1973 – 50 YEARS AGO
The Journal News

THE TRIALS OF MOTORCYCLING
       The annual observed Trials of the Ramapo Motorcycle Club will be conducted Sunday in Tarrytown beginning at 11 a.m.
       It is a test of woods riding along a marked trail strewn with obstacles such as stumps, rocks, and water. The motorcycle rider must negotiate the section without touching his feet to the ground. Each time he touches, penalty points are given and the rider with the least number of points wins. The riders move not much faster than walking speed and spectators on foot can follow their progress along the course.
       The only requirements are that competitors be members of the American Motorcycle Association and that riders under 21 years old have a notarized permission slip signed by a parent.
       There will be classes for beginner, novice lightweight, novice heavyweight, amateur, and expert. The entry fee is $2, and the spectator admission is $1 with children under 12 free.
       The course in Tarrytown is located behind the Technicon Science Center. It can be reached by taking the New York Thruway to Exit 9; north on Route 9 to Benedict Avenue; and on Benedict Avenue approximately one mile to Technicon.
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This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan on behalf of the Historical Society of Rockland County. To learn about the HSRC”s mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.

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