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Flashback Friday Archive 2021-22: Flashback Friday: Week of May 7

May 6, 1871 – 150 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Journal

CAPTAIN LAWRENCE SNEDEN
[Image: The Palisades Cemetery, 2012. Courtesy of Alice Gerard.]
       The funeral obsequies of Captain Lawrence Sneden, of Sneden’s Landing, were celebrated on the 3d inst., from his late residence. Mr. Sneden was widely-known in this county and enjoyed the friendship of a large circle of friends; and, notwithstanding all that men may say of his peculiarities, he was nevertheless kind-hearted and a fast friend to those who were so happy as to understand him. At one time, he represented our county in the Assembly, at Albany.
       For some years he followed the water, and up to the time he was taken sick, had charge of the ferry between Sneden’s Landing and Dobbs Ferry.
       The subject of our sketch was somewhat of a politician, and on the morning of the first Tuesday of November last, as he was leaving the dock at Dobbs Ferry to go to Piermont to deposit his vote, he was stricken down by an attack of paralysis, from which he never recovered. As soon as practicable he was removed to his own home, and for six months has lain without being able to articulate a word. Death mercifully put an end to his extreme sufferings.
       His remains were attended by a large concourse of his fellow-citizens and others from abroad. Rev. G. W. Lamb, of the Palisade M. E. Church, officiated. His remains were interred in the Palisade Cemetery.

May 6, 1921 – 100 YEARS AGO
Rockland News

NIGHT PROWLER KILLED BY ZUKOR BURGLAR TRAP — Edward Coates of Haverstraw Said to Have Been Made Drunk and Sent to Steal Quantity of Liquor from New City House
       State troopers are still making an active search for the companion of Edward Coates, who was caught by an improvised burglar trap consisting of a shotgun connecting with a string with a door knob and killed Sunday night as he attempted to force an entrance to the country home of Adolph Zukor, motion picture producer, at New City.
       The burglar traps were arranged at the entrances of the Zukor home when Mr. Zukor left for Europe, two months ago. In addition, a watchman was placed on guard, because of a previous attempt to rob the home. The loaded shotguns were so arranged that anyone opening the doors would discharge the weapon and receive the load.
       Sunday night about 10 o’clock the two men rode up to the Zukor place in an automobile. It was evident that Coates climbed up an area way to get access to a side door behind which one of the shotguns awaited. He picked the lock, opened the door and receive the contents of the gun in the abdomen. He ran 200 yards across the lawn before he dropped. Meanwhile, his companion hustled into the automobile and deserted him.
       The caretaker on the place found the dead body of Coates Monday morning at about 6 o’clock. The authorities were notified and Coroner Flender turned the body over to the undertakomg firm of W. T. Purdy & Son, Haverstraw.
       Coates was 30 years old. He leaves a widow and two children. He had a bad record of having served terms in Sing Sing Prison, the New York Penitentiary and the Rockland County jail. Recently he has been doing a taxi business in Haverstraw and was said to have reformed.
       According to gossip, Coates was sent on his journey to steal liquor, having, it is said, recently effected an entrance into the place with another man. Both at that time drank a quantity of liquor and became too intoxicated to carry any away.
       There is no secret about the tragedy in Haverstraw and it is said many persons know the dead man’s partner and those who first got him partly intoxicated before inducing him to go to the Zukor place.

May 5, 1971 – 50 YEARS AGO
Rockland Independent/Leader

FOR TAPPAN PARK — EVERY DAY A DEADLINE  — Need $14,000 – have $3,592

Tappan Memorial Park is the dream and goal of the Tappantown Society. They want to provide the town with a park characterized by rustic paths, clear ponds, and an out-door auditorium, but they need $14,000 to do it.
       Mr. M. W. Klein, past treasurer and present chairman at the society explains.
       “Years ago, Tappan was declared a historic site by the federal government. We feel that a park is needed here. The state promised us a grant of $14,000 if Tappan could match its funds, thus raising the amount of money needed to build the park. It will be located on Washington Street. The architect has the plans all made up already. All we need is the money.”
       But they are far from their goal. Only $3,592.11 has been raised as of now. The society is sponsoring many fundraising projects in their attempt to match the grant. On May 1 and 2, they sponsored a plant sale, which netted only about $400. On May 17, they will sponsor a music festival which will run for a week.
       Highlights will include movies of Tappan and restoration slides to be shown at the local high school, a rock festival, Bach concert, and walking tours of the town. Admission will be free to most events, but the society hopes to spur interest in the development of the park.
       Mrs. Klein comments, “We’re involving so many people, it should be a success.”
       When asked if Tappan had a deadline in which to match the state grant Mrs. Klein replied, “We can’t go on forever. We decided to impose a deadline on ourselves in a few months, maybe by September, but that isn’t important. We need this park. Every day is a deadline.”
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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, visitwww.RocklandHistory.orgor call (845) 634-9629.

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