MIDDLETOWN A Biography

-By­ FRANKLJN B. WILLIAMS Member of the Historical Society of Middletown and the Wallkill Precinct, Author of "Sources of Orange County History"

PUBLISHED BY Lawrence A. Toepp Middletown, N. Y.

1928 COPYRIGHT 1928 BY LAWRENCE A. TOEPP

Printed in 1'14 United States of Amtrita /;y The Whitlock Press, Inc. Middletown, N.Y. Preface

The fact that the history of Middletown has been neg­ lected, rather than that it is not sensational nor of strategic importance to the nation, is responsible for the widespread belief that the story is without interest and significance. This is the first systematic attempt to comprehensively relate Middletown's history. Doubtlessly it has the usual shortcomings of a pioneer effort. Many months have been spent gathering and arranging the material, much of which appeared serially in the Middletown Times Herald in 1927 as "A Biography of Middletown." All previous histories, manuscripts and other available sources have been utilized. Credit is due Hasbrouck's 1857 directory, and the Ruttenber and Clark Orange County history. Old residents have sup­ plied much information. The fact that the greater part of new material was obtained from careful examination of several thousand old newspapers explains the absence of references. All facts, nevertheless, have been authenticated. Thanks are due to Hon. William T. Doty, Hon. Charles J. Boyd, John Wilkin, Esq., and Mr. Ferris M. Pronk who have read and corrected manuscript and proof. The form of arrangements has been selected as the most suitable to narrate the general story in an interesting and uninterrupted manner. The main problem has been one of elimination and condensation. It is neither seemly nor wise to laugh at the fads and foibles of the past, of which every generation has its varie­ ties. It is well to remember that those who move through these pages, whatever their dress or manners, were men and women. Little effort has been made to point out the philosophy of the history of Middletown. The reflective reader will de­ rive much of value.

FRANKLIN B. WILLIAMS.

Contents

Preface ...... 1 Contents ...... 3

I The Pioneers, Earliest Times until 1815 ...... 5 II The Hamlet, 1816-1840 ...... 29 III The Village, 1840-1865 ...... 38

IV Super-Village, 1865-1888 ...... 64

V The City, 1888 to the present ...... 76

VI Military, The Wars and Militia ...... 84 VII The City's Growth, Population and Streets .... 92 VIII Schools, Lyceum, Libraries, Hospitals...... 106 IX Fire Department...... 123 X City Government, Officials ... : ...... 130 XI Personalities ...... 136 XII Churches and Cemeteries ...... 145

XIII Organizations ...... " ...... 168 XIV Miscellaneous: Newspapers, Sports, Post Office, Banks, Bibliography ...... 175

I. The Pioneers (Until 1815)

INTRODUCTORY To trace intelligently the early growth of the city of Middletown, it is necessary to have at least an outline back­ grou~d to bring the facts into proper relationship and prormnence. The modern history of this region, necessarily, starts with the discovery of, or at least the navigation of, the Hud­ son River by the intrepid Dutch navigator whose name it bears, in 1609. It was 75 years later, however, before the first settlement was made in the county, that of Patrick MacGregorie and his fellow Scotchmen, who in or before 1684, settled on Plum Point, in the present town of New Windsor at the mouth of the Moodna, Murderers Creek or Otterkill, as the stream is variously known. The next authentic settlement was made in the Never­ sink and Delaware valleys about Port Jervis, both in New York and New Jersey, early in the 1690s. There is a tradi­ tion that this settlement was founded many years earlier, but the matter is immaterial in this connection. General settlement of the county followed. Newburgh ,vas founded early in the 18th Century. Goshen was a suf­ ficient center of population to support a church as early as 1720. Farms and homesteads soon dotted the fertile Wall­ kill valley about Montgomery and settlers poured into the Warwick region. Orange County had been established in 1683, but it was not until years later that it was given a full county govern­ ment, for the simple reason that when it was established there were practically no people in it (it then included Rock­ land County, which had been settled at Haverstraw for sev­ eral years.) Orange County extended north only as far as the southern boundary of the present town of Wallkill, so that Middletown, as first settled, was in Ulster County. 5 THE PATENTS The city of Middletown lies on land which was once the property of the Indians. The manner in which the land was bought by the white men is an interesting story. When Orange County land was purchased from the Indians, there were no settlers in the region. The real es­ tate dealers and wealthy speculators who bought up great tracts of territory were unacquainted with the land which they bought. It had never been surveyed. Parts of it had never been trod by white men. The plots were purchased in a hap-hazard manner, with boundaries of various por­ tions overlapping so that quarrels ensued. Theoretically, at least, Middletown was in the Minisink Patent. The Minisink Patent was granted August 28, 1704, to Benjamin Aske, Derick Vandenburg, Lancaster Syms, Daniel Honan, J. Cholwell, Hendrick Ten-Eycke, Philip Rokeby, who were also Wawayanda patentees; Ann Bridges, who was the widow of Dr. Bridges, below mentioned; and Matthew Ling, Ebenezer Wilson, Philip French, Stephen de Lancey, John Corbett, Caleb Cooper, William Sharpas, Robert Milward, Thomas Wenham, John Person, Petrus Bayard, Peter Fanconier, Henry Swift, Jarvis Marshall and George Clark. It is claimed that these men never paid the Indians for the land, and got them to sign the deed when they were drunk. This the savages gave as a reason for fighting in the French and Indian War. This huge tract of land, almost large enough to be a county within itself, started somewhere in Ulster County at a point to the north­ east of "Bashe's Land," ran west to the Delaware, south to Great Minisink Island, east to Wawayanda, thence to the Evans patent, and thence to the starting point. Its territory is now included in Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. To the south was the Wawayanda Patent, granted April 29, 1703, to Doctor John Bridges, Hendrick TenEycke, Der­ ick Vandenburgh, John Cholwell, Christopher Denn, Lan­ caster Syms, Daniel Honan, Philip Rokeby, John Merritt, Benjamin Aske, Peter Mathews and Cornelius Christianse. These men had purchased the land from twelve Indian pro­ prietors, whose names are long, and to us, meaningless, so need not be repeated. The deed is dated March 5, 1703. The land included "certain tracts or parcels of vacant land named Wawayanda and some other small tracts or parcels of land, being bounded on the eastward by the high hills of the Highlands and the patent of Capt. John Evans on the north by the division line of the counties of Orange and Ulster [which ran south of Middletown], on the westward by the high hills to the eastward of the Minisinks, and on the south by the division line of the provinces of New York and East Jersey." The Tract so carelessly described in- 6 eluded all of the territory in the present towns of Warwick, Goshen, Chester, Minisink and Wawayanda with some left over.

The approximate boundaries of the early patents, together with the location of the Minisink Angle, in which is Middletown (M), may be seen from the above map. To the right is the Hudson River, to the west the Delaware. (After Ruttenber).

Considering the careless method of buying land, it was inevitable that there should be boundary disputes. One among many, such a quarrel broke out between the owners of lands in the Minisink and Wawayanda patents. Details are strangely lacking. Of the settlement of the fight, E. M. Ruttenber, authority on the early history of Orange County, says only: "In the subsequent adjustment ...... a portion of the territory claimed by the Wawayanda patentees was cut off, while on the west an angle was formed, known as the Mini­ sink Angle, embracing a tract of 130,000 acres." Middletown stands in the Minisink Angle, the position of which can easily be seen by referring to the accompany­ ing map. WALLKILL PRECINCT Middletown originally stood in Ulster County, which then also included Newburgh and New Windsor, as may be '1 seen from the accompanying map. Middletown remained in Ulster until 1798, as will be later mentioned. Wallkill Precinct, in which Middletown stands, was erected by act of the Colonial Assembly, December 17, 1743. At that time the precinct contained a huge tract of land, including the present towns of Wallkill, Crawford, Mont-

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The above map shows the location of the old Orange-Ulster boundary line in relation to the present outline of the county and its townships. gomery, and portions of Hamptonburgh and Mount Hope. The subsequent peeling of the town to its present size need not be told in detail here, inasmuch as Middletown has always remained in the old township. In 1772 Wallkill was divided in two, the eastern half, containing the present towns of Montgomery and Crawford becoming known as Hanover Precinct. Following the Revolution Wallkill Pre­ cinct became a township, and at later dates portions of it were pared off to form with other territory, Mount Hope and Hamp_tonburgh. Original Wallkill is shown in the accompanying map. The original Wallkill Precinct act is of considerable interest. It is titled: "An Act to divide the Southern part of the County of Ulster into Precincts, and to enable the corporation of Kingston and the manor of Foxhall to choose and elect one supervisor more, and for regulating the super­ visors and assessor within the said county." 8 The precinct was bounded for the most part, by the lines of early grants, which are unintelligible to anyone except an experienced surveyor, perhaps, or someone who has intensely studied the matter, and, it may be, not even to them. And: And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid that the freeholders and inhahitants of the Wallkill Precinct, afore­ said shall annually meet at the new dwelling house of Matties Millespaugh on the first Tuesday of April yearly, for electing the officers belonging to that precinct until such times as the majority of the freeholders and inhabi­ tants at any one such meeting shall agree upon some other certain place of meeting for the year, which place being so agreed on shall remain the place of meeting yearly until altered as aforesaid.

This map shows the boundaries of the old Precinct of Wallkill, as originally erected and before separation of Hanover (Mont­ gomery) Precinct.

The precinct was apportioned a supervisor, and all other officers, and was given equal power with the other precincts in Ulster county. Because of the Wallkill River, sometimes dangerous, the precinct was given a collector, assessor and constable for the portion south of the river, and another for that north. The same act erected the Pre­ cinct of Shawangunk, now all in Ulster county, and of High­ lands, which now includes Newburgh, New Windsor, and some Ulster County territory. 9 THE FIRST SETTLERS After the Minisink Angle had been established, as has been explained, it was surveyed and, as was the custom, was divided into large lots. These lots are shown on the accompanying map. Their exact location, as explained be­ neath the map, must be carefully held in mind as we proceed. These lots were apportioned to the various patentees. Lot 36 went to Stephen DeLancey. Stephen, sometimes known by his French name of Etienne, DeLancey, was a man of importance. Born at Caen, France, October 24, 1663, he fled, with other Huguenots, to Holland. He landed in New York in 1686. As a merchant, he won a fortune of 100,000 pounds. Politically prominent, he served as alder-

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I I I \ I I \ r \ I I I ~';\ I \ ,, I '(I - 6 ---- ...... ' ...... This map shows a portion of the Minisink Angle about the city of Middletown to demonstrate the lots which are now a part of the city, Lots 34, 35, 36, and 27, with the strip {x). The dividing line between Lots 34 and 35 falls exactly on Wisner avenue. The line between Lots 35 and 36 falls exactly on Roberts and John streets. 10 man and Colonial assemblyman. He died in 1741, and his lands were distributed among his heirs. Diligent search fails to discover the owner of Lot 35. Whoever he was, in 1742 he had his lot surveyed by a Mr. Clinton, presumably Charles Clinton of Little Britain, the noted surveyor, father of Governor George Clinton and grandfather of DeWitt Clinton. Clinton, in his report men­ tions having crossed the Minisink Road several times, attest­ ing its antiquity. Of the land itself, about 1120 acres, he had this to say : "The chief fault yt can be found with all ye tract is the stoneyness of it." On these two lots stands the greater and more impor­ tant part of Middletown. The settlement of Middletown started with the pur­ chase of Lot 35 by Samuel Wickham and David Moore, said to be cousins, in or earlier than 1756. Who were these men who set out to conquer the wilder­ ness? For the region was then a wilderness. From what meagre information survives, it is evident that the land on which Middletown stands, was then for the most part, if not wholly, covered with forest. First, however, it must be stated that details of this purchase, such as the price, date, etc., are lacking. The sale is recorded neither in the Orange nor in the Ulster County records. Record keeping was not given undue attention in those days. . Samuel Wickham, a tailor and the first Wickham in Orange County was one of the many Orange County settlers to come from Southhold, L. I. He settled in East Division, Goshen Township, in June~ 1740. David Moore (1713-1789), Southhold, married Hepziba Wilmot of Jamaica, L. I., and settled in the township of Goshen, in 1744. These were the men, all unmindful of it, who were to found Middletown. Moore was the first to attempt a settlement. About 1756 he started a homestead along the Minisink Road, now East Main street, just outside the city limits, on the north­ east side of the highway on what was for years known as the Thomas E. Hulse property. The Indian incursions of the French and Indian Wars, however, made it necessary for Moore to retire to Goshen. In explanation, it may be said that a great strip of frontier land on the west side of the Wallkill, fifteen miles in length and some seven or eight miles wide, was completely abandoned by the settlers, who numbered 150. Moore did not return to his lands after the Wars. After the Wars Moore sent his sons and daughters to occupy his lands. When Moore and Wickham came to divide their purchase, Wickham took the center portion, including 11 the central portion of Middleto,vn, and Moore took pieces at each end. Of the nine Moore children, David Moore, Jr., (1734- 1805) took the homestead which his father had started, just outside the city limits. In 1764 he married Mary Mapes ( 1738-1820) . Their eight children were prominent in early Middletown. To John Moore (1748-?) went part of the property at the other end of the Lot, including what was later Senator Henry R. Low's place, on upper Highland avenue. Among the daughters were Deborah and Beulah, and they married, respectively, John and Ephraim Everett. To Deborah and her husband went to what was later the Isaac Decker farm. To Beulah and her husband went the farm known as the Daniel Wood farm, near the city limits out Highland avenue. Other children were Hepzibah, Mary, Wilmot, Dan­ iel and Walter. The Wickhams came at approximately the same time, probably 1770. Like the elder Moore, Samuel Wickham did not, as far as is known, settle on his new lands. In his place he sent three children, Samuel Jr., Israel, and Jerusha, wife of Nathaniel Wells. Samuel Jr. received the lands along the south side of East Main street in the central part of the city. His house was on East Main street, now the large house on the bank at East Main and Academy avenue. Israel Wickham (1741-1817) was a tailor like his father. At the age of sixteen years he had served in the Fort Edwards campaign of the French and Indian Wars. He set­ tled in Middletown on a farm on East Main street, now Ursuline Academy. Mrs. Wells and her husband settled farther out East Main street, on the same side of the street and within the city limits. There were, then, seven families, of the children of the land purchasers, settled on Lot 35 before the Revolution. All built log cabins. Log cabins, in fact, remained the only form of building for many years. Prior to the Revolution there was settled on Lot 36, as far as can be determined, but one family, that of John Green. At this period Green purchased a large portion of Lot 36, notably the eastern portion, including nearly the whole of Middletown's business district. Inasmuch as John Green was in the town of Wallkill by 1760, it may be that his settlement at Middletown was an earlier permanent one than any of the others. On the other hand, Green might have been then living in another part of the township, or precinct, as it then was. 12 Record of this sale has been lost, probably destroyed by fire at Kingston. Nothing is known of Green's history prior to his arrival in Wallkill. His wife was Patience. Their children, several of them born in Wallkill, were Israel, Ebenezer, John, Daniel, Patience and Elizabeth. He made his will December 12, 1784, appointing his sons Israel and John executors. Witnesses were Timothy Smith, a tailor, and Daniel Green, carpenter, presumably a son. There is no evidence of other settlers in Middletown prior to the Revolution. THE REVOLUTION, AND AFTER Middletown was still farmland. When the Revolution broke out, it was the scene of no battle, but the pioneers suffered the hardships common to all in this section, harassed by the Indians along the western frontier across the Shawangunks, and by the Tories in the interior, and in constant danger of invasion by regular forces from the south. No attempt, however, will here be made to recount the details of the struggle. Several of the settlers, however, served in the militia from time to time. Records for most are not available. Dan­ iel Green (1760-1833), a son of John Green, answered var­ ious alarms from 1776 to 1779, actually serving a year and twenty-four days under Captains Samuel Watkins, Tilford, John Little, William Faulkner, Jacob DeWitt, and Bailey, in the regiments of Colonels McClaghry, Nicoll, Hathorn and Phillips. David Moore Jr., militiaman, saw no actual fighting, but was on duty at times. Following the raid on Minisink in 1779, he was called out with the other militia, and proceeded to Peenpack, east of Port Jervis. There he was ordered back by Major Phillips to urge other militia troops to hurry forward, and was also given a brief leave to visit his son Walter, who was sick. Before he could rejoin his company the disastrous Battle of Minisink had been fought. The girl who later became the wife of Israel Green, Daniel's brother, was carried over the Shawangunks by her mother, fleeing the Indians. When the savages were over­ taking her, the mother concealed the girl under a log, and hid herself, escaping detection. In 1779 a roving fellow, probably a Tory cowboy, stole a stallion of Samuel Wickham, before mentioned. Wickham and his friends pursued and overtook the rogue, who was taken to Goshen. There he was convicted, and was hung January 22, 1779, in company with Claudius Smith, the notorious Tory leader. The particular DeLancey who inherited Lot 36 of the Minisink Angle, excluding, of course, that part purchased 13 by Green, was a Tory. In common with other Tory property throughout the State, his land was confiscated. Three ap­ praisers were named to determine the value of the property, two of whom were Israel Wickham and Henry Wisner. There was an earnest debate on the subject of valuation, whether to call it six shillings or a dollar an acre. Wickham insisted that it would never be worth a dollar, and it was set down at six shillings. Inasmuch as neither the dollar nor the shillings were then of much value, it will be seen that this price was negligible. The land confiscated included about two hundred acres in the western part of the city, later better known as the holdings of J. B. Hanford, Henry Little and George Houston. The Tory owner was probably James, possibly Oliver DeLancey. Both had property confiscated in Orange County, but no records could be found for this plot. The end of the long war found the farmers in this sec­ tion under a serious economic handicap, but this did not deter them from enlarging their clearings and improving their farms. It was also a period of expansion and further settlement. HIGHWAYS-HAMLETS Much of Middletown's early growth must be attributed to the fact that it was the point from which radiated a num­ ber of highways which were then the only means of trans­ portation and communication for a large extent of territory. All communication with the outside world was then carried on by way of Newburgh, whence sloops traveled up and down the river. Many sails dotted the historic water­ way now traversed by great steamers and long lines of barges hauled by snorting little tugs. From Newburgh, crude wagons were driven inland, hauled by oxen and horses over rough roads. The roads were but little worked. In some places the trail was marked only by notches in the trees through the fores ts. Progress was slow and laborious. But in this manner the settlers streamed into the inter­ ior in ever increasing numbers after the close of the Revo­ lution. What was then the trunk line in this district passed through Middletown. Connecting with the Newburgh road at Goshen, it came to Middletown along the present "back road." Now supplanted by the Bradley's Corners route, it was then the main artery of travel. It passed through the manufacturing center at Phillipsburgh, and the busy little hamlet of Mechanicstown to come into what is now East Main street. The First Congregational Church had been built beside the road, which continued along West Main street, and so to Mount Hope and Minisink. This was the Minisink Road. It is mentioned as early as 1742. About a mile west of Franklin Square, near the 14 present intersection of West Main street and Monhagen avenue was White Oak Bridge, so known because the road at that point crossed a creek on a bridge made of white oak poles. This bridge was in existence many years. Out Highland avenue ran the "Swamp and Blooming­ burg" road. To the southwest extended the road to the scat­ tered settlement of Dolsontown now only a locality along the Goshen highway this side of Bradley's Corners. There were one or two other trails of lesser importance. New farms were established about the countryside. The second generation of Greens was starting homesteads, and the Wickhams and Moores had their families. New-comers increased the number. Abel Woodhull established the first store, probably in the early Eighties. It was on the Minisink road on the north side west of Orchard street. The settlers lived the typical life of the pioneers, with few conveniences and many hardships. David Moore's farm, as has been said, was on East Main street not far from Me­ chanicstown. He did not have a horse. When the weather was favorable, tradition says, he would blow on a conch shell to signal a friend in Goshen to bring up his horse for a while, a physical feat not altogether incredible. Mechanicstown was then a thriving hamlet, and Phil­ lipsburgh was a center of industry. Goshen was the principal place in Orange County. Newburgh, as well as Middletown, was still in Ulster.

THE OLD MEETING HOUSE The village of Middletown may be said to date from the organization of the First Congregational Church. Previous to that time there was no indication that the locality would become a hamlet more than any other place in the neighbor­ hood. When John Green made his will December 12, 1784, he provided that at his death a religious society should be al­ lowed to purchase of his lands a site for a church for the sum of three pounds. The First Congregational Church, which had evidently been planned for some time, was organized June 10, 1785, by the farmers of the neighborhood. They were not all Con­ gregationalists. Persons of many creeds joined to build a house of worship, choosing the Congregational form of gov­ ernment as the most practicable. These first members were mostly immigrants to the section from Long Island, such as the Wickhams. They were gathered into a flock by Rev. Charles Seeley, who came here from Newton, N. J. As its first deacons the congregation elected Eli Corwin and James Reeve. Reeve, who had eighteen children by his two wives, 15 Mary Moore, daughter of David, and Mary Corwin, lived on a farm between Middletown and New Hampton. This was but a year after the close of the Revolution. John Green died not long after he made his will, and the Church purchased the land from his estate. The deed, dated April 10, 1786, gave title to half an acre of land, to which was added 15 and a fifth square rods of land deeded July 12 of the same year by Jonathan Owen, husband of the Rev. Mr. Seeley's niece, Mary Dunning, for the sum of five shillings. This land, a portion of which was necessarily used for highway purposes, constitutes the present site of the First Congregational church. The society was belatedly incorporated two days after the first deed, April 12, 1786, under the title of "First Con­ gregational Church of Middletown, in the precinct of Wall­ kill and County of Ulster." The original trustees were lames Reeve, Jonathan Owen above mentioned, Nathaniel "Yells, Samuel Wickham, William Carpenter and Eli Corwin. Nathaniel Landon was named clerk and Nathaniel Wells treasurer. Eli Corwin lived then, or at least a few years later~ on a farm a short distance south of the church on the road from Mechanicstown to Bradley's Corners. The church was built and enclosed that year, but was not completed. In fact, it remained unfinished for ten years. It was the only church in Middletown for 40 years, and, necessarily, the early history of the village revolves about it. The hearty farmers for miles around gathered to cele­ brate the "raising." It was undoubtedly the greatest assem­ bly which Middletown had ever witnessed. There were festivities, a good old fashioned dinner, and probably plenty of good cider with drams of rum or whiskey "just to be social." One can easily imagine the conversation which fol­ lowed among the honest settlers. A place honored by a church must certainly have a name, it was decided. "What shall it be? There is Dolsontown on the south, Goshen on the east, Scotchtown on the north, and a place not defined on the west called Shawangunk. We will call it Middletown, it being in the center." And so a farewell toast was drunk to the prosperity and growth of the crossroads hamlet, Middletown. The church stood forward from the present one, so that the steps came to the road itself. In 1792 there were thirty­ six members. An inventory of the society's property was taken by the trustees Feb. 12, 1796. It is recorded: "One-half acre of land and meeting house thereon, valued at 150 pounds. Voted that ten pounds be raised to move the house back from the street, and also voted to finish the interior of the same and sell the seats to pay the expense." 16 a 0 ....; M ~ Q) ~ -i:d 0 ~ rz;. =i:d Q) Pt Q) - 11.l I< Q)

17 Already, it may be noted, the Minisink road was known as a street, and residents were taking interest in civic im­ provement. It was at last decided to take steps to complete the interior of the church, which had remained unfinished since its erection ten years previously. Selling of pews was considered a likely way to raise funds. This same year, 1796, "It was put to vote whether or no the church did not think it duty, in their present situation, to petition the Legislature of this State for an act to make a lottery for the purpose of finishing our meeting-house and purchasing a parsonage." And, "It was thought by the ma­ jority to be duty." Whether such a lottery was provided is not known. There is no evidence of it. Two years later, 1798, the church was still unfinished. It was probably finished that year, twelve years after it was started. Rev. Charles Seeley was pastor until about 1796. He also ministered to the church near Mount Hope. Three years later a second inventory was taken, Feb. 27, 1799 of the property belonging to the First Congrega­ tional Society of Middletown as the church was now known. To wit: "One-half acre of land and meeting house thereon, finished, valued at 200 pounds, certified according to law, Jacob Dunning Clerk." The pounds of the period were worth approximately $1, so that the church was worth $200. The structure was not beautiful, nor substantial. The later history of the Church will be found in a later chapter. COUNTRY CROSSROADS At the opening of the final decade of the 18th century, the region about the First Congregational Church became more and more settled. The children of the original settlers already had homes and children of their own, and new set­ tlers were pouring in. In this connection, no exhibit is more interesting than the map shown above. The map, result of much research work and constructed from undoubted authorities, was drawn in 1876 by W. W. Reeve. It was published in the Manual of the First Congregational Church, and was later reprinted in the Ruttenber and Clark history of Orange county. The first thing to be remembered is that the area shown on the map was not then, and still is not, all within Middle­ town. In fact, in 1792 only the small collection of seven or eight residences in the immediate neighborhood of the church building was known as Middletown. As late as 1807 as we shall note later, there were but nine families in the village proper, although there were more than that within the present limits of the city as early as 1792. 18 The residence of Israel Wickham, for instance, shown on the map, which is on the site of Ursuline Academy, was then some distance out in the country, and was but a farm. Isaiah Vail's place, in the opposite direction on the Minisink road, ,vas considered nearly a mile away from the village. The principal feature of the map is the Minisink road, which, it is easily noticeable, follows closely the present route of East and West Main streets. There is a suspicion of what is now South street, but North street is completely lacking. The old Bloomingburg road followed part of the present Highland avenue. Thus 1t may safely be said that Main street was Middle­ town's first street. It was originally but a rough country trail, then a muddy road. Consequently, it is not to be won­ dered that Main street, East and West, is not laid out with mathematical precision. Scattered about the countryside are the homesteads of the farmers. Some of the names we have already mentioned. Of others less is known. Dr. \Velch, whose place, shown on the map, was near the State Hospital, was one of the first physicians to locate in this section. His place was so far out in the country, how­ ever, that he was never considered a Middletown physician. This map, furthermore, brings to attention other items. A blacksmith shop and hat factory of some kind had already sprung up in the center of the village. A tannery is shown. Tanning was then a rural industry of considerable impor­ tance, and in those days small tanneries dotted the country from east to west. No mention is yet made of a distillery. But there is a schoolhouse located on South street. Further information of the school may be found in a later chapter. So with a church and a school, a tannery, a hat shop and a store or two, Middletown was a thriving little hamlet in the year of our Lord 1792. For the time it had reached its maximum growth. For a dozen years, probably, no addi­ tional families settled about what is now Franklin Square. The farm land in the vicinity was also in use, and immi­ grants pushed on westward to the newly opened public lands in central and western New York State.

WALLKILL SLAVES There is little to remind modern inhabitants of Middle­ town that slavery was once an institution in this neighbor­ hood. It has been estimated, nevertheless, that in the period following the Revolution slaves were more numerous than horses throughout this section. Slavery was abolished slowly, and it is well to remember when the Civil War broke out some Middletowners remembered local slavery, and not 19 a few were, politically, not opposed to slavery. In the early days Phillipsburgh, the Phillips manor, was a slave center, and there is still visible a slave cemetery at Mechanicstown. Even in the early days, however, some of the settlers were morally opposed to slavery. They had the privilege of manumitting their slaves. Such a man was Israel Wickham. He liberated his Negro men at the age of twenty-one, with $100 purses, and the women at the age of eighteen, with supplies of clothing. The following document shows the procedure : To all to whom these shall come or may concern, greeting: Know ye that I, Israel Wickham, of the county of Ulster and the state of New York, farmer, have by my free good will, and for the esteem and regard I have for a negro man named Abel Darby, now in my possession, and of whom I am the true and lawful owner, do manumate, set free and forever discharge, and by these presents do for­ ever warrant and defend against my heirs, executors, ad­ ministrators, and assignees, the said negro man, named Abel Darby, as aforesaid, from all claim or claims, demand or demands whatsoever which my heirs, executors, admin­ istrators or assignees may hereafter have in the aforesaid negro man, he being at present under the age of fifty years; and I do here by forever quitclaim, set free and dis­ charge the said negro as by law I have a right to do, writing my hand and seal this twelfth day of February, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six. ISRAEL WICKHAM Witnesses present: WILLIAM W. JACKETT DANIEL WELLS

We, Jonathan Owens and Jacob Mills, poormasters for the town of Wallkill, in the county of Ulster, and state of New York, do certify that the herein named Abel Darby at present a negro man slave, in the possession of Israel Wickham, who is the true owner and lawful proprietor of said negro man, and that he appears of sufficient ability to provide for himself, and that he likewise appears to be under the age of fifty years, we therefore allow the same Abel Darby to be manumitted and set free from his master Israel Wickham, by and with the consent of Nathan Smith and Elijah Reeves, two of the justices of the peace in and for the said county of mster, who having duly examined the same do direct the same to be recorded on the records of the town of Wallkill in the county aforesaid as the law directs. Done this twelfth day of February, 1796, by us: JONATHAN OWEN, JACOB MILLS, NATHAN SMITH, ELIJAH REEVES.

Recorded the within the book of records for the town of Wallkill by G. N. Phillips for Moses Phillips, Clerk. 20 Abel Darby was an interesting Negro, stalwart son of a Guinea slave. Following his liberation he remained in this section, doing odd jobs for a living. He had been brought here from Long Island, and was for years a familiar figure in the First Congregational Church. His wife was Violet. One of his sons was a preacher. Another, Frank, was a man of great strength. In 1809, it is chronicled, he had a hand to hand encounter with a bear near the Genung street Erie crossing. He was holding the bear at bay until hunters should arrive. The bear finally got Frank in his clutches, and the two were rolling on the ground when help arrived. Frank was not permanently injured. The bear was taken to the hamlet, was hung up on one of the forest trees which still stood along East Main street opposite the Congrega­ tional Church, and was butchered. Most of the slaves used the surnames of their masters. Sentiment was growing against slavery, however, and the Legislature March 29, 1799, passed an act for the grad­ ual manumission of slaves. The law provided that all Negro children born of slave parents after July 4, 1799, should be free, but should be servants of their masters,. the men until they were twenty-eight years of age and the women until they were twenty-five. Slave holders were, however, allowed to surrender the children at the age of one year, after which they were bound out by the overseers of the poor. The enforcement of this act made it necessary to record the births of all Negro children, the penalty for neglect be­ ing a five dollar fine. The town clerk received twelve cents for each birth recorded. The Wallkill town records, includ­ ing Middletown, are in a quaint volume preserved in the city records. Inscribed, "A Record of the Births of Negro Chil­ dren in the Town of Wallkill," it notes sixty-two births. The first of these was recorded in December, 1800. The record reads: · I do hereby certify that a female Negro child named Julia was born on the 12th day of March, one thousand eight hundred, of the female slave named Phillis that is my property. Josiah Vail.

Slave owners were allowed nine months to record the births. Many, however, neglected the duty, so that in later years it was necessary, to secure a Negro's freedom, to record his birth when he was already nearly twenty years of age. The last birth is dated 1820, but few slave children were born after 1810. The following list of those recording births of Negro children mentions the more important persons of the town­ ship. A number of them were men of note. Methuseliah 21 Baldwin, for instance, was pastor of the Scotchtown Presby­ terian Church. Josiah Vail Jesse Booth Jane Butterfield Daniel Hasbrouck John WJ!Nfin Moses Phillips William Hurton David Miller Eli Corwin 2nd. John Taylor Charles Bull Thomas M. Clark William Brown Israel Wickham Andrew Wilson Thomas Borland Daniel Seward Daniel Corwin William Bull John Harlow Jane Tuthill Dunkin McEwen Moses Bull Thomas Brunson William Shaw Robert Wilkin Tabitha Borland Abram Crane John White Isaac Ishultz William Wilson Jason Rogers Gabriel Phillips Eusebus Austin Abel Watkins Daniel Bailey James Morrison Robert Shaw Methuseliah Baldwin Henry B. Wisner John Oliver At the same time manumissions became more numer­ ous. "A Record of the Negroes that have been Manumitted and set free in the Town of Wallkill," in the same volume as the birth records, notes twenty-five manumissions. The first of these, dated November 1, 1800, follows. I do hereby certify that I have manumitted and set free my Negro slave Letis as fully and amply as I am authorized by an act of the Legislature of this State en­ titled an Act for the gradual abolition of slavery passed the twenty-ninth day of March, 1799, given under my hand and seal this first day of November, 1800. Tabitthee Borland. The last manumission is dated April 13, 1826. Most of them were recorded with statements of the overseers of the poor that the slaves were able to support themselves. Those who manumitted slaves, besides Mrs. Borland, were: Jonathan Smith Stephen Smith Henry B. Wisner John Wilkin Israel Wickham William Phillips Moses Phillips Mary Brown Methuseliah Baldwin Gabriel Phillips Moses Vail Thomas Borland Andrew Wilson Elisha Reeve Samuel Miller Daniel Bailey John Oliver Stephen Ingersoll Thomas Booth Jacob Mills Jacob Dunning Thus disappeared slavery. A number of the slaves of Middletown were buried at Wisner and Grand avenues, in­ cluding Black Abel above mentioned.

THE SETTLEMENT What were the settlers of Middletown doing during this early period? . Scarcely had the old meeting house been built before the inhabitants of the countryside felt the need of a ceme­ tery, which was opened, adjoining the church. In 1792 the Old School Baptists of the town of Wallkill organized their church. 22 February 23, 1798, the Legislature passed the act which transferred Middletown from Ulster to Orange County. The boundary line was shifted from the old line south of Middletown to the present Orange-Ulster boundary. Thence­ forth Middletown took its part in Orange County history. About this time two more notable figures appeared upon the scene, Henry B. Wisner, a grandson of the famous Goshen patriot, had established the Wisner homestead on Wisner avenue facing Grand avenue, then far out in the country. He was active in public life. Stacy Beakes, born just north of Middletown, was growing old enough to take part in public and commercial life. " Middletown for the first time took its place in politics in 1804, when Wisner was elected supervisor. In 1801 the ambitious settlers established a library. The first indication that Middletown might become a village was the action taken in the late Nineties or first two or three years of the Nineteenth Century. At that time, fol­ lowing persuasive arguments by Rev. Zenas Smith and Henry B. Wisner, the owners of the land about the meeting house divided it into building lots. Most of this land was then owned by Captain Jonathan Owen, another early settler. Captain Owen had purchased it of the heirs of John Green, probably from the son Israel, who inherited most of the real estate. By a lucky chain of circumstances, there has been left a pen picture of the little hamlet of Middletown as it was in the period, 1802-1806. In March 1874, Temperance Reeve Little, the grandmother of Mrs. S. W. Hoyt, of 46 Watkins Avenue, wrote in a note book of Middletown as seen by her when she was a girl, 1802-1806. At the time, she lived in a house standing near what was later the Amory house, now the residence of George N. Clemson on Highland Avenue. As she then went to town from her house, the first house on the road was a log building owned and occupied by Joseph Knapp, latter owned by State Senator Edward Madden, now the property occupied by Mrs. Fish, corner of West Main Street and Highland A venue. The next house was on Mill Street, made of logs and stood on the west side of the street near what was later a house owned by Mrs. E. Stevens. At the foot of Mill Street was a house on the west side of the brook, occupied by Israel Wickham, Jr. On the corner of James Street was a house on the site of a residence later owned by Doctor Dorrance now the site of the present Middletown post office. This house was owned by Bill Owen. Near the head of Canal Street on the north side of West Main Street was a small tannery on a small stream, now running in a sewer. At that time it ran in a gulch. On what 23 was then a hill, later the site of the Montanye Block about two numbers west of Carson & Towner's was a home owned and occupied by Robert Thompson. At one time before Mrs. Little's recollection, this house was said to be occupied by one Rich. A blacksmith shop stood on what is called Den­ ton's corner. And on the high ridge between what is James street and North street was an orchard. North street had not been cut through at that time. Standing back from the street on ground now covered by the Swalm Building and a part of the Watts Building was a house but she does not know the name of the owner or occupant. The next building was a dwelling a part of which was used as a store and was occupied by Squire Wisner. It was the only store in the village. The next house was owned and occupied by Mrs. Mary Wickham, on the site later occu­ pied by Linus Babcock's house, on the high ground at the corner of East Main Street and Academy Avenue. At that time there was no hotel and but one store, Wisner's and one blacksmith shop. Squire Israel Wickham then lived on the site of what was later the Empire house, now Ursuline Academy. Mrs. Little gives the boundary of Mrs. Mary Wickham's farm, which occupied a large part of where the city of Middletown stands. The boundary in terms known to us today was about as follows: Starting on Roberts Street then called Hall's Lane, the boundary ran to John street, along John street to High street or Highland avenue, along Highland avenue to Wisner avenue, along Wisner avenue to a little stream in the rear of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, sometimes called Draper's Brook, to the 0. & W. Railroad tracks; along the railroad track to Prospect avenue, along Prospect avenue to Beattie avenue to East Main street; and along East Main street to place of beginning or to Roberts street. A school house stood on South street on the site of the house later owned by Emmet Moore. South street ran "far­ ther to the south as it ran do,vn the hill" but it crossed the creek near the present bridge on South Street. On the present site of the Bennet place opposite the school house was a farm house owned and occupied by Van Duzer and there was a small house on the VanDuzer farm about half way between the creek and VanDuzer's. There was a house near the old house later owned by Mrs. Isaac Smith near the junction of West Main street and Wickham avenue. Not, in fact, until 1808 was there an opinion that land might some day prove valuable. General Hopkins, surveying a line near the center of Main street, was delayed by a bowlder at a point where he wished to drive a stake. His chain carrier urged him to place the stake at one side, for it would not make much difference. 24 The gallant surveyor answered, "No, take the stone out of the way, for the day will come when an inch of ground will be disputed in this place." The newly plotted building lots were a drug on the market until 1805, when the first one was sold to Elisha and Jesse Corwin, sons of David Corwin, an early settler on the Wallkill south of Middletown. On this lot, located at East Main and South streets, the brothers built the second store in Middletown. Abel Woodhull, it will be recalled, had opened the first store, on Main street east of the meeting house. This was later conducted by Daniel and Nathaniel Wells, who soon moved to New York City. They were succeeded by J. and W. Bard, and, in turn, by Henry B. Wisner and Matthias Keene. Keene about 1804 built a house west of the church, and opened a hotel, apparently the first one in Middletown. Keene about 1806 sold the store to Daniel Corwin, nepp.ew of Elisha and Jesse. Husband of Anna Reeve, Keene was the father of eleven children. Elisha and Jesse, as stated above, opened their store at the Square, and Elisha built his home in South street where the Savings Bank stands, later the Denton homestead. Elisha sold out his store in a few years, and then, with his youngest brother, Naboth D. Corwin, purchased twenty acres on the North side of West Main. There they built a store on Main street, and, after his brother died, Elisha in 1812 sold part of the land to Rev. Abel Jackson, and later the north part, extending to High­ land avenue, to Dr. David Hanford. The site at North and West Main was in a few years acquired by Hector Craig, later of Blooming Grove, who will be mentioned again. The first Middletown census figures available are those of 1807, when Middletown boasted forty-five inhabitants. The nine families, with the respective numbers of males and females, were: Family Males Females Obadiah Vail ______3 ~Iatthias Keene ______3 2 3 JesseRalph CorwinKeeler------______14 1 Samuel Canfield ______4 2 3 Robert Thompson______3 2 William Owen______4 2 Nathaniel Penny______3 2 Susan Dunning______1 2 Totals ______26 19 Middletown held its first public observance of the Fourth of July, the first of a long line of enthusiastic cele­ brations, on July 4, 1808. A service was held at the meeting house. Colonel Abraham Schultze was the marshal of the 25 day. Ambrose Woodward delivered an oration, and Moses H. Corwin read the Declaration of Independence. GROWTH The first internal improvement to affect the hamlet of Middletown was the Montgomery turnpike. This important institution was chartered in 1809 as "The President Direc­ tors and Company of the Minisink and Montgomery Turn­ pike Road." It was to be an important off-shoot of the fam­ ous Newburgh-Cochecton turnpike. None of the names of the incorporators seems familiar in Middletown history: James Finch, Jr., Reuben Neely, Benjamin Woodward, David G. Finch, Jacob Mills, Alsop Vail, Jr., Jacob C1&dde­ back, Richard Shinser. The capital was $35;000. The line of the road began at the New Jersey line in the town of Mini­ sink, crossed the Shawangunks to the home of David G. Finch, then in Deerpark but probably (to hazard a guess) in modern Mount Hope, proceeded to the home of Benjamin Woodward in Wallkill, and thence direct to Montgomery. This turnpike followed the line of Wickham avenue, which was known as the Turnpike for at least fifty years. The present Middletown-Montgomery road is on the old turnpike route for the most part. It became a principal artery of travel. In 1812 was incorporated a company to build a Sul­ livan County branch, which was known as the "Mount Hope and Lumberland Turnpike." Over this route large quanti­ ties of Sullivan county lumber was taken to Newburgh tc be shipped to New York. Middletowners probably invested in these turnpikes. It is certain that they put money in a number of these early road ventures, for instance the last of them, the Otisville-Westbrookville turnpike, incorporated in 1828 with Stacy Beakes a director. In 1810 arrived Dr. David Hanford, the first physician to settle in the hamlet. An interesting picture of the village may be drawn from the data in his record book, which survives. By horse­ back, he extended his practice over a large area about the city, and the list of his patients is a reliable census of the population of the vicinity. In the earlier years he treated many slaves. The English money system was still retained and we find that his record book is computed in pounds, shillings and pence. But little money reached his hands, however, because he, as well as all of the inhabitants of Mid­ dletown, received most of their compensation by barter and exchange, which necessitated the keeping of account books. Thus, he received a goose, a pair of shoes, a pig, wood and vegetables, as well as actual manual labor. In return, the physician attended to the ills of his peo­ ple as he best knew how. He bled the wives and children 26 often as seemed needful, in some instances many times a year. The men seemed not prone to sickness, one may de­ duce. Then, too, he extracted teeth with a turnkey, being the rude rural dentist. His prescriptions were largely com­ posed of a few standard drugs, laudanum, calomel, castor oil, sena, cream tartar, a few pills, emetics, and "pink and rhei." His methods included, besides bleeding, sweating and blis­ tering. The record book is more or less a village "family Bible" in that it records many births, but, unfortunately, fails to give the names of the children. In 1813 the village sent its military company, the Wall­ kill Republican Blues, drawn from the hamlet and country­ side, to the Canadian border, under Stacy Beakes. The same year was organized the Middletown school district, and school was opened in the old school house near the Square, continuing there until late in 1818, when the new school on North street near Depot street was opened. The following note throws much light on this period in Middletown history, roughly 1815-1825. The village had a school house, standing where Emmet Moore's house stands now [1872] on South street. The writer of this article was the teacher, with about forty-five scholars, gathered from the whole village and its suburbs. Middletown, all told, contained thirty families and about 150 inhabitants; viz.: Samuel Bennett, Charles Weed, Alex­ ander Murray, Abigail Howell, Robert Kelly, Moses Cor­ win, Stacy Beakes, Elisha Corwin, Samuel Canfield, Ob&­ diah Vail, Josiah Vail, Luther Vail, Abel Darby (colored), Mary Wickham, Ralph Keeleer, Nathaniel Penn, Jesse Cor­ win, Jane Knapp, James Smith, Samuel Denton, Lydia Smith, John Wells, Gabriel Wells, Daniel Hulse, Peter Hulse, Shelden Ensign, Temperance Brown, Susan Hill, William Owen and John Cox. Henry Wisner and Isaiah Vail, justices of the peace at different periods; Elijah Welch, counselor and attorney; Ralph Keeler, constable. Ob. Vail and Stephen Smith kept public-house; John Cox, tanner and currier; S. Canfield, shoemaker; Francis Drake, harnessmaker; Isaiah Smith and Shelden Ensign, blacksmiths; Peter Hulse, wagon­ maker; Eliad Tryon, cooper; Silas Hulas made whiskey, and Abel Darby, corn-brooms; David Hanford, physician; Jesse Corwin made fanning mills; Gabriel Wells, Stacy Beakes and Samuel Denton, merchants, furnished dry­ goods, hardware, and, if they followed the custom of the times, rum and tobacco; Lydia Smith sold ginger-cake and beer; Nat Penny made hats; and Charles Weed, spinning­ wheels. Middletown first gained official recognition October 22, 1816, with the establishment of a post office, of which Stacy Beakes was named postmaster. The following year there was formed by the men of Middletown and vicinity an early Masonic lodge, which met at Mechanicstown. 27 Stacy Beakes was already a Middletown business man. May 22, 1815, Beakes, a prominent Democrat, and George Hill had bought for $750 of Hector Craig the store at the Square, West Main and North streets. There Beakes opened a general store, and conducted, as soon as it was established, the post office.

28 II. The Hamlet (1816-1840)

The opening of the Beakes store ended the monopoly which had been held for a time by Jesse Corwin, at East Main and South, with whom Elisha Corwin had again en­ tered business. Corwin, moved to New York City some years later. Obediah Vail, as should have been before mentioned, had opened a tavern on the site of the old Holding House, 18 East Main street, before 1813. This was the hamlet's second hostelry. The first store on the Pronk corner, East Main and North, was probably the ginger cake and beer saloon oper­ ated by Mrs. Lydia Smith, mentioned above. This social gathering place of refreshment was opened as early as 1812 and continued until 1822. The ginger cake and beer saloon was peculiar to the period. THE TWENTIES In 1822 Stacy Beakes sold his store at Denton Cor­ ner, West Main and North, purchasing the Pronk corner across North Street, where he built a new store in 1823 and continued in business many years. North street was not yet in existence. The purchaser of the old store was Samuel Denton. The sale was made April 5, 1822, by Beakes and the joint owners, Mr. and Mrs. Ichabod Prall of New York City. Denton had come to Middletown in 1821, and opened a store on Main street, which he conducted for a short time. Denton conducted his new store until 1856. In 1821 Gabriel and John Wells opened a store on the opposite corner, West Main and South. They dissolved in a few months, Gabriel going to New Windsor. Land in the center of the hamlet could then be purchased for $50 an acre. Another early business venture was the harness shop 29 established in 1817 by John Cox, at 42 West Main street. This shop is still in existence at 40 West Main street. The difficulties which faced merchants of that period are shown by the following statement of Samuel Denton : In my early days of store-keeping the inconvenience of getting the goods from New York can better be imagined than described. I usually spent a week in making my pur­ chases. Merchants did not go so often as now, so they were obliged to buy goods enough to last about half a year; going to New York twice a year was about all they could do. I had to go by Newburgh. I would leave home very early Monday morning and then if I was fortunate enough to meet a boat I would go directly to New York, there spend the week up to Friday night in buying such articles as my memorandum called for; then I would take a boat, if possible, for home, spending a night and day on the road, often being until the late hours of Saturday night before I reached home. Traveling by water was a very slow and un­ certain way of getting from place to place,-many times would be delayed two or three days waiting for a boat to come. After the goods were brought to Newburgh by water, then the remaining 20 miles they must be carried 1n wagons. I think I can truly say I have traveled over the road from here to Newburgh every hour of the day and every day in the year and all kinds of weather. How many merchants would think they could undergo what I have passed through when I was building up my business, and there by doing all that lay in my power for the benefit and improvement of the now flourishing village of Middletown. Hector VanCleft opened the first meat market. Pre­ vious to that there had been occasional visits by meat wagons. Meat was then a luxury. One day a visitor came into VanCleft's store. He looked about with astonishment, and then exclaimed. "What! Do you kill a whole beef at a time." Before the meat market arrived, meat was a par­ ticular luxury in the summer time, when it would quickly spoil. Nothing must be allowed to interfere with the proper celebration of Independence Day, the early settlers made up their minds. So one year just before the glorious Fourth the residents of Middletown slaughtered a beef, kept half, and sent the remainder to Goshen. The follo,ving year the Goshenites would slay the fatted calf and send half to Mid­ dletown, so that everyone, in celebrating independence from the British empire might eat the English national dish. Most trading was then done on credit. Whenever Stacy Beakes saw one of his customers going into one of the rival stores, he would obtain judgment to collect the balance due him by the customer, which would end that. person's erring ways. Beakes also entered the lumber busi­ ness. Mail reached the hamlet twice a week by post-rider. It may be well to pause for a moment to survey the scene. The land was now well cleared about the hamlet 30 for a considerable distance. Main, South, Orchard, and a semblance of N c•rth, streets were in existence. The land between North and James streets near Depot street was covered by a good-sized pond, which remained for years. The site of the Erie tracks at North street was a deep swamp or bog hole, which, to a lesser extent, continued nearly to Union street. Arising in a pond above the Armory, a brook babbled down John street, across the tracks to West Main, continuing down Canal street. Monhagen Brook, larger than at present, and Draper Brook, were the other leading topographical features. Minor features will be men­ tioned from time to time. On the turnpike above Monhagen avenue was a lively little settlement known as Monhagen. Here Ebenezer Mills had opened a tavern as early as 1812, a popular resort for drivers freighting lumber and other products over the turn­ pike. Monhagen was quite distinct from Middletown. Isaiah Vail opened a store here before the Nineteenth Cen­ tury. Mechanicstown and Phillipsburgh still outstripped Mid­ dletown. Bloomingburg's heyday was opening, and Mont­ gomery was a large village. To return to the hamlet. Mrs. Lydia Smith had opened a boarding house, and Sarah Watkins conducted a private school. John H. Corwin came to the hamlet from New­ burgh. QUIET YEARS Three thousand people gathered at the old meeting house on the Fourth of July, 1823, to celebrate the anni­ versary. Two years previously, in 1821, the little hamlet pur­ chased its first fire engine. During the Twenties all of Middletown's traveling was done by stage. In 1826 the line was owned by John Neeley of Newburgh and James Horton and R.H. Seely of Goshen. It was operated from the sloop landings at Ne,vburgh, to Goshen, by the back road to Middletown, on over the turn­ pike to Otisville and Cuddebackville, where it met the canal when the D. & H. waterway was opened. In 1826 came to Middletown Robert H. Houston, who, with Charles Dill as partner, bought the old tannery on West Main street facing Canal street, for $1,000. Middle­ town's first industry, this tan yard had been opened about 1805, by William Owen. Later owners were William Ander­ son, (1816), and Dodge and St. John, who conducted it two years and then leased it to Dill. Outgrowing this tan yard, which extended as far as James street, they soon sold it, and opened a second on Canal street, which they operated 31 until 1846. This tannery, moving to a $25,000 plant at Ful­ ton street in 1862, evolved into the present tannery through a long line of owners. In 1827 came to Middletown Dr. John B. McMunn, the village's second physician. Middletown had entered a stagnant period by 1828. The hamlet had but one hotel, Benjamin Wickham's place on East Main street (Holding House) where elections were held. For several years there had been no houses built, and Middletown boasted neither a carpenter nor a mason. There were five stores: Samuel Denton's, the Beakes store on the opposite side of North street, that of Oscar Welch and Ros­ well Lewis at South and West Main, James Smith's store on the site of the building at 6-10 East Main street, and a small millinery shop and store at Franklin Square, South and East Main. The hamlet had but twenty-five houses, seventeen of them on Main street. Farm houses at East Main at Aca­ demy and on West Main above High street were considered in the country. On North street there were three houses, all on the west side near Gothic Hall. Between these and Wisner avenue, by way of North and Wickham, there was only one house, near the 0. & W. depot. There was no street between North and High streets except Main and Wickham avenue. Roberts street was a muddy lane through which cows were driven to pasture. Of this period the following was written sixty years later on accurate information : There were two houses on West Main street near the present residence of Daniel H. Bailey; one house on the site of John N. Kellogg's store; one where Oscar Winters lives; one where the house of the late Dr. Dorrance stands; one on the site of the Opera House; one where Stephen Wolf's clothing store is; Harry Beakes lived in a house where James F. Rogan's hotel stands; John Solomon lived in a house on the site of the hotel of Richards & Farrell; Eliad Tryon, father of S. W. Tryon, occupied a house where Mrs. Cynthia B. McQuoid now lives; David Beach had a house just north of the Second Presbyterian Church; Richard Horton lived where the Redfield house is on the corner; there was a house next to the Holding House on the east, afterwards occupied by Isaiah Vail; Samuel Mills lived in a house where Oscar Winters' store building stands; James Smith, father of Edwin L. Smith, who was a Justice of the Peace of the town of Wallkill about twenty years ago, lived where Joseph B. Swalm's store building now stands; the next house west was the Newcomb dwelling lately torn down to give place to the new building occupied in part by the First National Bank; William 0. Corwin lived where the Savings Bank building now stands. On South street there were five houses, one house where the house of the late Samuel Denton stands. It was afterwards moved down the same street and used as a parsonage by the Methodist Church and congregation. John B. Cox, father of the late Harry A. Cox, lived where 32 the Matthews house stands; Luther Sayre's mother lived where Ferris M. Prank's house stands; and there was a house where Emmet Moore lives. This was the time of the bitter church war between the Congregationalists and the Presbyterians. In 1830 the Pres­ byterians moved to the new church on Orchard street, built by John Corwin on land given by James Little. For nearly thirty years this was the village's principal meeting place, and Fourth of July was always celebrated there.

SOUTH MIDDLETOWN On June 23, 1829, the little village of Middletown be­ came the village of South Middletown, through official change of the name of the post office. The reason for this change gives an interesting side­ light on how insignificant a hamlet Middletown was then considered. It was thought that there was confusion be­ tween the hamlet and another of similar name in this part of the state. To avoid mistakes, therefore, it was decided that the name of one of them should be changed. What is now a city was then considered a backwoods settlement, and was forced to add South to its name, for no particular reason. After the Erie Railroad arrived in Middletown and the village enjoyed a boom period, it was soon seen that the rural village would outstrip the other hamlet, whereupon, at the suggestion of the postmaster general, the Middle­ town citizens met to decide upon a new name. Thereupon, on September 10, 1849, the inland village was given its old name of Middletown, which it has since held. In general conversation, however, the name "South Middletown" was rarely heard at any period. In 1831 Dill and Houston purchased a sixty acre farm in the eastern part of the village, the nucleus of Houston's later large real estate holdings. During the early Thirties South street received its pre­ sent form. Previous to that time, South street had veered eastward near Washington street, and swung a wide arc, coming back to the present route just north of Monhagen Brook. The practical farmers, not dreaming that a city would grow up over the district, followed this trail to lessen the steep grade now encountered on South street. Methodist services had started during the Twenties. For a time a hat factory was conducted by Judd and Johnson, of Connecticut, who employed half a dozen men and made from 12 to 15 dozen hats a day, all by hand. Judd Hgot religion" during a local Methodist revival. He became an ardent Methodist, and declared that the Lord had 33 ordered him to fast for 40 days. Four days he went without food, after which he experienced a second revelation, thls one from his stomach. Dr. Harvey Everett hung out his shingle in 1834. He opened the village's first pharmacy in 1834, at 2 East Main street, which was the site of a drug store continuously from that time until 1927, more than ninety years. James Little, coming from New Han1pton, was an early resident. He bought some land, and built him a house about on the site of the Middletown City Hall. He opened a little lane along the front of his house, running off West Main street. This little-traveled road he named James street, in his own honor, and James street it has since re­ mained. In 1836 the Congregationalists dedicated their new church on the site of the old meeting house. In 1837 Thomas Purdy Ogden (1808-1890), in partner­ ship with John Benedict, opened a cabinet and undertaking shop on East Main street, later removing to a point on West Main street near the Commercial Hotel. Ogden had learned the business several years previously in the shop of John Solomon on East Main street, opposite the Holding House. Among those who came to Middleto,vn in 1838 was D. C. Dusenberry, (1818-1910), the jeweler who kept shop here for nearly seventy years. The outstanding event of the Thirties, probably, was the construction of Middletown's first brick building. This structure was built in 1837 by George S. Corwin, on South street, approximately 37 South street, it is believed. Few details have survived. The building was apparently neither large nor durable. It was demolished during the Fifties. The building was a landmark, and attracted wide attention about the countryside. We are unable to say where the brick was obtained, but it was doubtlessly of local manufacture. There was a brick yard on what is now Henry street during the late Thirties, it is believed, and the brick might well have been produced there. This brickyard was conducted for a time by Morgan L. Sproat. In common with most other hamlets of the period, Mid­ dletown possessed a mill. Built several years previously, it was bought in 1839 by Henry Little, who in that year traded his farm for twenty acres of the George Houston tract, about Hillside Cemetery and Monhagen avenue. The build­ ing stood at the southwest corner of Mill street and Mon-.• hagen avenue, and was operated by water obtained through. an open mill race from Monhagen Brook. Grain and plas~· ter were ground. The remains of the old mill dam are stilT visible. Destroyed by fire in 1857, the mill was then bough~ 34 and rebuilt by Robert Houston. The original builder of the mill is unknown. By 1839 the growing Methodist Congregation built its first church, on South street, now part of the Home for Aged Women. Few men took a more important part in public life in Middletown than Edward M. Madden, who came to Middle­ town in 1839 from Montgomery, forerunner of the immi­ gration caused by the coming of the Erie. Madden started in business as a tinman, buying a curious little coop which stood on stilts on West Main street facing Canal street. During these years Stacy Beakes and his son Harry operated a cider mill and distillery at East avenue and East Main street, east corner. On the opposite corner was a frame structure erected before 1830, originally used by David Beach as a smithy, then by Beakes as a cooperage, and at the end of this period by John F. Myers, wagon builder.

MIDDLETOWN IN 1840 We can close discussion of this period of Middletown's history in no better way than by giving a brief census of the village of 1840. The following list is condensed from the detailed account which may be found in the Gilbert 0. Hulse manuscript. Most of these buildings were in existence by 1840, but a few, some of them noted, were not built until 1841 or 1842. Starting at Franklin Square on the north side of West Main the buildings were: Samuel Denton's store on the Square. John Bailey's house, (1842). James B. Hulse's cottage, 27 West Main Street E. M. Madden's tin shop, opposite Canal Street. The tannery reaching to James Street. James Little's house, back from the road. William L. Dan's house, 55 West Main Street. Residence of Henry E. Horton, clock dealer. Calvin Carmichael's house at Henry Street, (1842). Home of Rev. 1\-Ir. Lock,vood, (1842). Hector VanCleft's, near Erie tracks. Joseph Knapp's harness shop at Highland Avenue. William Hoyt's house at Wickham A venue. Zubal Pierson's, near Bonnell Street. There was a little settlement the other side of Mon­ hagen Avenue (not then a street) known as Monhagen. This territory was considered far out in the country, and we may now return along the south side of Main Street to the Square: Greenleaf Hotel (1832) near Monhagen Avenue. Isaac Smith's, near 144 West Main Street. Darkus Stringham Dunning's at Highland A venue, (1842). 35 Dr. David Hanford's farm. Mill Street. (Old route). Orange H. Horton's. Daniel H. Bailey's house, also occupied by the Mid- dletown bank. Morgan L. Sproat's house, (M. E. Church site). John B. Cox's house at Mulberry Street, harness shop. Union House, (Commercial Hotel), (1841). Charles Dill and Robert Houston house. Dr. Millspaugh's. John Hulse's house and tailor shop. Alfred Preston's store, undertaker's shop. Houston and Mondon store, 6-8 West Main Lewis Vail's store on the Square. On Mulberry Street lived Dr. John V-D. Pronk, father of James N. Pronk, on the Mulberry Street school site, and Joseph Lemon. On the east side lived Cox, above mentioned, and Purdy Ogden. Mulberry ran as far as Water Street. Canal Street was not in existence. Among those who lived on High Street, {Highland Avenue), were Moses H. VanKeuren, Mrs. Dolson and John Marsh the musician. Mill street was but a lane, with but one house, leading to Henry Little's mill. Henry Street was not born, and James Street was a lane. We may now take up South Street, starting from the Square on the west side: Next to the corner store, an old shed, remodeled in 1840 and used a short time by William F. Sharp, attorney, then by Eliza Stewart, milliner. Samuel Wilcox's. Daniel T. Benjamin's. George Vail's. Mrs. Annie Sayer's. Methodist Church, (Old Ladies' Home). Methodist parsonage. Dr. Harvey Everett's. Hezekiah D. Watkins, used as a select school. Benjamin Bennett's house on the hill across the Brook. There were no more buildings except a house near "Webb's Grove," until the George Little mill outside of the city limits. There were few houses on the east side. Near the Square lived Stacy Beakes, Elisha P. Wheeler, Dr. John B. McMunn, and, at the old homestead, 6-8 South Street, Samuel Denton. Working from the Square eastward on the south side of East Main Street: Dr. Harvey Everett's drug store, oyster saloon in the basement. Mrs. Thomas Newcomb's millinery. James Smith's house and dry-goods store, (1835). Franklin House, (Holding House). Deacon Vail's home. Levi Schoonmaker's wagon factory. James Hook's bakery at William Street, (1845). William Middlebrook's house at William Street. Thomas A. Harding's smithy (Webb Horton Church). Wagon shop at East Avenue. The Tandy block, near Academy. James Hull Wickham's farmhouse, later known as the "Moffatt" and by other titles, at East Main and Academy on a knoll. Wickham operated a 100-acre farm and had a 36 large dairy in what is now nearly the center of the city. Beside the house was his churn, which was operated by dog power. Academy Avenue was then non-existent. There were no more houses within the city limits. Walter Moore, old settler, had lived near the trolley power house, and had a small brick yard. Over this road ran the stage line to Goshen, rattling through the picturesque old cov­ ered bridge at Phillipsburgh. On the opposite side of the street, near the city limits, Parmeneas Horton had a farm as early as 1830. There was the Wickham house at Grand Avenue, and practically no other building until Orchard Street. Robert Street was a blind lane which ran a few yards off of East Main. Street. Thomas Harding, the blacksmith, had a house up Orchard Street. This was later moved to East Main Street, and, presumably, is the building now standing at 61 East Main Street. Cadwell King lived on the site of the Universalist Church. Then came Henry Beakes' house, and the Congregationalist Church. Next was the shack­ like engine house for the small fire engine. This building, it is said, was a 10 by 15 by 10-foot structure. Adjoining was a dwelling house, next the sheds of the Franklin House, and next the Jefferson House sheds and hotel. A vacant lot intervened between the hotel and Stacy Beakes' store on the Square. On Orchard Street resided, besides others elsewhere mentioned, David Clark. On William Street lived Wil­ liam Fallis, Daniel G. Armstrong, and John Goetchus. East Avenue ran only as far as Water Street. On it re­ sided, at Little Avenue, Lewis Little, and, nearby, John K. Moore. North Street from the Square on the east side. North Street then ran only to Wickham Avenue (Turnpike). Next to Stacy Beakes' store ori. the Square was a building which jointly housed an oyster saloon and the office of Justice of the Peace William W. Reeve. Moses H. Corwin's house, next door, was later used as post office and Middletown Bank, and was demolished pro­ bably in 1850. A vacant lot intervened, then Walter Ever­ ett's residence, and another lot. Andrew Toulon's oyster saloon was next in order. At Orchard Street, by 1845 or earlier, was the Presbyterian parsonage. In 1840 the site of the carpet bag factory, and a plot to the northward, was a swampy mire, known as the "Bog Hole." No trace of this now remains, unless, possibly, a buried muck deposit. There was nothing more on the east side of North Street, nor on the south side of the turnpike until it reached Wisner A venue, where was the home of Henry G. Wisner. Returning on the opposite side: John Totten's house was at Wickham and Cottage. Cooley's Hotel, erected in the early Forties or earlier, was at North and Courtland streets. William Fallis' cooperage was at John Street, and between John Street and the railroad tracks was later built Halstead Sweet's well-known hostelry, the Railroad House. On the site of the large brick feed store next the Erie tracks, south, was a frame slaughter house. Farther to­ wards the Square was the district school house. The land between North and James Streets was a low wet meadow. Near the Square was Stacy Beakes' lumber yard. 37 Ill. The Village (1841-1865)

To correctly understand what happened to Middletown in the Forties necessitates a clear conception of conditions in the United States at that period. To put it briefly, it was, in Middletown, the Era of the Erie. To be sure, the Erie did not arrive until 1843, but it cast its shadow before. Men knew that the railroad would be extended to the village within a short time. Among the influences which have controlled the growth and prosperity of Middletown, the Erie Railroad is unique. No single event had a greater immediate or lasting effect than the arrival of the railroad. Before the Erie came, Middletown was a quiet, sleepy rural hamlet. It was a suburb of Montgomery, less impor­ tant by far than Port Jervis which had enjoyed a boom after the canal arrived, and secondary to Goshen. Mail arrived now and then on horseback, and all travel was by stage. The district was practically isolated for lack of effi­ cient means of transportation. It is now difficult to conceive what an unimportant place Middletown, then South Mid­ dletown, was. For the sake of unity, it may be well, then, to discard our chronological narrative for a few moments, while we consider the coming to Middletown of the Erie.

THE ERIE Space makes it impossible to even outline the building of the Erie Railroad. The Erie was opened to Goshen in 1841. Middletowners had become interested in it years be­ fore. Stacy Beakes, in fact, had been on one of the organ­ izing committees in 1831, and in 1839 he and others sold the company $10,000 worth of ties, accepting stock in payment. 38 In 1841, however, the company's finances were in a deplorable condition, and little work was done for two years. The company decided however, partly through the influence of enthusiastic Middletowners, to run the line through Middletown and Otisville, in spite of all difficulties. The line was graded as far as Middletown, and the work then ceased. Progressive citizens of the village then organized the Middletown Association, of which Hezekiah Watkins was secretary. The members supplied pledges for money suffi­ cient to finish the line to Middletown on condition that it should be operated and purchased by the Erie. No roll of members, thirty or forty in number, is available. Among them were the following : Hezekiah Watkins Samuel Denton Joseph Davis Robert H. Houston Dr. David Hanford Thomas Ki.ag William Robertson Israel 0. Beattie On security of the association, money was borrowed from Samuel Roberts, the prominent Middletown farmer. The rails were brought from Dunkirk, N. Y., where they had been laid on a portion of road which was being aban­ doned. The money, incidentally, was repaid by the Erie in 1846. The puzzle of the present route of the Erie through the city is solved by Gilbert Hulse, as follows: Mr. [John] Bailey had a son-in-law, Silas Seymour, a civil engineer, who, as I remember, was a sub-engineer under Mr. Morton, engineer for the New York and Erie railroad company. Mr. Morton had the selection of the route of the railroad at Middletown. Mr. Bailey with the assistance of his son-in-law located the route of the rail­ road at Middletown. It was of interest to Mr. Balley to have the depot located upon his land on the site of the present James street depot, and in order to do this, it was necessary to circle the village rather than cross by the way of the Mill Pond and the present Hillside cemetery (there being no cemetery there at that time.) The location by the ceme­ tery would have been more desirable and less expensive than as located, saving distance and the crossing of streets. The depot was built and Mr. Bailey became the first agent. The Erie was not built on ties, as tracks are now laid. The broad gauge rails rested on "stringers," lying upon the graded right of way, and connected by cross pieces. Piling was used freely. There is considerable difference of opinion as to when 39 the first train reached the village. Possibly the most authen­ tic information is that of G. 0. Hulse: In the spring of the year 1843, in the month of May, while attending school at the Wallkill Academy, I had the pleasure with the other students to see the first engine and some open cars pass along the Railroad in front of the Academy, the engine blowing its whistle and ringing its bell (with Mr. Joseph McGinness engineer. I do not remember the name of the fireman.) It was a novel sight for the students, who had never seen an engine or loco­ motive. It was run as far as the James street depot, where a joyful gathering of old and young people congregated, to see the strange motor and its wonderful mechanism and power. If this was in May, it was very late in the month. An­ other early train was driven by Conductor W. H. Stewart and Engineer John Brandt, Jr., and contained H. C. Sey­ mour, General G. D. Wickham, and others. As built, and for many years after, the Erie was a broad gauge line. Although it had been advertised for June 1, actual busi­ ness did not start until June 7, 1843, when daily service began, with a passenger, an accommodation and a freight train each way. Middletown became the terminal of the line, and an important stage center. Middletown has never, in fact, regained the relative importance it then held. The Erie built at Middletown a combination passenger and freight station, a water tower, and a wood shed. The wood shed, a long frame structure, was on the north side of the track, opposite the station. Hundreds of cords of wood were brought to it by the farmers, stacked, cut, and placed on a little car which ran along narrow tracks to the point where the wood-burning locomotives were loaded. In 1864 part of the shed became a meeting place. Two years later it was wrecked by fire and was then demolished. The depot was above a marsh, which extended in a de­ pression about from North to James streets. To fill it much earth was excavated near the corners of Union and Frank­ lin streets. In 1851 the company built the world's first railroad telegraph line, and over the portion of wire through Mid­ dletown, stretching from Turners (Harriman) to Port Jer­ vis, was sent the first railroad train despatch. Early in the Fifties the company started double-track­ ing its line, using good chestnut timber bought at -$50. an acre. The plank roads were then open, and Middletown had become an important shipping point for milk, Sullivan County leather, and other commodities. The old stringers were replaced by ties. May 14, 1851, the excursion train in honor of the com­ pletion of the Erie stopped in }Iiddletown. Daniel Webster, 40 one of the passengers, made an address here. President Filmore was one of the distinguished party. THE BOOM PERIOD Arbitrarily, 1840 may be taken as the date of the be­ ginning of the era of expansion in the village attendant on the railroad. As early as that the village was drawing popu­ lation from Bloomingburg, Montgomery, and the lesser hamlets.

A. A. Bensel Elisha P. Wheeler Newspaper Pioneer Business Man

One of the first indications of this influence was the est~lishment of Wallkill Academy in 1841, evincing new pro\sperity and civic pride. Followed close the Middletown Lyceum, that potent facior in the village's civic life in the Forties and Fifties. Came in 1841, the same year, the village's first news­ p~:per, the Middletown Courier, established by A. A. Bensel, heltt'alding the village's growing importance. 41 In 1839 appeared the first financial institution, the Mid­ dletown Bank. A doubtful but definite mark of growth was the f orma­ tion of the new cemetery, also in 1840. Growth of population increased church congregations and tended toward formation of new churches. Such was the First Baptist Church, in 1840. This sudden infusion of new life in the quiet little vil­ lage insured a noteworthy future. In 1842 were built the buildings of the Orange County Furnace, conducted by Elisha P. Wheeler, Jonah F. France, Edward M. Madden ana Joseph Lemon. This plant, facing North and Centre streets, was the village's first important

Wallkill Academy 42 industry. Under the management of these men, and in later years $ilas R. Martine, John Mackay, George J. King, Jo­ seph Crawford, and others, the factory gained importance. It manufactured stoves, steam engines and other metal material. In the fall of 1841 Dr. David C. Winfield (1817-1878) opened practice in Middletown. In 1842 Middletown had four hotels : The old Franklin House, later the Holding House, 22-26 East Main; the Union House, later the Commercial House, established in 1838; the Jefferson House, later the Distler House, 9 East Main street; and Jesse Cooley's less noted inn at North and Courtland streets. The same year witnessed the opening of the village's first dry goods store. Previous stores had been general stores. The proprietors of this enterprise were the noted merchants, Shaw and Hanford, being John B. Hanford, son of Dr. David Hanford, and Benjamin Woodward Shaw (1817-1881). The first grocery store was opened in 1843 at 6-8 West Main street, by Zina Kellogg. It is still maintained at the same place by the same family, an unusual record. The following firms advertised in an 1842 Middletown newspaper: Dr. D. C. Winfield; D. F. Littell, dentist; John C. Dim­ mick, attorney; Coe G. Bradner, attorney; E. M. Madden, stoves; Wallkill Academy; Franklin House; Cyrus Frost's new sash factory; L. Robinson, dancing; McCoy's Hotel; Vail's store; H. C. Newman's cheap store; William Mc­ Bride, tailor; Stacy Beakes, lumber; McCullough and Edwards, tobacco. Middletown already had its band, an organization active at sporadic intervals. Other business firms included : I. Bannister, shoes; James B. Jackson, dry goods ; J. T. VanDuzer, general store; Daniel G. Armstrong, tailor; Henry McKean, fur­ niture; I. 0. Beattie, hardware; Hoyt and Seybolt, butter tuli>s; J. Marsh, music; Thomas Houston, leather. Middletown's first attorney, probably, was William F. Sh rpe (1806-1893), a noted lawyer who after a short stay in the village, probably in the Thirties, moved to Goshen. Be ween that period and 1841 Middletown was without a re .. ident barrister. In 1841 came John C. Dimmick, who w · t to New York in 1849. In 1843 came John G. Wilkin. The arrival of the Erie shifted the business center of tte village from Franklin Square to the North street cross­ ir g. The large building, later used as the carpet bag factory Yi ras built in 1843, and other buHdings in the vicinity were .43 erected. Many of the stores and offices were moved to the vicinity of the depot, but after a few years the business center gradually returned to the Square. Another indication of the boom period was the build­ ing of a new school in 1844 following a bitter disagreement. In 1843 was built the famous Railroad House, hotel which was at once taken over by Halstead Sweet. Middletown Lodge of Odd Fellows was organized March 7, 1844. William Stewart (1811-1893) came to Middletown. A harness maker, he soon moved his shop to 19 North street, where he remained in business more than forty years. Middletown's second fire company was established in 1845, Protection Engine Company. Few commentaries on Middletown more graphically show the pre-railroad unimportance of the village than Eager's History, which, though published 1846-7, after the Erie had arrived, has only this to say of the village: Middletown-A large village in the southern portion of this town (Wallkill), about 11 miles south of the village of Montgomery and six miles west of Goshen, and pleas­ antly situated in an open, level and rich portion of the town. This village, since the construction of the New York and Erie Railroad has increased in extent, popula­ tion and business most surprisingly, and threatens to rival all its immediate neighbors. Its citizens are industrious and enterprising, and doing a prosperous and healthy busi­ ness. It has its name from the fact that it is situated mid­ way between Montgomery and Mount Hope. This village is not of recent date, nor of mushroom growth. We do not know when it was first founded, but believe that Mr. Stacy Beakes, once sheriff of the county, and a family by the name of Wells, living at the place or in the vicinity, were the great patrons of the village 30 years since. Since which time other enterprising men located there and assisted to build up and carry forward the interests of the place. In 1846 Middletown's first newspaper, the Courier, was succeeded by the Orange County News. Grace Church had been organized in 1845. Elder Gilbert Beebe and his family arrived in Midcle­ town in 1847, to establish the provocative series of Beebe publications, such as the Signs of the Times, and Ba.n1hter of Liberty. INCORPORATED AS A VILLAGE Having enjoyed unusual prosperity, and inconvE'~n­ ienced by the lack of public utilities, citizens of Middletovvn turned their attention to incorporation of their village. Tl~e matter had been agitated for several years, and by 184.iS sentiment was in favor of local government. 44 The data of the proceedings may best be gleaned from the following statement made March 25, 1848, to County Judge D. W. Bate by inspectors of election Henry S. Beakes, Israel H. Wickham and William W. Reeve. We the undersigned who were appointed inspectors of an election to be held pursuant to an order made by the honorable Court of Sessions of the County of Orange on the tenth day of February, 1848, in the matter of the in­ corporation of the village of Middletown in said county; do certify that at the meeting of the electors of the terri­ tory in said order described held at the house of Joseph Monell on the 25th day of March instant agreeable to the printed notice hereunto annexed, the result of which a correct statement is as follows: That the whole number of votes given at said meeting was two hundred. That the number of votes given having thereon the word Yes was one hundred and twenty-three. That the number of votes given having thereon the word No was seventy-seven. It will be realized that there was appreciable opposition to the movement. It is interesting to note that "South Mid­ dletown" was not mentioned. The procedure is clear from the above statement. The county judge issued an order for the election, which was held March 25. The election notices were published weekly for three weeks in the Orange County News, which was then pub­ lished at Middletown by J. S. Brown, editor and proprietor. Judge Bate gave official approval to the procedure April 4, when he wrote, "I am satisfied that all the pro­ ceedings in respect to notifying and holding such meeting, canvassing the votes given thereat and the making of such certificate are legal." The polls at the election were open from 10 a. m. until 4 p. m. The area was incorporated in the village described as follows: Beginning at a stake n€ar the east corner of George Little's dwelling house, which stake is situated forty chains on a course due north from a point in the center of Franklin Square, which point is equal distance from the south corner of DeWitt C. Dolsen's storehouse, east corner of Samuel Denton's storehouse, and the northwest corner of Harvey Everett's drug-store house, and running from said stake south 67 degrees west 30 chains and 60 links to a stake in the lands of Joseph Knapp, thence south 22 degrees west 30 chains and 60 links to a stake 40 chains west of said central point; thence south 23 degrees east 30 chains and 60 links to a stake, thence south 68 degrees east 30 chains and 60 links to a stake in the east bank of Monhagen Brook, 40 chains south of said central point; thence north 67 degrees east 30 chains and 60 links to a stake, thence north 22 degrees east 30 chains and 60 links to a stake, thence north 68 degrees west 30 chains and 60 links to the place of beginning, containing 452¾ acres of land. 45 These boundaries may best be understood from the 1857 map of Middletown reproduced in this book. The vil­ lage was a perfect octagon, with Franklin Square as the center. Incorporated under the general village law, not necessi­ tating a special charter, Middletown at once proceeded to fill its offices. Under the law, the village was to be governed by a board of five trustees, which should choose its own president. Voters of the village held their first election April 20, 1848, when they elected the following officers: Trustees, Stacy Beakes, Coe Dill, William Hoyt, I. 0. Beattie, D~ C. Dusenberry; Nathan H. Corwin, William M. Graham, and Edward M. Madden, assessors; William M. Graham, trea­ surer; Hiram V. King, collector; Cortland S. Hulse, pound­ master. J. D. Friend was the first village clerk. The Board of Trustees held its first meeting at the shop of C. S. Hulse, on North street. Stacy Beakes was elected the first village president. Among other things, steps were taken to insure fire protec­ tion, one of the reasons for incorporating as a village. For many years the meetings of the village Board were held at the homes of the members. The expenses of incorporation, it was later reported, had been $29.92, as follows: John C. Dimmick, professional services, $2; Israel 0. Beattie, services, $4.50; William W. Reeve, surveyor, $8.14; Israel H. Wickham, inspector of election, $2.62½; John S. Brown, printing, $12.65. Other expenses were later discovered. Under the village government, the Board of Trustees could spend no money unless it had been specifically appro­ priated by vote of the tax payers. At the first annual appro­ priation election in May, 1848, the following budget was submitted to the taxpayers : For stationery______$15 Oil and fueL ______10 Keeping engine in repair______15

$40 Expense of incorporation ______45

Total ------$85 The village was divided into five fire districts, which will be treated more fully in a later chapter. From time to time village ordinances were adopted, but on January 26, 1852, a complete new code was adopt\.ed, with 25 sections, repealing previous ordinances. The first ten sections related to fires, fire company a1<1d fire protection. It ordered the annual appointment of fl· ,e 46 fire wardens, set the first Monday in February as the time for the fire company's annual election, provided for govern­ ment of the fire company, ordered that all male residents over 16 years of age might be drafted to fight fires under $5 penalty for refusal to serve, and set regulations for main­ tenance of buildings and abolishing hazards. Section 11 prohibited fireworks. Section 12 forbade unnecessary noise. Section 13 set a six mile speed limit for horse-drawn vehicles, under penalty of $5 for each offense. Even then Middletown had a traffic problem, and the country gentle­ men sped along in their buggies at an unearthly rate of speed, when mud was not a foot deep. Section 14 prohibited kite flying and ball playing on the village streets, $1 fine for each offense. Other sections dealt with: Mutilation of shade trees, blocking of sidewalks, obstructing highways and streets, hitching horses on sidewalks or cross-,valks, disorderly con­ duct. Officials were ordered reimbursed as follows : Asses­ sors, $1 a day; treasurer, 1½ per cent. of moneys dis­ bursed; clerk, $1 a day for actual service, 10 cents a folio for recording, four cents each for filing documents, five cents each for notices issued ; collector one per cent. of taxes collected within thirty days, five per cent. for taxes col­ lected thereafter. Portions of the old Middletown village ordinances are now quaintly interesting. For instance: Be it ordained that every horse, cow, heifer, ox, sheep, hog, or goose found going at large in said village, shall be distrained and impounded, and for each and every such goose the owner thereof shall forfeit and pay the sum of ten cents; and for each and every other such animal the owner thereof shall forfeit and pay the sum of one dollar. Be it ordained, that no person or persons shall take, remove, drive or entice from the pound of said village, any animal impounded therein, or break, tear away, demolish or open such pound, or in any manner or by any act, aid or assist any animal impounded therein, to escape or depart therefrom without the permission and authority of the pound master or trustee of said village, under the penalty of five dollars for each o:ff ense. The compensation of the pound master was fixed as follows: Pound master, for every horse, ox, cow, or heifer, twelve and a half cents each; for every hog, six cents; for every goose or sheep three cents; for every personal ser­ vice of notice on the owner of any such animal, twelve and a half cents; for every mile going only from said vil­ lage, six cents; and such fees for other services as already specially provided by law. 47 As far as is known, a pound was never especially erected for this purpose. A constable generally acted as poundmaster, and the whole matter was an interesting sur­ vival of earlier days. As has probably been noted, Court­ land S. Hulse was the first pound master. Others were Thomas P. Ogden and Louis H. Parsons. In 1849 Herman B. Young, merchant, bought seventy­ five acres of land in the eastern part of the village, between

E. M. Madden Dr. Harvey Everett Big Business Man An early physician

North, Railroad, Beattie and Prince streets and avenues. He sold it in parcels. September 10, 1849, South Middletown again became, officially, Middletown, as though heralding the opening of the thriving and prosperous period of growth, the Fifties.

BUSINESS CENSUS Middletown's commercial standing at the opening of the Fifties may well be judged from a list of business nien compiled by the enterprising journalist, John W. HJis­ brouck. Hasbrouck published a list in the first issue of the 48 Whig Press, November 26, 1851, but later revised and cor­ rected the census as follows : Bakery-Thomas Winslow. Barber shop-Peter Bowman, for Mrs. Kennedy. Blacksmith shops-George B. Crans, (2), John B. Schoonmaker, (2), Smiley, Gurnee & Co., Thomas Brown, Thomas Harding, H. Kain & Co. Books and stationery-Alexander Wilson. Cabinet shops-Alfred Preston, N. T. Smith. Cabinet furniture, carpets, etc.-Hiram Brink. Carmen-Luther Lockwood, Moses H. Corwin. Carpenters-Cyrus Frost, James Stewart, Richard VanHorn, Calvin R. Brown, William H. Reeve, John Brower, Orange H. Horton, George W. Wilkison, William F. Brown, William Peatt, Dimmick Burns, John Little. Clothing-B. C. Gale, Denton, Murray & Co., A. A. Bromley, Lewis Vail, Wiggins & Hanford. Cooper's shops-William Fallis, Benjamin Helms. Crockery-J. G. Swezey. Currier shop-J. H. Carpenter. Daguerreotypist-A. H. Baird. Dentist-Dr. S. Dayton. Dress makers-Mrs. A. Brown, Miss Skinner, Mrs. Vail, l\fiss Wells. Drugs and medicines-John L. Starr, J. T. King. Dry goods, etc.-Denton, Murray & Co., Little & Evans, Shaw & Hanford, William Hoyt, D. A. Mason, Lewis Vail. Flouring and plaster mill-Henry Little. Freight lines-J. B. Blake, from Robert & Lytle's; Hough & Robertson, from Broadwell & Thompson's; D. G. Finch, for Powell, Ramsdell & Co., B. Carpenter & Co., W. K. Mailler & Co., of Newburgh; David Hoyt, for Hoyt & Wilcox, of New Hampton; Capt. Wickham, New Hamp­ ton. Fruit nursery-N. H. Corwin & Co. Groceries-Z. Kellogg, S. S. Conkling, A. Swaim, Broadwell & Thompson, T. G. Mapes, Corwin & Vail. Hardware store-Israel 0. Beattie. Harness making-William Stewart, J. B. Cox. Hats and caps-M. L. Clark, A. A. Bromley. Hotels-Railroad House, by Halstead Sweet; Depot House, by Jonathan Ogden; Union House, by James Cas­ sidy; Franklin Hotel, by Oliver Hulse; Jefferson Hotel, by Joseph Monell. Lawyers: John G. Wilkin, James N. Pronk, G. 1. Beebe, Charles C. McQuoid. Leather and findings-Wickham & Millspaugh, Hope and Goodale. Livery stable-George B. Crans, B. Seely, B. Hinds. Marble factory-David W. Corwin. Markets-0. B. Corwin, Rufus Miller, Jr. Millinery-Mrs. Newcomb & Miss Amelia Mapes, Mrs. Corwin, Miss E. J. Stewart, Miss E. A. Brown, Mrs. J. G. Swezy. Orange County Foundry-Elisha P. Wheeler. Paint shops-Burnett & Corey, William H. Atkins, Newell Balley. Physicians-Harvey Everett, John B. McMunn, D. C. 49 Winfield, William H. Dorrance, James D. Johnston. Postmaster-0. P. Coleman. Printing offices-Signs of the Ti.mes, by Elder Gilbert Beebe; Banner of Liberty, by G. J. Beebe; The Whig Press, by John W. Hasbrouck. Saloons-J. H. Hulse, Samuel M. Cook, A. B. Toulon, James M. Baker. Sash and blind factories-B. F. Mapes & Co., Charles T. Bugsby. Shoemakers-J. G. Canfield, John Clark, W. T. Ludlum. Shoe stores-Hope & Goodale, Wickham & Mills- paugh, M. Hart Agent. Tannery-Wickham & Millspaugh. Telegraph operator-0. P. Coleman. Tobacconists-W. J. & J. J. Kirkpatrick, A. G. Edwards. Trusses, etc.-Miss S. D. Carmen. Wagon makers-H. Kain & Co., Daniel Case, James DeKay. Watches and jewelry-D. C. Dusenberry, W. B. Mid­ dlebrook. THE PLANK ROADS Now that motor transport has again emphasized the importance of transportation by highway, it is not difficult to realize the importance of plank roads in Middletown's development. With Middletown enjoying prosperity, it was but natural that its residents should turn their attention to in­ ternal improvements. The age of canals was passing, and the popular transportation means of the time, exclusive of the railroad, was the plank road. Before the 0. & W. railroad was built, Sullivan county was without an adequate transportation artery. Many be­ lieved Middletown was the best outlet for lumber, leather and other Sullivan county products, Middletown being the most convenient station on the Erie. The New York and Ellenville plank road had been constructed and opened late in 1851. This diverted much freight over the long wagon haul from Ellenville to Newburgh where it was shipped by boat. Zealous to protect the village's commercial interests, Middletown citizens in 1851 organized the Middletown and Bloomingburg plank road, which was incorporated and capitalized at $30,000. January, 1852, the following direc­ tors were elected: Samuel Denton, Elisha Wheeler, Thomas King, D. C. Dusenberry, Cornelius Wood, Henry P. Roberts, Senator Madden, Henry E. Horton, Samuel G. Di~ick. The organization was headed in later years, if not then, by Ashbell C. King, with James N. Pronk as secretary. The stock was in $50 shares. \ To start with, the company made a radical change in the route from Middletown to Bloomingburg. Previousl to 50 that time, as ,ve should have made clear if we haven't, the country road followed a circuitous trail to Van Burenville. The company surveyed its line in a more direct manner, and layed out the route followed by the modern highway. This lessened the distance between the two villages by three miles, and, incidentally, sounded Van Burenville's death knell. The work proceeded rapidly, and cost nearly the entire capital. The company itself constructed the first three miles, and contracted with Samuel Bull for the remaining distance. The road was completed to Bloomingburg during the summer of 1852. It was but fitting that such a notable event should be celebrated. Therefore, the Bloomingburg Fourth of July observance centered about the plank road. Following the regular program, a banquet was held for the plank road, and brave-sounding toasts were acclaimed. We should mention the Middletown committee which cooperated in the Fourth of July celebration noted above: Halstead Sweet, H. P. Roberts, H. S. Beakes, James N. Pronk, Senator Madden, S. King, J. L. Starr, A. C. King, E. Brink, D. C. Dusenberry, J. W. Hasbrouck. The company then had the road extended to Wurtsboro, contracting with Thomas King. There the route connected with the Monticello and Wurtsboro plank road, and the long chain was complete. Products of Sullivan county farms and forests poured down to Middletown in an ever increas­ ing stream. The company started declaring semi-annual dividends of three and a half percent., and seemed on a firm financial basis. When the Exchange building was erected in 1856, the company (as well as the M. & U. company) took up new quarters in room 12, which was Lawyer Pronk's office. When the Bloomingburg plank road proved a great benefit to the village of Middletown, and when a dividend had been declared, sho,ving that the road, presumably, would be profitable, interest was once more aroused in a Middletown-New Jersey route which had been agitated for some time. "Now that the Bloomingburg road has proved success­ ful," the citizens said, "all that we need is a road toward Sussex. When that is completed Middletown will without doubt, be second only to Newburgh in Orange county." For there was yet some doubt as to which would be the second metropolis of the county. On Jan. 15, 1853, interested persons met at the home of William Bell, at Brookfield ( Slate Hill.) Braddock R. Dunning was named chairman, H. W. Stephens vice-chair­ man, and Daniel Fullerton secretary. Joseph Davis, J. D. 51 Sayer, D. C. Dusenberry, W. H. Mead and B. R. Dunning were named a committee to investigate the two possible routes. The organization was completed a week later at Cas­ sidy's hotel in Middletown, when the village party took con­ trol of the project. H.P. Roberts, Elisha Wheeler, Thomas King, Samuel Denton, A. C. King and Joseph Lemon, Mid­ dletown's financial giants, were elected directors. Later Wheeler was elected president, holding the position for years. James N. Pronk was named secretary and William M. Graham treasurer. Thereupon the company, incorporated with capital stock of $30,000 in $50 shares, advertised for proposals, and asked for 1,000,000 feet of three inch hemlock planks, from eight to 16 feet long. Samuel Bull was the contractor, and during the season the company completed five and a half miles of the road, starting at Middletown. The re­ mainder of the work was left undone. A toll gate was erected "half a mile" from Middletown. This opened up a large and rich rural district to the Middletown business center. Plank roads were of simple construction. Little or no grading was done after a satisfactory route had been chosen. Parallel ditches were dug, and in these were laid lengthwise with the road, sills consisting of sizeable tim­ bers. Across these were laid the thick planks. The road was then complete. It was an improvement over the mu4 roads, permitting heavier loads and more speed. New York State was the greatest supporter of plank roads, which were especially numerous in central New York. The average cost was around $1600 a mile, and huge sums were sunk in the projects, which scarcely ever proved profitable. They greatly benefited the villages on their routes, however. When the plank roads grew old and out of repair, they rattled and planks flew up against the wagons. Middletown now had two plank roads, which were known respectively as the M. & B. and the M. & U. The latter, whose name has been assumed by the railroad, never proved the busy artery of travel that the former became.

INDUSTRIAL GROWTH The Fifties saw Middletown gain importance as an in­ dustrial village as well as a shipping center. Indeed, the growth of manufacturing, when it is remembered that there was then no water system in the village, was exceptional. The village still depended largely on wood for fuel, using about 5,000 cords annually, of which 2,000 cords was. for the Erie. Middletown was taking interest in civic im~ 52 provement. Streets were being graded, and plank sidewalk laid. From early times the village had celebrated Fourth of July, with annual gatherings in the First Presbyterian Church, followed by the drinking of prodigious numbers of toasts at one of the hotels. An important event of 1852 was the dedication of Go­ thic Hall, meeting place erected by Wheeler, Madden, and Graham. This venerable structure, still standing at 54 North street, was for twenty years an institution, where were held public meetings, entertainments, political gatherings, and lodge sessions. The building was dedicated June 9, 1852, by Middletown Lodge of Odd Fellows, which used it as a lodge room. To quote : Cyrus G. Frost was the architect. Elisha P. Wheeler, Edward M. Madden and William M. Graham, proprietors. The edifice is well adapted for a public hall, except in re­ gard to ventilation. The Assembly Room is 54 feet in length, 29 feet in width, 13 feet 10 inches in height, and is capable of seating 500 persons. Beneath it is a base­ ment :finished for saloon purposes and for the use of the janitor of the building. The second story contains the I. 0. of 0. F. Lodge Room. C. G. LaFata, of New York, did the frescoing of Gothic Hall, both in the Assembly Room, and Odd Fellows' Lodge. The work reflects great credit on his taste and skill as an artist. The frescoing included mythological symbols, Odd Fel­ low emblems, and a portrait of Washington. The year 1852 was also marked by an important revival of the Middletown Lyceum. In this year, too, the village was first honored by a visit of the county fair. The New York and Erie Insurance Company was or­ ganized in January, 1853, and incorporated the following month: Elisha P. Wheeler, president; H. S. Beakes, vice­ president; John G. Wilkin, attorney; William M. Graham, treasurer; Peter Hood, secretary; Henry S. Mosher, ac­ tuary. Directors: Wheeler, Graham, E. M. Madden, J. G. Wilkin, Thomas King, E. Eldridge, Henry Mosher, Samuel Fowler, Thomas E. Grier, Adam Lilburn, Samuel Denton, Henry P. Roberts, F. M. St. John, Charles Knapp, Peter Hood. The company's capitalization of $100,000 was later increased by half. During the Civil War the company be­ came insolvent, and soon went into the hands of a receiver. The village's assessed valuation had nearly doubled in five years, jumping from $321,000 in 1848 to $529,670 in 1853. N. R. Bates had started manufacturing a new type of parlor match, having sold his soap and candle factory here to G. DeBaun and Company, who continued it on North street until 1857. 68 The outstanding event of 1853, however, was the estab­ lishment of the carpet bag factory. The pioneer carpet bag manufacturer was the firm of Matthews and Hunt, who started work in 1843 at Windham Center, Greene County. Sales had jumped to $100,000 in 1851, and the company sought a likely location for a larger factory. In the spring of 1853 the company bought the large brick building at North and Roberts streets, remodeling it. The company in­ cluded Jonathan M. Matthews (1810-1874) and Hiland H. Hunt, who at this time took as partner Jared F. Matthews. The firm soon employed between 150 and 200 persons, mostly girls, making every portion of the carpet bag except the lock. Business reached $200,000 in 1857. The firm took a lively interest in village improvement, and in 1853 erected at North and Roberts streets the first street signs in the village. When Hunt and the elder Matthews retired from the firm, the business was carried on by the younger generation of Matthews. When carpet bags went out of style many years later, the company for a time retailed leather goods. In the spring of 1853 the village welcomed another in­ dustry, the Wilcox and Draper hat company, Horatio R. Wilcox and Joshua Draper, who gave his name to Draper Brook. The firm bought land of the Young tract on newly opened Railroad avenue, and built a factory at Railroad avenue and Grove street, replacing it later with a six-story brick structure. The factories brought more workers, and living quarters were at premium. In 1853 the old mud pond behind Grace Church was finally filled in. The next industrial enterprise was the Monhagen saw works, established the same year by Elisha Wheeler and E. M. Madden, the promoters, and Josiah Bakewell, an Englishman and an exceptional mechanic. The firm started business on King street, removing to Railroad avenue. Its product acquired popularity. Control of the company was later acquired by an ingenious Englishman, William Clem­ son, in whose family it remains. The Second Presbyterian Church was organized in 1854. Middletown's first large brick building, aside from the carpet bag factory, was the Exchange Building, 44-46 North street, formally opened in February, 1856. The original proprietors were Ashbell C. King, James N. Pronk and David P. DeWitt. The building became, as might be ex­ pected, a favorite for law offices, and in it were the Lyceum reading room and headquarters of Hoffman Lodge of Masons, organized in June, 1856. 54 The Fourth of July celebration that year, 75th anniver­ sary of Independence, was the greatest ever, and was fea­ tured by a liberty pole at North and Orchard streets. The parade, orations and toast table were notable. In June, 1856, appeared the Sibyl. At this time Richard VanHorn (1812-1885), a car­ penter and builder, was erecting houses on upper Academy avenue, which became known as VanHornville. The Has­ broucks had built on "Sibyl Ridge," Linden avenue, which also began to be built up. In 1857 Jonathan Ogden built a race track on East Main street. During this year the Wallkill Bank was or­ ganized. The next manufactory was the file shop of King, Cockayne and Company, Sidney D. and Corydon T. King, and John T. Cockayne, the latter an English mechanic of ability. It became an important industry.

Middletown in 1857 (From Hasbrouck's Directory) 55 An 1857 picture of Middletown is offered by the dis­ tribution of its population: Academy, 32; Beattie, 16; Canal, 44; Cottage, 28; Courtland, 9; Division, 84; East, 94; Grove, 24; Henry, 28; High, 59; Houston, 43; James, 149; John, 14; King, 7; Main, 494; Mill, 117; Montgomery, 22; Mulberry, 74; North, 249; Orchard, 77; Railroad, 21; Roberts, 56; South, 203; Washington, 37; Water, 108; Wil­ liam, 50; Union, 25; miscellaneous, 16. THE HASBROUCK DlRECTORY One of the most interesting events of 1857 in Middle­ town was the publication by John W. Hasbrouck of The Middletown Directory for 1857-8. Several years earlier a merchants directory of some description had been issued, but the 1857 volume was the first serious undertaking of its kind in the village. It is interesting to note with what apathy the volume, now rare, was received. In October, 1857, three hundred copies were published by John W. Has­ brouck, which were sold in cardboard covers for fifty cents, in cloth for seventy-five cents. In six months less than 100 copies had been sold. The directory is the most valuable reference book of Middletown history in existence, and practically all histori­ cal works have been based upon it. Hasbrouck went to great trouble to collect historical and statistical data for the direc­ tory. He hired Jirah I. Foote to take a complete census of the village which took, naturally, the most prominent part of the volume. The table of contents, as Hasbrouck advertised them, are: Historical sketch of Middletown, map of Middletown, county and district officers, Exchange building, censust population statistics, officers of Wallkill from 1772, Middle­ town Lyceum, village ordinances, corporation limits, fire districts, Assembly members from 1777, streets, Wallkill Academy, churches, post offices, manufacturies, buildings, banks, fraternal organizations, corporations, village offi­ cers, county population, cemeteries, stage and express lines, plank roads, fire department, schools, newspapers, adver­ tising, calendar, etc. Practically all of this material was published over a period of weeks in the Whig Press, as might have been expected. The 161 page volume is a creditable example of book making. The advertisements, however, are printed in the style of the time, which demanded that nearly every word be set in a different size and style of type, so that an ad­ vertisement looks more like a catalogue of type styles. A list of the advertisers may be of interest : Halstead Sweet, hotel and passage tickets; Whig Press; Upton's barber shop and saloon on North street; 56 Middletown-Monticello stage lines; Horton, Graham and Co., Main and South, Truss manufactury; F. B. Hulse's coal yard at High and Houston streets; Henry Martin, baker, East Main; T. C. Royce, dentist, Square; Nelson C. Knox, carpenter; Wright and Streeper, masons, High and John; J. B. and D. C. Schoonmaker, blacksmith, James street; S. D. Carman, body braces, North street; H. & L. Brink, furniture, Exchange building; S. L. Preston, jeweler, North and King; Willison Taylor, grocer, Main; Merit C. Owen, marble work. Dill and Swalm, hardware, North; Clausen and Piatt, sash and blinds, James; William E. Millspaugh, shoes, Main; James B. Toulon, saloon, Square; W. S. Carpenter, grocer, North; W. T. Barker, tailor, North; Mapes' saloon, near depot; James G. Swezey, crockery, North and King; William Evans, Jr., dry goods, Main; Lawrence J. Crist, carriages, Main and East avenue; S. S. and J. S. Conkling, lumber, near depot; L. Starr, drugs, Square; King, DeWitt and King, hardware, North; Roberts, Chattel and Co., Lum­ ber, North; John A. Campbell, furniture, North; Abbott and Roosa, grocers, North; G. C. Wiggins, tailor, North; New York and Erie Insurance Company; George Loaders saloon and barber shop, near depot; Wilkin and McQuoid, attorneys, North; George B. Cox, attorney, North. King and Vail, Square; David B. Wheat, sash and blinds, North; Richard Graham, clothing, North; Van­ Fleet and Roosa, dry goods, North; Alfred Preston, under­ taker; Alexander Wilson, stationery, North; Robert W. Shaw, grocer, North; W. H. Atkins, painter; W. J. and J. J. Kirkpatrick, tobacco, North; E. Jessup, picture gal­ lery, Main; carpet bag factory; James Rogers, painter, James; Newton Hill, grocer, North; A. A. Bromley, cloth­ ing, North; J. T. and W. T. Ludlum, shoes, North; Wil­ liam Stewart, harness, North; Everett and Bull, drugs and groceries, Square. Shaw, Stewart and McQuoid, dry goods, Main; Wil­ liam T. VanNort, Saloon, Main; J. D. Johnston, drugs, North; John N. Kellogg, grocer, Main; Noyes, shoes, North; T. C. Foster, hats, North; Samuel Pitts, Baker; G. H. VanCleft, meat, Main; R. VanHorn, builder, James King, Cockayne, files, King street; Charles J. Clayton, saloon, North; M. H. VanKeuren, carriages, West Main; Peter A. Bowman, barber, North; H. W. Stephens, tan­ nery, Canal; James N. Pronk, attorney, North; Orange County Furnace. The directory is dedicated to James N. Pronk, who was considered the most public spirited man in town. Transportation was still a problem. For instance: Stages leave Sweet's Railroad House every day except Sunday, on the arrival of the mail train from New York, for Bloomingburg, Wurtsboro, Mamakating, Phillipsport, Homowack, Ellenville, Gales', Lord's, Bridgeville, and Mon­ ticello. At Monticello they connect with a tri-weekly stage to Liberty and Parksville; also a daily stage to Cochecton, via Mongaup Valley, White Lake, Bethel and Fosterdale; at Ellenville they connect with a daily line to Kingston, via Napanoch, Stone Ridge, and Hurley; also with a tri­ weekly line to Woodbourne and Grahamsville, via Green­ field. 57 The 1858 Fourth of July celebration made a new mark with exercises in the Grove on Grove street. August 17 the village celebrated the laying of the Atlantic cable. The Middletown Fire Department was organized in 1859. The organization of the village's first gas company, whose control was gained by outside capital, occurred the same year, and the carpet bag factory, the first building to be illuminated, ,was lighted by gas in November. In 1860 was formed Hillside Cemetery. ATTORNEYS

James N. Pronk John G. Wilkin

CIVIL WAR DAYS No more stirring days were ever seen in Middletown than those of the Civil War. Middletown was sharply divided politically, and copperhead Democrats were numer­ ous. War Democrats, too, there were in numbers, and feel­ ing was bitter. The Republican party had first appeared in strength in this section in 1855. Like the chill breeze preceding a storm, symptoms be­ came noticeable in 1859. October 1, 1859, Gilbert J. Beebe 58 issued the first number of the Middletown Mercury, in­ tensely Democratic. Hasbrouck then turned the Whig Press into a violently Republican sheet. Within a few months the Banner of Liberty more than hinted at disunion. The Republicans gained the Board of Supervisors in the spring of 1860. In August was organized the Wallkill Wide-Awakes, of Republican youths: E. M. Madden, presi­ dent; J. Lewis VanCleft, vice-president; Charles H. Horton, treasurer; Peter Hood, secretary; C. T. King, captain; Wil­ liam E. Carmichael, I. Smith Hulse and Joseph Kirkpatrick, lieutenants; M. C. Carey, ensign; D. W. C. Millspaugh and Joseph Crawford, pioneers. Republicans and Democrats orated and paraded with torch lights. A grand Republican rally, with 10,000 persons and 1200 uniformed Wide­ Awakes, was held at Carpenter's Grove, South street, Octo­ ber 12. The Mercury predicted war if Lincoln were elected. Lincoln was elected. The Republicans carried Wallkill in the spring of 1861. "The War Begun," announced the Whig Press of April 17. Union men jammed Gothic Hall that evening. Moses H. Corwin, veteran of the War of 1812, was chairman. The village was aroused. William H. Shaw was the first Middletowner to leave for military service, entraining April 20 to join his com­ pany in New York. He returned in a short time without seeing fighting. The Wallkill Guards were formed April 22 at Gothic Hall. Within a couple of days more than 60 youths had en­ listed. Drills were held nightly at the hall. The following officers were elected: John C. McGinnis, captain; George Barry and Roswell M. Sayer, lieutenants; Thomas Alexan­ der, ensign; Alexander B. Leggett, Robert Malone, John Rotherham, R. A. Holly Jr., sergeants; Isaac Hoyt, Samuel Barry, A. E. Hanford, Thomas Curry, corporals. No at­ tempt ,vill be made in this work to list those who served from the village during the war. On May 2 the Guards were ordered to Albany. Early Friday morning the company marched to Franklin Square, where a great crowd had gathered. James N. Pronk, on behalf of the ladies of the village, presented Captain McGinnis with a silk flag, which was carried through the war, and which now, tattered, is preserved at Thrall Library. The citizens presented Cap­ tain McGinnis a sword. The company then entrained. The village was brilliant with flags and bunting. Due to the large number of enlistments, a second Mid­ dletown company was soon formed, accompanying the Guards, to the 18th Regiment at Albany. Officers: Captain, Peter Hogan; Lieutenants, Theodore C. Rogers; Ensign, William E. Carmichael; Sergeants, Thomas S. Lane, Levi 59 D. Vincent, George Blake, Peter B. Henyon; Corporals Horace McCune, E. L. Chatterdon., C. C. Shaw, John De­ Lancey. Women of the village sent the boys a quantity of table delicacies. Patriotic concerts were held at Gothic Hall. The Middletown companies soon went to Washington. The Fourth of July was celebrated by parade and exercises at Carpenter's Grove. The Mercury, mean,vhlle, was anything but pro-admin­ istration. Recruiting for the Tenth Legion, Orange-Sullivan regi­ ment, in Middletown, opened following a mass meeting at Gothic Hall August 7. The Middletown Band left for camp September 21 to join the Tenth Legion. The Middletown Cavalry was also recruited for this company. Officers were chosen: l\tI. I. McCornal, captain; Charles F. Allen and Ar­ thur Hagen, lieutenants; A. L. Robbins, Charles R. Smith, Frank Mills, sergeants. The company left Middletown October 8 for Camp Van\Vyck, named after the Legion's colonel. The Middletown Ladies' Volunteer Aid Association was at work. J. H. Norton and I. F. Guiwits took over The Mercury, and renewed its attacks. The Banner of Liberty, Beebe's paper, ,vas discontinued for the time. In July, 1861, the Wallkill Guards were in heavy fight­ ing and lost a number of men, including Captain George Barry. When news of his death was received, flags were lowered to half-mast, and the funeral at Grace Church was largely attended. Barry, formerly in the English army from which he had obtained release through generosity of Middle­ town friends, had been in the United States but two or three years. General casualties had become numerous. l'J:iddletown's members of the senatorial district mili­ tary committee were: Halstead Sweet, John G. Wilkin, C. C. McQuoid, Capt. John Cummings. This committee at Goshen July 22 decided to raise an Orange-Sullivan regiment in re­ sponse to Lincoln's call July 1 for 300,000. Wheels were set in motion for raising the famous Orange Blossoms. The following advertisement appeared July 30:

Middletown Volunteers! To arms, young men. You are wanted for the duty which your country requires of you. Come join the Middletown Volunteers, a company now being organized at Middletown, and to form a part of the new regiment from Orange and Sullivan Counties, to be commanded by Colonel A. VanHorn Ellis, an officer whose courage is well known to the rebels. Come one, come all. Let the response of Orange and Sullivan be worthy of their past history. Let none falter now. The Government has made ample provision for you: $50 bounty to be paid by the state of New York on enlistment; $25 bounty to be paid by Uncle Sam; one month's pay in ad­ vance; $75 and a land warrant at the end of the war. Pay 60 from $13 to $23 per month. Uniforms and subsistence fur­ nished immediately on arriving in camp at Goshen. Pay to commence at once. Apply at C. B. Roosa's dry goods store, Middletown, N. Y.11 James F. Roosa, William. A. Jack­ son, recruiting officers. The Northern morale had reached a low ebb in July, 1862. Suddenly, at Lincoln's call, a wave of enthusiasm spread over the country. A gigantic patriotic mass meeting was held at Gothic Hall, August 2. Elisha P. Wheeler was chairman. Music, speeches and resolutions made up the program. Within a few days Middletown citizens subscribed $2525 to pay a bounty of $10 to each man who should join the Middletown company. The Eagle engine company of­ fered an extra $20 bounty to any of its members who should enlist. Other mass meetings were held in the village. At Middletown 56 men were recruited in a short time, and the company was filled out by Newburghers. William A. Jackson, one of the recruiters, was made captain. Wilcox and Draper, hat makers, made a quantity of caps for the navy. On September 3 at Goshen Middletowners presented a sword to Captain Jackson, of the Middletown Volunteers. The regiment had been given its number, the 124th. Col. Isaac Wood attempted to raise the next body of troops, a nine-months regiment designed to obtain volun­ teers to relieve the necessity of drafting within Orange County. Organization started late in September, 1862. Headquarters were established on the outskirts of Middle­ town, and the barracks were named Camp Wheeler in honor of Elisha P. Wheeler, with Union Legion as the name of the regiment. One company was styled the Wallkill Rangers. The town of Wallkill had offered a $50 bounty to every vol­ unteer, and $10 extra to a volunteer joining this company. In November Wallkill had over-manned its quota of 204 men by eight. The Union Guard left Middletown November 21 for Jamaica, L. I., where it was united with Ironsides Regiment. In April, 1863, Middletown formed a branch of the Loyal National League. Wednesday, June 3, was a gala day in Middletown. The Wallkill Guards, who two years previously had left for the scene of the war as part of the 18th regiment, and who had in May been mustered out at the expiration of their time, arrived in the city from Albany in the evening. They were given a royal welcome at the station. The company, with the fire department and Middletown Band, marched about the village and then to Franklin Square. Charles C. Mc­ Quoid gave the principal address of welcome. Lt. Col. Mc­ ginnis, originally captain, then returned the battle-scarred 61 flag to the women of Middletown, who had presented it to the company. M. D. Stivers gave the speech of acceptance. On Fourth of July, while Gettysburg was being fought, the copperhead branch of Orange and Sullivan Democrats held a peace meeting at the Middletown race track. A public celebration was held July 7, with arrival of news of the fall of Vicksburg. The animosity between poli­ tical factions in Middletown was growing. When the editor of the ultra-Republican Press denounced D. C. Dusenberry, who had been named by Governor Seymour to organize the militia of the district, Dusenberry caned him, and Has­ brouck retaliated by publishing further opinions. On October 7, 1863, drafting started in Orange County at Goshen, with 249 men drawn from Wallkill. Its time up, the 56th was mustered out in March, and came home on a furlough when no less than 430 of the men immediately re-enlisted for a three-year period. Middle­ town's portion of the regiment reached the village on the afternoon of March 16. After a parade, addresses were given by Village President Pronk and Colonel Van Wyck, followed by a lunch at Gothic Hall. In the evening a dinner was given in honor of the officers. Recruiting was opened to fill the ranks of the regiment. Bounties then totaled no less than $852 for a re-enlisting veteran, and $677 for a new re­ cruit. The regiment re-organized, met at Middletown, May 13, and left for the war. During the war a number of Middletown Negroes en­ listed for service. No less than 13 of them, for instance, were members of the 20th U. S. Infantry, which at this time was stationed in Louisiana. A new draft was made in June, 41 Wallkill men being drawn. More th.an 200 persons, it is interesting to note, had insured themselves against being drafted, by pooling $25 each. On June 18 Captain William A. Jackson, of the 124th, fell while leading his men in a charge near Petersburg, Va. In mid-summer of 1864, the country, pursuing a suc­ cessful but costly war program, was once again in a grave situation, and the call went out for more men, necessitating the second major draft in this vicinity. To avoid as much drafting as possible, the Town of Wallkill at a special town meeting August 8 raised its bounty to $600, so that all mem­ bers attributed to its quota who should enlist for one year should receive no less than $700. To cover the expense, bonds were ordered issued. Persons securing recruits were offered liberal sums. One of the lasting results of the Civil War was the organization in August, 1864, of the First National Bank of Middletown. 62 Middletown's quota of 134 men was over-recruited without drafting. On September 28 was opened the Union Wigwam, which was nothing but a portion of the old Erie woodshed remod­ eled into a public hall. On the opening night 1,500 persons were present. Mass meetings were held there weekly for the approaching election, quite rabid meetings. I. F. Guiwits retired from The Mercury to leave the village. Wallkill polled a record vote on election day. District three gave a majority of nine for McClellan, but the other two districts piled up 293 for Lincoln. Middletown celebrated the victory on the night of November 16, with parade, fireworks, torches and speaking. The Ladies' Aid Society held enter­ tainments at the Wigwam from time to time for the benefit of the soldiers. In November a number of Wallkill men were drafted to fill the ranks of the 91st Regiment. N evvs of Lincoln's assasination brought grief to the village. As in other communities throughout the country, funeral services were held in Middletown Wednesday, April 19. Business was suspended, and the village draped in black. Church services were held. The Eagles and Excel­ siors adopted memorial resolutions. The Press and Mercury battled over whether copperheads had plotted to commit the evil deed. To celebrate the end of the war, Fourth of July was observed with vigor. Following a parade, exercises were held at North and Orchard streets, with John C. Dimmick as the principal orator. Middletown banks had sold more than $300,000 in gov­ ernment bonds. The Middletown Bank became the Middle­ town National Bank during the summer. At the same time the Wallkill bank was nationalized. During the War the Orange County Furnace had manu­ factured a small cannon for experimental purposes, but never entered the ordnance field in earnest. The small can­ non was a favorite for noisy celebrations for many years. During the War a number of men and firms in the vil­ lage issued fractional currency, including John Higham, Albert Bull and company, Dill and Swaim, and M. G. Decker. Some of it is preserved. During the War, too, a Middletown factory on John street manufactured powdered milk for the government. Of course village life continued. During the week of June 1, 1862, Monhagen Brook went on a bad rampage. Gas street lights, eighteen of them, were first put in use in December, 1864. At this time and for years afterwards the village lamplighter, with his cart and ladder, was a familiar figure. The gas lights, to save expense, were burned only when the moon was not shining. 63 IV. Super-Village (1865-1888)

The Civil War wrought a radical change in life in Mid­ dletown. At the conclusion of the long struggle Middletown was no longer a village, but in reality a small city, although it still preserved its village government. Money was plentiful, and people sought good invest­ ments. Capital ,vas active. The taste for amusements had changed. Middletown was no longer satisfied with Lyceum lectures. It demanded shows and the latest fads. It de­ manded improved public facilities, water, lights, improved streets. INFLATION-EXPANSION With prices at the peak as the Civil War concluded, money was plentiful, and several years witnessed unprece­ dented activity in industrial and commercial development, sound and wildcat together. Speculation was rife. Th.is tendency toward industrial investment had been forecast as early as December 31, 1856, with the formation of the Sutherland Falls Marble Company, with these trus­ tees: Henry P. Roberts, Elisha P. Wheeler, Edward M. Madden, William M. Graham, and John G. Wilkin. This company owned and successfully operated valuable Vermont quarries, which it sold to outside interests in September, 1864. The craze of the day was oil, which had been discovered several years before in Pennsylvania, and which was com­ ing into general use. Several companies were formed. All these enterprises, however, failed, even though some of the property owned later proved valuable. They included: Middletown Lubricating Oil company, charter re­ corded December 28, 1864, trustees: Albert H. Russell, Levi Starr, Charles H. Horton, Joshua Draper, Joseph Davis, W. 64 M. Graham, James B. Hulse, Jonathan M. Matthews, George S. Thomas. The amount of capital was fixed at $250,000, to consist of land leases, oil wells, etc. The Rock Oil Company of Middletown, organized De­ cember 31, 1864, capital $20,000 in lands, leases and pro­ perty. Trustees: Matthews, Dr. Harvey Everett, Algernon S. Dodge, Starr, Graham, Henry B. Dill, Leeman A. Tripp, John G. Wilkin, Horton. The King Oil Company, chartered January 2, 1865. Trustees: Ashbel C. King, John K. Hoffry, Starr, James B. Hulse, Albert H. Russell, Wheeler, Corydon T. King, Judge Wilkin.

John W. Hasbrouck Selden H. Talcott Journalist Noted Alienist

The Draper Oil Company, formed January 31, 1865. Trustees: Joseph A. Bonnell, Asa Eaton, Horton, Russell, Graham, Starr, Madden, Hulse, Wilkin. The Adams Lead Mining Company was formed June 5, 1868, to have its principal office in Middletown, with Samuel Conklin, Emmet Moore and Stephen T. Hoyle as trustees. The company never started operations. During the war fever, in 1862, Middletowners had formed the Orange County Salt Company, Samuel Denton, 65 president. This company started operations in Michigan, and continued for a number of years, with little profit. Characteristic of the period were the following, more adequately treated in later chapters : Formation of the Or­ ange County Pleasure Grounds, 1865-6; introduction of baseball in 1866; reorganization of the public school system in 1867; formation of new fire companies, opening of the Savings Bank, and bui!ding of the Middletown State Hos­ pital, a few years later. With the post-war impetus to trade and building, it was but natural that Middletowners should wish village im­ provements. In the Spring of 1866 the Legislature passed an act enlarging the village's power, and extending the village limits so that the octagon boundaries were a mile on each side. At the same time, this greatly enlarged territory was divided into four wards on the present plan, with North, South and East and West Main streets as the division lines. This same act gave the village power to build a water system. During the summer and fall the matter was agitated, and brought to a head. A committee was named to investi­ gate. This committee reported at a public meeting at Gothic Hall, October 5. The committee reported four possible water plants : A Monhagen Brook dam above the village limits, the McQuoid springs, the George E. Cox place, and the John Carey and Josiah Mapes place. October 12 the citizens authorized the trustees to bond the village for $50,000. The Carey-Mapes site was approved by the commissioners in February, 1867, but a short time later this was discarded in favor of the Cox site, which was nearer the village. This farm was purchased for $8,750, and work soon started. On August 2, 1867, the taxpayers authorized $25,000 more bonds, the total cost being about $75,000. The first water commissioners were E. M. Madden, H. R. Wilcox and J. M. Matthews, and it was suggested that in their honor the reservoir should be called Lake Mad-\Vil­ Mat. This was laughed at, and the lake soon acquired the name, Monhagen Lake. This, of course, prevented any attempt for development of a water supply by a private company. Such a system had been projected several years previously by persons who con­ ceived the plan of building a small reservoir adjoining the cemetery pond, and pumping water into it from the pond. In digging for the water mains, workmen uncovered the remains of an old cider mill, which many years before had stood on North street near the Erie tracks. The water system was placed in operation without any celebration late in 1867 or in the first month or two of 1868. 66 The outstanding activity of this period, however, was railroad building. The craze became ridiculous, when lines ,vere proposed between crossroads. The enthusiastic Middletowners met at Gothic Hall January 8, 1866 to hear about the proposed Newburgh and Middletown Railroad, with William M. Graham, Senator Madden and Homer Ramsdell of Newburgh as the speakers. This road was agitated for several years, with several routes one of which was to leave the Erie at East Main street, and go toward Phillipsburgh. Delegates were named at a meeting January 13. These delegates in session at New­ burgh resolved to form the company. Madden, James N. Pronk, Joshua Draper, Graham and D. B. Irwin were named to represent Wallkill. Further meetings were held. At one time as much as $60,000 was pledged. This paper railroad, however, never materialized. In Newburgh it was further agitated from time to time. Another railroad, however, did materialize. Citizens in session at Westtown in February, 1866, decided it would be commendable to connect Middletown and Sussex by rail. Further meetings were held. At Gothic Hall February 24 a large fund was subscribed. D. B. Irwin, Levi Starr, William Evans, J. N. Pronk, Hiland H. Hunt, and Elisha P. Wheeler were named the town of Wallkill Committee. Out of this agitation grew the Middletown, Unionville and Water Gap Railroad, which was to extend the line as far as the New Jersey Line. This company was formally organized May 25, 1866, with Wheeler as a vice-President. Pronk as secre- tary and William Evans of Middletown as treasurer. . Ground was broken with ceremonies near Unionville, October 8, 1866, attended by Middletowners who made the trip by carriage. Wheeler, Grinnell Burt and others spoke. Rails for the 13.3-mile line were imported from Europe. The road had been completed to Slate Hill by October, 1867, and the event was celebrated. The road reached Unionville in December, and on December 11 a trainload of Middletown people took the free excursion to Unionville to celebrate. The road opened for traffic May 4, 1868, and was leased for a time by the Erie Railroad. Thereupon was organized the Middletown and Union­ ville Telegraph company, chartered October 22, 1867, with capital stock of $2,000 in $50 shares. The company, al­ though chartered for a thousand years, survived only a few. The first trustees were: Elisha P. Wheeler, Pronk, Hunt, Starr, Evans, Marcus S. Haynes, Henry A. Wadsworth, William H. Clark, Asa Smith, Samuel V. Pierson and John C. Wisner. Although planned for many years, the 0. & W. was the fruit of the post-war fever, and filled a long felt need. Surveys had been made years before the war, but the under- 67 taking did not take definite shape until 1865. Early in 1866 meetings were held in Middletown. Feeling ran high as the various routes were discussed, and the village was jubilant when the con1pany on September 10, 1867, decided upon the route which would terminate its line at Middletown. Ac­ cordingly, Middletown pledged its support to the New York and Oswego Midland Railroad at a meeting September 22. To finance the road, stock was sold not only to indivi­ duals, but also, under special state law, to townships through which the road was to run. The townships were bonded for this purpose. Wallkill, which included Middle­ town, was bonded for $300,000, and Dr. Harvey Everett, Elisha P. Wheeler and Robert H. Houston were appointed the bonding commissioners. The bonds were placed on sale in 1868. In midsummer, 1868, the road contracted for the tracks leading north from Middletown. Ground was broken in Middletown, October 25, 1869. Track laying started November 19, 1870. A temporary depot was built at Cot­ tage street, and the first train went out December 8, run­ ning north a couple of miles to the end of the tracks. J anu­ ary 16, 1871, the Midland was opened for• traffic, but the tunnel was not yet completed. Elisha P. Wheeler of Middletown was vice-president of the company, and later, July 9, 1873, was given the honor of driving the last spike on the road, at Westfield Flats. With the tunnel opened, traffic at once became general. Soon was organized the New Jersey Midland Railroad. Leasing the Middletown Unionville and Water Gap, this company connected with the Midland at Middletown, and provided a second route from Middletown to New York City. In 1872 the Midland assumed control of the New Jer­ sey Midland. A squabble over the prospective sites for a station led to the building of two Middletown depots, at East Main street and Wickham avenue. Through the efforts of Judge Henry R. Low and Sena­ tor Madden, and by virtue of an $80,000 subscription, Mid­ dletown was in August, 1873, selected as the spot for the division shops. While the immediate effect of this was not as great as was anticipated, in a few years the shop became a leading industry. August 18, 1873, the Midland was for the first time placed in full operation from Oswego to Mid­ dletown. The Middletown and Crawford Railroad was a result of the Midland. Agitation began in 1867. February 1, 1868, interested citizens met at the Taylor House, Middletown, to hear the committee report. E. M. Madden, D. B. Irwin and John Shorter were the Wallkill committee. The company formed May 27, with Daniel Thompson, of Crawford as president. The Wallkill directors were Vice- 68 president E. P. Wheeler, D. B. Irwin, Henry Roberts, James H. Norton, Henry S. Linderrnan and Stephen S. Conkling. The charter was granted August 3. Crawford was bonded for $80,000. August 7, 1871, the first car went over the road, which was completed December 14. The total cost of the road was $185,000, and it was open for traffic February 23, 1872. It was leased to the Midland, but the Midland did not at once operate trains over it on a regular schedule. VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT Many minor incidents occurred during these years. Charles S. Slauson started manufacturing paper col­ lars on Mill street in 1867. James B. Toulon, the confec­ tioner-carpenter ( 1806-1884), was building houses in High­ land avenue. The Catholic Church had become active. Early in 1868 Charles S. Slauson bought the hall which was being built on the old Catholic Church foundation at Linden and Wickham avenues. He named it Slauson Hall, and opened it with a celebration June 30. For a time it was the village meeting place, Gothic Hall having been aban­ doned. Traveling companies gave shows from time to time. Horace Greeley spoke in Middletown March 7 for the bene­ fit of Cornelius Crans, disabled war veteran. In 1868 the Village Board began to take more interest in street work. James B. Hulse, realtor among other things, bought a considerable tract and opened Benton avenue. In 1869 the Village Board made an official order for numbering buildings in the business section. Memorial Day was first observed in Middletown in 1868, May 30. There was not yet a G. A. R. post, but the women decorated the thirteen graves of Civil War men in the village. Villagers paraded to St. Joseph's Cemetery, Middletown Cemetery on Academy avenue, and Hillside Cemetery. A landmark in the village's journalistic history was the issuing of the first daily paper December 29, 1868, the Middletown Daily Mail. The velocipede, or high-wheel bicy­ cle, craze struck the village mildly in 1869, and was tried out in two velocipedromes, Slauson Hall and one on North street. Horace S. Dusenberry rode from Middletown to Montgomery May 5, returning by train. English sparrows arrived in 1869. September 15, 1869, Negroes of the region held the first of a series of annual 15th Amendment Cele­ brations here. Croquet was a popular sport, and a public-spirited citi­ zen donated a croquet set to each public school. An outstanding event of 1870 in Middletown was the construction of Bull's Opera house, the huge brick block still standing on West Main street nearly facing Canal. This 69 was built by Albert Bull, and was up until that time the largest structure ever built in the village by an individual. The ground floor contained three stores, with six by twelve­ foot plate glass windows, the largest which had ever been used in Orange county. The opera house, named after the elaborate tendency of the times, was opened March 23, 1871, with a lecture by P. T. Barnum and other entertainment. It immediately be­ came the foremost hall and amusement place in the village. Among the interesting affairs there was the public mass meeting October 19, 1871, when Middletown citizens sub­ scribed $1,200 for sufferers of the Chicago fire. This sum was within a few days raised to near $2,700, an unusually liberal amount. , Edwin Booth played Hamlet and other famous men appeared at the Opera House during its two decades of activity. The opera house remained in the Bull family until 1927. The completion of the city water system emphasized the need for a corresponding sewage system. Middletown had one older sewer, apparently draining the central part of the city. In October, 1870, was completed the second sewer, running from John through Center and down Canal street to Monhagen Brook. Soda water was gaining favor. Josh Billings lectured here February 4, 1871. In the spring of 1873 Wallkill went Democratic for the first time since the war. Middletown's police force of two constables was ordered doubled. Side­ walks were being flagged. Building and loan associations were agitated. The Masonic Building, now the Gunther Block, notable addition to the village's buildings, was opened in 1875, in­ augurating the Assembly Rooms, for years a popular meet­ ing place. The hundredth anniversary of the birth of the Irish patriot, Daniel O'Connell, was gayly observed August 6 with parade and exercises at Hulse's Grove, near the present fair grounds. The Centennial year, 1876, was observed in Middle­ town as it was throughout the nation. The year was welcomed at midnight of December 31 with a wild demonstration which had been authorized by the Board of Trustees. The village was illuminated with lights, bonfires and fireworks, and noise was produced by bells, the band, cannon and cheers. Union church services were held. During the year nothing was held except centennial teas and entertainments, meetings and orations. There was a hysteria for history. The Midland built five Centennial coaches to carry passengers to Philadelphia, one of them named Middletown. 70 The Fourth of July was ushered in by a salute of one hundred guns, and the village was soon thronged with the greatest crowd in its history. Nearly every building was decorated. The forenoon witnessed the grand parade, J. D. Rockafellow marshal ; Police, Middletown cornet band, com­ mittee of arrangements, clergy, orators, village officials, veterans of Civil War and War of 1812, Middletown drum corps, fire department, visiting firemen, Hoffman Lodge, Odd Fellows, Good Templars, St. Joseph's, and St. Mary's Benevolent Societies of Middletown, Port Jervis, St. Jo­ seph's Total Abstinence Society, Hibernians; Wheeler, Mad­ den and Clemson Guards, citizens, carts, cavalry, floats. The program was held at the grove. Following music and prayer, William VanAmee read the Declaration of Independence, and E. D. Culver of New York delivered the oration. In the afternoon the old custom of the toast table was observed at Veber House, with nineteen toasts. Another feature was the fantastical parade, 200 strong. Hundreds of people were soaked by sudden rain in the evening. Fireworks were en­ joyed, and a masquerade ball was held at Slauson Hall. Meanwhile, the country suffered from the deflation fol­ lowing the post-war spending craze. Times were hard. Many persons lost their small fortunes. The Wallkill Bank had failed in 1872. Scarcely was the Oswego Midland working when it went bankrupt. In company with most other railroads dur­ ing the financial panics of the post-war period, the Mid­ land sank in a hopeless financial tangle. After being oper­ ated under foreclosure for a time, the road became com­ pletely muddled, and in 1875 all trains were discontinued. Hundreds of men were thrown out of work. Workmen had not been paid for months, except with company scrip, which was almost worthless, and which was bought up by astute speculators who benefited when it was later redeemed at high value. After a time inadequate service was patched up, and trains were operated under the receivership. Follo,ved hec­ tic days along the Midland to the northward. Middletown, however, had no part in the activities, and it is needless to record here the seizures of locomotives for failure to pay taxes, the damaging of railroad property and the blocking of trains by angry citizens. After some two years of continued postponements, the old railroad was sold under foreclosure Friday, November 14, 1879, in the passenger waiting room of the Wickham avenue station at Middletown. The railroad was purchased for $4,600,000 by a new company composed of stockholders of the old company, the bidder being C. N. Jordan. Kenneth G. White was the salesman. A special train from New York City brought the officials to Middletown. By the sale the 71 new company acquired property which had cost $26,000,000 and ·wiped out $25,900,000 in securities. The actual cost, howeve-r, was not the $4,600,000 bid but approximately $1,500,000, the remainder being made up of securities al­ ready in possession of the stockholders in the new company. Adequate railroad service was resumed, the company being organized as the New York, Ontario and Western. A number of classes of people were hard hit by the failure: Employees and security holders particularly. E. P. Wheeler of Middletown, and many others failed with the bankruptcy. The great victims, however, were the townships along the railroad which had subscribed for stock. The town of Wallkill had issued $300,000 in bonds to raise money to buy stock. It now had the worthless stock, and the bonds were still a burden. Several townships contested the val­ idity of the bonds, which were upheld by the courts. Wall­ kill did not. From the wreck was salvaged $15,000, obtained April 21, 1880, when Town Commissioner Dr. Harvey Everett sold the old stock to the new company for that amount. With this as a nest egg, the township tediously saved up money paid in by the taxpayer. When the bonds matured in 1888, William B. Royce, the remaining commissioner, had accumulated a sinking fund of $188,000. Bonds to that amount were redeemed. To provide for the remainder, the commissioner issued bonds to the amount of $120,000, the last maturing April 1, 1907, and being paid at that date. It was largely for this reason that the 0. & W. located its divisional shops in Middletown. The small Midland Shops were hardly started when the company went under. Under the new company, large shops were established, greatly promoting the prosperity of the village. Next to the arrival of the Erie, it was probably the greatest single incentive to growth. The year 1877 was marked by wide-spread revivaT of interest in temperance and religion. In Middletown the movement was led by Rev. Charles l\f. Winchester. Arriv­ ing in the spring, he conducted meetings in a large tent. Hundreds of men signed the pledge. His outspoken manner soon made many enemies. As a result, he established his own paper, the Evening Standard, and the Free Christian Church. The Wallkill soldiers' monument was erected in 1878. Early the following year walking matches, to be popular years later at Midway Park, were held at Empire Hall. With the growth of the village of Middletown, its sew­ age disposal became more and more a perplexing problem. For several years the situation had become disagree­ able to persons in the Town of Wallkill. The trouble came to 72 a head in May, 1878, when Crowell Caskey brought action against the village for $3,000 damages. The outcome was awaited with interest by other property owners. After var-­ ious court actions, Caskey was finally granted $300. Meanwhile, April 19, 1879, the governor signed a bill authorizing Middletown to acquire the rights to Monhagen Brook. Many property owners objected, and a commission was named to acquire the rights and to estimate the damages to be awarded. Henry Bacon, of Goshen, was chairman. The commission made its report in July, 1880, awarding $19,488.50, about a sixth of the amount asked, to seventy-eight persons, of whom fifty-three, residents of Middletown, received but $5 each. Under special act of Legislature, the village of Middle­ town then issued $18,000 in bonds, and the awards were paid to the various owners in March, 1881. The village thus acquired the perpetual right to use Monhagen Brook for sewage purposes, at a total cost of approximately $23,000. THE EIGHTIES Politics was still a leading pastime in the Eighties, when every year witnessed a bitter fight in the Village Board over the appointment of the village clerk. In 1880 New York State Legislature passed a law allowing women to hold positions on boards of education, and to vote for school offices. Led by the redoubtable Mrs. Lydia Sayer Hasbrouck, Middletown women entered the field, and on March 19, much to the surprise of the old guard of both parties, Middletown elected five women mem-­ bers of the Board of Education, with the aid of the equal rights, temperance and some Democratic votes. Mrs. Has-­ brouck was one of them. When the spring election of 1881 approached, the Democrats and Republican old guards united in opposing the women, and named the editors of both newspapers as candidates for office. This made certain that the women would have no champion in the press. With characteristic energy Mrs. Hasbrouck, with the aid of her husband, established the Liberal Sentinel, a weekly newspaper of temperance and reform, in quarto size. The first number appeared April 23, 1881. As might be expected, the undertaking did not prove profitable. Three women were elected to the Board that year. James A. Garfield, campaigning, spoke here August 7, 1880. During the year the village boundaries were extended. In 1880 a number of active citizens told the Board of Supervisors that Orange county should have a children's home so that children would no longer have to be kept in the poor house. Supervisors William H. Clark, Selah E. '13 Strong and William B. Royce formed a special committee. For $8,000 the Prospect avenue site, an exceptional location, was purchased from the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. The house was remodeled for $2,000, and opened February 7, 1881. From time to time additions were made. The home was abandoned July 1, 1917. March 17, Halstead Sweet sold to John H. Bell "The Homestead," his popular hostelry on North between John and the railroad. This hotel was built soon after the arrival of the Erie in 1841 by Joshua Smith of Goshen, and had from the first been operated by Sweet, who enlarged it from time to time. In it had been entertained William H. Seward, Horace Greeley, Theodore Parker, Wendell Phillips and many other notables. It was also the Whig and later Repub­ lican headquarters. In 1881 the Ontario and Western built its connecting !ink from Middletown to Cornwall. W. A. Douglass and Company of Iowa was contractor for the twenty-five mile line. The section of it near Middletown was engineered by L. F. Onley. The road was opened in the summer of 1883, and the road at once experienced a huge increase in milk shipments. The telephone was apparently first put in use in Mid­ dletown in 1881. A telephone company was then organized by outsiders, and lines extended to nearby villages. H. S. Stokes was the owner. In 1884 an enlarged switchboard was placed in the Wilcox building, with accommodations for 96 subscribers. There were fifty phones then in operation, and a night operator was for the first time placed on duty, with an ingenious contrivance by which an alarm bell awak­ ened the operator from his sleep, and turned on a gas light, every time a call was made. The Draper felt hat factory had gone into bankruptcy, and in 1881 its building was taken over by the H. F. Beebe straw hat factory. The black dirt patch along Lake avenue was drained in 1884. Draper Brook was conduited under Montgomery street and Academy avenue during the same year. The Mid­ dletown National Bank failed. The roller-skating craze struck the village, and was adopted by young and old. Middletown, however, never pro­ duced any notable racers. The first rink, on the Wright lot, was opened June 3. On September 20 the Casino was opened, with 1200 people present, thus inaugurating that notable Middletown institution. Roller polo soon became popular, and Middletown's team played Newburgh, Port Jervis and other aggregations. Chick Higham was a star player. The Casino became the village's principal theatre. 74 In 1886 Receiver Blye of the Middletown Bank at the sale of bank property bought for $10 the small triangle of land at Benton and Sprague avenues. This he presented to the city for park purposes, the city in courtesy naming it Blye Park. After the Academy avenue graveyards had been cleaned up, the site was transformed into a park, which was by 1886 a popular resort. Band concerts were started. In 1887 were organized the 24th Separate Company and the Board of Trade. Labor Day was first observed in Middletown, Septem­ ber 1, 1887, with a parade and picnic.

75 V. The City (1888-1928)

INCORPORATION Middletown had outgrown itself as a village. For years it had thought of a city charter. A movement for a city charter in 1872 resulted in an improved village charter. In 1887 the Board of Trade attempted to have Middle­ town incorporated as a city. The charter passed both the Senate and Assembly, but was vetoed by Governor D. B. Hill on the grounds that it authorized the Common Council to free from taxation new industries, a dangerous prece­ dent. The year 1888 was the fortieth anniversary of the in­ corporation of Middletown as a village, and a concerted move was made to charter the place as a city. Opposition was entered by townships which begrudged the village the four additional supervisors. January 11, Senator Henry R. Low introduced the Charter bill in the Senate. May 8 it passed the Assembly. Governor David B. Hill signed the act June 9, and Middle­ town officially became a city twenty days later, on June 29, 1888. The Board of Trustees automatically became the Common Council. All officers continued in office, these first city officers being: Mayor, John E. Iseman. Aldermen Wyatt Carr, Richard Sheerin, Aaron J. Hornbeck, John Miles, Alfred M. Bowler, James E. Gibbs, J. T. Robertson and Charles H. Davis. Daniel Corwin was clerk. On June 11 the Board determined to celebrate the event on July 4. The following committee was named: Mayor Ise­ man, William B. Royce, J. W. Canfield, T. N. Little, Samuel Lipfield, Frank Buckley. The Fourth of July was a gala day. A special train and special railroad cars brought huge crowds to the city. Con- 76 certed noise greeted the dawn. Decorations were profuse. The 1>arade in the forenoon included Marshall John E. Cor­ win and aides, 24th Separate Company, Company C. of Paterson, N. J., Paterson Drum and Fife Corps, General Lyon Post, G. A. R., and visiting Civil War veterans; Mid­ dletown fire department, Wood T. Ogden band, Middletown city band, Emmett Band of Port Jervis, police. Public exercises were held in Academy avenue park, Senator Henry R. Low presiding. The program included music, invocation by Rev. Charles Beattie, Welcome by Mayor Iseman, reading of the ·Declaration of Independence by A. V. N. Powelson, address by Dr. Seldon H. Talcott, address by William VanAmee, original poem by George H. Decker, address by Rev. William McGlathery. The feature of the afternoon was a fantastic parade, and in the evening :fireworks were given at the park. The Blizzard of '88 started Sunday afternoon, March 11. All train service stopped Monday when the storm was terrific. Many people were actually caught in the drifts and remained helpless and freezing until they were found. There were no fatalities in the village. Snow drifts were huge, and tunnels joined the sidewalks on North and Main streets. The first train arrived from Port Jervis on the Erie Thursday forenoon, consisting of three engines, a car and a caboose. Trains were stranded at many points in this section. The first train from New York City arrived Friday over the 0. & W. In 1889 Middletown subscribed $2,600 for the Johns­ town flood relief fund. The question of electric lights had agitated Middletown for years. The subject had been brought up repeatedly in the Village Board and Common Council, only to be re­ peatedly postponed, discussed, tabled, and referred to the lighting committee. Several groups were fighting for the franchise. Finally, on February 19, 1889, the Council granted the lighting franchise to a group of Middletown men who or­ ganized the Middletown Electric Light and Power Com­ pany, capitalized at $100,000. The men were Isaac Van Duzer, H. H. Hunt, Ira Dorrance, L. L. Purdy and C. C. Luckey. The company built the West Main street power plant, at Knox's crossing, during the summer. Lights were tested at 6 o'clock on the evening of November 1, 1889, and were put in use a few days later. The street lights were finished a short time later. Newly incorporated, the city of Middletown faced a water shortage. Monhagen Reservoir had been built years before, and now proved inadequate. The first water mains, 77 it might be mentioned here, were of concrete, and proved neither durable nor satisfactory. They often broke. In 1872, then, when iron pipe mains proved unsatisfactory, the Water Board tried out pine wood piping, of eight-inch bore. Of this piping 1000 feet were laid on Hanford street, 507 feet on East Main street, and 770 feet on Cottage street. The Hanford street main outlived the other. In 1872 was made the first attempt to enlarge the water system. A wooden pipe line extended to the little Shawangunk Kill, and a pumping station installed. During freshets water was pumped into Monhagen Lake. Some $60,000 was spent on the system. In 1874, however, operations were stopped by an in­ junction obtained by James Norbury, one of the owners of land along the stream. It was charged that damage was caused by the loss of water. The village got along as best it could, until during a water famine in 1879, it was neces­ sary, for fire protection, to shut the water mains to private consumers. The matter was then carried to court in 1881-2, the village winning its right. The pumping plant, however, was not again used. In the fall of 1889 the city voted $75,000 bonds for en­ larging the water s:.,.stem, the Common Council authorizing the issue to the Water Board the following April. The Water Board selected a point on the Kill in the town of Mount Hope, and had land condemned by a commission: Chairman Henry Bacon, Henry Clausen and Charles T. Knight. Here was built Highland Lake, large storage plant, 8300 feet from and seventy feet above Monhagen Lake. By an ordinary gravity system water was piped to Monhagen Lake. In 1891 a new iron pipe line was built from Monhagen Lake to the city, to replace the old concrete mains. The new reservoir had been first put to use in October, 1890. Few days have been as gala in Middletown as October 28, 1891, when was laid the cornerstone for the Middletown Armory. Negotiations opened soon after the organization of the 24th Separate Company. The Board of Supervisors on December 17, 1888, selected the site. Governor Hill had signed the Armory appropriations bill June 8, 1888, but the work was held up pending appropriation of an additional sum. A huge crowd assembled on the cornerstone day. Five carloads came by railroad from Newburgh. The parade in­ cluded Fifth and Tenth Separate Companies of Newburgh, 24th of Middletown, West Point Military Band, Tenth Bat­ talion Band of Albany, First Battalion of N. J. National Guard of Paterson, Paterson Band,-Civil War vets, Walton company, Downsville Band, Masons. 78 William Sherer, Grand Master of New York Masons, laid the cornerstone with impressive ceremonies. A banquet followed at the Russell House. The Armory was opened by a ball November 18, 1892.

Henry Little, miller John E. Iseman, first mayor

THE TROLLEY In the early Nineties was built Middletown's electric railroad. A street railway seemed just the thing in the optimistic days of the late Eighties. One attempt had previously been made to supply the village with such a means of transportation. The Middle­ town Street and Horse Railroad was incorporated in 1870, and organized December 10 of that year: J. M. Matthews, president; H. R. Low, C. H. Horton and E. M. Madden, trustees. The project failed to materialize. In June, 1889, was incorporated the Middletown Street Railroad Company, for a ninety-nine year period, capital $50,000. The incorporators were S. S. Wickham, M. D. Stivers, W. B. Royce, D. R. Miller, George B. Adams, D. C. Dusenberry, J. D. Rockafellow, J. Erskine Mills, R. A. Harrat, A. B. Wilbur, T. A. Read, Ira M. Corwin, Albert Bull, Leander Brink, James A. Wilkinson, A. V. Boak. The officers were: W. B. Royce, president; D. R. Miller, 79 vice-president; John D. Rockafellow, treasurer; A. B. Wil­ bur~ secretary. September 10 the Common Council granted the com­ pany a franchise to build a horse car system which might later be electrified. The only thing this company did was to purchase two or three horse cars, which stood on Union street several years and were then sold. In the spring of 1893 interest revived in a trolley line. The 1891 company had died. The Middletown Street Rail­ road and Power Company entered the field, but soon retired in favor of the Middletown and Goshen Traction Company, which was at length granted the franchise. In the spring of 1894 were sold the three horse cars which had been purchased by the defunct horse car com­ pany, and which had meanwhile bee~ weathering on Union street. One of them was sold to Rev. C. M. Winchester, who converted it into an office at Columbia Park, which he was about to open. The new electric cars arrived April 20. The first troiiey ran down North street May 5, 1894. The streets were crowded to celebrate, and the progressive citizens of the town hitched up their horses to their buggies and drove about the streets in a parade behind the cars, so that the horses would become accustomed to the phenomenon. The first official trip was on May 7. Two cars took aboard the mayor, city officials and prominent men, to the number of sixty, and carried them from the Square out the North street line, with a stop at the old power house. The line was opened for business May 8, when 2,500 persons experienced the novelty of a trolley ride. Open cars were added and proved popular. The company was opposed by property owners on Benton avenue, and for a time, pend­ ing court decisions, the trolleys were actually driven over a portion of that street without track, bumping over the un­ paved street. With the traction company already operating in the city of Middletown, and the lines under way to the Colum­ bia Park district, the Middletown and Goshen Traction Company pushed its line toward Goshen. On Tuesday, August 7, 1894, the first car went to Mechanicstown, passen­ gers including many prominent citizens. Midway Park was being developed, the first picnic be­ ing held there August 9, before the bridge across the Wall­ kill was completed. The North Street Congregational Church Sunday School formed the picnic party. The Park, a notable place in those days, and soon famed throughout southern New York State and adjoining Jersey, was formally opened August 25. Company H. of Scranton, National Guard, attended the celebration, which was at- so tended by the scarcely believable number of about 5,000 people. During .the fall the line was opened the rest of the ·way to Goshen. The Early Nineties opened the park period. In 1892 Mrs. Maretta Thrall had given the city the land for Thrall Park, with the exception of a small triangle at Wickham avenue and Grove street, which was purchased by the taxpayers. Draper Brook, uncovered, still ran through the park. The land was plotted out, in lawns and walks. In the spring of 1894 the soldiers' monument was moved to its present site in the park from its original stand at North and Orchard streets. It was rededicated May 14. Meanwhile the lively clergyman, Rev. C. M. Winches­ ter, was fixing up Columbia Park. Mr. Winchester's mind ran along patriotic lines. He was an active realtor, and laid out Independence avenue, Commonwealth avenue, and Columbia park, and-Winchester avenue. Columbia Park was opened with a program on May 30, 1894, and soon be­ came an institution. It passed out of his hands soon, and became, of all things, a beer garden ! D. R. Miller, a second realtor, was not to be outdone. Miller was interested in North End property. He laid out an amusement park near the upper 0. & W. yards, naming it Harlem Park, for some unapparent reason or other. Miller was a bit behind Winchester, and did not open his park until July 4, 1894. As though to retaliate, however, he attracted 9,000 people to his place by trolley alone on the opening day, featured by a balloon ascension. In 1893 the new 0. & W. station, but part of the pre­ sent building, was opened. X-rays, or Roentgen rays were, it is believed, first pressed into use for surgical purposes in Middletown. Harry C. Ogden, pharmacist, experimented with X-rays as a hobby, having fitted up an apparatus of his own manufacture except for the Crooke's tube in his home on South street. Friday, June 5, 1896, Miss Sadie Stanton of Ellenville, employed in Middletown, ran a needle into her finger, a piece breaking off. Dr. J. B. Hulett chanced to think of Ogden's X-ray. Ogden was enthusiastic, and June 9 Miss Stanton's hand was X-rayed. The needle was readily located so that it could be extracted with a minor surgical operation. Mr. Ogden also took several other X-rays for surgical purposes. His work attracted considerable attention in scientific circles. The Spanish-American War provided the next excite­ ment. The 24th Separate Company was pressed into ser­ vice. In 1898 a number of soldiers wounded in Cuba were 81 treated at Thrall Hospital. The election that year was unique. Frank A. R. Pronk and Charles L. Elwood tied for mayor in the city vote. Several weeks later arrived the ballots from members of the 24th in Hawaii, which elected Elwood, Democrat, by a majority of three votes. TWENTIETH CENTURY On October 3, 1900, voters of Middletown approved a $190,000 bond issue for a third reservoir, Shawangunk Lake, which was soon built, with a capacity of 434,000,000 gallons of water. This venture aroused new litigation over the water rights of the little Shawangunk Kill, finally set­ tled in 1907 at cost of about $25,000. Following this, High­ land Lake water was diverted into a separate high-pressure water system. Shawangunk Lake had been much needed. During the early Nineties it had been necessary to use wells, water being pumped from some twenty of them. The year 1900 saw also the completion of the filter plant, later enlarged. These improvements, together with the acquiring of additional watershed land, the planting of a municipal forest, and the raising of the dam of Shawan­ gunk Lake in 1926, has placed the water system in its pre­ sent condition. Thrall Library was opened in 1901. The new charter of 1902 changed the date of the beginning of terms of office of city officials from March to January 1. The history of the first decade of the present century would not be complete without a reference to Maggie Dailey, the Middletown balloonist, who was at the peak of her fame in 1906. Middletown's present post office building was dedicated November 16, 1911, and the present city hall was opened early in 1912. In the city hall is part of the splendid collec­ tion of mounted animals collected by Jacob Gunther (1844- 1916), including a record buffalo head, the skull of which is in Smithsonian Institute. These two buildings, with the new Hotel Brown and the Casino, gave the business district a new air of prosperity and progressiveness. In 1913 the Alhambra Theatre, later the Showshop, was opened. THE WAR Rarely has Middletown been thrilled as on the evening of June 19, 1916, when 6-6-6, military call, was sounded by the fire alarm system. A great crowd collected at the Armory, where it was discovered that Captain H. L. Steed­ man had received orders that Company I should assemble at once for service on the Mexican Border. 82 Company I never reached the border, but this incident was the first of a notable series that concluded only with the Armistice. The early months of 1917 saw sentiment swing in favor of the allies with increasing momentum. Then came the declaration of war. Middletown's company was ready for duty. The 71st Regiment, New York National Guard, was stationed at Middletown from April 1 until August 17, 1917. On June 5 was staged the registration day parade. In August Company I left, and Middletown settled down to war work, while scores of men were examined by the draft board at the City Hall. January 13, 1918, the city held a memorial service at St. Paul's Church for Corporal Russell Sprague, first Mid­ dletowner to be killed in the war. April 16-17 Middletown voted dry, under local option. During the last months of the war the city was a giant machine, in which everyone seemed working only for completion of the war. During the last few weeks the casualty lists grew by leaps and bounds. Each day's newspaper reported the death of one or more local men. On the evening of November 11, 1918, Armistice Day, the city staged the most violent demonstration in its history. Middletown had raised more than 1,000 men for the war, and more than $7,000,000 (counting the Victory Loan the following spring), of which $150,000 was given to the Red Cross and other bodies. The Merchants Bank building was completed in 1917. On Memorial Day, 1921, the Federation of Women's Clubs unveiled a memorial tablet for World War veterans, set in a bo'\\rlder in the tiny triangular park in front of the Armory. This bowlder formerly stood in the yard of the Elisha R. Harding homestead. Late in 1921 the State Theatre was opened. During the post-war period the city lost a number of ~ndustries, and in the past two years has attempted to regain lost ground. There have been a number of unsuccessful moves to change the form of city government, and the commission form of government was voted down. - The act authorizing the Middletown City Court, passed by the Legislature, became effective Januarr 1,. 1928, re­ placing the courts of city recorder and two Justices of the peace. In November, 1927, Howard M. Starr, for many years recorder, was elected the first city judge. After previous adverse elec~ions, Middletown tax­ payers on June 22, 1928, appropriated $200,0~0 for C

83 VI. Military

WAR OF 1812 When the War of 1812 broke out Middletown had a militia company known as the Wallkill Republican Blues, made up of men of the hamlet and countryside. Members of the company were among the few to serve in this war from Orange County. Moses H. Corwin, an early settler and member of the company, wrote the following report of the company's work. "On a pleasant Sabbath afternoon, September 5, 1813, when the temple of the Prince of Peace [evidently the old meeting house] had just been closed, our little village was reminded that the temple of Janus was still open, and some of us would likely be called to serve in its bloody orgies. A stranger made his appearance and inquired for the resi­ dence of Colonel Benjamin Webb. Early on Monday morn­ ing the Colonel ordered Captain Vincent Clark to muster the Republican Blues at Middletown with three days' rations, and on the 8th to proceed to Waterford, above Al­ bany, and there, with other companies, to be organized under the command of General Reuben Hopkins, for a northern campaign. On Wednesday, the 8th of September, the reveille struck our ears, breaking the stillness of the morning and calling us to arms. Captain Clark's health not permitting him to go, we were mustered in front of Obadiah Vail's hotel under Lieutenant Stacy Beakes, when the following persons answered roll-call: Lieutenant Stacy Beakes, commandant; Nathaniel Penny, first sergeant; Pri­ vates John Canfield, John B. Cox, Samuel Cox, Abner Miller, Moses H. Corwin, Stephen Sayre, Andrew Grinsau­ lus, Gabriel Hill, Daniel Parsons, David Youmans, Samuel Canfield, Henry Coleman, William Penny, Joseph H. Owen, Joseph Keen, Peter Quick, Alexander Parsons, John S. Clark, Matthew Faulkner, Benjamin Parsons. "A number of farmers in the vicinity came in with their wagons and offered to convey us to Newburgh, which 84 offer was kindly accepted. All things being ready, Rev. Abel Jackson, in a very appropriate prayer, commended us to the protection of Almighty God. "We were soon under way, leaving our little village some less of its inhabitants. It was a painful thought that, on my leaving home, there were some that did not come to give us one cheerful parting word; their sympathy was with the enemy-"England has done us no wrong." Arriving at Newburgh near nightfall, we were detained some time to await the coming in of Captain Devoe's company from Ulster County, and the sloop to get ready to take us to Al­ bany, where we arrived in the evening of the 10th. The next day we took up our line of march to Waterford, and pitched our tents on the hill north of the village, where we remained several days. We began now to learn something of camp-life. Our rations were very good; and by the kind­ ness of Mr. Schoonover, a lawyer of the village, who had a field of potatoes that was separated from our camp by the highway, he gave us liberty to use what we wanted while remaining there. He told us that he had a patch of onions near his house and his gardener would wait on us and sell them cheap. His kindness saved his potatoes from being wasted, and his onions were not stolen. "The companies ordered to muster here had come in, and we were organized and put under the command of Colonel Abraham Hardenburgh of Ulster County, James Talmadge of Dutchess County lieutenant colonel, and ...... of Saratoga County major. The regiment numbered about 700 men, and was ordered to take up its line of march for Whitehall, and on the 18th of September we struck our tents and Captain Beakes marched out of Waterford with one hundred and twenty men. We marched to Whitehall, and from thence by water on Lake Champlain to Platts­ burgh, where we remained four days, and then on through Clinton and FrankliD counties to Fort Hampton, one and a half miles from the Canadian line on the Montreal road, and forty-five miles from that city. "We were halting at a tavern to take a rest on our way through Franklin county. Captain Beakes threw off his coat on a bed in the kitchen to shave. In putting it on his pocket-book fell out unobserved. A soldier belonging to the United States Army was present and finding the pocket­ book on the bed, made proclamation, 'Who has lost a pocket­ book?' Our captain found his was missing, and describing the money, the soldier gave it to him. The captain offered him a five-dollar bill; he refused to take it. 'If you think that is not enough I will give you more.' He refused to take anything. 'Will you take a treat?' He refused that. The soldier was a youth a little out of his teens, of pleasing coun­ tenance. I should like to know the future of that young man 85 endowed with such sterling honesty. While at Fort Hamp­ ton some of the men belonging to Captain Hawley's com­ pany were amusing themselves at cards by a log fire. Major ...... came along and ordered the cards thrown in the fire. Their sergeant was standing by, and said he would not have done it. The major turned and struck the sergeant with the flat of his sword, and ordered Captain Beakes to put him under guard. Captain Hawley's men soon brought him out. The major, not willi11g to be foiled, stated his crime and ordered Adjutant Van Ransulaure to take a file of men and convey him to General Hampton at Four Corners for trial. 'I see,' says the general, 'that he belongs to the New York Volunteers; you must try your own men.' And that was the end of it. "Had we been brought into action with the enemy, Major ...... would not have lived to give orders for the second fire. Let it be known that not all officers are killed by the enemy. I heard the remark often made, 'If we get into battle my worst enemy shall die first." Our colonel was an honest farmer from Ulster and well thought of, but without military talent. Lieut.-Col. Talmadge was an officer of strict discipline, and yet had the entire love and confi­ dence of the regiment. I would also say that Captain Beakes was in no danger from his men. "The object of calling the brigade of General Hopkins was to keep back marauding Indians from entering Clinton and Franklin counties while the United States Army in­ vaded Canada. General Hampton, with 5000 United States troops, lay at the Four Corners, three miles from us, and had orders from the War Department to form a juncture with General \Vilkinson, at the French Mills, 24 miles from the Four Corners, and there, uniting with Wilkinson's 11,000 men, the combined army to make a descent upon Montreal. "There was a road from the Four Corners to the French Mills, and there was nothing to prevent Hampton from going there but a determination not to unite with Wilkinson, for by so doing he would be only second in command. Thus the whole expedition failed. "General Hampton made us a call about the 20th of October. The regiment was drawn up in a line; he said, 'You make a very good appearance. I have come to invite you to volunteer, and if you do not I will dismiss you and send you home in disgrace.' The contemptible Mississippi slave-driver had no control over us. Our colonel some days after ordered us to return to Plattsburgh, where we were discharged, and every one went his own way. "The 'Republican Blues' arrived home safe in Novem­ ber, after a tramp of about 700 miles. We associated to- 86 gether while in camp, and were designated throughout the army as the 'Middletowners.' "Some time after my arrival home I read the official report of General Hampton to the War Department, and it was false throughout. As I was on the spot, I knew all about it. Entire reliance need not be put in all official reports." The army politics hinted at above are no longer re­ membered. MIDDLETOWN MILITIA At some period prior to the Civil War, during what decade we are unable to say, although it may have been the Thirties, Colonel Morgan Lewis Sproat (1804-1876) or­ ganized the Middletown Light Guard, a militia company which, under his leadership, gained considerable profi- c1ency.. CIVIL WAR OUTLINE Several volumes would be required to adequately treat the activities of Middletown men on the Civil War battle­ fields. The scope of this work makes it necessary to present but the barest outline of operations of several companies containing bodies of Middletown men. The Wallkill Guards were mustered into service May 17, 1861, at Albany, as Company D, 18th Regiment. The company was so large, however, that 30 men were placed in Company H. These volunteers were mostly railroad workers. After two weeks at Washington, the regiment was present at the Battle of Bull Run, and spent the winter near Alexandria, Va. In the spring, under McClellan, it took part in the peninsular campaign, spending the following winter at White Oak Church. The next spring the two­ year regiment returned to Albany, and was mustered out May 28, 1863. Many men reenlisted. John C. McGinnis, commissioned as captain in 1861, was mustered out as lieu­ tenant colonel. Captain George Barry, was killed in action at Haines Mills, Va., June 27, 1862. The next Middletown company was of cavalry, to be part of the Tenth Legion, so named for the senatorial dis­ trict, which became 56th Regiment. The Legion was mustered in during the latter half of 1861, and left for the war November 7, 1143 strong. The Middletown Cavalry was soon detached, and became Company C, First Mounted Rifles, with 95 men. It served three years, and many of the men reenlisted. Many Middletowners joined other companies of the Legion. The 56th fought in many battles in the Virginia and Carolina campaigns. Although a three-year regiment, 87 it was reenlisted, and continued for the duration of the war, being mustered out October 17, 1865. The Middletown Volunteers were recruited in August, 1862, as part of the famous Orange Blosso:rns, the 124th Regiment. Wallkill men made up a large part of Company K, under Captain William A. Jackson of Hamptonburgh. The regiment left Goshen September 6, 1862. After a brief training spell the regiment joined the Army of the Poto­ mac, and experienced its first actual combat, an insignificant clash of picket lines, November 15. The regiment was under fire for the first time later in the month near Fredericks­ burg, but did not take part in the battle. At the battle of Chancellorsville May 2 the regiment was caught between the lines, and experienced terriffic fighting. Close fighting followed at Beverly Ford June 9. On July 2 the regiment, but 240 strong made its magni­ ficent stand at Gettysburg, and with 2500 other men, held the line against Longstreet's corps for 40 minutes. Half of the men were killed or wounded, including Colonel Ellis. The feat was one of the most spectacular of the war. But 150 men were left in service for further campaign. The next major campaign was that of the Wilderness in 1864, in which the regiment took part, with continuous fighting and heavy losses. The regiment, filled up from time to time by new recruits, was active until the final Virginia cam­ paign leading to Lee's surrender. It arrived home in June, 1865. · This record, of course, is anything but complete. Town of Wallkill men were in every branch of the service, and scattered throughout the war, in every campaign. Rutten­ her and Clark give the town ~redit for 1028 men. Headley's history says : "As near as can be estimated, Wallkill and Middletown combined sent to the front some 787 soldiers ...... When we take into consideration the fact that at the beginning of the war, the population of the town of Wallkill and the village of Middletown combined, was less than 7,000, it will be seen that more than ten per cent. of the entire population proved its loyalty by going to the front. The town of Wallkill raised $95,100 for bounties and other war expenses. 24TH SEPARATE COMPANY Following months of preparation the 24th Separate Company was organized in Middletown in 1887. In 1870 the 91st regiment used Slauson Hall for drill purposes and an unsuccessful effort was made at that time to organize a company. When steps were taken to form the 24th it was found that the State had decided not to organize additional mili- 88 tary companies. It was only through the political pull of Assemblyman George W. Greene and the strenuous e:fforts in Middletown of A. E. McIntyre and A. L. Decker that permission was finally secured. The company was organized February 24, 1887, at the Assembly rooms, with forty-four men, under direction of Colonel F. C. McLewee, assistant inspector general. Major General and Adjutant General Josiah Porter on March 1 gave official recognition to the company, with Charles B. Wood, a Civil War veteran officer, as captain, and Ames E. McIntyre, later a major and Lewis E. Stivers as first and second lieutenants. The 24th Separate Company, fifty-four strong, was mustered in at the Casino on March 28, by Colonel Thomas H. McGrath, State inspector general. The officers not be­ fore mentioned were: Sergeants A. L. Decker, W. H. Craw­ ford, John D. Stivers, E. D. C. Crans; Quartermaster Sergeant C. T. Lyon; Corporals Frank B. Hathaway, George 0. Townsend, John W. Low, D. DeWitt Schoon­ maker, Edward J. Fuller. The company held its first public parade August 18 at Academy avenue, with 63 men in line. The company first attended camp at Peekskill in August, 1888. The company continued its drilling at the Casino until the fire of 1891. Following the fire, in which uniforms were destroyed, the company drilled in a factory on Union street until the armory was built. A. E. McIntyre became captain in 1890. Captain McIntyre (1859-1916) later became major. WAR WITH SPAIN Following the declaration of war with Spain, the 24th Separate Company April 26, 1898, voted to enter federal service. May 2 the company left Middletown for Camp Black, Hempstead, L. I. At the camp the company became Company I of the First Regiment infantry, New York Vol­ unteers, and was mustered into national service May 20. June 11 the company was transferred to Fort Hamil­ ton, New York Harbor. July 7 it left for San Francisco, ar­ riving July 13. August 5 it boarded the "Charles Nelson" for Honolulu, arriving August 15. The company was in several camps in the Hawaiian islands. Many of its mem­ bers were victims of the typhoid. November 28 the com­ pany boarded the "Australia" for the return trip, reaching Middletown December 21, 1898, for a welcome celebration. The company was mustered out within a short time. Alfred E. Weller had died of disease November 26. 1916-1917 Company I was next called into service in 1916. Mean- 89 while a medical detachment had been formed in the city under Dr. M.A. Stivers, who soon became a major. On June 27 Company I and the medical detachment left Middletown for service on the Mexican border. It went to Camp Whitman, later hiking to Peekskill, and returning to the city some weeks later. The medical detachment actually went to the border. February 4, 1917, Company I and the medical detach­ ment left for guard service along the New York City aque­ duct below Peekskill, returning April 12 after war had been declared. WORLD WAR A complete record of Middletown's part in the World War would fill a large volume. But brief mention can be made here. More than 1,000 men went into the service. The huge majority were not members of Company I, and most of them were drafted. They were scattered through the army, in every branch of the service, so that it would be foolhardy to attempt to trace their service in this work. Middletown, together with the towns of Montgomery, Hamptonburgh, and Newburgh, composed Orange County draft district three. Colonel Thomas W. Bradley was suc­ ceeded as chairman by A. C. N. Thompson of Middletown. Headquarters were at the Middletown city hall. As typical of the whole, we may trace the history of Company I. Company I and the medical detachment, which soon lost its identity, left Middletown August 19 for New York. Company I, with the rest of the First Regiment, soon moved to Camp Wadsworth, S. C. There it was split. THE 107th The greater part of Company I was attached to Com­ pany I of the newly organized 107th Regiment, 27th Divi­ sion. Transferred to Newport News, Va., April 28, 1918, after hard training, the regiment embarked May 9 on the Antigone for Brest. After much traveling and training and one bit of active duty, the regiment was prepared for the great September offensive. At 5 :50 o'clock on the morning of September 29, 1918, Company I went "over the top" between the Guillemont Road and the Lempire-Vendhuile road, to pierce the Hin­ denburg Line. With the aid of fifteen tanks the regiment pushed forward under terrific fire, breaking through the line and continuing as long as the men could crawl. By 4 o'clock more than a third of the men were killed or wounded. The men, those left, finally stopped at Guillemont Crescent trench, except for a few who cut barbed wire and 90 staggered onward far into the German lines to their death. Half of the men were dead or wounded. The men remaining in the trench "dug in" and held the position for hour after hour until they were relieved October 1, after having been surrounded by the enemy for two days. The regiment lost eleven officers and 324 men killed, ten officers and 874 wounded. In action October 17 and 18 near St. Souplet, the regiment lost 71 killed and 350 wounded. The regiment embarked in February, 1919, land­ ing at Hoboken and going to Camp Merritt. It was dis­ banded April 2. It had lost: Killed, 19 officers and 409 men; wounded, 31 officers and 1,267 men; captured, 27 men. Deaths from disease and other causes brought the total to 580. FIRST PIONEERS The remaining men in Company I, with the rest of the First Regiment, became the nucleus for the First Regi­ ment of Pioneer Infantry. The regiment sailed July 9 from Hoboken for Brest, and was under fire first July 30 at Cha­ teau Thierry. The regiment's work was largely maintain­ ing roads for communication and transportation, involving little glory. The regiment's outstanding accomplishment was at Harcourt September 26 and 27, when the men, under heavy shell fire, kept the roads open just behind the first line trenches. The regiment received 110 battle casualties. After the Armistice the regiment was on guard duty in Germany, arriving in the United States in June, 1919. The First Pioneers were the first U. S. troops to enter Germany. COMPANY I, PROVISIONAL Soon after the war was opened the First Regiment of New York Guard was formed to take the place of the old First, Company I being Middletown's unit. This Company left Middletown in September, 1917, doing guard duty along the aqueduct for the rest of the war, returning in Janu­ ary, 1919. POST-WAR After the Armistice, in 1919, Company I, New York Guard, became Middletown's unit of the reorganized New York National Guard. December 12, 1921, the infantry company was converted into Company D, 132nd Ammuni­ tion Train. April 16, 1924, this was converted into Battery D, of the 156th Field Artillery, the present unit.

91 VII. The City's Growth

POPULATION Middletown's history may be traced roughly by its population for the various periods in its growth. Some of the following figures are not from the official censuses, but all of them are at least approximately accurate. 1807 ------45 1868 ------5,643 1835 ------311 1870 ------6,346 1838 433 1880 8,494 ------., n ... ,.. ------______ll,977 1848 ------1,360 .. vvv 1850 1,500 1905 ------15,000 ------______17,309 1855 1,927 1910 ------______18,000 1857 2,190 1915 ------______18,420 1865 3,894 1920 ------1925 ______20,412

THE STREETS The history of the city of Middletown is recorded in its streets. These bear the names of many of the first settlers and early business men, and otherwise call back the days of the past. Middletown has been developed by sections. The earliest settlement grew up about Franklin Square. By 1840 there were North and South streets, Main street, East avenue, and Orchard street, and traces of Mulberry, Canal and Mill streets. Within the following decade were added Washington, William, Roberts, Cottage, King, James, Water, Henry, Franklin, Union, John, Division, Courtland, High and Academy. During the Fifties started the development of the Lin­ den, Highland and Academy avenue sections. By 1857 these 92 streets had been added : Beacon, Beattie, Bond, Broad, Everett, Genung, Grove, Houston street, Monhagen, Mont­ gomery, Wickham, Prospect, Railroad. The post-war period brought renewed activity, and ex­ tensive developments were made in the section above High­ and avenue. Before the dawn of the present century dozens of houses had also been built in the North End district, and in the first ward. Houston Heights has been built up for the most part since 1910, and many other developments may be traced. There follows a detailed list of the city streets, with the reasons they were so named, and in many cases the approxi­ mate dates they were opened, together with other informa­ tion. Two classes of streets are not included: A consider­ able number whose names are merely ornamental and which have no significance; and about a dozen which appear to be named for a reason which cannot be traced. ACADEMY AVENUE: Named for Wallkill Academy, Aca­ demy avenue was originally a one block street and Little avenue, opened when the Academy was built in 1843. Later it was extended a block to Houston avenue, and in 1866 it was ordered extended to East Main street, as at present. In the other direction it was extended to Dolson avenue, and in 1887 to East Conklin avenue. Academy avenue was originally known as Academy Square. ADAMS A VENUE : The six streets of Lincoln Park were opened by E. W. Gillespie, Stamford, Conn., real estate de­ veloper. They are Adams avenue, Bedford avenue, Budd avenue, Earle street, Ingalls street and DuBois street. None of the names are of local significance, we believe, except DuBois street, named for John DuBois, who was interested in the development, and Bedford avenue for the contractor, Bedford. ALBERT STREET: In the summer of 1888 Albert Bull and Frank D. Youngblood bought for $18,000 eighteen acres of land between Wickham and Grand avenues. This was .opened for sale after streets had been laid out in one of the first major "developments" of the city, but much of it was not built up until approximately 1910. The streets of this development are : Albert street, for Albert Bull, Lincoln and Harrison streets, for the presidents ; and DeWitt street, for General David P. DeWitt, Civil War veteran who came to Middletown as Erie baggagemaster. Bull's full name was S. Albert Bull. BEACON STREET: Beacon street appeared in the Fifties. It was later extended through the lands of the Hasbroucks and others to its present length. There was no reason for its name except the nature of the land. 93 BEATTIE A VENUE: I. 0. Beattie bought extensively in the first ward, and during the Fifties laid out several streets, including Beattie avenue. He set out trees, and the small colony of houses built was known as Beattieville. BEDFORD A VENUE: See Adams avenue. BENJAMIN AVENUE: Named for Benjamin Wolf, for many years a Middletown merchant, Benjamin avenue was accepted as a public street in 1890. It had been a street for many years previously, however. BENNETT STREET: Bennett street was laid out in 1873 by Benjamin Bennett, prominent realty holder, who owned a considerable tract of land. BENTON A VENUE : James B. Hulse, prominent resident, bought a considerable tract of land, and on it opened Benton avenue, named for himself, James Benton Hulse. BOAK AVENUE: Boak avenue was laid out and named by Robert Boak, realtor. BONNELL PLACE: Formerly Olive street. See Bonnell street. BONNELL STREET: Bonnell street, open by 1887, was named for Jacob L. Bonnell, who lived on it. BRADNER PLACE : Bradner Place, formerly Maple ave­ nue, ,vas officially renamed in honor of Dr. Julia Bradner, organizer of the Home for Aged Women and Thrall Hos­ pital. (Not to be confused with Maple avenue, near East Main street.) BRINK A VENUE : Brink avenue was named for Leander Brink, land owner and hardware merchant. BROAD STREET : Broad street was laid out during the Fifties. BUDD A VENUE: See Adams avenue. CALIFORNIA A VENUE: California avenue was laid out by Robert Boak, who named it in honor of his wife's home state. CANAL STREET : Research fails to identify Canal street with any historic or projected artificial waterway. The street was evidently named for the brook which babbled down it to Monhagen Brook. The street became a street during the Forties, and in the following decade was part of the M. & U. plank road route. CANTRELL STREET: Cantrell street was opened by Har­ rison W. Crane, who named it for a friend, George Cantrell, New York City shoe dealer. CENTRE STREET: Originally Foundry Alley, this street was opened as its name implies after the Orange County Furnace had been established at King and Centre streets, in the Forties. It later attained the more dignified title of Foundry street. For many years it was known interchange- 94 ably as Foundry and Centre street. In 1899 was made the most determined of a series of unsuccessful attempts to have the street extended from King street to West Main street at or near Canal. CHARLES STREET: Charles street was opened and named by Charles G. Dill, (1839-1913) attorney, in 1875. CHATTLE STREET: Names for Thomas Chattle, lumber dealer who lived in North street at the corner. Chattle street was opened probably during the Eighties. CHESTNUT STREET: Chestnut street was named for a large tree. CLINTON STREET : Clinton street was laid out by Horace W. Corey. COLUMBIA AVENUE: Rev. Charles M. Winchester, Mid­ dletown's realtor-preacher, in the Nineties started opening the lands adjoining his Columbia Park. He indulged in a patriotic hobby, and named his streets as follows: Colum­ bia avenue, Independence avenue, and-Winchester avenue, also Winchester Place. COMMONWEALTH AVENUE: Commonwealth avenue was opened in 1893 or during the preceding two or three years. CORNELIA STREET : Cornelia street may have been sug­ gested by Cornelius Predmore, who owned land there. CORWIN PLACE : Corwin Place is named for John E. Corwin, banker. COTTAGE STREET: With a meaningless name, Cottage street was opened froro. Robert street to the Erie tracks in the late Forties, and was extended to Wickham avenue in 1853. COURTLAND PLACE : See Courtland street, of which this is practically an extension. COURTLAND STREET: Courtland street was laid out dur­ ing the Forties by Courtland S. Hulse (1818-1896), who built the first house on the street. CRESCENT PLACE : Crescent Place was formerly part of Hanford street. DEPOT STREET: Depot street came into existence as a lane not many years after the arrival of the Erie Railroad. After the Civil War the city attempted to take over the street, but faulty title to property led to a tedious and un­ friendly dispute, which was finally settled in 1897, when the city paid $1,000 for rights to the portion opening on North street, the part that had caused the dispute. DEWITT STREET : See Albert street. DOLSON A VENUE: So named because it leads to the ancient Dolsontown neighborhood. Dolson avenue is not as old as might be expected, because the old road south ran on South street. DUBOIS STREET: See Adams avenue EARLE STREET: See Adams avenue. 95 EAST AVENUE: Was at extreme East of village when first laid out. East avenue is one of the city's dozen oldest streets, dating from the Thirties. It was opened by Charles Dill and Robert Houston. The slight crook where it joins East Main street was to avoid the Stacy Beakes distillery on the corner. EAST CONKLING AVENUE: East Conkling and West Conkling avenues were laid out by Charles Conkling, who bought part of the Benjamin Bennett tract, on Bennett Hill. EAST MAIN STREET : See Main street. ELIZABETH STREET : Elizabeth street, on the Vail and Foote tract, was named for Mrs. Oliver Vail. ELM STREET: Elm street was in existence in 1889. EVERETT A VENUE : See Everett street. EVERETT STREET: Everett street, opened between 1851 and 1857, and ·Everett avenue, of later date, were named for Dr. Harvey Everett. FOREST A VENUE : Forest avenue was, doubtlessly, named for the woodland which survived there until com­ paratively recent years. FRANKLIN SQUARE: Apparently named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin Square was so known at least by the Fifties. Research fails to disclose the date or reason it was named. FRANKLIN STREET : Originally union street, Franklin street was in existence early in the Fifties. It was given its present name in 1868, apparently for Franklin Houston who had a part in laying it out. For many years a brewery stood at the foot of Franklin street, now the Waldo Hotel. FULTON STREET: Water street, opened in the Forties, extended as far as South street. Later it was extended to East avenue, and by 1857 to Academy avenue. It took its name from Monhagen Brook. At its prime it extended from Sprague avenue to Hanford street, including Harding street. It acquired a bad name, and in 1887 that portion between Mill and Sprague avenue was named Fulton street, in honor of Robert Fulton. Its bad name persisted, how­ ever, and at a still later date the eastern portion, Academy to Sprague, was renamed Sterling street. GARDNER A VENUE : Part of the Parmenas H. Horton tract, Gardner avenue was named for John W. Gardner. GAVIN AVENUE: Gavin avenue was named for a family which owned a farm in the neighborhood. GENUNG STREET : An old country road, Genung street is one of the city's oldest streets. It was named for Harvey Genung, whose farmhouse was on the street just beyond the Erie crossing. GRAND A VENUE: Opened in 1859 as a road by Henry B. Shons and B. V. Wolf, who owned land on East Main street, Grand avenue was later named according to the tradition 96 that all American villages should have Grand avenues, Rail­ road avenues, South streets, etc. GRANT STREET: Named for President U. S. Grant, Grant street was accepted as a public street in 1887. GRoo STREET : Formerly Bond street and in existence in the late Eighties, Groo street was renamed by Judge Wil­ liam J. Groo, who lived at its Linden avenue corners. GROVE STREET : Soon after the Wilcox and Draper hat factory was started, H. R. '\Vilcox purchased land of the Young tract and opened Grove street, which was extended to Wickham avenue in 1857. It was named for the majestic grove of oak trees on the west side near Railroad avenue, a favorite resort in old days. A few of the trees remain. HANFORD STREET: In 1823 Dr. David Hanford pur­ chased forty-seven acres about Hanford street. In 1862 his son, John B. Hanford (1821-1892) opened Hanford street, naming it for his father. It was extended back to Main street, and included what is now Crescent street. HARDING STREET : At one time a part of Fulton street, Harding street was named for Elisha Harding. HARRISON STREET : See Albert street. HASBROUCK STREET : Hasbrouck street, opened in the Sixties or Seventies, was named for John W. and Lydia Hasbrouck, who owned the land. HENRY STREET: Henry street, in existence by 1850, was named for Henry E. Horton, who lived on West Main street nearby. HIGHLAND A VENUE: Among the original streets of Middletown was High street, the old road to Bloomingburg. When Hanford street was opened, High street was extended to it. During the Eighties High street was widened by action of the property owners and city, and on petition of the property owners its name was changed to Highland avenue by the Common Council in January, 1891. HILL STREET : Hill street, two block link on the Houston tract, was named for John W. Hill, who lived nearby for many years. See Houston avenue. HILLSIDE AVENUE: Named for the cemetery, Hillside avenue was opened by 1890. HOFFMAN STREET: Probably opened during the Seven­ ties, Hoffman street was named for Governor John T. Hoff­ man. HORTON AVENUE: Parmenas H. Horton owned the farm on which Horton avenue now runs. HOUSTON A VENUE: As a lane to the large Houston farm, Houston avenue was on the map in the Fifties, or earlier. It was a number of years before it developed into a street, however, but officially became Houston avenue in 1868. It was named for Robert H. Houston, the old settler 97 and realtor. On his lands were also opened after the Civil War the upper end of Prospect avenue, to which was ex­ tended Washington street. During the World War period, Houston's descendants opened on this land Hill street, La­ fayette avenue, and Jackson avenue. INDEPENDENCE AVENUE: See Columbia avenue. INGALLS STREET: See Adams avenue. IRWIN A VENUE: Irwin avenue was opened and named by D. B. Irwin in 1873. JACKSON AVENUE: Jackson avenue, of the Houston Heights development, was named by Robert Houston (not Robert H. Houston) in honor of his wife's maiden name. JAMES STREET: James street was opened as a lane in the late Twenties or Thirties by James Little, whose house stood about on the site of the post office, facing West Main street. Later it became a street. When the street was wid­ ened in 1886 it was necessary to cut down cherry trees on the place of Dr. Dorrance. JOHN STREET: Originally part of the Roberts street lane, John street, in existence as a street by 1850, was named for John M. Cash, son of Dr. Merritt Cash, who owned the land. KING STREET : Opened during the Forties, King street was named for Thomas King, contractor and railroad builder, ,vho lived on James street, now the Mitchell Inn annex. KNAPP AVENUE: Named for Joseph Knapp, who had a farm there, Knapp avenue was opened in 1873. KNOX A VENUE: Knox avenue was named for the family residing there. LAFAYETTE AVENUE: Opened during World War days, Lafayette avenue was named for the gallant Frenchman of Revolutionary days. It was part of the Houston develop­ ment. See Houston avenue. LAKE A VENUE : Lake avenue, opened in 1872 and named for the ice pond, was one of the streets in the upper section of the city developed during the Seventies and Eighties. LIBERTY STREET: Liberty street, formerly cow pasture lots, was opened in 1873. LINCOLN STREET : See Albert street. LINDEN A VENUE: In existence by 1850, Linden avenue, originally Division street, was officially renamed Linden avenue January 10, 1888, on petition of property owners. LINDEN PLACE : Linden Place acquired its name from Linden avenue. As far as is known, no particular trees were honored by naming the streets. LITTLE AVENUE: Little avenue was opened from East avenue to Academy avenue about 1841 as a road to the 98 cemetery and Wallkill Academy. It was named for Lewis Little, who lived on East avenue at its corner. Little ave­ nue was extended to Sprague avenue in 1873. Low A VENUE: Low avenue was opened during the Sev­ enties, following building of the Oswego Midland. It was named for a man prominent in promotion of the railroad, Henry R. Low. Blake Royce owned much of the land through which it ran. LYON STREET: Lyon street was named for Kate Lyon, who ran a cafe there. MAIN STREET : Originally the historic Minisink road, Main street, appropriately named, was the village's oldest street. It was originally just Main street, but soon it gained its name of East and West. Portions of it have been wid­ ened from time to time, for instance, the north side was widened between the Congregational Church and Orchard street in 1873. In 1864 was chopped down a huge cotton­ wood tree, revered landmark, at 97 East Main street. This had. been planted seventy years before by Jesse H. Wickham, pioneer. MAPLE AVENUE: Maple avenue was laid out during the Seventies by D. B. Irwin, but was not then built up. MEADOW STREET: That portion of Mulberry street be­ low Fulton street was formerly known as Meadow street or avenue. Similarly, Mill street below Fulton street was sometimes called Sprague street. MIDLAND AVENUE: Named for the Midland Railroad, Midland avenue was opened during the Seventies or early Eighties. l\iILLS AVENUE: Mills avenue was opened during the Seventies on the land of James J. Mills, for whom it was named. Mills had bought the land of Benjamin Bennett. MILL STREET: Mill street was an old road in existence before 1839, when Henry Little built the Mill for which the street was named. At that time there was but one house on the street. Mill street originally joined vV est Main street at or near Hanford street, but was deflected to its present route when the Erie was built. M0NHAGEN A VENUE : Monhagen avenue was named for Monhagen Brook, and the origin of the name of the brook is unknown, possibly being of either Indian or Irish origin. The title was known by 1800. The street was first laid out, that part from Mill street to the Turnpike, by Henry Little, in 1854, but remained a back road for many years. The upper portion was laid out later, being completed in 1874 when the State Hospital was built. The road became an important thoroughfare when it was made part of a state road route in more recent years. In 1887 the Board of 99 Trustees renamed part of the street Babcock street, but this action was soon rescinded. MONTGOMERY STREET: Montgomery street was opened during the Fifties, and was so named because it led toward the Montgomery Turnpike (Wickham avenue). MULBERRY STREET: Mulberry street recalls a story of romance. Years before this street was laid out, a large number of mulberry trees were planted in the neighborhood for the cultivation of silk worms. Among the enthusiastic workers in this project was Mrs. Christiana Cox, who died in 1880 at an advanced age. Silk culture starting in the Twenties, became a mania in the United States. Fortunes could be made from the raising of silk worms, it was widely believed and everyone started growing mulberry trees, from clergymen to the inmates of state prisons as records amply testify. This movement continued over many years, and Middletown took up the fad in turn. Whether any silk was ever harvested -in the village is not known. It is a fact, however, that in the town of Wallkill silk was successfully produced. To quote: "Before 1800 ~James Bingham came (to Wallkill town) from Windham, Conn ...... His wife, Alathea Parish, also came from Connecticut, and under­ stood the care of the silk-worm and the manufacture of silk, so Mr. Bingham planted a mulberry-orchard, and procured some worms from Connecticut, and for some years gave it considerable attention. Mrs. Bingham spun the silk for use, -one year had over 300 skeins." The agricultural society then offered premiums for home-grown silk, and Bingham received the $5 award for three consecutive years, 1822-24. Others were not so successful. No trace of these mulberry trees now remains, we believe, but mulberry trees are not rare about the city. The date that the street was opened is not known. It was previous to 1840, which shows that the mulberry cultivation must have been at an early date. MYRTLE A VENUE : Myrtle avenue was opened in 1873. NEW STREET: Originally a barn driveway, New street was opened by 1871. NORTH STREET: One of the village's first streets, North street was opened in the decade before 1820. It has been said that it was first opened as an alley by Stacy Beakes, to aid him in his lumber business. Elisha Corwin, however, said he opened it: "There was an enormously large apple tree which stood at the end of the store [at the Square], from which I usually got about forty bushels of fine green­ ings," and so he named it Orchard street, not to be confused with the present Orchard street. In any event, it soon became a principal street. The west side of it was the business side after the village had been incorporated. There was, originally, a sizable gravel 100 knoll on North street from Gothic Hall to Orchard street, an inconvenience to traffic. An interesting incident occurred under the administration of President James N. Pronk not long after the village had been incorporated. Residents of the hamlet were divided into two parties, those who did and those who did not wish the road graded. The yes partisans had control of the officials, and on a Sat­ urday night the officials hired all the men, horses and carts available, and set them to work to slice down the road. The opposition, who had threatened to secure an injunction to prevent the work, stormed in vain, because the crafty offi­ cials had chosen their time well. All day Sunday the work continued, and when Monday morning arrived and it was possible to secure an injunction, the work was nearly com­ pleted, having been carried on night and day. The opposi­ tion faded away. Probably the first paving in the village was that in 1856 of North street from the Square to Gothic Hall, with cobblestones. In 1859 another gravel bank at North street and Wickham avenue was removed. Beyond Wickham avenue North street was, and was known as, the North Plank Road. It didn't remain a plank road long. During the Sixties it was macadamized. In 1885 it was released to the city as a city street. The toll gate still remained inside the present city limits, however, and in 1888 there was a lively row when Linden avenue was extended to the road so that vehicles could be detoured around the toll gate. The problem was solved when the toll gate was moved half a mile further out. OAK STREET: Opened during or immediately after the Civil War, Oak street was accepted as a public street in 1868. It was named for a grove of Oak trees. OGDEN STREET: Ogden street was opened by Jonathan Ogden in the last half of the Seventies, as far as Rowan street, and in 1891 was extended to Albert street. OLIVER A VENUE : Opened in the Eighties, Oliver avenue was named for Oliver Bailey Va.ii (1829-1880), prominent real estate man. ORCHARD STREET: Coming to Middletown in the· early Twenties, John H. Corwin, purchased the old Orchard on North street, and through it opened a street to East Main, naming it Orchard street. He built the first house on the street, and also the Presbyterian Church. Orchard street is Middletown's fifth street, counting Main as one street. Formerly there was a small park plot in the center of the street at each end, with the soldiers' monument on the plot at North street. PALMER AVENUE: The man who developed Palmer ave­ nue named it for himself. 101 PHILLIPS STREET: Phillips street was opened in the late Sixties by Charles G. Dill, who named it for his wife's maiden name. PRESTON STREET: Preston street was named for David Preston, who owned part of the land. PRINCE STREET: Although it was not accepted by the city until 1889, Prince street had been in existence for pos­ sibly twenty-five or thirty years. The origin of its name is uncertain. PROSPECT STREET~ Prospect street was laid out during the Fifties. In 1887, when Water street was renamed Ful­ ton, Prospect street was renamed Hudson street, but the new name was soon discarded. RAILROAD A VENUE: The western end of Railroad ave­ nue was laid out during the Fifties by Henry P. Roberts. It was extended to East Main street, and later as far as Charles street. While not connected, South Railroad ave­ nue, of modern period, took its name for the same reason, it parallels the railroad, if a crooked line can parallel an­ other crooked one. RICHMOND PLACE : Richmond Place was named for Richmond Hill, which was named by a group of Long Island realtors) apparently for Richmond Hill, L. I. ROBERTS STREET : Originally the marshy cow lane of the Samuel Roberts farm, Roberts street became a street during the forties. It is a coincidence that Henry P. Roberts, prominent business man, lived on Roberts street, east side near the Erie, until the Fifties when his place was bought by Charles Horton and Roberts moved to newly opened Railroad avenue. ROCKWELL AVENUE: Rockwell avenue was probably named for a Sullivan County family which moved to the neighborhood. RODMAN STREET: Named for Joseph Rodman who lived there, Rodman street was opened in 1873 by D. B. Irwin. ROOSEVELT A VENUE : Roosevelt avenue was named for the President. ROWAN STREET: Named for the Rowan family who lived there, Rowan street was opened probably not long before it was accepted as a public street in 1883. ROYCE A VENu~: Royce avenue, of the Eighties or Nine­ ties, was named for William B. Royce. ST. Louis A VENUE: St. Louis avenue was opened after the trolley line was built, by Vail and Foote, realtors. W. A. Vail named Oliver avenue in honor of his father, while George F. Foote named St. Louis avenue in honor of his former home. SAYER STREET: It is probable that Sayer street was among the streets opened by Lydia Sayer Hasbrouck. 102 SCHOOL STREET: School street was named for the grade school that was opened there in the late Sixties, and dates from that period. SHORT STREET : Short street had been opened by 1883 on the Hasbrouck tract. SMITH STREET: Smith street was opened by 1886 through land of Oliver Vail. While the subject is disputed, the street is believed to have been named for Peter Smith, who lived nearby. Vail's father-in-law was Stephen Smith. SOUTH STREET : South street, an old road, is Middle­ town's second oldest street, the first being Main street. Prior to 1830 its course was slightly different from the present, as mentioned in the second chapter. SPRAGUE A VENUE : Reason for name unknown, Sprague avenue was first laid out between Washington street and Houston avenue about 1860. In 1869 it was ordered ex­ tended to Genung street in one direction, and to Railroad avenue in the other. It was at first proposed to run it to Railroad avenue at the foot of Charles street, but the plan was changed, and it was extended to the foot of Myrtle avenue. About 1874 the grade crossings were abolished, following a long fight. SPRING STREET : Spring street may have been named for some sort of a mineral spring, which was found near Genung street in 1859. SPROAT STREET: Sproat street was opened in the Eighties by George Wickham, who named it for his wife, formerly Mary A. Sproat, daughter of Morgan L. Sproat. The first houses were built in 1889. STANTON STREET: Laid out by 1887, Stanton street was apparently named for William G. Stanton. STERLING STREET: See Fulton. STRATTON A VENUE: Stratton avenue was named for William D. Stratton. SUNNYSIDE A VENUE: Sunnyside avenue was accepted as a city street within the past three years. SWEZY A VENUE : Swezy avenue was named after the family prominent in early Middletown and owner of land in the vicinity. This name was originally spelled Sweezy. UNION STREET: Union street, formerly Houston street, apparently for Franklin Houston who owned the land, was given its present name in 1868 (See Franklin street). It apparently appeared soon after the Erie Railroad reached Middletown, and was already a street by 1850. VAIL AVENUE: Vail avenue was named for Oliver B. Vail. VICTORY STREET : Victory street, which will, doubt­ lessly, become built up in time, is part of the Fairfax de­ velopment, most of it outside the city limits, which was 103 opened several years after the World War. Several of the streets, such as Wilson avenue, were named to commemor­ ate the war. WALLKILL AVENUE: Wallkill avenue, formerly West street, was opened about 1872, during the development of that portion of the city. w ASHINGTON STREET: Named for the first president, Washington street was. in existence as far as Academy avenue by or before 1843. It was later extended eastward. Some think it was named for George Washington Vail. w ATKINS A VENUE: Of the Seventies or Eighties, w at­ kins avenue, part of it on land of Senator H. R. Low, was named for Dr. John D. Watkins, his father-in-law. WA w AYANDA A VENUE: Wawayanda avenue bears one of Orange County's most historical names. Incidentally, it leads towards the town of Wawayanda. WELLS A VENUE : Wells avenue was named for the Abner Wells family, land owners. WEST CONKLING AVENUE: See East Conkling avenue WEST MAIN STREET: See Main street. WICKHAM A VENUE: Originally the Turnpike, Wickham avenue is one of Middletown's oldest, longest, and straight­ est streets. It was officially narr1ed Wickham avenue in 1868, for Samuel Wickham, pionee,r, having previously been known as the Turnpike. WILBUR AVENUE: Wilbur avenue ;vas probably named for Charles H. Wilbur, who opened it. WILCOX A VENUE : Comparatively old, Wilcox avenue ,vas opened by Samuel H. Wilcox, and is on the old Han­ ford tract. WILKES AVENUE: Wilkes avenue was opened by Theo­ dore Wilkes, carpenter and builder. WILKIN A VENUE: Wilkin avenue was probably named for John G. Wilkin. WILLIAM STREET : Opened during or previous to the Forties, William street was named for William Middle­ brook, prominent citizen and Whig, who lived at East Main and William streets. WILSON STREET: Wilson street, undeveloped, was opened after the World War, and was named for President Wilson. WINCHESTER A VENUE: See Columbia avenue. WINCHESTER PLACE : See Columbia avenue. WISNER A VENUE : Wisner avenue was named in honor of the pioneer family, whose homestead was at Wisner and Grand avenues. WISNER PLACE: Wisner Place derives its name from the same source. 104 WOODS PLACE: Woods Place was named for Captain C. B. Wood, one of the organizers of the 24th Separate ·Company, who lived on the street.

PROPOSED STREETS : Of the various paper streets pro­ posed in Middletown, worthy of notice were : The proposed street from Franklin Square to East avenue, 1869 ; the pro­ posed street from East Main street to Sprague avenue parallel with the Erie railroad, 1894; and the proposed ex­ tension of Centre street to West llain, 1899.

105 VIII. Schools--Hospi tals

THE FIRST SCHOOL Middletown's first school ,vas a private school located in a small frame building on the west side of South street near Franklin Square. It was probably built about 1790. No information of it has been preserved.

THE DISTRICT SCHOOL Under the State act of 1812, the town of Wallkill was in 1813 divided into eighteen school districts. Middletown was part of the territory in school district three. The citizens of the district organized June 30, 1813, at the home of Obediah Vail. Ephraim Everett was chosen moderator (chairman); Henry B. Wisner, secretary; Sam­ uel Bennett, collector; Isaac Vail, William Murray and Isaac Little, trustees for one year. The old private school building, it was decided, should be utilized for the public school. On September 29 the free­ holders voted $60 for a wood-burner to heat the place and $1 to purchase a record book, which still survives in splen­ did condition. Thereafter meetings were held at the school. A teacher and assistant teacher were employed. Early in 1818 the district decided to build a new school. A site at about 70 North street was bought of Luther Vail for $50. It was not then known as North street, but was called "the road leading to the Turnpike Road." This site is between Grace Church and Depot street. On it was built a two-story frame building, thirty-six by twenty-two feet, at a cost of $400. The school was ready for occupancy by December. During the early years of the first Middletown public school, parents of children attending paid the tuition by furnishing fuel wood in proportion to the number of their children. If they failed to send the wood, Elijah Welch called at their home, and carted the fuel to the school at the cost of $1.50 a load, and the school teacher sharply eyed 106 each load on its arrival to make sure that the school was getting full measure. In 1818 no less than 85 children were taught in the school, so it is evident that the teacher had his hands full anyway. The number of children for other early years has not survived, although the average number of school age, 5-15 years, was around 130. Not all of these, however, attended school. Those that did learned the three R's with the aid of horn books and powdered ink. The fur­ niture was hand made. The names of the earliest teachers have not survived. In 1818 or the following year, a second story was added to the new school on North street. The trustees for several years found difficulty in making parents furnish wood, and it was necessary to order that only sound wood be sent, and that those who failed to provide wood should be fined 20 shillings a cord, the shilling then being worth a quarter or less of its present value. In 1822 Jesse Corwin was author­ ized to erect a board fence from one corner of the school to the road, and it was ordered that the upper floor of the building be completed, money to be raised by public sub­ scription. In the same year poor folk were invited to send their children to school free of cost, this being the first men­ tion of a free school system. A ne,v stove was bought, and in 1824 a lightning rod was installed, completing the new school plant. In 1824 the total tax raised was but $17. 79. School managed to get along on the bare necessities. Starting the following years, the district annually made provision for the instruction of children of poorer people, notably chil­ dren of widows. Even with the small amounts expended, there was for a time continual bickering over the use to which funds were put, and various explanations were made. For a number of years the school was not large enough to use the upper floor, and 1827 the trustees authorized its use as a private educational institution. The first teacher mentioned in the records was John S. Sharp; whose name is encountered in 1828, and who had been teaching for a year or more. That year there were 125 pupils in the school. The private school which started in 1828 overhead the public school was a female or classical school, to be taught by an approved teacher. For the public school that year Isaiah S. Hulse was engaged. He evidently received about $85 in 1827 and $200 the following year, or at least that much was spent for teachers. In 1829 the building was repaired. In the same year it was decided to charge rent for use of the upper floor, which was occupied for various uses as will be later men­ tioned. In 1830 Ellen Lewis was given privileges of using the upper floor, evidently for a private school. The lower floor was ordered "ceiled over with good strong boards." 107 This remained undone for several years, and was re-ordered in 1835, one-inch pine boards to be used. The number of pupils in the public school for these years: 1829, 107; 1830, 143; 1831, 96; 1832, 129; 1833, 183; 1834, 111; 1835, 112; 1836, 100; 1837, 104. These :figures provide an interesting subject for speculation. School was evidently not taken very seriously. In 1828 the following text-books were used, among others: Picket's Juvenile Spelling Book, English Reader, Walker's Dictionary, History of the United States, Willet's geography; Ricket's and Murray's grammar, Daboll's arith­ metic. Like all district schools in the olden days, Middletown's public educational institution was subject to attacks from its pupils. An interesting train of incidents in 1838 has been noted by L. A. Toepp: January 23, 1839 at a special meeting it was resolved that the trustees of the district be authorized to instruct the teachers to correct the pupils for depredations com­ mitted on the district property. The meeting then asked the trustees to make a report relative to the expense of making new desks and seats for the lower room of the school house. The trustees reported that it would cost $125. The meeting voted at once that the trustees make new desks and seats for this house, and voted $150 for repairs. They then resolved tb!i.t both rooms of the school be repaired. After this flood of resolutions they adopted some so drastic that they were never conied into the minutes. February 6, evidently still smarting because of the depredations committed on the district property, they held an adjourned meeting the only business of which was to resolve that 'we petition the legislature of this state now in convention to grant us the within specified privi­ leges.' This petition was never written into the minute book and we have probably lost some spicy reading, for on the 13th of February they held another adjourned meet­ ing. The excitement caused by the wreck and havoc of the youngsters had probably subsided. At any rate, they resolved that all of the proceedings of the previous two meetings 'should be expunged from the records except the tax of $150 voted to be levied for seating the school house.' The next school news of note in Middletown was the battle of 1843-4. Sentiment had grown up that a thriving village like Middletown, on the Erie, should have a :fitting new school in place of the old structure on North street. August 19, 1843, the district held a special meeting, Moses H. Corwin moderator, at which it decided not to split in two, and not to sell the school. In September A. W. Shaw, E. M. Madden, William W. Reeve, Lewis H. Everett and Nathaniel Conkling were made a committee to select a new site and report costs. After several short meetings, the com­ mittee reported that $1,000 had been offered for the school and lot, and that Stacy Beakes offered an Orchard street 108 site for $325. It was determined that the district should sell the old building, but when the annual meeting was held January 2 the project was not featured, and the meeting adjourned for a year after ordering its North street lot graded and fenced. On January 12, however, the school caught fire and burned to the ground. There was suspicion that it was a case of arson committed by zealots who favored a new build­ ing.. It is interesting to note that after the school minutes had been written, the district clerk, apparently by official direction, inserted above the line the word "accidentally" above the sentence recording the fire. Several meetings were called to meet on the school house site, although it was dead winter. Nothing was ac­ complished until March 9, 1844, when it was voted 44-22 to accept the lot on Orchard street offered by Josiah W. Stage for $325. Once started, the district completed the work rap­ idly, in quick order directing that the old site be sold to the Middletown Bank for $900, that the new site be purchased and a $800 building be erected, and that a room be rented for temporary use of the classes. The new school, on the site of Thrall Library, was completed during the summer, so that the next annual school meeting was held in it in January, 1845. It was an unpretentious structure of more or less classic lines, and with a cupola. At that time it was voted to build a fence and dig a well. A few years before the State had started apportioning library funds, and the Middletown district was now receiv­ ing its share. The standard of education was not yet very high, however, and tuition was still charged. WALLKILL ACADEMY At a time when the public schools were not of enviable quality and travel was a problem, the word academy became popular, and institutions of learning so named sprang up all over the country. Some were formed at the beginning of the century, but most of them during its first half. The citizens of Middletown conceived the project of building themselves an academy. The first formal effort was made at an organization meeting January 10, 1841. It was then resolved to raise by subscription not less than $2,500 capital stock in $5 shares. As a result, 115 persons sub­ scribed $3,656.75, and the institution was a certainty. The origin of the name Wallkill Academy presents no difficulties. The stockholders held their first regular meeting Feb­ ruary 27, 1841, when Israel H. Wickham was chosen chair­ man and Ira Moore secretary. It was decided that an academy building should be at once erected, and at the next 109 meeting, March 3, the stockholders decided to make applica­ tion to the Legislature then in session for an act of incor­ poration, entitling them to a share of the State literature fund. In May the Legislature adopted the special act. The first trustees were then elected: Israel H. Wickham, Alex­ ander W. Shaw, George Houston, Coe G. Bradner, Stacy Beakes, William S. Webb, Charles Dill, Dr. Harvey Everett, Samuel Denton, Dr. David Hanford, Calvin Carmichael and Alexander Wright, familiar names. James Little, Robert H. Houston and Henry S. Beakes were named a building committee to investigate and report. The stockholders, convened May 10, voted in favor of accepting a lot on Orchard street offered by Stacy Beakes. At a subsequent meeting, May 21, however, the Board of Trustees determined to accept the plot offered by Houston and Dill. This is the present site of the high school. There was, doubtlessly, much fault found with the decision, inas­ much as the site was then situated in the center of a pas­ ture field some distance from the village, and facing a newly planned cemetery. It was the pride of the citizenry, how­ ever, that the building, when completed was in full view of the trains on the Erie, and thus served to advertise the prosperity of the village. David Clark was given the building contract. The first plan was for a two-story building with basement, but at the last moment a third story was added. The brick struc­ ture, commenced in August, 1841, was accepted as complete October, 1842. The Legislature passed an act to allow the trustees to borrow $2,000 to complete the work, the act referring to Wallkill Academy, "near the Village of Middletown." The first session soon opened under the charge of Rev. Phineas Robinson, who remained two years. Robinson was a scholar of no mean accomplishment, the principal blot against him seemingly being that he wrote a huge poem, book long, entitled "Immortality." He was an Orange county man of note, and at one time conducted a school for boys at Ridgebury. Patrick McGregor taught five years, as did Henry Freeman. Rev. P. Teller Babbitt served a year and a half when D. Kerr Bull took charge. Of the earliest days of the school there is little informa­ tion, except that found in the school catalogue, which lists many of the first pupils. The equipment was described as good. Both day and boarding pupils were accommodated, and the curriculum was quite large. A small class of pupils was prepared for the teaching profession. Two or more assistant instructors were employed. There were two terms, starting the first Monday in May and the first Monday in November. In 1851 English, mathematics and languages were taught to ninety pupils. 110 In 1857 it is described : "The institution has generally been well patronized, and was never in a more flourishing condition than at pre­ sent. The scholars taught during the past year numbered about 200. The academic year begins the first Monday in September, and is divided into four terms of 11 weeks each. The only vacation during the year begins about the first of July and continues eight weeks. "The institution has a very good library and appara­ tus for the use of the students. The school rooms are on the second floor, consisting of one large room, and two smaller ones, used for recitation rooms. The attic is appor­ tioned into eleven rooms, well adapted for accommodating boarders. The second floor and basement are used by the principal and family." During the same year funds were raised and the build­ ing was repaired and repainted. The following rates are taken from an advertisement of the Academy a year or two earlier: Rates per quarter: History, arithmetic, English and geography, $4; nat­ ural science, rhetoric, moral philosophy and bookkeeping, $5; Latin, algebra, higher mathematics and mental science, $6 ; Greek, $8 ; drawing and French extra, $3 each; piano or guitar with use of instrument, $10. The academy was again repaired a short time before it was sold, as is described later. PRIVATE SCHOOLS Before the Civil War when the present school system was not yet inaugurated, private or select schools attracted large patronage in Middletown as elsewhere. This is shown, for instance, by the school census of 1854 : Wallkill Aca­ demy, 57; district school, 181; Mrs. Houston's school, 30; Hannah and Sarah Sears, 60; Mrs. J. Mason, 13; Adeline Shaw, 20; Rev. D. T. Wood boarding school, 16. THE MODERN SYSTEM Middletown's modern public school system was estab­ lished under a special State law of August 19, 1867, which provided for a board of education. In fifty years Middletown had expended not more than $700 on school buildings. The educational system, burdened by lack of facilities and overcrowding, had dropped to a low ebb. Under the new law, citizens of the district on June 28 elected the first Board of Education, as follows : Elisha P. Wheeler, Horatio R. Wilcox, Osmer B. Wheeler, E. M. Mad­ den, Joshua Draper, Albert H. Russell, Dr. Harvey Everett, 111 Dr. J. D. Friend, Jonathan M. Matthews. Mr. E. P. Wheeler was elected the president of the first board. On September 1 voters of the district appropriated $4,500 for sites and $7,500 for buildings for a new ward school system. Meanwhile congestion had become so great that rooms had been rented in the building opposite the carpet bag factory. The Board's first momentous step was acquiring Wall­ kill Academy for the public school system. There was some opposition to this move, but the majority of the trustees were in favor of it. The negotiation was accomplished by foreclosing a $1,400 mortgage on the property, remainder of a debt which had been incurred for repairs. The sale was advertised for 1 o'clock on the afternoon of February 15, 1868. Reliable report has it that the clock was by some mysterious process set a few minutes ahead, and the sale was held promptly to the minute. Halstead Sweet bid for the Board of Education, and was awarded the property a few seconds before the objecting persons arrived. The last trustees of the Academy were: Spencer M. Bull, H. P. Roberts, Jirah I. Foote, Stephen Sayer, Joshua Draper, B. W. Shaw, Dr. Harvey Everett, Hiram Brink, H. R. Wilcox, I. 0. Beattie, 0. B. Wheeler, William M. Dolson. The Academy was continued with little change, and housed the classical department, together with other pupils. The Board at once took steps to build the Cottage street, Liberty street and Bennett Hill schools, which were opened within two or three yea.rs. The Cottage street school building, abandoned not many years later because of its structural inadaptability to school work, stands at Cottage and School streets. Early in 1874 the Beattie Hill school was opened. In 1882 the Board bought the site at Benton and Academy avenues, on which the Benton avenue school was built. In 1889 the Linden avenue school was opened. An addition was built to the Liberty street school in 1892. In 1894 was formed the truant or ungraded school, which was conducted for some twenty years at various places in the city. Mulberry street school was opened in 1905. June 11, 1896, was laid the cornerstone for the Middle­ town High School, built on the site of Wallkill Academy. While this was being built school was held in Winchester (Slauson or Linden) Hall. In 1902 the Board bought the site on which it built the Albert street school, Albert and Beattie avenue. Principal William A. Wilson, it might be mentioned, has been serving at the High School continu­ ously since 1893. An addition to Linden avenue school was built 1912-13. The $400,000 Memorial Grammar School, now the Memorial Junior High School, was opened in 1923. 112 In the fall of 1926 expenditure of $490,000 was author­ ized. Of this, $286,000 is being used for a large addition to the high school, under construction. A new Liberty street school and an addition to Albert street school, also from the fund, were finished early in 1928. Superintendents of Schools in Middletown have been: A. V. N. Powelson, 1868-70; Dr. H. Warren, 1871-73; Henry R. Sanford, 1874-84; George T. Church, 1885-6 ; A. B. "\N'ilbur, 1887-1891; James F. Tuthill, 1891-1922; Ernest H. Burdick, 1922-. URSULINE ACADEMY In 1886 members of the Ursuline Order purchased the Baird property at East Main street and Grand avenue, for a convent. Purchase was made by members of the St. Ter­ esa New York city parish convent, through efforts of Father Prendergast, who sought to bring the Sisters here to start a parochial school. Later the Sisters in Middletown, having attained numbers and property, became an independent convent. The order also started and continues a private aca­ demy. A new school building was opened in 1910, and other property has since been acquired. ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL St. Joseph's parochial grade school was opened in an old dwelling, still standing, south of the present school building. The first class was graduated in 1891. The school is conducted by nuns of the Ursuline Order. The present stone school building was opened for use soon after St. Joseph's Hall, in the same building, was opened November 26, 1901. ST. ALBERT'S COLLEGE St. Albert's College, for the education of young men entering the Carmelite Order, was established about sev.en years ago. THE LYCEUM The Middletown Lyceum was a noteworthy institution. When the Lyceum was at its height, it brought to Middle­ town men who are famous the world over. When the or­ ganization died, it left a cultural and entertainment gap in the village life that has never been satisfactorily filled. Not loath to accept the most progressive means of spreading education and culture, Middletown, in company with hundreds of other villages, organized its Lyceum. The first meeting was held at the Methodist Church on Dec. 6, 1841. Rev. Daniel T. Wood was chosen chairman, and James 113 N. Pronk secretary. Mr. Pronk, Senator Madden, Joseph D. Friend and Robert J ackaway were authorized to prepare a constitution and by-laws. The committee reported, and the Lyceum was formally organized Dec. 13. The foil owing officers were elected : George Little, president; Morgan L. Sproat, vice-president; James N. Pronk, secretary; Isaac Bannister, treasurer; J. Manning Finch and Nathaniel Conkling, associate executive committee. The introductory lecture was delivered by Rev. D. T. Wood on Dec. 20. During the succeeding year lectures were given by Rev. Dr. McCartee; J. W. Gott, the noted Goshen attorney who is considered one of the most brilliant attor­ neys in the history of the Orange County Bar; Prof. William Bross, Moses Swezey. Rev. J. McReynolds, Rev. James Arbuckle and Rev. Z. N. Lewis. During these virile days the sixty-five original mem­ bers of the Lyceum held debates. The Lyceum had rooms on the second floor of the store house, which Charles Dill and Robert Houston, partners in the tanning business, built in 1842 on West Main street facing Canal street. In the autumn of 1845 Lyceum Hall, which was also used for various public and some religious gatherings, was destroyed by fire. Part of the books and records were con­ sumed. The hall had been erected by Dill and Houston. Another hall was then erected on the same street by Henry E. Horton. Its location is unknown. The first and third anniversaries of the formation of the Lyceum were celebrated with literary exercises and suppers. At the first affair Rev. James Arbuckle was speaker,_ and at the second James N. Pronk. A few years after its formation late in 1841, the Ly-­ ceum became almost inactive, and enthusiasm rapidly waned. A small revival took place late in 1851-- In December the Lyceum wa~~ reorganized, and a new constitution and by-laws adopted. H. Watkins was elected chairman at the meeting, and Elder Beebe the secretary. It was decided to hold lectures and debates. The debates opened soon with a spirited discussion on the new Maine Liquor Law between Elder Beebe, I. 0. Beattie, James Pronk, Senator Madden and Rev. Mr. Wood. On March 1 came the first of the notable lectures. Horace Greeley spoke in Gothic Hall on "Success and Fail­ ure in Life." His appearance did not impress the Middle­ towners, who considered him quite "seedy" for so brilliant a fellow. The admission charge was 12½ cents. The season ended feebly. Interest had been aroused, however, and the following winter the Lyceum, under full swing, was organized Thurs­ day, November 25, with Rev. Daniel T. Wood as president. 114 Many notable men spoke before the Lyceum during these palmy years, including P. T. Barnum, Charles A. Dana, John G. Saxe, Bayard Taylor and Wendell Phillips. On December 13, 1855, the Lyceum celebrated its 14th anniversary, with 500 persons attending the public meeting at the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Mr. Grenell opened with prayer, and William E. Millspaugh delivered an ode. Rev. Phineas Robinson, then of Chester, former principal of Wallkill Academy, gave the address. A. A. Bensel's ode written for the first Lyceum anniversary was reread, and Mr. Robinson gave the benediction. Supper for members and friends followed at Gothic Hall, with songs and the Middletown Brass Band, in addition to talks by James N. Pronk and Rev. D. T. Wood. The Civil War struck the death knell of the Lyceum. The strenuous days of the conflict allowed few literary and intellectual pursuits, and when the war ended men turned to different forms of entertainment. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to revive the Lyceum, but even the reading room died a gradual death. LYCEUM READING ROOM In January, 1842, a month after the Lyceum's forma­ tion, measures were taken to establish a library, and some 300 volumes were collected, this being the village's only library. When Gothic Hall was completed the Lyceum took up quarters there. When the Exchange building was erected, room 16 was designed especially as a reading room, and on its completion in 1856 was rented to the Lyceum. It was nearly 30 by 20 feet in size. In 1857 the reading room was described as follows: It is adorned with Scagliola columns and Ionic capitals supporting the beam that spans the ceiling near one end of the room. At the east end, in an alcove in the wall, is arranged the book case, capable of holding several hun­ dre·d volumes of books. In the center of the room extend­ ing nearly its entire length, is the reading table. Desks and writing tables are arranged in other parts of the room. The reading room is well .sustained by the citizens of the village, and affords a gratifying evidence of their acknowledged literary taste and culture. It is open (1857) every week day evening from sundown until 10 o'clock. Annual memberships, $3; life memberships, $25. James N. Bookstaver, librarian. The reading room continued to be popular when in­ terest declined in the Lyceum lectures and debates. Books were constantly added, until the collection totaled more than a thousand volumes. Years later, however, the reading room suffered from lack of support, and it was finally necessary to close it in April, 1877. 115 THE FIRST LIBRARY The "Middle Town Library in Wallkill Town" was organized in 1801. Nearly all the information surviving of this institution is included in the record of its organiza­ tion, which may be found in the volume on "Religious Corporations and Libraries" in the county clerk's office at Goshen. It follows : Whereas a number of persons acknowledge the impor­ tance of enlarging the human mind with useful knowledge and that a library would be a happy means to obtain so laudable an object, subscription was accordingly drew up and a sufficient number signed and a sum of money raised adequate to incorporate according to law. Public notice being given the subscribers to the Public Library met at Isaiah Vails Jr., in Middletown, on the second Tuesday of March at two B. I. P. M. When Israel Wickham was called to the chair as president, the society proceed to choose trustees when it was voted that there should be ten and Benjamin Webb, H. B. Wisner, Isaiah Vail, William T. Bull, Thomas Houston, W. M. Smith, John Tinker, Elisha Reeve, Israel Wickham and Abel Woodhull were the trustees chosen accordingly to serve when it was voted that the Library should be called and hereafter known by the name of the Middle Town Library in Wallkill Town, Orange county. Signed and sealed by Israel Wickham, chairman. Wallkill, March 10, 1801. The statement was sworn to by Israel Wickham before County Judge Moses Phillips. The library soon gathered a considerable collection of books, most of them of history, such as Marshall's "Life of Washington." Following a revival of interest in 1826, the library was reorganized March 13, 1827. On March 31, 1828, the library had, by inventory, 279 volumes. THRALL LIBRARY Middletown's public library may trace its history as far back as 1846, when pupils of the district school on Orchard street were allowed to borrow books from the school library. Later other residents were allowed to bor­ row books on Friday afternoons. Then the school was closed, and for many years the books gathered dust in the attic of \1/allkill Academy. In 1878 the Board of Education took steps to open a public library. In a room fitted up for the purpose at Wall­ kill Academy, were placed the 650 old books and 500 new ones. This library was opened May 10, 1879. Borrowers were required to buy the library catalogue. The library was later moved to the Empire block on North street, and again to the Dr. Everett block. The will of Mrs. Maretta S. Thrall in 1899 left $30,000 to build a public library. The trustees were Lafayette 116 Onley, John W. Slauson and Frank Lindsay. They pur­ chased the site of the Orchard street school, and the present library building was opened to the public July 4, 1901. At first the upper floor was intended for meetings and a mu­ seum. In 1901 H. K. Wilcox gave the collection of curios now housed in the City Hall. This was placed on the second floor of the library. Now one of the best institutions of its size in the state, the library has quite outgrown the whole building. MIDDLETOWN STATE HOMEOPATHIC HOSPITAL Although the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital is now a municipality within itself and more or less out of touch with the city at large, it owed its origin largely to the efforts of residents of Middletown and Orange county. Under the leadership of Dr. George F. Foote, who came here for the purpose, citizens of Orange and adjoining coun­ ties in 1869 formed an association to establish an insane asylum. In January of the following year Senator William M. Graham introduced a bill in the Legislature to incorpor­ ate the institution, but this was overwhelmingly voted down when it was seen that the bill proposed to appropriate $150,- 000 of public funds for a private hospital, as the institution was projected, on grounds that it was unconstitutional. In January Middletown citizens met at Empire Hall and de­ cided that the village should appropriate funds to aid the cause, but search fails to show thP.. t this was done. Senator Graham introduced in February a revised bill which was soon adopted. The Assembly passed it April 28, and Governor John T. Hoffman signed it on the same day, making it a law. The first section provided "There shall be established at Middletown, in the county of Orange, a State lunatic asylum for the care and treatment of the insane and inebriate, upon the principles of medicine known by the homeopathic, and it shall be known by the name of the State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane at Middletown. There shall be twenty-one trustees to manage said institution." The first trustees were: Dr. George F. Foote, Thomas Hitchcock, Frederick A. Conkling, John David Wolfe, Peter S. Hoe, John K. Hackett, James P. Wallace, Phineas P. Wells, Henry R. Low, Elisha P. Wheeler, Oliver B. Vail, Robert H. Berdell, Richard B. Connolly, D. D. T. Marshall, Carroll Dunham, John F. Gray, Homer Ramsdell, Abraham B. Conger, J. Stanton Gould, Alonzo R. Morgan and Senator Graham. It was a difficult task to raise the huge sum of money needed by private subscription. A charity ball was held January 11, 1871, at the Academy of Music, New York city, and other benefit events were held. Among the records in 117 possession of the. State Hospital is a quaint leather-bound notebook containing the names of many subscribers and the amounts they pledged, above $15,000. The State law provided that the State should not spend its $150,000 until an equal amount was privately raised, to be applied to the purchase of a site and to actual construc­ tion work. Thus it was necessary to amend the law, the amendment being adopted by the Legislature March 31, 1871. It provided that after a site had been purchased the State should supply $20,000 for each $10,000 privately raised, including the cost of the site, such State funds not to exceed $150,000. The site selected was on a 150-acre farm about a mile west of Middletown, far out in the country. The land was purchased of James Corwin and others. It was on a hill, and admirably suited for the purpose. The site having been purchased, the State from time to time supplied funds for the erection of buildings. Before the first building was com­ pleted, it was decided that women patients as well as men should be treated, although the original plan had been for men only. On Saturday, October 26, 1872, was laid the cornerstone for "the first homeopathic asylum in the world," with appropriate ceremonies. The first building of the Middletown State Hospital was completed early in 1874, and on April 20 the public was allowed to inspect it. This was the central or administra­ tion building, as it is now known, and was a marvel to Middletowners. It is thus celebrated by a writer during the elegant Eighties : The main building accommodates all the administra­ tive officers and ninety patients. ·u is 166 feet long and sixty-two feet deep, and four stories high, exclusive of attic and basement, each floor ii.ffording an area of 12,- 000 square feet. Its architectur~ is of the Rhenish style, combining an appearance of strength with a certain lightness and cheerfulness of effect, which is in marked contrast to the sombre heaviness not infrequently ob­ servable in asylum buildings. The edifice is of the best brick with Ohio stone dressings, and from its front a boldly projecting tower furnishes a porte-cochere to the principal entrance, gives addition to the elegant music­ room on the second floor and the chapel on the third floor, and rises to the height of ninety feet from the ground. The first patient was recieved from Kingston May 7. Dr. George R. Foote resigned the superintendency, and was succeeded by Dr. Henry R. Stiles. At that time the officers of the hospital were: Fletcher Harper, president; Grinnell Burt, vice-president; Peter S. Hoe, treasurer; M. D. Stivers, secretary. The trustees were T. F. Allen, Joshua Draper, John F. Gray, D. C. Jayne, E. D. Jones, E. M. Kellogg, J. 118 W. Ostrum, H. M. Paine, Grinnell Burt, James G. Graham, H. R. Low, D. D. T. Marshall, Daniel Thompson, Salem H. Wales and E. P. Wheeler, a number of them being physi­ cians. The first staff was composed of Dr. Henry R. Stiles, superintendent; Dr. William M. Butler, first assistant; John Cochran, steward. - Pavilion 1 was opened for the reception of patients in 1876, and was 204 feet long, three stories in height, with wings at the ends. The exotic appearance of this structure, and its sister on the opposite side of the main building, opened in 1881, is explained: And is built of brick and half-timber work, so con­ structed as to give it the appearance of three distinct villas, slightly connected by balconies and glass-covered galleries, thus avoiding the prison-like style generally fol­ lowed in similar institutions. Externally this building is considered ev-en more attractive than the main building. Charming, however, as its exterior is to the eye, the interior arrangement is still more homelike; indeed the 'homelike' has been, and will be, a sine qua non in the planning of all the buildings of the asylum. The Legislature by act of June 21, 1875, reduced the number of trustees to thirteen, and the following were named to fill the positions: Fletcher Harper, Jr., Egbert Guernsey, Grinnel Burt, Joshua Draper, Nathaniel W. Vail, Uzal T. Hayes, James B. Hulse, James H. Norton, Moses D. Stivers, James G. Graham, Daniel Thompson, H. M. Paine, William H. Watson. Of these, Draper, Vail, Hayes, Hulse, Norton and Stivers were all residents of Middletown. In 1877 there were one hundred patients in the hos­ pital. In 1881 Pavilion 2, with four effective stories instead of three as in the first pavilion, was opened. The founda­ tions of both pavilions, and many other buildings later con­ structed, are of attractive conglomerate stone found in the fields of the farm on which the hospital was located. Dr. Stiles resigned February 9, 1877. On Friday the thirteenth of April, 1877, Dr. Selden H. Talcott, A. M., M. D., was appointed superintendent of the Middletown State Hospital, to succeed Dr. Stiles. During the years after Dr. Talcott's arrival, there were added to the hospital a kitchen, a bakery, and the hall seat­ ing 600 persons. In August, 1889, the hospital received a $3,000 bequest for building the Miss Leonora S. Booles Memorial Library, which has been of great value in treating patients. Census of patients had increased from one hun­ dred, when Dr. Talcott assumed charge, to 514 in 1889. In 1889 the State Commission of Lunacy was created to assume the duties of the trustees of the several state hospitals. At the same time the name of the Middletown institution was changed from "The State Homeopathic for 119 the Insane at Middletown," to "The Middletown State Hom­ eopathic Hospital," as it has since been known. From that time a Board of Managers has kept watch over the hospital, some of the members being former trustees. In 1889 the poor system was changed, so that insane persons were transferred to the hospital from county poor houses, greatly increasing the number of patients. Theretofore only paying patients had been treated. Talcott Hall and Annex two were opened within a few years. In 1891 was opened a cottage for convalescent women, and three years later two houses for nurses. Dr. Maurice C. Ashley succeeded Dr. Talcott on his death in 1902. New buildings followed: Surgical and clini­ cal pavilion, 1905; chronic pavilion, 1908; nurses home, 1910; Ashley Hall; power plant. The East Group had just been completed when fire wrecked the main building in 1921. This has been reconstructed, and additional buildings have since been erected. Dr. Robert C. Woodman became superintendent in May, 1923. THRALL HOSPITAL Thrall Hospital was inaugurated by Dr. Julia E. Brad­ ner, (1844-1928), who in November, 1887, called a meeting at her home of a number of Middletown women. At a second meeting, November 22, at the home of Dr. Bradner, the charter was signed by the following : President, Julia E. Bradner; Vice-presidents, Ella S. Hanford and Lutie M. Clemson; Treasurer, Clara S. Finn; Secretary, Harriet L. Clark, Sarah Orr Sliter, Jennie E. Prior, Frances W. Wilcox and Florence Horton. The organization was incorporated December 6 as The Middletown Hospital Association. The Advisory Board of Physicians included William E. Eager, William H. Dor­ rance, Selden H. Talcott, Burke Pillsbury, and Ira S. Bradner. The first Board of Managers was composed of President, Mrs. Charles Clark; Vice-presidents, Mrs. Rich­ ard Sliter and Mrs. C. N. Prior; Secretary, Mrs. E. W. VanDuzer; Treasurer, Mrs. Daniel Finn. The association raised money in every way possible, holding kirmesses at the Casino, among other things. The work was facilitated when a site on Grove street was given in the spring of 1891 by Mrs. S. Maretta Thrall, for whom the hospital is named. The $13,000 building would not have been built for years had not Mrs. Thrall also given a large sum to cover the cost of the hospital, while the hospital fund was used for equipment. The twenty-six bed hospital was dedicated and opened for use May 10, 1892. During the first year eighty-one patients were treated. 120 MEMORIAL HOSPITAL When the will of Eugene Horton was opened in 1918, it was found that $600,000 had been left for a new hospital, to be named in honor of his mother, the Elizabeth A. Horton Memorial Hospital. The Children's Home site on Prospect avenue was purchased, and construction started in 1927. The magnificent building is to be ready for occupancy by January 1, 1929. In 1928, meanwhile, the boards of managers of the two hospitals took necessary steps to combine, and the new building will jointly house the merged institutions. NURSES' HOME While the new hospital was being built, George N. Clemson gave $100,000 for constructing a Nurses' Home adjoining the hospital, at Jackson avenue and Hill street. It is to be completed about the same time as the hospital. MIDDLETOWN SANITARIUM The Middletown Sanitarium, private institution, was organized about 1900, opening at 46-8 East Main street. It moved to Benton avenue in 1906, and has enlarged its build­ ing several times. CITY MISSION July 12, 1919, H. K. Wilcox gave the city $1,000 and the property at 66 East Main street for a city mission. DAY NURSERY The Middletown Day Nursery Association was formed in 1911 through the efforts of Mrs. Mary D. Burhans, and was incorporated July 23 of that year. It has conducted its day nursery at the city mission. RADIUM SOCIETY Through activity of Dr. Lillian Morgans, who gave $1,000, the Middletown Radium Society, organized Septem­ ber 14, 1922, raised $10,000 for the purchase of radium used in local hospitals. MEDICAL CLUB The Middletown Medical Club was formed June 9, 1905. OLD LADIES' HOME The Orange County Home for Aged Women, Middle­ town, is the outcome of agitation by Dr. Julia E. Bradner, 121 which led to an informal meeting at her home May 21, 1884. The following women were at the meeting: Dr. Bradner, Miss Mary E. Gier, of Goshen; Mrs. Mary A. Jayne, of Florida; Miss Amy Bull and Miss Cornelia Pierson, of Hamptonburgh; Mrs. Sarah Woodward of Mount Hope; Miss Martha Wisner, of Goshen; Mrs. Sarah Welling, of Warwick; Mrs. Margaret Morrison, of Montgomery; Mrs. Emma S. Halstead, of Minisink ; Mrs. Mary S. Marsh, of Blooming Grove; Mrs. Mary T. Knight, of Monroe; Mrs. Harriet B. Morgan, of Middletown. The association was incorporated August 12, 1884, as the "Ladies' Home Society of Orange County," by which name it was known until it acquired its present title March 2, 1901. The society organized September 25, 1884, with the following officers: Dr. Bradner, President; Miss Mary E. Gier, Mrs. Mary S. Marsh and Mrs. Sarah Welling, Vice­ Presidents; Miss Martha Wisner, Treasurer; Mrs. Harriet B. Morgan, Secretary. The society at once set to work to raise funds. In 1886 an advisory committee was named to help in the work. En­ tertainments and sales of all varieties were held, including a giant "Kirmess" at the Casino. In 1887 the society purchased the old Methodist church on South street from Albert Mills for $5,670. The church was then being used as a boarding house. Alterations cost $2,225. The home was opened December 5, 1888. More land was acquired in 1891, and the home was enlarged in 1897. In 1920 John H. Morrison gave an adjoining house in mem­ ory of Elizabeth A. Horton.

122 IX. Fire Department While Middletown's fire department dates from 1859, the history of its efforts for fire protection extend as far back as 1821, when it was an insignificant hamlet. THE FIRST ENGINE In 1821 the residents bought for $275 an early form of hand pump, which was by popular consent named the "Bread Tray," because of a fancied resemblance. The ap­ paratus was six feet long, resting near to the ground be­ cause of its small wheels. While four men operated the pump, a bucket line kept the reservoir full. PROTECTION ENGINE COMPANY Citizens of the village in 1845 subscribed $700 with which was purchased the "Black Joke,'' an old hand pump which was being discarded with others by New York City, which was substituting steam engines. Thirty young men organized Protection Engine Com­ pany, 2, taking quarters at 19 South street. Officers included Foreman, Lewis Vail ; Assistant Foreman, James Hooks; Secretary, James B. Jackson; Treasurer, Alex Wilson. Following the incorporation of the village in 1848, the village purchased the engine, which became its fire depart­ ment. A site was leased from the Congregational Church at the west side of the Church site, and on it was built a small engine house which stood until the new Congregational Church was erected. Richard VanHorn built it at a cost of $350. After a few years the company became inactive, and its official existence ended, although the engine con­ tinued to be used by citizens at fires. In the early forties Middletown had already started its system of cisterns which was for more than twenty years its only water supply for fire protection. The work progressed more systematically following incorporation of the village, and by 1857 there were eleven of them, scattered about the center of the village. 123 Soon after incorporation, the village was divided into five fire districts, as follows : 1. Commencing at L. Vail's corner, and running along the south side of Main street to the Railroad, thence along the railroad to the boundaries of corporation on the west; thence along said boundaries to the intersection of the Dolsontown road; thence up South street, on west side thereof, to the place of beginning. 2. Commencing at Everett's corner, and running down Main street to the boundaries of the corporation, and fol­ lowing said boundaries to the Dolsontown road; thence up South street, embracing the territory on the east side thereof. 3. Commencing at Starr's corner, and running along the east side of North street to the boundaries of village on the north, and following said boundaries to Main street; thence along the north side of Main street to the place of beginning. 4. Commencing at Denton's corner, and running on the west side of North street to south line of the N. Y. & Erie Railroad; thence along the railroad up to Main street; thence on the north side of Main street to the place of beginning. 5. Commencing at Sweet's Hotel, and running on the west side of North street to the boundaries of corpora.­ tion; thence along said boundaries to the Railroad; thence along the north side of the railroad to the place of be­ ginning. During the fifties a small hook and ladder truck was also fitted up, so that the village had three pieces of ap­ paratus.

THE MODERN DEPARTMENT Middletown's tranquility was interrupted by bad fires in 1858. Action was, therefore, easily obtained the follow­ ing year. At the annual village financial meeting March 31, tax­ payers appropriated $1600 for t,vo fire engines, $1600 for two fire houses $400 for sites and $400 for hose, etc. By June sites had been purchased, one at King and Center streets at $300 and one on John street at $100. Benjamin Mosher was awarded the building contract at $2,799, for a 38 by 52 foot two story brick structure, and another 20 by 35 feet. Both of these were completed in September. Eagle Engine Company 3, was organized August 3. The Board of Trustees had granted a petition for permission on July 29. The first officers included Foreman, Corydon T. King, Assistants, Isaac Roosa and Charles VanHorn; Sec­ retary, John N. Kellogg; Treasurer, John S. Mills. The Eagles, as well as the other companies, were named by Village President Pronk. The Phoenix Engine Company 4 was organized August 8, with the following officers: Foreman, Jacob Keene; 124 Assistants, J. Smith Hulse and Henry C. Sweet; Secretary, Jirah I. Foote; Treasurer, William B. Abbott. Following petition August 1, leading citizens on Aug­ ust 8 formed Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company 1, with the following officers: Foreman, Anthony A. Oliver; Assis­ tant C. H. Horton; Secretary, George Blanchard; Trea­ surer, H. B. Ogden. The village board had on July 23 authorized purchase of a truck, but inasmuch as no funds were available, a sum was raised by subscription. The two engines arrived early in October. They were built at a cost of $800 each by Button and Blake of Water­ ford, N. Y., of mahogany with ornamental satin-wood inlay. Two hose carts for the engines were built in Port Jervis by Holt and Sherman. The hook and ladder truck was built in New York City. It was a masterpiece, one of the best in the state, and remained in use until December 9, 1895, hav­ ing answered 394 fire alarms. As might be expected, the city celebrated. Middletown's first fire parade, on October 6, 1859, was headed by the Middletown Police, who appeared for the first time in their new uniforms, Chief Marshall Morgan L. Sproat and fire wardens, and the Middletown Brass Band. The rest of the line included the 'Bread Tray' engine, drawn by ponies ; the old hook and ladder truck, Protection Company 2, reorganized under Foreman Alexander Wilson, with the 'Black Joke;' village officials, Eagles, Excelsiors, Phoenix. The parade concluded at the Liberty Pole at North and Orchard street, the 104-foot pole erected some years before. There the various engines were tested. Old engine 1 threw a stream 50 feet vertically. Protection 2 did a trifle better. The Eagles' engine, manned by prominent men in red shirts, late in the day, after the wind died down, made 120 feet, six feet better than the Phoenix. At six o'clock the firemen adjourned to Gothic Hall for supper. Halstead Sweet, James N. Pronk, G. J. Beebe, C. C. McQuoid, George B. Cox, Joseph D. Friend, Jacob Keene and I. 0. Beattie answered toasts. On February 22, 1860, the Washington Bucket Com­ pany, 1, held its first annual ball. This company had or­ ganized in 1859 and secured a new truck, a four-wheeled carriage with a double arch on each side, carrying 52 buckets and a number of short ladders. It was disbanded because it was not officially approved. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to revive it. The opening of the village water system in 1868 ef­ fected the next important change in the department. The hand-pumps were no longer needed, and engine companies were soon converted into hose companies. Protection Com­ pany 2 was officially disbanded in February, 1868. Two or 125 three years later the historic 'Black Joke' was, unfortu­ nately, sold at auction and junked. To take the place of Protection Company, an attempt was made immediately to form Columbia Hose Company, but this did not materialize. Facing considerable opposition, a group of young men met at James N. Pronk's office January 26, 1869, to form a new hose company, which was named Monhagen, in honor of the new reservoir. First officers were Foreman Charles A. Wells, Assistant James F. Roosa, Secretary E. B. Willis, Treasurer W. B. Royce. With thirty charter members, the company soon gained official standing. It bought a 'spider' hose carriage, second-hand, at Binghamton, later selling it to the city. Before this it used the hose carriage of Pro- tection Company. . The Monhagens were housed in Protection engine house until it was demolished in 1869, and the truck was then placed in the Orchard street school, where it remained until its new house was built. At the annual village appropriation election in May, 1872 Middletown taxpayers voted $3,000 for the construc­ tion of a new fire house for the Monhagens, at East Main and Montgomery streets, of such a design as to accommo­ date another company should one be organized. The build­ ing cost somewhat more than $3,000. In September the firemen for the first time received badges. October 11, 1872, Eagle Engine Company 3 disbanded to reorganize immediately as Eagle Hose Company 2. After a hard fight, McQuoid Engine Company 3 was officially approved May 28, 1873, largely through the efforts of William M. McQuoid, Middletown merchant, for whom the company was named. The company was organized May 26, 1873, and was assigned to the new fire house with the Monhagens. First officers were Foreman, C. R. Marsh; Assistants, John Hamilton and Thomas Cuff; Secretary, Thomas Lavelle; Treasurer, John Murrin. August 29, 1889, at North End Hotel, was organized Ontario Hose Company, 5, with the following officers: Fore­ man, Adam W. Heckroth; Assistant, Valentine N. Powell; Secretary Floyd W. Morgans. The company was officially approved after a considerable delay, and opened its truck­ house in August, 1891. W aalkill Engine Company 6 was organized April 16, 1890, with these officers: Foreman, Charles H. Robbins; Assistants, W. 0. Hunt and E. Crans; Secretary, Joseph P. Dunn ; Treasurer, Charles W. Scofield. The fire house was opened in February, 1892. The Monhagens were the first Middletown firemen to adopt a special uniform, in 1884. Excelsior Hook and Lad- 126 der was one of the first companies in the State to have a chaplain, naming Rev. Charles Beattie. In 1893 the Eagles acquired a patrol wagon, which did combination duty in hauling hose to fires and collecting drunkards to be taken to the lockup. Middletown early adopted motorized fire equipment. Through the efforts of President F. W. Elliott, the Mon­ hagens bought a truck in 1909, which was taken over by the city when it proved satisfactory. All companies have now been motorized, the hook and ladder company, last in line, receiving its truck in 1927. In 1928 was built the $100,000 central firehouse on the site of the old Monhagen-McQuoid house, East Main at Montgomery. This will house the Monhagens, McQuoids, Eagles and Excelsiors. FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Discovery of a fire in the early days of Middletown was the signal for a pandemonium. Locomotive whistles, church bells and other noise producers were used. During the Fall of 1887 the Gamewell Fire Alarm Company installed the village's first fire alarm system, with fire bell in the Eagle hose tower. The churches forestalled efforts to attach the church bells to the system. It was nec­ essary to secure keys in a nearby house, and unlock the box before the alarm could be turned in. Ten alarm boxes were installed: 57, Franklin Square; 14, 0. & W. depot; 15, North near Low; 22, North at Wick­ ham; 23, Wickham at Liberty; 33, West Main at West street (Crescent Place) ; 34, Mill at Fulton; 41, Fulton at East; 42, Academy at Houston; 43,. East Main at Railroad. The system was formally accepted February 9, 1888. The first alarm was turned in March 10, 1888, when fire broke out in a stack of cornstalks on Liberty street.

FIRE CHIEFS The Middletown Fire Department held its first election May 28, 1862, naming: Jirah I. Foote, chief; J. Lewis Van­ Cleft, and Charles C. McQuoid, assistants ; J. M. H. Little, secretary. The successive chief engineers of the department have been: 1862-3, J. Keene 1877-82, F. M. Pronk 1864-5, J. L. VanCleft 1883-5, J. F. Korn 1866-8, J. T. Cockayne 1886-92, E. M. Hamilton 1869-70, J. D. Rockafellow 1893-97, Edwin Thorpe 1871-2, J. T. Cockayne 1897-1922, Charles Higham 1873, C. J. Thayer 1922-1926, Thomas Mahon 1874-6, J. F. Roosa 1926- ? , W. M. Seeley 127 FIRES The more notable fires in Middletown have been: September, 1845. Half a dozen stores were burned, the line reaching from 9 West Main street to Franklin Square. Stores destroyed: General store of Woodward Shaw, Her­ man Young and John Hanford; dry-goods store; store of James B. Jackson and Littell; dry goods store of John H. Appleton; store of White and Broadwell. January 19, 1854. Bates and Corwin match factory, South street. June 18, 1858. Block on James street, from King to Depot, starting in Richard VanHorn's carpentry, and in­ cluding frame structures of Rogers and Piatt sash and blind factory, J. B. Schoonmaker's carpenter shop, T. J{ing's house, loss, $10,000. August 18, 1859. Chattle and Lytle's lumber yard, North street at Erie crossing. March 5, 1863. The pick and ax handle factory on Rail­ road avenue, with part of the Clemson saw factory, $20,000. The. pick handle factory supplied handles to California gold rmners. June 1, 1866. Erie woodshed opposite the depot. March 6, 1867. Weller's chair factory, North street. November 16, 1872. South side of East Main street, from Holding House to point near the Square, three build­ ings, $20,000. June 5, 1873. Cooper Institute, N crth at John, $20,000. June 25, 1873. Babcock and Fuller hat factory, Mon- hagen and Mill, $60,000. December 26, 1878. Midland Railroad shops, $30,000. October 27, 1881. Exchange building, $20,000 damage. June 3, 1884. Erie shops opposite depot. These shops, brought here in 1860, were originally the Otisville wood­ shed. July 25, 1889. Henry street, Crane and Swayze lumber yard, W. C. Many coal yard, and others, $30,000. February 27, 1891, Casino Theatre, $20,000. April 18, 1896. Babcock hat works, Mill street, $22,500. March 20, 1900. 0. & W. shops, $75,000. October 12, 1902. Gordon, Horton and Co., lumber yard, Henry street, $25,000. February 24, 1906. The Russell House, James street. August 5, 1906. Lehman Stern residence, Highland avenue, $40,000. April 26, 1911. The New York Piano Key Manufac­ turing Company, Railroad avenue and Grove street, $100,000. April 1, 1916. Fenton Oil Company, School street. 128 May 8, 1916. Snyder--Fancher wholesale grocery, Cot­ tage street, $50,000. January 7, 1918. Middletown Paper Box Co., Union street, $20,000. December 9, 1918. Tompkins department store, $200,- 000. October 23, 1919. 0. & W. depot, $20,000. October 18, 1921. Main building of Middletown State Hospital, $250,000. October 20, 1922. Masonic Temple, $150,000. 1925. Series of fires in the Gunther buildin2.

129 X. Middletown Government

Middletown was incorporated in 1848 under the general village act. In 1860 a special act was adopted for governing the village.. In 1866 this was amended, and the village limits were extended from a half-mile octagon to a mile octagon. After 1865 the Board met at the corporation rooms in the Eagle truckhouse. A village charter strongly resembling a city charter was adopted in 1872, with a ward system. At that time the number of aldermen was increased to eight, and the police department was established. Middleto-'Nn was incorporated as a city in 1888. The office of alderman-at-large was created, and the village president, now mayor, was no longer the presiding officer at board meetings. The city election was transferred from April to March, where it remained until 1896, when it was made coincident with the general election. The city charter has been modified and changed from time to time. The 1902 change started the term of office of city officers on January 1 instead of in March. Changes in 1911 gave the mayor the power to name appointive officers, who had theretofore been elected by the Common Council. The 1911 charter also made the alderman-at-large ex-officio president of the Council. He had, for the most part, pre­ viously held that office through tradition or polity. Since 1926 all aldermen have been elected to take office on even­ numbered years. OFFICIALS Holders of a number of the more important offices in the government of Middletown are here listed. THE VILLAGE From the incorporation of the village until 1872, Mid­ dletown was governed by a Board of Trustees of five mem- 130 hers, elected from the village at large. The Board elected one of its members president. The organization for thls period follows : 1848. President Stacy Beakes, Coe Dill, William Hoyt, I. 0. Beattie, D. C. Dusenberry. 1849. President John Bailey, I. 0. Beattie, H. S. Beakes, Coe Dill, H. P. Roberts. 1850. President William Hoyt, H. P. Roberts, I. 0. Beattie, Hiram Kain, Lewis Vail. 1851. Presid-ent I. 0. Beattie, Thomas A. Harding, Gil­ bert Hulse, S. S. Wickham, John Bailey. 1852. President I. 0. Beattie, A. C. King, Richard Van­ Horn, John Bailey. 1853. President John Bailey, Richard VanHorn, John T. Ludlum, A. C. King, S. S. Wickham. 1854. President Richard VanHorn, Joseph Lemon, Robert H. Houston, H. H. Hunt, Moses H. Corwin. 1855. President John Bailey, H. H. Hunt, Joseph Le­ mon, R. VanHorn, H. R. Wilcox. 1856. President H. R. Wilcox, R. H. Houston, Lewis Vail, A. C. King, George Blanchard. 1857. President H. R. Wilcox, Joseph Lemon, Lewis Vail, Richard VanHorn, George Blanchard. 1858. President H. R. Wilcox, Richard VanHorn, W. T. Ludlum, H. H. Hunt, James Lytle. 1859. President J. N. Pronk, James Lytle, H. H. Hunt, W. T. Ludlum, Richard VanHorn. 1860. President J. N. Pronk, Richard VanHorn, W. T. Ludlum, H. H. Hunt, James Lytle. 1861. President J. N. Pronk, W. T. Ludlum, Richard Van Horn, John Mackay, J. W. Hoyt. 1862. President J. N. Pronk, John Mackay, Levi Starr, Richard VanHorn, J. B. Hulse. 1863. President J. N. Pronk,. VanHorn, Mackay, Levi Starr, J. B. Hulse. 1864. President Pronk, VanHorn, Mackay, Starr, J. B. Hulse. 1865. President J. B. Hulse, VanHorn, W. T. Barker, M. H. VanKeuren, Stephen Sweet. 1866. President Hulse, VanHorn, Sweet, VanKeuren, W. T. Barker. 1867. President Hulse, VanHorn, William Clemson, VanKeuren, Sweet. 1868. President Stephen Sweet, Elisha P. Wheeler, VanKeuren, Jacob Keene, Clemson. 1869. President Daniel H. Bailey, George A. Swalm, Coe Robertson, J. B. Toulon, 0. P. Reeve. 1870. President D. H. Bailey, Swaim, Robertson, Tou­ lon, Reeve. 1871. President M. H. VanKeuren, Swalm, A. A. Brom­ ley, 0. B. Vail, G. J. King. Under the new charter, effective in 1872, the number of trustees was increased to nine, two to be elected from each of the four '\\"ards, and the president of the village to be elected at large. In 1872 the full Board was elected, half for terms of one year and half for terms of two years. Thereafter but four trustees were elected each year, holding office for two 131 years, so that but half of the trustees went out of office at one time. The foil owing is a list of the trustees elected under this charter. Those marked with an asterisk (*) were elected for one year only to fill vacancies caused by death or resignation. Trustees who were appointed to fill vacancies until the next election are not here given. 1872, (One year) : 1st. w., L. Crawford; 2nd. w., D. B. Luckey; 3rd. w., T. K. Beyea; 4th. w., G. J. King. 1872, (Two years): 1st w., G. A. Swalm; 2nd. w., B. W. Shaw; 3rd. w., J. Keene; 4th. w., L. B. Babcock. 1873, 1st. w., John A. Wallace, *Hugh Duffey; 2nd. w., J. A. Swezey; 3rd. w., D. B. Cole; 4th. w., J. J. Kirkpatrick. 1874, 1st. w., Hugh Duffey; 2nd. w., J. B. Swalm, 3rd. w., T. K. Beyea; 4th. w., W. H Shaw. 1875, 1st. w., Charles Horton, *Richard Decker; 2nd. w., Thomas King; 3rd. w., G. B. Fuller; 4th. w., D. D. Houston. 1876, 1st. w., M. L. Clark, *T. C. Royce; 2nd. w., S. A. Sease, •c. R. Smith; 3rd. w., J. M. Hanford; 4th. w., A. L. Vail. 1877, 1st. w., A. W. Sears; 2nd w., Ira Dorrance; 3rd. w., W. H. Tator; 4th. w., T. W. Dailey. 1878, 1st. w., Joseph Holden; 2nd. w., Charles Lutes, *T. R. Crans; 3rd. w., E. R. Harding; 4th. w., I. W. Daley. 1879, 1st. w., Dan. Robinson; 2nd. w., T. R. Crans; 3rd. w., J. E. Iseman; 4th. w., A L. Vail. 1880, 1st. w., J. E. Matthews; 2nd. w., A. V. Boak; 3rd. w., A. M. Bowler; 4th. w., J. D. Crawford. 1881, 1st. w., Chas. Cromwell; 2nd. w., G. W. Lemon; 3rd. w., J. E. Iseman; 4th. w., Thomas A. March. 1882, 1st. w., C. J. Sloat; 2nd. w., Dwight Babcock; 3rd. w., F. M. Barnes; 4th. w., R. A. Malone. 1883, 1st. w., B. L. Beebe; 2nd. w., A. V. Boak; 3rd. w., Frank Buckley; 4th. w., B. L. Swezy. 1884, 1st. w., D. W. Berry; 2nd. w., R. G. Sliter; 3rd. w., A. M. Bowler; 4th. w., T. A. March. 1885, 1st. w., George Bartel; 2nd. w., C. J. Thayer; 3rd. w., S. A. Fay; 4th. w., William Budd. 1886, 1st. w., Rich. Sherin; 2nd. w., G. A. Shaw; 3rd. w., P. F. Kaufman; 4th. w., C. H. Davis. 1887, 1st. w., Wyatt Carr; 2nd. w., J. H. Startup, *Smith Hulse; 3rd. w., J. E. Gibbs; 4th. w, J. T. Robertson. 1888, 1st. w., Rich. Sherin; 2nd. w., A. J. Hornbeck, *John Miles; 3rd. w., A. M. Bowler; 4th. w., C. H. Davis. Presidents of the village under the 1872 charter were: 1872-5 Halstead Sweet 1882-3 John A. Wallace 1876-7 James N. Pronk 1884-5 James N. Pronk 1878-9 Halstead Sweet 1886-7 William H. Hallock 1880-1 Daniel H. Bailey 1888 John E. Iseman -Clerks of the Board of Trustees of the village of Mid­ dletown, holding office until appointment of next clerk as indicated, were : 1848 J. D. Friend 1856 George Houston 1849 J. N. Pronk 1857 J. N. Pronk 1854 S. R. Martine 1858 Daniel Corwin 1855 J. N. Pronk 1859 H. A. Cox 132 1860 Daniel Corwin 1872 J. M. Price 1864 Jirah I. Foote 1873 J. L. Bonnell 1869 W. B. Royce 1875 Charles J. Boyd 1871 G. H. Decker 1882 Samuel M. Boyd 1885 Daniel Corwin Mayors of the city of Middletown have been: John E. Iseman, retaining officer as village president, 1888-9 ; Sam­ uel M. Boyd, 1890-1 ; Daniel H. Bailey, 1892-3 ; W. K. Stans­ bury, 1894-6; Dwight W. Berry, 1897; Charles E. Mance following Mayor Berry's death, Nov. 14, 1897 until 1899; Charles L. El¥1ood, 1899-1900; Charles E. Mance, 1901-2; George W. O'Neal, 1903; Kester W. Staib, 1903; A. J. Horn­ beck, 1904-6; Robert Lawrence, 1907-10; Rosslyn M. Cox, 1911-1915; A. C. N. Thompson, 1916-17; Rosslyn M. Cox, 1918-1921; Robert Lawrence, 1922-3; A. B. Macardell, 1924---. Aldermen-at-large have been: H. H. Crane, 1889; S. S. Decker, 1890-1; A. J. Hornbeck, 1892-3; Ira Dorrance, 1894-6; Charles E. Mance, 1897; William C. F. Bastian, 1899-1900; Paul Canfield, 1901-2; Russell M. Vernon, 1903-4; Robert Lawrence, 1905-6; Joel B. Wheeler, 1907-8; Frank W. Elliott, 1909-10; H. Clark Horton, 1911-3; H. D. Gould, 1914-5; Charles S. Miles, 1916-7; Fred J. Herras, 1918-9; William H. Funnell, 1920-2; Irving W. Davey, 1922; J. B. Wheeler, 1923-5; Charles S. Miles, 1926-7; Horace B. Young, 1928-. City clerks have been: Daniel Corwin, 1888-9 ; Frank Harding, 1890-1; Theodore L. Reeve, 1892; E. M. Hamilton, 1893-7; I. B. A. Taylor, 1898 to date, except for a brief period in 1900 when Jacob 0. Austin held the office. In 1911, the duties of Treasurer were added to those of the City Clerk and Collector, who was relieved of the duties of Clerk of the Common Council. The office of Clerk of Com­ mon Council and other boards was created. George R. Wen­ genroth, at the time Clerk of the Water Board became the first Clerk of Common Council and other Boards, and served until March 13, 1916, when he resigned. Other incumbents have been: John G. Gray, Mar., 1916-May, 1916; George H. Stanton, May, 1916-June, 1923; Harold S. LaPolt, July, 1923 to-. The regularly elected aldermen under the city charter have been as follows : 1889, 1st. w., 0. D. Wickham; 2nd. w., Ira W. Startup; 3rd. w., Joshua Hirst; 4th. w., Charles Wolff. 1890, 1st. w., John Dicks, J. H. Drake; 2nd. w., L. L. Purdy; 3rd. w., Charles Hill; 4th. w., Stephen Wolf. 1891, 1st. w., J. W. Bowers; 2nd. w., Wm. Higham; 3rd. w., C. G. Baldwin; 4th. w., J. H. Conkling. 1892, 1st. w., Wm. Hyde; 2nd. w., C. E. Mance; 3rd. w., C. L. Mead; 4th. w., C. L. Elwood. 1893, 1st. w., A. E. Luddington; 2nd. w., L. V. Sinsabaugh; 3rd. w., C. G. Baldwin; 4th. w., Z. K. Greene. 133 1894, 1st. w., Henry Funnell; 2nd. w., C. E. Mance; 3rd. w., A. M. Bowler; 4th. w., G. W. Reed. 1895, 1st. w., G. F. Close; 2nd. w., L. V. Sinsabaugh; 3rd. w., Joshua Hirst; 4th. w., W. C. F. Bastian. 1897, (Long): 1st. w., Chas. Tierney; 2nd. w., E. C. Allen; 3rd. w., Joshua Hirst; 4th. w., Edward Ayers. 1897, (Short): 1st. w., W. C. F. Bastian; 2nd. w., Egbert Crans; 3rd. w., J. T. Ogden; 4th. w., S. G. Memory. 1898, 1st. w., G. A. Waldorf; 2nd. w., G. W. O'Neal; 3rd. w., John H. Gavin; 4th. w., Robt. Lawrence. 1899, 1st. w., C. E. Ducalon; 2nd. w., C. E. Gardner; 3rd. w., Francis Barnes; 4th. w., J. J. Wood. 1900, 1st. w., J. D. Powers; 2nd. w., W. M. Fiero; 3rd. w., Wm. Ward; 4th. w., Robt. Lawrence. 1901, 1st. w., J. S Cooper; 2nd. w., C. E. Gardner; 3rd. w., J. H. Burch; 4th. w., W. S. Sayer. 1902, 1st. w., Alex Finn; 2nd. w., H. H. Kingsland; 3rd. w., John H. Gavin; 4th. w., F. S. Truex. 1903, 1st. w., W. H. Townsend; 2nd. w., Dwight Babcock; 3rd. w ., W. G. Davis; 4th. w., I. D. Osterhout. 1904, 1st. w., Geo. Miller; 2nd. w., Arch. Gordon; 3rd. w., G. W. Cole; 4th. w., H. C. Horton. 1905, 1st w., J. R. Rice; 2nd. w., M. Henderson; 3rd. w., 0. E. Owen; 4th. w., J. B. Wheeler. 1906, 1st. w., H. C. Loveland; 2nd, w., John Schindler; 3rd. w., Joshua Oldroyd; 4th. w., B. L. Lamont. 1907, 1st. w., W. J. Hess; 2nd. w., 0. 0. Carpenter; 3rd. w., G. 0. Ellison; 4th. w., L. A. Newton. 1908, 1st. w., W. L. Dicks; 2nd. w., J. L. Gregory; 3rd. w., Joshua Oldroyd; 4th. w., J. E. Graham. 1909, 1st. w., Ches. VanDemark; 2nd. w., Dwight Babcock; 3rd. w., A. C. Ogden; 4th. w., E. E. E. Raasch. 1910, 1st. w., W. L. Dicks; 2nd. w., W. H. Hunt; 3rd. w., J. W. Hoey; 4th. w., C. S. Miles. 1911, 1st. w., Chas. Keener; 2nd. w., E. L. Tichenor; 3rd. w., Thos. Kennedy; 4th. w., W. L. Gunther. 1912, 1st. w., James Ural; 2nd. w., H. D. Gould; 3rd. w., E. P. Valkenburg; 4th. w., Cuno Musbach. 1913, 1st. w., W. L. Dicks; 2nd. w., George Bowers; 3rd. w., Thos. Kennedy; 4th. w., G. H. Rackett. 1914, 1st. w., Chas. Keener; 2nd, w., Dwight Babcock; 3rd. w., C. B. Buck; 4th. w., C. S. Miles. 1915, 1st. w., C. H. Duvall; 2nd. w., H. E. Holly; 3rd. w., A. C. Ogden; 4th. w., G H. Rackett. 1916, 1st. w., F. J. Herres; 2nd. w., Dwight Babcock; 3rd. w., G. W. Cole; 4th. w., J. J. Cox. 1917, 1st. w., Geo. Miller; 2nd. w., F. M. Davis; 3rd. w., F. K. Gaffney; 4th. w., W. H. Funnell. 1918, 1st. w., Geo. Amey; 2nd. w., Dwight Babcock; 3rd. w., G. W. Cole; 4th. w., J. J. Cox. 1919, 1st. w., I. H. VanFleet; 2nd. w., H. E. Holly; 3rd. w., A. C. Ogden; 4th. w., W. H. Funnell. 1920, 1st. w., G. S. Amey; 2nd. w., L. C. Wood; 3rd. w., G. W. Cole; 4th. w, J. J. Cox. 1921, 1st. w., I. H. VanFleet; 2nd. w., H. E. Holly; 3rd. w., A. C. Ogden; 4th. w., Ed. Ayers. 1922, 1st. w.-, G. S. Amey; 2nd. w., L. C. Wood; 3rd. w., G. W. Cole; 4th. w., J. J. Cox. 1923, 1st. w., Geo. Miller; 2nd. w., H. E. Holly; 3rd. w ., W. J. Farrell; 4th. w., Edward Ayers, F. S. Truex. 134 1924, 1st. w., H. B. Young; 2nd. w., L. C. Wood, C. Z. Puff; 3rd. w., G. W. Cole; 4th. w., C. V. Evans. 1926, 1st. w., Geo. Miller, J. D. Mellis; 2nd. w., L. C. Wood, R. E. Ogden; 3rd. w., W. J. Farrell, C. F. McEwen; 4th. w., F. S. Truex; Robt. R. Cranston. 1928, 1st. w., J. D. Mellis, B. G. Fuller; 2nd. w., L. C. Wood, D. S. Stewart; 3rd. w., G. W. Cole, V. C. Harding; 4th. w., R. R. Cranston; F. S. Truex.

135 XI. Personalities

A history of Middletown would be incomplete without brief biographical notes of a number of its outstanding men. No living person is here mentioned. To avoid misunderstanding, it may be here stated that this list does not include all of Middletown's prominent men of the past, but only those whose stories have particularly appealed to the writer for some trait of character, note­ worthy place in some activity, or general ability. Undue attention, possibly, has been given real estate dealers for their part in developing the city. BEAKES, STACY, JR., (1778-1849) : The first president of the village was born in a log cabin just north of Middle­ town. Coming to Middletown when it was an insignificant hamlet, Beakes was first postmaster, clerk of the town of Wallkill 1811-14 and 1817-21, commander of the Republican Blues, supervisor in 1823 and sheriff in 1825. His son, Henry S., was also prominent. Stacy Beakes operated the first distillery here, and was a prominent merchant, trustee of Wallkill Academy, and director of Middletown Bank. Further information will be found in the general history and under "North street." Beakes, more than any other, was the one outstanding man of early Middletown. BEATTIE, ISRAEL 0., ( 1816-1882) : A prominent early Middletown realtor. Beattie, a hardware merchant, came to Middletown in the Forties just before the Erie arrived. In 1856 he bought the ninety-two acre Roberts farm, which he sold in plots. In 1865 he bought the prominent site on which he built his house, later the Children's Home. BEEBE, GILBERT, (1800-1881) : If one were to search the annals of Middletown for a figure about whom to build a novel, one would select Elder Gilbert Beebe. A native of Norwich, Conn., he was ordained a Baptist preacher at the age of eighteen and in 1823 was ordained pastor of the Ramapo Church, but was soon transferred to New Vernon, where he presided over the church for no less than fifty-five 136 years. Elder Beebe was the last to die of those who at­ tended the historic meeting at Black Rock, Md., in 1832, at which the Baptist Church was permanently split over the subject of missionary work. Hastening to defend the Old School sect, Elder Beebe in 1832 at Goshen established the Signs of the Times, which was published at Goshen, New Vernon and Alexandria, Va., before it was permanently brought to Middletown. In Middletown Elder Beebe also operated a print shop, publishing a number of religious works. Elder Beebe lived in Middletown from 1847 until his death, preaching at Middletown, New Vernon, Bloom­ ingburg, VanBeurenville, Slate Hill, and other points. In his youth he was a notable debater, upholding local man­ agement of schools, and other policies. Through his editorship of the Signs of the Times, Elder Beebe became the leading figure in the Old School faith, and was known at meetings throughout the East and South. Elder Beebe was a deep student of the Bible, and wrote columns of theological argument for his Signs. He never utilized his power for personal gain. To quote W. T. Doty : "When Elder Beebe became editor of the Signs of the Times a David had entered the theological field, armed with the slings of regeneration, and the rocks of inspira­ tion, and the strength of devoutness-backed by a printing press and waiting shrines. When Elder Beebe passed away the Old School Baptist creed lost its leader, and no one seems to have risen to take his place; the stage of Orange County journalism lost one of its most pictur­ esque figures, and the field one of its unique landmarks­ a type of preacher and editor that has already passed, never to return." BEEBE, GILBERT JUDSON, (1824-1871) : The eldest of the thirteen children of Elder Beebe, Gilbert J. Beebe was a man of decided and fearless opinions, and foremost, a Democrat. He actively entered politics in 1840, when for three months before the presidential campaign he published The Hickory Twig at New Vernon. Although he was an attorney at law, he devoted his life to the press. In 1848 at Middletown he established the Banner of Liberty, which became one of the outstanding Copperhead journals of the North, and suspended publication during the Civil War. Crushed by the blow, Beebe revived it in 1867, but the cause was lost, and he soon died. In 1859 he established the Middletown Mercury. Of the other sons of Elder Beebe, the best known was George M. Beebe, who died in 1927. He followed a notable political and newspaper career in the West and in Sullivan County. BENSEL, A. A., (1818-1899): Middletown's pioneer newspaperman, native of Burlingham, Sullivan County, learned his trade in the shop of the Monticello Watchman. 137 In 1841 he established the Middletown Courier, becoming a prominent citizen in the village and marrying a Middletown girl, daughter of Zina Kellogg. He left Middletown in 1846, continuing newspaper work. For a time he ran a paper in Peekskill. In the late Sixties he conducted the unsuccessful Press, Newburgh daily, and later Home, Farm and Orchard, unsuccessful agricultural journal. Having failed in his ven­ tures, he resorted to proof-reading for his living. He died April l, 1899, from injuries received from a fall into an excavation. He was a facile writer. BROWN, HARVEY: Of Harvey Brown, we know little. He was a humble laborer who was killed by an Erie train in 1856. He wins a place here because, on the way home from work, at points near the village he used to dig up a tree or two, which he would transplant along one of the streets in the village. In this way he set out many shade trees. CLEMSON, WILLIAM, (1821-1890) : Born in Warwick­ shire, England, Clemson was mechanically inclined from early age. He came to Boston, where he was seen by Mid­ dletown manufacturers and brought here to work for the Monhagen saw works. He invented processes simplifying the work and improving the quality, which made the Mid­ dletown saws noted. He beca1ne a member of the firm, and at length became the sole owner, the factory, still in the family, being now known as the Clemson saw works. Clem­ son was village trustee and a prominent citizen. DENTON, SAMUEL, (1794-1885): Middletown's best known merchant, was born near Wilton, Conn. He came to Middletown in 1821. The fallowing year he bought the pro­ perty on Franklin Square known as the Denton Corner, and there operated a general store until 1856, an unusual record. For more than fifty years he resided at his house where the Savings Bank stands. Further information is included in the general history. EVERETT, HARVEY, (1811-1899) : Middletown's third physician, was born in the village, attended the district school, Montgomery Academy and Vermont Medical Col­ lege, and opened practice in M~ddletown in 1834, remaining until his death. A promiment citizen, he was town school superintendent, trustee of Wallkill Academy and president of the Board of Education, 1870-1872. FRIEND, JOSEPH D., (1819-1889) : Dr. Friend, born at Salem, Mass., was a newspaper editor at the age of nineteen years. He was a notable medical man and would have held an important position in the profession if his health had allowed. A gradu&te of Metropolitan Medical College in New York, he r!1me to Middletown and opened a quiet prac­ tice, for a n.umber of years also editing professional jour­ nals. He liked newspaper work, wrote for the press, and 138 was owner of the short-lived Middletown Mail. He was a prominent Odd Fellow and active in the Lyceum, elected to the Assembly in 1875 and member of the Board of Educa­ tion for several terms. HANFORD, DAVID, M. D.: Middletown's first physician, (1786-1844) graduated from the medical department of Yale in 1807, and opened practice in Middletown in 1810, continuing his profession until his death. Member of the 0. C. M. S. HASBROUCK, JOHN w. (1821-1907) : The father of Mid­ dletown journalism, a native of Woodstock, N. Y., John W. Hasbrouck completed his education at Kingston Academy, and took up newspaper work in 1845 on the Kingston Jour­ na.Z. The following year he bought the Sullivan County Whig of Bloomingburg, conducting it until 1851. The same year he established the lVhig Press at Middletown, publisli­ ing it until he sold it in 1868. He was an able newspaper man, and a foremost citizen. HASBROUCK, LYDIA SAYER, (1827-1910) : One of the most picturesque figures in Middletown history, Lydia Sayer Hasbrouck, feminist and pioneer business woman, was born at vVarwick. From her girlhood days when she was expelled from Seward Institute at Florida for that rea­ son, she wore the bloo1ner costume and was an ardent fem­ inist. She was graduated at Hygeia Therapeutic College, New York, and for a time followed the medical profession. She became noted, however, as an outstanding advocate of dress reform and women's rights. Following a lecture at ~iiddletown in bloomer costume in 1856, she married John W. Hasbrouck. She edited the Sybil, reform publication, and ,vas a journalist of ability. Later in life she entered the real estate business. It was she, rather than her husband, ¥rho was the directing force of the Hasbrouck activities. HOUSTON, ROBERT H., (1798-1890) : A native of the town of \Vallkill, and a tanner by trade, Houston came to Middletown in 1826, and, in partnership with Charles Dill, rented the old tannery on West Main street, operating it until 1846. The partners in 1831 purchased a sixty acre farm in the eastern part of the city, then farmland. When the partnership was dissolved the farm went to Houston, who laid out streets and sold many lots. This farm, which he had enlarged to one hundred acres, included the Houston Heights section from East avenue out. ISEMAN, JOHN E., (1835-1921) : Gaining place here as Middletown's first mayor, John Iseman, a native of Ger­ many, came to America in 1853, and to Middletown in 1861. He was a baker. After holding office as village trustee, he became village president, and, under the city charter, re­ tained office as the first mayor. Later he was supervisor for a number of years. 139 JESSUP, EDWIN, (1817-1892): Edwin Jessup wins a place here because his life was so closely identified with his times. Formerly a teacher at Wallkill Academy, he set up a daguerreotype shop in 1851. Accepting the new photo­ graphic processes as they were perfected, he continued his shop, a village institution, until a few months before his death. LITTLE, HENRY, "Uncle Harry", (1800-1887): Born near New Hampton, Henry Little was in early life a sur­ veyor, and for a time was county commissioner of deeds. In 1839 he exchanged his farm for twenty acres of the George Houston tract in the Hillside Cemetery section of Middle­ town. On this land he at once built his grist mill, which he owned until it was destroyed by fire. Little was an inveter­ ate advertiser by print, and it is said that he had "Ground plaster may be obtained at Henry Little's Mill at Middle­ town," printed even on the wedding invitations which were printed in the village. Little was a clever mechanic, and invented a successful ice hoist. He was the village's first dealer in ice, which he harvested from his pond, the ceme­ tery pond. In late life he was widely known as one of the old settlers. Low, HENRY REYNOLD, (1826-1888) : Senator Low was born at Fallsburgh, Sullivan county, came to Middletown in 1869, left his law practice to work for the Oswego Mid­ land Railroad, and lost heavily when the railroad failed. In late life he invested in Middletown real estate. Widely known, he was a State senator 1861-6 and from 1883 until his death. At the time of his death he was president pro tempore of the Senate. MADDEN, EDWARD MILLSPAUGH, (1818-1885) : Born in the town of Crawford, Madden ran away at the age of nine, was apprenticed, and worked in a Walden cotton mill for seventy-five cents a week,; At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to a Montgomery tinsmith. In 1839 Madden came to Middletown with $133, bought the little tin shop on West Main street facing Canal street, and tinned many roofs in the village. In 1842 he, E. P. Wheeler, and others, formed the Orange County Furnace, with which he was con­ nected a number of years. He was also connected with the Monhagen saw works, the Eagle file works, and a New York printery. He was a staunch temperance worker and Repub­ lican. He was delegate to numerous conventions, and was State Senator, 1856-7, 1872-5, and 1880-81. He was active in establishing the present school and water systems, and served on the water board and Board of Education, vice­ president of the Middletown and Crawford Railroad, and connected with many other public and private undertakings. He was of a type of public-spirited citizen that has now disappeared. 140 MATTHEW, J. M., (1810-1874): J. M. Matthew was born at Southington, Conn. He and H. H. Hunt were pion­ eers and inventors in making carpet bags, starting business at Windham Center, Greene County, in 1843. They came to Middletown in 1853, founding one of the village's principal industries. MCMUNN, JOHN B., (1801-1869) : Middletown's sec­ ond physician, born at Montgomery, studied at Montgomery Academy, under Dr. J. Hornbeck of Scotchtown, and in New York, opening practice in Middletown in 1827, and re­ maining until 1851. After several years at Williamsburgh, in 1856 he went to Port Jervis, where he died. Dr. McMunn invented McMunn's Elixir of Opium, which earned him a good living, and in 1854 published an English grammar. He owned Middletown real estate. PRONK, JAMES N., (1822-1895) : The first citizen of Middletown, native of Boston, came to Middletown with his parents in youth, studied law in the office of Judge John G. Wilkin, was admitted to the bar in 1849, and opened an of­ fice at Middletown. Connected with innumerable enter­ prises, public and private, Pronk soon became a leading figure in the village. He was connected with the plank roads, Wallkill Bank, was for many years village clerk, and for eleven years village president. He was always interested in public improvements, and was active in establishing and in administering Hillside Cemetery. During the Civil War he was provost marshall for the 11th New York District. STIVERS, MOSES D., (1828-1895) : Congressman Stivers was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, moved to Ridge­ bury in 1845, attended Mt. Retirement Seminary, farmed and taught school. In 1868 he bought the Orange County Press of J. W. Hasbrouck, and was actively engaged in newspaper work most of the time until he retired in 1890, and interested in journalism until his death. He was county clerk, 1864-6, collector of internal revenue in 1868, and Congressman. He was connected with the M. & U. Rail­ road, State Hospital, Hillside Cemetery and Savings Bank, and was president of the Orange County Trust Company at the time of his death. SWEET, HALSTEAD, (1806-1886) : Middletown's best known hotelman and politician was born at Oyster Bay, L. I., left school at an early age, made a short voyage as cabin boy, learned the tanning trade, and in 1820 went to Burlingham, Sullivan County. In 1832 he started Sweet's hotel in Bloomingburg, continuing it many years. In 1845 he opened, in addition, the Railroad House, at Middletown. Both places were travelers' resorts and stage coach stations. At them stopped many famous men, and Sweet became widely acquainted among the nation's notables over two generations. A Whig, Sweet became an ardent Republican, 141 and until his death he attended many conventions. He was town of Wallkill supervisor 1856-63, and president of the village of Middletown 1872-5 and 1878-9. Just before elec­ tion time Sweet would spend much time sweeping his side­ walk. Whenever a person passed to whom he wished to speak he would "accidently" nudge him while sweeping, and a political discussion would follow. TALCOTT, SELDEN HAINES, (1842-1902) : One of the most notable men to live in Middletown, Dr. Talcott, super­ intendent of the Middletown State Hospital for twenty-five years and international authority on treatment of mental diseases, native of Rome, N. Y., attended Rome Academy and graduated from Hamilton College, after interrupting his course to enlist in the Civil War. Later he graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College, and soon entered hospital work. April 13, 1877, he was appointed superintendent of the Middletown State Hospital. On his arrival he posted a sign for the employes, "Put yourself in his place," and began his famous movement, the "hospital idea," on the ground that insane persons are mentally sick, and should be treated considerately and scientifically like other ill persons. He was a member of many societies, made study trips abroad, and was the author of numerous profes­ sional books and articles. He was prominently identified with civic life in Middletown. THRALL, MRS. s. MARETTA, (183?-1897): Mrs. Thrall was known for her philanthropies, having given some $80,- 000 to Middletown institutions. She built and endowed Thrall Library, gave the money for Thrall Hospital, and gave the city Thrall Park. WHEELER, ELISHA PEARL, (1807-1876) : Son of a Con­ necticut carpenter, Wheeler in early life learned the stove and foundry business. In 1830 he went to Montgomery, soon engaging in the stove and tin business. With others, Wheeler came to Middletown in 1843 when the Erie arrived. He was an organizer of the Orange County Furnace. Wheeler engaged in so many enterprises that it is impossi­ ble to list them here. He was first president of the Wallkill Bank, first vice-prer!' ~ent of the Oswego Midland railroad, member of the Board of Education, and prominent in the Lyceum and fraternal organizations. He was connected with all of the local railroads and plank roads, village trus­ tee, etc. He drove the last spike in the Oswego Midland Railroad. He built both transepts of Grace Church at his own expense, and was a builder of Gothic Hall. Staggered by the collapse of the Midland, the failure of the Wallkill Bank, and general business depression, he failed a few years before his death. Wheeler was a remarkable man. WILKIN, JOHN G., (1818-1889) : Of an old Hampton­ burgh family, Judge Wilkin was a brilliant youth. At the 142 age of seventeen years he left Montgomery Academy to teach. In 1838 he started to study law at Monticello. He was admitted to the bar in 1842, and as counsellor three years later. January 16, 1843, he opened an office at Middle­ town. He was an eccentric fellow, and refused to do busi­ ness with women, except when necessary to carry on the business of a deceased client. He is considered one of the foremost members of the Orange County bar. To manage much of his local business he formed partnership with Charles C. McQuoid ( 1831-1866, one time district attorney). Judge \Vilkin was the village's leading Democrat, a strictly machine man. He was the first special county judge, and county judge 1852-6. A War Democrat, he was active in war work and U. S. revenue collector of the eleventh N. Y. district, 1861-9. He was appointed county judge in 1883 to fill vacancy, and in the fall was elected to a six-year term, dying in office. YOUNG, HERMAN B., (1813-1884) : A traveling clock salesman in early life, later a merchant, Mr. Young is re­ membered in Middletown history through his extensive real estate sales. His purchase in 1849 of seventy-five acres in the village is described in the general history.

AMONG THE GREAT

Here are mentioned a few of the nationally promin­ ent men who have been incidentally identified with Mid­ dletown in some way. BLAKELOCK, RALPH A.: The famous landscape artist was for 17 years confined in Middletown State Hospital, leaving in 1916 when he regained much of his mental power. During the last two years of his stay here he did much sketching, some of the work now being valuable. He was at the hospital again 1918-9 until a few months before his death. BURROUGHS, JOHN, famous naturalist. See Wallkill Bank. CRANE, STEPHEN: The famous author, when a resident of Port Jervis, was a frequent visitor to Middletown in the early Nineties, and was acquainted with many here. GREY, ZANE: The author came to Middletown in 1917, residing here two years. 1\1:cDOUGALL, WALT: The pioneer newspaper cartoonist conducted a "column" on the Middletown Herald for a time in 1919. NASBY, PETROLEUM V. (David Ross Locke, 1833-1888) : The famous American humorist and political writer lived in Middletown for seven months in 1851. He was employed as 143 a printer in the Signs of the Times office. A runaway ap­ prentice boy, captured, told Elder Gilbert Beebe that Locke had urged him to leave, and Locke, on this evidence, was discharged. WIGGINS, CARLETON: The landscape and animal artist spent part of his boyhood days in Middletown.

144 XII. Churches

If the amount of space and attention here devoted to the churches seems disproportionately large, reflection will show that these churches have had an important part in the building of Middleto,vn. Particularly in the early days, the churches were outstanding institutions in community life. The story of the village is identified with them. The history of the founding of the first church will be found in the first chapter.

THE CHURCH WAR In all Middletown history there is no more interesting story than that concerning the early rivalry between the Congregational and Presbyterian churches. The problem has always remained more or less a puzzle, but no longer arouses animosity or ill feeling. The Congregational church, it will be recalled, was or- ganized June 10, 1785. The following pastors served: Rev. Charles Seeley, 1785-1797. Rev. William Smith, 1797-1803. Rev. Benjamin Bull, 1805-1807. Rev. Allen Blair, 1807-1812. Rev. Abel Jackson, 1812-1819. Rev. William Blain, 1820-1823. Rev. George Stebbins, 1824-1827. Rev. Donald McIntosh, 1827-1829. From the first this church had embraced a number of persons of other creeds, particularly of Presbyterian in­ clination. The church was prosperous, and its membership increased. During a revival in 1815 no less than 120 mem­ bers were received at once. In 1825 the membership was 267, of whom more than 100 were males. Without taking sides in the discussion, we may present a number of facts. 145 From the earliest years, the church seemed to have so1ne leanings toward Presbyterianism. Thus : ( According to the Presbyterians) In October, 1792, the church sought Presbyterian con­ nection and supervision. It chose John Dunning deacon and commissioned him to "go as a delegate to the Pres­ bytery of Morris County." For a time it sent delegates frequently, if not regularly, to that Presbytery; but subse­ quently, upon the organization of the Presbytery of West­ chester, it formed a connection with the latter, upon whose roll of membership occur the names of several who first preached here. Both of these Presbyteries, which were styled "Independent" and "associate," were formed by the ministers who withdrew from the Presbytery of New York and adopted a platform which has been described as "Presbyterian in form but Congregational in fact." From one or the other of these Presbyteries the church received counsel and obtained supplies from time to time as the pulpit was vacant, until, by the dissolution of the Presby­ tery of Westchester, it was left without ecclesiastical con­ nection. It then sent Deacon Eli Corwin to the Presbytery of Hudson, April 20, 1824, with a request for connection with that body. The request was granted, and Deacon Corwin was received as the first representative of this church in the Presbytery, with which in the year follow­ ing, it sought again connection upon a different basis. It was this, apparently, that started the friction, inas­ much as the Presbytery of Hudson was an orthodox Pres­ byterian organization. Meanwhile the church had been growing. In 1815 was instituted a weekly Wednesday evening meeting for social worship, among the most efficient supporters of which was "colored Abel." This meeting was continued by the Presby­ terians until the present day. A year later than the insti­ tution of this meeting a Sabbath-school was organized on the borders of the congregations of Middletown, Goshen, and Ridgebury, the children being collected from the fam­ ilies of these three societies and others living in the vicinity of the "Outlet. (Denton.) From this movement came the organization of a Sabbath school in the village of Middle­ town prior to 1824. Mrs. Lina Dolson was an active worker in this school. But two of the preachers of the church were actual pastors, the first of them, Rev. Mr. Jackson listed above. The second, Rev. George Stebbins, came to serve the church as licentiate of the Presbytery of Hudson. He was or­ dained and installed June 9, 1824. The Presbyterians say " ...... he was doubtless instrumental in forming the connection which the church soon sought with the Presby­ tery." The Congregationalists say: "For several years preced­ ing 1825, on account of the difficulty of obtaining Congre­ gational ministers, Presbyterian clergymen had been em- 146 ployed, and a portion of the church imbibed a preference for that denomination." By the year 1825, the members of the First Congre­ gational Church were divided into Presbyterian and Con­ gregational parties. The Presbyterians say: . Various reasons led to a change from Congregation­ alism to Presbyteria·nism. But the change was made with great deliberation. A committee of influential names was appointed "to take into consideration the state of the church with regard to the mode of doing business, and to propose a different method." The matter thus entrusted to them this committee held under advisement for two months, being found unpre­ pared to report at a regular meeting convened during the interval. And when at length they reported "that in their opinion it is expedient for this church to adopt the Presbyterian mode of doing business in full, or, in other words, to change our order to that of the Presbyterians," action upon the report was deferred for another month; when finally the question was taken by ballot, and the report adopted by a vote of 15 for and nine against it,-a small vote indeed, yet giving a large majority of those who care to be present and to vote at all; and at the same time revealing a decided purpose on the part of the absentees to offer neither protest nor opposition. The recommendation having been adopted, it was further voted to connect with the Presbytery of Hudson. Yet another month elapsed before the change was consummated. The church being met "agreeable to ad­ journment," November 3, 1825, proceeded to "organize under the Presbyterian order," and chose "ten persons to serve as elders of the church." This action was taken in November; in the following March five of the ten who had been elected having signified their acceptance of the trust, were solemnly ordained and "were declared the regularly constituted elders of this church." How much church politics there was in this move no one is now able to state. The Congregationalists say: Under the ministrations of Rev. George Stebbins, a Presbyterian minister, a proposition was made in meeting August 25, 1825, to change the church order and adopt the Presbyterian platform, and after repeated and persistent attempts to accomplish the same, meetings being ad­ journed from time to time, September 29, 1825, a vote of 15 out of the whole membership was obtained in favor of said change. Only nine of those opposed being present to vote against the measure, entered their protest against the proceedings as being unwarranted and illegal. Regardless of protest, the Presbyterians continued to meet in the church for some years. Rev. Donald McIntosh was called as pastor in April, 1828, but suffered poor health and soon resigned. Rev. Daniel Thompson Wood, ordained at Florida October 23, 1828, who had supplied the pulpit for Mr. McIntosh, succeeded him as pastor. He was installed June 9, 1830, and served until his death, August 18, 1859, for the Presbyterians. 147 Having changed their creed, the official body of the church reincorporated January 22, 1828, as "The First Presbyterian Church and Congregation of Middletown." On March 31 the first board of trustees was named: John Corwin, Jacob Dunning, Israel H. Wickham, Nathaniel Bailey, Gabriel Little and Nathan H. Corwin. The men who were in 1825 elected ruling elders were: Eli Corwin, James Little, Joseph Horton, Isaac Little, John Tuthill, David Hanford, George Little, Thomas Houston, Jonathan B. Webb and Josiah Howell. Corwin, Horton, Tuthill, Isaac Little and one other declined to act. The others were installed March 22, 1826. Rev. Ezra Fisk, D. D., of Goshen, preached the sermon. Meanwhile the Congregationalists conducted their ser­ vices at private houses. In 1829 the Presbyterians moved to their new church on Orchard street. The old meeting house on East Main street was falling into ruins, and, used as a storage house, was referred to as "The Lord's Barn." Thereupon, at a meeting in July, 1833, the Presbyter­ ians ordered the building den1olished, and the historic church, more than 40 years old, was torn down by a gang of men and boys. Feeling was intense. As the Congregationalists say: As a result of this separation, however, the old Con­ gregational meeting house was illegally demolished by the Presbyterians July 26, 1823, and on August 3, following a prosecution was commenced by the Congregationalists against the trespassers. On the 28th of the same month the Congregational Society voted to build a new house of worship, 50 by 40 feet, upon the site of the former one, and to finish the same with a gallery. April 26, 1834, the whole matter of dispute between the two societies was settled by articles of agreement, in which the Presbyter­ ian Society acknowledged their trespass and made repara­ tion. Or, as the Presbyterians say: This produced a sudden, unexpected, and somewhat violent disturbance in the minds of some who charged the Presbyterians with ruthlessly demolishing their fathers' house of worship, and defrauding the Congregationalists of their rights. A small portion of the congregation, in great excitement, left their brethren and proceeded to erect the present Congregational Church. A suit at law was instituted, which resulted in finding that the property was owned by those who had been charged with taking it from others. It was afterward agreed between the par­ ties, that the Congregationalists should retain the site, on which their house now stands, with one-half of the bury­ ing ground; and that the two churches should live in peace. Thus ended the Church War. 148 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH While the faction al fight waged over the old meeting house, the Presbyterian body erected a new church on Or­ chard street, on the site of the present church. John Corwin built it fifty by ninety feet, on the summit of an attractive knoll, which had been given by James Little. It was com­ pleted in February, 1829, and the congregation moved to it in May, 1830. \Vhoever might have been the moral victor of this church war, the Presbyterians were the practical winners. Their church emerged an active and able congregation, with a building that was the village's meeting place for twenty­ five years or more. For this reason, it is being considered first. With the increase in congregation, the 1830 building was outgrown, and in the spring of 1866 work was started on a new church on the same site, the present building. This was dedicated October 24, 1866, having been first used in July. It was built seventy-four by 140 feet in dimension, with a 156-foot spire and a lecture room in the rear. In 1880 an addition was made to the lecture room. The church bell had been purchase~ in 1857, chiefly through the liber­ ality of Thomas King. In 1838 Elder James Little, at his own expense, erected the parsonage on North street about opposite Gothic Hall, standing on a high bank. This was torn down in July, 1870, and workmen excavated the bank. From 1830, Rev. Daniel Thompson Wood was pastor until his death August 18, 1859. Rev. Augustus Seward was in­ stalled November 29, 1859, and resigned October 1, 1879. The Ladies' Aid Society was organized in 1878. The Sunday School wing of the church was enlarged this year. Other pastors have been: Rev. John R. Lewis, 1880-85; Rev. Thomas Gordon, 1886-98; Rev. David Win­ ters, 1898-1902; Rev. Walter Rockwood Ferris, 1903-08; Rev. Robert 0. Kirkwood, 1908-.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The First Congregational Church was neither large in membership nor financially enviable at the conclusion of the church warfare. It was not until 1836 that it secured a pas­ tor, ministers thereafter following one another in rapid procession, as follows: John Fishpool, 1836-7; Rev. Michael LaCost, 1837-8; Rev. Charles Machin, 1838-41; Rev. Harris Righter, 1842-5; John C. Terrett, 1845-6; Rev. Lewis C. Lockwood, 1846-51; Samuel Y. Lum, 1851-4; Rev. George W. Timlow, 1854-5; Rev. Daniel Lancaster, 1855-9; Rev. Jonathan Crane, 1860-8; Rev. Charles A. Harvey, 1868-75; Rev. Jonathan Crane, 1875-7 (died). 149 Mr. Crane was among the most active in building up the congregation to an important place in village life. The 1834 Congregational church building remained in service until 1871. In that year it was removed for the pre­ sent building, which is one hundred by sixty feet, with a lecture room in the rear. In its construction 600,000 bricks were used, with stone trimming, slate roof and 185-foot spire. The cornerstone was laid May 16, 1872, by Rev. Dr. Taylor, of New York. The architect was I. G. Perry, of Binghamton. The building committee: Wickham C. Mc­ Nish, Selah R. Corwin, Stephen S. Conkling, John M. Han­ ford, Oliver P. Reeve. The cost was $49,900. The building was dedicated October 22, 1873, with a sermon by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. In honor of the Centennial, Wickham C. McNish (1823- 1915) in 1876 gave the church a 4000-pound bell. In 1927 the Sunday School rooms were enlarged. Pastors have been: Rev. Fred R. Marvin, 1875-83; Rev. Eugene C. Olney, 1883-7; Rev. Albert F. Pierce, 1888-9; Rev. William Albert Robinson, 1892-1904; Rev. Nathan E. Fuller, 1904-5; Rev. Charles Flint Allen, 1905-8; Rev. Walter Austin Wagner, 1909-14; Rev. Albert F. Pierce, 1914-7; Rev. Orvill B. Swift, 1917-9; Rev. William F. Kettle, 1919-. OLD SCHOOL BAPTISTS In the last half of the 18th century, a large proportion of the settlers of Orange county were Baptists. Not Old School Baptists particularly, because there was then no major division of the general sect. These Baptists formed churches at many points, such as WarwicK and Slate Hill ( then, Brookfield.) The town of Wallkill contained many of these Baptists, and it was but natural that they should band together. The First Baptist Church of Middletown, subsequently known as The Old School or Primitive Baptist Church of Middletown and Wallkill, and now generally termed plainly, The Old School Baptist Church, was constituted at Middle­ town October 4, 1792, and was duly recognized by a council called for the purpose from che churches at New Vernon, Warwick and Brookfield. The constituent members, mostly from the town of Wallkill, were: John Green, John Cook, Ezra Witter, Isaac Kinney, Elihu Carey, Abigail Hulse, Patience Witter, Mir­ iam Brisinter, Phebe Springstead, Martha Brundria, John Finch, Daniel Green, Silas Brown, Cornelius Brewster, Silas Hulse, Sarah Cook, Chloe Green, Louis Preston, Mary Hoyt, Margaret Hulse, Saberah Rich, Enos Finch, Martin L. Corwin, Uriah Hulse, James Springstead, Joseph Brun­ dage, Sarah Brown, Sarah Green, Phebe Davis, Jeremiah Thomas, Margaret Kinney, Abigail Corwin. 150 When the church was organized Silas Hulse and John Green were made deacons and Ezra Witter clerk. Elihu Carey and Silas D. Horton were the next deacons, and on Witter's death Horton became clerk. Elder Eleaser West filled the pastoral office in the church from its organization until his death, after which the church was supplied principally by Elder Benjamin Montanye, of New Vernon, and occasionally by Elders Leb­ beus Lathrop, John Caton, Henry Ball, Zelotes Grenell and others. Elder Thomas P. Terry was ordained pastor on the first Thursday in May, 1821, and held the office until his death in 1828. For nearly 30 years the Baptists held their meetings in the Middletown church, which was originally a free meeting house, and not strictly a Congregational church, as it after­ wards became. The ground for this meeting house, it will be recalled, was willed by John Green, and it was a relative of his who was one of the first deacons of the Baptist church. About 1820, however, the congregation decided to erect its meeting house at a point more central to the majority of its members. The following year the church obtained a site for the new building on land donated by Barnabas Horton and Vincent Clark. This was at a point about two and a half miles north of Middletown, later known as Rockville. Here was built a frame structure. At that time, the Primitive Baptists filed a new certi­ ficate of incorporation, dated December 10, 1821. Thomas P. Terry and Silas D. Horton ,vere inspectors of election, and David Reynolds, Nathan Slauson, Hiram Horton, Elihu Cary, Daniel W. Moore and Christian Shons were elected trustees. The meeting was held in district school 16, town of Wallkill. In 1828 Elder Gilbert Beebe made his first official ap­ pearance in the Wallkill church, supplying the pulpit one­ third of the time. He remained until November, 1836, when he removed to Alexandria, Va. Elders E. J. Williams and P. C. Broom supplied the pulpit until 1840, when Elder Beebe returned to New Vernon, and resumed charge of the Wallkill church. In the early fifties the Old School Baptists opened a hall over Elder Beebe's printery on Orchard street, and alternate meetings were held there and in the meeting house at Rockville. In 1871 the church erected its present brick meeting house, sixty-five by forty-five feet, with front gallery, on Roberts street at Cottage, at a cost of $11,000. Thereafter meetings were held there. Elder Beebe was the principal preacher until his death in 1881. After Elder Beebe's death the church declined. The 151 congregation dwindled by death. In recent years regular services have not been held.

At the conclusion of the War, there was some dissatis­ faction in the Old School Baptist Church because of the official stand on certain dogmas of faith, and on the question of slavery. In 1867 appeared in Middletown the Society of Old Baptists, or Predestinarians. The society first met at the home of G. H. Seybolt on Mill street, and later at the hall at Mill and West Main streets.

ST. PAUL'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL In Middletown, as in practically all parts of the United States, the Methodist Church had an humble beginning. Early records of St. Paul's M. E. Church have unfortun­ ately been lost. To start the story, however, we must go back to the year 1824. Some time in that year a Mr. Edwards, a cobbler from Danbury, Conn., moved to Middletown and here plied his trade, measuring the feet of the early residents and making their boots and shoes to order. He made his residence in the house on West Main street, 6-8 West Main. He was a zealous Methodist, what was known as a "Shouting Metho­ dist." In the early days the sect was, on the whole, much more zealous and ardent than now, and at large meetings the ,vorshipers would be overcome by their emotions. About him Edwards collected a group of persons who held meetings at his home, and a society was organized. In 1826 this society raised the sum of $19.90 for the support of the gospel. In 1827 the amount was $8.72, and the fol­ lowing year $7.08. As the society grew it transferred its meetings to the school house, before mentioned, which stood on North street, and at another period at a district school near Monhagen Lake. In the thirties Middletown was one of the societies in the Montgomery Circuit, which also included Montgomery~ Wal den, Bloomingburgh, Bethel, Otisville and Mount Hope. Two preachers were assigned the circuit. In 1838 the society had grown large enough to consider building a church. Rev. Valentine Buck and Rev. David Webster, then colleagues on the circuit, urged the society to its work. The society purchased for $300 of Anna Sears a lot on South street, now covered by the Home for Aged Women. On July 11, 1838, the society met at the home of John T\f. Tuthill for permanent organization, and incor­ porated as "The First Methodist Episcopal Church of South Middletown." In August ground was broken for a church, 152 a thirty-three by forty-five foot structure built under the direction of William L.- Dann at a cost of $1900. The following spring the church elected its first officers. The trustees were: Ebenezer Mills, Elias Woodward, Alfred Goodale, John H. Little and William L. Dann. At that time Revs. George Brown, David Buck and Sanford were in charge of the circuit. The church was dedicated in May by Rev. John Kennedy, D. D. The next preachers were Rev. John Green and Bonney, who served two years. Middletown was then removed from the Montgomery Circuit. It was grouped with Ridgebury as a charge, and given to the care of Rev. Z. Lewis. In the early days members of the church were morally strict, and mildly Puritannical. On one occasion, it is re­ lated, the choir master was dismissed from service because he would not abandon his ungodly violin. At another time a woman of the congregation dared attend services with ornaments on her clothing. The ladies in the pew where she sat moved away like the Roman Senators shunned Cataline, but it is not stated whether this was for envy or for shame. The Circuit preachers were not paid well. In 1838 Middletown gave but $125 towards the support of the two circuit pastors. The congregation was not a wealthy one, and after the church had been built there remained a debt of $600. In 1847, perhaps by the addition of other costs besides the in­ terest, the debt had reached $1200, and the society was in danger of going bankrupt. During those years the preachers had been John G. Smith and Matthew VanDusen. Rev. Morris D'C. Crawford was now in charge, how­ ever, and he took steps to wipe out the debt. Enthusiasm waxed, and in six weeks the entire fund was raised by popular subscription. The congregation continued to grow. In 1854 it was necessary to make a fifteen-foot addition to the rear of the church at a cost of $700. The church was reopened Febru­ ary 27, 1855, by Rev. Jesse T. Peck, D. D., and the pastor, Rev. Mr. Crawford. The old church was sometimes called the "eel pot," and in it were held many protracted and fervent meetings of a type which has disappeared. By 1857 the Methodist church had 150 members. In 1868 Rev. John G. Oakley became pastor, and under his directions plans were completed for a new structure. The present church site was purchased of Joseph Lemon for $9,000, and a $50,000 building, one hundred by eighty feet with a one hundred by thirty-seven foot southern transcept was erected. The last service in the South street church was held September 11, with services all forenoon and evening, scores of speakers and record crowds. Ten were present 153 who had heard the first sermon there thirty-two years be­ fore. Two days later a social reception was held before the building was abandoned. The church held services mean­ while Sunday afternoons at the Second Presbyterian Church. St. Paul's Church had laid its cornerstone July 2, 1870. The structure, of brick, one hundred by eighty feet with a southern transept one hundred by thirty-seven feet, cost $50,000. The lecture room was first occupied May 7, 1871, and the church was dedicated November 1, with a cele­ bration. The spire of St. Paul's was blown down in a wind storm July 21, 1878. Many people in a house across the street es­ caped injury, although the roof was crushed in. In 1892 it was planned to divide the congregation and erect a second church at Grand avenue and DeWitt street. In 1923 a large addition was built, with gymnasium and other means for church activities. Pastors not before mentioned have been : Henry Louns­ berry, J. H. Romer, Charles Isham, John K. Still, Charles S. Brown, Jacob C. Washburn, John K. Wardle, Silas Fitch, (1857) ; Richard Wheatley, Luther Peck, Alexander Mc­ Lean, J. G. Oakley, (1868) ; George H. Corey (1871), David L. Marks (1873), John K. Wardle (1876), Elias S. Osborn (1879), William E. Clarke (1882), Angelo Ostrander (1885), Benjamin H. Burch (1888), William McKendree Darwood ( 1893), Frank L. Wilson ( 1895), Charles A. Holla (1900), Charles H. Cookman (1903), Charles L. Wal­ worth (1908), Thomas R. Wallace (1911), R. Irving Wat­ kins (1914), George W. Grinton (1916), Fred W. Stacey (1919), Benjamin M. Denniston (1923), Robert A. Green- well ( 1926) . FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH No church in Middletown had a more humble beginning than the First Baptist. Interest was first aroused early in 1840, by Thomas Van Horn. Van Horn collected about him the few "New School" Baptists in the village. The First Baptist Church of Middletown was constituted by an eccles­ iastical council October 21, 1840. It boasted but 17 members, of whom only three were men. The recognition service was held at the First Congregational church with the following program: Scripture reading, Elder S. White, of Staten Island; prayer by Rev. Mr. Bennett of the Orange County Church at Unionville; sermon, Rev. Zelotes Grenell, Cannon street church, New York; hand of fellowship, Elder Fay of Wantage, N. J.; charge, Rev. Mr. White; prayer, Rev .. John Wellslayer of Cornwall church; benediction Rev. Henry Ball of Middletown. 154 The first business meeting was held October 30 at the home of Thomas Van Horn. Rev. Henry Ball was called to the pastorate, and Van Horn was named deacon and clerk. It was also "Resolved, That we take a collection every Sab­ bath and that Sister Wickham be treasurer for the safe­ keeping of such collections." Meetings were held from house to house for two years and a half. On October 15, 1842, it was decided to ta.Ke immediate steps toward the erection of a church building. October 29 the church was incorporated with David Clark, Van Horn and John S. Stephens as trustees. A lot 65 by 100 feet was purchased on Mulberry street, and erection of the church began. Services were meanwhile held, some in the school house, and some in Lyceum Hall. The lot cost $350. Elder Ball resigned May 28, 1843, because of old age. "During the first three years of the church's life nine re­ joicing converts had been buried with Christ in baptism, so that at the close of Elder Ball's pastorate the membership of the church had increased to 46." Rev. Joseph Houghout took up his duties as pastor March, 1844. Work on the church did not proceed with great rapid­ ity, and the building was not completed and opened until May 23, 1844. It was an unpretentious brick meeting house, erected at what now would be an unusually low cost, $2,500. Regular services started in June. Mr. Houghout's pastorate lasted but 13 months. Sev­ eral pastors followed. Elder Samuel L. Barrett was twice pastor, the second time serving uttil April 1853, a short time before his death. Other preachers were Elder E. Sands, Elder James M. Hope and Elder J. J. Scarritt. About 1855 the membership nearly doubled, so that it was, within two or three more years, 80. Following the pastorates of Rev. Levi 0. Grenell and Rev. N. A. Reed, the church was without a pastor for three years. Rev. Charles A. Fox arrived in October, 1864, and opened an active regime. The church grew so rapidly that it was necessary to enlarge the building. The remodeled audience room was rededicated April 9, 1868, when Rev. Lyman Wright of Newburgh spoke. The cost had been $13,500. Rev. Mr. Fox was succeeded New Years Day, 1869, by Rev. Florence McCarthy, Rev. J. H. Gunning and Rev. Frank Fletcher, whose pastorate totaled nine years. Rev. W. Edgar Wright was pastor before Rev. C. J. Page, whose service, 1882-1893, was the longest in the congrega­ tion's history at that time. The pleasant little cruciform church on Mulberry street has remained substantially the same. The mortgage was paid in 1893. In 1923 the Church acquired a community house at West Main and Mulberry streets. Pastors have been: Rev. Frank A. Heath, 1893- 155 1900; Rev. J. C. Hendrickson, 1901-1908; Rev. Forest P. Hunter, 1908-. GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH The first Episcopal services were held during the sum­ mer of 1843 by Rev. Horace Hills of Walden. Occasional services were held in the Congregational church, the old Methodist church on South street, in Lyceum Hall on Main street which was burned in 1845, and, it is said, in village hall on North street. Other clergymen who presided were Rev. William Page of Goshen, and Rev. John Brown, D. D., of St. George's, Newburgh. Meetings were held in the Bap­ tist Church, on Mulberry street, after the organization of the church February 18, 1845. On that day, was incor­ porated "Grace Church of South Middletown in the County of Orange." James Stryker and Elisha Wheeler became the wardens. The first vestrymen were James G. Swezey, Ed­ ward M. Madden, John G. Wilkin, William N. Phillips, John Bailey, Anthony Houston, Charles Dill and P. Manning Stryker, which would indicate that from the first the church attracted many of the foremost citizens of the village. A site for a building, on North street and containing most of the land on which the church now stands, was pur­ chased in 1845 of Henry E. Horton. The following year work started on the church building. Specifications called for a structure 35 by 70 feet in size, with a 125-foot steeple, the building to be made of native stone. John K. Moore con­ tracted for the carpentry, and Welch and Talmadge for the masonry. The total cost was $6500. In the steeple was later placed the village clock. Work was finished in the winter of 1847, and the first service in it was held on Christmas Eve. Rev. G. W. Timlow was pastor. The church was consecrated September 12, 1848, by Right Rev. William Heathcote DeLancey, D. D., bishop of Western New York. Dr. Brown of Newburgh and other clergymen assisted. A small pipe organ was soon installed. Rev. Mr. Timlow resigned in 1851 because of ill health. Rev. J. Sheldon Spencer took the rectorship the following summer, and resigned in 1855, the vacancy being tempor­ arily filled by Rev. Lloyd Johnson. There were then 25 com­ municants. Rev. P. Teller Babbitt accepted the pastorate December 5, 1855. He lived in Wallkill Academy, of which he was then principal. A parsonage was soon built on Mul­ berry street. He resigned July 14, 1862, and was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Capron. In 1863 a small addition was made to the church, and more pews were added. In 1866 the south transcept was built by the omni-present Elisha Wheeler. A fire damaged 156 the interior, and necessitated further repairs. In 1866 there were 134 communicants, and a ne,v organ was bought. In 1867 the north transcept was built. Mainly through the efforts of J. M. Matthews, E. M. Madden and Charles Horton, the attractive spire was built in 1869. The clock was taken from the old tower which was demolished, and placed in the new spire. In 1912 work started on the parish house on Depot street, the cornerstone being laid September 29 by Bishop Greer. It was completed within a short time. Rectors not mentioned have been: Rev. Alexander Capron, 1862-77; Rev. George D. Silliman, 1877-82; Rev. William McGlathery, 1884-90; Rev. Charles Scadding, 1890- 1; Rev. David J. Evans, 1891-1904; Rev. Francis S. Smithers, Jr., 1904-18; Rev. Maxwell W. Rice, 1918-9; Rev. Irving Batchellor, 1919-20; Rev. Roman L. Harding, 1922-. WEBB HORTON MEMORIAL CHURCH With Middletown's growth in population, there were a number of people who believed that there was room for a second Presbyterian Church. The fact became common knowledge early in 1854, and during the summer steps were taken in the matter. Rev. John H. Leggett of Hopewell, Orange County, spoke to that effect before the Presbytery. A number of Middletowners then invited Rev. John Boyd to preach for them a few weeks at Gothic Hall, which he did. August 8, 1854, at the home of Israel 0. Beattie, those interested decided to organize a Presbyterian Church which should be somewhat more fundamentalistic than the existing church. Thereafter for several weeks the society held services at the Baptist Church. The Old School Presbyterian Church, under the name of the Second Presbyterian Church, was organized September 22, 1854, at the Baptist building. Rev. John H. Leggett spoke on "Church Extension," after which 23 persons presented certificates of church membership. W. W. Robertson, John H. Millspaugh, and Hiram Brink were ordained elders. Israel 0. Beattie, Lewis Little, Henry S. Beakes, John E. Corwin, David C. Winfield and Samuel A. Monell were chosen trustees. Services continued to be held Sunday afternoons at the Baptist Church, regu­ lar supply pastors being used. The church was incorporated December 5. The active little congregation in 1855 erected a church, a plain 46 by 70 foot structure, with a 103-foot spire, with a 38 by 46 foot session room in the basement. It stood on part of the site of the Webb Horton Church. Soliciting of funds started December 24, 1854. Z. H. Luckey was the architect and carpenter, and James G. Crawford the mason. 157 The structure cost $6,000. Joshua D. Corey did the painting and Willian Monell the frescoing. The citizens of the day must have been proud of the little building. "The interior is neatly and tastily finished, and presents a very fine ap­ pearance," says a contemporary account. The Church was dedicated March 13, 1856, Rev. Dr. Snodgrass of Goshen preaching the sermon. A call had been extended to Rev. Mr. Leggett, who had been a prime mover in the forming of the church and he accepted. His pastorate started January 1, 1856, and he was regularly in­ stalled June 26. In the following year the church had 94 members. At a church meeting February 27, 1860, it was decided to purchase a lot and build a parsonage. This, however, was not completed until 1867. Mr. Leggett served until the end of the year 1863. A call was then extended to Rev. Charles Beattie, who had just graduated from Princeton. He accepted, and was installed as pastor October 6, 1864. In 1865 the church was enlarged. By 1880 the mem­ bership had increased to 360, and the Sunday School had 400 members. Rev. Aquilla Webb became pastor in 1904, the year Mr. Beattie died. In 1906 the name was changed to the West­ minster Presbyterian Church. Rev. E. VanDyke Wight be­ came pastor in 1907, and has remained. The Church decided to build in 1910. In 1911 the con­ gregation accepted the offer of Mrs. Webb Horton and her son Eugene to construct the Webb Horton Memorial Presby­ terian Church, endowed with $40,000 by the congregation. The new church, one of the most modern in the state in facilities for congregational activities, was dedicated April 19, 1914. ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH Prior to the Erie's arrival, there were probably no Roman Catholics in Middletown. Even afterwards, they arrived but sparingly until the large Irish immigrations. Mass was first celebrated in Middletown in 1848 in the Tandy block, East Main street at Academy avenue. The nearest church was at Goshen. Middletowners were accus.. tomed to go to Goshen, and it was not unusual for persons to make the entire trip on foot. Traveling priests visited the village on the average of once a month or six weeks, conducting services in private houses. Among the visiting priests were Father Callahan of Goshen and Father Rau­ scher of Cochecton. For a time masses were held in Gothic Hall. St. Joseph's Society was organized about 1859. In that year the number of Catholics had become large enough to 158 consider erecting a church. In 1860 the society actually purchased the present site of Linden Hall, on Linden ave­ nue at Wickham. On this land James G. Crawford, mason, was employed to build massive foundations, ninety by fifty feet, of stone, which form the foundation for the present building. The war intervened, however, and operations were discontinued. Little has been recorded of this society. In 1864 the society celebrated St. Patrick's Day. Among the officers at that time were Michael Mahony, John Kearns and Terence Costello. From then onward the society held affairs from time to time to raise money. Apparently in January, 1865, the St. Joseph's parish was officially organized under the first pastor, Rev. Andrew O'Reilly, who came here from Newburgh. The parish im­ mediately went to work. In February it purchased of Judge John G. Wilkin twelve acres of land in the country on Cot­ tage street beyond Wickham avenue, for $7,000. The Divi­ sion street (Linden avenue) site was abandoned because the lot was not large enough for a rectory in addition to the church. At a church fair in April $1060 was raised. In July the old site was sold for $2,000. In a few weeks the parish purchased five acres at Bullville to establish a sta­ tion. At that time services were held at 9 o'clock Sunday morning at Gothic Hall. A small frame church was erected at a cost of $7,000 on a site a few feet north of the present church, with a seat­ ing capacity of 400 or 500 persons. The building was roughly half as large as the present church. It was long and narrow, with no stained glass windows. The building was dedicated by Archbishop McClosky Wednesday, October 2, 1867. At a cost of $2500, the house which stood on the lot, north of the church, was remodeled as a rectory, the same building still serving. About the same time as work started on the church St. Joseph's cemetery was opened. With Rev. Ruben Parsons as assistant, Father O'Reilly remained in Middletown nine years. He was succeeded by Rev. Richard O'Gorman, temporary pastor, who remained but a year and a half. The next pastor was Rev. P. J. Pren­ dergast of Ellenville. His assistant, who came to Middle­ town September 17, 1877, was Rev. John Patrick McClancy. As the year passed, rapidly growing St. Joseph's Par­ ish felt the need of a new building. It was still under a heavy burden of debt incurred in purchase of land and building the first church. The Catholics were active, and formed the St. Joseph's Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society, a Catholic literary society, and other clubs which helped raise money. Hugh Duffey headed the St. Joseph's Church Building Association. 159 The old frame church, outgrown, was decaying rapidly. It was in a dangerous condition, and it was feared that it would topple over. Safety was insured by the simple ex­ pedient of propping up the walls with large beams similar to telephone poles, which were jokingly referred to as the "pillars of the church." The cornerstone for the new church, built south of the old one, was laid July 27, 1879, by Bishop O'Hara of Scran­ ton. Rev. Dr. McGlynn, of New York, noted orator, was unable to come at the last minute. On a few moments no­ tice Father McClancy delivered a remarkable extemporan­ eous address which upheld his reputation as an orator. More than a year was required to build the church, the cost being $18,500, with furnishings increasing this to $26,- 000. The building committee consisted of Father Prender­ gast, John Bradley, John Curtis, Patrick Dougherty and Timothy Cohalan. The architect was Arthur Crooks, of New York. The building has an unusual system of open­ work trusses which support the roof. At that time there was but one other building in the country constructed on that principle. The church was dedicated Sunday, May 9, 1880, fol­ lowing the last services in the old church, by Bishop P. L. Lynch of Charleston, S. C. A chapel was added to the rear of the church in 1884, and the spire was built several years later. The chimes were installed in 1911. Father McClancy became pastor follow­ ing transfer of Father Prendergast in 1888, and has since held the position. In 1900 he became dean of Orange and Rockland. Assistant pastors have been Rev. Francis C. Lennes, Rev. Philip O'Hanlon, Father Butler, Rev. James McNamara, Rev. M. J. Shine, Rev. Hugh J. Daly, Rev. Pasquale Bavasso, Rev. Joseph Murphy, and, 1918 until the present, Rev. Andrew P. Botti.

ST. JOHN'S A. M. E. ZION The forerunner of St. John's A. M. E. Zion Church, known as the Methodist Episcopal Zion Church of Middle­ town, was incorporated November 20, 1861, with the fol­ lowing trustees: Henry Waterford, Peter Bowman, George Millspaugh, Joseph Johnson and Joseph McClaughry. The church was dormant for a time, after holding ser­ vices for a period in a house at East avenue and Water street. In 1871 interest was revived under the pastorship of Rev. Lewis B. Henry, who remained until the spring of 1873. Funds were raised with the help of the townspeople. On July 6, 1871, was laid the cornerstons for the old church on East avenue. Horace Greeley lectured here for the bene­ fit of the church, which was completed and dedicated Octo- 160 ber 29, 1871. The new church on Everett street was opened in 1924. BETHEL A. M. E. A split in the congregation of St. John's in 1876 re­ sulted in the formation of the Bethel A. M. E. Church. The new congregation, under Pastor William F. Townsend, dedi­ cated its church November 30, 1876, with Presiding Elder Dorrell of Brooklyn in charge. THE FREE CHRISTIAN CHURCH The Free Christian Church, as has been said in the general history, was organized in 1877 by Rev. C. M. Win­ chester, who remained in charge until compelled to retire by ill health in the late Nineties. The Church met at Linden Hall, known as Winchester Hall. In 1900 Rev. Frank A. Heath, resigned from the First Baptist Church, went to the Free Christian Church. When his faction attempted to turn the Church Baptist in 1901, a hot church battle ensued. The Free Christian Church was broken up, and Mr. Heath's party in March, 1902, started Calvary Baptist Church. CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH Formed in March, 1902, Calvary Baptist survived until January 8, 1913, when the congregation voted to unite with the First Baptist Church. The congregation did not build a church. The pastors were Rev. F. A. Heath, Rev. Mr. Losee, and Rev. J. A. Courtright. FAITH MISSION Faith Mission was organized January 22, 1889, in the old Orchard street school house, with forty members. Meet­ ings had been held for about two years previously. D. L. Conkling was named superintendent, and Squire Lee clerk. The first trustees were William A. Keeler, E. M. Madden, Jr., and D. L. Conkling. NORTH STREET CHURCH The North Street Congregational church was formed in 1899. Plans were made during the spring and summer. The actual work of constructing the church, however, was left to a provisional committee, an unusual procedure in church history. This provisional committee of ten or more included Chairman Rev. Lyman E. Davis, C. E. O'Neil, C. J. Burhans, George Bartle, Robert Harratt, Martin Hender­ son, Chester Belding. The building work started in August. 161 The parish, public worship, and finance committees of the church co-operated. Chandeliers were donated by the First Congregational church. The church was formally organized November 11, 1899, when a constitution was drawn and officers elected. The trustees were George Bartle, C. J. Burhans, Robert A. Harratt, C. E. O'Neil, Franklin Graham, Benjamin F. Weeks, Charles Stephens. The charter members were Mrs. Sarah C. Burhance, Miss Nellie Burhance, Mrs. Ella Bartle, Mrs. Chester Belding, Miss L. E. Brink, Mrs. Annie Cooper, Rev. Lyman E. Davis, Mrs. L. E. Davis, Mrs. Henrietta Finch, Miss Josie Heckroth, Mrs. Ella Mead, Albert H. F. Phillipps, Miss Carrie Stout, J~oseph E. Stout, C. G. Taylor, Charles B. Wilkes, Mrs. Mary E. Wilkes, Miss Mame B. Wilkes, J. K. Lloyd and Robert Todd. The first service in the new church was held November 17. Two evenings later the church was recognized by the council, and the building was dedicated by Rev. A. F. Pierce of the First Congregational Church. Rev. Lyman E. Davis was installed as pastor. Rev. E. P. Ingersoll of Brooklyn preached the sermon. The building was formally transferred to the church January 10, 1890, when the church was incorporated. Dur­ ing the year the church joined the Hudson River Associa­ tion of Congregational churches. The pastors have been: Mr. Davis, until August, 1891; Rev. Fred L. Luce, 1891- January, 1894; Rev. John W. Norris, 1894-8; Rev. William Henry Morton, 1898-1902; Rev. William S. Hanks, 1902-6; Rev. H. N. Pfeiffer; Rev. Thomas Livingston, 1907-9; Rev. Charles H. Reynolds, 1907-17; Rev. Samuel Millar, 1917-21; Rev. A. B. Hotchkiss, 1921-28. SALVATION ARMY After a brief visit in 1883, the Salvation Army was permanently established in Middletown in 1890. It opened its home on King street, previously a saloon, in 1920. ST. JOHN'S After unsuccessful attempts had been made in 1874, 1877, 1885, 1894, and possibly on other occasions, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized on Nov. 7, 1898, by Rev. Mr. Schmidtkonz of Rondout. In 1899 the congregation bought land, and January 18, 1914, it dedi­ cated its church building, Linden avenue at Franklin street. The pastors have been: Rev. William C. Drach, 1898-1901; Rev. William Trebert, 1901-6; Rev. Mr. Mein­ ecke, 1906-8; Rev. A. H. Shaffer, 1908-12; Rev. George A. Fechner, 1912-. Previous to 1909 the congregation shared its minister with one or more other congregations. 162 CHRIST CHURCH Christ Church, Universalist, was organized at the close of the last century by Rev. J. N. Emory. The cornerstone of the church building was laid October 15, 1900, and the building was dedicated December 29, 1901. Pastors since Mr. Emory have been Stanard Do,v Butier, Rev. Thomas Saunders, Rev. George H. Welch, and Rev. Elbert W. Whippen. CARMELITE CHURCH The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was estab­ lished in 1912 by Rev. Richard Colfer. The new parish bought the old Little homestead at the foot of Monhagen avenue, and converted the barn into a church. The Car­ melite priests also took over the management of the rural missions and stations in this locality. The present church, which is to be the basement of the structure when it is eventually completed, was opened in 1926. ITALIAN CHAPEL In 1914 the Webb Horton Memorial Church started work among the Italians of the city. The cornerstone of the chapel on Cottage street was laid November 12, 1916, and the building was dedicated November 11 of the following year. The ministers in charge of the branch of the Webb Horton Church have been Rev. 0. B. Neyroz, Rev. D. A. Porfirio, and Rev. J. Capriotti. SYNAGOGUE AND COMMUNITY CENTER Eleven years ago, in the fall of 1916, approximately fifteen men led by Nathan Schweiger and the Rev. Mr. Ep­ stein met in a store on North street to organize the Middle­ town Jewry. Nathan Schweiger became the first President of the Middletown Hebrew Association. A year later the organization was incorporated and the membership grew to twenty. At first meetings were held at the Ramsdell's School and later at Odd Fellows Hall. The following are charter members : David Binenkorb, Jerome Cohen, Rev. Epstein, Sam Gray, Sam Green, Morris Marks, Max Brenwasser, Nathan Schweiger, Sol Ellerin, Reuben Waldman and Barney Henderson. A list of presidents who have led the organization fol­ lows: Nathan Schweiger, Jerome Cohen, B. Henderson, Sam Green, Sol Ellerin, H. Hirschkorn (deceased) Morris Marks, A. J. Goodman, Max Brenwasser, J. Wiseman, Jer­ ome Cohen, George B. Birkhahn. 163 During Rabbi Beck's leadership in 1921 the association was spurred on to greater e:ff ort by the founding of a He­ brew School and during Mr. Brenwasser's administration, a drive for a greater membership was carried out success­ fully. During the same administration a building committee was appointed consisting of: Nathan Schweiger, chairman; William B. Fenning, Treasurer; George B. Birkhahn, Sec­ retary, Moe Spiegel, Morris Marks, Sam Green, Sam Gray, William Spitz, Joseph Markowits, David Binenkorb, Max Brenwasser and A. J. Goodman. In 1925 its fondest dream came true, with the erection of a beautiful four story edifice on Linden avenue, at John street. The building includes an auditorium, a gymnasium, lockers and showers for men and women, offices, game rooms and classrooms. rrhe building also contains a fully equipped kosher kitchen; a $100,000 structure erected by about seventy Jewish families. The association also bought and maintains in order a cemetery on the outskirts of Middletown. It has contributed to a number of charities in this country and abroad. Since the fall of 1927 when Rabbi Julian L. Greifer accepted the leadership of the local Jewish community, the Synagogue and Centre has progressed tremendously. A Sunday School and Hebrew School were permanently founded equipped with a modern curriculum, junior and senior organizations formed, social life enlivened, a public forum organized at which men of the caliber of Judge Russell Wiggins have spoken, dramatic performances were given by the young folks and one of the best basket ball teams in Orange County formed. The following organiza­ tions are at present functioning in the Centre: The Hebrew Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. S. Ellerin, President; Senior Y. M. H. A., Mr. D. Fishman, President; Junior Y. M. H. A., Morton Fenning, President.; Junior Y. W. H. A., Florence Hirsh, President; Junior Clubs:-Sifriya, Young Judeans, and the Hakoah Athletic Club. A Girl Scout troop was or­ ganized last year and has Miss Estelle Newman as Captain and Miss Florence Mermel as Lieutenant. The Boy Scout Troop was led last year by P. Becker, with the assistance of Harry Travers. CEMETERIES

THE FIRST CEMETERY Middletown had scarcely attained the size of a hamlet before it felt the need of a cemetery. As was natural at that time, the church yard was set off as a place of burial. It was not properly a church yard, but it was a sizable area in the rear of the church. In this plot burials were made as early as 1789, and 164 doubtlessly earlier. The first dated stones bear the year 1789, yet field stones give testimony that there were many other burials, and these were probably made in the earliest days when the settlers had neither the money to spare nor the opportunity to obtain grave markers. This yard continued to be used until around 1840, when the Academy avenue cemeteries came into use. In 1834 a fence was built about the plot with material from the old meeting house, and the cemetery was divided between the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches. The cemetery continued in existence until 1871. The remains were then removed and placed in a common grave along "Hyacinth Path" in Hillside Cemetery, where they still remain. The site of the cemetery is now partially cov­ ered by buildings. Excavations in recent years from time to time disclose old markers and stones. When the remains were removed to Hillside Cemetery, all headstones were also removed to the new site, and placed in two rows on the lot, a total of 98 of them. The field stones were discarded. Most of the stones were of soft brownstone, which was much decayed, so that the inscrip­ tions on many of the stones are now undecipherable. The following inscriptions are recorded: Nathaniel Vail, died November 10, 1796, aged 31. Mary Smith, died September 3, 1804, aged 79. Gabriel Corwin, died November 2, 1820, aged 25. David Moore, died August 4, 1805, aged 71. Jonathan Owen, died May 10, 1809, aged 44. James McQuoid, died July 18, 1806, aged 68. Charles McQuoid, died August 5, 1797, aged 22. David Moore, died June 18, 1789. William Mills, died June 9, 1836, aged 31. Lucinda Carmichael, died June 9, 1824, aged 6. Frances Elmira Conklin, died February 16, 1835, aged 10. Nancy Owen, died June 3, 1814, aged 27. Jerusha Wells, died September 8, 1817, aged 75. Merium Vail, died December 15, 1805, aged 47. Elizabeth Horton, died September 25, 1843, aged 83. Abigall Murray, died November 16, 1797, aged 1. William A. Howell, died August 28, 1811, aged 31. Phebe Gillfon, died November 2, 1801, aged 20.

LITTLE CEMETERY The old burial ground in the rear of the Congregational Church was inadequate for the needs of the growing village of Middletown, and in 1840 a new cemetery was laid out. James Little purchased a lot of land from Robert H. Houston, now part of the site of Academy avenue park. He fenced the plot and marked off burial lots, which were sold for from $20 to $30. "One lot was devised as a burial place for the ministers of the Presbyterian church; a portion of 165 the grounds was also appropriated for the burial of the poor. By the will of Mr. Little, the necessary means were provided for keeping the Cemetery grounds in repair." The cemetery was used for a number of years, and then fell into a wreck. The unsightly graveyard became a notor­ ious eyesore. It was an unpleasant landscape garden in front of Wallkill Academy, and the pupils played about among the graves. The sum which had been left for the cemetery's care had been squandered. In this cemetery were buried, among others, persons of these names : Reeve, Vail, Moore, Conk­ ling, McNish, Foster, Wilcox, Beakes, Hulse, Little, Cox, Denton, Falls, Wells, Stewart, Leggett, Dorrance, Howell and Dunning. (Part of these were in the South Middletown Cemetery.) The disposition of this cemetery will be found in the article on the South Middletown Ce1netery following this. Rev. D. T. Wood was also buried here. SOUTH MIDDLETOWN CEMETERY The "South Middletown Cemetery" was organized October 26, 1848, at a meeting at Lyceum Hall, where Ben­ jamin Bennett was elected chairman and Benjamin W. Shaw secretary. The foil owing trustees ,vere elected: Benjamin Bennett, Elijah Smith, William C. McNish, Hiram Kain, John Bailey and Henry E. Horton. The proceedings were verified before Justice of the Peace William W. Reeve, and recorded in the county clerk's office at Goshen. This organization opened a cemetery adjoining Little's graveyard, of approximately the same size. Cost of lots was $8 or $10, and eighty-five of them had been sold in 1857. At that time the trustees were: President, Elijah Smith; Clerk, Charles Stewart; Vice-President, Henry E. Horton; Treasurer, Benjamin Bennett, A. A. Bromley and John N. Kellogg. This cemetery, as the Little Plot did, fell into ruin, particularly after Hillside Cemetery was opened. A num­ ber of persons removed bodies of relatives. In 1882 was passed a law authorizing the village to convert the plot into park. George H. Decker, Archibald L. Vail and George H. Thompson were members of the Commission which super­ vised removal of the bodies to Hillside Cemetery within the next year, the total cost of the work being approximately $4,000. HILLSIDE CEMETERY Hillside Cemetery Association was formed October 4, 1860, at Gothic Hall, officers: Israel 0. Beattie, President; John N. Kellogg, Secretary; Trustees: Beattie, Kellogg, James N. Pronk, Thomas Chattle, Silas L. King, James 166 Lytle, John Little, Ashbel C. King, James Rogers. The asso­ ciation purchased fifty acres of the George Houston farm, which was developed into a cemetery in 1861. Theophilis Vail, prominent citizen who died September 19, 1861, was the first person to be buried in the cemetery, which had been dedicated August 12. James N. Pronk had already become president. For years he was in control of the association, which was reorganized following his death. ST. JOSEPH'S CEMETERY St. Joseph's Church laid out a cemetery on its property soon after it bought the land on Cottage street in 1865. The cemetery was in use by 1868.

167 XIII. Organizations The organized groups of men in Middletown have greatly influenced the city's development. A number of the more important organizations are here considered. The de­ partment is incomplete, and no mention is made of minor societies and of many extinct lodges, ranging from the Sons of Temperance to the Order of Solon. CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS BOARD OF TRADE Following several weeks' preparation, the Middletown Board of Trade was organized March 11, 1887, with 137 members. The following trustees were elected-Isaac R. Clements, M. D. Stivers, S. R. Morgan, Henry R. Low, Wil­ liam B. Royce, D. C. Dusenberry, Albert Bull, George H. Thompson, Burt Hasbrouck, A. V. Boak, James B. Carson, Joseph B. Swalm, James H. Startup, Timothy Cohalan, Ferris M. Pronk. The Board elected these officers: Senator Low, presi­ dent; M. D. Stivers and D. C. Dusenberry, vice-presidents; Burt Hasbrouck, secretary; S. R. Morgan, treasurer. The Board's most notable acomplishment was setting in movement the project to charter Middletown as a city.

BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION Originally formed to combat the trade stamp and pre­ mi um abuse, the Business Men's Association of Middletown was organized February 3, 1898, and incorporated Novem­ ber 20, 1902. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Business Men's Association became the Chamber of Commerce in 1913, and was reorganized in its present form in 1916. 168 ROTARY CLUB The Rotary Club was chartered in 1919, Stanley Shimer first president. KIWANIS The Kiwanis Club was formed in 1922. Edmund C. Faulkner, first president.

PARK CIRCLE ASSOCIATION The Park Circle Association was formed in 1923, James E. Scott, president, and revived in 1927.

JUNIOR CHAMBER The Junior Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1925, Robert Austell, first president. MASONIC

HOFFMAN LODGE, 300, F. & A. M. September 19, 1817, John Kirby, Stacy Beakes, Isaac Otis, Isaac l\1ills and George Hill, under a dispensation from Governor DeWitt Clinton, Grand Master, and Deputy Grand Master Martin Hoffman, formed a Masonic Lodge at Me­ chanicstown. Meetings were held at the home of Isaac Otis, who later moved north and gave his name to Otisville ( 1820) . On September 29 the following officers were in­ stalled : John Kirby, master; Stacy Beakes, senior warden ; Isaac Otis, junior warden; Isaac Mills, treasurer; George Hills, secretary; Charles Anderson, tyler. Dr. Joshua Horn­ beck was the first man to join the lodge. Other early mem­ bers were Joseph Little, Jacob Mills, Dr. J. B. McMunn, Charles Dill and Henry S. Beakes. All of these except Jacob Mills were later made honorary members of the present Middletown Masonic Lodge. The lodge received its warrant December 29, 1817, and assumed the name of Hoffman Lodge, 300, in honor of Martin Hoffman. In 1818, Mr. Hoffman gave the lodge a Bible, writing from New York City June 23 : "Mr. George Hill. Dear Sir: I have this day put on board the sloop 'Mechanic', Capt. Crawford, directed to the care of Benjamin F. Lewis, Newburgh, a case containing a Bible for the use of Hoffman Lodge, which I request you will present to the officers and members of the lodge, with my best wishes for its prosperity, and at the same time assure them that I will always feel an interest in its wel­ fare.* * *" 169 This Bible is preserved by Hoffman Lodge, 412, which is the successor of the earlier lodge. Mr. Hoffman's wishes were not to be fulfilled. Together with other old lodges in Orange county, Hoffman Lodge, 300 fell prey to the violent anti-Masonic crusade of the late twenties and early thirties. The last recorded meeting was held September 10~ 1832. The charter of the lodge is believed to have been forfeited June 7, 1833. Thus ended the first fraternal organization in which Middletowners took part.

HOFFMAN LODGE, 412, F. & A. M. Exchange Building was headquarters for Hoffman Lodge, 412, F. & A. M., heir to the old Hoffman Lodge of Mechanicstown. The new lodge was organized in June, 1856, under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge, by Alex­ ander \Vilson, Silas R. Martine, Daniel C. Dusenberry, George H. Van Cleft, E. B. Graham, C. C. McQuoid, W. H. Stewart, A. J. Hardenburg, C. T. King and William Hulse. Permission was obtained to adopt the name of the other lodge, although the number was changed, and the new lodge took custody of the Bible and records of the old lodge. Headquarters were established in the new Exchange building, with "a spacious hall and two ante-rooms ( em­ bracing an area of 45 x 35 feet) all elegantly furnished." The lodge received its warrant June 16, 1857. The first officers were : Alexander Wilson ( afterwards District Dep­ uty), master; Silas R. Martine, senior warden; D. C. Dusen­ berry, junior warden; C. C. McQuoid, treasurer; E. B. Graham, secretary. In 1857 the membership was around 50 men. The lodge continued to meet in these rooms for nearly 20 years. The new Masonic Building (Gunther Building) was dedicated May 6, 1875. In 1909 was appointed a committee to consider a new building. In 1913 a building committee was appointed, and April 17, 1914, was laid the cornerstone of Masonic Temple, North and Courtland str~ets. The build­ ing, completed the same year, was wrecked by fire in 1922, and was rebuilt. MIDLAND CHAPTER: R. A. M. Named for the Midland Railroad, Midland Chapter, 240, Royal Arch Masons, organized March 17, 1869, re­ ceived its charter February 3, 1870, with Alexander Wilson as first high priest. CYPRUS COMMANDERY In 1897 Middletown members made an unsuccessful attempt to transfer Delaware Commandery, Knights Temp- 110 lar, from Port Jervis to Middletown. Cyprus Commandery, 67, of Middletown, was chartered in October, 1904, and in­ stituted November 10 following. Charles R. Smith was first commander. SHRINER'S ASSOCIATION The Middletown Shriner's Association was formed about 1909. QUEEN ESTHER CHAPTER Queen Esther Chapter, 163, Order of Eastern Star, was organized June 22, 1898, and constituted June 14 fol­ lowing. ODD FELLOWS MIDDLETOWN LoDGE, 112 Oldest organization in Middletown, Middletown Lodge, 112, I. 0. 0. F., was formed by John Stevens, William H. Stewart, Hiram Shons, Henry B. Shons and William War­ rell as charter members. It is the oldest fraternal organiza­ tion in Middletown. The lodge was instituted March 7, 1844, in rooms in the old "Erie" building on North street opposite the carpet-bag factory. In these rooms the lodge held its meetings until the completion of Gothic Hall, moving to the new quarters April 1, 1852, two months before they were dedicated. The original officers were : John Stevens, noble grand ; William H. Stewart, vice-grand; Hiram Shons, secretary; Henry B. Shons, treasurer; William Warrell, outer guard. There were enough offices to go around and some to spare. In 1869 the Lodge moved to the Exchange Building, and in 1877 to Odd Fellows Hall, North at Orchard. LUTHER LoDGE, · 380 Luther Lodge, 380, was organized by men- of German descent February 25, 1874, with Fred Lowe as noble grand. ORANGE ENCAMPMENT. 93 Orange Encampment, 93, was instituted November 23, 1877, with Stephen L. Preston as chief officer. MARTHA WASHINGTON LODGE Martha Washington Rebekah Lodge, 30, was formed July 11, 1871, David B. Cole, N. G.; Margaret Ann Preston, V. G. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS Lancelot Lodge, 169, Knights of Pythias, was installed June 30, 1881, at Mechanic's Hall, with a record number 171 of charter members, sixty-six. Grand Chancellor Shedd, of Poughkeepsie, was installing officer. First officers included: CJ. S. Webster, S. P. C.; l\. A. Weller, P. C.; E. J. Kearney, J. P. C.; C. T. Vail, C. C.; C. E. Talmadge, V. C.; Ira L. Case, P. ROYAL ARCANUM Concordia Council, Royal Arcanum, was instituted February 1, 1888, in the office of A. V. N. Powelson. The first officers included: A. V. N. Powelson, regent; H. W. Wiggins, vice-resent; John E. Corwin, orator; Thomas Watts, secretary; Daniel Finn, treasurer. JR. 0. U. A. M. Although there had been two somewhat similar organi­ zations many years before, Wallkill Council, 92, was in­ stalled May 10, 1897, with forty-eight charter members. Willis M. Corvvin and Bert Halbron were first councilor and vice-councilor. The Council opened its home on Washington street in 1916. Ka-m-el Court, 6, Court of the Orient, was formed November 27, 1920. EAGLES Empire Aerie, 542, Fraternal Order of Eagles, was in­ stituted November 22, 1903, with R. M. Cox as first W. P. OLD ORCHARD CLUB The Old Orchard Club was organized November 10, 1899, as the Darktown Fire Brigade, having taken part in the annual fire parade the previous October. It took its name from its clubhouse at 20 Orchard street. It was in­ corporated in 1906 and then acquired its home on West Main street. BACHELLORS SOCIAL CLUB The Bachellors Social Club, organized late in 1866, was for more than fifty years an important part of the village and city's social life. J. Decatur Horton was the first presi­ dent. Y. M. C. A. The Middletown Young Men's Christian Association, which had been preceded by short-lived clubs, was organized in January, 1882, "'-ith Theodore Hampson as president. This club lived about fifty years, having quarters at various places. It developed several able athletic teams.

MIDDLETOWN CLUB The Middletown Club was organized in 1880. 172 MAENNERCHOR Preceded by similar organizations, the Middletown Maennerchor was permanently organized in June, 1878, at Bastian's Hotel, Charles Korn first president. For many years it held a prominent part in the village and city activities. ELKS Middletown Lodge, 1097, B. P. 0. E., was established in 1909, A. E. Ruggles first exalted ruler. The Elks clubhouse was bought four years later.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Historical Society of Middletown and the Wallkill Precinct was organized as the result of a meeting April 20, 1923. William T. Doty has served as president from the first. MOOSE Middletown Lodge, 339, Loyal Order of Moose, was chartered September 15, 1910. January 22, 1922, the lodge dedicated its home, 34 South street. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Middletown Council, 486, Knights of Columbus, was instituted February 25, 1900, with T. Frank Cullinan as fir~t grand knight. P. 0. S. OF A. Camp 1, Patriotic Order, Sons of America, was insti­ tuted July 27, 1910, with 75 members, William Krenrich the principal officer. MACCABEES lliddletown Tent, 283, K~ 0. T. M., was formed Octo­ ber 12, 1895. The first officers included Past Commander D. H. Sprague, Commander C. H. Bower, and Lt. Com­ mander Elliot Weeks. VETERANS' ORGANIZATIONS

WEBBER POST, G. A. R. Webber Post, 33, Department of New York, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in Middletown April 28, 1870, meeting in Gothic Hall. C. A. Wells was com­ mander. It's life was short. 173 WALLKILL ARMY AND NAVY CLUB Equally ephemeral was the Wallkill Army and Navy Club, formed in 1879. GENERAL LYON POST, G. A. R. General Lyon Post, 277, G. A. R., was granted a charter April 12, 1882, and was mustered in two days later, Charles R. Smith commander. In 1927 there remained 17 of its 478 members. The post was named for General Nathaniel Lyon (1819-1861), a Civil War hero.

CAPTAIN JACKSON POST, G. A. R. Following a disruption in the ranks of General Lyon Post, and a secession, was formed Captain Jackson Post, 301, G. A. R., named for Captain William A. Jackson, the Hamptonburgh man who had died in the Civil War while fighting at the head of his Middletown company. The new post was mustered in February 1, 1894 with twenty-nine members. First officers included Charles B. Wood com­ mander; and Henry L. Devel and James F. Roosa, vice­ commanders. SPANISH WAR VETS Named for the Middletown man who died while in the service, Alfred C. Weller camp, United Spanish War Vet­ erans, was formed August 7, 1902, E. Madden Decker, first commander. AMERICAN LEGION Middletown Post, 151, American Legion, was organized in 1919, with John A. Korschen as first commander. FOREIGN WAR Named for Felix and William Dunlap, brothers killed in action in the World War, Dunlap Post, 692, Veterans of the Foreign Wars, was formed April 2, 1921, A. E. Calhoun, commander.

174 XIV. Miscellaneous JOURNALISM

MIDDLETOWN COURIER The first hint that Middletown would become more than a country ham.let attracted newspaper men to Middletown. At the opening of the village's boom period, A. A. Ben­ se!, young printer from Sullivan County, in 1841 borrowed $300, walked most of his way to New York, and purchased a modest printing shop equipment, which was slooped to Newburgh and carted cross-country to Middletown. In April, 1841, he issued the first number of the Middletown Courier, a Democratic organ in a Democratic stronghold, the town of Wallkill. The Courier was a five column weekly, sixteen by twenty-two inches, with columns measuring approximately fifteen ems pica. It was published Thursdays, the office in Henry E. Horton's brick building. Terms were $1.50 a year in advance, otherwise $2, with additional charge for out-of­ town delivery. Advertisements were fifty cents a square first insertion, $10 a square a year. Practically no local news was included. The Courier· was continued until about April, 1846, when Bense} left town, probably because of the small pro­ fits of his venture.

ORANGE COUNTY NEWS The Courier was succeeded by the Orange County News, published by John S. Brown, who came from Bloom­ ingburg, where he had published the Sullivan County Whig. The first number of the News was published in July 1846. The News, a tasteless, uninteresting sheet, interesting chiefly because in it were published the legal notices for the incorporation of the village, died in 1849, a Whig organ having failed even as its Democratic predecessor. 175 SIGNS OF THE TIMES In 1847 came to the village Gilbert Beebe, Old School Baptist elder, who purchased the plant of the Orange County News, to publish his Signs of the Times. Returning from the Black Rock conference in 1832, which split the Baptist Church, Elder Beebe started the Signs at New Ver­ non, August 8, 1832, to uphold the Old School sect. For a time the Signs was printed at the Independent Republican office at Goshen, but after a year Beebe opened his own shop at New Vernon. As started, the Signs was a six-by­ ten inch leaflet, two columns to the page, a religious oracle of no interest to the layman. Its size was changed from time to time in later years. In 1836 Beebe moved the Signs to Alexandria, Va., returning to New Vernon in 1840, and coming to Middle­ town in 1847. His shop in Middletown was at 17 Orchard street. After Elder Beebe's death, publication of the Signs was continued by his son, Benton L. Beebe, who was in turn succeeded by Gilbert Beebe, the present publisher. The Signs is Middletown's most notable publication, having a wide circulation. It is still a power in the Old School Bap­ tist Church, but has faded with the dwindling of the sect.

FREEDOM'S GUARD From Elder Beebe's office, his son William L. Beebe in 1848 issued a few numbers of an unimportant and soon-for­ gotten journal, Freedom's Guard, a typical Beebe publica­ tion aroused for defense of civic and religious liberty.

THE BANNER OF LIBERTY A more notable publication was the Banner of Liberty, established in 1848 by Gilbert Judson Beebe.... ~t first a monthly, it prospered until in 1856 it became a weekly. Firmly Democratic, this weekly was in its palmy days an eight page paper, approximately fifteen by eleven inches page size, four columns to the page. It was pro-slavery and conservative. It gained great circulation throughout the southern states. At its heights it attained, including the Campaign. Banner, a supplement, a circulation of 15,000 copies. The outbreak of the Civil War severed the greater part of its circulation, and at the same time made its policy dan­ gerous. Similar newspapers were suspended. To avoid this, the Banner of Liberty was discontinued September 3, 1861. At the close of the war the paper was resumed, but its prestige was lost, and its circulation was small. Beebe continued it until the summer of 1872. After his death late that year it was revived for a brief period by other mem- 176 hers of the Beebe family, but it was soon sold to Thomas E. and Gilbert H. Benedict of Ellenville, was moved to that village, and died. MIDDLETOWN ADVERTISER The Middletown Advertiser, free monthly advertising sheet published by G. J. Beebe, appeared in 1849, a thou­ sand copies to the issue. It was discontinued in 1852.

THE WHIG PRESS Middletown's next local newspaper, really the first newspaper was the Whig Press, whose initial number ap­ peared November 26, 1851. It was published by John W. Hasbrouck, who, after retiring from the Sullivan County Whig at Bloomingburg, was prevailed upon to establish a Whig organ at Middletown by a number of business men and politicians. As first printed, the Press was a four page seven column weekly, published Wednesdays. It soon became noted for its local news, which was unusually complete for that period. In 1856 the Press declared itself neutral in politics, but a couple of years later when the Republican party attained growth, the Press enthusiastically pledged allegiance to it. In 1866 the name was changed to the Orange County Press, as it was known until its merger with the Times. In 1868 Hasbrouck, retiring from journalism, sold it to Moses D. Stivers. December 3, 1869, Stivers took into the firm Albert Kessinger (1849-1872), a brilliant young Prussian. The later history of the Orange County Press is bound up in the more frequent Press publications, to be noted later, and the County Press became an echo.

HARDWARE-MAN'S NEWSPAPER Fresh from a journalistic battle for temperance at Port Jervis, John Williams in August, 1855, issued the first num­ ber of a trade monthly, the Hardware-Man's Newspaper. This magazine gained wide support. Three years later its name was changed to the Iron Age, and it was moved to New York City. It remains a leading trade journal.

THE SIBYL In July, 1856, appeared the first issue of the semi­ monthly women's rights and dress reform organ, The Sibyl, edited by Dr. Lydia Sayer Hasbrouck, a leader in the move­ ment. At the top of the first of the eight pages was a picture of Dr. Hasbrouck in her bloomer costume. This 177 provocative magazine was discontinued after about three years. THE MIDDLETOWN MERCURY With the rift between the North and South rapidly widening, G. J. Beebe on October 1, 1859, issued the first number of the militant Democratic weekly, the Middletown Mercury. The Mercury, specializing in local news, and neatly printed, gained circulation following its purchase in 1860 by James H. Norton (1824-1894), a newspaper man of exceptional ability. Norton obtained the aid of an able young man, Isaac F. Gui,vits, and under their guidance the Mercury gained the reputation of being the handsomest paper in the country. If not actually copperhead during the Civil War, it was at least anti-administration. In 1867 Isaac V. Montanye acquired an interest, and the following year became its sole owner. S. M. Boyd bought it in 1869, assimi­ lating the Mail in 1873. In that year Dr. Joseph D. Friend, and George H. Thompson became owners. In 1878 it was consolidated with the Weekly Argus.

THE DAILY MAIL Middletown's first daily newspaper, The Daily Mail, was started in January, 1869, by Isaac F. Guiwits. It died after seventy-eight numbers had been issued. It was a small, four-page paper, each page with five fourteen-em columns, and Democratic.

THE MIDDLETOWN MAIL Following decease of the Da-ily Mail, Guiwits on April 28, 1869, issued a weekly, the Middletown Mail, of four six­ column pages. It was soon sold to Evander B. Willis, who in turn sold it to Dr. J. D. Friend. It was merged with the Mercury in 1873, and the village again had but one Demo­ cratic newspaper.

THE EVENING PRESS Stivers and Kessinger on May 24, 1870, started a tri­ weekly, The Evening Press, published Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It was discontinued when the Daily Press was started. The firm was purchased October 15, 1872, by F. Stanhope Hill and John W. Slauson. THE DAILY PRESS The Middletown Daily Press appeared October 26, 1872. July 1, 1873, M. D. Stivers bought Hill's interest, selling it in 1880 to Charles J. Boyd, and again acquiring 178 an interest in 1883. In that year the firm changed the Or­ ange County Press from a weekly to a semi-weekly. In 1891 Stivers retired from the firm. February 1, 1906, the Daily Press was merged with the Daily Times, and the Semi­ weekly with the Orange County Times.

THE MIDDLETOWN ARGUS In 1875 Isaac V. I\'.Iontanye established a weekly, the Middletowri Argus. It was merged ,vith the Mercury when the Mercury was purchased by the Argus firm, and con­ tinued as long as the Daily Argus.

THE DAILY ARGUS January 27, 1876, Montanye issued the first number of the Daily Argus, Democratic newspaper. He sold it and the weekly to Cornelius l\'.Iacardell, who placed George H. Thompson in charge, he continuing until his death in 1904. The elder Macardell was succeeded by his son, A. B. Macar­ dell. The Argus died in 1918, having been conducted for a number of years by Charles A. Evans.

THE EVENING STANDARD When the Middletown newspapers turned against him Rev. Charles M. Winchester, July 28, 1877, organized the Evening Standard Association, which for three months published an unprofitable temperance sh~et, the Evening Standard. THE LIBERAL SENTINEL Sponsoring a fight for reform and women's civic rights specifically represented in feminine membership in the Board of Education, and opposed by both dailies, the Has­ broucks April 23, 1881, published the first number of the Liberal Sentinel, an interesting little weekly, unprofitable and short-lived. THE SUNDAY NEWS In 1883, James H. Norton and Charles H. Conkling started the Sunday News, an eight-column, four-page weekly catering to the farmer. This was sold and was merged in the Jacksonian, after J. W. Hasbrouck in turn sold it to T. A. Reid. The News discontinued July 8, 1883.

THE JACKSONIAN The short-lived Jacksonian, of 1887, started by Has­ brouck but soon taken over by Reid, was not a newspaper 179 properly, but an anti-democratic machine political organ. James J. McNally bought it and merged it with papers he published in Goshen and Monroe.

THE ADVANCE During the same period, 1886-7, N. E. Conkling pub­ lished The Advance, a weekly, official paper of the United Labor Party in Middletown.

ORANGE COUNTY DAIRYMAN Edited by W. C. Cairns, the Sullivan County News­ paper correspondent known as "Rusticus," the Orange County Dairyman appeared in December, 1888, from the plant of Macardell, Thompson and Barnett. It died in January, 1890. THE CONGLOMERATE From June 15, 1890, until 1897, was published at the Middletown State Hospital the Conglomerate, advocating the Hospital Idea and widely quoted.

THE DAILY TIMES April 29, 1891, appeared the first number of the Mid­ dletown Daily Times, published by Lewis S. and John D. Stivers, with the support of their father, M. D. Stivers. It soon gained prominence. The Orange County Times was also published. February 11, 1906, the Daily Press and the Times merged in the Middletown Times-Press, and the semi-'"Teekly edition became the Orange County Times­ Press. This important daily and the weekly continued to be published by the Stivers Printing Company. In 1926 the company bought the Thomas Pendell group of weeklies, issuing them with the County Times-Press. January 1, 1927, these papers. were purchased by the Orange County Inde­ pendent Corporation.

THE FORUM February 28, 1897, Horace W. Corey and W. T. Doty issued the first number of The Forum, soon the Sunday Forum. A lively sheet, it passed through various owner­ ships, dying April 21, 1900.

THE TIMES HERALD Following collapse of the Argus in 1918, the remains were bought by Thomas Pendell and R. M. Cox, who, later in the year, started The Middletown Herald, in which R. S. 180 Carver replaced Mr. Pendell after reorganization. In 1924 the company went into bankruptcy, and the newspaper was bought by the Orange County Independent Company, headed by E. Roland Harriman. There ensued a lively battle for supremacy between the Herald, which was renamed The Daily Herald and the Times-Press, ending when the Harriman company bought the Stivers Printing Company, and, on January 1, 1927, merged the two newspapers. The buyers early in 1927 converted the Orange County group of weeklies into The Orange County Independent.

THE REVIEW In April, 1925, R. S. Carver returned to the Middle­ town newspaper field, establishing a small weekly, The Review. POST OFFICE The Middletown post office was established October 22, 1816, with Stacy Beakes as postmaster. Letters were sorted in Beakes's store, at North and West Main, and placed in compartments of a wooden cabinet, which is now exhibited in the collection of the Historical Society. When Beakes moved his store across the street to the Pronk cor­ ner, the office went with him. In those early days mail arrived twice a week from Goshen by post rider. The mail would be dumped from the mail bag onto the floor, and there sorted. From June 23, 1829, until September 10, 1849, the post office was South Middletown. Post riders were replaced by stages. In 1826 the office was moved to 45 East Main street, the home of Henry S. Beakes (1799-1869) where it remained while he was postmaster. In 1842 the office was moved to the west side of South street near the Square, and in 1844 to West Main. In 1853 it went to the Kellogg build­ ing on West Main, having been on North street for the preceding four years. In 1861 the office was moved to a frame building on North facing King. In 1873 the building, erected in 1852, was sold for $11 and carted away to be used as a chicken coop. The office was on the opposite side of the street near the crossing while the new building was being built on the same site. Once back home, the office remained until April 3, 1888, when it went to the Gunther building. The present Federal building was dedicated November 16, 1911. Special delivery service was inaugurated in 1885, and free delivery October 25, 1887. Receipts for the first quarter in 1817 were 69 cents. By 1826 they were $16.12 a quarter. They jumped following 181 arrival of the Erie, and have since increased to the present huge figure. Postmasters have been: Stacy Beakes, 1816-1826; Henry S. Beakes, 1826-1842; Lewis Vail, 1842-1844; Wil­ liam Hoyt, 1844-1849; Oliver P. Coleman, 1849-1853; Hiram V. King, 1853-1861; James B. Hallock, 1861-1879; J. L. Van Cleft, 1879-1884 ; Ira Dorrance, 1884-1888; George H. Thompson, three months; Ira Dorrance, 1889- 1893; Charles L. Elwood, 1893-1898; Byron S. Dayton, 1898-1906; Edward D. Tompkins, 1906-1909; James F. Moore, 1910-1915; Daniel B. Sweeney, 1915-1921; John D. Stivers, 1922-. THE VILLAGE CLOCK At a time when clocks were expensive, a village clock was a necessity. l\fiddletown installed one soon after it was incorporated. In 1854 it was replaced by a new one, it is believed. It was then in Grace Church tower. At that time the village was in a quandary when the village clock stopped, because the Erie trains were so irregular that they could not be depended upon as primitive chronometers. The vil­ lage clock was not always kept in good order, although the taxpayers usually voted a sum to keep it wound and in order. After the First Congregational Church was built citi­ zens in 1881 raised by subscription the fund to buy a town clock for its tower, making two town clocks. As the years passed clocks became cheap, the town clocks were neglected, and after the Eighties they were no longer operated.

SOLDIERS' MONUMENT Scarcely had the Civil war closed when a movement opened to build a monument to the memory of the town of Wallkill men who died in the Civil war. From time to time efforts were made to raise funds, and money slowly accumu­ lated. Following a concentrated drive, orders were finally given in late 1878 by the monument committee. ·The monument, standing on an island in Orchard street, at North street, was dedicated September 5, 1879. A huge parade preceded the exercises, which were attended by a large crowd. The program: Prayer, by Rev. Augustus Seward; song, Mannerchor; oration, Major-General Kil­ patrick; ode, written by J. Owen Moore and sung by L. L. Ross and others ; address, C. H. Winfield; song, Manner­ chor; poem, A. A. Hopkins; address, Rev. M. Osborn; song; benediction. The monument, twenty-two feet high, was manufac­ tured by the St. Johnsbury Granite Company, which made 182 little profit. The principle inscription: "Erected A. D. 1879, to the memory of the soldiers of the town of Wallkill. The war of the Rebellion, 1861-1865." It is surmounted by a seven-foot figure of a private soldier standing at ease.

1 'l'h ~ monument was removed to its present site in Thrall Park in 1894.

HORSES-RACING At a time when harness racing was not a highly or­ ganized and exceptionally expensive sport, many well to do farmers were proud owners of speedy trotters. Orange County, breeding center of the trotting horse, witnessed hundreds of informal races. Middletown's first race track was the Hulse Mile. The Hulse Mile, named for Thomas E. Hulse, was not a track at all, but a mile of East Main street, extending from Hulse's home beyond the city limits to a point not far from the Erie crossing. There were many lively brushes over this speedway. In 1857 Jonathan Ogden bought twenty-five acres of the Roberts farm on East Main street, and opened a half­ mile race track. The buildings were on the Ursuline Aca­ demy grounds, and the track extended around the land lying between Grand and Prospect avenues, to the north. This park was opened in time for the exhibition of the Orange County Horse Association, October 1 and 2. This was racing headquarters for eight years. Middletown's half-forgotten "pleasure grounds" date from September, 1865. Fault had been found with the race track on East Main street because a hill in the center made it impossible to watch the entire race. At this time, there­ fore, a number of citizens bought of Benjamin Bennett at $225 an acre 25 acres of land off Dolson avenue near Genung street. The following spring was organized the Orange County Pleasure Grounds Association, which took over the land off Dolson avenue that had been purchased the previous Fall. Capital stock of $15,000 was raised in $25 shares and the following were the first officers: D. C. Dusenberry, presi­ dent; E. M. Madden, George E. Schoonover and Harrison Mills, vice-presidents; M. Lewis Clark, secretary; James B. Hulse, treasurer. The importance of this organization must not be underestimated. Its early race meetings were notable events in this section. The Pleasure Grounds were opened with a fair June 26-7, featuring racing. A second fa1r was held October 9-10. May 16, 1867, Dexter won a $3,000 purse from Lady Goldsmith in three straight heats. By 1870 the fairs had 183 become annual events, and in that year the racing purses totaled $4,350. During the latter Eighties, however, the Pleasure Grounds track became less and less used, except as a train- ing track. · In 1892 Hoik D. Campbell, who had bought the famous Willis stock farm, now the county fair grounds, built a fine half-mile track, which was opened with a matinee race meet Saturday, August 6, 1892. Later racing history is inseparable from the Orange County Fair, to be mentioned hereafter. The limited scope of this work makes it impossible to give full justice to the history of harness horse racing and breeding in Middletown. Many noted trotters appeared on the tracks and in the exhibitions. Only mention can be made of the stallion Risingham, so vicious that it was necessary to kill him May 1, 1878, for fear he would cause loss of life. Middletown's n1ost famous horse was Harry Clay, who is buried at the fair grounds, and for whom the race track is named the Harry Clay Oval. The famous sh."e was pur­ chased for $1,000 in 1879 by J. D. Willis, who had a notable stock farm, now the Miller farm and fair grounds. Harry Clay died here April 6, 1887, at the age of thirty-four years.

ORANGE COUNTY FAIR The Orange County Fair, established in 1843, made its firat visit to Middleto,vn in 1852. Middletown was all agog- over the new honor, and its extensive preparations resulted in the greatest fair ever. The twelfth annual fair was held on the site of Ursuline Academy. For the first time horses were exhibited on a track, and in the speed brushes a Middletown hJrse won first place. Formal races had not been started in connec­ tion with the fair. The fair was September 29 and 30. At the suggestion of Col. Israel H. Wickham, president, the society had purchased a $300 50x80 foot tent, in which were housed the exhibits. The ridge pole broke the first day but did not interrupt the fair. James Pronk, Robert Houston and other Middletowners were active in the fair work. Twelve thousand persons visited Middletown, the larg­ est crowd which had ever gathered here. They rode in over plank road and highway in hundreds of wagons of every variety. 0. P. Reeve of the town of Wallkill won the plow­ ing contest. Among the exhibits were many oxen, and of the 26 sheep shown, all took prizes. Cattle, etc., were exhibited in the open air. The fair did not return to Middletown until 1860. The 1860 fair was also successful. 184 Recovering from a discouraging period, the Orange County Agricultural Society took new hope at the success of the fairs of 1882, 1883 and 1884, at the Pleasure Grounds at Middletown. New records were established in the num­ ber of memberships and the number of horses exhibited. In the fall of 1896 the Society found itself without a home. After a long discussion it purchased the Campbell tract at Middletown April 16, 1897. Buildings were erected, and in the fall was given the first of the notable series of fairs which have been continued to the present. In recent years the racing has been a principal feature, attracting the best harness horses in the country. BASEBALL Characteristic of the period following the Civil War was the appearance in Middletown of baseball. The Wall­ kill Baseball Club was organized May 22, 1866, with 61 members and the following officers: M. D. Stewart, presi­ dent; Samuel A. Sease, vice-president; H. W. Wiggins, sec­ retary; E. M. Hamilton, treasurer; directors, A. V. N. Powelson, James A. Cox, William B. Royce. Baseball, it must be understood, was then an amateur game, correspond­ ing more or less to golf at the present. Practice was held at the Pleasure grounds. The first baseball game in Middletown of which there is any record was played at the Pleasure Grounds June 16 with the Delawares of Port Jervis. Some 300 persons were present. The visitors won, 33-30, but the Wallkills later went to Port Jervis and won a return game, 65-20. The first game was followed by a luncheon. The local players were: VanSciver, catcher; Powelson, pitcher; Stewart, shortstop; Royce, first base ; Weed, second; Hamilton, third ; Finnigan, left field; Coulter, center; Pronk, right. The Wallkills played the Goshen Monitors, which had been or­ ganized in 1863, and other teams. Other minor Middletown clubs which were formed in a short time were the Lone Stars, Wallkill Juniors and Washingtons. John A. Wallace was president of the Adelphic Club. Lack of space for bids detailed accounts of later base­ ball teams. Mention may be made of the Asylum Nine, which became famous during the Nineties, and of the Mid­ dletown Athletic Association nine, which in 1908 defeated the New York Giants in an exhibition game here.

OTHER SPORTS On January 25, 1866 was re-organized the St. George's Cricket Club, mainly of English workmen in the local file and saw factories. Officers : J. Anderson Dent, president ; 185 J. T. Cockayne, vice-president; George McChesney, secre­ tary; John Ryan, treasurer. In its first game, the club was defeated here by a New York team. The club remained more or less active for a period of several years. The first prize fight came April 2, 1867, at the Pleasure Grounds. Joseph Cunningham, Irish laborer, defeated John Sly, mason, for a small purse, both being Middletowners. They were rounded up by police, and fined. Football appeared at the High School during the Nineties. BANKS

MIDDLETOWN BANK Middletown's first financial institution, the Middletown Bank, was chartered July 1, 1839, under the state banking law. The following, more or less a business census of the village at the time, were elected directors: Joseph Davis, Joshua Mulock, Gilbert Horton, William Graham, John C. Wilbur, George Houston, Stacy Beakes, Israel H. Wickham, David Moore, John Conkling, Samuel Denton, Henry P. Roberts, Henry E. Horton, Samuel W. Brown, and Gabriel Horton. The first officers were: Joseph Davis, president; George Houston, vice-president; Alexander Wright, cashier. Others who subscribed capital were Daniel Greenleaf, Jesse Carpenter, Isaac Ketcham, William Arnout, Moses Mapes, Henry Bull, John M. Stitt, Cornelius VanBuskirk, William Hoyt, George Horton, Dodge and Thompson, Jesse Smith, Isaac Hoyt, A. S. Murray, Philip Swartwout. The bank opened at 62 West Main street in a house. Later it built its building at North and Depot streets. The original capital of $77,000 was increased to $125,000. In 1861 it moved to 23 North street. In 1865 the bank was nationalized. On the evening of Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1884, the residents of Middletown were terrified by the report that the Middletown National Bank had failed. The institution, it ,vas learned had closed its doors the previous night. The Middletown Bank, Thomas King president, was capitalized at $200,000, and claimed a $115,000 surplus. Through clever manipulations, it developed, Benjamin D. Brown, a feed dealer and speculator "Tho operated in many states, had borrowed huge sums from the bank on nearly worthless security. Middletown National Bank lost scores of thousands of dollars, and other institutions in a number of cities were also losers. Brown went to Canada. While blamed, King was not prosecuted. A. W. Blye of Syracuse was named receiver, and after months of ~ork and litigation some seventy per cent. was 186 paid to creditors. August 1, 1888, stockholders were assessed one hundred per cent on stock. Many Middle­ towners lost large sums of money.

WALLKILL BANK Middletown's second bank, the Wallkill Bank, was chartered by the State April 27, 1857, and opened for busi­ ness August 3, with capital of $125,000, in $100 shares. The bank opened in the second floor cf the Exchange build­ ing. The first officers were: Elisha P. Wheeler, president; Spencer M. Bull, vice-president; Corydon T. King, cashier; Charles H. Horton, teller; directors, E. P. Wheeler, Stephen Sayer, Halstead Gurnee, William W. Robertson, William N. Coleman, vVickham C. McNish, Spencer M. Bull, William W. Reeve, Silas L. King, Leander Crawford, Ashbell C. King, James N. Pronk, A. A. Bromley, Harvey Everett, Jonathan M. Matthews. The decorations of the bank notes: $1, carpet bag factory; $2, farm scene; $5, saw factory; $10, tanning scene; $20, ornamental. The bank was nation­ alized under the National Bank act toward the end of the Civil War. Reliable reports that the bank was insolvent led to a run on November 26, 1872, and the doors were closed when funds were exhausted. The U.S. examiner consigned found that the bank had been tottering several years. Although its capital was $175,000, so little confidence was held in it that deposits had dwindled to $70,000. Cashier Charles H. Horton, following a defalcation of $100,000 lost in the stock market, escaped to England. The president of the bank, State Senator William M. Graham, was pardoned after three years of a ten-year sentence at Albany Penitentiary. Bank notes were protected by funds on deposit at Washing­ ton. John Burroughs, the famous naturalist, then unknown, was appointed receiver, and opened an office on the second floor of Bull's Opera House. He was engaged in the work for months. Property of Graham and Horton was sold, and, delayed by litigation, the matter was not settled until several years later. The loss to creditors was comparatively light. FmsT NATIONAL BANK Middletown's oldest bank, the First National Bank, was one of the Civil War crop of national banks. It was or­ ganized in August, 1864, and opened for business October 1. This bank, with $100,000 capitalization, named the follow­ ing first Board of Directors : S. R. Corwin, H. E. Horton, C. B. Roosa, 0. B. Vail, T. B. Scott, William Evans, Jr., S. S. Conkling, Coe Robertson, James J. Mills, T. J. Denton, S. 187 C. Howell, A. Slaughter, John Sayer, with William Evans, Jr., as president. SAVIN GS BANK In the hectic days following the Civil War, banks sprang up wholesale. In April, 1866, were given the finish­ ing touches to the act chartering the Middletown Savings Bank. There the matter was allowed to stand, until 1869, when a group of citizens threatened to, and actually took preliminary steps to establish a similar institution. The old firm became active. An amendment to the original act was passed May 1, 1869, extending the time of the charter, and the bank was incorporated by the following: Elisha P. Wheeler, Jonathan M. Matthews, Joshua Draper, Osmer B. Wheeler, David C. Winfield, William Evans, Benjamin W. Shaw, Hiram Brink, Hiland H. Hunt, John W. Baird, Wil­ liam M. Graham, James B. Hulse, John G. Wilkin, Horation R. \Vilcox, Charles H. Horton, Gilbert 0. Hulse, Harvey Everett, Daniel C. Dusenberry, Henry B. Dill, Henry B. Ogden, Linus B. Babcock, Stephen S. Conkling, George L. Denton, William H. McQuoid, Levi Starr, John H. Bell, Coe Robertson, Selah R. Corwin, Dorastus B. Irwin, Robert H. Houston, Rufus D. Case, Leander Crawford, Ira M. Corwin, James J. Mills, William W. Reeve, Lewis Armstrong, Al­ bert R. Russe1l, M. Lewis Clark, Charles Horton, Archibald L. Vail, Uzal rr. Hayes and E. M. Madden. The bank opened for business September 5, 1869, in the Denton store building at the Square. Stoddard S. Draper, son of Joshua Draper was first depositor. Draper was the first president. In six months deposits reached $100,000. MERCHANT'S BANK Following the wreck of the Middletown Bank, the Mer­ chants and Manufacturer's National Bank was organized March 30, 1885, with $160,000 capital, and opened for busi­ ness May 17. It later dropped the Manufacturers' from its name. CORWIN BANK John E. Corwin, who had bought the building of the old Middletown Bank at the sale, opened a private bank in it July 1, 1888, continuing it several years.

ORANGE COUNTY TRUST The Orange County Trust Company was incorporated during the summer of 1891 by G. N. Clemson, Edward Can­ field, C. C. Luckey, W. F. O'Neil, James G. Harding and Thomas Watts. It opened for business May 2, 1892. 188 BUILDING AND LoAN In 1872 were organized the Wallkill and the Middle­ town Building and Loan Society, which were discontinued after a few years. The Homestead Building and Loan Association was formed December 1, 1888, and organized formally Decem­ ber 13. Charles A. Douglas was the first president.

BIBLIOGRAPHY The following books and records will be found valuable in studying the history of Middletown. History of Orange County, by E. M. Ruttenber and L. H. Clark, Philadelphia, 1881. The History of Orange County, by Russell Headley, Middletown, 1908. The Middletown Directory for 1857-8, by John W. Has­ brouck, Middletown, 1857. Souvenir of Middletown Fire Department, by A. L. Decker, Middletown, 18S6. The Story of Erie, E. H. Mott. Bound newspaper files of the Middletown Times Herald and of other Middletown papers. ,,,.. Wallkill Town school and slave records and other records In possession of the city. Collection of the Historical Society of Middletown and the Wallkill Precinct. Records of Hoffman Lodge, 300, F. & A. M., in pos­ session of Hoffman Lodge, 412. Miss Elizabeth Horton of Middletown is the recog­ nized authority on local genealogy, but a small part of which has been included in this book.

ERRATUM "Erie baggagemaster'' on page 93 should be "U. S. Express agent."

189

Index A PAGE Academy Square ...... 98 Advance ..... • ...... , .. 180 Advertisement for Civil War Volunteers ...... 60-61 Advertisers in Hasbrouck Directory ...... 56-57 Aldermen, list of ...... 138-135 Aldermen-at-large, list ...... 183 American Legion ...... 174 Among the Great ...... 148 Area of Village When Incorporated ...... 45-46 Armory ...... 78-79 Assessed valuation (1848, 1853) ...... 58 Attorneys (first) ...... 43 B Bachellors Social Club...... 172 Banks .... • ...... 186--188 Banner of Liberty ...... 44, 59, 60, 176 Baptists ...... • ...... 42 Baptists-Old School...... 22 Baptist Community House...... 155 Baptist pastors, list of...... 155-156 Baseball ...... 185 Beakes, Stacy, Jr., (illustration)- 1, 28, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 36, 37, 38, 43, 84, 85, 96, 100, 136. Beattie, Israel 0 ... 39, 43, 46, 49, 94, 112, 114, 125, 136, 157 Beattiesville ...... 94 Beebe, Elder Gilbert ...... 50, 114> 136, 151 Beebe, Gilbert Judson ...... 50, 125, 137 Bensel, A. A., Illustration ...... 41, 115, 137, 138 Bethel ...... 152 Bethel, A. M. E...... 161 Bibliography ...... 189 "Black Joke" ...... ·...... 123, 125, 126 Blakelock, Ralph A...... 143 Blizzard of '88 ...... 77 Bloomingburgh ...... 41 191 Blye Park...... 75 Board of Trade...... 168 Boom period, following the Erie...... 41-44 "Bread Tray"...... 31, 123 Brick buildings...... 34, 54, 69 Brown, Harvey...... 138 Building and Loan...... 189 Bull's Opera House...... 69 Burroughs, John...... 143 Business Men's Association...... 168

C Calvary Baptist Church...... 161 Campaign Banner...... 176 Camp Wheeler...... 61 Captain Jackson Post, G. A. R...... 174 Carmelite Church...... 163 Carpet Bag Factory ...... 43, 44, 54 Cassidy's Hotel...... 49 Cemeteries ...... 164-167 Census ...... 25, 27, 32, 35, 43, 48, 56 Chamber of Commerce...... 168 Chaplain Charles Beattie...... 127 Children's Home...... 73-7 4 Christ Church, Universalist...... 163 List of Pastors...... 163 Churches ...... 145 Church War...... 33, 145-148 Cisterns for water supply...... 123 City Charter...... 130 City's growth (table) ...... 92 City Clerks, list of...... 133 City Court...... 83 City Hall ...... 82 City Mission...... 121 City Officials, lists ...... 132, 133, 134, 135 Civic Organizations...... 168-173 Civil War ...... 58-63 87-88 Clemson, William...... 138 Clerks of Common Council, list ...... 133 Columbia Park...... 81, 95 Commercial House...... 43 Company I ...... 82-83, 89-91 Company I, Provisional...... 91 Conglomerate ...... 180 Congregational, (First) Church ...... 14, 15, 16, 18 List of Pastors ...... 145, 149, 150 Corwin Bank...... 188 Country Crossroads...... 18-19 192 Crane, Stephen...... 143 Crawford, Town of ...... 8 Cyprus Commandery...... 170-171

D Daily Argus .. • ...... 179 Daily Mail...... 178 Daily Times ...... 180 Danbury, Conn...... 152 Day Nursery...... 121 District Schools...... 106 Denton Corner...... 29 Denton, Samuel ...... 29, 30, 32, 36, 39, 50, 52, 53, 110, 138 Dolsontown ...... 15, 16, 95 Draper's Brook ...... : ...... 24, 31, 54, 74, 81 Dry Goods Stores ...... 43

E Eager's History (Quotation from)...... 44 Eagles ...... 172 Eighties, the, ( 1880 and on) ...... 73 Electric Lighting...... 77 Elks ...... 173 English Money System, Early use of...... 26 Erie R. R...... 33, 38-40, 52 Erie Station...... 39-40 Evans Patent...... • . . 6 Evening Press...... 178 Evening Standard...... 72, 179 Everett, Harvey, Dr.,- 34, 36, illustration 48, 49, 68, 110, 111, 112, 138 Excelsior Hook & Ladder Company...... 125

F Faith Mission ...... 161 File Shops ...... 55 Fire Alarm Boxes, first ...... 127 Fire Alarm System ...... 127 Fire Chiefs, list of ...... 127 Fire Companies ...... 44 Fire Department ...... 58,123 Fire Department, (Modern)· ...... 124 Fire Districts, Division into ...... 46,124 Fire Engine Houses ...... 123,126 Fire Parade, First ...... 125 Fires, (List of most notable) ...... 128,129 193 First Baptist Church...... 154-156 First Cemetery...... 164-165 First Congregational Church...... 149 First National Bank ...... 62, 187-188 First Pioneers...... 91 First Presbyterian Church...... 149 Forum ...... 180 Fourth of July Celebrations- 25, 30, 31, 33, 51, 55, 58, 71, 76, 77 Franklin House...... 43 Franklin Square ...... 19, 43, 44, 45, 61, 92, 105 Free Christian Church ...... 72, 161 Freedom's Guard...... 176 Friend, Joseph D ...... 112, 114, 125, 138-139 G General Lyon Post, G. A. R...... 174 Goshen ...... 5, 16, 30, 38, 146 Gothic Hall ...... 32, 53, 115 Grace Episcopal Church...... 156, 157 Grey, Zane...... 143 Growth, of the early hamlet) ...... 26-28 H Hanford, David, M. D ...... 25, 26, 27, 39, 97, 110, 139 Hardware-Man's Newspaper...... 177 Harlem Park...... 81 Hasbrouck Directory...... 56-57 Hasbrouck, John W ...... 48, 50, 56, illustration 65, 97, 139 Hasbrouck, Lydia Sayer ...... 97, 102, 139 Hat factory...... 33 Hickory Twig ...... 137 Highways, Hamlets...... 14-15 Hillside Cemetery ...... 34, 39, 166, 167 Historical Society...... 173 Hoffman Lodge, 300, F. & A. M...... 27, 169-170 Hoffman Lodge, 412, F. & A. M...... 170 Holding House .. • ...... 29, 32, 36, 43 Homestead Building and Loan Association...... 189 Horses, Racing...... 183-184 Houston Heights ...... 93 Houston, Robert H., illustration...... 1 Houston, Robert H ...... 1, 31, 33, 35, 39, 68, 97, 114, 139 Hudson River...... 5 I Incorporated as a Village ...... 44-4 7, 130 Incorporation as City...... 76, 130 19( Iron Age...... 177 Iseman, John ...... 76, 77, illustration 79, 139 Italian Chapel...... 163

J Jacksonian ...... 179 Jessup, Edwin...... 140 Journalism c ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 175-181 Junior Chamber...... 169 Jr. 0. U. A. M ...... 172 K Kingston ...... 8 Kiwanis Club...... 169 Knights of Columbus ...... o • • • • • • • • • • • • • 173 !{nights of Pythias ...... 171-172 L Liberal Sentinal...... 73, 179 Lincoln Park...... 93 Little Cemetery...... 165-166 Little, Henry ...... 34, 35, 36, 49, illustration 79, 99, 140 Low, Henry Reynolds ... 68, 76, 77, 79, 99, _104, 117, 119, 140

Lyceum ...... '> • • 113-115 Lyceum Reading Room...... 115 Luther Lodge, 380...... 171

M McDougall, Walt...... 143 McMunn, John B ...... 32, 36, 49, 141 Maccabees ...... 173 Madden, Edward Millspaugh,- 23, 35, 42, 43, 45, illustration 48, 50, 53, 59, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 71, 79, 114, 140, 157. Maennerchor ...... ~ ...... 173 Maps ...... 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 55 Martha Washington Lodge ...... 171 Masonic ...... 169-171 Masonic Lodge...... 27 Matthews, J. M...... 141 Mayors, List of...... 133 Mechanicstown ...... 14, 16 Medical Club...... 121 Memorial Hospital...... 121 Merchant's National Bank...... 188 Methodist Pastors, List of...... 154 195 Mexican Border...... 90 Middletown Advertiser.. . • . . . • . • . . • . . . . • . . . . • . 177 M. & B. Plank Road ...... • ...... 50-52 M. & U. Plank Road ...... 51-52, 94 Middletown and Unionville Telegraph Co...... 67 Middletown Argus...... • 179 Middletown Bank ...... 42, 186-187 :Middletown Brass Band . . . . . • ...... • ...... 125 Middletown Club ...... • ...... • 172 Middletown Courier.. . . . • • . . • ...... • ...... 41, 175 Middletown Daily Mail . . . . • ...... • • • . . . • . . • 69 Middletown Daily Press...... • • . . . • . . . . . 178 Middletown Government...... 130 Middletown Herald ...... • . . . . . • . . . . . • . . • 143, 180 Middletown in 1840 ...... 35-37 Middletown Library...... 116 Middletown Lyceum ...... 41, 113-115 Middletown Mail...... 69, 178 Middletown Mercury ...... •...... 59, 60, 63, 178 Middletown Militia...... 87 Middletown Sanitarium...... 121 Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital...... 117-120 Midland Chapter, R. A. M...... • . . • • ...... 170 Midway Park...... 80-81 Minisink Angle...... 7, 10 Minisink Patent...... 6 Minisink Road ...... 14, 18, 99 Miscellaneous ...... 175-189 Monhagen Brook ...... 33, 63, 73, 94, 96, 99 Monhagen Hose Company...... 126 Monhagen Saw Works...... 54 Monhagen (Village) ...... • ...... 31 Montgomery ...... 5, 38, 152 Montgomery Turnpike...... • . . . . . • ...... 26 Moose ...... 173 Motorized Fire Equipment...... 127 Mount Hope...... • ...... 18, 152

N Nasby, Petroleum V...... 143-144 Newburgh ...... 5, 7, 9, 14, 30 New Vernon...... • . . . . 151 N. Y. & Erie Insurance Co...... • ...... 53 North Street Congregational Church...... 161-162 List of Pastors ...... 162 North Street, Grading...... 101 North Street School ...... 106-109 Nurses' Home...... 121 196 0 Odd Fellows...... • ...... 171 Odd Fellows, Middletown Lodge 112...... 171 Officials, List of...... 130-135

Oil Companies ...... a • • • • • 64-65 Old Ladies' Home...... • ...... 121, 122 Old Meeting House, The...... 15 Old Orchard Club...... 172 Old School Baptists...... 150 One-Hundred-Seventh Regiment...... 90-91 Ontario Hose Company...... 126 Orange Blossoms ...... 60, 88 Orange County...... 5, 6 Orange County Dairyman...... 180 Orange County Fair...... 184-185 Orange County Furnace ...... 42,63,94 Orange County Independent...... 181 Orange Co. News ...... 44, 45, 175 Orange County Press...... 177 Orange County Salt Co...... 65 Orange County Trust Company...... 188 Orange Encampment...... 171 Orchard Street School...... 109 Organizations ...... 168-174 Other Sports...... 185-186 Otisville ...... 39, 152 0. & W. R. R ...... 50, 67, 72, 74 Oswego Midland R. R...... 68, 70, 72

p

Park Circle Association...... 169 P. 0. S. of A...... • ...... 173 Plank Road...... 50-52 Port Jervis ...... 5, 38 Postmasters, List of...... 182 Post Office ...... 27, 28, 82, 181-182 Post-War ...... 91 Pound Master...... 47-48 Precinct of Shawangunk...... 9 Private Schools...... 111 Pronk Corner ...... 29 Pronk, James N.- 49, 50, 57, illustration 58, 67, 68, 101, 114, 125, 126, 141 Proposed Streets ...... 105 Protection Engine Company...... 123 197 Q Queen Esther Chapter...... 171 Quiet Years, (About 1820-1830)...... 31-33

R Race Track ...... 55 Radium Society...... 121 Railroads ...... 67-68 Railroad Craze...... 67 Railroad House...... 44 Republican Blues...... 27 Review ...... 181 Revolution, and After, The...... 13-14 Ridgebury ...... 146 Roller-Skating Craze...... 7 4 Rotary Club...... 169 Royal Arcanum...... 172 Russell House...... 79 s St. Albert's College...... 113 St. John's A. M. E. Zion...... 160-161 St. John's Lutheran Church ...... 162 List of Pastors...... 162 St. Joseph's Cemetery...... 167 St. Joseph's Church...... 158-160 List of Assistant Pastors...... 160 St. Joseph's School...... 113 St. Paul's l\Iethodist Episcopal Church...... 152-154 Salvation Army...... 162 Savings Bank...... 188 School Census, 1829-1837...... 108 School-First Private...... 106 Schools, Private ...... 111 School Property, Attacks on by Pupils...... 108 School System, Modern...... 111-113 Scotchtown ...... 16 Settlement, The...... 22-26 Sewage Disposal...... 72-73, 83 Shawangunk ...... 16 Shawangunk Lake...... 82 Shriner's Association...... 171 Sibyl, The ...... 55, 177-178 Signs of the Times...... 44, 176 Silk Culture Mania...... 100 Slavery in Wallkill...... 19-22 198 Soldier's Monument ...... 101, 182-183 South Middletown, (1829-1849) ...... 33-35 South Middletown Cemetery...... 166 Spanish-American War...... 81, 82, 89 Spanish War Vets...... 174 State Theatre...... 83 Stivers, Moses D...... 79, 119, 141 Streets ...... 92-105 Sullivan County...... 6 Sullivan County Whig...... 175 Sunday Fomm...... 180 Sunday News...... 179 Superintendents of Schools, (List of) ...... 113 Surgical Operation with X-rays...... 81 Sutherland Falls Marble Company...... 64 Sweet, Halstead ...... 44, 49, 56, 60, 74, 125, 141-142 Synagogue and Community Center...... 163-164

T Talcott, Selden Haines .... Illustration 65, 77, 119, 120, 142 Tannery ...... 23, 31 Telegraph Lines ...... 40 Telephones ...... 7 4 Text-books in School, 1828...... 108 Thrall Hospital...... 120 Thrall Library...... 82, 116 Thrall, Mrs. S. Maretta ...... 116, 120, 142 Thrall Park...... 81 Times-Herald ...... 180 Toll Gate...... 101 Turnpikes ...... 26 Trolley, The ...... 79-80 Twenties, The (1820 and on) ...... 29 Twentieth Century...... 82 Twenty-Fourth Separate Company...... 88-89 u

Ulster County ...... ~ ...... 5, 6, 8, 9 Union House...... 43 Ursuline Academy ...... 12, 24, 113

V Veterans of the Foreign Wars...... 174 Veterans Organizations...... 173-174 199 Village, Area When Incorporated...... 45, 46 Village Budget...... 46 Village Charter...... 130 Village Clock...... 182 Village Development...... 69-73 Village ( Incorporation of) ...... 44-4 7, 130 Village Officials, Lists ...... 131-133 Village Ordinances...... 47 Village Pound...... 47 w W aalkill Engine Co...... 126 Walden • ...... 152 Wallkill Academy ..... 41, illustration 42, 109-111, 112, 156 Wallkill and Middletown Building and Loan So- ciety ...... 189 Wallkill Army and Navy Club...... 174 Wallkill Bank...... 187 Wallkill Guards ...... 59, 61, 87 Wallkill Precinct...... 7 -9 \Vallkill Republican Blues ...... 84-87 Wallkill River...... 9 Wallkill Slaves...... 19-22 Wallkill Valley...... 5 Wallkill Wide A wake-s...... • 59 War of 1812...... 84-87 Warwick ...... 5 War with Spain ...... 89 Washington Bucket Company, 1...... 125 Water System ...... 52, 66, 70, 77, 78, 82 Wawayanda Patent...... 6 Webber Post, G. A. R...... 173 Webb Horton Memorial Church...... 157, 158 Webster, Daniel...... 40 Wheeler, Elisha Pearl- 36, illustration 41, 42, 49, 50, 52, 53, 61, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69,71, 111,112,117,119,142,156. Whig Press ...... 49, 56, 59, 177 White Oak Bridge...... 15 Wiggins, Carleton ...... 144 Wilkin, John G.- 43, 49, 53, 57, illustration 58, 60, 64, 65, 142, 143, 156. Wood, for District School...... 107 World War...... 82-83, 90 200 X X-rays, First Used in Surgery...... 81

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Young, Herman B...... • ...... 48, 143 Y. M. C. A...... 172

201