Scotch Plains Fanwood
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SCOTCH PLAINS FANWOOD VOLUME 23 NUMBER 21 SCOTCH PLAINS • FANWOOD, N.J. -THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980 25 CENTS SCOTCH PLAINS^ PIVOTAL IN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM Bridge to bring widening h.v Fran Sullivan For over two years, local County Engineer Armand Last week's session with the with the D.O.T. for a public (Second oft wo-part series) forces including the Fanwood Fiorletti has been working with D.O.T. was a preliminary hearing on the matter. That Although the area was not the scene of any major battles Council, police and the PTA's the state Department of Tran- Open House. The Fanwood meeting has been scheduled for during the Revolution, Scotch Plains and the surrounding area have been pressing for a sportation on plans for the Council has since sought a date June 24, was a strategical point for both the American and British for- replacement of the Terrill bridge. Fiorletti explained that ces. The village was only fourteen miles from the ocean and Road railroad overpass. Last the roadway would be widened twenty from New York Harbor. According to Mrs. Nicholls, week, the state Department of from 40 to46 feet, a three-foot Lee Trevino to star here author of Under the Blew Hills, a history of Scotch Plains, Transportation came to Fan- increase in paving on each side "the village was a sort ofgatekeeper to the already well-known wood to exhibit plans for the of the road. The widening notch between the First and Second mountains; it was also the bridge, and for some citizens would necessitate removal of meeting place of two1 important colonial roads, the one from the bridge replacement sud- only a few trees, Fiorletti said. Springfield toward Philadelphia, and our old road to the denly seemed far less desirable. While the road project mountajn." The new bridge, proposed for would increase the paving, The area's involvement in the war intensified in the summer 1981 construction, will be Fiorletti said it would not of 1777, In the previous year, the summer of 1776, 30,000 wider, as will the roadway essentially increase traffic British troops landed in Staten Island, General Washington along Terrill Road from Mid- flow, since parking is allowed, began his retreat from New York through East New Jersey way Avenue to South Avenue, and undoubtedly continue to towards Trenton. With the British in hot pursuit, raids on local Widening of Terrill Road be allowed, along Terrill, so plains homsteads increased. So vital were the roads through would impact strongly upon that an effective four-lane the village, that John Hale was sent from Somerset county to residences along the road. In routing would not be possible, guard those important passages. the opinion of one The bridge overpass itself In May 1777, Washington and his troops camped in the businessman, Larry Andrews would be traffice-striped for Blew Hill mountains at Middlebrook. A stone's throw away of Young's Paint and Varnish, four-lane traffic, Fiorletti said, stood a huge rock 400 feet up in the Mountain and 25 feet high, the widened roadway would since no parking is allowed on and offered a semicircular view spanning 60 miles. From here, also bring an increase in traffic the bridge itself. The four-lane Washington and Lafayette were able to monitor enemy troop flow. traffic pattern on the bridge movements, For Young's Paint and Var- would improve the flow of With British Headquarters at Staten Island, Cornwallis at nish Company, the impact traffic and permit turns more Lee Trevino will give a clinic here on June 9. Perth Amboy, and General William Howe at Brunswick, would be severe, since new readily, Fiorletti said. See story, page 17. Washington was surrounded. Nevertheless, the American concrete retaining walls to General had the support of the plains people. The women were support the bridge would busy throughout the war spinning, weaving, and dying the necessitate the complete material for the famous "Jersey blues" uniforms. They were elimination of the Terrill Road Plainfield and Plains also relentless in supplying the Yankees with the food, drink, entrance to the Young's and shelter. The copper mines, once the pride of the peaceful establishment. The Robert Indians, now produced ore for brass cannons. These farmers Moores, who have recently combine health plans bought a home at the corner of paid a high price for their loyalty to the American cause — by Scotch Plains will share ship to assume a position with ordinance, because of timing Terrill and North, would also the summer of 1777, many area residents were hiding in the health services with Plainfield, Plainfield. Now he will serve requirements. experience a new concrete wall mountains. in a new move, designed to both communities in the joint "The whole is greater than adjacent to their property - a During the months of June, July and August, fear was ram- provide service and save tax agreement, introduced by or- the sum of its parts," Mayor wall which would block out the pant in the area, Both Newark and Elizabeth had been dollars. Rich Proctor, who had dinance on Tuesday. The Larry Newcomb said. He ex- view from their home win- evacuated, and Elizabeth was burned. General Howe was served Scotch Plains as its Council will hold a public plained that Plainfield is en- dows. determined to dislodge Washington from the mountains health officer, left the town- hearing tonight to vote on the titled to funding for health ser- Howe lined his men along the plains. He was, however, no vices, as is Scotch Plains. The match for local men who knew intimately the Blew Moun- combined communities as one tains. After six days, Howe was routed and chased as far as agency qualify for more fun- Piscataway by three regiments under General Green, Skeets returns home to ding than the total of the two Washington did meet Howe in open battle somewhere would be individually. around New Market and was soundly defeated. Washington work with Jean Poquette In other actions, Council in- retreated back into the mountains, and Howe left New Jersey, Skeets" Nehemiah, the satisfying. Skeets tore a training program which troduced its new Township During these historical six days, there were several skir- world-class hurdler who ligaments in his left ankle last Poquette will map out. manager, Thomas Atkins, mishes that involved Scotch Plains. "The Battle of Scot- began his track career here at January, and was out of com- One of the problems who expressed pleasure at the splain" actually took place at the local short hills to the south Scotch Plains-Fanwood High petition during the indoor plaquing Nehemiah has been opportunity to serve Council of the village, and was a town tragedy. Two hundred were and went on to become a top season. He has run only two the ankle injury. After his and taxpayers. wounded and sixty were killed, and Lord Stirling was forced to candidate for a 1980 Olympic hurdles races this spring, in defeat in L.A., orthopedic The Council unanimously retreat. Once more, the mountains proved to be a safe haven gold medal had the United contrast to a 1979 season in surgeon Dr. Tony Daly of approved a resolution supper- for the Americans, According to any enemy's report: "The States sent a team, is back which he set five world indoor lnglesvood, California Continued on page 5 enemy was pursued as far as Westfield with little effect, the day home in Scotch Plains. Skeets records, a world outdoor Continued on page 6 . proving so intensely hot that the soldiers could with difficulty will be working out with old record of 13.00 seconds, and continue their march thither...the enemycseaped by skulking friend and former high school svind-aidod 12.91 seconds in in the thick woods until night favored retreat into the moun. coach Jean Poquette, attem- the 110-meter event. Memorial Day parade tains." pting to regain strength in an Last week, he took fourth "The Battle of the Village" took place on the same day and injured ankle and to under- in the Pepsi Invitation meet in & picnic set for Sat. was really no more than a skirmish. It left behind as proof two take a carefully planned Los Angeles, and this week cannon balls. One was implanted in what was known as "Old coaching program under abandoned plans to par- Lady Osborn's house" opposite the tavern; the other was Poquette's guidance. ticipate in the International lodged in what was the house of Captain William Piatt. Renaldo Nehemiah's per- Games at Franklin Field in In addition, a local farmer, Captain Eliakim Littell %vas in formances last year shattered Philadelphia, Instead, he and charge of the local Minute Men. They engaged in at least thir- all the world records in his Poquette, Assistant to the teen skirmishes with British troops. hurdles category. This year, Superintendent of Schools for In all, Scotch Plains contributed fifteen captains, one quar- results have been less Buisiness, will quietly assume termaster, one major, and one colonel to the cause of American freedom. La Grande to be sold LaGrande School will go on J. uuigis HI Community the auction block. next Housing and Planning Tuesday, as the Board of Associates cautioned against Scotch Plains: Public meeting on re- Education opens bids on the any use of the land which quested rent control ordinance. old school which was closed as would impact negatively on June 11, Municipal Building, 8:00 P.M. a public facility in June of the residential area along 1978.