This Day in History: September 29th, 1914

This Day in History: September 29th, 1914

BURGLARS ENTER R. R. R. R. STATION; GET SMALL LOOT


MILLTOWN, Sept. 29 – The first burglary that Milltown has heard of in a long time took place sometime last night, probably while all Michelinites were in Brunswick celebrating the winning of the second pennant in the New Brunswick Factory League.

It was at the railroad station of the Raritan River Railroad on Washington Ave. where the robbery occurred. From what could be learned this morning, the extent of the theft is a sweater owned by Winfield Fine of Milltown, an employee.

The safe, which reportedly had not been locked, was open. All papers, books, etc., were strewn about the floor. No money could be found as it had been safeguarded by the agent in another way. Thus, the robbers were evidently disappointed. Everything was topsy-turvy: chairs, filing cabinets, desks, and other movable items were out of place. Papers and other valuables from the safe were scattered on the floor. Entrance was made by breaking the lock on one of the windows, and the exit was evidently made the same way, as there was no other evidence remaining.

As of now, no clue has been found.


Miss Van Arsdale’s Party

A delightful party was held at the home of Miss Augusta Van Arsdale of South Main Street last Saturday night. Piano selections were rendered by Misses Anna K. Hoelzer of Milltown and Miss Alice Ayres of New Brunswick, and singing was also enjoyed. Various games were played during the evening, and a delicious collation was served before the guests departed.

The guests were:
From Milltown: Misses Augusta Van Arsdale, Gertrude Schildt, Anna K. Hoelzer, Mr. and Mrs. Voorhees Van Arsdale, Mr. and Mrs. Addison Thompson and daughter Margaret.
From New Brunswick: Misses A. Gourley, Alice Ayres, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Van Arsdale, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Van Hise, Messrs. James Gourley, George Gourley, Harold Hyle, Eddie Torney, Willard Thompson.


Exciting Runaway
A horse owned by W. Kubitz, a grocer of this place, and driven by Harry Moor, was frightened yesterday afternoon by the whistle of a train at the Raritan River Railroad depot. It raced down Washington Avenue at a terrific pace. As the horse neared the corner of Main Street and Washington Avenue, a trolley car was blocking the crossing. The horse kept its pace and was heading straight for the car when a heroic motorman leapt from the car, grabbed the horse by the head, and steered it in front of the car and over the tracks in front of the car barns. The horse was halted by the motorman, who held onto it until the driver caught up.


W. C. T. U. Meeting

The regular full session of the W. C. T. U. is being held in the Methodist Church here today. The State president of the W. C. T. U. will deliver an address this afternoon at two o’clock and again at 7:20 this evening. Next Monday night, at the Rescue Council, there will be delegations present from Elizabeth, Plainfield, and New Brunswick. All members are requested to be present. The State Councilor, Howard S. DeHart, will be there and will likely have something to say in the interest of the order.


Borough Council Meeting

An adjourned meeting of the Borough Council will be held at Borough Hall this evening.


Personals

Arthur Beecher has resigned from his position with C. W. Kuhlthau and has accepted a position with Hermann’s bakery, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Fred Young.

Mrs. Chris Jensen and Mrs. Chas. Denbard visited New York City over the weekend.

Postmaster J. V. L. Booraem is confined to his home with a severe cold.


Michelin Band Picnic Tomorrow

Tomorrow night at Parsons’ Grove, the Michelin Band will hold their first annual picnic, to which all are invited. Michelin will provide their own music. Mr. and Mrs. D. V. Wyckoff of Brooklyn were guests at the home of Mrs. Stelle on Sunday.


This Day in History: August 2nd, 1923

This Day in History: August 2nd, 1923

FACTORY HEADS HAVE ONLY PRAISE FOR LOCAL JITNEYS

Industrial Chieftains Report Almost No Tardiness On Part of Employees.

MANLEY AGAINST EXCESSIVE FARES

The trolley strike has had no adverse effect upon the larger industries of New Brunswick and vicinity. Almost complete satisfaction with the emergency jitney service was expressed this morning by the manufacturers, who report ed practically no tardiness among the employees. The strike hasn’t affected us at all. “We have more hands at work today than we had on Tuesday,” and “We had fewer tardy workers today than we have had at any other time this year.” were some of the reports given by industrial heads. One official said so far an conditions indicated at his plant, there was no strike The Jitneys are making it a point to start shortly before 6 a. m. and every available bus is in operation between 6 and 9 o’clock. Many buses are also in operation during the noon hours and in the evening, while throughout the day A smaller number of machines are on the streets. The manufacturers had no hesitancy in declaring this morning that the trolley strike is not at all noticeable at their plants. They said the buses were giving excel- lent service and some employers declared better service was being given by the Jitneys than the trolley cars gave. “We are depending entirely on the buses of Mr. Lyons, as we have in the past. for the transportation of our employees,” said John Sokoloff of the Squibb Laboratories on George’s Road. “We are getting the best of service and there has been absolutely no lateness at the Squibb plant. We don’t even know there is a strike on. so dependable is the service at-c forded by Mr. Lyons.”

At Cigar Factory

A similarly cheerful report came from the General Cigar Company on Somerset street, where several hundred people are employed. “We have no particular trouble at our plant because of the strike,” said Jesse Strauss, general manager. “We have a large number of employs living in Piscatawaytown. Berdine’s Corner. Lindenau and other places but they have had no trouble thus far in getting to work. We are getting fine service and the employees during the past two mornings have arrived earlier than usual. The buses have more speed and are maintaining an excellent schedule and I have only praise for them.” said Mr. Strauss. The question of fares was raised by John A. Manley of the Johnson Johnson plant, who declared the city should prohibit excessive charging. “We have no real cause to complain as to the service,” said Mr. Manley. “It is comparatively satisfactory.” Mr. Manley pointed to the charge made by two Coney Island bus owners who made a trip from Bound Brook yesterday morning and charged fifty cents for a single trip. He also rebelled against the position of a ten cent fare in other cases. “You must remember that the Public Service asked for a tenement fare and was denied it. I believe the Jitneys should be stopped from charging this excessive fare. We should be fair in the matter and give the Public Service a square deal,” said Mr. Manley.  

Musical String Report

O. U. Page, general manager of the Musical String Company, declared that the service given local employees was of the best and there was absolutely no room for com- plaint but difficulty was being encountered in transporting employees from Berdine’s Corner and Mill- town. As for three employees residing in Bound Brook they were absolutely up against It. There is no service between Milltown and our plant and the buses operating to Berdine’s Corner do not go far enough out George’s Road to accommodate some of the employees. We plan to operate a truck for the transportation of our help to these two points. As for the employees living in New Brunswick and Piscatawaytown, excellent service is provided for them by the jitney,” said Mr. Page. Leslie P. Johnson of the employment department of the International Motor Company declared a few of the employers were inconvenienced but on the whole, the strike hasn’t affected this plant There is comparatively no tardiness and with the exception of the inconvenience to a few hands, we have nothing to complain about.” said Mr. Johnson. Between 500 and 600 employees) are being transported to the Raritan Arsenal by the buses and J. F Armstead of the arsenal declared this morning that the officials there were perfectly satisfied. “Buses are operating to our plant from New Brunswick and Perth Am boy and they are giving the heat of service, in fact better than the trolley cars for the buses are maintaining a better schedule. Tardiness was not as prevalent today as it was during the operation of the trolley cars.” said Mr. Olmsted.

Michelin Tire Plant

No trouble is being encountered at the Michelin plant, it was stated today by H. R. B. Meyers, employment manager and mayor of Milltown. He declared that the service provided by Commissioner Connolly of New Brunswick, the Raritan River Railroad, private autos and the Michelin cars for transportation of the Michelin employees was satisfactory. “Outside of the extra work of arranging the transportation, everything is lovely at the Michelin plant.” said Mr. Meyers. “All our employees are being provided with transportation and there is practically no inconvenience being experienced.”    

SIDELIGHTS ON TROLLEY STRIKE AS SEEN BY SCRIBE

Thousands of people who were strangers to jitney rode on buses yesterday, some with an air of curiosity, and some as if to say “I’ll go wherever the jitney takes me.”

Every pedestrian was able to be taken for an Information bureau, for one person after another approached people along the curb watching the constant stream of motor vehicles, and asked if this or that bus stopped there, and how to get to this place or that.

Jitney riders apparently paid no attention to the big signs on the cars. At the Jitney stand, many e would get aboard the first Jitney to pull into the curb, only to learn later that they were on the wrong Jitney. It was a case of getting off and waiting until the right one came along.

One aged couple loaded down with a suitcase of the vintage of 1776 waited at the jitney stand for over an hour for a Raritan Arsenal bus. At least four buses for the arsenal pulled away from the stand while they waited. Traffic Officer Wilcox, who inquired as to their destination, found they could not speak or write English. A friendly pedestrian spoke to them In a foreign tongue and learned their destination. It was not long before they were on their way to the arsenal.

The swan song at the jitney stand all day yesterday was “Where is the Bound Brook bus?” They are still singing it today as the local Jitneys refused to make the trip because of the impassable condition of the road. Regular commuters are compelled to ride to Metuchen and take a Plainfield bus and change at Plainfield for Bound Brook.  

These taxi drivers! Visions of fur coats, trips to Florida, college educations for the children and Paris gowns for wives hung about them like pleasant halos as they shouted, “Fare! Fare!” Were they busy? They were not.

Many taxicabs were available throughout the day in front of the railroad station, but there were few riders for some reason Or other. People either walked or took to the “its” One woman of foreign descent and of bulky proportions, and carrying a large bundle, had a tough job finding her bus.

Every time a bus pulled into the jitney stand, she got aboard. Learning each time that late was on the wrong bus, she rent the air with foreign lingo, that sounded like real “honest to goodness” scar words. Many suburban couples were compelled to take their wives along on their ride to business. On this account many pretty little misses were left waiting for another car- a jitney.

When the 11 o’clock shift left the Michelin plant in Milltown last night, numerous buses were waiting. These are better than trolleys,” said several passengers to Matthew Hogarty, bus inspector, who was on hand to look things over.  

The good-looking girls waiting for a ride to the Michelin plant this morning had the pick of sport cars, with the result that two Big Walter Raleighs nearly had a collision at the corner of Commercial avenue and George street. Commissioner Jaques has issued instructions to the police officers to give every aid possible to the Jitneys in helping care for the public. The cops were on the job and seemed to enjoy the task.

A big gang of workmen arrived this morning to complete the pavement on French street, near the Jitney station, which has been torn up for the past week. It seems that even the Public Service is willing to lend a helping hand to the “it” The blocks between. the rails were torn up a week ago, causing great inconvenience to the traveling public. The workmen today declared the pavement would be re-laid before dusk. For one thing. they were not disturbed in their work by trolley cars.

A Highland Park resident sold his automobile on Monday. “Guess I’m out of luck.” was his cry last evening as he waited at the Jitney stand for a car to take him home. He didn’t have to wait long as a jitney for the neighboring borough leaves every five minutes.

Traffic Officer John Manley at the corner of George and Albany streets missed (7) the rattling of the trolley cars as he directed traffic yesterday and today.

The bus owners are cooperating with the city officials in giving safe and adequate service. The owners of the buses were scattered along the various routes acting as inspectors. They will work with the police and bus inspectors in preventing any excess charges. No authorized bus operator is permitted to charge more than a five-cent fare and violations of this order will meet with prompt suspension or dismissal. The only thing unusual about the Milltown car barns today was the lack of trolley cars switching in and out. Quietness prevailed.

The employees, dressed in their Sunday best, gathered on Albany street and witnessed the buses pull away from the jitney stand loaded to the roof. The office of the Public Service Railway on Albany street was closed to the public yesterday and there was no sign on the door to acquaint the public the reasons therefore. Secretary Atkinson of the Board a of Trade is playing the part of the Good Samaritan by transporting his fair daughter, Miss Lillian, and  her Highland Park friends to the Michelin plant. Commissioner Connolly asked today that the public be patient for a few days if the bus service does not immediately come up to expectations.

The additional buses and the many changes in routes which to a certain extent are experimental, may cause a little con- fusion for a few days. This, Mr. Connolly says, will be corrected eventually. Commissioner Connolly rode over a proposed detour through the O’Rourke farm yesterday and found the going anything but pleasant. A force of men were grading and filing the low spots preparatory to building a temporary road. buses will be permitted to travel over this route until it is placed in safe condition.  

A bus inspector is detailed on every loaded bus to Milltown to assure the passengers of safety. The detour followed to Milltown is through the College Farm and Ryder’s Lane. The two bridges on the lane are in weak condition and as a precautionary measure. the passengers are compelled to alight upon reaching the bridges. Thomas Lyons, owner of the big Mack bases, gave a helping hand to the Michelin employes when he placed one of these buses: on the line at the request of Commissioner Connolly during the rush hours. Meyer Shift of the Burnet street line has a bus operating continually on the Milltown line in the hope of solving the transportation problem for the borough residents The Michelin office employes were discharged at 4:45 o’clock yesterday afternoon to permit them to make connections with the Raritan River Railroad out of Milltown Upon reaching New Brunswick, buses were waiting to carry them to the center of the city. I

t was believed that the schedule of the Raritan River line would be so altered as to meet conditions. but officials of the road have as yet made no changes. The present schedule doesn’t conform with the working schedule at the Michelin: plant and hence the advancement of the quitting time for the office hands by fifteen minutes. The buses were working smoothly last evening after a day of excitement among the operators and the city officials. The big rush between 5 and 6 o’clock was handled as smoothly as one could expect. No one had to walt more than fifteen minutes for any bus and the city buses were passing up and down Albany street every six or seven minutes.  


This Day in History: August 1st, 1917

This Day in History: August 1st, 1917

Jumps From Moving Train, Has Leg Crushed  

Calling to his friends that would be he would first off the train, Borinton Jetou, a French youth residing in Milltown slipped, as he attempted to jump from a Raritan River Railroad train at the Milltown station, last night at 11 o’clock and had his leg badly mangled. He was removed to St. Peter’s hospital in an unconscious: condition. This morning the staff physicians had to amputate the leg at the knee.  

Jeton with several other companions visited a local moving picture show, last evening and shortly before 11 o’clock started for home boarding a train at the local station of the Raritan River Railroad. When the train pulled into the Milltown station, Jetou wagered that he would be first to alight and rushed for the rear platform of the first passenger coach.  

While the train was moving, Jetou made a leap from the platform, but in so doing, he tripped and fell. Two of the cars passed over one of his legs before the train was brought to stop His companions were horror stricken, for they thought that life had been crushed from the body of their friend.  

The accident caused considerable confusion at the station and held up the train for fully a half hour. When Jeton was picked up, he was breathing very faintly and was unconscious. At the hospital, this afternoon, it was stated that Jetou was resting quietly.


This Day in History: July 30th, 1923

This Day in History: July 30th, 1923

RARITAN RIVER RAILROAD READY TO RUN EXTRA TRAINS TO HELP IN STRIKE EMERGENCY

CONFERENCE HELD TODAY BY MICHELIN OFFICIALS; AUTHORITIES HERE BUSY

Commissioner Connolly and Jitneurs to Map Bus Routes This Evening-Traffic Situation Gives Concern.

Officials of the Raritan River Railroad Company stated this morning that they would be glad to do what they could to accommodate public in the case of a trolley strike, which now seems a practical certainty beginning at 4 a. m. Wednesday. Bus service is expected to be sufficient to handle traffic between New Brunswick and most areas in the county, with the probable exception of Milltown. The Michelin Tire Company employees in New Brunswick number about 800, the great majority of whom make the trip by trolley car.

In addition to the Michelin workers who live here there are employees of other plants who commute between the two towns. The fact that the road from Berdine’s Corner into Milltown is torn up makes the establishment of satisfactory bus service difficulty. Buses have to detour by back roads, which requires a trip of about half an hour instead of half that time in which it could be made if the regular road was open.

The addition of a few trains to and from Milltown and adequate. bus service to the Raritan River Railroad Station here would doubtless take care of the traffic in satisfactory fashion. Superintendent T. Filskov of the Raritan River stated at South Amboy this morning that there had been no request for additional service but that the railroad could provide it if needed. There is practically no traffic between New Brunswick and Milltown over the railroad ordinarily. Trains leave here at 7:40 and 11:15 a. m. and at 3.41 and 5:20 p. m. daylight time. Trains leave Milltown for New Brunswick at 7:20 and 9:48 a. m. and 3:10 and 5:04 p. m.

A conference was held at the Michelin offices this afternoon to consider the transportation problem. Superintendent H. R. Meyers is giving she matter close attention, and expects to take up with the Raritan River the establishment of additional train service. “The greatest difficulty anticipated is with the shift which comes on duty at 11:30 p. m..” he said. “Three is no train from, South Amboy or from New Brunswick to bring the men here. There are trains in from South Amboy at 7:14 a. m. and 3:14 p. m., which provide very satisfactory service from that direction. There are trains out to South Amboy at 7:45 a. m. and 3:45 and 5:29 p. m., which suit our shifts finely.” Mr. Meyers said that trains to New Brunswick about 7.45 am and 5.30 pm, for the accommodation of the factory employees and trains which would get the office employees numbering 200, to the plant by 8 a. m. and away shortly after 5 p. m. are what are needed. with bus service to and from the station in New Brunswick, Bus service between New Brunswick and Milltown will be established despite the torn-up condition of the road.

Strike Vote Here

At the same hour that the 253 local trolleymen of the Public Service Railway Company vote on the question of a strike at a meeting in the Union Labor Headquarters on George street this evening. Commissioner Frank A. Connolly and the Jitney officers and inspectors will meet at the City Hall to map & schedule for the accommodation of the riding public. The meeting of the local trolleymen tonight will take place at 8 o’clock at the Central Labor Headquarters and it is expected that the large majority of the 153 trolleymen will participate in the balloting. The crews working at the time of the balloting will be permitted to vote at the car barns early tomorrow morning, at the end of their runs The Public Service officials have announced that if the men strike. no attempt will be made to move able trolleys on Wednesday morning. The riding public will be forced to rely entirely on the jitneys and private conveyances and suburban residents are bound to be affected by the cessation of traffic. The loss to the merchants of New Brunswick will be serious as the Jitneys can scarcely handle the traffic. The main lines of course will be well served but other lines will be seriously affected. Commissioner Connolly T E conference this morning with the Jitneurs when the matter of transportation was discussed. The bus line to South Amboy will be operated on a fifteen-minute schedule The Perth Amboy line will also be served with a fifteen minute headway.

Distribution of Bases

The residents of Lindenau will be served by one or two bases under a half-hour schedule. The residents of Highland Park will have a six-minute headway with the buses operating between Sath avenue and Codwine avenue. If the strike becomes effective on Wednesday, five buses will be placed on the Highland Park line. In addition to the buses operating on Codwise avenue, three bases will operate on Livingston avenue at a six-minute headway. Commissioner Connolly has run up against a “tone wall” in procuring buses to operate between New Brunswick and Bound Brook. and New Brunswick and Milltown. There are no bus lines operating between these communities and the deplorable condition of the road makes it almost impossible to persuade any of the bus operators to attempt to operate on either of these lines. During the strike, buses operating on Easton avenue and Remsen avenue will alternate and it is arranged that instead of three buses running on this line, two buses will operate on the Easton avenue- Remsen avenue line and two between Easton avenue and Throop avenue Under the plans devised by Commissioner Connolly at least fifty buses will be in operation on Wednesday if the strike is declared. The regular licensed buses operating in New Brunswick number thirty-two and through the efforts of Mr. Connolly, eighteen additional buses have been procured.


This Day in History: June 28th, 1916

This Day in History: June 28th, 1916

MILLTOWN TO HAVE NEW RARITAN RIVER R. R. DEPOT

MILLTOWN, June 28-Preparations are being made for the erection of a new Raritan River Railroad station near as the present one is far from being adequate since so many of the employees of the Michelin Tire Company, the Russell Playing Card Company and powder works employees make use of this line to get back and forth to their work.

It is proposed to build an up-to-date station in every respect in order that there will be sufficient room for an office as well as a waiting room.

The present structure will be torn down and while the work is being done the office force will make themselves comfortable in a baggage car which has been provided for the convenience and equipped for an office.


This Day in History: August 8th, 2022

This Day in History: August 8th, 2022

Milltown Favored With Visit From Noted Movie Queen

Again moving pictures have been taken along the Raritan River Railroad property at Milltown. Yesterday no less a movie star than Pearl White appeared in several scenes snapped at the Milltown depot.

BOUND BROOK TEAM TO PLAY MICHELIN SATURDAY MILLTOWN

Aug. 8. The baseball fans of Milltown and vicinity will be glad to know that the Michelin baseball team have scheduled for this Saturday what promises to be another good contest. A representative team of Bound Brook will be the opponents. This same aggregation defeated Michelin at Milltown early In the season, and that the locals will be out to get revenge there is no doubt, as thus far they have evened up with every team they have had a chance to play the second time.

The Bound Brook aggregation have a reputation from their past performances here, and there is no need of explanation as to their ability as ball players.

Milltown too will put out as strong a line-up as possible, and a batte roya can be looked forward to.

HOME DEFENSE LEAGUE POSTPONES MEETING

MILLTOWN, Aug. 8. There was a small representation to turn out to the meeting of the Milltown Home Defense League, which was called by Mayor Charles Baurles to be held at the Borough Hall last evening, and as a result the meeting was not called to order until some time when a larger body can be present.

There are several matters of Importance to the community to be decided, and It has therefore been ordered by the Chief Executive to send out a special post card notice to each individual member of the league to be present at a meeting which has been called for Tuesday evening of next week, at the Borough Hall Milltown.


MILLTOWN, Aug. 8. There will be a special meeting of the Eureka Fire Co., No. — , at their rooms on Thursday night, at 8 o’clock. Every member is urged to be present, as there is important business to be transacted and the presence of all is necessary,

Mr. Rosenthal, the owner of the Russell Playing Card Co., who resides in New York, visited the factory Tuesday afternoon with several friends from New York.

The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Citizens’ Building and Loan Association will be held at their offices in the First National Bank of Milltown on Tuesday evening, August 1, 1917, at eight o’- clock 1 for the purpose of electing five directors for a term of three years and transact such other business as may be necessary.

CHAS. C. RICHTER,

Secretary.


For more information on Movie Queen Pearl White – The Exploits of Pearl (Pearl White) — August 16, 2015 – http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-exploits-of-pearl-pearl-white.html?m=1