This Day in History: November 22, 1913

November 22, 2022November 21, 2022 Milltown Historical Society 0 Comment Michelin Site aka Ford Ave, Misc. Historic Sites, News, People of Milltown, This Day in Hisotry, Walking Tours bridge, church, council, Lawrence Brook, Main street, Michelin, Milltown, Order of Owls, People of Milltown, riva, Talk of the Town, this day in history

ORDINANCE TO WIDEN RIVE AVE. IS PASSED

MILLTOWN, Nov. 22.-An adjourned meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Mayor Conrad Richter presided. Councilmen Chas. Baurles, Henry Kuhlthau, Geo. E. Crabiel, Al Skewis, B. Miller, Clerk R. A. Harkins, Messrs. C. W. Waddington and R. B. Sheppard of the water commission board were present.

The following bills were ordered paid:

Chas. Hoffman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2.00

Home Insurance Co. . . . . . . . . . . $12.80

C. P. Stelle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $239.35

Mrs. John Lins was permitted to remove two trees in front of her property on Clay and Church streets The trees had been damaged by lightning.

A resolution approving the plans and specifications of the Sewer and Water Commission was adopted.

An ordinance regarding the widening of Riva avenue, from Main to Clay street was introduced passed on the first reading.

The ordinance provided that the borough would remunerate property owners for any damage that might be incurred and if agreement could not be made the Borough will have the right to condemn such property as may be necessary to obtain the desired width.

Prior to introduction of the above ordinance a petition from several property owners along the avenue was presented.

A resolution was adopted that the borough clerk post notice of intention for widening of the avenue in five of the most prominent places in the borough.

On motion the clerk was authorized to notify the railroad as to the condition of the crossing at Main street near the Michelin Tire Co.

The clerk was also authorized to notify the Board of Freeholders as to the condition of the bridge crossing Lawrence Brook.

The light committee was authorized to purchase a transformer for use in connection with the ventilating system at the school.

On motion the clerk was authorized to send a special notice to the property owners along Riva avenue, who have not as yet signed petitions for widening of said avenue.

Milltown to Have New Order.

C. H. Crenning, who is well versed in lodge work, has decided to use his best efforts towards instituting an Order of Owls in the borough, provided he can secure the necessary signers to the petition, which he is about to circulate. While the Order of Owls is practically now here in the East, it was founded at South Bend, Ind., in November, 1904. During its existence the growth has been marvelous, and branches of the order have been established in nearly every State in the Union as well as through Canada. Nearly 1,900 nests have been instituted with a membership of over 300,000.

The owls have a furnished home for their orphans where they educate them, at South Bend, Ind. They also have their own hospital. They now have a bill before Congress to set aside public land for a tuberculosis hospital and camp for the members of the order. They assist deserving widows of deceased members by a monthly pension. Their ritual; is beautiful and ennobling. They advocate no creed-nothing offensive to any man’s religion.

The special charter fee is $5 per member, and any one between the ages of 13 and 55 desiring to be- come a charter member may do so by singing the petition. After the charter is closed the regular initiation fee will not be less than $10; hence you can readily see the advisability of getting in on the ground floor.

The motto of the Order of Owls is as follows:

“There’s so much bad in the best of us,

And so much good in the worst of us,

It hardly behooves any of us

To speak ill of the rest of us.

They also have a toast, which reads as follows:

“Here’s to the man whose hand Is firm when he holds your own. Like a grip of steel that makes you feel

You’re not in the world alone.”

The new home of Charles Durham is nearing completion so far as the exterior is concerned.

This Day in History: November 4th, 1915

November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 Milltown Historical Society 0 Comment Historic Sites, Michelin Site aka Ford Ave, News, People of Milltown, This Day in Hisotry, Walking Tours Detective John R. Ferguson, italy, Kuberry, Milltown, Mrs. Tessie Kuberry, murder, People of Milltown, Quinn, Talk of the Town, this day in history

QUINN FREE OF MURDER IN ITALY

Fellow Countrymen Acquit Man Charged With Murdering Mrs. Tessie Kubbery at Milltown Remarkable Ending of Tragedy That Stirred the County.

Following closely upon the conviction of Porter Charlton, an American who was tried in Italy for murder, comes the announcement in the form of a communication to Prosecutor Florance that Luigi Aquino, alias Louis Quinn, charged with the murder of Mrs. Tessie Kuberry, at Milltown on July 25, 1913, has been acquitted and set at liberty by the Court of Assise at Avelino, Italy.

Following the crime at Milltown, Quinn escaped to Italy, his native country, where he was arrested in December, 1913, through a decoy letter sent by County Detective John

CONTINUED ON PAGE SEVEN.

R. Ferguson. The prosecutor at that time was George S. Silzer and nothing was left undone to bring about the arrest of Quinn, but efforts to have him sent back here for trial failed utterly.

Sworn affidavits, however, were forwarded to Italy by Mr. Silzer and later by Prosecutor Florance, including the testimony of two eye-witnesses to the tragedy, both of whom fastened the crime upon Quran. It WIA generally felt that the CISO against the prisoner was of the strongest, hence the action of the Italian Court is all the more surprising

Mrs. Kuberry was a general favorite and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Litkenhaus, of this city. She was employed at the plant of the Michelin Tire Company, in front of whose property the shooting took place. Quinn had also been an employee of the tire works and had paid attention to Mrs. Kuberry, who repulsed him. It was believed that Jealousy led to the shooting.

Charles Rick, a Syrian, who saw the murder of Mrs. Kuberry and tried to prevent Quinn’s escape, was shot in the neck and was a patient in a local hospital for some time after the killing. His testimony was among the affidavit sent to Italy and several photographs of the scene of the crime had also been forwarded.

The letter just received by Prosecutor Florance was forwarded from the office of Governor Fielder, by whom it was received from the State Department at Washington. It bore date of September 22 and set forth that Quinn’s trial took place on July 9 last.

A remarkable feature of the communication was the statement that the Quinn case is the fifth case within the past twelve months in which Italians, tried in Italian courts for murders alleged to have been committed in the United States, have been found not guilty by the Jury and set at liberty by the courts. Not & case has been reported to the American Embassy within the past year in which a conviction for murder or manslaughter has been secured by the Royal Prosecutor.

The treaty laws between the United States and Italy are such that It is impossible for this country to secure the extradition of men arrested in Italy for murders committed in the United States, and the disadvantage resulting to the Interests of justice seem to be amply set forth In the communication referred) to above.

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This Day in History: October 11th 1919

October 11, 2022October 11, 2022 Milltown Historical Society 0 Comment Misc. Historic Sites, News, This Day in Hisotry, Walking Tours Milltown, National historic landmark, Russell Playing Card Co, the mill, this day in history

Russell Playing Card Co. at Milltown Gives Employees Shorter Hours

The Russell Playing Card Company needs no introduction to the public, especially to New Brunswick people. Their employees receive consideration in so many ways and such a high standard is maintained for them that this company has won a well deserved reputation for being a splendid one to work for, as the 200 employees there, mostly girls, will testify.

For a long time It has been the custom of this company to furnish hot coffee to employees, and rubbers and umbrellas to the girls on rainy days, and recently they have issued cards announcing new rules that will Interest and please their employees, in regard to shortening the hours of work, though no reduction in wages will follow.

The president of the Russell Playing Card Company, Mr. Benjamin Rosenthal, of New York, is a man with progressive ideas and the ability to carry them out. This is well demonstrated by the fact that in the eight years of Mr. Rosenthal’s management of the Russell company it has grown constantly and surely into one of the leading independent playing card industries of the country.

This is the notice just issued to their employees by the Russell company:

Beginning Monday, October 18, the hours of employment will be 7.45 a. m. to 12 noon, and from 12.43 noon to 5.30 P.M. Saturdays, from 7.45 a. m. to 12.45 noon.

There will be no reduction In wages. The same wages will be paid for this shorter work day as we are now paying for the present one.

Bonus systems are being installed In all departments as far and as rapidly as possible. In reducing the hours of employment without any decrease in wages, the management hopes all employees will be stimulated to greater effort, so that production may be increased and greater efficiency manifested throughout.

RUSSELL PLAYING CARD COMPANY. October 8, 1019.

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This Day in History: August 12, 1926

August 12, 2022August 12, 2022 Milltown Historical Society 0 Comment Historic Sites, Misc. Historic Sites, People of Milltown, Walking Tours car barn, correction, Lawrence Brook, Milltown, People of Milltown, Pool, raritan river Railroad, RRRR, School, Talk of the Town, this day in history

Milltown People Want Park, Municipal Swimming Pool

Hot Weather Brings Many, Suggestions for Relief; Suggest Park on Plot Across From Car Barns, Near Lawrence Brook

MILLTOWN, Aug. 12. These hot days make borough folk wish they had a swimming pool and public park at their disposal. More comment has been heard the past three days about a public park and a swimming pool in the borough than has been heard for months past. Milltown has two spots most ideal for such conveniences.

Milltown, according to some people, ought to make immediate arrangements to make summer life comfortable for borough folk and visitors. There are two spots that could be utilized to good advantage for public parks, and in one space a swimming pool could be erected. One man, in commenting on the idea last night, said he thought that the school playground should be fixed up and believed that it could be done with little expense. Right now the playground is in poor condition, so much, so that It is not practical for a public park, although with a little attention It could be converted into a very nice place. There are no benches on the ground, even though there are some trees that would afford shade. The grass Is not cut, but all this could be remedied and the place made more appealing. The ground could easily be leveled off. The suggestion of a pool in the playground Is not a new one, and with public support, which it would undoubtedly get, It could be made a realization by next year.

The other park space is the plot of ground bordering on the Lawrence Brook across from the old car barns. This is another apparently Ideal spot, and It is understood that the Raritan River Railroad Company will carry all the dirt necessary to fill In the space if the officials of the town would say the word. The delay is a waste of valuable time and if the railroad company is so willing to fill the place in. many people feel the borough officials surely ought to take them up on It. This has been hanging here for months.

Outing Tonight

The Milltown merchants will hold their annual outing tonight, when they will go to Soldier’s Beach and partake of a fish supper and take a dip Into the water.

Seldler’s Beach, Morgan and Laurence Harbor certainly were dense with borough folk last night, eager for a dip into the cooling waters. Evan the attractive pool at New Brunswick lured many Milltowners. Seldler’s, however, had first call for the crowd.

The Girl Scouts of the borough arranged at their meeting the other night at the home of Mrs, Charles Graullch, for their trip to Union Beach for one week. The girls will leave Saturday.

George Christ of the Michelin office is enjoying his vacation.

J. A. Montgomery and George Crablel attended the annual outing of the Past Councilors’ Association at Blue Hills Plantation yesterday.

The baseball attraction is Michelin vs. St. Mary’s of South River.

Correction: Yesterday it was transcribed as “Uatricks Corner” for the paper of the day. This has been corrected to read “Patrick’s Corner” to reflect the a much more realistic name and one which shows up in the record. The exact location is not known after some research on historic maps. However, newspapers of the day indicate that it may be in the vicinity of Fresh Ponds.

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This Day in History: Wed. May 14th 1924

May 14, 2022May 14, 2022 Milltown Historical Society 0 Comment Cottage Ave. Firehouse, Historic Sites, Walking Tours 1924, architect, cottage ave, customers, fire house, History, lockup, merchant, Middlesex County New Jersey, Milltown, New Brunswick, Talk of the Town, this day in history

COST OF FIRE HOUSE AT MILLTOWN SET AT $15,000; MERCHANT SUBMITS PLANS

Milltown, May 14th – Architect Alexander Merchant submitted to the borough council on Monday night a sketch of the proposed new Fire house which is to be erected on the Cottage avenue side of the playground in the rear of the school. The cost of the building, submitted for approval of the officials was estimated at $15,000. A figure far in excess of what the borough fathers anticipated on spending. The plans, however, call for a magnificent home for the fire fighters. With a large place to house two machines on the ground floor. On the upper floor will be a meeting room and a recorder’s office.

It is also planned to have a lockup on the ground floor where “customers” may be kept over night. The plans call for a brick building. After debating the price, the councilmen could not come to any agreement on the subject and consequently had to lay the matter on the table for further consideration in view of the fact that only $8,000 was set aside in the budget for this purpose.

It is also planned to have a lockup on the ground floor where “customers” may be kept over night.

A request was received from the owners of Booream avenue asking the borough to take over the street. This was referred to the borough engineer to investigate. If the street is found in acceptable condition, the council will no doubt take it over at the next meeting. This refers to the eastern part of the street or the extension which has been opened during the past year. The street was recently scraped by the owners.

A very serious situation has arisen at the sewerage disposal plant in taking care of the waste from the eastern section of the borough or the part from the Russell Playing Card Company to the plant. It seems that this waste comes through the pipes in clugs due to the wax-like waste material which runs out from the Card Company plant. Many complaints have been made but the condition is such that only a clean out of the pipes every two days will remedy it. Further consideration of this matter will be given attention at the next meeting.

The “welcome” signs are, here and will be erected at the various places as soon as chairman of the streets committee can secure permits. They give a glad welcome to strangers when they enter the town and ask them to call again when leaving, They are to be erected at Miller’s. the entrance to Milltown from South River on the main street, at the big bridge, at Riva avenue bridge, at Elkins Lane, and at Ryder’s Lane.

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This Day In History: April 13, 1919

April 13, 2022April 12, 2022 Milltown Historical Society 0 Comment Historic Sites, Misc. Historic Sites, News, People of Milltown, This Day in Hisotry, Walking Tours architecture, doughboys, france, History, hotels, Michelin, Middlesex County New Jersey, Milltown, People of Milltown, reputation, revamp, Talk of the Town, this day in history, transplant, WW1

HOW MILLTOWN COULD BE TRANSFORMED: SUGGESTION THAT IT BE MADE TO REPRESENT “A LITTLE BIT OF FRANCE TRANSPLANTED TO AMERICA”

(By HELEN McCALLUM)

Ever since the time General Lafayette came across the ocean with his army and held out a helping hand to America in Revolutionary days, there has been a bond of friendship between America and France and it has been doubly, yes trebly cemented by the events of the recent war.

One of the results of this is bound to be an interchange of ideas, customs and manners between French and American people. It is shown already in many ways; our “doughboys” returning from France tell us in glowing phrases of the beauty of the French villages and cities – those that escaped the fury of the enemy – while many who have been abroad before and seen the pretty communities that have been devastated. Find no words to express their regret that such beauty should be lost.

People who have been in France say that Milltown possesses the natural physical elements that go to make up these cozy French towns and this idea suggests the possibility of converting New Brunswick’s suburb into a really and truly villa patterned after the best in France.

People who have been in France say that Milltown possesses the natural physical elements that go to make up these cozy French towns
Hellen mccallum -1919

There are a number of French families in Milltown now; there are French people coming to America constantly who would be attracted to a place that suggested home to them. Needless to say these people would probably be only too glad to keep up the idea of combining their efforts to inoculate France beautiful into New Jersey.

Milltown can afford to grow, to expand. The opportunities and possibilities are there and perhaps this plan is just the incentive needed to start the wheels of progress turning” towards a big destiny. There are hundreds of ways this could be done. Start a few civic features with the French idea predominating, follow this with French architecture for the houses, encourage French ideas in the shows revamp the hotels with a French “menage” then watch Milltown grow!

Of course it would take time and some money, but with the natural advantages already there, these would he a secondary and third consideration in comparison to the investment for the future. Think of the towns that have no foundation to build a distinctive reputation on, then of the splendid one Milltown has to achieve an international reputation if a little initiative and effort are used to establish a French “atmosphere” there.

The Michelin Tire factory has an opportunity to expand, to treble or quadruple its present capacity through the adoption of this idea. Then, too, other industries would be attracted to the place and the first thing you know instead of running over to Paris for their season’s wardrobe, New Yorkers might be taking a Gray bus or trolley to Milltown for the same purpose.

Yes, Milltown (I think I’d change that name perhaps I’d call it “Michelin”) might endearingly be referred to as a “bit of France transplanted to America.”

Slight alterations to many of the homes would give them much of the sought French effect. A little touch here and there would do the trick.

Slight alterations to many of the homes would give them much of the sought French effec
Hellen mccallum -1919

It would be a good thing for the other Milltown industries as well as the Michelin. a good thing for the stores and shops and I would not be surprised if the Raritan River Railroad would contribute liberally to the carrying out of the plan.

Milltown has a real French millinery with a French madame in charge now. Maybe she is to be a pioneer in a new field. There is room for the French and the other industrious folk there now to get along splendidly in Milltown and to greatly increase the size and attractiveness of the place. It is a very nice town now.

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