This Day in History: April 30th, 1926

This Day in History: April 30th, 1926

Milltown Spelling Champ Willard Lindstrom – 4.30.26 – Daily Home New

Milltown Champ

Spelling Champion of Milltown School.

The girls are still lending the hoys in the spelling bees sponsored by the Daily Home News and Sunday Times in the elementary schools of Middlesex and Somerset counties. Of the local schools six girls and five boys are champions. The best speller in Roosevelt Junior High School, who is still to be named, may be a boy, and then the balance will be even in the city schools. In the Middlesex county schools, the girls are so far ahead that the boys have no chance of catching up. Eighteen girls have been certified as champions, with but nine boys. Three schools, which have not yet named champions would not bring the boys record up to the girls, even if the champions were all boys. The boys expect to make up for their handicap of numbers by excellence of spilling

Milltown Speller Good

One of the best spellers entered is Willard Lindstrom, son of F. O. Lindstrom of Milltown. Willard will represent Milltown In the spelling bee in the Junior High School auditorium May 19. He has already won three spelling bees, conducted as preliminary contests In the Milltown school, and has been peeling in some extra time on his spelling since being named reparative of the school. In order to have the very best school speller take part in the county contest Principal Mensch of Milltown decided that more than one spelling bee was necessary as a trial of ability, Three were held, and Willand came out victorious. He will be one of the thirty-one spellers in the contest for Middlesex county honors May 19.

The latest city champions to be named is girl Leona Newman of the Bayard school, Although Leona is in grade six and a half she looks as if she had just graduated from kindergarten. She is the smallest entrant to appear on the scene, but one of the keenest. In addition to being spelling champlon of the Bayard school, she is also a champion in arithmetic. She won the spelling honor by a perfect test paper, spelling words which older pupils missed. Her alternate is Harold Levy, of the same grade. Leona will take part in the city spelling ben May 11 at Junior High School,


This Day in History: April 18th, 1924

This Day in History: April 18th, 1924

MILLTOWN’S MODERN NEW BANK BUILDING WILL BE OPENED FOR INSPECTION TOMORROW

MILLTOWN, April 18-In recent years the growth of banking institutions in small towns has been most creditable. Tomorrow, however, Milltown opens the way for other communities when it will present the First National Bank for inspection; a structure equipped with practically all the labor-saving and protection devices of the Metropolitan bank. By these innovations, the local bank has opened up possibilities which will grow daily for the convenience of the population, and in a short while it is believed that the local institution will become an instrument of still greater service to the community. The new building is centrally located and makes a striking appearance with its front of Imitation granite. The exterior of the bank is readily understood by referring to the accompanying reproduction. Doors will be opened at 9 a.m., and will remain open until 9 p.m., for the general survey of the building, and a close Inspection of all the modern ideas which have been combined in this handsome structure.

The entire banking force of workmen will be on hand tomorrow to assist in the inspection as well as many of the directors. Souvenirs will be given away by the bank as a remembrance of the opening and it is expected that hundreds will avail themselves of the opportunity to view this magnificent new home of a fast growing organization. The bank directors make the invitation a most cordial one, and none should feel backward about making a call during the course of the day.

Wonderfully Well Arranged

Upon entering the bank, the vestibule and lobby with walls paneled off in Mycenian marble are attractive. To the right of the lobby is the president’s room, neatly decorated with walls of old ivory, making it an inviting place for business. An entrance is also made to this room from the information room which adjoins in the main banking space.

To the left of the lobby, will be found the ladies’ room, fully equipped dressed in the identical design as the president’s room.

The main banking room offers a picture of exquisite taste with plaster cornices set off with pilasters. This decoration refers to the upper part of the walls while the lower section is marked off and finished In Caen stone. The public space and the vestibule as well as the lobby carry a terrazzo flooring. To the right of the public space is the Information room, which has a flooring of natural cork, with checker board design. The floors of the president’s room, ladies’ room, and the working space provided for the employes is also laid off with cork flooring with checker board designs. Two check desks are in the public space and made of marble with heavy glass tops and pivoted windows.

Business Windows

The tellers’ windows comprise polished plate glass with wickets of solid bronze, while the counter looks handsome composed of Tavernelle and Mycenian marble. Five windows are placed in the screen to accommodate the customers, and each window carries a certain booth for the employe. The space alloted for the working force is ample and gives sufficient room for the transaction of all business. The lower banking room and public space is supplied with a wonderfully arranged lighting system, with eight large windows throwing down sunlight from the upper section, as well as several smaller windows in the lower section. Aside from this, five medium-large windows afford excellent light from over the mezzanine in the rear of the building.

The vault, built by the Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe Company of New York, is located directly to the left of the building next to the public space. Entrance to the section where the vault is located is through a bronze gate and grille. The vault carries a reinforced concrete shell. as well as a steel lining with a network of burglar alarm wires properly attached to a signal on the outside of the building. The door of the vault is a large circular one, supported on massive hinges with a combination time lock. The door is ten inches thick. Inside of the vault are several hundred steel safe deposit boxes as well as a large round magazine for the safe keeping of securities and cash. A large size mirror takes in the entire back of the vault. To the right of the larger vault, a smaller one is erected for the storage of records and books which, similar to the large one, is heavily reinforced.

Adjoining this vault, is a coupon booth of frosted glass where customers may be escorted to go over their papers, which are taken from the vault. On the extreme right of this is the men’s locker. Over the vaults is the mezzanine, which has been prepared in case of additional working space being needed. This is a very pretty part of the building, for a colonnade of heavy plaster columns, with an ornamental railing, gives an excellent set off. to the rear of the interior.

In depleting the artist’s taste In this interior decoration, one must not leave out the mahogany furniture and fixtures. The lofty celling is twenty feet high which affords an unusual chance for the light and air to come into the room. Over the front lobby and side rooms, is the board of directors department. It is a specious room in which to transact business. This room is paneled in several tones of pleasing colors with four large windows supplying light. A casement window overlooks the entire banking floor and from this position, one may get a full glance of the excellent taste of architecture used in the making of the building. In the large basement of the bank are located the boiler room, coal bunker, and two large vaults for the storage of records and the like. The bank will be heated by vacuum steam.

Directors Well Pleased

Every members of the Board of Directors of the bank is well pleased with the new home. The building should meet all requirements for years to come and has been erected at great expense.

President J. Burr Herbert and the other directors feel indebted to the architect and the contractors for the beautiful touch given the building. The architect apparently tried primarily for dignity of design and this was attained by study of the proportions of the building.

1917-1924

The First National Bank was Instituted in 1917, and with business of seven years in back of it, has advanced to the stage now where it has been able to accomplish much. The Iate J. V. L. Booream was the first president of the charter officials, and after his death J. Burr Herbert now president, was elected and has held the reign ever since. Of the original Board of Directors only the late Mr. Booream has been taken from the official body and his place has been taken by Cashier H. J. Booream. The bank has made wonderful strides in the past seven years and was compelled to Increase the capital stock from $25,000 to $50,000. The directors are a body of men with many business qualities, while the workers in the Institution are well versed in banking fundamentals. H. J. Boeream, the cashier, has been in this work for nineteen years, coming here from the First National Bank of New Jersey of New Brunswick. His interests in the local organization are keep and he devotes much time to making the bank one of the leaders in the county circles. Edwin M. Kuhlthau, assistant cashier, was also connected with the First National Bank of New Jersey of New Brunswick, and has been prominent figure in the advancement of the affairs of Milltown’s institution. Miss Helen Lindstrom and Miss Edith Lins are very capable members of the business staff and gained banking knowledge through the School of Banking in Elizabeth.

View this beautiful home tomorrow, and admire the tasty designs, Alexander Merchant of Highland Park was the architect in charge of the building, while the general construction work was under the supervision of the Milltown Realty Company, with Earl Seaman, a practical manager In charge of the work. The lighting system was Installed by Richard Perry, Plumbing work was done by L. Zach and Co., the masonry work by Robert Ferguson, heating by the Milltown Engineering Company and the painting by John Kemp.

The officers and directors of the bank are: President, J. B. Herbert: vice presidents, Christian Kuhlthau, and N. N. Forney; cashier, H. J. Booream: assistant cashier, Edwin M. Kuhlthau: directors. George Kuhlthau, Elmer E. Connolly, Spencer Ferry, C. C. Richter. and Fred W. De Voe, solicitor.


This Day in History: March 4th, 1909

This Day in History: March 4th, 1909

GAS FOR MILLTOWN

The Public Service Corporation, it understood on good authority, will extend its gas mains to Milltown next Spring, and light the homes of that borough. Milltown already gets light from the PSC, though not in the same manner as do New Brunswick residents. The light is bought in bulk by the borough and sold by the municipal corporation.

It is now planned by the P. S. C. to deal directly with the Milltown people in the sale of gas. A lot of pipe as been distributed along the road to Milltown, which, it was thought, were to be used for gas mains here.

These men said today that as far as they as they know this was not the case, and that they had not heard of the gas extending mains going forward this early. It can be almost positively stated, however, that in 1910 Milltown gas will be burning.


This Day in History: December 30th, 1920

This Day in History: December 30th, 1920

N.Y. POLICE WILL LET MILLTOWN BANK ROBBERS COME HERE

Local Charges to Come First in Long Series Made Against Chaffee and Bitzberger – May Wait Return of Judge Daly.


Milltown National Bank at Michelin Tire - 1924

Local authorities have been promised by the New York police, it was learned today, that unless a more serious crime than robbery is fastened on Jerome Chaffee and Harry Bitzberger, arrested in New York on Tuesday through the work of County Detective Ferd David of Middlesex, the men will be sent back here and will not be held for the many crimes charged against them there. Detective David said today that it was his belief, that Chaffee’s story that the Milltown robbery was his first “job” is the truth but that Bitzberger appears to have a bad record.

According to Chaffee’s story, which has been partially verified by Detective David, he came to New York in 1916 on his release from Fort Leavenworth military prison and endeavored to straight. He ran a pastry shop for a time and later became a chauffeur and held a responsible position. He was married early in 1919 and told his wife of his bad military record but promised to go straight.

A short time ago, however, he met Bitzberger, who had been a fellow convict at Leavenworth, and got him a room in the same house, not knowing what he was doing. It is believed that Bitszberger operated alone for a while and got Chaffee in only in time for the Milltown robbery.

To Be Held Tomorrow.

At yesterday’s arraignment of the men, the local detectives were unable to produce exemplified copies of the warrants, but they will have them ready tomorrow and the prisoners will then be committed for thirty days pending extradition.

As Judge Daly will not return until January 7 there will probably be no attempt to bring the men back before that time, but they will likely be indicted by the Grand Jury on that date and then brought back as soon as the extradition proceedings can be arranged.

Wanted In Westchester.

Police officials in Westchester County reported yesterday that Chaffee and Bitzberger were believed to be members of a band which has looted many homes in that county. Soon after Voorhees and Watson were arrested the fingerprint expert of White Plains said that the men’s finger marks revealed their connection with robberies there.

The police of New Rochelle were seeking Voorhees and Watson for burglaries there as a result of a confession by Arthur B. Clayton, recently sent to Sing Sing, who implicated them.

Fingerprints on a safe in Pelham Manor, robbed of Liberty bonds and jewelry valued at $5,000, were believed to be those of Chaffee and Bitzberger, it was said.

The men also are alleged to have participated in the robbery of $7,000 worth of clothing from the store of Charles Wellers at Peekskill and of $5,000 worth of liquors from the country home of Harold Stearns at Tarrytown. Several other suburban robberies are attributed to them.

Inspector Coughlin received word from Pittsburgh last night that Bitzberger’s real name was Lloyd Henry Bitzburger, and that he was the son of John P. Bitzburger, a wealthy plumber of Lancaster. Bitzberger appeared in Lancaster last October and soon afterward a bakery was robbed and $3,000 in Liberty bonds taken from a safe. On Nov. 11 Bitzberger was married at Harrisburg, and five days later the First National Bank at Landisville, six miles from Lancaster, was entered and between $100,000 and $150,000 in negotiable securities taken. Bitzberger disappeared on the day of the robbery.

It is believed that Bitzberger was not connected with the big Sleepy Hollow robbery, as he did not meet Voorhees and Watson until after that time, but he is thought to have operated with them in later Westchester robberies.

It was learned today that the automobile used by the gang in the Milltown robbery was purchased by Chaffee with money furnished Bitzberger by Voorhees and Watson.


This Day in History: December 29th, 1920

This Day in History: December 29th, 1920

ARRAIGN ACCOMPLICES IN MILLTOWN BANK ROBBERY; TWO ADMIT PART IN CRIME

Chaffee and Bitzberger, Caught in New York, Confess Aiding Voorhees and Watson in Robbery- $13,000 of $27,000 Loot is Recovered-Men May Return Voluntarily.


Milltown National Bank at Michelin Tire - 1924

Jerome B. Chaffee and Harry Bitzberger of New York, self-confessed accomplices of “Sailor” Voorhees and Walter Watson in the robbery of the First National Bank at Milltown, were arraigned this morning in the Fourth Branch Court in New York City and held pending extradition to this State. It is expected that they will not fight their return to New Jersey.

Bitzberger and Chaffee were held by Magistrate McQuade for 48 hours without bail pending extradition, on a charge of robbery. Prosecutor Stricker will immediately; take steps to extradite the men within the 48-hour limit. It will be necessary to prove that they were in this State at the time the robbery occurred.

Securities valued at $10,000 stolen from the Milltown bank were recovered this morning. in addition to $2,700 previously secured. The total amount stolen from the bank was $27,000, according to the police, although officials of the institution have repeatedly declared the loss had been insignificant. Bank officials said this morning they “did not care to give out any figures,” although in some quarters it is stated the bank’s loss ran as high as $80,000. Only about $16, 000 worth of the stolen securities were negotiable, according to the police. Chester J. Levine, who was driving the automobile in which Chaffee and Bitzberger were arrested, was held in $15,000 ball on a charge of disposing of the securitles.

The capture of the men in New York City late yesterday afternoon, after a battle in the street with New York detectives, revealed the fact that Chaffee and Bitzberger remained hidden in the Milltown bank building all the time that the posse of citizens was chasing and capturing Watson and Voorhees, and that after the latter had been taken away the other two men calmly walked out unmolested, no-body having thought to look to the bank building.

Detective Fred David of Prosecutor Stricker’s staff, who traced the men to their New York addresses and who furnished the New York police with the clue that resulted in the arrest of the men yesterday, said this morning that he expected to have the men back here within three or four days, and that in all probability their cases will be dis- posed of as quickly as were those of Voorhees and Watson.

Both prisoners, he said, are dishonorably discharged regular army soldiers, who have served terms at Fort Leavenworth military prison. The men did not serve during the war, he said

Ready to Go West.

Chaffee and Bitzberger, with their wives, were on the point of leaving New York for Pittsburg when they were captured yesterday afternoon. Information had been obtained by Detective’ David that they intended to leave last night, but the men started ahead of schedule, and it was in ‘their attempt at a getaway that they were recognized by a New York detective and arrested.

Bitzberger had been trailed by Detective David to a rooming house at 235 West 73rd Street, New York. There his trail had been lost, but his wife still retained a room in the house and the place has been watched ever since the robbery, with the help of New York detectives and Pinkerton men.

Yesterday afternoon the detectives saw a taxicab drive up to the door with Chaffee, his wife, and Bitzberger. The women entered the house and returned a few hours later carrying two heavy cases, and entered their machine with the suitcases. The car drove with the women, Chaffee walking behind.

Detectives John Lawless and Conrad Manning followed Chaffee. to the corner of Broadway and 2nd street, where the taxi had pulled up, and there they got in touch with several other detectives who were in the vicinity. Chaffee spoke to the women and then walked into a cigar store on the corner and entered a telephone booth. One of the detectives went nto the next booth and heard him Arranging to borrow $100.

A few minutes later a touring car driven by Levine, with Bitzberger a passenger, drove up to the Broadway curb. Chaffee signaled the other man and got into the car. At this point, the detectives jumped on the running board. Bitzberger struck out but was beaten with a blackjack and Chaffee, who went to his assistance, also was roughly handled.

Other detectives boarded the taxi containing the women. The latter screamed and attempted to jump from the car, but a drawn revolver cowed them. The arrest was made. in full sight of hundreds of people. passing along Broadway. The prisoners were then driven to the 28th Precinct police station on West 68th street, and later to Police Headquarters.

Admit Robbery Here.

Detective David was immediately notified, and he hurried to New York. On his arrival there the prisoners were subjected to a thorough grilling, and finally admitted their share in the Milltown robbery. It was suspected that the men might be the bandits who shot and killed Edwin Andrews, a New York Jeweler, in a bold daylight holdup in his store on December 16, but employees who were brought in were unable- to identify them.

The women denied all knowledge of the robbery, and Levine was then put on the stand. He admitted that Bitzberger had asked him to dispose of some bonds, but claimed that he had refused to have anything to do with the matter. Later, however, he admitted that he had taken a package of bonds. said to be worth $10,000 and had given them to a friend to dispose of. He claimed he did not know this man’s name, but his identity was learned by the police

Chaffee was then put on the grill and he admitted participating in the Milltown robbery. He said that he had been working in New York as a chauffeur, but that Bitzberger, whom he had met while both were. prisoners at Fort Leavenworth, told him of the project and had persuaded him to go merely to drive the car.

They left New York at 8 o’clock on the night of the robbery, he said, and drove to New Brunswick, reaching the Pennsylvania depot Just before 10. Bitzberger and Voorhees, he said, went up on the westbound platform, where they broke into a railroad tool box and stole a bar, a chisel and a hacksaw. He said that Bitzberger had a set of boring tools and a can of nitroglycerine or “soup” for blowing up the safe.

The party then went to Milltown, he said, where they entered the bank. Chaffee said that he remained outside, but finally the men came back and persuaded him to go and help them, and he and Bitzberger rifled the safe deposit boxes and handed out the, securities to Voorhees and Watson, who were waiting outside.

Explosive May Be Loose.

They were surprised while at work, he declared, and be heard. scrambling and shooting. He and Bitzberger simply remained inside the bank until the coast had cleared and then they slipped out. Chaffee said that they got lost and wandered all night, finally landing at Jamesburg, where they took an early morning train to New York. On leaving the bank, he said, they stumbled into the pond in the rear and got wet up to their waists.

Chaffee said that Bitzberger had told him the nitroglycerine was thrown into the pond, but he did not know what had actually become of it, and it might be lying about the vicinity. It was powerful enough to blow up the whole bank, he said.

He declared that he knew nothing about the whereabouts of the bonds, as Bitzberger had taken. charge of them.

The latter was then brought in. At first, he denied any implication in the robbery, but when he was confronted by Chaffee he broke down and confessed. At first, he denied that anything had been stolen, but when was shown the bonds which had been recovered he claimed that these were all that had been taken. Later he was prevailed upon to admit the theft of $27.000 worth.

Chaffee said he was willing to waive extradition. He said he was. 31 years old and was born in Springfield, Mo. His father was a well-to-do mining engineer, he said, but Chaffee ran away from home at an early age and drifted to San Francisco, where he enlisted in the regular army in 1910. He was sent to the Philippines, he said, and while there he struck an officer, for which he was sentenced to five years at Fort Leavenworth. He got out in 1916 and had been in New York ever since.

Bitzberger said he is the son of a Lancaster, Pa., junk dealer. He is 29 years old. He enlisted in the army at Washington, D. C., in 1910 and while in the service he shot at an officer in an attempt to kill him and was also given five years at Fort Leavenworth. He was released about a year ago, he said. He claimed to be a bond salesman employed by H. B. Green & Co. of Lancaster, Pa.

Trailed by Local Man.

The capture of the men resulted from some clever detective work on the part of the local authorities. Prosecutor Stricker took the care up with the utmost vigor and put Detective David on the case with instructions that no excuses would be accepted and that the men must be captured at any cost. He pushed the search hard throughout.

Detective David was not notified until nine o’clock of the morning of the robbery. As soon as Voorhees and Watson were ere brought in, however, he put them on them on the grill in reference to their accomplices. He was unable to get anything but the first names of these men for which were given as “Harry” and “Jerry” but Voorhees later admitted the men was also known as “Bitz”. He said he had met the other men at Gallagher’s cabaret on Seventh avenue near 48th street, New York, about a week before.

Taking the number of the abandoned car left by the robbers, Detective David went to New York and there learned that the license had been issued about a week earlier to Jerome Chaffee of 102 West 111th The name Jerome corresponded with the “Jerry” referred to by Voorhees. Going to this address, he found that Chaffee and his wife had a room there but that Mrs. Chaffee had been away all night but had returned early in the morning. taken an overcoat for her husband, and gone away.

David also learned that Chaffee had been very friendly with a man named Harry Bitzberger who had formerly roomed there but who had moved to 288 West 73rd street. ponded with both “Harry” and “Bits” On going there, he learned Chaffee and Bitzberger had come in early that morning in a bedraggled condition and that Chaffee had later bought Bitzberger a new suit. it was learned, they received a telephone call and both men and their wives disappeared. Watson had also roomed there with his wife and Mrs. Watson disappeared, too.

Mrs. Chaffee, It was learned, was secretary to a prominent New York business man. and she was trailed daily in the hopes of locating her husband, Detective George Furgeson of the 47th Precinct of New York was assigned to aid David in this work.

It was also learned that Levine had been very intimate with Bitzberger and he was carefully watched by the detectives

The habits of the two men who were sought were well-known to the police, and every place where they were likely to go was notified to be on the lookout.

After their arrest yesterday Chaffee and Bitzberger said that they went to the Hotel Belleclaire at Broadway and 78th street after leaving the 73rd street address, registering respectively as Rogers and Bates, but after two days went to the Orleans Hotel on 80th street, registering as Rogers and Edwards

Prosecutor Stricker and Detective David have been in close touch with the case ever since the robbery and David has been in New York every night. Detective William Fitzpatrick of this county also gave considerable aid.

An overcoat, wet to the waist, and a pair of socks covered with mud were found in Chaffee’s room together with a notebook on which were bloody fingerprints, caused by Chaffee when he cut his hand in the robbery.

It is expected that the men will be brought back here within a few days. They are suspected by the New York police, however, of a number of robberies in Westchester County and they may be held there. Bitzberger is said to have a bad record.

Bitzberger said he had picked out the Milltown Bank while on a tour looking for possible places to rob. He also declared that it had been planned to attempt to seize the Michelin factory payroll.


THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 1909 – R.K. Munkittrick – The Iron Reindeer

THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 1909 – R.K. Munkittrick – The Iron Reindeer


 I’M up to date, and, be it said,

I certainly this year

Shall break and burn the ancient

sled

And cook the ancient deer.

Those things are out of date for me;

They’re now a shattered dream.

Oh, I’m as happy as can be

 About my brand new scheme.

FULL soon across the boundless

plain,

Beneath the Christmas stars,

I’m going to travel on my train

Made up of baggage cars,

And they’ll be simply stuffed with

toys

And other precious things

For little girls and little boys

For whom I spread my wings.

OH, yes, in jigtime, down the track

I’ll gayly glide along,

From home across the land and back

To fill all hearts with song.

And to my agent at each town

I’ll toss a bundle great

Each artless child with joy to crown

An’ make its heart elate.

I’LL run along on schedule time,

Through wind swept drifts of

snow.

My bell shall be the Christmas chime

That sets all hearts aglow.

And I shall call, and not in vain,

While stockingward I head

My mile a minute flying train,

“The Christmas Limited.”

THE train’s made up. Already I

Am getting up the steam,

While piling in the cars sky high

The gifts of which you dream.

With joy I stand upon my head

And shout both far and near,

“Goodby unto the ancient sled-

 All hail the iron deer!”

-R. K. Munkittrick in Success.