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: September 21st, 1914

This Day in History: September 21st, 1914

MILLTOWN, Sept. 21 — Elwood Boyce, of Ford Avenue, passed away around six o’clock last evening after a three-week battle with typhoid fever at Wells Hospital in New Brunswick.

Mr. Boyce had been involved with several local organizations. Alongside his brother Frank, he managed the Empire Grocery business in Milltown. He served as the foreman of Eureka Fire Company, No. 1 and was a member of Charles L. Walters Council, No. 178, Jr. O. U. A. M. His affiliations extended to the Walters Guards and the Tottenville A.C., of Tottenville, the town where the Boyce family originated from. His business associations helped him foster a wide circle of friends who are mourning his passing, leaving a feeling of sorrow across the borough. Herbert & Moke are overseeing the funeral arrangements. Mr. Boyce is survived by his wife and child, as well as other immediate family members.

Funeral of Thomas B. Reed

Thomas B. Reed, a resident who worked as a night watchman on new construction projects in Milltown until recently, died at his son Frank Reed’s residence on Washington Avenue. The death occurred on Saturday morning, just after nine o’clock. He is survived by two sons and two daughters. Other surviving relatives include his brother, William R. Reed of New Brunswick, and his sister, Mrs. R. A. Harkins. The funeral service will be held at his son’s home this afternoon at three o’clock, with Undertaker Quackenboss handling the funeral arrangements.

Traffic Delayed

On Saturday afternoon, the driving wheels of a Raritan River Railroad engine derailed at the Main Street crossing near the Michelin Tire Factory. This incident led to a substantial delay in trolley services and other traffic for some time.


This Day in History: September 17th, 1912

This Day in History: September 17th, 1912

Michelin to Establish French School in Milltown

MILLTOWN, Sept. 17 – A French school is currently under preparation opposite the main office of the Michelin Tire Company. The initiative is said to appoint a French teacher to run a private school exclusively for the French children residing in the borough. This modern facility will be centrally located, heated by steam from the factory, and will operate independently.

Miss Felter previously taught at the institution for around three years; however, this was approximately a decade ago when there was a pressing need for a primary room. At that time, the only school serving north Milltown was housed in the building now functioning as the present post office.

In other news from the locality, Casper Gronley along with four friends embraced the traditional sport of coon hunting last Friday night, a popular pastime among several young men in Milltown. Despite not finding the exact species they were hoping for, they managed to catch one with a distinctive streak of white running down its back.

Last Friday evening also witnessed a group of young ladies showering Miss Mamie Christ of Van Liew Avenue with gifts, celebrating her upcoming wedding in a delightful gathering filled with joy and anticipation.

In the business sphere, William Becker and Oscar Lindstrom are on the verge of founding a plumbing and hardware company, which will be named William Becker & Co. Considering the ongoing surge in construction and renovation activities in Milltown, the prospects appear bright for their venture, and the community extends its best wishes for their success.

Lastly, we received news that Mrs. Hermann visited Philadelphia today.


This Day in History: September 14th, 1907

This Day in History: September 14th, 1907

THIEF RANSACKS MR. FONTAINE’S RESIDENCE
VICE PRESIDENT OF MICHELIN TIRE COMPANY


Vice-President Emile Fontaine’s residence on Main Street, Milltown, was burglarized last evening. The thief made off with jewelry and money, managing to escape without being detected.

Mr. Fontaine is the vice-president of the Michelin Tire Company and resides in the recently purchased Sine residence by Dr. Ferdinand Riva. The family retired at 10 p.m. The nurse and interpreter, Miss Anlee Holohan, was partially awakened by someone passing through her room before dawn. She also heard noises downstairs but, as she had asked the cook to wake her early, she didn’t pay much attention to it.

When the cook came downstairs at 6 o’clock this morning, she was startled to find the kitchen door wide open with the doormat in place, and the window screen on the steps. It was evident that the thief had entered through the window.

A thorough search of the house had been conducted, but some items were overlooked. One hundred dollars belonging to Miss Holohan had disappeared.

Clothing Stolen from His Room
Superintendent Fontaine noticed early this morning that his clothing was missing from his room but found it at the top of the stairs. His silver watch and chain, purchased in Paris, were gone. A silver dollar had been taken from his vest pocket, along with some loose change.

Mrs. Fontaine discovered a small decorative platter halfway down the stairs, and her silver watch, along with a fine long gold chain for her neck, was missing. The chain was valued at $32 in Paris. An old gold watch of English make and a gold brooch, both belonging to Miss Holohan, were also taken. These items held significant sentimental value for her.

It was clear that the thief had moved silently through the house and taken great care not to disturb anyone further.

At half-past six this morning, Superintendent Fontaine called Justice Headley to conduct an investigation in his home. Naturally, the family was highly alarmed but relieved that no more had been stolen.

It seems that there has been recent prowling by thieves in this area of Milltown, likely taking advantage of the darkness resulting from malfunctioning electric lights.

Thief Spotted Multiple Times
Mrs. Frederic Bauries spotted a man near her kitchen door at 1 o’clock one morning. He disappeared immediately. She had also noticed someone prowling around Justice Headley’s property around midnight on another occasion.

On a separate occasion, she frightened off a man attempting to enter her neighbor Charles Sevenhair’s window.

The same thief proceeded to David Nevius’ house and woke him up around 5 o’clock this morning. The thief was seen searching through Mr. Nevius’ trouser pockets. Mr. Nevius attempted to confront the thief but had trouble loading a cartridge into his gun, allowing the thief to escape. The thief managed to steal some money during this encounter.


This Day in History: August 30th, 1909

This Day in History: August 30th, 1909

MILLTOWN COUNCIL MEETS

MILLTOWN, Aug. 31 – The Borough Council held an adjourned meeting on Saturday evening.

The Borough Clerk read an ordinance for the grading of Ford avenue from the westerly side of Main street to a point three hundred feet west of the westerly side of Main street. The ordinance was passed on its first reading. The clerk was authorized to post notices and intentions of the same in public places of the borough.

The profile map of Ford avenue made by the borough engineer was accepted. Mayor Perry stated that the Public Service was now busy in repairing the streets that were disturbed by the laying of the gas pipes. The meeting was then adjourned.

Miss Charlotte Heinz was a visitor of Miss Martha Brant yesterday.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams and daughter, of New Haven, Conn., are visiting at the home of Mrs. Mary Patterson, of Ford Avenue

Misses Lizzie Patterson and Elizabeth Kuhlthau start to-day for a week’s visit at Asbury Park.

Mrs. Conrad Heyl and Miss Alice Heyl, of Main street, have returned from an extended visit to George’s Road.

The Ladies’ Aid Society of the Ger man Reformed Church are busy preparing for their annual harvest home, to be held in the grove at the rear of the church on Thursday, Sept. 2. A good supper will await all that come, and a large crowd is expected.

The Ladies’ Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church will be held this evening at the home of Mrs. M. A. Evans, of Main street.

A petition is being circulated, signed by the property holders of North Main street, asking the borough, permission to oil said thoroughfare, providing the borough put the road bed in proper condition, and each property owner paying their share of the cost of oiling. It is, to be hoped that permission. will be granted, as it will greatly add to the beauty of the street and the comfort of those living along its roadbed.


This Day in History: August 26th, 1907

This Day in History: August 26th, 1907

MICHELIN TIRES NOW BEING MADE AT MILLTOWN


The manufacture of the Michelin automobile tire tubes was begun at the Michelin Tire factory at Milltown, today. The company is making great progress with its buildings
M. Joseph Tansey, of the Michelin Company, left last week with J. C Matlack, for France. Messrs. Matlack and Tansey are expected back the second week in September. The trip is a business one.

MILLTOWN WILL HAVE A BOROUGH HALL


The borough of Milltown is not going to be behind the times. Now that South River has voted upon having a borough hall and there is much talk of the Second Reformed Church In this city, being converted Into a city hall, the members of the Milltown Board of Education have transferred to the Borough Council the South Milltown school house to be used as a borough hall. While the new school will not be ready until the first of the year, the building will be used as a school up until that time, after which it will be turned into a borough hall and meeting place for the various borough committees.