This Day in History: September 13th, 1909

This Day in History: September 13th, 1909

Milltown Proud of the New M. E. Parsonage


MILLTOWN, Sept. 13-William Jaeger, of New York, was a week-end guest at the home of Charles Smith. Mrs. Charles Herrmann, of Main street, entertained out of town guests over Sunday.

The manager of the football team of the Crescent A. C. has asked that all candidates for the 1909 football eleven appear ready for light practice next Thursday evening. As the Crescents are quite enthusiastic over the game, it is expected that there will be a large number of candidates on hand. Mrs. William C. Kuhlthau, who has been quite ill, is convalescing under the care of Dr. N. N. Forney.

The congregation of the German Reformed Church listened to a very excellent sermon given by Rev. J. M. C. Garmo, of Buffalo, yesterday morning. Miss Mamie Glock assumed her duties as teacher in the South River public school to-day.

The above sketch is a true representation of the new M. E. parsonage at Milltown. It presents quite an imposing appearance, and is one of the finest residences in the town.

It is provided with all the modern improvements, steam heat, electric lights, Kewanee water system, a well equipped laundry, together with a gas heating range for the kitchen. On the first floor are the reception hall, parlor, library, dining room and kitchen.

On the second floor are five good-sized sleeping apartments besides a fair-sized bathroom. The trimming is of red oak, with hardwood floors throughout.

The reception hall and parlor are separated by artiste grill work, and the winding stairway running through the center of the house makes the hall very attractive. The cost of the building is estimated at $5,500, the architect of said building being George K. Parsell, of this city.

The pastor and family are now occupying the parsonage, and expect, with the aid of the ladies of the church. to hold a reception in the very near future, to which all members and friends of the congregation will be welcome.


This Day in History: August 24th, 1905

This Day in History: August 24th, 1905

DANGER LURKS IN MILLTOWN


Local Water Supply O. K. Says Prof. Smith But Surface Drainage Flowing Into Milltown Pond, a Menace.


New Brunswick is to be congratulated on its water supply and its natural facilities along this line, according to what Prof. J. B. Smith said last evening, at the meeting of the Board of Health. The condition of the water is better than usual owing to the copper treatment. He said further that the analysis of the water from the tap by the chemist at the Experiment Station and by Fred B. Kilmer, a chemist of the Board, had showed not sufficient copper in the water to give a reaction to an ordinary chemical test.


Dr. Mitchell, of the State Board of Health, said he had found no trace of copper. He said the water indicates improvement, and that there was less organic material than usual this year in the water. Prof. Smith said that the Water Commissioners had paid all the bills for the work and that a fuller report of the matter would be ready by the next meeting.

Prof. Smith has received a letter from the Philadelphia Water Improvement Co., which uses the ozone process, and they will have figures showing the exact cost of a plant here by the next meeting.


Prof. Smith said a few words of comment in closing about the great natural advantages of the local water supply with Its area of two miles. He emphasized the fact that a danger lay in the wastewater from Milltown Flowing into the Milltown pond. He said he recently went over this part of the watershed with Inspector Clark and made photographs at the Milltown bridge and at the power station. In the Milltown drainage problem, however, Prof. Smith said there of was a danger that could not be eliminated till Milltown should have a drain laid to the dam to carry off the surface drainage.

There is a brook on Oliver Street which Is a dead one. The channel le not very deep, but runs across Oliver Street, and numerous drains run into the brook. The Inspector said that complaints have come In from the family at Oliver street, whose premises are flooded when the brook is up. All parties who run drains into the brook will be notified to connect with the sewer, according to a motion of the Board, post last evening. People will be so notified


Even the Board of Health had to acknowledge that they could not see any way for Peter Zimmerman, of 34 Hartwell Street, to rely on the wastewater which comes from his property. The place is so situated that the change in the location of the street had placed him too far off to sewer. Inspector Clark had notified him to do something, but nothing has been done. The counsel and Inspector will try to devise a way. The complaint was made against the property of Mrs. Abby Jaques, corner of John and Hassatt Street, where a bakery is conducted. There is no sewer. The counsel will look after the matter in company with the inspector.


Solicitor Willis reported the receipt of a letter from Dr. J. W. Wood, of New York owner of the property at Baldwin Street, against which a complaint has been made. He will comply with the request of the Board.


A letter from Justice Sedam stated that Martin Sinisky, of Burnet Street, who had been arrested and fined for digging a drain from a vault which was offensive, had paid $10 of his fine.
The report of Treasurer Wills for the month was that $352.37 was on hand. The report of Inspector Clark showed five cases of typhoid and one of scarlet fever. Counsel Willis reported the receipt of a letter from John V. Pralt, of 127 Commercial Avenue, regretting that as Mrs., P Saydam and Laundryman Van Horn of Commercial Avenue, had connected with the sewer, further proceedings be stopped. Those present at the meeting were: Messrs. Dr. Cronk, Prof. Smith, d Inspector Chirk, City Clerk Morrison, and Architect Parsell.


The bills of Seiffert Bros, for $3 S. L. Bennett, for $12, and W. H. Van Deursen 1 for $18.50 were ordered paid.


This Day in History: August 23rd, 1907

This Day in History: August 23rd, 1907


MILLTOWN SEWER SURVEY

It Is Completed by City Engineer, After a Month’s Work Is a Valuable Map

The survey along Lawrence Brook for the proposed Milltown sewer has been completed by City Engineer Fred c Schneider and submitted to the Michelin Tire Co.

The proposed course of the sewer is about three miles. It took a month to prepare the gap, showing the fall and grade of the sewer and the abutting properties along the sewer course, and it cost $70. Even if the sewer project: is now consummated the map will be standing record from the Milltown Pond to the Weston’s Mills, something which the Water Department never had.

If the State Sewerage Commission insist upon a sewerage disposal plant, this could be erected at Cremoline Creek, a short distance below Weston’s Mills. The Cremoline site adjacent to the river is an ideal one for such a plant a it is low and marshy. A sewerage plant is erected at Plainfield and another al Freehold. The plant is made up of several vats or tanks into which the heavy matter from the sewer is collected and this could be readily sold to the adjacent farmers for fertilizers The light matter could be allowed to pass into the rive after it had passed through the sewerage disposal process.

The method of making the survey was two men of the corps in a row boat obtaining the level, while a third man re training on shore staking out the creek out every 10 feet. To do this he was obliged to chop the greater part of his way for the whole distance.

City Engineer Schneider was assisted in his work of making the survey by Walter Nelson, of New Market, and Monroe Taylor, of this city.

The Michelin people are now considering the project of the sewer, but are not undecided. It is understood that J C. Matlack, the vice president of company, took a blue print of the survey to France with him when he left last week.


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.