Milltown Historical Society

Tag: People of Milltown

This Day in History: January 4th, 1911

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Mayor Conrad Richter 1910

MAYOR WANTS FIRE APPARATUS
Recommends That Borough Purchase One in Annual Message — Other Improvements Needed — Council Meets in Renovated Rooms.

Following is Mayor Conrad Richter’s annual message to the Milltown Borough Council:

To the Common Council of Milltown, N.J.
Gentlemen — Under the law, it is my duty as Mayor to recommend to Council such measures as I may deem necessary for the advancement and welfare of our borough.

STREETS.
In regard to streets, I would recommend that you macadamize all the streets in the borough. I would strongly recommend that you begin on Riva Avenue, as all the property owners, excepting a few, have signed a petition willing to give to the borough enough land to make this street wider, and if the same is curbed and the gutters cobbled it will be a great improvement to the borough. The cobble gutter on Main Street, from the car barn to lands now owned by the Kuhlthau Brothers Company, should be gone over and carefully overhauled.

FIRE.
As the Borough Hall is now remodeled so that any kind of fire apparatus may be kept therein, I would recommend that you purchase some kind of apparatus for the borough. I intend to call a meeting of the citizens and place the matter before them for the purpose of organizing a fire company, and I would suggest you to encourage them in any and every way possible.

PEDDLERS.
I would request you to either enforce the present peddler ordinance or drop the same altogether, as at present the same is not enforced the way it should be. I would recommend that you put the borough marshals out and arrest all peddlers who have no licenses.

SNOW.
I would request you to enforce the snow ordinance in regard to having all snow removed from sidewalks so that the same may be passable as soon as practicable after a snow storm, as during the last snow storm many sidewalks were impassable.

STREET LIGHTS.
I would recommend that a superintendent of street lights be appointed. A man who could keep a record of all transformers and of the load they carry, to whom the citizens may apply when they desire to use the current for light and power. This man could also read the meters and collect the moneys due the borough. He could keep a record of all the material used and could recommend to the Council from time to time such supplies as would be needed, and at the end of the year he should make a report to the Council of all the receipts and expenditures during the year. In getting this light matter down to a business basis we know just how much the borough is profiting or losing in our municipal lighting system. I would recommend that more lights be erected in various places in the borough and the lighting system extended to Ryder’s Lane.

BOROUGH HALL.
Now that the Borough Hall is about completed, I would recommend that the driveways and walks be graded and concreted as soon as the weather will permit. I would also recommend that steam heat be installed as soon as possible in the Borough Hall.

SAFE.
I again strongly recommend that you purchase a safe of sufficient size to be placed in the Council Chambers so that the borough books, papers, maps, and other property belonging to the borough may be kept therein and be protected from fire. It will be found to be of great value to the members of the Council to have on hand the borough books, etc., which are often referred to and found necessary to have at Council meetings.

TELEPHONE.
I would also urge you to have telephones installed for the convenience of the Mayor, Councilmen, and other borough officials. I have found that considerable time and expense can be saved if the borough would supply at least two telephones, one in the Borough Hall and one in the Mayor’s residence.

Feeling confident that each one of you will exert yourself for the future welfare of the borough, and wishing you the compliments of the season, I remain,
CONRAD RICHTER, Mayor.

MILLTOWN, Jan. 4 — Bernard Gill has returned from a trip to Atlantic City. Walter Prill entertained a stag party of local young men on Sunday night at his restaurant.

H. S. DeHart spent Monday at Lawrenceville.

Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Boice have returned from Tottenville, where they enjoyed the holiday.

William Prill returned from Detroit on Sunday night.

Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Kuhlthau spent Sunday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Kuhlthau at New Brunswick. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph DeHart and family were entertained by William Kuhlthau, Sr.

Harry Jones has returned from a trip to Beach Haven.

Howard Moore and family are moving from School Street to a new home, recently erected on Ford Avenue.

Miss Elsie Hyde, of New Brunswick, watched the coming of the New Year with friends in the borough.

Mrs. Conrad Kuhlthau is recovering from a severe attack of grip.

Oscar Pillar has accepted a position with the New Brunswick Tile Company.

Miss Pauline Baldorf, of New York, was the guest of Mrs. Elizabeth Roeder on Sunday and Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dupres entertained a number of friends on Sunday. Philip Roeder, of Yonkers, enjoyed the holiday with his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Roeder.

NOW A CASH GROCERY.
When Christian Crabiel opened his store yesterday morning, he did business only on a cash basis. This is preparatory to selling out by April 1st. All groceries, which are still the high grade which he always kept, are receiving “substantial revision downward” in price. Amos Brown is selling Mr. Crabiel’s goods on commission.

A NEW DELICATESSEN STORE.
I. Glickenstein has opened a grocery and delicatessen store in the place owned by Mrs. William Werner, on Main Street.

Jan 4 1911 – The Daily Home News – Pg. 6Download

This Day in History: December 6, 1912

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This Day in History: December 6, 1912

UNION HOTEL HAS STOOD ALMOST FIFTY YEARS
Has Only Changed Hands Twice During That Time—Charles Denhart is the Present Popular Proprietor

Sold Krueger Beer Since War Times

As the weary, hungry and, mayhap, thirsty traveler to Milltown alights from a Public Service chariot just past the car barn in that thriving little suburb of ours, his eye alights on a cheering sign.

“Union Hotel” are the words it bears. It hangs before a cozy frame building, which is at the head of Milltown’s small lake. And there is the home of Charles E. Denhart. The Union Hotel was established almost a half century ago, when the boys were just returning home from the Civil War. And in all the long stretch of years since then the hotel has changed hands only twice. Conrad Kohlhepp was its founder.

After him, George Kohlhepp took possession. And then came Mr. Denhart, its present proprietor. Each of the three who have acted as hosts in the Union Hotel have come from the original German settlers of Milltown. Each has had the respect of the community for himself and for his hotel.

Charles E. Denhart Proprietor of Union Hotel Milltown, NJ

Faithful to Krueger Beer
A feature of the hotel’s life has been the fact that one brand of beer alone has been served since it first came into existence back there in war times. Krueger & Hill got the Union Hotel’s patronage in 1865, and held it until 1883. Then the firm became the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Co., which it is to-day. But the change in name didn’t change the brewery’s output, so the Union Hotel continued faithful to its allegiance to the celebrated Krueger firm, and is to-day. Mr. Denhart doesn’t think that there’s much chance of a change now or in the future.

Dec 6 1912 – The Daily Home News – Pg. 8Download

Council Discusses $12,500 Sewage Disposal Strategy

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Council Discusses $12,500 Sewage Disposal Strategy

$12,500 COST OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL PLAN


Advisory Water Commission Tells Council the Details of Solution Which Has Been Worked Out Relative to Safeguarding the Water Supply from Milltown Sewage Contamination.

The plans adopted tentatively by the Advisory Water Commission, of this city, in conjunction with the Milltown Sewage and Water Commission, were explained last evening to the members of Common Council, meeting as a committee of the whole.

Ex-Mayor Drury W. Cooper, William H. Benedict, Prof. A. A. Titsworth, Alfred S. March, and Eugene P. Darrow, members of the Advisory Commission, were present, and the matter was gone into at some length.

The cost to New Brunswick, it was explained, is estimated at $12,500, this amount being needed to defray the initial expense of carrying out the plan already outlined in these columns, and which contemplates the pumping of Milltown’s sewage to the trunk sewer at the Musical String factory.
All of the burden of upkeep is to be shouldered by Milltown, if the plan is finally adopted by the two municipalities affected.

Sep 23 1913 – The Daily Home News – Pg. 1Download

This Day in History: September 22nd, 1913

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This Day in History: September 22nd, 1913

BOB-TAIL CAR SPLINTERED IN COLLISION
Public Service Fast Line Car Wrecks One at Oak Hill—
Motormen Jumped from Cars to Save Their Lives—No Serious Injuries.

Through what apparently seems to be a misunderstanding between the crews of two cars following each other into this city yesterday morning at about 6:45 o’clock, the last one a bob-tail, in charge of Mr. Herbold of New Brunswick, collided head-on with one of the Public Service Fast Line cars, in charge of Motorman Amiel Kaiser, of Milltown, and conductor William Rosseau of New Brunswick, at the foot of Oak Hill, just outside of the Borough limits of Milltown, resulting in severe damages to both of the cars. In fact, the smaller car is now only fit for scrap, while the latter will be sent to Newark for repairs. There were no serious personal injuries.

The fast line car, with six or seven passengers aboard, had just left O’Rourke’s switch, bound for Milltown, and it was at the foot of the steep incline at the foot of Oak Hill that it met the city car, on which there was a motorman and a conductor in addition to the motorman running the car.

Both motormen, evidently realizing the danger ahead, jumped, Kaiser of the fast line jumping on the stone road to safety and Herbold, of the bob-tail, jumping into the ditch, both escaping with a severe shaking up, while the motorman and conductor that were penned inside of the car hardly knew what to do when they realized the danger ahead and fortunately escaped without injury. The passengers, (all men) on the fast line were uninjured as the weight of this car was so much greater than the completely wrecked one.

The crew in charge of the car that passed the fast line at O’Rourke’s switch and whom the motorman of the bob-tail claims he notified he would follow, (although the former contradicts), did not notify the crew of the fast line car, thus causing a head-on collision in broad daylight. Mr. Arnold of New Brunswick, and Mr. Law, of Deans, were in charge of the Codwise Avenue car that passed the fast line at O’Rourke’s switch. When one of the crew was regarding the accident, he stated that it was contrary to the company’s rules to make any statement. He did, however, say that the rails were very slippery owing to the damp weather.

In about forty minutes from the time of the accident, the wrecking crew delivered the wrecked cars to the barns at Milltown. The Public Service officials immediately started an investigation of the case.

Sep 22 1913 – The Daily Home News – Pg. 11Download

This Day in History: August 29th, 1905

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This Day in History: August 29th, 1905

Woman Falls Through Bridge –

Milltown Bridge Gives Object Lesson on Its Rottenness.

While members of the Board of Freeholders were busy testifying before Supreme Court Commissioner Van Cleef yesterday morning about the rotten condition of the Milltown bridge, the bridge was giving a practical exhibition of its rottenness on its own account.

Mrs. George Roeder, the widow of the late postmaster of Milltown, was walking across the bridge yesterday morning when a plank broke, and she fell partly through the structure. Her screams brought help from the trolley power house, and she was assisted to a firm part of the bridge. She was not injured beyond some scratches.

Street Commissioner Booraem, of Milltown, repaired the damaged plank. He declares that the bridge is not safe for travel. He fears that a trolley car will go through someday.

Mrs. Roeder may bring suit against the county for the accident.

The-Daily-Times-New-Brunswick-NJ-Tues-August-29-1905 pg.-1Download

This Day in History: August 28th, 1905

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This Day in History: August 28th, 1905

BLOCKING THE BRIDGE AT MILLTOWN


Freeholder DeHart Dodges Question About Award of the Contract on Bridge Company Plans.

The probe into the Milltown bridge contract award to Dean, Schweirs, Sutton & Company, was commenced this morning before Supreme Court Commissioner James H. Van Cleef at his office. Testimony was taken on the writ of certiorari taken out by Charles A. Bloomfield. The morning was devoted to examining James DeHart, the chairman of the Milltown Bridge Committee, and Engineer Lehay, of the Public Service Corporation. The case was still on this afternoon.

Willard P. Voorhees represented Mr. Bloomfield. Alan H. Strong represented the county, with County Solicitor Willis. Judge J. Clarence Conover, of Freehold, appeared for Dean, Schweirs, Sutton & Co., who have the contract for building the bridge.

“Do you think it fair to the bidder to invite bids on one set of plans and then award the contract according to another set of plans?” asked Lawyer Voorhees.

“All of the acts of the committee had to be ratified by the whole Board,” replied Mr. DeHart.

Mr. Voorhees inquired minutely into the award of the contract, which was made at the office of the Public Service Corporation in the Prudential Building at Newark on July 1. Freeholders Fountain, Jackson, and DeHart, with Engineer Dougherty, met Col. Hine and Engineer Lehay there that day. The engineers approved of the plan of Dean, Schweirs, Sutton & Co., and it was approved there. Mr. DeHart was unable to point out the advantages of the plan selected, saying that he took the engineer’s word on that point.

He admitted on cross-examination that he had received a letter from the West Virginia Bridge Company, after the award of the contract, offering to build a bridge according to the Dean, Schweirs, Sutton & Co. plans for $100 less than the contract price, $8,900, and that he had not reported this letter to the Board, as he had thought the incident closed. He said that he did not think a man would make a statement of that kind in earnest when he had not seen the plans.

He was followed on the stand by Engineer Lehay.

Among the Freeholders present at the hearing were Messrs. James DeHart, Arthur O’Neill, Asbury Fountain, Michael Concannon, Joseph Allgaier, and Mr. Rusher. Director Logan and Engineer Doughty, of the Somerville Freeholders, were also present as witnesses.

Freeholder DeHart testified that when the bids were opened the Board found that the bid of the West Virginia Bridge Company was the lowest. He had been advised against giving this company any work, he said. In Somerset County, the county had given a contract to this company and had had trouble with it and had been compelled to withdraw the work. Director Logan, of Somerset, he said, had warned him against this company. For that reason, the contract was not given to this company.

He held that the contract had been given to Dean, Schweirs, Sutton & Co., because the plan which they had presented seemed to be superior to the plans which the county had adopted and which had been approved by the Public Service. Mr. Voorhees brought out in cross-examination that the county had invited plans which had been approved by the county and the Public Service Corporation, and that after bids had been received on these plans, the bids were not considered because Dean, Schweirs, Sutton & Co. had submitted a plan of their own which the Freeholders thought superior, as the weight seemed to be more evenly distributed and because it provided for concrete sidewalks.

Mr. DeHart explained that the Freeholders had at first intended to let the bidders in on an offer of the Public Service Corporation to sell scrap steel to the successful bidder at cost but had abandoned this plan because it did not think the arrangement fair to the bidders, as one might be located nearer to the steel than the other.

The-Daily-Times-New-Brunswick-NJ-Mon-August-28-1905 pg.-1Download