Milltown Historical Society

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This Day in History: October 1st, 1914

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This Day in History: October 1st, 1914

MRS. RAPPLEYEA NARROWLY ESCAPES DEATH IN FIRE

Aged Woman Who Lived Alone Has Her Home Destroyed – Nothing Saved – Other Local News

MILLTOWN, Oct. 1 – Mrs. Kate Rappleyea, widow of the late Jacob Rappleyea and better known as “Aunt Kate,” had a narrow escape yesterday. While resting in the front room of her home on Riva Avenue after lunch, awaiting water to heat for washing dishes, she heard a roaring sound from her kitchen. Upon investigation, she was met with a wall of flames. In under an hour and a half, her home was reduced to ruins.

The suspected cause of the fire is the flare-up of the kerosene stove. Mrs. Rappleyea mentioned that the rear door was partly open, and a strong northwest gale from yesterday had forced it completely open.

Upon seeing the flames, Mrs. Rappleyea tried to fetch water from a nearby pump to put out the fire. However, upon her return, she was met with a burst of flames that scorched her and nearly overcame her. Despite her age, she managed to exit the house and scream for help. Her cries were heard by Mrs. Titus and her son Harold, who lived a quarter of a mile away. They, along with Mrs. August Anderson and a road worker, rushed to assist.

At the same time, Councilman W. R. Evans and Addison Thompson, who were at the corner of Richter Avenue and Clay Street, heard her cries. They noticed the smoke and flames, prompting Thompson, an ex-foreman of the fire company, to run towards the fire. Evans, on the other hand, sounded the alarm.

Engine Makes Good Time

C. W. Waddington, the chief chauffeur for Eureka Fire Company, No. 1, promptly dispatched the chemical apparatus after the alarm sounded at one o’clock. He was accompanied by Chris Jensen, a patrol member. Others, including Henry A. Christ, Winfield Fine, Fred Hartlander, and second assistant foreman Martin Miller, were quick to arrive. Many neighbors and townsfolk also joined in the effort, assisting where they could.

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Heavy Gale Fuels Flames

When the local fire apparatus arrived on the scene, flames were already pouring out of the roof. Despite the firefighters’ efforts, the building burned completely to the ground. A strong northwest gale fanned the flames to such an intensity that the fire became unmanageable. At one point, even trees across the street caught fire.

Firefighters Save What They Can

About the only items the firemen were able to save were a shed at the rear of the house, several Maltese kittens, 13 chickens, and some bedclothes along with other minor articles.

Lost $30 in Flames

Mrs. Rappleyea mentioned she had thirty dollars stored in a bureau drawer in the upper part of the house. This money was earmarked for her winter coal supply. Anxious to recover it, she informed Harold Titus, one of the first responders on the scene, about the cash. Harold attempted to reach the bureau, but the heat upstairs was overwhelming. While searching, he was struck by a flying pane of glass, suffering burns on his arms. This forced him to retreat without recovering the money. Additionally, several important papers, including the deed for the property, were lost in the fire.

When Mrs. Titus arrived, Mrs. Rappleyea was nearly exhausted. Shortly after the fire team’s arrival, the injured lady was transported in Theodore Sutphen’s automobile from New Brunswick to the home of W. G. Evans. Dr. Forney was then summoned to provide the necessary medical attention.

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Mrs. Rappleyea, 74 Years Old

Mrs. Rappleyea turned seventy-four on the 16th inst. She had been living alone in her Riva Avenue home. Throughout her life, she faced numerous adversities. Her husband, Jacob Rappleyea, was tragically drowned near Parsons’ during a freshet some years ago. In a span of three weeks, she lost her three grown-up sons to diphtheria. Her brother, William DeHart, dropped dead right opposite her home just as it was completed. Yesterday, aside from the clothes on her back, she lost almost everything she owned.

For now, Mrs. Rappleyea will stay with Mr. and Mrs. Jacob DeHart on Main Street, Milltown.

Forest Fire Also Raging

While Mrs. Rappleyea’s home was ablaze on Riva Avenue yesterday afternoon, another fire ignited on the outskirts of South Milltown in the forest. The damages from this fire are not believed to be significant.

Insurance on Rappleyea Dwelling

The Rappleyea residence was insured for $1,000, but only for the house. The personal property inside is a complete loss.

Girl Faints

In the midst of the chaos and rush to the fire yesterday, a young Michelin employee, having recently finished a substantial meal, tripped over her own feet and fell face-first in the street. This left her unconscious for about fifteen minutes. When she awoke, she was astonished to find a crowd of people surrounding her, resting on a couch in a friend’s home. For a moment, she believed she was at a surprise party.

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Many at Picnic

Despite the late season and the cool evening, a significant crowd attended the first annual picnic of the Michelin Band at Parsons’ Grove. The music provided by the Michelinites was exemplary, ensuring everyone had a joyous time.

At Trenton

Local attendees at the Trenton Fair included Councilmen Charles Bauries and Albert Skewis, Messrs. Elmer Sayre, William Glock, George McGinnis, Peter Jensen and his son Peter, Edward Schlosser, William Beecher, George Detaler, Mr. and Mrs. George Kuhlthau, Miles Kuhlthau, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Kuhlthau, Mr. and Mrs. J.V.L. Booraem, Miss Mae Lins, Miss Lillian Wilenbrock, Mrs. Charles Denhard, and John Bauries.

Other Local Items

  • Charles Weyd and his son visited Newark.
  • Ferdinand Denhard injured his chin in a fall on his way home from school, requiring Dr. Forney’s services.
  • Louis Jensen visited Perth Amboy.
  • Mr. and Mrs. John Hoffer are at the Trenton Fair today, as is Charles Denhard.
  • Messrs. Harold Schlosser, James Selover, and Gilbert Gill enjoyed a bay trip aboard the “Ben Hur.”
  • C.E. Reichardt, a Michelin salesman in the Dakotas, has returned to the plant.
  • Oscar Wagner from Minneapolis is visiting his parents in the borough.
  • Chris. Crabiel has rented Jasper Field’s barns and took possession.

The Christs Surprised

Mr. and Mrs. George E. Christ were pleasantly surprised at their new Van Liew Avenue home on Tuesday evening by friends and family honoring Mr. Christ’s birthday. The celebration included musical selections, singing, games, and a delightful meal. Attendees were Misses Edith, Margaret, Martha, Elizabeth, and Mary Christ; Maria Lins; Messrs. Alfred Christ, Charles, John, and Harold Christ; Fred Lins; Russell Lins; Mr. and Mrs. Berthold Christ; Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Christ; Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Christ and son Vincent; Mr. and Mrs. George E. Christ and daughter Lorna; Mr. and Mrs. John Lins; and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Christ.

Rally Tonight

Local Epworthians will attend a rally at St. James Church, New Brunswick, this evening, departing on the 7:18 trolley.

Entertainment Tomorrow Night

Keith Cherry, the renowned impersonator and humorist from Philadelphia, will entertain at the Methodist Church tomorrow night. Admission is 25 cents for adults and 15 cents for children.

This Day in History: June 30th, 1920

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lightning during nighttime

Worst Ever at Milltown

MILLTOWN, June 30 – Early last night Milltown witnessed the most furious storm that has struck the community in many a day when trees, chimneys, telegraph poles, fences, windows, feed, electric, telephone and trolley wires came face to face with a raging tempest that swept every- thing possible from its route and left many badly demolished places.

The first shower, which came at 5.45 o’clock, was by far the worse in so far as it carried a blinding gale of wind that smashed windows and cut down trees in rapid-fire or- der. The hail was also exceptionally heavy in the first shower. Damage was done in all parts of the borough, the northern section feeling it most, although the Washington avenue section received considerable damage.

At the home of C. W. Kuhlthau in North Milltown, the windows of the back porch were knocked directly out and the back chimney swept off at the roof.

Fruit trees in all sections were targets for the wind and the owners will suffer heavily. The home of Samuel Gordon was struck by lightning and part of the roof ripped off.

Main street looked like a forest and the Trenton trolley line was completely blocked off for a distance of possibly 400 feet, due to seven poles being torn loose and thrown across the tracks and all wires down. Men were working at a late hour last night endeavoring to loosen the wire entanglement.

Those who have seen many, storms in Milltown claim the one of last night to far excel all others in tumultuous effort.

Panic On Trolley Car.

 A Milltown trolley car in which a number of Michelin employees were returning to this city during the first storm was struck by a lightning bolt. The passengers were greatly frightened as the flames began shooting through the car. A mad dash was made for the exits while the conductor tried in vain to get the window on the back platform open in order to pull the trolley pole off the wire. The passengers sought refuge in nearby homes.

During the second shower a bolt! struck the large barn on the farm of Mrs. W Hannah, Lincoln Highway, and split it from top to bottom.

In St. Peter’s Cemetery and along the Lincoln Highway large branches of trees are down and in some in- stances the trees were split in half.

At Berdine’s Corner, a large barn near Becker & Eckert’s garage, belonging to the Vandewater family and which was in process of being converted into a dwelling, was blown into the next field and turned over on its side. Trees and telephone wires are down almost wholesale in that section.

A house in the process of construction near the Musical String plant was blown from its foundation.

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This Day in History: December 22nd, 1920

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This Day in History: December 22nd, 1920

BANK ROBBERS GET LIMIT SENTENCE WITHIN FEW HOURS AFTER CAPTURE AT MILLTOWN

Prosecutor Stricker Order Speedy Disposal of Case as Warning–Plead Guilty and Sent to State Prison -Other Charges Pending.

A new record was set for “Jersey Justice” yesterday afternoon when Frank “Sailor” Voorhees of this city and Walter Watson of Melrose, Mass. captured only fifteen hours earlier by a Milltown posse in an attempt to rob the First National Bank there were arraigned before Judge Pete F. Daly in the county court her and sentenced to serve from four years and eight months to seven years each in State Prison.

Following their arrest yesterday morning the men got in touch with Frank P. Coan of South Amboy their counsel, and after a conference with him they decided to plead guilty at once to the bank robbery charge Allegations were prepared by the Prosecutor’s office and were signed by the men.

A special call was sent to Assistant Prosecutor John A. Coan, who came here at once from South Amboy and at four o’clock yesterday afternoon Judge Daly held a special session of the county court, and the men were arraigned. Both men pleaded guilty, and the Assistant Prosecutor at once moved for sentence.

Counsel for the men. a brother of the Assistant Prosecutor, made a plea for mercy on their behalf. He admitted that both had previous records, but said that Voorhees had served a term In State prison before the war for assault and battery and on his release had at once enlisted voluntarily and had served with the fourth division in France.

Watson, he said, had served in the navy, and had been stationed off the French coast for over a year.

Driven from New Brunswick

Mr. Coan declared that Voorhees tried to go straight after his charge from the army and had earned a position at Camp Raritan. When some thefts occurrednear him, however, said his counsel, attempts were made to place the blame on him and things were made so comfortable for him that he went to New York.

Voorhees was unable to get work there, Mr. Coan said, and he fell into bad company, which resulted in his undoing, and the same was the case with Watson, who was serving a term at New Bedford, Mass., with Voorhees last July when they broke together.

Mr. Coan urged clemency in view of the fact that the men had pleaded guilty, without putting the county to the expense of a trial.

Disgrace to Uniform

There are certain crimes, caused sudden temptation, in which a previous war record can be considered in extenuation of the offense,” said Judge Daly. “But in a deliberate crime like this, it simply adds another crime to their account, that disgracing the uniform. There are too many men now who think that because they served during the war they are entitled to live without working, and they are a disgrace to the great majority of our glorious American boys who served.”

He said that the court always takes into consideration the fact that a man pleads guilty and does not add perjury to his other crime, but that Voorhees had been given every chance before he was sent to State prison the first time.

“Middlesex county has been remarkably free from crimes of this sort,” he continued. “There has Been only one burglary during my term on the bench. I feel that this is due largely to advertising the fact that this is not a safe county for criminals to ply their trade.

Judge Daly

“I will not impose a fine as well as imprisonment on these men, in view of their having pleaded guilty, but I can see no reason why I should not impose the limit sentence permitted by statute. The sentence of the law in each case is that they be confined at hard labor in the State Prison for a term not exceeding seven years and not less than four years and eight months.”



Mast Face Other Charges

This sentence by no means disposes of the cases, however. There are eight other indictments pending against Voorhees, and a detainer will be placed against him at Trenton Ind when his term expires he will be brought back here to face trial on the other charges.

He is also wanted in a number of other cities, and authorities there have been notified. Chief of Police Kiely, of Plainfield, was present in Court when the men were arraigned yesterday and stated that both are wanted in his city.

Prosecutor Joseph E. Stricke complimented the posse of Milltown citizens on their fine work in capturing the two men in the attempted bank robbery. He said they had rendered a real service to the county and to the State.

The quick disposal of the cases was arranged by him, he said, as a warning to burglars and other criminals in these troublous times that they will get short shift in Middlesex county, and he made it clear that the sentences Imposed yesterday are by no means the finish of the service

He declared that if the men had not pleaded guilty he had planned to call a special session of the grant Jury today to indict them and to put the men on trial on Monday or Tuesday.

Voorhees and Watson were returned to the county jail at once and are being carefully watched, as the authorities are taking no chances on losing them. They will have to be held here until Friday and then will be taken at once to Trenton.

Voorhees denied in conversation with attendants at the county jail that he had anything to do with the robberies that are charged against him here and said that the Milltown robbery was the only local affair with which he had been connected. It was stated, however, that he had admitted a robbery in Boston.

He expressed himself as being well satisfied with his sentence and said that he intended to serve all the time against him and then try to live straight.

The two men who were with Voorhees and Watson in the Milltown affair are still at large, but the detectives are working on this part of the case. Voorhees continued his denial that a woman had been in the party. The allegations signed by the men charged breaking and entering the bank building and stealing $1,000 in bonds. Bank officials said today that nothing had been stolen from the bank but that some bonds might have been taken from privately owned safe deposit boxes but that $1,000 would fully cover the loss.

“Sailor” Voorhees seemed quite peeved at being caught in a small town and said to an officer: “It beats the devil, we’ve pulled this stuff in all large cities and now we get grabbed in a jerk water town.” Night Watchman Herman Willenbrock of the Michelin plant, deserves considerable praise for his work.

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