125 Years Ago 1897
From The East Hampton Star, October 22
It seems the report that we were to have a later mail was groundless. The story probably grew out of the fact that on the 15th of this month an additional mail train was placed on the Port Jefferson branch, giving the people on that line a morning mail two hours earlier than formerly.
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Election week, the steamer Montauk will commence making two trips per week, leaving Sag Harbor Tuesday (election day) and Thursday at 4 p.m., and leaving New York Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m. Thereafter it will leave Sag Harbor Monday and Thursday and New York Tuesdays and Fridays at 4 p.m.
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There are more people than you think who have the Klondike fever in this town. We were more than a little surprised a few days ago when a well-to-do farmer of East Hampton called and asked where he should write for reliable information concerning the Klondike regions and how to get there.
100 Years Ago 1922
From The East Hampton Star, October 20
Samuel Seabury, of East Hampton and New York, former judge of the Court of Appeals, who in 1918 characterized Alfred E. Smith as the “best representative of the worst element in the Democratic Party,” confessed that he had become converted to “Al.” In accepting a place on the special campaign committee Mr. Seabury eulogized ex-Governor Smith’s services to the state and expressed his conviction that Mr. Smith would be elected.
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Noel Byron Rogers died Saturday morning at his home at Westhampton after an illness of less than a week. Mr. Rogers was born in the old Rogers homestead at Westhampton ninety-four years ago and when nineteen years of age set out to make his fortune in the California gold fields, sailing in the whaling ship Sabina from Sag Harbor. With one exception, he was the last survivor of this party of nineteen whaling captains and thirty-one other fortune seekers, each of whom had paid in $500 with Henry Green as master. Mr. Rogers did not engage in mining, but worked as a carpenter, building houses, largely canvas, for the new settlers.
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In Superintendent Jonathan Baker’s annual report to the board of supervisors at their meeting last Monday at the Suffolk County Almshouse at Yaphank, it is shown that the cost to care for East Hampton’s inmates at the almshouse was $747.34. The number in the almshouse on September 30, 1921, was four, and six more were admitted during the year.
75 Years Ago 1947
From The East Hampton Star, October 23
Some 300 scientists from medical, research and educational institutions gathered at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Thursday, Oct. 16, for three days of conferences on the handling and use of radioactive isotopes in chemical, biological and medical fields.
In welcoming the conferees, Dr. Philip M. Morse, Director of the Laboratory, disclosed that a good start has been made in the setting up of biological laboratories and facilities, and that plans for the Medical Department are being discussed and developed in close association with medical leaders in the northeastern region.
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Last Saturday, East Hampton beat Greenport for the first time in fourteen years, 13-6.
Despite Dordelman and Loris being out due to injuries, East Hampton marched to victory over a very determined Greenport team. Dave McMahon played exceptionally well, and with Harry O’Rourke’s passing and Donald McDonald’s receiving, East Hampton racked up two touchdowns on passes.
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For the first of its proposed series of concerts by outstanding guest artists the Guild Hall Music Club will present Mary Ledgerwood, contralto, in a recital at Guild Hall on Wednesday evening, Nov. 5th, at 8:30.
Last spring the Music Club presented a group of artists in concert, and, as a result of the success of that venture and the expressed opinion of many people for similar programs, the Club this year is planning a series of four programs to be given during the winter months.
50 Years Ago 1972
From The East Hampton Star, October 19
The East Hampton School Board held its monthly meeting in the cafeteria of the Middle School on Newtown Lane Tuesday night. The routine of Board business was relieved by a slide presentation given by two faculty members of the science department.
In an effort to interest the District One Board in a long-range broadening of the science program through eventual use of the Ward Bennett home in Springs for ecological studies, Mark A. Hall, science coordinator for the East Hampton public schools, and Anthony Minardi, science teacher, presented slides taken by Mr. Minardi of the Bennett house and its surroundings.
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The eighth attempt in ten years to organize Suffolk County’s farm workers, quietly underway in western Suffolk since 1971, is gradually being extended into the East End. “We’re just getting started out here,” said one local volunteer. “We’re working fairly quietly, going around talking to people, going into their homes. . . . We’ll probably be trying to find office space in Bridgehampton; till then we’re working out of Riverhead.”
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Three of the four candidates for Congress from the First District will participate in a political forum sponsored by the East Hampton branch of the American Association of University Women tomorrow night at East Hampton High School.
The forum, to begin at 8 p.m., will consist of eight-minute statements by each candidate, three-minute rebuttals, and written questions from the audience. The participants are scheduled to be incumbent Congressman Otis G. Pike, a Democrat, Joseph H. Boyd, Republican, and Robert D.L. Gardiner, Conservative. The Liberal candidate, Robert P. Samek, will not take part.
25 Years Ago 1997
From The East Hampton Star, October 23
Stop the Ferry. Save the Ferry. Do both at the same time. The East Hampton Town Board expects to hear it all tomorrow morning, during what promises to be a well-attended hearing preceding a vote that could ban car ferry terminals and place strict limitations on the size of passenger ferries.
The ferry issue has become so emotionally charged, thanks in large part to a pamphlet and radio campaign waged by Capt. Paul Forsberg of Montauk’s Viking Fleet, that at press time the board was considering a change of venue.
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Sag Harbor Village Mayor Pierce W. Hance has weighed in on the debate over whether to widen the main runway at East Hampton Airport, and joined those who oppose the project and claim it would attract more, larger, and noisier planes.
In letters to the East Hampton Town Board dated Oct. 10 and Friday, Mayor Hance succinctly stated and restated his opposition, saying there should have been environmental review and a public hearing beforehand.
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Montauk’s Fort Pond, the second largest freshwater pond on Long Island, is in serious trouble and if something isn’t done soon to help restore it to health it will be too late, said the town’s natural resources director, Larry Penny.
The Natural Resources Department has just concluded a study of the pond, the most extensive ever done on the popular sportfishing and recreation spot.
Until now, said Mr. Penny, “Fort Pond has been one of the most neglected spots in the Town of East Hampton.”
