Welcome back to One Century Ago, a collaboration between Patch and the .
Each week we bring you the front page of a local newspaper that covered the news in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow (North Tarrytown) one hundred years ago. This front page comes from the Tarrytown Press-Record. The Press-Record was published as a weekly from 1893 to 1946 and has been preserved by the on microfilm.
Friday, May 31, 1912:
Veterans Pay Respects to Departed Comrades on Memorial Day
To commemorate , the Civil War veterans in the local Grand Army of the Republic and the Women’s Relief Corps attended a remembrance service in .
The veterans marched from the Corporation Building to the cemetery, accompanied by the Washington Irving Fife and Drum Corps and the Tarrytown and North Tarrytown police force. As they made their way through the town, the Drum Corps played old fashioned army tunes such as “Marching Through Georgia”, “Rally Around the Flag” and “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp”. These would have been played during the Civil War, and when the old familiar strains reached the ears of the elderly veterans “they unconsciously straightened up, heads erect, and appeared to be marching once more to the defence of their country”. In this way the march started at a lively pace, but gradually, as they neared their destination, some of the oldest veterans began to fall behind, and it became clear that the ravages of time had taken their toll.
When the procession reached the cemetery, they seated themselves around the graves of their former comrades, and the Reverend H. E. Wright began his Memorial Day address. He spoke about the immense hardships that those veterans had undergone in the service of their country, and how they had been willing to face the horrors of modern warfare without thought for themselves, but for the sake of Freedom to All Men. The address left many crying openly as they remembered the extraordinary sacrifices made, and the times when the very best - and the very worst - aspects of human behaviour were revealed.
At the end of the service everyone sang “America”, and Michael Powers, of the Washington Irving Drum Corps, blew “Taps” on his bugle. After the return march everyone sat down to a lunch prepared by the Women’s Relief Corps, which was much appreciated by all.
Young Robert Broome Wins Sprint Handily
In spite of threatening weather the Young Men’s Association athletic events ran according to schedule. This was largely due to the tireless efforts of Professor Robert Chestnut who was “here, there and everywhere” in his capacity as clerk of the course. He blew his whistle with interminable zeal, and thus ensured that the races started promptly and with dispatch.
The running races took place on courses laid out on the town streets rather than on purpose built tracks, and Sergeant Delanoy was positioned at the start line with his pistol to mark the commencement of each race.
About 500 people gathered to watch the competitions, and the runners competed for medals and various other prizes. The reward for first place in the under 16’s 50 yard dash was a fountain pen, and this was won by Robert Broome.
Fast Modern Photography
The Press-Record included a number of photos showing Memorial Day events, and they thanked the Timberman Studio, who handled the development and printing process. They were very impressed by the speed of the service, stating that the films were brought in at 5pm, and were ready to print at 10:30pm.
Husted House Burns
A fire broke out in the garret of Mrs. Emma Husted at around midday just before the Press-Record went to press. Unfortunately the North Tarrytown fire whistle was found to be out of order and would not go off, causing the fire company to be delayed by around 15 minutes. By that time the blaze had gathered force, and the whole roof of the building was in flames.
Due to the seriousness of the situation, the Washington Engine Company was called to help out. In the meantime, a number of firemen entered the building and began to remove salvageable furniture. While they were still inside, the entire roof collapsed. Luckily nobody was seriously injured, and the whole team were able to work together for around one hour to contain the fire. Ultimately the top floor of the building was lost, but while the lower levels were saved, the water from the hose caused serious damage to the whole building.
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