One Century Ago: Ladies Grace Democrat Rally

Welcome back to One Century Ago, a collaboration between Patch and the Historical Society serving Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown.

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 Historical Society on microfilm.

Friday, November 1, 1912:

Democrat Rally Held in Tarrytown

A Democrat party rally was held in the village Music Hall on Wednesday evening, and it seemed apparent to many that “the thinking people” of the two villages were taking more interest than ever in politics.

Not one seat was left empty in the hall, and all the balcony boxes were filled with ladies “who helped make the occasion a memorable one”. Indeed, the presence of a large number of ladies at a political gathering was so unusual that the Press-Record remarked upon how their feminine influence altered the usual “Hurray Boys”, “Let her Go Bill” attitude at most political gatherings, and made this rally something altogether different.

The audience listened attentively and carefully, showing that they intended to fully understand the questions being raised and the solutions suggested, and every speaker was given a stirring ovation.

The Democrat party presented themselves as a party which stood for “equal rights for all and special privileges to none”. They also asserted that one of their main promises was to address the problem of high costs of living, giving the striking example of how in the early part of September 1912, American beef had sold in London, England, for the equivalent of 13 cents per pound, and on the same day American beef had sold in New York City for 28 cents per pound.

The speakers also gave examples of successful work already carried out by Democrat State Officials, such as maintaining good quality roads and preserving natural resources.

Halloween

Miss Katherine Bannon gave a Halloween party for her numerous friends and relations at her residence on Washington street. The rooms of the house were decorated with Halloween lanterns, corn stalks and autumn foliage, and instead of chairs the guests sat on piles of straw. Many games were played, such as “Pin the Tie on Buster Brown” - in which Joe Coffey won the booby prize for pinning the tie to Buster’s knees. After that refreshments were served and then a general straw fight broke out and everyone got thoroughly covered in straw before heading home.

Not far away in Christ Church Parish Hall the Tiger A. C held their Halloween dance. Some of the costumes at this event were truly spectacular - of particular note was Miss Martha Purdy who made a hit as a Harem Girl, and Miss Francis Nolan as Little Red Riding Hood. The unmasking took place at half past ten, and the dance lasted until twelve.

Police Horse Purchased

A long-deferred matter was finally pronounced resolved at the Tarrytown Village Trustee Meeting. The Police Committee reported that a much-needed horse had at long last been secured for the Police Department. The horse, whose name was Rudolph, was bought from Mr. Jacob Tappan, and was eight years old. Upon starting his career in the Police Force, Rudolph was thoroughly checked over and pronounced sound.

Mothers’ Day at Lyndhurst

Miss Helen M. Gould presided over the Lyndhurst Sewing School Mothers’ Day and Graduation exercises, having the pleasure of presenting 19 diplomas to graduates of the school.

Present were the Mothers of the children, the teachers and the ministers of the various churches. Before the graduation presentation, Miss Gould gave a short address, Miss De La Mater told “The Story of the Selfish Giant”, and selections from the poem “Hiawatha’s Childhood” were rendered by Marion Lockhart and Jessie Lockhart. 

To join as a member and support the preservation of the history of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, please click here: thehistoricalsociety.net/membership.

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