A kidnapping, a gun battle and a local candidates’ picnic

August 8, 1933

‘Kidnapping Legislation is Expected’; Bills Introduced Following Special Message From Governor. The recent kidnapping episode here, in which John J. O’Connell, nephew of the O’Connell brothers, Albany Democratic bosses, was held for 23 days and then returned home on payment of a ransom of $42,500, has resulted in a number of kidnapping bills being introduced in the Legislature following a special message from Governor Lehman. Among the proposed legislation is a bill which would punish with death the kidnapping of children sixteen years old or less, with life imprisonment in the case of victims over that age….

‘Dover Visitor Dies at Sharon Hospital After Gun Battle’; Otto J. Schwarzwalder, 32, a chemist,... died in Sharon Hospital…as the result of a pitched gun battle which followed a minor automobile accident on a lonely road on Chestnut Ridge in the Town of Dover Friday afternoon…county medical examiner, took a dying statement from Schwarzwalder at the hospital when it became evident he could not live…The fatal shooting took place after a town car operated by Carl Richmond,...had collided with the gunman’s automobile at the junction of the Chestnut Ridge road and the cart road to Dover… An argument followed the accident in which the killer, described as about 24 years old, five feet ten inches tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes, was asked by Richmond to show his operator’s license. The gunman refused and, reaching under the seat of his car, drew out a .45 calibre[sic] army pistol. Richmond wrestled with the man for possession of the weapon, at the same time calling to Schwarzwalder for help. The gun went off, and the bullet struck Schwarzalder, searing a hold through his lungs…

‘Bobby Fenn Host to Little Friends at Birthday Party’; Little Bobby Fenn celebrated his second birthday last Friday afternoon with seven little friends as his guests at a birthday party… the little host received many beautiful gifts, and was wished “many happy returns of the day” by the little guests who were Ann Valentine, Stephanie Terni, Joanne Hanchette, Jean Franks, Arthur Manning, “Skippy” Dean and David Silvernale. Other present were Mrs. Oliver Valentine, Mrs. Arthur Terni, Miss Ruth Hanchette, Mrs. Edward Franks, Mra. Arthur Manning, Mrs. Emma Dean, Miss Jane Silvernale and Miss Carolun Plass, of Red Hook.

August 8, 1974

‘New Ambulance Sought by Squad’; The Millerton Fire Department is considering the purchase of a new modular ambulance which is more like a floating emergency room than simply a vehicle to transport patients….”The squad gives first aid, it couldn’t do before… like cardialpulmonary [sic] resuscitation. The old style unit can no longer serve the purpose for lack of room and storage.”

‘Good Catch’; Tracy Farrar, 13, of Millerton made a whopping big catch last week of a 19 inch, two and one quarter pound brown trout in the Webatuck Creek.

August 12, 1999

‘Village Seeks Party Status in Palumbo Mining Proposal’; As a state Department of Environment Conservation (DEC) issues conference concerning the proposed Palumbo mine in Ancram draws near, the village of Millerton is trying to be a party to the proceedings.

“We filed an initial petition for party status with [DEC Administrative Law Judge Susan] DuBois,” said Village Attorney Michelle Haab.

Last month the Village Board approved the allocation of funds to retain a consultant to look at the effect the proposed 73-acre mine, which borders the town of North East, might have on the aquifer that feeds the village’s water supply.

‘Candidates’ Picnic Set for Hamilton Inn’; A picnic will be held Sunday…under a tent on the grounds of the Hamilton Inn on Route 44. The candidates running for “Good Government in North East,” Kaplan, McGhee, Silvernale and Scutieri, will be available for conversation and hospitable interaction on all matters pertaining to local government.