Denison etchings, human bones, police

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

July 11, 1935

About Millerton

Clarence McGhee of New York City has been vacationing at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs George McGhee.

Mrs. James T. Pine and daughter, Dorothy, of Port Chester are visiting Mrs. Pine’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Dakin.

Harry Killmer has resumed his duties at the Community Market after being incapacitated for several days by a lame back.

Acquire Denison Etchings

Mr. and Mrs. Worthey J. Pulver of Millerton and Dr. and Mrs. Glee Cheesman of Canisteo, N. Y., have each recently acquired several etchings from Harold Denison of Boston Corners. Among the etchings was his well-known print, “Contentment,” which has been acquired by many art museums.

Human Bones Unearthed By Steam Shovel

Discovery Made Last Week On Doyle Farm Near Millbrook

Special to THE NEWS

MILLBROOK - A box of human bones were unearthed by a steam shovel last week in a secluded apple orchard on the Doyle farm which adjoins the vast estate formerly owned by the late Charles F. Dieterich. A skull, leg and arm bones and part of the pelvic bones, believed by Assistant Medical Examiner Carpenter to be those of a man dead many years, were uncovered by the shovel. They were buried in a wooden box bearing the trade mark and slogan of the Arm and Hammer Soda Company. Both the bones and the box were badly decomposed.

After a brief examination, Dr Carpenter said that the skull appeared to be fractured, probably by the blow of an instrument. The size of the bones led him to believe they were the remains of an adult, probably a man, Dr. Carpenter said. Authorities were of the opinion that the bones were part of a dismembered body in view of the fact that the torso bones were missing. District Attorney Schwartz stated that further digging would be done to learn if there are other bones buried in the orchard.

Sheriff Hiram C. Carroll was directed by the district attorney to confer with the owners of the property to find if any history of the farm would throw light on the discovery. Sheriff Carroll feared the bones were so old, however, that any attempt to solve their presence would prove futile. Dr. Carpenter was unable to determine the age of the bones, but said that they had been buried a long time.

The steam shovel was operated by John Schaintz and Harold Christiana, both of Poughkeepsie, who are employed by Vernon Christiana, sand and gravel contractor and road builder. They were digging gravel for the Shunpike reconstruction project. Upon discovery of the bones, they stopped work immediately and notified the sheriff’s office.

The Doyle farm is situated on a little used gravel road leading from the state highway between Millbrook and Mabbettsville. It is said to be in the hands of Miles Kennedy, New York real estate agent.

July 8, 1976

Village Board Will Discuss Cop Hiring

The Millerton Village Board will discuss hiring a new police officer at its meeting on Wednesday, July 14. Mayor John Hermans reported Tuesday that 13 or 14 people have applied for the job.

Hermans said that the Board will also talk about the Millerton Comprehensive Plan which “has to be ready to go in the fall.”

A third item on the agenda will be codification of the Village laws and regulations. “We’re really thinking seriously about it,” said Hermans. “We’ll probably go ahead and do it.”

The Board meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30p.m. in the Village Clerk’s office on Simmons Street.

Denny Pool Begins Day Camp Program

The Day Camp program at the Denny Memorial Pool in Millerton has begun. Sport activities, games and playground facilities are available to all those who participate.

The day camp staff this week urged all children who are interested to come and join the program, which lasts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., although all swimming lesson schedules have been filled to their capacity.

This Friday’s activities at the Day Camp include tug-o’-wars, relay races, 3-legged races, parachute games, and any other types of activities which the children might suggest.

“All parents are invited to come and watch, or even to join in the fun,” said Day Camp Director Gina Canevari.

Adult swims at the pool have also begun. They are being held from 7-9 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday nights. Anyone wishing to register for adult swimming lessons can come at any of these times and sign-up, but people must be 16 or older. Also, an adult swim is held at 4 p.m. on weekdays, until 4:15 p.m. for those 18 and over.

Pool hours are now from 1-7 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends.

“All non-swimmers who are in the large pool must be accompanied by a parent or an adult who can swim,” said Canevari. And children must not be left in the kiddie pool unattended.

Lentz Finishes Training

Joseph Lentz III, an Amenia resident, has completed 12 weeks of Marine Corps Recruit Training at Parris Island S. C.

Lentz is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Lentz II of Amenia. A former graduate of Webutuck High School, Lentz will be attending Engineering Equipment Repairman School for 17 weeks at Camp Lejeune, N. C.

July 12, 2001

Sheriff’s Department Investigator Sees Herrington’s Link to Other Burglaries

MILLERTON — Investigators have told The Millerton News that the June 20 burglary at Herrington’s lumber and hardware store may be linked to other similar crimes in Dutchess, Putnam and Columbia counties.

Investigators from the Dutchess County sheriff’s department are looking into possible links with burglaries in the Putnam County town of South East and in the Columbia County town of Livingston.

“Over the past four years or so, there have been a considerable amount of burglaries at construction sites and stores similar to the Herrington’s burglary,” Detective Robert Harpp Jr. said.

Of particular interest is a burglary at the construction site for a new Home Depot store along Route 312, near Independence Way in SouthEast. “About $14,000 in power tools were taken between June 29 and 30. Wire cutters from the Herrington’s store may have been used, but tests will need to be taken to confirm that,” Mr. Harpp said

Another crime that could be related to the Herrington’s heist occurred between July 2 and 3, at Keil Equipment on Route 9 in Livingston. Chain saws, leaf blowers and trimmers amounting to nearly $17,000 were taken in that overnight break-in.

“These are all very organized, clean crimes. These people know what they are doing. We are following a lot of leads, but we do not think the crimes were done by locals,” Mr. Harpp said.

Herrington’s Burglary Details Released

The burglary at Herrington’s was a highly-planned and well-organized crime, according to Mr. Harpp. “The intruders climbed a fence at Herrington’s, slipped in through an open window and then cut the lock on the gate with wire cutters taken from within.”

According to police records released July 6, $9,898.02 in merchandise was taken from Herrington’s, including 64 gallons of paint. “These people knew what they were looking for. They took only premixed paints and left the base paints that needed mixing,” Mr. Harpp said. Also taken were “high end” brand named power tools, including “multiple types of Power Cable, Mikita, DeWalt, Senco and Bostitch, which were worth several hundred dollars each.”

He said the tools were loaded into a Herrington’s van and taken to another location “where it was probably loaded into a second vehicle and removed from the area.” The van was recovered the next day on Park Street in Millerton near Taylor Oil.

Similar, Not the Same

Sheriff’s detectives are continuing their investigation of other recent crimes in Millerton, including the May burglaries at Taro’s Restaurant and Oblong Books.

“Although those crimes also occurred at night, we do not think they are directly related to the Herrington’s burglary,” Mr. Harpp said. He added that there are similarities, but also some major differences.

“Both Herrington’s and the Oblong burglaries were fairly neat and involved stolen vehicles. But the products taken were very different. Both were committed by professional thieves and may be linked to frequent other similar incidents,” he stated.

Taitt Wheeler, chief operating officer at Herrington’s, agreed. “Millerton is not a place you normally see something like this,” he said, adding, “I just hope the authorities are successful.”

The vehicle used in the Oblong burglary was found a couple of days after the theft along the Taconic State Parkway in Columbia County. It was damaged and authorities said it may have been linked to other crimes during its disappearance.

Taro’s a Different Story

Mr. Harpp said the Taro’s theft was not linked in any way to the other two. But, he said, the sheriff’s department is “very close to making an arrest” in that case.

According to Peter del Cantaro, owner of Taro’s, the intruders broke down the basement door for entry. Mr. del Cantaro reported that not only was a large amount of beer and wine stolen, but also the cash register, containing about $500 in cash. Mr. del Cantaro estimated the business’ total loss was around $2,000.

Mr. Harpp said the Taro’s theft was different because the items taken were beer and cash. He thinks the crime is more typical of one committed by locals and was not the work of professionals like the other two crimes.

Police Need Help

Anyone with any information regarding these incidents, or about anyone trying to sell paint or power tools is asked to call the sheriff’s department at the Dover substation….