This Week in Ocean County, 1922! (November 10th)

11/12/2022

Welcome to another era in the Toms River area's past, one century ago this week!

Let your mind wander as you consider life around November 10th, 1922, courtesy the New Jersey Courier weekly newspaper and Ocean County Library archives, and peppered with items of maritime interest (around a 10 minute read).

BREVITIES AND EDITORIALS

(written by NJ Courier editor, William H. Fischer, as he sat at his desk above Main Street near Washington Street; it was much like a collection of online social media updates seen today)

Moon is on the wane.
Armistice Day tomorrow.
New moon a week from tomorrow.
Gunners are out in the open today.
One month and twenty days left of 1922.
Thanksgiving Day three weeks from yesterday.
Christmas holidays will soon be here now.
Some of our old friends came down to the election.
Election is over, and once again the country has been saved.
The Weather Man has been good to us so far this fall.
The woods were at their best the past two weeks, for autumn foliage.
Jupiter is now morning star, and Venus will be morning star in about a fortnight.
President Harding has issued his proclamation fixing Thursday, November 30, for Thanksgiving Day.
It seems to be a race between the children and the squirrels as to which will get the black walnuts and hickory nuts.
The group of boys who did considerable damage on Hallowe'en, will, it is said, have to make good the money loss they inflicted on several property holders.
Dr. George T. Crook, Ed Schwarz and Walton Grover are spending the week down the bay on a gunning trip.
The road gang got started on upper Main Street again on Wednesday and are coming down the east side of the street with the concrete pavement.
The Toms River Poultry Development Company are putting out an issue of preferred stock, backed by mortgages on the farms that they sell.
The Ladies Auxiliary of the Toms River Yacht Club met on Wednesday afternoon of this week. The auxiliary also held a card party last Friday evening.
Chrysanthemums are about the only flowers blooming out of doors except on the beaches, where Jack Frost spared the fall flowers several weeks longer than he did on the mainland.
Mr. and Mrs. Jean R.D. Hecht have named their son, born October 22, Jean Raymond Dietrich Hecht.
Hyers Street has been carrying the heavy traffic of the village the past few weeks. Not only Hyers Street, but the side streets between Main and Hyers, are sadly in need of repairs, after being used by the heavy trucks carrying supplies for the Main Street job.
The Toms River Poultry Development Association has the poultry house built on Farm No. 4, which is to belong to R.H. Tilton, and also is starting on the house and garage. Mr. Tilton's farm will face the Dover road, and will also have a frontage on the Double Trouble Road, and on Jake's Branch [where today are mostly suburban ranch-style homes of South Toms River Borough on what today is Tilton Avenue].
Those who have watched Bill Gwyer's work at the hole in the wall [the narrow Hyers Street entrance at Washington Street] say that he is a real traffic cop.
Point Pleasant has a street named Gowdy Avenue, after the late Ralph Gowdy, of Toms River, who was a large real estate owner in that resort.

The Last Post by Jacqueline Hurley.

ARMISTICE DAY
Tomorrow marks the fourth anniversary of the end of the great war.
The world has many years to go yet before it recovers from the effects of that bloody debauch. The United States, farther away, and with less actual participation in the war than Europe, had escaped the great losses that have afflicted Europe, losses in men, losses through disease, hunger and through bankruptcy in human faith.
But it is well that the United States should pause tomorrow and review the last four years. It will make us all in a more thankful frame of mind for our next great holiday, Thanksgiving day, if we look at what our neighbors overseas must suffer, and what we have, through no merit of our own, so far escaped.
And, as May 30 is by common consent given to the men of '61-'65, so we may well give over November 11 to the men of 1917-1918. They undertook much, accomplished much, gave much—while the rest of us sat safely at home and looked on with bated breath. Do not let us forget so soon those two years of anxiety and the boys who went overseas.

Toms River Seaport Society presents our new Holiday Bonus 50/50 Fundraising Raffle, where one winner can win up to $5,000!

JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Tickets are $100 each and limited to 100 tickets sold. Once they sell out - no more will be sold.
Drawing will take place on the deck of the A-Cat Spy in its museum shed located at 78 East Water Street, Toms River, on Saturday, December 17th at 2 pm. Winner need not be present. No substitution of offered prize will be made. Total of prize monies equal to 50% of all proceeds collected.
All proceeds will benefit the Toms River Seaport Society's ongoing mission to preserve and celebrate Toms River and Barnegat Bay's rich maritime history.

Purchasing tickets can be made online below ($100 plus $2 processing fee), by visiting our museum during open hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm with cash or check, or by mailing a check CLEARLY INDICATING 50/50 ON THE CHECK for $100 to:

Toms River Seaport Society
P.O. Box 1111
Toms River, N.J. 08754

CLICK HERE TO ORDER TICKET(S) ONLINE

HEADLINE NEWS

Various buildings used for students prior to the new 1920s school building demanded by the Chamber of Commerce.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DEMANDS SCHOOL BUILDING
Adequate housing for the pupils of this community in the public schools was the unanimous demand of the Chamber of Commerce at its meeting on Wednesday evening of this week. The school problem at Toms River was threshed over from various angles and at length. Supervisor E.M. Finck, who was present, was questioned and queried, and his knowledge of the situation was probed to the bottom, to get out all the facts in the case. It was the general impression of the C. of C. members in the meeting that the public in general wanted a new school house, but had been staggered with the cost of the one proposed last spring, which meant a $200,000 bond issue. It seemed to be the opinion of many that the taxpayers would ratify a school proposition costing half that sum, or as near as might be. A unanimous vote directed President Charles N. Warner to appoint a committee on educational affairs, which should at once get in touch with the Board of Education, to see what could be done to have the revised school plans submitted to another vote, and also to bring before the public in general the needs of the school, and the value to the community of adequate school housing.
Would Widen Washington Street
Another matter discussed was the widening of Washington Street, where that the records show Washington Street to have been encroached on, at its north side, on the Main Street corner, the lines of the laid out road being a straight extension of the line from the Sunnyside to the Traco Theatre, where the bend now begins. The idea advanced was that if the present Priest Building could in some way be acquired and torn down completely the problem of the “hole in the wall” [the narrow Hyers Street entrance between buildings] would also be solved at the same time. A committee was appointed to bring the matter before the Board of Freeholders, as Washington Street is now a county road. This committee consisted of Capt. C.M. Elwell, Edward Crabbe, Dr. Frank Brouwer, E.M. Finck and H.A. Hansen.

DEMOCRATIC WAVE SWEEPS COUNTRY, PULLS JERSEY WITH IT
The never-expected, but almost-sure-to-happen defeat to the party in power at the election for Congress in the second year of the Presidential Administration, hit the Republicans hard on Tuesday. It swept across the country, and the papers are now calling it a backwash from the Harding tidal wave of two years ago, which is at least a convenient and expressive phrase. Nowhere did it sweep more cleanly than in New Jersey, where it buried Senator Frelinghuysen under an 80,000 majority for Edward I. Edwards, and gave George S. Silzer half at least of that majority for Governor over William N. Runyon. In the Third Congressional District it also swept out T. Frank Appleby, and swept in Elmer Geran, as Congressman, by a small majority. Ocean gave Appleby the usual majority, but it could not overcome both Monmouth and Middlesex.
This county went Republican, electing Thomas A. Mathis, of Toms River, Senator; Ezra Parker, of Barnegat, Assemblyman; William H. Savage, of Lakewood, Freeholder.

FINED $10 AND COSTS FOR REFUSING TO FIGHT FIRES
The final outcome of the refusal of three young men in Chatsworth to come to the aid of Division Fire Warden Joseph E. Abbott, of Toms River, and fight forest fires near their home village last spring, is that they have each been fined $10 and costs by Justice Lawrence G. Mingin, of Medford. The law gives the fire warden power to call on anyone for help, and makes a penalty for refusal. The fire they refused to help fight was a bad one, burning over a wide area, and lasting several hours.

LAUREL HOUSE OPENS
The Laurel House, Lakewood's pioneer hotel, was opened for the season last Saturday, under the management of Frank F. Shute, who for many years was manager of the Laurel-in-the-Pines. With Mr. Shute's hotel following, augmented by regular Laurel House patrons, a good season is expected. It is stated that nearly 200 guests were at the Laurel House over Sunday.

SELLING EGGS IN LAKEWOOD
Hotels and retail dealers in Lakewood will be served with “Jer-Z-Layd” eggs during the winter season this year, from Toms River packing house of the New Jersey Poultry Producers' Association.
A new Ford delivery car, attractively painted, is attracting much attention on Lakewood streets. Quick deliveries will be made at all times, and hotel proprietors will be given the opportunity to serve day old eggs to guests. Most of the hotel men have been interviewed, and expressed satisfaction over the plan for giving them better eggs and better service.
If the Lakewood service proves as satisfactory and profitable as is now indicated, the same kind of service will be installed along the entire New Jersey coast next summer.

DUCK BANDED IN ONTARIO SHOT AT BARNEGAT INLET
Point Pleasant, Nov. 4.—Willis T. Johnson, of Lakewood, formerly of this place, while on a gunning trip to Barnegat Inlet last week, shot a black duck that had been banded in Ontario, Canada. The band was of aluminum, and was of course on the duck's leg. The legend on the band said, “Write Box 48, Kingsville, Ont.” There was also an inscription on the inside of the band, reading, “As for God, His way is perfect.”

PERSONAL
Capt. Charles H. McLellan, who is the senior captain of the Coast Guard Service, retired, came home for election day, and spent some time here. He had spent the summer at Boothbay Harbor, Me., and visited his daughter at Newburyport, Mass. and for the present is at New York City most of the time. Captain McLellan said that of the men who were active in business in Toms River in 1882, when he was first assigned here as Inspector of the Life-Saving Service on the New Jersey coast, he could find but three still alive—Charles B. Mathis, former Assemblyman Adolph Ernst, and Chairman of the Township Committee, David O. Parker. The men whom he then met as leaders in the town's activities had all, he said, passed off the stage of action, to be replaced by younger men. Captain McLellan also said he was grieved to read in The Courier of the death of Capt. Collins Hyers, at Tampa. Fla. He said that while he was stationed at Mobile, Ala., in the 90's, he became acquainted with Captain Hyers, then a tugboat master, and saw him frequently. During the Spanish-American War, when Captain McLellan was in the West Indies as executive officer of one of Uncle Sam's ships, Captain Hyers' tug was then chartered by the New York Sun for its correspondent and he again frequently met him. Knowing him to be a Toms River boy, the acquaintance became a friendship and Captian McLellan said he had a high regard for Captain Hyers.
Capt. Henry Ware, of the Coast Guard Service, and Mrs. Ware, have moved from Island Heights to Toms River for the winter, and have taken apartments in the brick building adjoining the Economy store.
John V. Matthews, who years ago had a livery stable and blacksmith shop at Toms River, was in town on Tuesday, driving his car from his home in Farmingdale. It looks strange to see almost every oldtime horseman exchanging the reins for a steering wheel.
Mr. and Mrs. Saunders Levy and family are moving back to Philadelphia from Queensbury Farm, where they have made their home for some time past. Mr. Levy will commute back and forth to his business here in the F. Lipscheutz Company's store. Mr. and Mrs. Edwyn Levy will occupy Queensbury Farm.
Herbert E. Williams, of Brooklyn, owner of the Reckless sawmill tract, on the south side of the river, on Davenport Branch [today the site of the Holiday City South retirement development], was in town on election day. He reports that he hopes in the near future to get where he can develop that property, rebuild the dam higher than it ever was before, and make a lake a mile long where the old mill pond was. The plans are being prepared by Arthur C. King, of Toms River. Such a development would mean considerable horsepower, beside making many valuable waterfront building estates.
Capt. Clifford M. Elwell, U.S. Army, returned home from Pittsburgh, Pa., Friday last. Captain Elwell has decided to retire from the army, and has made application for his retirement, to take effect on January 1. He expects to continue as a member of the Reserve Corps.

FISH AND GAME
The 1922 season opens today, Friday, November 10, and closes December 15. It is known as the upland game season which takes in quail, rabbit, squirrel, pheasant and partridge. At the same time, woodcock will be in season until the last day of this month. The open season is still on for ducks, geese, brant, Wilson snipe, black bellied and golden plover...
The daily bag limit includes twenty-five ducks, eight geese, eight brant, twenty-five rails, fifteen plover, twenty-five Wilson snipe, six woodcock, ten quail, three English pheasants, three ruffed grouse or partridge, and ten rabbits. Game may be possessed for a period of ten days after the season closes.
The trapping season begins on November 15, and the taking of the furring animals in the lower part of the state has become a very profitable business.
The first game refuges established in South Jersey by the State Fish and Game Commission were recently located in Salem County. They are being stocked with pheasants, quail and rabbits, and no one will be permitted to gun on the premises.
Flounder fishermen, who set tykes for winter flounders in and around the inlet are getting their nets ready for their winter's work.

TOWN LIFE

BARNEGAT CITY [today Barnegat Light Borough]
Mr. J. France, with a friend, spent a few days gunning here this week.
Mr. and Mrs. D.B. Johnson are rejoicing over the birth of a son.

BAY HEAD
Dr. William F. Donovan, a summer resident here, has closed his office and moved to his winter home at Brielle.
The Home and School Association gave a social at the school house Friday afternoon and realized about $18. The money will be placed in the victrola fund.

BAYVILLE
Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Stott have closed their summer home at the farm and the family have returned to Brooklyn for the winter.
Election day was a big day here, but quiet and orderly.

BEACH HAVEN
At the Central Market a large new showcase has been installed, fitted with a full line of patent medicines and remedies of all kinds, which will be a great convenience to our people as all the drug stores are closed here during the winter.
Colmer and Cranmer have moved the moving picture machinery back into the small movie theatre for the winter months and had steam heat installed therein. Last Saturday night for the first since the return and everybody seemed pleased to be there.
Mr. William Harvey is spending sometime at his cottage here and enjoying the gunning.
Cranmer and Cranmer are doing considerable rebuilding at the Little Beach Coast Guard Station. J.W. Berry was awarded the contract to furnish the material for this work, and last week put the last load on the ground.
The electric lights were turned on for the first on Monday evening. Representatives of the Pangborne Company are in town for a few days, attending to the final details of the contract.
The Cale family and Capt. Joe Sprague and family have moved off to their Tuckerton homes for the witner season.
Capt. John Cranmer has the contract to take up the yacht club dock.
Gunning for ducks is very poor, gunners not getting many.

BEACHWOOD
Mayor Collins and family were here over the week end for the election. The mayor had just returned from a motor trip through New York State.
Several new buildings are to go up right away in this borough.
George Arway, who had the lodge and club house, as well as the bathhouses the past season, expects to buy a home here.
William A. Justice, of the Naval Air Station, is occupying one of Dr. Slonaker's houses.
A large number of our voters were here for election day.
The firemen's dance at the Borough Hall on Saturday evening last, November 4, was even more successful than the dance given last August. There were 140 people out, and all had a jolly time. These dances will be held at the same place on the first Saturday of each month throughout the winter.
The Beachwood Rod and Gun Club is planning for a clay-bird shoot on Thanksgiving Day. The prize will be live fowls. A large attendance is promised, and the shooters are looking forward to considerable sport. It is likely that there will be a week-end shoot every other week during the winter.

FORKED RIVER
Capt. John Horner is caretaker of Sedge Island.
It is reported that Bird Taylor will sell his place and buy the Joseph Cranmer property.
Mr. Rudolph is building a fine bungalow on the Lacey road.
William Spencer, who has several times in the past—ten years ago and also four years ago—had charge of putting up fences for the state game farm, is here again on a similar errand.
Cornelius Barkalow has been adding to his property by buying some adjoining lots from John Horner.
Roger and Oscar Wilbert killed 25 wild fowls while gunning last week.
Flounders are running good and numbers of them are caught.
William H. Penn has been getting out stuff for Fred Brown's boat, which will be built by Amos Lewis, the veteran boat builder, and his son John.

ISLAND HEIGHTS
Clifford Gaw has closed his cottage and returned to Philadelphia.
Sunday was so nice there were a number of summer cottagers down for the day.
Our fishermen are setting their gill nets for perch in the bay.
Capt. Lish Hyers is making fine progress with his new home in Windsor Park.
Everybody down this way who wants to be is busy, though there seems to be much more going on in the building line in the way of alterations and repairs than in new buildings.

LAVALLETTE
Mrs. J.W. Hingley will close her cottage for the winter and will return to Philadelphia.
Jack Gant, Life Guard, returned to his home on election day.
The curbs and sidewalks look very nice that have been put down on Reese and Vance Avenues.

MANTOLOKING
The railroad station here is being repaired by Frank Ferry, of Bay Head.
Mr. E.W. Stillwell is driving a new Hudson coach.

MONEY ISLAND
It is said that Harry VanBelle, whose home on the hill burnt down last spring, has sold his property to Mr. Buck. We are sorry to learn that we are to lose the VanBelles, but at the same time pleased because Mr. Buck has bought a place here.
Mr. Crouch, of Plainfield, recently stopped at Money Island, on his way to Lavallette, where he was going gunning with a party of friends, on Wednesday night. He also stopped on his return trip, Thursday night.
About all the cottages are now closed for the winter.
Mr. Huntington has had a small house built for him by Contractor Plaag. He will use it as an engine house and wash house.

PERSHING [section of Toms River, to the west of today's Vaughn Avenue]
Mr. T.J. Murray has sold his farm, “Murrey Lodge,” and will soon sail for Italy where he will join Mrs. Murrey and tour Europe.
A.L. Causse is building several more chicken houses and intends to go in the poultry business on a larger scale.
R.B. McKelvey is harvesting a bumper crop of sweet potatoes.
Herman Asay and wife and Everett Seaman will soon start for Florida via auto and spend the winter in Jacksonville.
Some of the radio fans listened to the first wedding that was ever performed over radio Sunday evening. The bridge and groom were in Pittsburgh and the preacher in a distant city.

PLEASANT PLAINS
On Thursday evening, November 2, a party was given to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Clayton, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ivins Clayton, of Pleasant Plains. There was thirty-four guests present. A very enjoyable time was spent in games and singing. Later in the evening the bride and groom were presented with a miscellaneous shower of many lovely gifts for their new home. Refreshments were then served. This shower was a great surprise to the young couple.

SEASIDE PARK
William L. Flood and family were about the last cottagers to leave, going to their home in Germantown on Sunday.
Capt. Eph Brower having spent considerable time this summer feeding a large body of perch in a certain hole known only to himself, decided to thin out the fattest and largest, that the rest could have more. He started out on Thursday last with a couple of trusties and brought in several barrels. Eph says that was just a small portion of them.
The dance and masquerade held by the Girl Scouts on Hallowe'en was a jolly affair with many out-of-town visitors and many of them masked. The first prize, a $2.50 gold piece, was won by Joseph Ulrick, of Seaside Heights; second prize, a box of candy, by Mrs. John Hill.

WEST CREEK
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Whildin have moved from their home on West Street, to a residence at “The Forge.”
Chester W. Kelly has purchased a motorcycle with side car attachment.

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