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 3rd, 1922, courtesy the New Jersey Courier weekly newspaper and Ocean County Library archives, and peppered with items of maritime interest (around a 15 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) November. Eleventh month. Nights grow longer. Some rain last night. Full moon tomorrow. Beautiful moonlit nights. Chrysanthemums in bloom. Election day next Tuesday. Wonderful autumn weather. Some pretty frosty mornings. Sample ballots out this week. Autumn leaves are at their best. Cranberries are going to market. Less than two months left of 1922. Lots of gay times for Hallowe'en. Most of our summer birds have gone. The oaks make a brave show of color these days. Most of the pleasure boats are laid up for the winter. Hyers Street finds its last state worse than its first. One side of Main Street has the concrete pavement nearly done. The Toms River Realty Company has opened an office at 21 Washington Street. After election day comes Thanksgiving day, with Armistice day tucked in between. Toms River High School will get out a Thanksgiving number of the Cedar Chest, the high school journal. Over on Berkeley Heights [general area of what now is South Toms River Borough] the Toms River Poultry Development Company have about completed farms two and three, and have four well started. The A.E. Burnside Women's Relief Corps gave their annual supper in the Grand Army Post Hall, on Tuesday evening, serving army style beans and ham, and other fixings. They had a good attendance. James Citta has started a concrete block, and general cement and masonry business in the building on the Main Shore Road, in Berkeley, formerly used as a garage by Walter Davis. The Citta-Russo partnership has been dissolved. An oyster and clam chowder supper was held last Friday evening at the Presbyterian church in the Men's Brotherhood, and a nice sum realized. The men were pronounced to be the real thing as cooks—that is, if they really did the cooking. Hallowe'en was rather quiet. But there was a fresh outbreak of the malicious brand of mischief, that had died out of late years. Some of the mischief was rather costly to the victims, as when a concrete wall for George Alsheimer's new garage, on Hyers Street, was knocked partly down and two large thermometers were stolen from in front of Grover and Son's. The Toms River Yacht Club [then located where today stands Baker's Water Street Bar & Grille] had an enjoyable Hallowe'en affair on Friday evening of last week. There were many masked and in costume. Bond's orchestra furnished the music. Frank A. Buchanan staged a pantomime that was voted a big success. In it, Miss Hazel Wissmach was Columbine; Miss Laura Sculthorpe, Pierrot; Miss Sophie Sculthorpe, Harlequin; Mrs. Buchanan, a Dancing Girl; and Miss Margaret Grant, the Doctor. The dancing lasted till the “wee sma' hours.” Berkeley Township Committee has been re-graveling South Main Street [in what today is South Toms River Borough]. Every business place in Toms River feels the added income to this section from the rapidly growing poultry industry. Lots of small maskers on the streets Hallowe'en, and later there were larger ones. The night was a beautiful one, with a bright moon, and a mild temperature. Ed Moore, son of Mayor and Mrs. J.H. Moore, of Philadelphia, and John Zeimer, of Pine Beach, will conduct a wall paper business in the store on Washington Street recently bought by I.W. Richtmeyer and now occupied by Walter Johnson. Edmund C. Kramer, the Seaside Heights builder, will, it is said, build a plant on the outskirts of Toms River, to make cement block for his building operations on the beach. It is understood that he has bought a tract of several acres to make sure of sand and gravel. The Hathaway Hatchery, Inc., reports that they have almost a whole hatching season's work for their 90,000 egg incubator spoken for already. The baby chick hatchery in which Messrs. Rayner, Levy and Lyle are interested, have bought a tract of land at the Queensbury Farms, have the contract signed for the buildings and for two 40,000-egg incubators, to be used this winter and spring. Max Leet this week bought what is generally called the Steiner building, at the corner of Washington and Robbins Streets, from the Toms River Building Company. This probably means that Leet intends to have a store on this side of the river sooner or later. It is understood that the day after he made the bargain, Leet could have sold out and made $2000 clean cash. The sale price was $30,000, which gives an idea of how real estate values have gone up as an aftermath of the war. Beside the Steiner building, the property includes a two-apartment house on Robbins Street, next to the Town Hall. There was a Hallowe'en dance given Tuesday night, in Scout Hall. Dances are held there each Saturday evening. The cement roadway has progressed down the west half of Main Street to midway between Messenger and Walton streets. Report says that the Naval Air Station football team is planning to play Riverside at Toms River, on Saturday afternoon. A nine-pound son was born on Thursday of this week to Mr. and Mrs. James Purpuri. Mother and son are doing nicely. While George McDaniels was in Bayville yesteday morning, with a passenger truck to bring up the operatives for the Steiner mill, he had a collision with a car driven by Capt. Gus Hays, of the Ship's Bottom fish pound. The truck, driven by McDaniels, was badly wrecked, and the two women in it hurt some. The damaged car belonged to William Irons, of Lakehurst road. The Dudley family quarrel at Point Pleasant is again in the limelight, William L. Dudley having brought action in the Chancery Court for a partition of the lands left by the late Elizabeth L. Dudley against his two brothers, James L. and George L. Dudley. “EGGS IS EGGS” Just now “eggs is eggs” and also ready money. With the prices eggs and cranberries are bringing Ocean County should have a lot of money in circulation this fall and winter. Business men should be on the lookout for their share of this ready cash. A live business policy, with the right kind of goods, and well advertised, will get it for them. ON THE WING Driving along a road through the woods one afternoon recently a cock pheasant, taking a dust bath in the road, did not notice the car's approach, till it was right alongside him. As the bird rose, it flew by the side of the car for perhaps ten to twenty yards, and then swerved off into the brush by the roadside. It was a beauty of a bird, its flight graceful and powerful and its coloring showing in the October sunlight. A few days before that, crossing the bay bridge to Seaside Heights, a crested kingfisher sat on the bridge rail ahead. As the car approached the bird flew off in a half circle, and returned to the bridge rail again, getting there just as the car did, and only to take another half circle of flight. This he kept up for a half mile or more, when cars came from the other end of the bridge, hemming him in both ways, and he disappeared from sight. It was a mystery where he went to, till a few moments later, he was seen perched on the deck of the bridge, outside the rail instead of on the rail itself. Then as the car neared him, the bird flew just along the surface of the water, close to the bridge, lighting on the bridge deck, and kept that up nearly all the way across the bridge. Bluebirds were seen on Sunday last. Presumably back from their summer nesting in the northland, to spend the winter with us; or maybe they were stopping off on their way further south. One morning, a few days ago, about 7 o'clock, several flocks of robins went over the village from the northeast to the southwest, flying high. One flock contained about forty, another a dozen. Had they started south? We still see robins fat and happy, but shy, in the swamps, and an occasional one on the lawns and fields. 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 NEWSA TALE OF SUMMER VS. WINTER GUNNING – BARNEGAT When some of our young men gunners get together at relate the tales of slaughter among the wild fowl, how the flocks came to them, how they up and cut to 'em, then the ducks fell like leaves from a tree in autumn, what a job they had to gather them, what poor shots some of the other fellows were, how they had to share up with some dry land gunner, who of course never hit a feather, how some fellows come to “put out” with them and had only a few poor decoys, the other fellow's shells were no good, etc., but when they come home most of these greatest of all gunners usually fall far short of their limit in number. A few nights ago some of these dry land, clay-pigeon crack shots were relating some of their tales of how near they came to exterminating the breed, when Jesse Birdsall, the oldest bayman still in active service, near 80 years old, who had been taking it all in, said, “You boys ain't cut yer eye teet yit in the gunnin' business; wait till it gets down to about zero with the bay froze over and here and there a heap of snow on the ice, and once in a while a big airhole, then come with me and I'll show you what gunnin' is, and when you come home, that is, if you don't freeze to death, you can tell what gunnin' is. This goin' out on a summer day, layin' in the boat smokin' cigarettes, with now and then a duck or two comin' along, mebbe you git one and mebbe you don't, but when you come home you have some great experiences to tell. Why I remember a few years ago, before the limit law came about, I was gunnin' on an airhole, just off the gulf a little ways, the wind was nor'west, blowin' a twister, so my stools shook up so bad they rolled over on their beam ends, but the ducks was comin' so fast I hadn't time to go out and clear' em up, and I had an old muzzle-loader; en all I had to do wuz jist shoot as fast as I could load en you know that woozent very fast when yer fingers wuz all thumbs en you had to put in caps, but I shot till I got tired, en let 'em drift in to the edge of the hole, en when I picked 'em up I had 54 redheads en 61 broadbills.” Jesse relit his pipe and puffed away, while the summer gunners stared at each other and said, “Well, that's some gunning.” BUILDING UP LONG BEACH There are two new developments on Long Beach, just at the junction. The Fish tract, lying at the end of the bridge and stretching to the ocean, has two new houses under construction. The Edge tract, adjoining this on the north and extending towards Surf City, has one new house started, a pavilion built on the ocean front, and the brush cut away. Lots have been sold from both tracts. BEACH HAVEN INLET The new inlet that opened below Beach Haven during the big storm of February 4, 1920, has been officially named the “Beach Haven Inlet” by the State Board of Commerce and Navigation. The inlet is now one of the largest on the coast. CAR FOUND AT LANOKA RETURNED TO ITS OWNERS Inspector Barchi last week returned a six-cylinder Paige 1919 car to its owner, Mr. Victor Hubener, of Spring Valley, N.Y. The car was stolen on May 10 from in front of the Palace Theatre, New York City. It was found in the woods about one and a half miles from Lanoka, as told in The Courier's Lanoka letter last week. After the inspector had found the owner the car was turned over to him. DOWN IN GROVER'S STORE [being a general store and downtown Toms River hangout for some of the older townfolk] Saturday night, and “Skip” has the floor for the time being, everything he may say being backed up to the last dot over the “i” by “Cap.” “Yes,” says he, “that Dusty surely has the sweetest tooth of any many I ever met up with. It was while we were down the bay gunning during the war, when we were all expected to save on sugar, and Dusty put five heaping spoonfuls in his coffee cup. Doc sorter cautioned him, 'Say, Dusty, don't you know we're supposed to go light on sugar, and save all we can?' “'Sure,' says Dusty, 'I cut my usual allowance five spoonfuls on that cup.'” FALLING BOLT KILLED FORMER TUCKERTON BOY Jacob L. Cowperthwaite, only son of former Mayor and Mrs. Cowperthwaite, of Tuckerton, was killed by a falling bolt while at his work in Philadelphia on Monday of last week. He was employed by the American Bridge Company as a structural iron worker and it was reported that the job he was working on was about completed when the bolt fell from the top of the building causing his death. NEAR EAST MEETING ON NOVEMBER 19, AT TRACO Community meeting will be held on Sunday evening, November 19, at the Traco Theatre, in order that the village may do its share toward the relief of distress in the Near East. A speaker, who was in Smyrna [Greece] just before the burning of that city, will tell some of the things he saw before he left the Orient. A motion picture film, taken in the Near East, will show what is being done for the children in that stricken land. All the churches will close that night and the pastors will take part in the service. CARPENTER FELL FROM ROOF SUNDAY, AND LOST HIS LIFE Edward Taylor, a carpenter, aged 75 years, fell from a roof last Sunday, while working on a house on Massachusetts Avenue, Lakewood, and was killed by the fall. Dr. Frank Brouwer, the coroner, was called, and gave a burial permit. Taylor was an Englishman by birth. FISH AND GAME The seasons for upland game—rabbit, quail, pheasant, squirrel, etc.—begins a week from today, November 10, and lasts until December 15. It used to be the boast of some of the local folks that they could kill a rabbit a day during a longer season than this, but there are probably few that will make that record today. There may be as many rabbits and quail as formerly, some say there are, and some not, but it is not to be doubted that there are more gunners year after year. Up around New Egypt they made quite a todo about squirrel hunting. It takes a good shot to drop a squirrel from a tall tree, they say. Grey squirrels are fairly plentiful up that way, with somewhat of pheasants, and a few of those English hares that Pierre Lorrilard stocked his Rancacas farm with thirty years ago. Crow ducks have been the chief game in the upper bay in the past week or so. They are killed by “driving,” that is, a fleet of rowboats get outside a flock of crow chickens, as they sit in the mouth of a cove, and by rowing up the cove, drive the birds ahead of them. When the birds are cornered by the shore, they will rise and fly back to the bay, and must pass over the line of boats to do this. Then is when the gunners blaze away. When the chickens are in full force, and the hunters also, it becomes almost a slaughter. A few geese have been bagged in favorable conditions, but not many. It is said that there are cubheads, rednecks, broadbills and other early ducks in the bay, but mostly they sit out in the middle of the bay during the daytime and feed at night. Pike fishing is good if the water is cold. The pike, for food, is at his best just now, firm and dry-fleshed. Lots of perch to be had, too, if you like perch fishing. The bluefish, weakfish, croakers, kingfish and drum have pretty well left our bays and gone south, or wherever they spend the winter. Just where that is, with the weakfish, for instance, no one has yet learned. In spite of the fact that the surf caster gets wet to the skin from head to foot, and the additional fact that seawater these days is cooling off from its summer temperature, there was a large number of surf fishermen along the beaches on the last week end. The striped bass is what most of them are looking for just now. Net fishermen have their nets out, getting them in shape for the winter fishing in Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor. Sea bass have been biting well around the inlet if you know the right spots. An old wreck, a stonepile, or anything that will grow barnacles is where you will find these fish. Another summer gone by and the sheepshead are still among the missing. Who can tell where they are, why they went, and whether or not they will come back? PERSONAL William Farr, who left Toms River about twenty years ago, and is now living at Long Island City, has been spending a few days at his old home here this week. While living here, he had a home and a monument yard where the Central House now stands, on Water Street, and he was prominent as a Red Man. He said Toms River and vicinity had grown so that he hardly knew where he was. Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Clayton, of Pine Beach, left on Monday for a two months' tour of the west, stopping off at Chicago for a few days, also visiting the Grand Canyon. Their destination is Oakland, Cal. They will return home by the southern route, stopping at El Paso, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla., also spending a few days visiting friends in Washington, D.C. Capt. and Mrs. Ira C. Lambert leave Toms River Wednesday of next week to spend the winter in Rockledge, Fla. Hugo Harms is preparing to make a trip to Florida in the yacht James Monroe. Mr. and Mrs. Fanning have returned to Cambridge, Mass., for the winter, Mr. Fanning having been assistant manager of the Marion Inn the past summer. Mr. and Mrs. William Linkey, of Montray Park, entertained their friends at a Hallowe'en party. Mr. James Mackin and son, George, have gone home for a gunning trip. RECENT DEATHS Cornelius Firman Lemon Firman Lemon, a well-known resident of Bayville, died October 23, after some time of sickness, aged 74 years. He was buried in Bayville Cemetery, the funeral in charge of C.P. Anderson; services conducted by Rev. Jesse Foster, of Lakehurst, at the Bayville M.E. Church. He was the son of Isaiah and Rachel (Clayton) Lemon, was a bayman, and had lived all his life in this region. TOWN LIFEBARNEGAT A beautiful drive just now is to go west of Barnegat on the Buddtown road [today Route 72]. The oaks are all shades of dull red, from wine to brown, and some have a mixture of gold and orange. Over the high rolling gravel hills it makes a wonderful ride on a golden October day. From the first hill back of the town, the bay, the beach and the ocean can be seen on a nice day. The little girls and boys had a good time Hallowe'end night, all dressed up. I guess some of the older ones had fun going from home to home; and I guess a good time also. The friends of J. Howard Perrine are very glad to see him out again if it is only for a little while after his two weeks' sickness. Carlton Bros. are having an ice house built at the lower landing, ready for next season's fishing. With the condition of our creek they are likely to get most of the business as it is quite difficult to get the upper landing at ordinary tide. At the rate our creek is filling up, it's only a matter of a short time before we will have to abandon the upper landing except for very small boats, and a few more docks built out at the lower landing, that, too, will soon be impassable. If the bay business should go there it would soon fill up the entire front, but no one seems to care just so he can get in and out today. BAY HEAD Thirteen Swede fishermen employed at the pounds of the Bay Head Fish Co. struck on Saturday last. They had been working for $70 a month, and when their demand for $80 was refused, they all quit. The fishery has four pounds, and the company managers stated that they would likely close out two of them and work only two for the balance of the season, which will not now last much longer. Bay Head school is one of the Junior Red Cross schools, and the pupils have been packing Christmas boxes for the poor children of Europe. Today will be the yearly meeting of the local Home and School Association, when officers for the year will be chosen. This association has been active. It has bought a fine victrola for the local school, and recently made a payment of $50 on its cost. The remainder they expect to clean up soon. The children of the school raised $25 toward the victrola fund with the sale of flower bulbs. Frank Ferry, the Bay Head builder, has taken the contract to repair all the stations on the Trenton division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. BAYVILLE Yesterday morning, as the children were gathering at school, a truck went by with a rope trailing behind, and in the rope was a loop. Elmer, the 11-year-old son of Clarence Worth, boy-like, jumped on the rope, caught his foot in the loop and was dragged a considerable distance before the driver of the truck found out what was the matter. Dr. Brouwer found the lad scratched and bruised, the skin off in many and large spots, but no bones broken, and no serious injuries. BEACH HAVEN The Misses Atkins, who have spent the summer touring through Europe, could not finish up the vacation season without a visit to Beach Haven. They have been at their Atlantic Avenue cottage with a jolly house party of friends, but returned home last week. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hanson have moved from Beach Haven to their Tuckerton home for the winter. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have charge of the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club House during the summer. BEACHWOOD The Hallowe'en party held at the club house on Saturday evening, by the Beachwood Women's Club, was a delightful affair, and a merry group gathered around the high fireplace, partook of cider and doughnuts, while another merry group played pinochle and enjoyed it immensely. The Jack O'Lantern on Atlantic City Boulevard will be open all winter. FORKED RIVER Senator Frelinghuysen, Governor Runyon, Congressman Appleby and party took dinner at the Greyhound Inn, on their trip through Ocean County last week, and also spoke in the big hall at this hotel. The dinner was a revelation to the visitors as to what a Forked River shore dinner is, and they enjoyed it hugely. They held an enthusiastic meeting here. Mrs. Charles Mason this week received a cable from her husband overseas. The Wider Bros., on Hollywood farm, have a fine crop of sweet potatoes. One of the sons of George Gould, of Lakewood, has engaged John Horner's houseboat for a gunning trip after wild fowl. Capt. Joe Smires is enclosing the porch at his home, and building a summer kitchen. Capt. Joe Smires is building two sneakboxes for Dr. Cladek, of Rahway. ISLAND HEIGHTS Gunners are in evidence now, and a few ducks are seen carried home by them. Our net fishermen are getting ready for the fall fishing. Not so many interested in this as there were a few years ago, the boys say. Too much other work. Many of our building mechanics are busy making alterations and repairs at various homes about the borough. Boatbuilding, just now, also seems to consist chiefly of repairs and alterations to craft already built rather than building new yachts. Mrs. Peto had a full house for the week end. LAKEHURST The Lakehurst Fire Company held a dance in Red Men's Hall Thursday evening, of last week, which was well attended and a financial success. Oscar W.F. Hicks, of the Naval Air Station, and Miss Sarah Herrick, of Lakehurst, were married at the Presbyterian parsonage in Lakehurst Saturday. LANOKA George Mason had strawberries ripening from early spring up till frost. The young folks celebrated Hallowe'en on Saturday night, ahead of time and thus took folks by surprise. When you drive through Lanoka stop and go down Bayway to Lanoka Beach and see what a fine location it is. Some fine houses are to go up there soon. We are destined to have a considerable settlement there, we firmly believe. MANAHAWKIN The recent sale of the Predmore hall and store, at Manahawkin, has made it necessary to change the voting place for Stafford Township to C.H. Cranmer's office, just a few doors from the Predmore building. OCEAN GATE A Hallowe'en party was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Throckmorten, Jr., on Tuesday evening of this week. The evening was spent in games and dancing. At a late hour refreshments were served. All had a fine time. Work on the new addition to the fire house was started this week. SEASIDE HEIGHTS The masquerade held in the basement of the church last Friday was a great success, the young people enjoying the games which Rev. Mr. Hampton had prepared. Cake and lemonade was served to all. A Hallowe'en social and masquerade was held on Monday evening by the school children in Holland Hall. Several prizes were given out. George Applegate, of Coast Guard Station 109, was home in Toms River on Wednesday. SEASIDE PARK On Tuesday morning a goodly crowd gathered to meet Governor Edwards, James W. Lille, Addison U. Moore and Mr. Geran, and to hear the addresses. The fire siren was blown and a band of several pieces preceded the party to call the people. Henry La Fetra has stared a bungalow on Farragut Avenue, expecting to occupy it this winter. The Boy Scouts had a large attendance at their dance at the Manhasset Hotel. Many out -of-town visitors. William Bates is making preparations to go to Florida for the winter. Fred Penn will superintend the milk business. Current talk is that there will be as much building this winter and spring as there was last year. A new platform has been built at the P.R.R. freight station. The Girl Scouts held a masquerade ball on Hallowe'en at Firemen's Hall. Quite a number of our people motor to Toms River Saturday evening for shopping and the motion pictures. SILVERTON The postman left a number of invitations in Silverton last week for relatives and friends of Miss Alda Tilton, of Bay Head, whose marriage to Frank Hewitt, of Seaside Park, will take place Wednesday, November 8. The Hallowe'en merrymakers were out in quite a large body Tuesday evening. The processional, in coming into the writer's home, was led by a couple wearing bridal attire, bearing a sign, “Just Married.” When questioned who did it, they answered we just left the parsonage. This was pronounced at this stop, first prize costume; all the others, masks and costumes, were funny, and we must give them credit for excellent behavior. Doesn't that sound good for a bunch of boys and girls on Hallowe'en? WEST CREEK Our oyster shippers are making good use of the good weather and disposing of their stock in city markets in large quantities. Miss Blanche Cranmer has accepted the position of “Hello” girl in the Central office, in Tuckerton. The political pot is simmering, getting ready for the spill over in the near future. Messrs. Runyon, Frelinghuysen, Appleby and several of the lesser lights stopped in our town on their way along the shore route, and told us the same old story, though perhaps more modernized by necessity of recent laws to be enforced. Of course each faction expected to be elected, but let us hope that while right is right, we will exercise the best there is in us to see the right man in the right place. ADS OF INTERESTMISSED AN ISSUE?Summer-Autumn 1922 Catchup May & June 1922 April 1922 March 1922 Part II March 1922 Part I February 17th, 1922 February 10th, 1922 February 3rd, 1922 January 27th, 1922 January 20th, 1922 January 13th, 1922 January 6th, 1922 December 30th, 1921 December 23rd, 1921 December 16th, 1921 December 9th, 1921 December 2nd, 1921 November 25th, 1921 November 18th, 1921 November 11th, 1921 November 4th, 1921 October 28th, 1921 October 21st, 1921 October 14th, 1921 October 7th, 1921 September 30th, 1921 September 23rd, 1921 September 16th, 1921 September 9th, 1921 Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays - 10 am to 2 pm
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