By Morris Rote-Rosen
A Merry Christmas and thank you all for your fine Christmas remembrances of Fred Thompson whom you have made happier on this Christmas day - perhaps the happiest in his life ... The dollar bills were still rolling in at this writing and we have long passed the century mark. A complete list will be published in next week's issue of the Sentinel and the names of his many friends who contributed have been mailed to him with the money special delivery. The prayer book went with it.
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And as we approached the deadline for contributions, there were more pleasant notes accompanying them ... From Mrs. Will (Switchie) Hughes: "We all thought a lot of Fred and as you say he was a good friend and fellow, so I say thanks for all your goodness, and may God bless and be good to you and yours" ... And Fred will also be pleased to learn that the Granville Veterans of Foreign Wars haven't forgotten him in his hour of need. Five dollars was voted by the Falvey-Fringi Post 1653 VFW.
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From Dazie Fleming Amsler and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fyfe: "We read in the Sentinel about Fred Thompson. I can remember him very well and we were sorry to know about his condition. Your column is read by every member of our family. When the Sentinel arrives late we laugh at the disgust of my folks when it does not arrive on Saturday. Enclosed is five dollars for the Thompson Fund and from Charles Fyfe, Mom and myself. Sorry it isn't more. Will you see that it gets to him?" ... Thanks, Dazie ... (Mother is with Lena in Gloversville this winter.)
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From Toronto, Canada: "We note that you are raising a Christmas Fund for Fred Thompson, who was at one time a patient in the Red Chevron hospital. For your information, I would note that Mr. Thompson has been transferred to Christie Street Hospital, Christie Street, Toronto, for further treatment, and I have passed your letter on to the Hospital Superintendent of that institution." The letter was signed by J. M. Nettleton, hospital superintendent, and we are passing the information along to our readers who inquired about the address for the purpose of writing to Fred Thompson.
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Anna Stanton Getty, who died about two weeks ago, was at one time acting village clerk after her father's death. He held that position for about two years ... Neil McCormick returns regularly this time of the year with his annual complimentary calendar. Neil is assistant foreign freight agent for the New York Central railroad ... If Richard W. Stanton is advanced to the position of chief of police, he will be youngest ever to hold that office in Granville, since 1885 following such old timers as "Jim" Walsh, "Bob" Close, "Tom" Murray, Harry Thomas and "Pat" Roche.
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Pat Roche served as chief of police 23 years ... His life was saved when Hugh P. (Coach) Williams stepped out to take "Pat's" place to set off that faulty air-raid bomb which killed Hugh ... "Pat" Roche chief of police, and "Jim" Potter, police justice, who were associated together in the local police court for more than 20 years, died within 24 hours of the same day of the month, 6 years apart. Pat Roche died December 6, 1947, at 2:30 a.m. ... "Jim" Potter died December 7, 1941 at 4:30 o'clock.
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"Jim" Potter was a dyed-in-the-wool, life-long Republican and "Pat" Roche, who varied in his political affiliations, from time to time, was a staunch and enthusiastic supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The two clashed time and again in their political arguments, but neither ever got personal about it. But, who ever got the worst of the argument, in accordance with the particular subject discussed, the "loser" would take to the door without saying a word and not return for several hours, until he "cooled off." The result was always the same: Face red, coat tail flying, a slam of the door, and all was peace in the police court - till the next argument.
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Speaking before the Laymen's Council of the Baptist church a few evenings ago, we spent a most enjoyable evening in the company of a group of men who can do a lot for their church in Granville. Women have altogether borne the burden of financial support of the churches for too many years. Men have such a much wider field for their activities and can become the keystone in the support of their churches at a time when religious institutions need both moral and financial support. What an example men can set at a time when all churches are so badly in need of laymen's leadership and guidance.
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Seeing yeast cakes being unloaded from a new shiny enclosed truck, to one of our local stores, recalls the days when Will Woodard sold them, going from store to store carrying a small black case and traveling on foot. Remember Will? ... Why all this silence about the 58th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hatch. Their many friends wish them many more such happy returns ... John Rowland laughs when he tells about the time he, with a group of young men, "ganged up" on a not so good looking Granville young lady to vote her the prize winner of the most beautiful girl in Granville, at a Kikapoo Indian medicine show, in old Norton Hall ... The rascals!
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From Frederick C. Ives, of Rutland, a former Granville resident, and a particular good friend of ours, who writes that he enjoys "Main Street" because it has a sort of human touch to it," comes a most interesting letter. Mr. Ives is an uncle of Mrs. Walter H. Rathbun and he hasn't worked in Granville in 60 years. He was born on a farm about one mile north of Truthville and he gave up farming because "after raising 1,400 bushels of potatoes one summer and drawing them to Comstock for 20 cents per bushel," he decided that farming was a poor way to make a living then.
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He next worked as a carpenter for Jimmy Northup and broke his leg while building a barn for Arza Dibble in South Granville. Carpentering was out. On his crutches he wound up in the office of the "Granville Republican" and became a printer. He was marooned in the printing office during the blizzard of 1888 and he recalls how he slept in the printing office until Granville could dig itself out. Mr. Ives helped organize the North Granville band and was the first to give Ed Vail a snare drum. "I understand," writes Mr. Ives, "that he still is snare drummer whenever there is band in Granville."
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"One year," continues Mr. Ives, "during a presidential campaign, there was a company of about 80 horsemen organized under the command of Leroy Barnard. Frank Hicks was captain. We would go to town where there was a campaign and put on quite a show of marching. One night marching through Middle Granville in fine form, someone, presumably a Democrat, threw a lighted cannon cracker under the horses' feet and we were everywhere between the fences. But those boys were good horsemen and we were back in line in short order." ... Glad to hear from you Mr. Ives, Merry Christmas to you and Mrs. Ives.
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