Main Street – June 24, 1948

By Morris Rote-Rosen

Dr. Willis A. Tenney was the last of a group of Granville professional and business men who shaped the community life of our village three quarters of a century ago. His death removes the last of a long list of names whose influence is even felt at the present time. He was more than a physician. He was the typical country doctor of another generation who also was a friend, counselor and adviser to the people he called on, in connection with his profession, and whose prescription was more than a few home-made pills.

Dr. Tenney was the typical physician of the Seventies and Eighties. He made his calls on foot, through snow drifts with horse and buggy, when the roads were passable. When the bicycle became popular, Dr. Tenney made his calls on his bike, gripping the handle-bars with one hand and dangling his black bag by his side with the other. Surgery had not yet reached the modern method of operation and Dr. Tenney performed surgery at the home of the patient. But, Dr. Tenney never stood still in his profession. He adopted all the more modern methods as the years of practice went on, until he retired. His passing closes an era in Granville when names such as these were familiar on the Main street: Hugh G. Hughes, Fitch Ottarson, Dr. Aaron Goodspeed, Slocum B. Norton, Oscar Baldwin and "Jock" Warren.

"Jack" Farmer commenting on the recent column of the minstrel shows which played at the Pember opera house said that a Negro minstrel troup anxious to catch a train from Whitehall for New York at midnight, after a performance at the Pember opera house, was taken by him in his hay rack to Whitehall. Passing what was then known as "The Haunted House" in Truthville, Jack Farmer informed his colored passenger boys that the house is supposed to be haunted and that at the stroke of midnight hour of twelve, mysterious sounds are heard coming from the "Haunted House". The Negro boys got fidgity and nervous and asked "Jack" to speed up his team, while passing the "Haunted House". Said one of them to "Jack" Farmer: "If I hear a noise coming from dat house," his eyes rolling in fright, "I start running and I will flatten every one of dem hills between here and Whitehall."

Not so long ago the Parent-Teachers Association held the title of the "Baby" among local civic groups; now it is the Mettowee Valley Business and Professional Women's Club. The enthusiasm which the members of this new group of active business and professional women are showing speaks well for this new organization taking its place in our community to help all progressive movements. Miss Margaret Wunder, the president, is the right person in the right place. Her ability for leadership will steer the new organization on a proper course. Welcome to Granville.

A recent newspaper headline read: "Egyptians Struggle to Escape Jewish Trap". It is history repeating itself in reverse. Isn't there a similar headline in the Bible which might read: "Jews Struggle to Escape Egyptian Trap", written about 4,000 years ago? ... When Robert E. Jones met "Joe" Ellis he said: "Do you know that Jane Davies is 95 years old and she has lived in Granville sixty-six years?" Replied "Joe": "That's nothing. I have been living here fifty-eight years and I am no wheres near ninety-five." Startled at Joe's quick reply, "Bob" looked him over and said: "Duw!" And when a Welshman says "Duw" it carries a lot of meaning with it.

Granville veterans who gathered at banquets, or at official visits, will remember the team of "Shorty and Slim". Two World War I veterans, who entertained with violin and accordion. "Slim" was Vieley and "Shorty" is Raoul Treehouse. "Slim" Vieley was buried in Glens Falls about two weeks ago, his remains being returned from Guam where he died in a hospital while serving with the "Seabees" in World War II. "Slim" Vieley's spirit must have hovered over such a large group of veterans organizations and friends who turned out to pay their last tribute of respect to one who entertained veterans at so many functions. The funeral was one of the largest ever accorded a veteran of World War I or II in this vicinity.

That was a strange coincidence of "Listen Folks" and "Main Street" writing a paragraph, on the same subject at the same time - about civil rights in the United States. John D. Kelley seems to be pleased that someone is in accord with some of his opinions. Communists often get their ears pinned back by some displeased reader but those who agree seldom take the trouble to compliment the writer when he strikes the nail on the head. Someday, John D., perhaps long after we are gone, racial and religious prejudice may yet be wiped out and an American citizen will be judged for what he is worth to his community, state and nation and not by the color of his skin or the kind of a church he enters. We may yet achieve true democracy some day. Who knows?

In choosing "Joe" Forcucci for the office of Commander of the Granville Post of the American Legion, the Legionnaires selected one of the hardest workers of the Post. "Joe" is a tireless worker and an enthusiastic supporter of the organization. And he has the support of every member in it. Leadership in any organization is the answer to the success or failure of that organization and "Joe" will give a good account of himself. This should prove a good year for the Granville Post of the American Legion. it is possible that the World War II memorial may be dedicated while Commander Forcucci is in office.

Now that the movement of the Memorial is under way it is like an avalanche rolling down hill. The veterans of Granville are now anxious to see the bronze tablet memorial realized, their details having been assigned to them. Slate quarry operators seem anxious to cooperate with the veterans by offering slate stones of any color required for the memorial. And the plans and specifications are being prepared so that the date of dedication of the bronze tablet memorial, on the site of the wooden Honor Roll, may now be advanced of that originally planned.

One important factor about which few are familiar with are the records of the Granville veterans of World War II whose roster was kept by Bert E. Yurdin. Bert has kept a perpetual record of the Granville men and women as they entered the service - six hundred and ninety six of them. These are recorded in alphabetic order. The name of the veterans who died in the service are recorded with the name, place, date and cause of death. In short it is the only and most complete official record from which the names will be taken to be inscribed in bronze on the Memorial. For that, Bert, thanks from all the veterans.

Clarence Barden came into the office with a puzzled expression on his face. "What is martial status?" he asked. He was informed that it means the war status or the battle status. "It can't be," said Clarence, and he pointed at a paper form he held in his hand. "Oh, that reads marital status. It asks whether you are married or single." The difference may not mean much to Clarence who is still single, but a married man would easily grasp the meaning that the world "martial" and "marital" is one and the same to some husbands.

Mrs. Bennie Jones commenting on the tax rate in Granville said that the tax on a home like hers in Massachusetts would be much less than it is here. "But, would you rather live in Massachusetts than in Granville?" we asked. "Oh, indeed not," answered Mrs. Jones, "I have too many dear memories and associations with Granville. It will take more than taxes to make me leave this place." ... Alma Kitchell happy to be back at the cottage on Lake St. Catherine. "I have fifteen weeks at the lake," said Mrs. Kitchell, who will, no doubt, make her weekly trips to New York for her radio broadcast program just the same.