Vrolijk Kerstmis 


The unknown history behind
O HOLY NIGHT!

In 1847 a commissioner of wine in France, Mr. Placide Cappeau, was asked by his parish priest to write a poem for the Christmas Eve service.  On a hard carriage ride to Paris, the gentleman imagined himself a witness to the birth of Christ.  The wonder of that glorious moment flowed through his pen, and he gave us the poem "Cantique de Noel" ("Song of Christmas).  Cappeau had the words, but now he needed the music to lift souls heavenward in song.  

He asked his friend, Adolphe Charles Adams.  It was an unusual request.  Adams was a trained classical musician, but he was of the Jewish faith.  Nevertheless, he good naturedly received his friend's request and began at once to compose an original tune for the poem.  It was a perfect match and the song was performed for the congregation on Christmas Eve.  The French people loved the carol, but later after Cappeau left the church for the philosophy of socialism, and after it was discovered that the composer was not of the Christian faith, the church leadership banned the song from its liturgy throughout France.

However, the French people would not let the song die and continued to embrace it--even if they had to sing it outside the official approval of the church.  Ten years later, an American abolitionist, John Sullivan Dwight, heard the carol and loved its vibrant message of hope---especially the verse that says "Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease."  His English translation quickly became popular in the North during the American Civil War.   

Legend has it that the French Catholic Church finally received the song back into its worship services after an encounter between French and German troops during the Franco-Prussian War.  During a lull in fighting, a French soldier began singing "Cantique de Noel."  The Germans were so moved that they responded by singing one of Luther's hymns.  The "songfest" encouraged the soldiers to honor a truce for 24 hours on Christmas.

The end of this story involves the beginning of modern technology--the invention of the radio.  On Christmas Eve, 1906, Reginald Fessenden (a former colleague of Thomas Edison) was experimenting with a microphone and the telegraph.  Fessenden began reading the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke chapter 2.  Around the world, wireless operators on ships and at newspaper desks began to hear a man's voice come out of their machines.  It was the first radio broadcast of a man's voice. . . .and it was the Gospel of Christ.  But it doesn't end there.
Fessenden then picked up a violin and began to play a tune.  You guessed it. . . . . "O Holy Night." 

The song written by a wine merchant, set to music by a Jewish composer, banned by church leaders, kept alive by the French, adopted by American abolitionists,  sung by troops in the trenches, and at last broadcast to the whole world by invisible radio waves.  The first song ever played over the radio:  "O Holy Night."  

Fall on your knees.  O hear the angel voices.  O night divine.  The night when Christ was born.  O night divine. 
Courtesy  - A Moment in History by Jeff Sanders
 Newspaper items - from long ago!

Port Jervis
Christmas, the post office will be open from 7 a. m. to 12 noon. Carriers will make one delivery at 7 a. m. except in the business district where a delivery will be made after the arrival of the paper train. Collections from all boxes will be made during deliveries. The postal savings and money order departments will be closed. No carrier window service will be given, this will allow the carriers more time for deliveries and it is believed they will accomplish more than they would by coming back to the office All mails will be made up and despatched the same as usual. Service on the rural delivery route will be the same as usual.
Four extra carriers with horses and sleighs will deliver Christmas packages in the morning
EVENING GAZETTE             DECEMBER 23, 1915.    


  HYMENEAL 
 KERR - SHAY
 Mr. Frank Kerr, of upper Montague, N. J., and Miss Lizzie V. Shay were united in marriage at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, at the home of the bride's parents, Erie conductor and Mrs. Ephriam Shay, of Tri-States. The ceremony was performed in the presence of a small company of friends, by Rev. T. H. Mackenzie, after which refreshments were served. The happy couple left town on train 2 for a wedding tour to New York, after which they will reside in Montague. They are both excellent young people, and their many friends will be pleased to extend congratulations. The bride was attired in a tailor made gown.
THE EVENING GAZETTE                  DECEMBER 15, 1904. 

Cole - Shay.
  MONTAGUE, Dec. 10.
A very pretty home wedding took place last evening at 6:30 at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Shay, near Centreville, where, in the presence of one hundred invited guests, their daughter Sylvia was united in marriage to Mr. Clarence Cole, son of Mr. Geo. N. Cole of Montague. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. C. W. Demming of the Hainesvllle M. E. Church. After the usual congratulations all present partook of a splendid supper prepared for the occasion. The bride was dressed and looked lovely in a blue sea foam cloth dress, trimmed with velvet to match ; the groom in the customary dress suit. The presents were numerous and well selected, but your correspondent is unable to mention them, although I noticed several envelopes with green paper inside. Among those in attendance outside of Sandyston township were :~Mr. and Mrs. Ephram Shay of Port Jervis ; Mrs. Peter Rundle and son of Mongaup ; Mr. John Swartwout and family and Mrs. B. A. Westbrook of Branchville; Mr, and Mrs. Benj. Kyte of Milford; Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Rundle, Mrs. Betsey Bennett, Mrs. Hannah Shay, Mr. and Mrs. Electus Shimer, Mr. and Mrs. Corey Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. N. Cole, Mrs. Alice Van Auken and Mr. H. Ludwig and family of Montague. May their married life be long and happy is the wish of their many friends. H. L.
 TRI-STATES UNION       DEC. 1895


The elegant sleighing that we have enjoyed for several weeks, gives joy to the cardiac system of the juvenile coaster, and to some of a larger growth it is not particularly disagreeable to take a glide down the steep ascents that surround Carpenters Point. These beautiful moonlight nights are taken advantage of, and the hills are plentifully sprinkled with men, women and children, who make the air resound with their halloas. This is innocent sport and healthful, but care should be taken not to interfere with public travel. A team belonging to Isaac Clawson of Logtown, was run into Thursday night, and a runaway ensued. It therefore behooves the people who coast to keep their eyes open.
EVENING GAZETTE         JANUARY 11, 1884

 December 19th, 1776 - Thomas Paine published his first "American Crisis" essay, which began with these words: " These are the times that try men's souls...". 

 No. 1 of this series was written during Washington's retreat across New Jersey. By Washington's orders, it was read to his dispirited and suffering soldiers. These are words that should be remembered across New Jersey and the nation, for those very struggling soldiers fighting for independence never gave up. 
Courtesy -The History Girl
https://www.facebook.com/njantiques
Having difficulty reading this ? 

In the older font styles, "s" looked like "f"  -   so try again keeping that in mind.
Ask some present-day students if they can read someone's handwritten signature or a document recorded in script, such as the original copy of the Declaration of Independence, or hand-written letters.    Many cannot.
Did you know Santa didn't always wear a red suit!
Courtesy West Jersey History Facebook post.
 Last weekend to experience 
Holiday festivities locally!




What may this coming Winter bring us?

Imagine having the conditions related in the 
Jan. 6, 1877  THE EVENING GAZETTE:

VERY DEEP SNOW—TRAVEL SUSPENDED. 

The snow is reported four feet deep on the level in the upper townships, and in many places the roads are so badly blockaded that many people are unable to get any distance from home. Between Milford and Port Jervis there are two roads branching off from the main road—one leading to the farm of Henry Hall, the other to the farm of Soveryne Van Noy, along the banks of the Delaware river. Both of these roads are drifted so full that those blocked in have been unable to get out since Friday. The new road leading from James Rose's to the Delaware bridge is also drifted full, being above the fences in many places, and unless the snow goes off there will be no further travel over this road this winter.
Drivers remain alert!

Today hunters may be out spotting deer and spoof a few today, as well as through the active shotgun and black-powder seasons. 

The shotgun hunting season officially opens tomorrow 
-- meaning a shot at a buck or a bear is legal
 30 minutes before the 7:11 a.m. sunrise starting Monday, Dec. 7th.
THE EVENING GAZETTE—PORT JERVIS, N. Y., 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1881

THE LATE ISAAC BONNELL


Our esteemed Montague correspondent
and historian, B. A. W., writes an able article
on the death of the Hon. Isaac Bonnell
of that town , whose death occurred on
the 26th of last month , from which we
make the  following excerpts:
The deceased had enjoyed throughout a
long and not uneventual life a degree of
physical and mental vigor accorded to but
few, and even up to the middle of the present
month , from all outward indications,he
had some years of life in store.
Upon election day he drove his own horse and
carriage down to the Brick House to the
polls as usual, the rain of that day offering
no obstacle to his resolute will, and also
upon the following day attending a church
meeting in the old Minisink church. After
this he complained of an indisposition resulting
from a cold, yet he continued around
overseeing his business upon the farm up to 
about a week ago, since which time he
was from necessity confined to his room. 

The parents of deceased were Captain
Jame s Bonnell, a Continental officer, who
served in this valley during the war of Independance,
and Elizabeth Shimer, daughter of Captain
Abraham Shimer of Montague.
Isaac was the third son born of this
union, during the temporary residence of
his parents at Dingmans, Pike county, Pa.

Owing to the very limited pecuniary
means of his parents, the subject of this
sketch was when young thrown wholly
upon his own unaided resources. And it
is through this circumstance , united to his
inherent energy and indomitable will, that
we must trace the growth of that self-reliance
which in his mature years laid the
foundation of his fortune.

After working at such odd jobs as he
could get among the neighboring farmers
during his more youthful years, we find
him in the spring of 1809, at the age of 19
years, indentured to one Jesse Reynolds to
learn the trade of a mill-wright. From
this date forward his career was one of
success. Reynolds was an accomplished
mechanic ; for years he had served under
Julius Foster, and for some time had been
his trusted foreman, and now had succeeded
to the business and good will of his
former employer, who had retired from
the business. Our apprentice soon had the
ear of his master, and his years of apprenticeship
were among the happiest of his
life. The first job of work, done in the
spring of 1809, was for the Belknaps of
Newburgh, N. Y. The hands all walked
from the Brick House to Newburgh, carrying
their tools upon their backs, but theboss,
 Reynolds, who kept a saddle horse, as was 
the custom of the times, for his individual use.

During the succeeding 30 years, first as
an apprentice, then as a journeyman , and
next as contractor, and finally as proprietor,
through all the graduations of the business,
our subject advances. Sometimes
working as far down the Delaware as Easton,
and anon over along the easterly
branches of the Susquehanna and up 
Slocum Hollow, sometimes in Sussex county,
nearer home , but principally in Sullivan
county, N. Y., and further north along the
headwaters of the branches that discharge
their waters in the Delaware river.

The occupation of a practical mill-wright
necessarily brought the subject of our
sketch into close relationship with the 
businessmen and capitalists of the country at
that early date, and upon the revival of
business succeeding the depression incident
to the war of 1812, found him in a position
fit to avail himself of his opportunities.

There were at this time large tracts of
valuable timber lands lying upon both
sides of the Delaware river and in the
market at a nominal price, and which only
needed developing to make them productive.
He seized upon this opportunity and
by making several judicious purchases in
Sullivan county, N. Y., he was enabled to
realize by a resale of his lumber property
enough ready capital to satisfy his ambition
in that direction. Resolved to retire
from the lumber business he purchased
several farms near home and gave his sole
attention to farming during the remainder
of his days.

In his retirement he entered into politics,
and among the offices which he has honorably
filled were seats in both houses of our
State Legislature, each for the term of
three years. He has ever taken a prominent 
part in matters of public interest, and
though far from being without faults, (it has
 been his misfortune often to be misunderstood)
he yet had many counterbalancing
virtues, and I trust it would be well
for many of our public men were they
equally well assured that their foibles
would be as soon forgiven and forgotten,
and the meritorious act only find remembrance.
 B. A. W
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