USA > New York > Greene County > The "old times" corner : first series, 1929-1930 > Part 7
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Signed, Elijah Bushnell, Chairm. Henry Goslee. Sec.
Dec. 17, 1829-A writer who signs himself a "Wayfaring Man" com- ments on the improvement of roads from Athens to Madison ( Leeds) as follows: "The ascent of the 'Kallek-berg' has been reduced many degrees at great expense and labor .* The great plain of the Wolf-gap, a mile across swamp ground, has been substantially academized. -- parts of the main street elevated and permanently bedded with stones and adorned by the elegant new house of Casper Van Loon and the firm brick stores of James G. Foster and Castle Seeley."-V. (.) Nor. 28, 1929.
* (Lord knows, it is steep enough yet! !-- Editor).
When the Windham Turnpike Was Built. [1824]
In 1824 Robert Turney, of Windham, found his cows one morning doing battle with a large black bear. The cows did not seem to be much concerned in the matter, trusting to their sharp horns to keep bruin in his proper place. and when Mr. Turney arrived on the scene with an axe the bear started for the mountain side. On the way, so the story goes, he turned to take a last lingering look at the Windham turnpike then being built, reflecting no doubt on the changes which would follow its completion, making the country nusafe for bears.
"Unfortunately that moment was his last for Mr. Turney ended his life with a fatal blow. Within the last week," the article goes on to state. "many bears have been seen along the new road. They have. no doubt. come to pay a farewell visit to the ground they have so often traversed in safety; but which they are not henceforth to consider as their own." ---- V. Oct. 23, 1930.
The Old Malden Turnpike. [1825-1900]
was incorporated in 1825 as the Bristol turnpike, that being then the name of present Malden. The road was built and running in 1830, when the change of name occurred. It started from Malden-on-Hudson and con- tinued west to Kaatsbaan four-corners on the Old Kings Road, where until recently stood the ruins of a large limekiln, and on (following the course of the present concrete road but with many more twists and turns in
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OLD TIMES CORNER
Quarryville ) to Palenville, where it ran on the south side of the Kaaters Kill to site of the present Palenville hotel (swimming pool). There it joined the old Blue Mountain, or Hunter. turnpike ( "clove road" > as that crossed the creek. It was one of the last of the major turnpikes built in this county, though less than two miles lay within the bounds of Greene county, and it carried a heavy traffic from the huge tanneries of Hunter township to the shipping docks at Malden. Later, as the bluestone busi- ness grew, a stone tramway was laid on one side of it from Quarryville to the stone-working docks on the river, to which we used to skate down in winter time, and where huge saws and planes prepared the flagstones from Quarryville for the "sidewalks of New York." Here and there one of the deeply rutted stones of the old tramway may still be seen sticking up through the macadam on the south side of the present road, especially near the railway crossing. The old lumbering low-slung stone-carts are gone but not wholly forgotten .- C. June 26, 1930.
Here's Another Item [1829]
from Mrs. Vedder. How we would like to see the honor roll of these grand jurors of 1829 who wouldn't touch a drop! Who'll find the list for us?
1829-"The Grand Jurors, nineteen in number, were sworn in on May 25, and did their business at the tavern. No strong drink was used during the session. On the 26th their business was finished and because the proprietor had received no benefit from their occupation of his room some one proposed that liquor should be bought. A number of decanters with various kinds of liquor was sent up, but all excused themselves from drinking, and the jurors contributed $5 for the use of the room."- V. (C.) Dec. 5, 1929.
In 1830 a Fire [1830]
engine company was incorporated by law in "the village of Williamson. in the town of Hunter," Greene County. We have never heard of a William- son village in this county. Nevertheless the reference is correct. the bill having been sponsored by our Mr. Quackenhoss, assemblyman from Greene. whose home was in Hunter. Which village in that town bore the name of Williamson in 1830 ?- C. May 29, 1330.
A Gentleman Over Eighty [1830 ?- 1884]
writes his recollections for the ilistorical Society, and we take the liberty to print a few of them. Mr. Willis Baldwin of Hunter is the gentleman. Will not others follow his lead? His account of the history of Hunter town and village, as he remembers them, is a delightful narrative of men and events.
"1: is men and people that make history." Mr. Baldwin truly re- marks. And he names over a hundred of the men who made history in Hunter in the last century. Of Colonel William W. Edwards, son of the original Colonel William Edwards, he says: "lle was a tall fine looking
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OLD DAYS IN HUNTER
man and in his latter days his hair and beard were white. When he walked, his body bent slightly forward as if in haste to get there."
A little episode of the first Col. Edwards and Mr. Baldwin's grandfather Richard Howk, "a large honed and powerful man," is told as it came to him from Mr. Asa Lord. "Grandfather was coming down the north side of the street. Col. Edwards's office was on the south side. Col. Edwards came out of his office and called. 'Howk, come over here.' The roadway was a streak of mud at the time. Grandfather looked across and said, 'Colonel, I don't see as it is any farther from there here than from here over there'."
Not so easy, perhaps, for the present generation to grasp. yet even your editor is not so young but he can remember when crossing Main street, Catskill, at the Bridge street corner was a perilous proceeding at this time of year, and how he once landed on the far side minus one rubber but plus quite a bit more weight.
"Another great event was when President Arthur visited Hunter." writes Mr. Baldwin. "Joel W. Mason, head of the chair manufacturing interests here, and President Arthur were old friends and workers together in the politics of New York city, and by Colonel Mason the President was invited to spend a day in Hunter. The President at the time was at the Catskill Mountain House. A delegation consisting of Grand Army men mounted, a reception committee and citizens in all kinds of horse-drawn vehicles met the President at the easterly end of the village near the Prospect House and escorted him to the Hunter House, where a grand reception was held and lunch was served. A platformi had been milt out from the upper balcony of the Hunter Honse and here the President addressed the crowd which filled the park in front of the Hunter House and the street and the Presbyterian church yard opposite
"One of the interesting features of the occasion was when Unele Eph Lord from East Jewett came in with his Fife and Drum Band. They were in red shirts on a Inmber wagon drawn by oxen, and Uncle Eph stood up in front with his fife and his sons were behind with the drums. President Arthur made a special distinction of this by going out and shaking hands with Unele Eph and the hoys and congratulating them."- C. March 13, 1930.
Old-Fashioned New Year. [1840]
Until about the year 1840. New Year's Day was kept in Catskill according to the old enstoms. In dining room or parlor a table was set covered with a cloth of white damask. on which was displayed the best china of the hostess, and whatever ent glass and silver she had. Each housewife vied with her neighbors in the preparation of the food which was displayed upon the table: of the turkey. chickens, smoked tongues and ham, biscuits and cakes. Everything was served by the daughters of the house and served cold excepting the coffee. The Episcopalians and the Dutch had also decanters of Madeira or sherry upon their tables, but this practice was forbidden by the more rigid standards of the Presby- terians.
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OLD TIMES CORNER
So long as the day was kept in the village, it was heartily kept by Harriet Schuyler Van Orden. In no house did the callers receive a kinder greeting or a more generous hospitality. On that day especially a few of the little boys of the better class, with clean hands and faces, fresh white collars turned over their roundaboutz. as jackets were then called. were allowed to make a few calls. They generally went first to her house. She talked pleasantly to theni. took no notice of their Fashfulness. never gave them good advice or talked about their souls, and filled the measur. of their hungry desires by giving to each an olykoek, which is a tooth- some and indigestible doughnut with a piece of apple or a few raisins hidden in the center. Mrs. Van Orden was the wife of Jacob Van Orden of the Imboght. and they lived on upper Main street in the old Van Orlen house.
(Taken from an old scrap book and was probably written by the late Henry Brace) .- V. Jan. 2, 1999.
The Keen Eycs [1841-1842] of our Historian. looking through an old scrap-book of ro apparent value or use to anyone, found that there was writing beneath the layer of pic- tures and poetry clippings. ] would have to give you many more iban three guesses as to what she found underneath when the top iressing wos soaked off. The treasurer's book of receipts for the oll carajotarie Rail- way, from April. 1541. to May o: 1542. Unforinnateh. every other page had been trimmed out, to make room for the thickness of clippings. but the remaining receipts are a fine collection of autographs of our former citizens, awakening many memories of the past. We ary printing the list in the hope that there are people living who will tell us something about these men and about any other things that the names call to mind. The Canajoharie & Catskill Had-Red Company as the nat ales Ch the receipts) had been in operation about four or five years when these re- ceipts were dated. and very soon afterward came to an uniimol end: in fact. the date of the last receipt in this unfinished bonk may mark the actual close of operations. We print the date. purpose While sane being for"), amount and signature. in order as recorded:
(1841) Apr. 24. $5.00 for Expences to N York to see Wasstaff. Ephraim Beach: Do .. $25.>> for work on Track. George Ploss: Do .. $19.37. ditto. P. Lavell: No .. $7.49 ditto. John Moore: Apr. 27. $15.55 ditto. Daniel Cornwall: May 1. $12.47 ditto. Samuel X Mondin his ihark. . A. Nearing Witness. [Now who was "Wagstaff"?]
May 13. $9.00 for Wood deli'd in the fall of 1x10. Israel (. Salmer [or Fuliser?]; May 15. $4.00 for Work on Track. Lewis Hickik: De .. $14.20 for work on Track. Charles Huffman: May 11. $1.00 for Ahvertis- ing for pay of instalements. Peter Mix: Apr. 21. $22.75 for work on Track. James Scott. Jr .: May 21. $15.06 ditto at Egslestoss & Cairo. Williams Purdy. [Where was "Eggleston's ":]
May 24, $16.17 for Work on Track. Paul x Freedenbarth his mark: No .. $2911 ditto. Joseph Corwin: Do .. . for tran with on Track. Huch Connor; Do .. $10.09 for Work on Cars. Joseph Hanes : Do .. $1.00 for
5$
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CANAJOHARIE RAILROAD RECEIPTS
Leather for P. R., Cole & Pocers: Dia) 15. 15.99 fer ;- 26 Wort drarin: Wood for Hunte :. S. Mallory. [Fc: who: wid ther ase Bes:hey !!
May 31, 355.5: ing Won om the Track Augustus Hamlin: Do . 12.2% der Oll Plot it - setting Gile : - Passenger Ca: :-. P. Brezaredd; Do .. $=1 .. 1 : 1 78 65 (21.51 Track. 1 .- Care) 3chm P. Goes M
Engine, James Echiar. June 1. $1.50 Eglestons & 6 Wheel from P Hollwww.
on Track. Join I Cornwall bis mesi. There
Eguring bis ite .s 15 "sallling:" a: cielt to
$2.6212 cents. We are left to monde:
Cars than "]-" and whether it was Potter !
which Purdy brought the " Wheel Car.""since .
either, but only as far as Cor kamery ilooch
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through Presion Hollow. Will z -y .7 te .. .
Mar. PT. SI.VG for work on Tramy Jobs ' 1'%. ..
1
for Work on Cars. S. M. Bilmek do: Phoenix Fosz ir 11
on the Track 102.06 foss] To.K. L. on Lis - F ..
3 for Work on Track & os L'ars 1 14.16 Trade -
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June !. $1.50 for Repairing Homes to L. -- $3.00 for Work om cra k with team Alexander
- . in the signaime cf Francis Safre looks :.. .
Conine toque indaku
Jume 00. $120.
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-
. mark; July 2. $1.99 Sam:
his mark; July 2. $19.95 for Wers
10.951. Wilse & Co per . Witte:
Vi .- 1. 5. M. Pullock S w.
on Cars, Joseph Haner. - = know where the l'aistill rersomos
July 11, 80.00 for sigar $11.98 for Work on Curs & I. 15, 8:5.5: for Work on Trae. 350 -5
for Cars. Moses W'ssabiome: [in.
Bracdow his mare: July $I<
W. C. Beum. [M :. Washimen's mean: it io: " borz." j
July 25, SURms for four Wheel rows ine spring. Pete: T. Mesink: July 16 $16.06 [ Potters] ilot w. M. Dolf. July 20, $7.6.
J. Falls. Amos Cornwall: July 1 ;. $25 l room: Leadthe home- Ecklor: Do .. $=> .< for Series engineer and Breton ]
Aug. 10. $2.00 5- 1
Ex: Work on Track Jest s Cars. AAugustus Hamliz, .1.
Br
===
1
by E. Hawley, Omis Pleins i. Mr. Sanders ']. July 1. $ Wor
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OLD TIMES CORNER
16, 1840, Abram Person: Aug. 20, $76.22 for Work on Track pr. Bill, Lewis Hichok; Aug. 23, $6.60 for bill Oil for Cars. Peter X Perry his mark.
Sept. 27. $30.31 for Work on Tranek, James Scott, Jr .; Sept. 28. $5.51 for sawing Wood at Egglestons, Barnabas Lathrop; Do., $41.74 for Work on Track. Joseph Corwin; Oct. 2, $2.50 for Night work on Locomotive. John P. Sonthwell; Oct. 6, $15.32, 16 teaming on the Road. Abram Bartley; Oct. 15, $7.91 for Work on Track of Rail Road by John Mallet. Amos Cornwall.
Nov. 5, $21.25 Tor Wood at Eglestons. Seneca Stewart; Nov. 17, $169.55 for Work on Car. Joseph Haney; Nov. 18, $16.84 for Work on Track, Wm. H. Wilkins; Nov. 20, $44.00 for Work on Cars, John X Cornwall his mark; Nov. 22. $20.00 for Wood hall in May Last, Abram Person; Do., $40.00 for Oil. Amos Cornwall.
Nov. 29. $6.12 for work on Cans [cars], Richard P. Elmendorf; Nov. 30, $47.90 one dollar more, for work on Track. James Reily: Dec. 1. $19.56 for Work on Track, Edmand Slerman [Edmond? Sherman]; Dec. S. $1 12.81 for services as Engineer on the Engine. [no signature -- pencil memo .. "see Jany. 15. J. Ecklor"]; Dec. 11, $6.87, Three 75/100 for Work on Track, Jolin Mallet, Three 12/100 more Dec. 23d 1841 for putting down Iron. John Mallet; Dec. 11, $11.00 for Work on Cars, John x Cornwall his mark.
Dec. 24, $3.00 for putting down Iron. Wm. H. Wilkins: Der. 27. $2.25 for work on Track. E. x Roberts his mark. (. Hall Witness; Do .. $1.00 for getting timber out of the Creek. Stephen x Jones his mark, Chauncey Hall Witness; Do .. $0.88 for putting down Iron. John Moore. [Could this be the timber from the bridge that fell March 4. 1810? And what about the "Bridge Takle" paid for on August 10, above ?] -- C. May 1, 1930.
The 1842 Portion
had not been fully uncovered and therefore was not published in the Corner, but is now appended in order to make the record complete. The first two items were on same page as those last preceding.
(1842) Jan. 5. $129.81 for work in Running Train, Giles Sutton; Jan. 6. $0.88, work on track [putting down Iron, deleted ], Silas H. Barber. [ Was Sutton engineer, or condnetor? And is this his year's wages ?]
Jan. 11. $1.34 for work on Track. James Scott Jr .: Do., $1.75 ditto. John Cangill [Cargill]; Do., $2.00 ditto putting down Iron. R. H. Ward [signed], C. Hall Whitniss [witness]; Do., $1.50 for putting down Iron. James x looks his mark. Chauncey Hall whitness; Jan. 12, $50.75 for team work on Track in the spring. A. C. Hall: Jan. 13, $1.37 for putting down Iron. [unsigned; memo., "James Scott Seyr."]. [Or is it "Sup."? The track seems to have needed much attention in winter. l
Jan. 25, $17.70 for Blacksmith Work on Cars. Win. Magilton; Jan. 27, $0.50 [pencil memo., " ( Postage 2 -- )"} for carting Iron. John P. Goetsch- ius: Do .. $8.75 for ditto, William Purdy: Jan. 29. $6.09 for Oil. Peter x Perry his mark. C. Hall Whitniss [witness]: Do., $21.13 for Work on Track, Joseph Corwin: Do .. $125.78 [less] 14.75 Discount [equals] 111.03 for timber. Labour, &c., Peter H. Van Hoesen. [The figures in this last item
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THE 1842 PORTION
are arranged in the usnal manner for subtraction. One would like to have a clearer picture of what some of these expenses imply. ]
Feb. 22, $8.07 (Angt. 5.60, Dee. . 69, 1.34, L. K. . 44 [summed to] 8.07) in full for Purdys bill in Augt. & Decm, 1842 see Ledger page St, Bradford Wickes, Eminnted above: "L. Kiersted has no claim for this Rect."]. Feb. 28, $1.65 for dis, or i Keg Nails over chd 10 D $1.65 for Packing for Engine, James M. Sanford. [The remaining four receipts on this page are blank. It does not seem quite clear what allowance was made for the keg of nails overcharged. ]
April 21, $8.09 in full for Work on Track, Conrod Griessmann; April 25, $26.78 for work on Track, John x Cornwall his mark; May 7, $7.22 for 814 days Work on Track-at Kinneys, Denis Lowney [?]; Do., $24.62 for work on Track, Wm. H. Wilkins; Do., $32.50 for work on track, Augustus Hamlin; May 21, $17.00 for work on truck [track?], John x Cornwall his mark. [Griessmann's signature is in old-fashioned German script. That of Denis is in a delicate, almost feminine hand, but we are baffled as to whether it is Lowney or Suoney or even Sewney, or what. Can anyone tell?] [Addenda. ]
This scrap-book was found among the effects of the late John T. Man and we owe its preservation as a public record to the courtesy of the executors of the estate of his daughter, Miss Frances Mann, who recently passed from our midst. To them also we would make grateful acknowl- edgement for the old cocked hat and the carpet bag mentioned in a pre- vious number. Certain other historical effects secured by gift or purchase from this estate will be subjects of a later article in this Corner .- C. May 1, 1930.
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A Rochester Lady* Writes : [1845]
"Before it is too late I wish you could find someone who could tell you the story of the wreck of the "Swallow." The little house just back of Miss Frances Hull's was built of parts of that boat and the story that my Grandfather James Trowbridge used to tell me about it was most fascinat- ing. Bill Gilbert the carpenter lived there for a time and I have such a lovely memory of him standing in the gateway and giving to us little children great handfuls of Larkspur. A bread board that he made fifty years ago is still in daily use in my family. How I wish that I had written the story of the ill fated boat just as I heard it so many years ago."
Who will grant Mrs. Crapsey's wish and tell me the story of the "Swallow"? And who of our younger generation are going to take the hint and write down now the things they will wish for in coming years ?-- C. June 19, 1930.
[*Mrs. A. S. Crapsey. The rest of her letter is in Part 3.]
The Tail of The Iron Dog [1848-1899]
was published before the corner was started, and is here included for completeness.
The Iron Dog, the oldest of his species in Greene county, came to Catskill in the long ago-how long is uncertain -- and comnieneed his
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OLD TIMES CORNER
patient vigil in front of what is now the Wilbur store. Three-quarters of a century ago the wail went up from the ad. column of a local paper, "I Still Live," as if even then age was creeping on and life but a burden.
We do not know his pedigree or in what mold or after what pattern of abnormal doghood he was cast. We only know that year after year, day and night, he has kept watch over his master's property, never winking an eyelid or wagging his caudal appendage, which has been reduced to a minimum of length and cruelly mutilated by foes, said foes so the story goes, being the village fathers.
According to history, there have been occasional breaks in the mono- tony of the life of this patient animal, of a harrowing character. In 1863, "during a war called a raid by one of our village fathers," sign posts were toru up and awnings demolished. Mr. David B. Dunham's iron dog was removed from the south side of the door, his tail broken off-lest the sidewalk be obstructed -- until it resembled a bullet mold. Among other complaints at this time against the village fathers was, that "a man may not even cast his shadow except on Saturdays under pain of one dollar fine."
In 1866, as proof of a hard winter, it is said "that the tail of Mr. Dunham's cast iron dog has shrunken perceptibly since the first of Decem- ber, and in so doing has broken one of the animal's legs, no allowance having been made in the original construction for shrinkage. Tail dis- appearing slowly."
On Thanksgiving day of 1874, the Catskill Examiner states that, between 9 and 10 o'clock of that day, an interesting and highly respectable crowd gathered about the reservoir between Main and Thomson streets. Anxions eyes peered into the muddy receptacle and excited questions brought forth the solemn response that a dog had been drowned, and the sanitary committee at once commenced fishing. Several gentlemen were about to dive, but their friends held them back. "Poor fellow," said one, "what a dismal Thanksgiving for him."
The leading question was: Who put him in? Little Johnny Green denied the act and after many gratuitous suggestions, a man with a pole said, "I've strnek 'im." Ropes were finally adjusted and up through the turbid waters rose the candal stump of the unfortunate brute. It proved to be the imperturbable cast-iron bull terrier of Eaton & Hill's paint shop. The question is still being asked: Who put him in?
"On New Year's day of the same year the iron dog, participating in the Festive feeling of the day, started out on a reconnoitering tour and was found next day in a fearfully demoralized condition in the vicinity of Main and Church streets. It was understood that on this occasion he was coaxed away from his old location by John Freleigh."
On another New Year's day it was said of him that he "took a sleigh ride up street soveral blocks, until he yielded to the attraction of gravita- tion and broke through the bottom of the cutter."
Such is the present known history of the Iron Dog. More may be revealed in the future. Such a well known canine is worthy of more than passing notice. His disposition is of the mildest; he has never been known to lose his temper, annoy the neighbors, chase the pigs and dueks which, when he came to Catskill, were allowed to run unhindered through the
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THE TAIL OF THE IRON DOG
streets. He has never deviated from a straight course of his own accord, looking neither to right nor left. Long may he live and escape the danger which threatens most of his tribe, that of being annihilated by some erratic motor car, and reduced to junk .- V. Sep. 19, 1929.
Our Historian gives me the sequel to the "Tail of the Iron Dog," as follows:
This dog was one of a pair which mounted guard at the entrance of the old Butcher's and Drover's Bank in New York City. In 1848, or perhaps 1849, John Breasted, who was connected with the Morgan Iron Works, purchased the pair of images as scrap iron and sent one to his father Peter Breasted, the founder and for many years the proprietor of the business now conducted by Mr. Hill. [This is the same as at present owned by Mr. C. A. Wilbur, and has at other times gone under the firm names of Dunham & Breasted and Hill & Donahue. Editor]. Mr. Breasted, recogniz- ing its merits as an attracter of attention, re-painted it and gave it a place in the street, where it has since remained. Although the statue weighs over 200 pounds, it was for a long period the object of countless boyish pranks, in the course of which one leg, the left ear and the tail were broken off. The leg and ear have been repaired, but the caudal appendage is still abbreviated .-- ( From The Examiner of Sept. 23, 1899) .- V. Apr. 3, 1930.
Two of the Men [1883]
1 have just mentioned, * and many other familiar names, were signers of a timely document preserved in the archives of Indge Chase. Mrs. Chase's kindness again allows publication. We keep the original spellings in the manuscript, which reads thus:
"We the undersigned Tax payers of the Villiage of Catskill, do respect- fully request the Trustees of said Villiage to call another meeting of its Tax payers for the purpose of obtaining a more general expression from them on the question of bonding the villiage for Water purposes. That in the meantime no action be taken under the Resolution already passed at a meeting held on the 25th of May last [1883]. That at such meeting only about one tenth of the Tax payers were represented and such Resolution was passed by ouly eleven majority out of a vote of Ninety five.
That owing to such meeting being held at night and the vote being taken at a late hour and the Polls open for only a few minutes no fair opportunity was given to obtain a full and general expression of the Tax payers. Is this the the first attempt to Bond our Villiage we consider it highly important to a sale of its Bonds that no irregularities should exist, and that an opportunity should be given for a full vote by holding a meeting in the day time and that the pools be kept open for at least four hours."-(. June 26, 19.30.
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