USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > History of the Forest Lake Club, 1882-1932 > Part 7
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In 1926, when the revamping of the wash rooms, enlarging of the dining room and improving of the water supply were up for consideration, the electric
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IMPROVEMENTS TO CLUB HOUSE AND PLANT
lighting proposition was also included in the plan of campaign, the Delco System decided upon, and promptly installed. The original intention, when planning for lights, was simply to provide an electric lamp of about 15 watts capacity in each bedroom, not with the thought that it would be adequate, but just to eliminate the dangerous lamps and candles. In like manner a minimum provision was made for the rest of the Club House. Much to the amazement of the Chairman of the Committee, a few weeks after the lights had been installed, larger lamps were found to have been substituted and he was imme- diately confronted with the necessity of adding an- other generating unit. The writer here takes the liberty of quoting the Chairman: "It only takes a taste of luxury to start the ball rolling." The addi- tional generating unit was, perforce, installed and has given very satisfactory service. New batteries were not required until the spring of 1931, when they were put in at a cost of about $800.00.
TELEPHONE SERVICE
From 1899 to 1905, the Club House to Mast Hope telephone line gave the only service we had. In the early summer of 1905, a long distance telephone service was inaugurated by a contract with the Haw- ley and Lackawaxen Telephone Company. The line to the Club began at a point near Lake Teedyuscong, thence running along the highway to the southeast
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HISTORY OF THE FOREST LAKE CLUB
corner of the oat field lying due east of the Club House; thence west past the cave or roof house to the porte-cochère of the Club House. The Club re- ceived the right to string the wires of its telephone line to Mast Hope on the poles of the Company from the corner of the oat field to the Club House at the Company's expense. The cost of the service was $8.00 per year for the business of the Club and the tolls of members and guests were paid to the Com- pany. For many years the service was unsatisfac- tory. In May of 1921, the matter of a contribution of $200.00 to the Company for the improvement of the service was discussed and the contribution made; but it was not until June of 1926, when a new con- tract was entered into between the Club and the above-mentioned company, that real improvement in the service resulted. This new contract provided for a private line between the Club House and the central station in Bohemia; the Club agreed to erect the necessary poles to the Company's line near the McCoy Camp and to supply the necessary wire and install the same from the Club House to Bohemia. The Company, on its part, contracted to maintain this as a private line. The Club agreed to pay an annual rental of $1.00 for the use of the Company's poles. In 1922, the telephone line from the Club to Mast Hope required some rather extensive repairing and this was done in the spring of that year. The telephone service is at present very satisfactory.
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IMPROVEMENTS TO CLUB HOUSE AND PLANT
DRAINAGE
Our Club has been most fortunately treated by nature in her arrangement of lakes, woods, mountain peaks and views, many of which are evident to most of our members, but there are few who realize how our drainage system was simplified by the natural contour of the land to the west of the Club House.
Since our water supply came from the spring near Corilla and since Wolf Lake was used for bathing and recreation, it was essential that our sewage should never drain in either of these directions. It was soon discovered by some of the early members that just beyond the stone wall to the west of the orchard was an area which drained southward protected from Wolf Lake at first by a ridge not more than three feet high and later by the stone ledge where the shooting gallery was located. At first a good sized cesspool was constructed here and all sewage from the house flowed into it. Any excess not taken care of by seepage and evaporation was allowed to over- flow into the shallow ravine to the south. As the amount of water supply increased it became more and more evident that the overflow was an excellent fly and mosquito breeder and a real menace to the Club and it was decided that an effort should be made to protect this area from surface water.
By enlarging the clearing to the south and by the use of cesspools and sub-surface drains it has been possible to take care of the greater part of our sewage
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HISTORY OF THE FOREST LAKE CLUB
by bacterial action, seepage and evaporation. Con- siderable difficulty had been found, however, in pre- venting and sealing several leaks which have allowed water to come to the surface of the ground on lower levels and, as the supply and use of water has greatly increased during the past ten years, the difficulties of caring for it without any surface drainage has been greatly augmented. By protecting and maintaining the present equipment and by more thoroughly clearing the area where surface water may appear, together with the generous use of oil during the sea- son when mosquitoes and flies propagate, it is felt that any serious menace to the Club from this source can be easily averted.
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VI THE COTTAGE COLONY
A RULE respecting building sites for prospective cottage builders was incorporated in the by- laws adopted and published as long ago as 1889, and, in general, corresponds to Article XIX of the present by-laws.
In the original by-law, mention was made of "a nominal rental." The plans were to be submitted to the Executive Committee within three months from the date of application for the site, the build- ing of the cottage commenced within three months after the approval of the plans and the cottage com- pleted within one year thereafter.
The present by-law is as follows: "1. The Board of Directors may lease to members only, for such term and upon such conditions as they consider for the best interests of the Club, plots of ground upon which such members may erect cottages. All cot- tages erected by members on ground so leased shall remain personal property, not a part of the real estate, and shall belong to the members building them. 2. In the event of a cottage being destroyed and not being rebuilt within one year, thereafter, all rights of owner to plot shall cease. 3. Cottages shall be occupied by the families of members only, to-
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HISTORY OF THE FOREST LAKE CLUB
gether with their guests, all of whom shall be re- quired to take their meals from the Club."
According to our present by-laws, the Landscape Engineer shall advise the Board or Executive Com- mittee in all cases concerning sites, and the general shape and color of cottages, and it is within his province to decide as to the removal of trees and shrubs as contemplated in the plans of the builders.
The cottage colony, which of late years has grown so rapidly, was at first rather slow in developing. As heretofore stated, Edward G. Black's cottage, built at about the same time as the original Club House and within the enclosure, was the first one erected. The second application to build, made in September, 1886, by Alfred B. Ogden and John Davidson was for a double cottage on lots Nos. 1 and 2 of the Association map. The cottage was built in 1887 on the site of the present Brackett cottage, formerly owned by John D. Weston. It was of stone construc- tion, looked not unlike the present cottage and Mr. Ogden occupied the western and Mr. Davidson the eastern half of the building.
It is recorded that in May, 1887, Messrs. Ogden and Davidson applied for "attendance" at their cot- tages, at an increase of $1.00 per week for each person lodging in the cottages. "Attendance" meant the furnishing of water, ice and wood and the emp- tying of slops. This cottage caught fire from some unknown cause in 1890 and was totally destroyed,
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DAVIDSON-OGDEN COTTAGE
THE COTTAGE COLONY
and Mr. Weston's cottage was erected on the same spot in 1906.
In May, 1887, Dr. O. B. Douglas applied for per- mission to erect a tent or tents on lot No. 10. This application was granted for the ensuing season, and in January, 1888, the doctor applied for a license to build a cottage on the same site, but the plan was not carried out.
The third cottage was erected by William A. Avis on lot No. 3 some time in 1888, a license to build having been issued in May of that year. This cot- tage, called by Mr. Avis, "Wren Villa," later became the property of William Burrows, and is now owned by William L. Archer.
Mr. A. O. Ronaldson built his cottage on lot No. 12 a year or two after the Avis cottage had been erected. In 1891, shortly after Mr. Ronaldson's de- cease, the cottage was bought by John Davidson and occupied by him for many years. James Baird was the next occupant until 1926 since which time John A. Miller has been the owner.
The Marshall cottage, next in order, completed the first five cottages at The Forest Lake Club. This is the present William Archer cottage. It was built in the spring of 1891 by Oscar F. Marshall, later, in 1903 bought by Charles MacGregor and sold by him to William Archer that same year.
For many years no other cottages were built except Mr. Weston's as referred to above, and as late as 1910 there were still but five cottages at the Club.
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HISTORY OF THE FOREST LAKE CLUB
This can readily be accounted for when it is recalled that much increased accommodation was provided during this period by the additions to the Club House and especially as, in the building of the south wing, provision was made for the ownership of rooms.
Cottage building was not resumed until 1914 when William T. Lahey received permission to build. He chose a site just outside the northern boundary of the enclosure and slightly to the east of the present William Archer cottage. The well-seasoned timbers in the old barn formerly belonging to George Mul- ligan were utilized by Mr. Lahey for the frame of his building and a most attractive cottage was the result of his efforts. Mr. Lahey's cottage is not only popular because of its hospitable occupants, but it seems to have a peculiar attraction for some of our golfers. The cottage has been thoroughly bom- barded for years, and numberless golf balls are annually lost in the rough along the eastern end; yet one rarely hears a complaint from the owner. Of course, his good nature is proverbial, but we cannot escape from the thought that the Law of Compen- sation is at work.
Thereafter, beginning about 1917, the develop- ment of the colony proceeded very rapidly. And the end is not yet, though there are now in all eighteen cottages on the Club grounds, besides four others, which, though belonging to members, are just off the reservation proper. In fact, so popular has
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THE COTTAGE COLONY
cottage building become that a list of the present cottage owners is almost tantamount to a roster of the Club's membership.
The order of their building since 1917, the specific dates indicating when the cottages were completed, is as follows:
Emile S. Harper .
May, 1917
Frank L. Dyer
May 30th, 1917
Charles W. Campbell September 20th, 1917
Joseph M. Merrill . May, 1919
William L. De Bost May 30th, 1920
Henry S. Livingston
October 12th, 1920
John D. Mills May, 1925
H. Rodger Elgar
May 30th, 1925
J. Monroe Graham
June, 1926
George W. Will
May 28th, 1929
Norman R. Frame
December 11th, 1930
George W. Reynolds May 29th, 1931
It is of interest to note that the matter of the allocation of cottage sites and the construction of cottages received the formal attention of the Board in 1890. The minutes of a meeting held in the spring of that year contain a notation of instructions to the Clerk of the Board to keep a record book of leases and licenses and to insert a map of the grounds therein.
For many years the question of an adequate water supply for the cottages presented quite a problem,
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HISTORY OF THE FOREST LAKE CLUB
especially as the higher parts of the ridge began to be utilized for the cottage sites; but the large reser- voir erected on Mount Ogden in 1926 has solved this difficulty effectually.
Some of the earlier built cottages still depend upon kerosene lamps for lighting, but the later ones are equipped with individual electric lighting plants and in some cases electric refrigerators.
The greater number at present also have their own garages, in some instances in the one unit, as is, of course, more desirable from the standpoint of ap- pearance and the conservation of space.
Many of the cottages are of stone construction, all of them are attractive, and they vary sufficiently in their architecture to avoid monotony and add to a pleasing prospect. When the trees are bare of leaves, one sees quite a village on the ridge to the north of the Club House, while in summer, most of them are effectually hidden by the dense foliage, this being equally true in respect to the approach from the lake.
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VII A CLUB TRADITION
S UNDAY observance has been one of the hallowed institutions of The Forest Lake Club from its very beginning and no matter what may be the individual views of some of us of the present generation, it must be admitted that the Sunday services, carried on throughout each season, have been instrumental in giving to the Club a certain tone and character that have raised it considerably above the level of most clubs of this kind.
The first services were held in Edward G. Black's cottage and were conducted by him. This con- tinued for the first three or four years, after which they were held in the Club House parlor as at the present time. Apparently the custom of inviting clergymen to conduct the services was initiated early in the history of the Club; for, on July 5th, 1890, there was a Board resolution to the effect that clergy- men preaching at Forest Lake be entertained without charge. Besides this, the minister was tendered a moderate fee for his services.
For two or three years B. F. Judson had charge of the Sunday services. He was followed by George N. Williams, Sr., who, in November, 1895, was ten- dered a vote of thanks by the Board for having taken
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HISTORY OF THE FOREST LAKE CLUB
charge during the previous summer, the assumption being that he had personally conducted the services during the season. Mr. Williams continued to serve until February, 1909, when he resigned. He was suc- ceeded by James A. Frame, who, in turn, gave very efficient and devoted service until his death in 1920.
Many of our present day members can bear wit- ness to Mr. Frame's success in shepherding the flock on Sunday mornings; especially on beautiful Sunday mornings, when lake and woods, blue sky and bright sunshine called so insistently. There were few cot- tages in those days; there was little legitimate excuse for leaving the environs of the Club House between breakfast and church time, and Mr. Frame, having passed early and favorable judgment on the buck- wheat cakes, took up his station on the front porch. From this vantage point, few strollers, no matter what their nonchalance or savoir faire, escaped him. One can see him striding up and down the piazza, as the time approached for the service, vigorously ring- ing a large dinner bell and gathering them in! Nor, under his régime, was there any chance, during a long prayer, of stepping quietly out of the window on to the back porch and away, as, it is whispered, has been done. James A. Frame's religion was alive not one but seven days in the week-and for that reason, if no other, commanded the respect of all.
In the following year, 1921, Mr. Frame's daugh- ter, Mrs. Elmer R. Gregor, took over the Chairman- ship of the Sabbath Service Committee, serving well
A CLUB TRADITION
and faithfully until 1925. Mrs. Everett W. Gould served with distinction for the next few years, until 1928, since which time the Committee has been in the capable hands of Charles B. Johnes as Chairman, and Mrs. Frederick Brackett as Vice-Chairman. Too much credit cannot be given to these committee heads for their valuable services. They have done their work well-a work which can so easily call forth adverse criticism but of which, one is happy to say, very little has ever been in evidence.
As so many of the Club members have been resi- dents of New York and its vicinity, quite naturally the greater number of visiting clergy have come from the metropolitan area; but Scranton, Binghamton and the nearer towns of Honesdale and Hawley have contributed their share of able speakers.
Frederick D. Storey, a member of the Club for many years, an ordained minister, and, incidentally, a very ardent and skillful fisherman, frequently con- ducted service; sometimes for the better part of the season. He was a man of exceptionally broad general knowledge and this, combined with his won- derful command of English, contributed a charm to his discourse that few who have had the opportunity of hearing him can forget. A large audience was always assured when Mr. Storey was to be the speaker.
VIII FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
R ows of digits and financial statistics prove very dry reading as a rule. In a history of this kind Indian signs are much more apt to attract the eye than dollar signs. It is, therefore, with some sense of apology that the writer offers this chapter, which necessarily contains so much of this usually unin- teresting material. In another chapter, relating prin- cipally to the building of the original Club House, there was described in some detail the financial transactions instituted for the purpose of securing funds for that particular purpose as well as for car- rying out the general plans of the Association.
As occurs in many ventures of this kind, subscrip- tions to purchase stock and bonds often fail of com- pletion. This, we have seen, occurred with the origi- nal issue of capital stock of $3,000.00 and resulted, at the first Directors' meeting, in a resolution that shares of stock, unpaid for after a certain date, be declared forfeited to the Association and offered for sale. This difficulty, along with that of collecting arrearages of dues, led to individual loans by mem- bers for carrying on the operations of the Associa- tion; and it was for the purpose of paying these
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FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
members' claims, that new fundings from time to time were required.
The various steps in this direction as nearly as they could be ascertained from the Association's minutes were as follows:
In March, 1883, the capital stock was increased to $10,000.00 and a determined effort to obtain new members was made. At the same time subscriptions were obtained for 20 shares of stock at $200.00 each, to provide funds for building the Club House.
In September of the same year, 100 bonds of $100.00 each, bearing six per cent interest and ma- turing in five years from October 1st, 1883, were issued, secured by a mortgage on the property of the Association.
On November 12th, 1883, the Board authorized the issuance of sufficient stock at par value to pay in full all claims of members. On the same date the Board authorized the issuance of six per cent bonds of one hundred dollars each, maturing in five years in an aggregate amount equal to one-half the total amount of paid for stock, including the stock issued in payment of claims as referred to above.
In August, 1887, an auditing committee was ap- pointed by the President, which in February, 1888, reported that the resources of the Association amounted to $15,445.26, and the liabilities amounted to $17,131.56, of which $1,273.91 represented in- vestments in property. A suggestion was made at this time as to the desirability of paying the open
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HISTORY OF THE FOREST LAKE CLUB
indebtedness either by assessment, increasing the capi- tal stock, or by placing a mortgage on the property.
On March 17th, 1888, authorization was made to issue 50 bonds of $100.00 each at five per cent inter- est, maturing in 1900. The bonds were to be disposed of by exchanging 40 bonds for a like number of the bonds maturing in December of the same year (evi- dently referring to the bond issue of November 12th, 1883) and the remaining ten bonds were to be disposed of to the highest bidder among members of the Association.
Again, in May, 1888, for the purpose of borrow- ing money for the use of the Association, it was or- dered that bonds of $100.00 each, paying five per cent interest and maturing in twelve years, be issued in a sum equal to one-half of the amount of paid up stock of the Association. These bonds were also to be secured by a mortgage on the real estate of the Association.
In October, 1889, the Treasurer was instructed to pay to the bond holders the arrearages of interest up to July, 1889, also the arrearages of interest due Dr. Hadden upon his notes for monies, amounting to $2,345.30, advanced by him at various times to the Association. Dr. Hadden announced his willingness to reduce the rate of interest on his bonds to four per cent and to extend the same for five years. His proposition was accepted and the clerk was appointed to solicit from the other bond holders a like reduc- tion. It does not appear from the minutes of the
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FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
meetings at which these various transactions took place, to just what extent these bond issues were taken, but apparently about $4,000.00 had been sub- scribed. It is noted, however, that at this time Dr. Hadden held thirty-one bonds of the Association.
A report of August 19th, 1890, showed the Treas- ury overdrawn to the extent of $1,232.72 and the total liabilities beyond the capital stock and bonds amounting to $8,456.32. The Treasurer urged that the annual dues be doubled so as to approach a self- supporting basis.
On February 17th, 1891, the debts of the Associa- tion amounted to $8,809.32. This included bonds amounting to $4,000.00 and interest, notes $2,345.00 and interest; overdraft; unpaid bills, etc. The prob- lem of financing the Association in order to pay off all the above-mentioned items and to leave in the Treasury an amount sufficient to commence the season of 1891, called forth a recommendation to issue bonds of $100.00 each, totaling $10,000.00, payable any time within five years, bearing four per cent interest.
It was also recommended that the dues be increased from $25.00 to $30.00 per annum, that the rates for table board for cottagers and wing-holders be raised from $7.00 a week to $1.25 a day, and that the seven and one-half per cent rebate which had applied to families staying a full month at the Club be rescinded as a fixed rule. It was resolved that this scheme for funding the debt be brought to the attention of the members, and a committee of three was appointed
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HISTORY OF THE FOREST LAKE CLUB
to solicit subscriptions in such form of obligations as counsel may advise, and to report at an adjourned meeting. A report of the funding committee was made on March 3rd, 1891, and it was resolved that the Wolf Lake purchase be embraced in the proposed funding scheme. However, on March 30th, the min- utes tell us that this debt-funding plan, as amended, was dropped. On October 26th, 1891, it was moved that the interest due on outstanding notes be paid up to April 1st, 1891, and on bonds up to July 1st, 1891.
The Club had been going for about eight years before it began, even in a feeble way, to find itself financially; but in November, 1890, at which time William A. Avis was Treasurer, it showed a profit for the year of $499.39. A lengthy inventory was made at this time by Mr. Avis, some of the principal items of which were the following:
Cost of land and improvements . $ 4,000.00
Club House 10,000.00
Bowling Alley 1,500.00
Barns 1,500.00
5 wagons, 1 sled 350.00
2 cows, 2 oxen 80.00
4 horses 300.00
12 rockers 36.00
Among the household furnishings set down are pickle dishes, gravy boats and tooth-pick cups. Mr. Avis proved to be an outstanding Treasurer and was par-
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FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
ticularly thanked by the Board for his excellent re- ports.
In spite of hard sledding, the Club's property did increase in value during these first few years; value translated into the acquisition of more land, general improvements and the erection of the Club House and other buildings.
Again in February, 1892, there was cause for re- joicing in that there was a balance remaining in the Treasury of $699.69. About a year later the burden of debt again rested heavily on the shoulders of the Board, and in February, 1893, it recommended that the stockholders subscribe $100.00 for each and every share held by them for the purpose of liquidating the indebtedness of the Association; amounting in all to about $12,000.00, in addition to the bonds which amounted to $4,000.00. The Treasurer was directed at this time to sell no share of stock for less than $250.00. By November the subscriptions amounted to but $3,100.00, this amount including fourteen notes of $100.00 each given for the Wolf Lake pur- chase and one note of $150.00 which amount had been advanced to the Association by George N. Wil- liams, Sr., one of the subscribers to the Wolf Lake purchase fund, in October, 1882.
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