WEEK OF FEBRUARY 13
Rockland County Historical Society
February 12, 1876 – 150 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Journal
AROUND HOME
☞ If any persons think the beauties of architecture of Melchisedek’s time have not been preserved up to the present century, let them call in and examine a pigeon house which was built in this office this week.
☞ The young people of Nanuet will give an entertainment, at the Nanuet Baptist Church, on Thursday evening, 17th inst., to consist of music, dialogues, tableaux, and Mrs. Jurley’s Wax Work. Performance to commence at 7.30. Admission 25 cents.
☞ A Billiard Match was played in Nyack, last Friday evening, between John Clark, of New City, and Theodore Auer, of Nyack. The game was won by Auer, who beat his opponent 26 points. The prize played for was a billiard-cue valued at $15.00.
☞ Lots of fun. On the afternoon of the 22d inst., there will be a Centennial Old Folks’ quilting party, and a Knickerbocker Tea, and in the evening an Old Folk’s Concert, all to take place in Association Hall. If you wish enjoyment now is your chance.
☞ Our citizens will bear in mind that the Court of Appeals of this State has decided that lager beer is intoxicating, and it must now take its place under the law among intoxicating drinks. Some people in our village could have told the Court of Appeals that years ago.
☞ Antoine Maurer, who has been serving a seven years sentence in Sing Sing Prison as the supposed murderer of Joachim Fuehrter, at Spring Valley, came to Nyack on the Express train last Saturday evening. He speaks English quite plainly now, but don’t like the treatment he has received in this country. He thinks he will return to France.
February 13, 1926 – 100 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Times
REMOVAL OF REVOLUTIONARY HERO’S REMAINS
[Image: Photograph of the casket of Margaret Corbinm, exhumed from the estate of the banker J. P. Morgan in Highland Falls, NY, in 1926. The two women at the right are researchers from the DAR; two Army officers are at the left. Image courtesy of the DAR.]
The remains of Margaret Corbin, famous in the Revolutionary War as “Captain Mollie,” have been removed from the estate of J. P. Morgan in Highland Falls. Mrs. Alton B. Parker as a representative of the Daughters of the American Revolution is in charge of their removal. It has not yet been decided whether the remains shall be interred in West Point or in the churchyard of the Church of the Holy Innocents at Highland Falls. Captain Mollie is said to have resided in the old Mandivido homestead in Revolutionary days. It is planned to bury the remains sometime in April, and the people of Highland Falls want the monument and grave there.
FIRE DOES SMALL DAMAGE
A fire which had its origin in overheated soot did small damage in the home of James Clark on Clove Ave. on Wednesday night. The fire was confined to the living room of the home and burned the portiers which were hanging near the register. The blaze was quickly extinguished by Relief Hose Company.
MISS HAYDEN GIVES DINNER
Miss E. Hayden, head teacher at the West Haverstraw Orthopedic Hospital, at seven o’clock Wednesday night entertained her colleagues with a chick-dinner at the hospital. The other guests included Miss Coffin, Miss Smith, and Mrs. Clark.
February 14, 1976 – 50 YEARS AGO
The Journal News
VALENTINE MESSAGES ALL ADD UP TO LOVE
“Chukums—When you find this lean over and kill me! I love you!”
The words may not be the most delicate, but in this Valley Cottage resident’s version of “Please be my Valentine,” the sentiment was universal.
Today, St. Valentine’s Day, bizarre creativity, saccharine sentimentality and the use of cliches is forgiven, as husbands and wives, boy and girl friends, parents and children, old friends and new acquaintances exchange words of love.
The thoughts expressed can be varied as the forms love takes. Proof can be found by reading through the valentine messages appearing in the special classified advertising sections of today’s Journal-News.
This year more than 1,200 classified were received by Westchester Rockland Newspapers, and 320 came from Rockland. Not all are so off-beat as the message to “Chukums.”
“Viv,” of Spring Valley, writes, “Bertie, to the best sister in the whole wide world, Love and happiness always.”
“Grandma and Grandpa, we love you today and every day,” write Faryl and Ryan of New City.
And Kathy, Tricia, Woody and Ralphie of New City say, “Happy Valentine’s Day, to the best mother in the world.”
Not all the valentines are full of praise, however, and some are a downright slap on the wrist. A girl from Nanuet, signing herself “Booie,” fired off this message: “Billy Schrader from the Bronx—lips that touch liquor shall never touch mine. Goodbye forever.”
But most Valentine recipients fare better. Lorene of Spring Valley sends these kind words to Jeff: “Doubt thou the stars are fire; doubt that the sun doth moves; doubt truth to be a liar; but never doubt I love … to love you Baby.”
Many are more down to earth. “Brian you’re great in basketball. Please call me. I’ll always be hooked on you,” writes Linda of Suffern.
Other examples contained in the classified are:
“I love you more than chocolate donuts.”
“I adore you. You adore me. You’ll adore our new family room. Right?”
“Thanks for the eggs, pancakes, toast and all the other little things.”
“Roses are red, violets are blue, how is it that I love a chump like you?”
Not only are the valentine messages amusing but the names with which they are signed or to whom they are addressed often are, too
Among those contained in the classifieds are The Jogger, My Mush Mouse, Teddy Bear, Kitten, Monk., Puddin, Peaches, Wabbit, Beaner, Mr. Wonderful and the Brandies Bat.
Yet, whether the message is amusing. or almost desperately sentimental, the point of some 1,200 different valentines seems universal. One way or another they each manage to say, “I love you.”
Compared to last year’s total of 504 Valentine messages, this year’s bundle seemed like an avalanche, said Aaron Sullivan assistant classified advertising manager. That proves if nothing else, that kind of sentiment hasn’t gone the way of the 15-cent cup of coffee.
This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan for the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2026 by The Historical Society of Rockland County. #FBF Flashback Friday may be reprinted only with written permission from the HSRC. To learn about the HSRC’s mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.