ROCKLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
March 11, 1876 – 150 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Journal
ANOTHER HERMIT
What strange characters inhabit this globe of ours? Among the strangest, we think, are those persons who practically separate themselves from the rest of mankind, and, selecting some secluded and oftentimes wild spot, live, or rather subsist, in a manner equal to that of brutes. We do not know that we have any hermits in Rockland county; if we have, we have never heard of them; but Orange county seems to be particularly and peculiarly blessed with this class of individuals.
Some time ago nearly every paper in this section of country published the history of the “Hermit of Greenwood Lake,” who for many years lived animal-like in a cave near that noted lake, and quite recently died within a short distance of his hermitage. Those who knew his history said that he had once been a man, but for some reason of his own had chosen to brutalize himself in later years and live apart from his fellow-beings. Well, the “Hermit of Greenwood Lake” has passed from this world, and almost from history, and now we are told of another strange being in Orange County, who is living a strange life. We clip the following recount of this hermit from the Newburgh Telegraph.
“For the past two winters a strange man has been living a hermit life on Shawangunk Mountain, making his home on the farm of Mr. John Writer, about two miles from Otisville. Here he has braved the cold and storms of this last winter, his only shelter being some boards placed so as to afford a rain shed by resting one end on the ground and the other on a stone wall. His bed is a mass of leaves gathered from the adjoining forest, his covering straw, begged from the farmers near by. This hermit differs somewhat from the usual run of hermits, as neither crosses in love or business prompted him to lead a life of solitude. His life’s history, as he relates it, is briefly this— Born in the city of the big clock, Strasburg, Germany, he came to New York a long time ago and there found a livelihood as chair maker. Losing his health after some years, he ascribed the cause to city air, and hearing of the invigorating hills of Orange County, he wended his steps in this direction for sanitary reasons. Here for some years he wandered about doing an odd job now and then whenever a chance offered. During mild weather he would find a bed under some friendly tree, and when it stormed he would beg the shelter of an outhouse. As time elapsed, a disposition to avoid the world grew upon him, so he sought solitude in the secluded surroundings of Shawangunk Mountain. Hunger alone causes him to intrude himself upon the neighboring farmers. They, pitying the solitary and wretched life he is leading, supply him from their stores with the wherewith to appease his hunger.— But how he has managed to keep from freezing to death during some of the bitter nights of this and last winter, with nothing but the sky for a covering, is a mystery.”
March 13, 1926 – 100 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Times
INFLUENZA PREVALENT — Haverstraw and Northern Rockland County in Grip of Influenza Epidemic — Most Cases Mild — Measles Also Common
The number of cases of influenza in Haverstraw and its environs is beginning to cause alarm. The rapidly increasing number of cases reported daily to the Health Officer, Dr. Sullivan, is serious, but if the proper care is taken should not cause anxiety.
The cases are for the most part mild but according to Dr. Sullivan’s instructions must be cared for before they become more serious. There is the ever present danger that a light attack of influenza if not properly attended to will develop into pneumonia. There have been some deaths caused by pneumonia which has resulted from the Flu.
A great many of the cases are located in the Stony Point and Tomkins Cove vicinity as is a great number of the measles cases.
Persons who feel any of the symptoms are advised to go to bed immediately, thus keeping the epidemic from spreading. The following account of the present epidemic has been sent out by the State Department of Health. Various towns in New York State have reported influenza epidemics.
While it is still very doubtful that the disease is of the type which prevailed in 1918, yet it seems to be something more than the winter colds which are customary at this season of the year.
In general the disease is characterized by chills, fever up to 104 degrees, general pain and a considerable degree of prostration. A few cases of secondary pneumonia have been observed and four deaths have been reported, attributed to this cause.
The duration of most of the cases is limited to three days but there is a marked tendency to relapse, especially in individuals who get up too soon. Some of the adult cases have commenced with severe nausea and vomiting. All of the cases seem to be followed by prostration. The disease is highly communicable and in some households, all the members have come down within a day or two of one another.
The Department points out that influenza, especially of this type, is very seldom fatal except among those who neglect it. The only way to check the epidemic and to prevent complications is for everyone who develops symptoms of the disease to take to bed promptly and stay there until fully recovered. This is not only the best treatment for the disease but also serves to limit its spread.
March 13, 1976 – 50 YEARS AGO
Our Town
HISTORIC FLAG RESCUED — OLD GLORY RESTORED TO NEW GLORY
[Image: Pearl River School District courier Gordon Myles stands beside 1890 flag, his family’s gift to the schools. Robert Wood, social studies teacher, flanks the flag, on display in his high school classroom. Our Town, March 13, 1976.]
A rare 19th century flag that was nearly burned as tattered rubbish is now proudly on display in the Social Studies classroom of Pearl River High School teacher Robert Wood. Beneath the flag is printed this legend, based on Mr. Wood’s research, and information supplied him by the school district’s courier, Gordon Myles.
“This flag was displayed from the Edwin Gould mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City to honor Admiral George Dewey, hero of the Battle of Manila, upon his return from the Spanish-American War in 1898.”
The Gould family gave the flag to Mrs. Myles’ grandmother, Mrs. Grace Burns Singleton, a close friend of Mr. Gould’s sister Helen. Handed down through the generations, the flag was kept folded in paper in a bureau drawer until this fall.
Noting its worn condition—one piece is completely missing in the lower right side—the Myles[es] considered burning it as the respectful way to discard the national emblem. Instead, Mr. Myles decided it could have some historical interest and brought it to Superintendent Dr. Arthur Williamson. Next to receive it was Lawrence Pauline, Social Studies Coordinator, who asked teacher Wood to look up the year a 44 star flag would have been in use. As it developed the flag was made in 1890 in recognition of the State of Wyoming’s admission into the Union.
While pursuing his research Mr. Wood was able to obtain from district Mathematics Coordinator David Howell a banner of the 1907 era, depicting the flag in use after Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th state. This was the official flag until 1912 when Arizona and New Mexico were admitted. This flag, plus the 48 star flag which was the national emblem from 1912 to 1958, are also on display in Mr. Wood’s classroom.
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.