Rockland Historical Society
February 19, 1876 – 150 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Journal
A HANDSOME PRESENT
[Image: YMCA Membership Card, 1877. Image courtesy of the Nyack Library, via NYHeritage.org.]
On Thursday morning of this week an express wagon drove up to the front door of Commercial Building, with a large instrument, boxed up which was taken by several strong men up into the room of the Y.M.C.A., for which place it was intended. Upon removing the boxing, the instrument was found to be a handsome Concerto organ from the manufactory of Horace Waters, New York, which had been purchased and sent as a present by a most generous, liberal-hearted gentleman who feels a deep interest in the welfare of the Association. The instrument is one of the most handsomely finished and finest toned we have ever seen. It has a clock in the centre above the music-rack, and has five stops on each side. It is very powerful in tone, yet, when its full power is on it preserves all its sweetness and richness of voice, and there in not the slightest harshness of sound. This beautiful gift was entirely a surprise to the members of the Association, and they thoroughly appreciate the generosity and kindness of the noble-hearted, Christian gentleman who gave it.
LAST SUNDAY
Who is there who did not enjoy the Springlike and almost balmy atmosphere of last Sunday? When the sun arose on that beautiful morning, it brought with it all the brightness and calmness of an April day. The birds sang sweetly, bearing on their voices the rich and charming melodies of Spring, and a spell of quietness and silent joy seemed to rest upon all outward nature. A large number of our people, young and old, took advantage of the mild weather and sought the open air with a feeling of freedom such as they would evince in days when we have the Summer southwind. Sunday afternoon nearly everyone appeared to be promenading. Broadway, particularly the lower portion, had on it a continual line of persons walking both ways, and the railroad track was also converted into a thoroughfare for pedestrians. The cross-streets were also well used, and in fact nearly every portion of our village was sought by wanderers who had nothing to do except to loiter around in pleasant spots and breathe the warm, sweet air which God had sent us to enjoy.
February 20, 1926 – 100 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Times
MAN FOUND DEAD — Sheriff Investigates When Caretaker Is Missing — Coroner Says Death Was Due to Bad Whiskey
Larry Piere, a caretaker employed on a farm on the New City-Haverstraw Road, was found dead on Sunday morning.
The farm is owned by William Hart of 2103 Madison Avenue, New York City. Mr. Hart occupies the place during the summer but is there for only an occasional week end when the weather permits during the winter. It is his custom to come to the Centenary Farm once in a while during the winter to inspect his place as well as to enjoy a little bit of the country.
On Sunday morning, he came for one of these visits and could find no one about the place. Upon further examination, however, he found that his stock were in a half starved condition, the doors of the house were locked from the inside and that appearances in general indicated that something was wrong.
When he could get no response from the house, he notified the Sheriff’s office. Sheriff Schriever went to the scene immediately and forced an entrance. He found Piere lying on the floor with a whiskey bottle almost empty beside him.
The woodwork around the stove was slightly burned indicating that there had been a fire which had burned itself out. The dog was in the house but, although in a weak condition, was still alive.
The Sheriff notified Coroner George Dutcher, who took charge of the body. He attributed the cause of death to acute alcoholism. In as much as there were no indications of foul play and since no one was found who knew anything about the matter, Mr. Dutcher concluded that an inquest was unnecessary. The body was removed pending the Coroner’s search for the dead man’s relatives.
It was later learned that Piere had a brother residing at 497 Lemon Avenue, Brooklyn and another relative named Joseph Solomon, also of Brooklyn.
He is also survived by a wife, Mattie, and a son, John Henry, but it is not known at the present where his wife and son are living.
February 20, 1976 – 50 YEARS AGO
Our Town
COINS ON SALE AT BICENTENNIAL BOOTH
The Rockland County and Town of Orangetown Bicentennial Commissions will share a joint booth in the Town Hall in Orangeburg all day Friday, selling souvenirs for America’s 200th birthday celebration.
The booth will be set up in the Town Hall lobby, and will be manned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The County Commission will be conducting the final day of sale of Rockland County’s official bicentennial coins. The only prior sale was last September, at the County Office Building in New City.
Silver coins sell for $20 each. Numbered consecutively on the edge, each is a collector’s item. Only 300 were made. A total of 1,000 bronze coins was made, with those selling for $3 each. Because of the small quantities of coins minted, sales are limited to a maximum of one silver and five bronze per family. They will not be sold after Friday, following their sale all this week in various Rockland town halls.
The Orangetown Bicentennial Committee will also be selling several of its own souvenirs. These include beer mugs, history books, plates, replicas of Revolutionary War coins, reed fifes, pins and other jewelry and similar items.
Officials of both the county and town commissions will also be on hand to supply information about their respective organizations, and their upcoming activities.
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.