February 28, 1967 Two Trucks vs One Store

Gas Station Destroyed, so read the headline on the Interlaken Review Thursday, March 2, 1967. The front page has a picture of the two trucks that destroyed the gas station and store on Route 96 in the Hamlet of Covert.

The caption tells the whole story.

Aubrey Smith’s Store and Gas Station at Covert, which has been hit by autos before, was leveled by two tractor trailers about 10:00 a.m. Tuesday. The first driven by Wm. Meyer of Johnson City went out of control and knocked down the gas pumps before the trailer overturned strewing its load of steel across Rt. 96. The second truck, driven by Herman L. Quick of Belvedere, N.J., attempted to turn right onto a side road to avoid the first but skidded, demolishing the store. Both Smith and his son Gerald were in their nearby home when the first truck hit the pumps. Gerald rushed into the store to shut off the pumps and barely escaped the building before it was leveled.

In 2006 when the Interlaken Historical Society was preparing for the Hamlet of Covert Historic Building Tour one picture came in showing the building before the accident.

From the Ulysses Historical Society, 2016 Hamlet of Covert
Historical Building Tour

Looking at the intersection today, fifty-years later, it’s hard to imagine the building which was there.

As a side note: the Interlaken Historical Society welcomes old pictures of events within the community. If not of this event, but of other events, small and large which have happened over the years. They would be happy to scan and print a copy for their files, returning the original to the owner.

Dewitt’s Diary Tuesday, February 28, 1967

Temperature 30, partly cloudy.

Change of wind to Northwest and colder predicted. Worked in the bathroom to be this morning. Drove to Ovid and down to Bements below town to see about bathroom fixtures this afternoon.

Snow flurries and rising wind throughout the day. Temperature 15 tonight.

They brought Biri Lantos home from the hospital today. She has had a long stay of it in Ithaca hospital. [The Lantos family lived across the road from Dewitt.]

February 27, 1928 A Cold Ride

Dewitt's Diary, Monday, February 27, 1928

Cold west wind today.

I went to Hector and got my new team today.

Left Hector at 11 o'clock, and got home at 4 o'clock.

A long cold ride.

February 26, 1974 Gas Shortage

Dewitt’s Diary: Tuesday, February 26, 1974 

Temperature 10 Cold. Some snowflakes. Did some work in the cellar. Went to town with Leland. Took a bushel of potatoes down to Dawson and some beans (1/2 bushel).

Put my saw buck together. 

Cold today, a high of 30 degrees. Strong west breeze.

People who have even license plate numbers can buy gasoline on even days only, odd number licenses on odd days. This is the law starting this morning in N.Y. state.

Gasoline and the gasoline shortage the main talk of everybody for the past month. Much less traffic on the roads.

Clipping included in Dewitt's Diary

Share your comments and memories of those days of limited fuel below.

February 25, 1862 Baptist Church at Farmer Dedicated

There are close to 100 boxes of archives and artifacts at the Historical Society. Among the artifacts in a box labeled “Interlaken Baptist Church” was a booklet published in 1904 when they celebrated their 85^th anniversary. (A snippet for October).

Pages 20 and 21 discuss the new building, and the following quotes are taken from there.

In 1860, Rev. J. B. Smith assumed the role of Pastor for the church. He was noted as “earnest, watchful, skillful leader of this people.”

His first step was repairing the parsonage; “the next step was to build a new house of worship.”

At a meeting held on January 27, 1860, “Our pastor, J. B. Smith, gave notice that he had a subscription of six thousand dollars and upwards he had raised for the purpose of building a new house of worship which subscription he wished to present to the church.”

The committee “on plan” were L. Hinman, Jacob Boorman, B. E. Bassette and William Longstreet. Misters Hinman, Boorman, and Bassette were joined by Joseph Sniffin and J. P. Rappleye as the building committee.

“The committee on plan reported in favor of the plan of a church in Syracuse.” The report was accepted, with alterations.

Architect for the project was H. N. White of Syracuse who drew up the plan. John Smith of Farmerville was the contractor for construction.

First step, remove the old building, and during construction, church was held at the school house.

July 5, 1861, the corner stone was laid. Participating in that event were several local community members from outside of the church itself. A list of the papers deposited in the corner stone included: Records of the Baptist Church, prepared by J. P. Rappleye; information on the Reformed Church prepared by Rev. B. Basslar; James C. Knight on the Reformed Church Sunday School; Pastor Scott Boughton on the Universalist Church, Lyman B. Parshall on the public schools, Ira Almy on Farmer Village, J. C. Knight on the Cemetery Association, Charles Kelly on the Masonic Lodge, and P. H. Hinman on the Town Hall. 

At the dedication on February 25, 1862 Rev. Smith spoke from several Bible passages, including Psalms 72, Daniel 2, Matthew 13. The narrative does not include any other particulars from the day.

The building is only one part of this Church. Its people and the Gospel message that it brings each week to the community have been here since 1819, just two years after the founding of the Town of Covert.

I know as a youngster we were often at the church for Vacation Bible School, and other community events sponsored for the youth.

Color Postcard, collection of the Interlaken Historical Society

In the postcard photo above, the building in the background on West Avenue was the parsonage. It was torn down in the early 1980s. After serving as home to the pastors it was used by the Interlaken American Legion Auxiliary for their “Clothing Center.”

Dewitt’s Diary Sunday, February 25, 1962

Temperature 15 Cloudy and then the sun came out. A nice day, sunny out, the snow did not melt only on the eaves of the house

Buried Earl Wilson today. I was bearer at the funeral.

Drove down to George Townsend's a while this evening.

A good eight or nine inches of snow on the ground now, more in the woods.

February 22, 2016 Covert Memories 1950 to 2015

After months and months of working on articles, photographs, layout, proofing and indexing, we were ready to share the book with the public.

Dani getting a sneak peak of the books.

Deadlines had been set, revised and then finalized. The copy was sent to the printer. When the proof copy arrived, we got to see our cover for the first time. Then came the waiting for the UPS truck to deliver the boxes. Dani was with me while we waited, and it was her picture that I shared on Facebook several days before the meeting.

Finally, Monday evening arrived and with it a crowd of people. Many books had been pre-ordered for pick-up that evening, and with the ones sold that evening nearly 100 copies were in the hands of readers.

What was the excitement about? It was about an idea that grew, about the articles written, about over 200 pages of articles, and 1,200 names in an index. The Interlaken Historical Society had completed another project for the community.

The book was truly for the people and by the people. Looking back, I recall seeing people talking about the book, the events of the day, mostly sharing. And that was one goal of the project, and the celebration. It wasn’t a celebration of one or two people, but of a community working together.

At one point in my comments, I read the following, which is the appreciation page in the book.

Thank you!...

First, and most important, to the many authors who supplied articles or assisted with them. Without all of you, we wouldn’t have a book.

to the Interlaken Historical Society Board of Trustees for catching the vision of this project 18 months ago and making it a reality.

to Valerie Bassett for catching the vision and following up on so many articles, writing a few articles, and helping with all the editing. The editor’s task is never easy.

to Peggy Kopsa for long hours of reading, correcting, and being available to help.

to Michelle Caci Rogers for assistance with the indexing, a huge task with any work, but especially with this project.

to Barb Bassette for reading the final draft

to Joan Hendrix and Karen Nelson for additional photographs for the volume

to the Interlaken Alumni Association for sharing a number of articles from the annual newsletter.

to the Delavan Foundation for the support of this book, and so many other projects of the Interlaken Historical Society.

to all those who created the history and recorded it along the way. Thanks for the memories!

Afterward there was food, more conversations, books being signed by authors and editors alike, and the peace of knowing the project was finished.

Since then I’ve heard from people who purchased books, and after reading their article, began reading the other articles and of the memories brought to mind. 

Of course, one of the questions raised in my mind and asked by others was, “What will you do now?” I had several projects in the back of my mind that I wanted to work on, and somehow, many of them evolved into this current project. Researching and writing, so I can share more stories from the 200 years of history for the Town of Covert.

If you haven’t purchased a copy of Covert Memories yet and would like a copy, click  for an order form, or contact the Interlaken Historical Society at interlakenhistory.org for more information.

Dewitt’s Diary: February 22, 1922

Did not press hay this morning on account of rain. Carman helped Wyckoff in the afternoon. He put in 4 ½ hours. They moved over to Rappleye barn this afternoon.

Edna’s father and mother came over to see her today. I called them up and told them she was sick.

Father came up and we took down some corn stalks for him to feed to his Durham.

I brought my sewing machine back from the station. [Dewitt and Edna had purchased a new Singer Sewing Machine on the 15^th when they were in Ithaca]

Mr. and Mrs. Predmore did not stay long. Edna begins to feel better. I had the doctor come up and see her this morning

Wind and foggy tonight.

February 21, 1876 The Second American House Fire

Wheeler Bassett, in his reflections on the Village of Interlaken, called this 1876 fire, “the first big fire in the village.”

The Waterloo Observer, Wednesday, February 23, 1876, lists the buildings as Delos Collver barbershop, Holton & Woods blacksmith shop, and the barns of the American Hotel. The “Hotel was saved by the superhuman efforts of the firemen, but the barns were more or less damaged. The loss will exceed $5,000, while the insurance only amounts to $4,000.”

The American House was located at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Main Street, today the location of the Interlaken Historical Society’s Farmers’ Museum.

Wheeler Bassett noted that in the aftermath of the fire, several new buildings were constructed. The Crise block, where the barns were, Collver built a wooden structure on the corner “where Morris Maxon now is.” W.E. Peterson’s store was built by J. K. Torbert and “L. LaTourette [built] the Bennett Bros. Store.” Of these last two W.E. Peterson’s store became the Interlaken Fire Department’s fire house for many years, and was torn down in the late 1980s. Bennett Bros. store became Storath’s, and eventually its current use as apartments.

 

Detail of American House and wooden structures to the left.
Interlaken Historical Society photo #396

This 1870s photo detail shows the American House (with the pillars), and two wooden structures to the north (left of the American House). Railroad Avenue did not exist at this time so the buildings are very close together.

Detail from stereoscopic photo
Interlaken Historical Society photo #535

One side of an 1878 stereoscopic photo shows the American House, the wooden structure mentioned by Bassett as built by Collver, and the Peterson store built by J.K. Torbert. Absent from the photo is the Bennett/Storath building.

Main Street buildings constructed after the 1876 fire
Interlaken Historical Society photo #2356

All three of the “new” buildings are shown. Reading from left to right Bennett Brothers (later Storaths), W.E. Peterson’s Store (later the Fire House), and the wooden structure which itself burned in 1928.

Dewitt’s Diary February 21, 1951 and 1952

Wednesday, February 21, 1951 Temperature 36 most of the day.

Rain all morning. Rain changed to snow this afternoon and foggy.

Water in cellar. Down to 32 tonite.  [Dewitt was in Florida at this time and Leland noted the weather reports in the diary at home.]

Thursday, February 21, 1952

Mostly clear, temperature 30. Some new snow last evening.

A beautiful morning and no wind.

A very heavy snow squall and wind from the north at 11 o’clock. 

February 20, 1962 First American in Space

Today is one of those Snippet items that needs very little added to it.

After the original attempt on January 27th to send John Glenn into space was postponed, Dewitt records the successful flight on this date. It is very noticeable that he would add comments throughout the day.  

Dewitt’s Diary Tuesday February 20, 1962

Temperature 20 A blustery day. Watching the count down for John Glenn into space. He rides in a capsule weighing 2 ton propelled by rocket. He went off the ground about 10 o’clock. The exact lift off was 9:47.

This is the first American around the earth. Two Russians claimed to have gone before. At 11:30 everything was going well. Taking about 90 minutes for a trip around the world.

They took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida out over the Atlantic Ocean.

John Glenn made it three times around the world and is landed safely at sea at about 2:45 this afternoon. It was a big success in every way. Picked up by helicopter at sea.

Snow blowing today but moderate tonight clear sunset. Temperature 20 at supper time. Looks like a fine day tomorrow.

Nothing on radio or television except John Glenn great feat today. 

February 17, 1842 The First American House Fire

Ovid Bee February 22, 1842

FIRE: The American House at Farmerville, kept by Mr. John A. Corey, caught fire on last Thursday morning, and was burnt to the ground. The wind at the time was blowing a gale from the west, thus baffling all efforts to stay the devouring element. The building was owned, we believe, by Mr. J. Kennedy, and was covered by insurance. The furniture was mostly saved.

Detail of the American House which was built after the 1842 fire.
Interlaken Historical Society photo #2157

The building would be re-built (see above) and continue to be a feature on Main Street for many years. It is often noted in legal and other ads, as shown in this clipping from an 1844 sale.

1844 Sale Notice, Ovid Papers
www.fultonhistory.com

See the February 11, 1891 Snippet for the fire which destroyed the American House shown above.

Dewitt’s Diary Tuesday, February 17, 1942

Temperature 40 and still melting. Dug out sluice by the road so that water would not get into cellar.

Shot a nice red fox west of G. Wiggins today.

Plenty of water running.

Freezing just a little tonight, and it is good thing because there would be plenty of water running.

Drove to town this afternoon and hope it will freeze up. 

February 16, 1803 Covert Baptist Church

When you look at the vast history of the Town of Covert since 1817, there are very few pieces that remain from before 1817. The people, our families, for those who have roots in this area, the land, the churches, and the cemeteries probably best sum up what was here before 1817.

One of those places is the Covert Baptist Church. Its building anchors the hamlet of Covert, just as the gospel preached for most of these 214 years has anchored so many people.

On February 16, 1803, the church was constituted and known as the Baptist Church of Ovid and Hector. At the time, it was located in the Town of Ovid and was only a few miles from the Town of Hector.

The first pastor was Minor Thomas, who many called a Pauline apostle, in that he earned most of his living from his farm. The first clerk was Thomas Campbell with Asaph King and Joseph Thomas the first deacons.

In 1805 the name was changed to the Second Baptist Church of Ovid. There is a quote often repeated about the early Covert church, “As Virginia is the mother of Presidents, Covert is the mother of Churches.” Many of the Baptist churches in this area, and as far away as Allegany county, NY, and Fayette county, Indiana, where Pastor Thomas had moved in 1818, are the result of members working to establish churches in the area. The Farmerville, or Interlaken Baptist Church, is one of its daughters. At least twelve churches have their roots from the Covert church.

In the beginning the congregation met in homes. During the 1820s, a building was constructed. One comment by Elder Thomas Sheardown in his autobiography notes, “It was a rare model of architecture for this time. The people went into the gallery from out of doors, going in at the gable end of the building.”

As for the current building, the main structure was built in the 1850s. Other than painting and a few minor changes, it remains as it was when built. Like many structures of that time period, the acoustics are quite remarkable, and a word whispered in the balcony might well be heard throughout the main room. Additions were made for a kitchen and rest rooms, and over the years the whole has been maintained by gifts from members and volunteer labor.

The Interlaken Historical Society’s website has a page which tells much of the story of the church and building. 

Dewitt’s Diary: Monday, February 16, 1953

Clear, Northwest wind. Clouding up and light snow this evening. Trying to finish up cabinets for base today.

[During the winter of 1953 Dewitt, Edna and Leland were remodeling the kitchen and Dewitt built all the cabinets for the new room. i.e. Monday February 11^th: Temperature 22, cloudy and still. Building a corner cabinet.]

February 14, 1940 G. D. VanBenschoten, The European Theater

In 1991 and 1992 the Interlaken Historical Society newsletters had a series of articles written by men and women of the community who had served in World War II. Throughout the year I will be using these to share the memories of the people involved and their experiences. Please note: The articles are presented without revisions to the originals.

       I was inducted into the service at Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on February 14, 1940 and sent to Camp Upton, N.J. for assignment.

The first week we were lined up for duty at Camp Upton, the sergeant asked for volunteers who could drive. (I had heard that drivers had an easier life in the service.) I volunteered and was given the duty to drive a wheel barrow, moving coal from a large pile to the tents on base. My first and last volunteer act.

       Within two weeks, I was transferred to the 29th Infantry at Fort Benning, Georgia. After basic training, I was permanently assigned to the 29th and promoted to battalion company clerk for Company L, at the rank of Staff Sergeant. The men of the 29th were assigned to the Officers Candidate School to be used for training cadres in field operations.

       When war was declared and our unit was scheduled for an over-seas assignment, I applied for O.C.S. Too late!

       Our company left Fort Benning for an assignment in Iceland. There I was put in charge of a supply depot just outside of Reykjavik. In the city of Reykjavik, we heated by hot volcanic water that ran through the streets in gutters. Most all homes had a greenhouse, also heated by volcanic water.

       Weather was very changeable in Iceland: cold, snowy, rainy and windy. One time it had snowed for several days and wind-blown snow had completely covered our quonset huts. As a result, we had had no mail call for several days. Mail call is very important in the service. So another fellow and I decided to ski over the mountain to the main base to pick up the mail-~an overnight trip. The weather changed to rain and we came back to camp with the mail, but carrying our skis on our shoulders. It had rained so hard and temperature rose so that there was not enough snow to ski back. We really got a big hand when we arrived at camp.

    We left Iceland for England on an English fishing boat: round bottom, hammocks, rough seas, and raw fish 'n chips. Sick, sick, sick.

       We arrived in Romney, England where I worked in a marshalling area, getting ready for the invasion. At night the flak from the anti-aircraft guns was so heavy that, when it fell, it would cut holes in our tents. First taste of war.

       During this period I received a Certificate of Merit. The certificate stated:

Interlaken Historical Society Collection
Veterans' Photos 2006 display

“Given in recognition of conspicuously meritorious and outstanding performance of military duty while engaged in the duty as Sergeant Major of Marshalling Area C which aided in accomplishing the successful invasion of the continent of Europe.”

Signed by C. A. Bagby, Colonel, 29th Infantry

       Soon after the invasion, I found myself in France, then Belgium, Germany, and Czechoslovakia.

Click here to read the rest of Mr. VanBenschoten's article on his war service.

Mr. Van, as many of us called him, served the school and the community for many years. He was involved with the Community Garden on Main Street and Main Street beautification in general. He died at home on November 18, 2014, age 95, and is buried at Lake View Cemetery.

You are welcome to share memories or comments in the section below.

Dewitt’s Diary 1937-1940

Sunday, February 14, 1937 A sudden change for colder. Temperature 40 dropping fast. Rain changing to snow. Another heavy snow squall tonight. Temperature 25 tonight.

Monday February 14, 1938 I caught a coon which raided my hen house up in the woods this morning. Todles (cat) died after being in trap. Found her over by Tom B barn.

Tuesday, February 14, 1938 Willard R & wife went to Farmers Week at Ithaca with us today. Very mild and a fine day.

Wednesday, February 14, 1940 No school and eight inches of snow this morning. Snowing hard all day. I think there is a good 15 inches at noon and still snowing heavy at 1 o’clock. Drew up some water. The snow is coming out of the northeast. Snowing hard yet tonight. Elmira reports 19 inches of snow.