History: JCP&L Ad Recommends Sun Lamps as Restorative (1934)

The 21 Dec 1934 edition of The Matawan Journal included the following advertisement by the Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) company. The ad promoted the use of sun lamps as "a scientific way to make up for the real sunshine that most of us haven't the opportunity to get. These lamps are highly beneficial to men and women as well as children. Their restorative rays are not costly, either. One penny supplies them for fifteen minutes."

Steps For Joe

Over 600 people came together today at Matawan Regional High School for a fundraiser to help a student named Joe Ahmed get treatment for Stage IV Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare, aggressive bone cancer.

Marchers walked a circuit from MRHS down Atlantic to Little, across the bridge, then a right on Broad, a walk along the lake, a left on Main at the doughboy in the park, a left on Little and a right on Atlantic back to the school. This water stop got creative with the arrangement of the cups.

The event was organized by Tim Makalinao and Adam Elliott and assisted by officials of the township and borough. CERT assisted with traffic control.

Joe's treatment is experimental and very expensive. You can still donate online at Steps for Joe.

Matawan Drugs - Early History (1932 - 1962)

Here's some early history of Matawan Drugs as found in The Matawan Journal between 1932 and 1962.

Matawan Drug Co rented space at 176 Main Street, according to advertisements in the 16 Sep 1932 edition and the 12 Jun 1947 edition of The Matawan Journal.

Robert F Letts died on 6 May 1954 at his home at 145 Main Street in Matawan, according to the 13 May 1954 edition of The Matawan Journal. Letts worked at Crossman Clay Co of South Amboy, according to his obituary. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth.

Abraham M Kaminsky bought the Lett property in late 1954 for less than $10,000 and tore down the house, according to the 1 Sep 1955 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 1).

Kaminsky had a brand new building erected on the vacant property and held its grand opening on Friday 2 Dec 1955. The 1 Dec 1955 edition of The Matawan Journal included a large ad page with supportive congratulations from local businesses, including those that had a hand in building or outfitting the new building.

The commercial space that the Matawan Drug Company vacated at 176 Main Street was finally leased, according to the 27 Mar 1958 edition of The Matawan Journal.

There was an ad for Matawan Drug Co in the 21 Mar 1957 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 20).

Matawan Drug Co supported a local benefit by selling tickets to the Hunt Brothers Circus and Wild West Show, according to the 25 Jul 1957 edition of The Matawan Journal.

Matawan Drugs ran a joint ad with Sanford Pharmacy in the 5 Jul 1962 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 5). The two stores would take turns staying open until 8 pm on Sundays and holidays.

Matawan Drugs offered free and prompt pick up and delivery in the 11 Oct 1962 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 3).

Even Longer-Awaited Successor of Strathmore Swim Club

Put your swimsuit away. The Cambridge Club of Aberdeen, the long-awaited successor of the Strathmore Tennis and Swim Club on Lloyd Road, missed its planned (if vaguely scheduled) summer 2014 opening, according to the Asbury Park Press. In the meantime, the club wants you to fill out their membership form online and pay their $500 fee so you can "get in on the ground floor."

It'll be great, I'm sure. The Township says so. But the club's website is worryingly full of promised facilities, future amenities, and exclusive programs.  IMHO, it might be better to wait and see what develops and when.

Come to Pancakes in Pink This Sunday Morning at MRHS

Aberdeen Township is running a breakfast fundraiser at Matawan Regional High School this Sunday morning 1 June 2014 from 8 am to 11 am. For a $5.00 donation at the door, Pancakes in Pink will offer pancakes, bacon, sausage, home fries, eggs, fruit, coffee, tea, and juice. Donations will benefit Bayshore Hospital's Pink Fund, which provides mammograms for women with little or no insurance.

By the way, the Pancakes in Pink announcement appears on the recently redesigned township website.  Check it out. Nicely done.

History: Frank K Travers, Matawan Physician (1840 - 1873)

Dr. Francis K. "Frank" Travers (June 1840 - July 1873) was a medical doctor in Matawan from late 1869 to early 1873. He died quite young. Below are some resources on his life.

The 1850 Federal Census for Maryland showed Frank Travers, age 9, in the Dorcester County household of Samuel Travers, age 63, farmer, $8,000 in property, and Mary Travers, age 36. He was the sibling of William (16), Catherine (6), Ann (5), and Samuel (2). All were born in Maryland.

The 1860 Federal Census for Maryland showed Francis Travers, age 21, physician with $200 in personal property, living in the Dorcester County household of S Columbus Tall, age 28, born in Maryland, gentleman with $1,000 in real property. Tall seemed to be widowed with several young children and perhaps his mother and mother-in-law in the household. Also in the household was a Louisa Harris, age 20.

A 1862 US IRS Tax Assessment list showed F K Travers, physician, of Taylors Island, Maryland taxed $10 for a Class B license.

The Civil War Draft Registration as of 1 July 1863 showed Dr Francis K Travers, age 23, doctor, living at Taylors Island, Maryland. A number of men with the surname Travers appeared on the same page of the registration.

The 1868 Baltimore City Directory showed Frank Travers living at 162 South Charles St. 

The 1870 Federal Census for New Jersey showed Frank K Travers, age 30, born in Maryland, living in Matawan. He owned $4,000 in real property and $2,000 in personal property. He was enumerated as part of the household of Thomas R Ryer, age 60, born in New York, farmer with $30,000 in real property and $10,000 in personal property. He was likely a tenant.

The 26 Jul 1873 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 2 col 6) contained this plea to Dr Travers' patients to pay their overdue bills because he had been housebound for many months and unable to conduct his routine collection of payments.

To My Friends of Matawan and Vicinity: Having been confined to the house for five months, and making in that time but few collections, I am greatly in need of money. I therefore hope my patients will respond cheerfully to this call, and come forward promptly and settle their bills. Thereby oblige,
Yours Truly,
F K Travers

The 2 Aug 1873 edition of The Matawan Journal held Dr Travers' obituary:

"Frank K Travers, MD, was born in Dorchester County, Md about eight miles from Cambridge, the county seat, in June 1840. At the early age of ten years he manifested a fondness for medicine, and even then said he intended to be a doctor when he got to be a man. This desire increased with age, and after completing his educational course he commenced the study of the medical profession, and graduated from the Maryland University, at Baltimore, in the term of 1860, having been only twenty years of age. After receiving his diploma he practiced for a while at Baltimore, and then removed to Seaford, Delaware, where he remained until invited to become the partner of the late Dr Dayton in the winter of 1869 and '70. In this partnership he continued until the death of Dr Dayton, in July, 1870, when he took control of the entire practice. As a physician and surgeon, he gave evidence of ability and a love for his profession, and was recognized by official appointment by the Monmouth Co Medical Society, of which he was a member.

 He was connected with the Orders of Odd Fellows and Free Masons at Seaford, Del and continued in active relationship with Aberdeen Lodge F & A M at this place.
 Up to last fall he was in possession of as apparently good health as men generally enjoy, but the labors  of his profession told upon his constitution and developed a rapid hereditary consumption. For more than six months he has been unable to attend to any business, and on Friday evening, July 25th, as the sun was setting in the western sky, his sun sank beneath the horizon of human hope,  but only we dread to ----- forth in the realms where there is no night.

The funeral took place in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday afternoon July 29th at 4 o'clock, and notwithstanding the severe storm there was a large attendance of firm and sympathizing friends. At the conclusion of the service the body was left in the church until Monday morning, when it was taken to Old Bridge and thence conveyed to Glassboro in Gloucester County, where it was interred in the Episcopal burial ground."

The History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, by Franklin Ellis (1885: Philadelphia (R T Peck & Co), pg 345, contains the following biography of Dr. Travers, a text which I'm afraid would violate copyright law if it were to be published today:

"Frank K Travers, MD, was born in Dorchester County, Md about eight miles from Cambridge, the county seat, in June 1840. At an early age he manifested a fondness for the science of medicine, and after completing his educational course he commenced the study of it, and graduated at the Maryland University, Baltimore, in the session of 1860. After receiving his diploma he practiced for a time in Baltimore, then removed to Seaford, Del, where he remained until invited to become a partner with Dr A B Dayton, of Matawan, NJ, in the winter of 1869-70. In this partnership he continued until the death of Dr Dayton, in July, 1870, after which he remained in charge of the practice. Up to the fall of 1872 he was in possession of apparently good health; but his labors weighed upon his constitution, and developed a rapid hereditary consumption. For more than six months he was unable to attend to business, and he died on the 24th of July, 1873.

As a physician and surgeon, Dr Travers gave evidence of ability and love for the profession. In his personal relations he was friendly and courteous, just and upright in his dealings, and a firm advocate of professional etiquette. He was held in high esteem by his professional brethren, and by a large circle of sympathizing friends and patrons."

Ellis, pp 321-2, showed Dr Travers to be a member and officer of the Medical Society of Monmouth (1871-2).

Dr Travers is buried in the St Thomas Episcopal Church Burial Ground in Glassboro, NJ. A photo of his gravestone is captured at Find-a-Grave under the name Dr E K Travers.

History: Wartime Elixir Ad Targets Women's Sense of Duty (1918)

The 7 Nov 1918 edition of The Matawan Journal included this spirited wartime advertisement of the Lydia E Pinkham Hygiene Company, of Lynn, Massachusetts.  It encouraged "sick women to do your duty during these trying times" and take their vegetable compound to alleviate "female troubles and displacement."

Two woman advocated for this product by saying they'd found instant relief. One from Pennsylvania testified, "I am keeping house since last April and doing all my housework, where before I was unable to do any work." Another woman said she wanted other women in her situation to know that Pinkham's had ended her cramps and "dragging down pain," irregularity, "female weakness and displacement."

Displacement is likely a reference to painful symptoms experienced by many women due to internal organ movement caused by dramatic growth of the fetus in the second trimester of pregnancy. See Common Second Trimester Pains, at Baby and Bump.

History: Monmouth County Has Highest Maternal Death Rate in US (1931)

The 18 Sep 1931 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 1, pg 2 col 3) reported on the annual meeting of the Matawan Public Health Association. This was the association's 7th year of service to the community. A report was delivered, telling of accomplishments and goals. The report noted the need for additional work with pregnant mothers, as statistics revealed that Monmouth County had the highest maternal death rate of any county in the United States at the time.

--------------------------------

"During the past year visits to pre-natal patients were increased 28 per cent. We realize that this is one of the weakest points in our generalized nursing program, and that there is great need for increased service since, according to statistics, Monmouth County has the highest maternal death rate of any county in the United States. We hope, therefore, to be able to develop the service to a much greater extent during the next year."

--------------------------------

This high death rate may have prompted local and/or county health authorities to open the Maternal Health Clinic in Asbury Park in 1935.

History: First Birth Control Clinic in Monmouth County Opens (1935)

The 4 Oct 1935 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 7 col 4) reported on the establishment of the first birth control clinic in Monmouth County in Asbury Park.

BIRTH CONTROL CLINIC OPENS

A birth control clinic for Monmouth County opened at 913 Sewall Avenue, Asbury Park, Wednesday, according to Mrs. Robert G Haley, Rumson, and will be known as the Monmouth County Maternal Health Center.

The clinic, the first of its kind in the county, each Wednesday will give contraceptive advice to overburdened mothers and those in poor health. A small sum will be charged those capable of paying, but poor mothers will be given advice free of charge.

History: Dr Carl Gesswein, Matawan Physician (1881 - 1956)

Charles Albert "Carl" Gesswein was a prominent medical doctor with an office at the corner of Church and Main Streets and a home at 205 Main Street in Matawan for many years. He born on 30 May 1881, in Canton, Ohio, married Bessie Morrow about 1906, and died on 19 Mar 1956 at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank after a long illness.

In the 1881 Canton City Directory, Carl's father Gustave L Gesswein was foreman at the Diebold Safe and Lock Co and lived at 148 South Cherry Street in Canton. In a separate section of the directory, G Gesswein was listed as the 4th Ward's member of the school board. His term of office was due to expire in 1890.

Gustave appeared in the 1888-1889, 1889-1890, and 1891-1892 Canton City Directories.

Carl was a student living with his parents, Gustave J and Mary Gesswein, at 506 Bucher, Canton, OH, in the 1896 Canton City Directory. Carl's sister Laura was in the same household; she was working as a bookkeeper at the co-op grocery. His sister Rose was also there, listed as a stenographer.

Carl was a student living with his parents, Gustave and Marie Gesswein, in Hamilton, OH in the 1900 Federal Census. His father, who was born in Sep 1850 in Germany and came to the US five years later, was superintendent of a safe manufacturer in Hamilton, OH. Home to three major safe companies, Hamilton was considered the Safe Capital of the World at the time. Carl's mother was born in Feb 1856 in the portion of Virginia that would become West Virginia; her father was born in Germany and mother in Switzerland. Gustav and Marie were married about 1877 and had four children, one of which had died by 1900.

The 1900 Hamilton City Directory showed Gustave as Superintendent of the Mosler Safe Company, Grand Boulevard, East Hamilton. Their residence was at 229 North 7th Street in Hamilton. Carl was a clerk at Mosler. Gustave's wife was Mary A Gesswein. Carl's sisters Laura and Rose were in the household but listed no occupations.

Carl was a student in the 1902 Hamilton City Directory. Laura was a stenographer, while the other details above remained the same.

Carl was a medical student in the 1904 Hamilton City Directory. The other details above remained the same.

Carl finished undergraduate work at the University of Cincinnati, then medical school at the University of Illinois, Urbana, according to his obituary. He opened a medical office in Plainfield, NJ in 1904.

Carl married Bessie Morrow about 1906. Bessie and her fraternal twin, Jesse Morrow, were born in Oct 1879, children of John and Ada Morrow, according to the 1900 Federal Census. The family lived in Hamilton, OH, where John was a salesman. The twins were born in Seven Mile, OH, according to Bessie's obituary, which showed her name as Bessie Hudson Morrow. Her burial record and Carl's obituary both showed her maiden name as Hudson, but the Hudson connection was not obvious. John and Ada had been married 29 years in the 1900 Census and the children showed Pennsylvania parental birth places, matching John and Ada.

Carl and Bessie were enumerated at 102 Central Avenue in Plainfield, NJ in the 1910 Federal Census. He was a doctor with his own office. He and Bessie had been married for four years at the time.

Carl appeared with a business listing in the 1912 Plainfield City Directory. He was a physician with hours 8 - 10 am, 1 - 3 pm, and 7 - 8 pm. His residence was at 102 Central Avenue in Plainfield, NJ. His phone was 730-J. His father Gustave was listed in the household; he was working as a superintendent in Philadelphia. The women were not listed.

Carl was listed with physicians in the 1914, 1915 and 1916 Plainfield City Directories. Each showed his 102 Central Avenue address.

Carl and Bessie moved to Matawan in 1916, according to his obituary. The 14 Dec 1916 edition of The Matawan Journal contained this report:

"Dr. George G. Reynolds has sold his house on Main Street to Dr. Carl A. Gesswein of Plainfield, who, with his wife, moves here to-day. Dr. Gesswein is a graduate of The Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons, with twelve years' experience of practicing medicine and has had experience as operating surgeon in the Plainfield Hospital."

An advertisement for Dr C A Gesswein appeared in the 1 Nov 1917 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 6, col 5). His office was at the corner of Main and Church Sts, telephone 214, was open early in the morning (7:30 - 9 am), afternoon (1 - 3 pm), and evening (7 - 8:30 pm).

By the time Carl registered for the WWI draft in Sep 1918, he and Bessie were living at 205 Main Street in Matawan. He was of medium height and build with brown hair and grey eyes and was keeping a medical office at 30 Church Street, according to that record.

Carl's parents and two unmarried sisters were living in his 205 Main Street household in the 1920 Federal Census. His father was no longer working. (This record, in contrast to the 1900 record above, says that Gustave emigrated to the US in 1870 and was naturalized in 1875. And Marie's parents were both born in Switzerland in this record.) Carl's sister Laura was a secretary at the Episcopal church.

Carl and Bessie's household at 205 Main Street in the 1930 Federal Census included his parents, his sister Laura, and Bessie's sister's daughter Lillian Kenny. Lillian was a nurse in an office, presumably Carl's medical office.

Carl's parents went to Germany and spent several weeks there in the early fall of 1930, according to an Oct 1930 article reprised in the 1 Oct 1970 edition of The Matawan Journal. The article revealed that Gustav held the title of Justice of the Peace.

The doctor hit the news in 1930 when he recommended testing the water in Lake Matawan for toxins.

In Jun 1931, Carl took Bessie and their niece Lillian Kenny to Philadelphia, where he attended the convention of the American Medical Association, according to a history article in the 17 Jun 1971 edition of The Matawan Journal.

Bessie hosted the Matawan Women's Club at her home to hear the Mayor Edward Currie speak on municipal management, according to the 25 Nov 1932 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 1, col 3). (Her  attendance in the early 1950s at a Former Presidents of the New Jersey Federation of Women's Clubs suggests that she served as president of the Matawan Women's Club at some point.)

Bessie hosted the Wednesday Afternoon Bridge Club at her home, according to the 25 Jul 1935 edition of The Red Bank Register.

Carl maintained a flower garden on the lot where Daniel B Strong had a store for many years, according to the 16 Aug 1935 edition of The Matawan Journal. (You can also see the text of the 1935 article at History of Singer Sewing Machines in Monmouth and Middlesex Counties in his blog.)

The 1940 Federal Census showed Carl and Bessie hosting his unwed sister Laura and an adult niece named Lillian Kenny at their 205 Main Street residence. Lillian was a technician, office assistant.

Carl served on the committee for the annual dance benefit for Riverview hospital, according to the 18 Jul 1940 edition of The Red Bank Register.

Carl's medical office was at 35 Church Street in 1942, according to his WWII draft registration papers.  He and Bessie were at 205 Main Street and their phone number was 214. He was 5'8" tall and 200 lbs with grey hair and had a tattoo on his arm.

During WWII, Carl was chief of emergency medical services of the Matawan Borough Defense Council.

Carl worked on the staff at Monmouth Medical, Riverview and South Amboy hospitals. He served as the school physician for the Matawan Township school district. He also worked in Holmdel Township. He was a former member of the Monmouth County Medical Society.

Carl served on the Board of Directors of Matawan Bank and attained the presidency of the bank, according to his obituary. The 12 Jul 1951 edition of The Matawan Journal had a public notice of the accounts of this bank, showing Carl as president.

Carl was a member of Matawan Lodge #192 F & AM {Free and Accepted Masons}, according to his obituary.

Bessie was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, according to her obituary. She served as President of the Glenwood Mission Band until 1950, according to the 19 Jan 1950 edition of The Matawan Journal. She was also a circle member, among other activities of the church. She was also active in the Matawan branch of the American Red Cross. She is mentioned in this context in the 13 Apr 1950 edition of The Matawan Journal.

Bessie died of a heart attack on 11 Nov 1952 at their home in Matawan, according to the 13 Nov 1952 edition of The Matawan Journal. Her funeral was to be conducted by Rev Chester Galloway of the First Presbyterian Church on 14 Nov 1952, with burial to follow at Old Tennent Cemetery.

Carl resigned as Matawan Township schools physician in Feb 1955 due to illness, according to the 24 Feb 1955 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 1, cols 4-5). He also resigned as schools physician in Holmdel, according to the 14 Jul 1955 edition of The Red Bank Register.

Carl's obituary appeared in the 22 Mar 1956 edition of The Matawan Journal, (pp 1, 4). His funeral was conducted by Chester Galloway of the First Presbyterian Church. Burial was on 22 Mar 1956 at Old Tennent Churchyard in Tennent, NJ, according to Find-a-Grave.

Carl left $45,000 and the balance of his estate, minus $30,000 in directed bequests, to Lillian Kenny, his niece, according to the 12 Apr 1956 edition of The Matawan Journal. The bequests went to cousins and nieces as well as his late wife's twin brother.

History: Dr Dutcher, Veterinary Dentist Visits Matawan (1888)

A veterinary dentist named Dr Dutcher visited Matawan twice in 1888 to treat the area's horses and sell his liniment.

The pullers, luggers, lollers, droolers, et al mentioned in the first ad are categories of horse behaviors that resulted from the horses' responses to improper bitting. Those issues could have been caused by or leading to dental disease. But the other ailments and conditions were muscular or skeletal in nature, likely outside the bounds of the typical veterinary dentist's area of expertise. Likely he was hawking a cure all liniment as part of his practice. Ads for mostly ineffective curative liniments for people filled the Matawan Journal in those days, and only ended with federal intervention.

I've not been able to find any additional information online about this Dr Dutcher and would be pleased to hear from my readers about him. (Given the era, I'm assuming the doctor was a male, but I've been wrong before.)

The 4 Aug 1888 and 11 Aug 1888 editions of The Matawan Journal carried the above Dr Dutcher ad, transcribed below:

DR DUTCHER,

Veterinary Dentist,

will treat ailments of the horse's mouth

and cure all such

SIDERIAN PULLERS, LUGGERS,

TONGUE LOLLERS, DROOLERS, 

CRIBBERS, AND OLD HORSES 

that cannot masticate their food.

All work warranted. Orders by mail 

promptly attended to. Examination free. 

Also, Dr Dutcher's Celebrated Liniment 

and Ointment, for contracted cords, spavin, 

ringbone, swollen joints, corns and quarter 

cracks. The Doctor will be at the 

Matawan House for 10 Days.

 

The 20 Oct 1888 and 27 Oct 1888 editions of The Matawan Journal carried the above Dr Dutcher ad, which read:

DR DUTCHER,

  VETERINARY DENTIST.

    TREATS ALL DISEASES OF HORSES.

  Also, Dr Dutcher's Celebrated Liniment

and Ointment, for ringbone, spavin, etc.

          Refers to Dunn, Dunlop & Co,

    May be found at the Matawan House.

History: Wagon House Fire at Cliffwood Hotel; Matawan Journal Ads and Notices (1870)

According to the 15 Oct 1870 edition of The Matawan Journal, the wagon house at the Cliffwood Hotel burned to the ground the night of Saturday 1 October 1870, along with a carriage and buggy that happened to be inside. The cause of the fire was unknown.

A few ads from that page:

It is a fact.
It is the truth,
That Schanck & Holbrook's
Is the place to buy your hats.

Mrs H James,
Paris Millinery
Opposite the Bank, Matawan
Laces and Ribbons

E I Brown
Operative and Mechanical Dentist
Opposite M Bissell's Furniture Warerooms,
Matawan, NJ
All work guaranteed to give satisfaction

TAX NOTICE
     The Commissioners of Appeal will meet at the Hotel of John Farry, Matawan, on November 22, 1870, at 10 am.
     The collector will meet the inhabitants of the Township as follows, to receive taxes: Richard Worrell's Hotel, Mount Pleasant, Tuesday December 13 from 10 am to 3 pm. John Farry's Hotel, Matawan, Wednesday December 14.
     Taxes can be settled at any time before return day, by calling on the collector.
     All unsettled taxes returned December 20th. Twelve percent interest added on all unsettled taxes after December 20th, 1870.
     Benjamin Griggs, Assessor   James H Horner, Collector

Dupont's BLOOD FOOD
     Its ingredients are identical with the component parts of healthy blood.
     As a remedy for all diseases of the throat and lungs it is an infallible Cure, even in the last stages of CONSUMPTION.
     It softens the cough, strengthens the system, and restores the sick to health.
     In chronic of GENERAL DEBILITY and all diseases arising from an impure or impoverished state of the blood,
     ITS EFFECTS ARE WONDERFUL,
     And thousands of lives are annually saved by its use. No sick person need despair, for they can enjoy perfect health by the use of Dupont's BLOOD FOOD

History: Brick Worker Shot at Card Game, Lands in Matawan Hospital (1928)

The 21 Sep 1928 edition of The Matawan Journal included this short blurb describing the rough life of the Cliffwood brick manufacturing community:

"As the result of an argument over cards, Hugh J Ross, colored, employer of the Craigen Brick Company at Cliffwood, is in the Matawan Hospital with a bullet hole in his groin and his common law wife, Viola Wright, is in the county jail at Freehold, having been held for the grand jury, it being alleged that she fired the shot. The woman was arrested by the State police and arraigned before a Keyport justice. At the hospital it was said that Ross did not appear to be seriously injured."

I suspect that Viola wasn't playing cards with the guys. It's more likely that she shot Hugh in the groin over some indiscretion involving a woman. One can only ponder how someone could have been shot in the groin and not be seriously injured.

History: Biddle Aviation Field, Matawan (1930)

Albert Biddle, 24, of Mamaroneck, NY and Red Bank, and two area residents were killed when Biddle's biplane crashed near Matawan on 27 July 1930, according to the 1 Aug 1930 edition of The Matawan Journal. The crash was also mentioned in the 30 Jul 1930 edition of The Red Bank Register.

Biddle, who had logged 400 hours of flight time, and another pilot had been providing joy rides to local thrill seekers throughout the day, carrying a total of 17 passengers over Matawan and neighboring areas in two biplanes. The flights -- $3 for one passenger, $5 for two -- took off from Biddle Aviation Field, a Matawan airport that young Albert and his brother, John Biddle, of Freneau, had opened only the Sunday before.

At 6:15 pm, as the daylong event was nearing an end, two exuberant Cliffwood passengers disembarked from Biddle's plane and quickly lined up to buy tickets for the next ride. Biddle then took two more passengers up to experience his stunt flying. He had completed one loop the loop and started a second when the plane stalled at about 1,500 feet. The plane went into a steep dive, engine off, and the pilot simply could not recover.

The plane lost its wings and trees their branches as the plane crashed into a fifty-foot deep wooded gully about a mile outside of Matawan. The plane came to rest with its nose embedded in a clay embankment on the John Orsha farm, property better known to locals at the time as the old Heuser farm. The crash site was  about a mile from the airfield.

The crash gravely wounded the pilot and Edward D Haseman, 22, of Wickatunk. Both were rushed to the Matawan Private Hospital, where they died. George Schrank, 19, of Freneau, died at the scene of the crash. Rescuers were quick to respond but the injuries were simply too severe to overcome.

At the airfield for this horrible occasion were Biddle's father, Albert Biddle, Sr; the young pilot's fiancée, Miss Gladys Snyder, of Red Bank; and Louis Branin, of Alice Place, Riverside Heights, Red Bank, at whose home young Biddle routinely stayed when visiting the area. Many local residents, eyes attracted to the skies above them by the planes' noisy antics, also witnessed the crash, but from various vantage points in the area.

The Red Bank Register mentioned that the Biddles were staying at the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank at the time of the accident.

*********************************

Albert N Biddle Jr was 22 years old and born in Mamaroneck, when he was enumerated in the 1930 Federal Census in the Mamaroneck, Westchester County, NY household of his parents, Albert N Biddle, Sr (64 born in NYC to NYC parents) and Nanette C Biddle (48 yrs old NY NY NY). Also in the household was a younger brother, George Biddle, 18 years old, and a servant couple from Germany, Emil and Augusta Ledogar. The elder Biddle was a retired stock broker with $40,000 in property. The younger Albert was listed as a pilot in the aviation industry.

Edward D Hasemann, 22 years old, carpenter, was enumerated in the Marlboro household of his brother Charles F Hasemann, a truck farmer, sister-in-law Gertrude, and the latters' seven children in the 1930 Federal Census. Edward and Charles' brother, Conrad Hasemann, also lived in the household. The three brothers were born in New York to a German father and New York mother.

Born 28 July 1911, George A Schrank would have celebrated his nineteenth birthday the day following the crash. He was the son of Ralph Jones Schrank and his wife Elizabeth Mary (DeLoskey) Schrank. In the 1930 Federal Census, George, 18, born in Pennsylvania, laborer, was living with his widowed mother in the Freneau section of Matawan.

John Johnson Orsha,  was born Ivan Umnikoff on 20 July 1887 in Russia and died in Matawan on 22 Oct 1954. He is buried at the Old Tennent Graveyard, according to Find A Grave.

The "Matawan Private Hospital" was likely the "Old Hospital" on Ravine Drive, a photo of which appears on page 62 of Around Matawan and Aberdeen, by Helen Henderson.

It is unclear where Biddle Aviation Field was situated. The plane crash seems to have ended the enterprise.

As for the Heuser farm, a couple of choices exist.

• The 1880 Federal Census shows a Charles Heuser, age 50, wife Anna, age 42, and sons George, Frederick, August, Christopher, and Richard and daughter Annie with a farm in Matawan.
• The 1910 Federal Census shows a James Heuser, 43, born in NJ to German parents, who was a truck farmer. James was enumerated in Matawan with a wife Margarite, 40, also from NJ with German parents, plus three daughters -- Ethel, Mabel and Nellie.

History: Local Miscellany, Matawan Journal, 3 Jun 1876

The 3 Jun 1876 edition of The Matawan Journal, included the following sampling of items under Local Miscellany:

• Rev Andrew Jackson, of the African M E Church, near Matawan, preached his farewell sermon last Sunday evening. 

• The Sheriff's sale of the 60 building lots at Mechanicsville has been adjourned to Wednesday, June 23rd at the hotel in that place. 

• The first shipment of thirteen crates of strawberries was sent up on the propeller Wyckoff, on Wednesday evening. 

• The work was begun on the new session room of the Presbyterian Church, on Wednesday. It is to be located on the east side of the church, and will cost between two and three thousand dollars. Mr D l Walker is the builder. 

• Dr Geran, always up to the times in matters connected with his profession, has been getting a machine for working upon cavities in the teeth, by which he accomplishes so much for his patients in less than half the time formerly required. Call in and have some of your molar excavations excavated, and see how nicely it operates. 

• On Monday morning the conductors and brakesmen on the N Y & L B Railroad, received new caps. Those of the conductors have gold tape bands, with the word "conductor" on a front plate; while those for the brakesmen and baggage-carriers have silver tape bands, with a similar plate bearing the name of their position. 

History: Cancer Can Strike Anyone! Strike Back. (1949 ACS Ad)

The 7 Apr 1949 edition of The Matawan Journal contained this front page advertisement supporting the American Cancer Society.

History: Abortion in Monmouth County Newspapers (1883 - 1958)

With all the pressure to make legal abortions difficult if not impossible to obtain, it seems a good time to review the history of illegal abortions in Monmouth County and the many women who were hospitalized or even died after seeking to end an unwanted pregnancy. Below are an assortment of articles from The Matawan Journal and The Red Bank Register between 1883 and 1958 on the topic of abortion.

Ocean Grove druggist C. Huestis was being pursued on charges of seduction and abortion after evading capture, according to the 26 Sep 1883 edition of The Red Bank Register. The 4 Jun 1884 edition of the same paper elaborated on this, saying that Dr Cornelius Hustis had been captured earlier that week, adding that Hustis had been sought on charges placed by his victim, Emma Howell, of Ocean Grove.

The 13 Jan 1892 edition of The Red Bank Register said, "Thomas Timothy, Jr., of Holmdel township, was arraigned on a charge of abortion. He had betrayed his sweetheart, an immigrant girl named Ella Patrula, and had then induced her to take Paris green. He pleaded not guilty and will be tried on Tuesday, January 26th."

The Matawan Journal's coverage of upcoming arraignments in the Monmouth County Courthouse in ithe newspaper's 2 Feb 1895 edition, page 8, column 5 included a case of conspiracy to commit abortion. A woman named Rosalene Brady had sought and apparently received an abortion in Matawan. Those who performed the procedure were to be arraigned in Monmouth County court for conspiring with Ms Brady as well as for committing assault and battery against her.

Mrs Viola Bowers, a housekeeper in Howell, died of blood poisoning due to an abortion, according to the 11 Apr 1907 edition of The Matawan Journal. A coroner's jury was unable to name any culprits while hearing the matter at Freehold, but they were given only limited information. A doctor from Belmar and her employer in Howell were under bond to testify before the grand jury related to the matter.

The Monmouth County physician, in his annual report, cited one death in the county in 1925 due to abortion, according to the 8 Jan 1926 edition of The Matawan Journal.

Mrs Stella Patterson, of 14 West Main Street, Keyport, accused a juror of soliciting a $400 bribe to quash an indictment against her, according to the 20 Dec 1935 edition of The Matawan Journal, front page. Mrs. Patterson had been charged with performing an abortion on Mrs Eleanor Hopson, 24, of Long Branch. Mrs Hopson died in Hazard Hospital in Long Branch due to the alleged operation. The juror was indignant at her charge against him and called her a liar, while the other jurors called it a frame up.

Red Bank PD arrested one person for abortion in 1943, according to the department's annual report, which appeared in the 10 Feb 1944 edition of The Red Bank Register, page 2 column 1.

Patrick Santangelo of Red Bank was indicted in Monmouth County court for an abortion he performed in Red Bank in August, according to the 5 Sep 1946 edition of The Red Bank Register., page 3.

The Monmouth County Medical Society, at its February 1948 meeting, was to hear a presentation on the prevention of abortion and premature labor, according to the 4 Mar 1948 edition of The Matawan Journal, page 3, column 2.

NJ State Police and Bergen and Passaic County Police broke up a $2,500-per-day abortion ring operating weekends in Red Bank and weekdays in Paterson, according to the 16 Aug 1951 edition of The Red Bank Register..

A doctor from Atlantic Highlands was charged with abortion and tax evasion, according to the 9 Apr 1953 edition of The Red Bank Register, page 8 column 5. At the same time, the doctor was involved in a civil suit/counter suit involving the man who managed the doctor's dairy farm.

Anthony "Tony" Siciliano of Eatontown was charged in Monmouth County court of performing an abortion on Miss Jane Harrison of Long Branch, allegedly causing her death, according to the 25 Feb 1954 edition of The Red Bank Register. Harry Neuwirth, of Long Branch, allegedly aided and abetted the abortion by soliciting Mr Siciliano's services. The defendants were seeking a delay in the court proceedings to prepare their defense, according to the 24 Jun 1954 edition of The Red Bank Register. Mr Siciliano was found guilty two years later, as can be found in the 11 Oct 1956 edition of the Register, pg 2. That edition included a second abortion charge against Mr Siciliano, as follows,"Another indictment against Siciliano, charging him with performing an abortion on Miss Joan E. Rollins, 20, Falls Church,. Va., a college student at Lakewood, is also pending. Miss.Rollins died during August, 1954, after an abortion in an Ocean township motel. Prosecutor Vincent P. Keuper has said he would wait for the sentencing of Siciliano and review of the pending Rollins case before deciding whether to proceed with a trial in the second one."

Dr Leopold Brandenburg of Middlesex Road, Matawan, was found guilty in Hudson County court of conducting an abortion 12 years earlier in Union City, according to the 17 Nov 1955 edition of The Matawan Journal. The woman testified that she and her ex-boyfriend visited this doctor in 1943 and he had charged her $200 to conduct the operation. Dr Brandenburg lost his license in 1947 and served 44 months in a federal prison on narcotics charges.

The 16 Feb 1956 edition of The Red Bank Register carried the following story:
"Abortion Ring Trio Arrested
FREEHOLD — Mrs. Harriet (Hattle) Marks, 38, Southard, charged with performing an abortion and being the central figure in an abortion ring, pleaded not guilty Tuesday and was held in $10,000 bail for grand jury action.
   Prosecutor Vincent P. Keuper said Mrs. Marks had performed about 200 illegal operations during the last 20 years for a statewide ring.
   Identified as one of the key persons in the ring is Robert J. Croameans,, 35, Neptune City, who operated a soda fountain in Red Bank and is free in $10,000 bail awaiting a hearing Monday before
County Judge Elvln R. Simill.
   The complaint in this case is based on an alleged abortion performed last Sept 8 in a Wall township motel on Miss Gladys Bennett, 22, Plainfield. Mr. Keuper said Cremeans has been the go-between in many of the cases in which Mrs. Marks allegedly performed the abortions."

Susan Seward was in Monmouth County court charged with performing a $50 abortion in July 1956 on Mrs Helen Leonard, of Montclair, at the New Shrewsbury home of Sarah Jackson, according to the 15 Nov 1956 edition of The Red Bank Register. Ms Seward claimed that Mrs Leonard conducted the operation on herself with the help of Ms Jackson. Mrs Leonard spent three weeks in a Mountainside hospital recovering from the operation.

Mrs Anna Trzaska of South River was charged with performing an abortion in August in a Keyport home on a 21-year-old Keansburg woman, according to the 2 Oct 1958 edition of The Matawan Journal, page 15, columns 7-8.. Trzaska initially pleaded not guilty but ultimately did not contest the charges, according to the 8 Oct 1959 edition of The Matawan Journal, which noted that the Keansburg woman had been hospitalized but responded to treatment and was released.

History: Dedication of Bayshore Community Hospital (1972)

The 4 May 1972 edition of The Matawan Journal reported on the dedication of the new Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel. The ceremony was held on Sunday 30 Apr 1972 and the hospital opened Monday 1 May 1972.

The hospital was located on a 17-acre site and included 158 beds, four operating rooms, an emergency suite, and X-ray, intensive care and coronary care units.

After several failed attempts to construct a hospital in the area, a group of local doctors and businessmen got together in 1961 and formed the committee that eventually got the support needed to build Bayshore Community.

The article provided the names and activities of the founders as well as the participants at the dedication ceremony.

Pumpkin Painting at Starbucks Monday

Starbucks of Matawan is holding a pumpkin painting fundraiser on Mon 22 Oct from 4pm to 8pm. Three dollars gets you a small pumpkin and painting supplies. Join Starbucks in the fight against breast cancer. Paint your pumpkin pink!

What Ails Your County Employees? Inquiring Minds Wanna Know

Monmouth County Freeholders are considering the idea of spending over $17,000 to have Blue Cross Blue Shield conduct a health review of county employees to see what ails them. For some reason the bill writer thinks it would be in the best interest of the county to look at the overall health of county employees and identify the main areas of concern.

I'm not sure what the county expects to find or what they could even do with such health statistics once they obtained them. Seems like a lot of money to discover that county employees, like the rest of us, need to lose some weight or stop smoking.

My health plan offers me a free health review that develops a personal health profile with a personal response program. My health plan? Blue Cross Blue Shield. Sounds to me like the county is being sold a bill of goods.