Aberdeen NJ Life

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

African Americans in the Matawan Journal: 7 Sep 1911

One hundred years ago this week, the 7 September 1911 edition of the Matawan Journal documented a stabbing that took place two weeks earlier near some stables in Atlantic Highlands.

Stabbed For Defending A Cripple.

William Bennett, son of John Bennett, the well known Hillside nurseryman, received a bad cut from a knife in the hands of James Hardy, colored, of G. K. Bartleson's stables, near Centre Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, early Sunday morning, August 25.

A number of colored men were standing near the stables and engaged in tormenting Edward Vincent, also colored and a cripple. Bennett and some friends were standing near and soon Bennett spoke up for the cripple. Hardy took exception to this and struck at Bennett, who knocked the other down two or three times, and the last time Hardy came up with a knife, dealing Bennett a cut on the left cheek and neck over three inches long. Mr. Bennett was so weak from loss of blood that he had to be removed to his home.
Hardy was placed under arrest by Officer Foster and a hearing was set for the following night, but Mr. Bennett was in such bad condition that Hardy was committed to the County Jail by Justice Williams without bail, to await the action of the Grand Jury.
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George F Bartleson, born Jan 1859 Pennsylvania, appeared in the 1900 Federal Census along with his wife and three children. The census showed his occupation as livery, which suggests he was likely the owner of Bartleson stables on Centre Avenue in Atlantic Highlands mentioned in the above article. The Bartlesons are buried at Bay View Cemetery in Atlantic Highlands, per Distant Cousin.

I had no luck locating the Bennetts, Edward Vincent, or James Hardy in the 1910 census.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Tall Grass II

The grass is growing long at the corner of Route 35 and Cliffwood Avenue.

Holmdel Park After Hurricane Irene

We visited Holmdel Park today for the first time since Hurricane Irene. There is definitely some damage to the trees, but it's worth visiting the arboretum because many are flowering. You might even find a few chestnuts.

JCP&L Stops Providing Detailed Outage Info; Lee and Katia

I wanted to see how many customers in our area might still be without power, but JCP&L has stopped providing detailed statistics on its outages map. Monmouth County is marked as having less than 500 outages, and each town is likewise marked. The towns used to be clickable, revealing the approximate number of outages, but no more. Less than 10 customers without power might be an informative statistic, but "less than 500 outages" requires more details. First Energy's most recent news release, dated 3 Sep 2011, said they expected power to be restored to most JCP&L customers as of 4 Sep 2011. Post a comment if there are still pockets of power outages in our area.

Weather reports are calling for Tropical Storm Lee to dump 2"-6" of rain in NJ and PA. The weather map suggests that the storm is coming north along the I-81 corridor, so the heavier amounts will fall closer to the Pennsylvania border and west. The forecasts call for the rain to begin late tonight (Monday) and run through Thursday. Preliminary models show Hurricane Katia's trajectory will turn away from the coast at the last minute and avoid US landfall, but the jury is still out, so watch for more definitive reports. If she doesn't turn, we're in for another, probably worse, storm.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Kavanaugh Trail: Summer Brings Poison Ivy

The Kavanaugh Trail is much drier than when I last visited in April,even with a hurricane last weekend. A number of trees, mostly birches, have fallen, but none blocked the path. The big danger is a fair smattering of poison ivy along the edges of the path. And if the state allows bow hunting to cull the deer herd in Cheesequake Park, as has been suggested, keep in mind that the Kavanaugh Trail is part of the state park.

Fallen trees along Kavanaugh Trail

Fallen tree along Kavanaugh Trail

Poison ivy along Kavanaugh Trail

Kavanaugh Trail is dry in August.

Fallen trees along Kavanaugh Trail

Poison Ivy along Kavanaugh Trail

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Jake-a-Bob's Restaurant Doing Fine After Irene

We needn't have worried about Jake-a-bob's Restaurant in Union Beach. The place seems to have done just fine during Hurricane Irene. A quick check today showed the place crowded and lively.

Union Beach Memorial Park

Union Beach has a small memorial park on Front Street at Florence Avenue along the shore of the Raritan Bay. Under a set of flags can be found a dough boy statue commemorating the First World War. A semi-circle of stone monuments stand tribute to those who served in the Second World War and those who died in more recent wars.