Bygone News As collected & edited by Clifton Historian Don Lotz Bygone News provides a glimpse into the events occurring in Acquackanonk (now Clifton) 100 and 50 years ago. While topics illustrate the evolution of a rural Acquackanonk Township into the Clifton of today, no doubt readers will also notice how some issues seem timeless.
August 1908 The Township Committee met and “Treasurer Thorburn’s report showed a balance on hand of $224.06.” Multiple residents and delegations appeared to complain about the poor condition of the streets due to flooding. Engineer Colin R. Wise reported a cost of $5,759.92 for a storm sewer on Crooks Ave., but the cost was deemed too high. Delawanna reported most roads are in horrible shape, and River Rd., Oak St., Passaic Ave., and Franklin Ave. were all reported to be impassable at certain times and “Snyder’s Ln. during
rainy weather is one vast stream of water in several places near the falls of Yanticaw Lake.” Automobile and motor-cycle speeds would soon be regulated. Chicken thieves reappeared in Delawanna, breaking “into the large coops of N. Fredericks and Station Agent W. Fredericks on the River Rd.” A tall slim prowler “accompanied by a small fox terrier” was spotted by people in the neighborhood about the time of the previous 10 robberies. Dr. L. F. Meloney, of Clifton, was appointed “medical inspector at a salary of not more than $200 a year.” Schools reported their readiness to open in September: 1 and 7 no report; 3 and 11 in good condition; 2 ready; 6, 9, and 10 all right; 3, 5, and 11 good condition; 4 and 8 work-in-progress. The Dundee Textile Company had 150 “Girl Weavers Leave Looms” during a strike at their
The photo above, supplied by the American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark in Haledon, is typical of the era when150 women went on strike at the Dundee Textile Company in Botany in 1908,
While he was the town’s treasurer in 1908, S. Grant Thorburn went on to serve as Clifton Mayor from 1925-27.
Dundee Canal at Ackerman Ave., Clifton factory. The girls struck over an alleged wage reduction, which the company denied. The company informed workers that if they did not show, they would be considered dismissed. Chief of Police William Coughlin, and Marshals Anthony Bottel, John Brown, James Coughlin, and James F. Sutton were placed “on the scene all day to prevent trouble.” Father Haitinger, of St. Marie’s Church spoke with the strikers and heeding his recommendation returned to their jobs, with hope of getting a raise. Joseph Richard’s Recreation Hall became the home of the North Clifton Physical Training School. Several young men of Clifton formed the organization and employed “an expert gymnast and calisthenist, who will instruct the boys two nights each week.” It was reported that due to ill health, barber Sidney Wiemer sold his shop on Main Ave. near Clifton Ave. to Benjamin De Slofney. August 2008 • Clifton Merchant
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