In Delawanna, thieves broke into a coop on Franklin Ave. stealing 17 chickens and a bushel of corn. The intruders in this case and at least three others “chopped off the heads of the fowls, leaving them as a memento of their visit.” Consumer fraud appeared when state health inspectors fined a Clifton grocery-man $100 for selling “oleomargarine” as butter. Under the law oleomargarine, called ‘fictitious butter,’ required advertisement stating that it was not real butter. In 1908, the former Clifton Race Track, the 25-acre property—where Main Memorial Park and the Clifton Library stand today—was converted from horse racing into a velodrome for bicycle and motorcycle races.
A new building for the manufacture of cement blocks was erected at Clifton Ave. and Sixth St. because a “sand pit extends through the tract and the supply is apparently unlimited.” Hohenstein’s hall was where the monthly Acquackanonk Township Board of Education meeting was held. Three trustees were elected and they passed four propositions: (1) to purchase land to erect a new school to replace old School No. 4, (2, 3, 4) authorize additions to Botany School No. 7, School No. 10, and Delawanna School No. 8. The student population went from 1,604 in 1907 to 1,933 in 1908 with 56 teachers. The 1907 receipts were $119,048.28 with expenditures of $95,170.13. A merchant was found injured and unconscious by his wagon— missing his horse—near his home on Hazel Rd. “Clifton authorities are investigating the case and have set out to locate the missing horse, if possible.” March 2008 • Clifton Merchant
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