Transcription
Restcome Potter Conklin's
HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF CHESTER
His Question to the People:
Do You Want the Map and Deeds of Isaac T. Townsend or Masterson's Store and No Streets?
Your Title Is Gone!
VOL. XIII
THE CHESTER IMBOGLIO
(From the Newburgh Telegram January 20,1917).
A series of pamphlets published at various times from June 1909 to December 1916, entitled "R. P. Conklin's History of the Village of Chester," have been received by The Telegram, and from a cursory examination reveal a peculiar state of public affairs in the Orange County municipality far-famed as the seat of the Onion Exchange.
Chester is an incorporated village situated on the main line of the Erie Railroad, fifty-six miles northwest of New York, and about twenty miles from Newburgh via Difflyville. Its population is 1,400. It has no local newspaper printing office, and is without a resident attorney. It can boast of a $5,000 municipal building, a public library, a fire department and a brass band. Its area is almost as great as Newburgh, and is divided into four boroughs.
According to Mr. Conklin's writings Chester is a "one-gut village, and that so obstructed that the public cannot have a free passage." He has long disputed the right of the local authorities to doctor a map of the village as laid out by one Isaac T. Townsend, and filed in the County Clerk's office October 11, 1841, and to substitute therefor a map made to conform in street frontage to a building known as Masterson's store. For many years the community has been the scene of much internal strife and external mirth as actions and counteractions between the village officials and taxpayers enlivened the courts and enriched lawyers. It was only last November that Justice Arthur S. Tompkins rendered an important decision in the case of George Wilson, a taxpayer, versus the village, wherein tbe contention of the plaintiff was upheld. It is asserted in Mr. Conklin's latest pamphlet that "the village started to put a concrete walk on private property without any permission or compensation, and was served with an injunction. “The Village Trustees" he continues "made two very strong efforts to force the walk down, with the intention of beating Wilson out of his title, and also changing the boundaries of the railroad lot of two acres, dedicated to the village for public use." He declares that the growth and advancement of the community has been seriously retarded through the greed and selfish tactics of an invisible government which he repeatedly terms a "Conspiracy Company." He says that for 24 years "the village bosses have been trying to rob the village of public lands for selfish graft and special favors through power in office" and further on declares that "such men should be placed on the operating table and have their conceit removed." He says he has been arrested twice "and dragged into the Supreme Court, without an affidavit." He has been subjected to a fine of $25.00 for violating a village ordinance. Apparently he has no fear of being sued for libel, and says that his expose arises from a condition that was forced on him. In fact he defies the persons mentioned in his pamphlets to sue him for libel. Referring to the church affiliations, he says: "If Joining the Church means getting a license to wear the livery of God to serve the devil, then Chester takes the lead. Men, who have professed to believe the Bible must be looking forward for 'a hell of a time' when they arrive in their everlasting home."
Acting on the theory that where there is so much smoke there must be some fire, The Telegram has assigned a representative to examine the records and gather all available information on the subject for the enlightenment of the public.
Through reference to a Biographical History of Orange County, we learn that Restcome Potter Conklin was born in Chester, N. Y., October 14, 1847, a son of Walter H. Conklin. Among his ancestors on the maternal side was Judge Platt Potter, an eminent jurist and author. R. P. Conklin attended the Chester Academy and Cooperstown Seminary. In 1871 he engaged in the onion business and developed an extensive trade as a grower and shipper. He has been regarded as an authority on the quality and price of the vegetable for which the soil around Chester is so richly adapted. When the Village was incorporated in 1892, Mr. Conklin was chosen Police justice, and was the first foreman of the fire Company. He has served as a Justice of the Peace of the Town, as a member of the Board of Education, and as chairman of the board of Trustees of the Presbyterian church, from which it may be inferred that he is a man of more than ordinary standing and ability. When seen yesterday by a Telegram man, Mr. Conklin explained at some length his position in the dispute. He said the people of Orange county have been lead to believe that he was trying to get more land than his deed called for, and that he had been practically alone in his fight against certain intrests. He said he had found the heirs of the original owner of the property in question when it was farm land, and that he had bought their right, title and interest in order to protect the people's right to private property. He said he had found that patience, perseverance and courage could overcome many obstacles, and was glad to learn that the controversy is to be thoroughly ventilated.
Benjamin Conklin lived in Conklin Town, Orange County, N. Y. He had three Sons, Daniel, Morris G., Walter H. And three Daughters. Hannah married Sidney Fitzgerald, Harriet married Philander Banker. Sarah married Zopher Halsey. They were the Heirs of the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution. They were the
descendants of the Mather Family John Cotton, the man that named Boston, Mass., and applied to the State Legislature to have it accepted. He had two nephews Cotton and Increse Mather. One of them had seven Sons and all of the seven Brothers were very distinguished Ministers. And helped to make great historical records for the State. In its early History their Father was killed in battle in the revolutionary war.
My Mother's Mother was a sister to Judge Platt Potter of Schnectady, born in the year 1800. He died in the year 1893. He lacked seven years of filling out a full century of great usefullness. He was one of the directors of Union College from its beginning and the graduates of said College always speak of him in the highest terms. His Father's name was Judge Restcome Potter. Read the geanology of the Potters. It is wonderful. They were Quakers and when America was settled the People of Europe came to this Country for freedom of WORSHIP and they were so extremely pious they were not companionable with the other Churches so that Demonination has gradually faded away and Denominations are all Worshiping the same God.
It was the Quakers that abandoned slavery in the northern states of America. And helped to frame the Constitution of the United States with inspiration from the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Read it, it is wonderfull. All men are created equal with life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
And foreigner's that have been naturalized have promised to support the constitution of the United States.
But the human heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. And to satisfy Selfishness, Jealousy and Spite it is necessary to have Human Rules and Formalities to govern each Church. I am writing from practical experience.
I was born in Chester and it was a Paradise on Earth a land flowing rich with milk and honey. The home of the best Horses and Cows in the WORLD. And there are many living today that will never forget Prof. Orton and the Old ,Chester Academy. The scholars came from near and far to attend his school. Miss Hanna Craig was the music Teacher and instructor, the best quartet in the County lived in Chester when they had musical conventions at the Academy they were well perfected.
The Presbyterian and Methodist Churches were well filled every Sunday.
That influence has given the Doctor's patience to practice on, it has helped to fit its Ministers for the Pulpit. It has sent its Heroes to the Battlefield and placed on the farm the Agriculturalist. And when that old building went up in smoke it buried beneath the ashes the reputation the Village once had.
Today we have Five Churches and one GOD. Be loyal to your own Church, remove all Selfishness, Jealousy and Spite. Help each other, do it with a will in union there is strength And God will let the sun shine on the Village we once had.
Walter H. Conklin was clerk of the session of the Presbyterian Church for over Forty years. The Candidates and supplys was entertained at our home and at different times. I have heard my Mother repeat in poetry the substance of their sermon. The said Church is governed by Trustees who look after the property and Finance. The Session is controlled by the ruling Elders and the Minister is the teaching Elder.
In the year 1877 Chester had a big Fire and burned down a large portion of the Vilage and the Stores and living rooms saved what they could of household goods. One Man and his Son had removed their stock and store fixtures one week before the fire, and when the fire was discovered and the front door was broke open it was a solid mass of flames on an oiled floor. which soon reached the buildiigs on the other side of the street which were frame buildings at that time. Two days after the Fire the one Man and his Son had started business in the old freight depot with the same store fixtnres and goods.
Then there was a meeting of the session of the Presbyterian Church of which the Father and Son were both members. The said Father was one of the Elders. W. H. Conklin made a motion that the said Father be dismissed from the session. After the comments of an exasperated community had been discussed, there was no one to second the motion so it rested until a few days later the other members called on W. H. Conklin and asked him to resign. W. H. Conklin said he was perfectly willing to resign if the other Members would resign. Then the memhers of the Church could vote on who they wanted. The Minister found another place to Preach. W. H. Conklin was an Elder when he died.
A College Education without Practical common sense is a dangerous Man in a community for they have nothing but self conceit fishing for compliments by showing a diploma with an air of superiority. But God has always found one Man at a time, that he could depend on. He found Christ. He found Washington. He found Lincoln. He found Grant. He found Roosevelt. He found Wilson. Of the colored race He found Fred Douglass and Booker T. Washington. And you will find Coolidge in Washington. For GOD put him there.
God did not allow the Names mentioned to be KILLED until they had Made and Developed wonderful History.
The Bible says well done good and Faithful Servant, Enter thou in the Kindom of Heaven. And they entered. God found Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote and published Uncle Tom's Cabin. And framed in words most interesting and beautiful. Words that have helped to make History of the United States.
The greatest power on earth is FAITH, faith in God, faith in Yourself. With a will power to do the work, and God will do the rest. He always has and alwavs Will. And what He does is exceedingly conspicuously done. The crucifixion of Christ. The assassination of our Best Presidents, The World's war, which had been promised in Scripture, was conspicuously done. And made the United States of America the Greatesf Nation in the World. Yet we often hear people say there is no God for He would not allow such wicked things to occur. That is Selfconceit with a dormant BRAIN. The disease is now controlled by the Compulsory Education Law.
Church Denominations is a NECESSITY. Some live to create others live to destroy. We often read of an incendiary fire of a large Barn filled with hay and roasted 30 or 40 valuable Cows in one oven. It satisfies their wicked nature for the courts can't prove who done it for they can beat the laws of God with Selfconceit.
Chruch Denominations teaches in a pleasant interesting way the Bible History. And when all Churches will respect the right and thoughts of others one GOD is all that is necessary.
The Almight GOD sent the Jews, Catholics and the Negroes to help develop and beautify this Nation and sent the best of them. God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.
The greatest History ever published is the HOLY BIBLE written by wise men and inspiration. The Jews have been hard active workers and have accumlated weallh but they must remember they are living in America and they have no right to interfere with the rights of others.
The Roman Catholics have come here and they have been hard workers, money earners, money savers land buyers and their Church Property is one of the beuatiful features of the Village. And the members are very loyal to their Church which is very commendable. And I have always found them ready to lend a helping hand both at home or on the battlefield. And if they will put as much faith in GOD as they do in the Pope And remember that they are living in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.
The Negro was imported in this country bought and sold like cattle to the highest bidder, and were slaves, and it was against the rules to teach them to READ. The rich planters grew cotton shipped it to Europe and it was brought back and sold to the American people. The slave owners wanted to extend slavery in the Territories, When the Civil War started the South had expected Europe to help them to whip the North. Now how the conditions have changed. The cotton factories are large and numerous. Nergroes are buying the land, earning money and saving it and fast becoming BLEACHED, while the white trash of the South is more common than the Negro ever was and always has been. When the slaves were armed and equipped slavery was whipped and the colored troops fought bravely.
When Hamilton Fish, Jr., took his colored army to Europe the World's War was ended in the forty and two months described in the Bible. Could you expect the Almighty God to make it any more conspicuous?
It is God's way of teaching the Peopie that He controls Africa and America both. And that it is the white trash of the NORTH and SOUTH both. That causes all the trouble. They wear the garb of RELIGION to serve the Devil. They use the Supreme Courts to punish the WRONG MAN. It is getting to be common Talk. I am writing from practical experience. The wicked work is done by men from home of whom we would expect better things. It is human nature and selfconceit trying to make the People believe they are superior to the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
In Chester we have had a Conspiracy Company. In New York City, the largest city in the world we have a Tammany Hall.
I have bought the Village and can give every man all the land his deed calls for it has been explained in history and accepted by the Village. Now it is up to the Americans to get control of Tammany Hall. They have been a great power for over half a century to my personal knowledge. My first vote was for U. S. Grant. I was the forman of the torchlight procession And helped to place Him in the Presidential Chair. After Lee had made his unconditional surrender. I will borrow the words of the Poet in Grant's time.
Oh traitors in counsel and traitors in war. With their vain and loud boasting resounding affiar have journied the length and breadth of the land with the blood of the innocent, fresh on their hands to mingle their voice with the copperhead crew and tell what they HAVE done and what they WILL do. Ah joy to the Country, great joy to us all when traitors are routed from Tammany Hall.
With Grant for our leader, we have nothing to fear, And Colfax is coming with hosts in the rear. Ah thousands of soldiers who fought by his side will hail their commander with honor and pride we will ring every change on the words never fail when the fourth of November will freshen the gale, then JOY to the Country, great joy to us all when traitors are routed from Tammany Hall.
Then it will not be necessary for God and Religion to fight each other, with Ballot Boxes, to amuse Tammany Hall and its actors and gamblers with public money.
Tammany Hall is a COLLEGE OF INIQUITY.
The organization of Free Masons is a Righteous Organization, its rules and regulations are of the hest nature. They have the right to be clannish, it is their duty. But, there are a great many traitors in their ranks.
The same can be said of the Roman Catholics. They have a right to be clannish. Tammany Hall has taken advantage of that RIGHT And PROFITED by IT. When the Roman Catholics put their FAITH in GOD and America we will have a paradise on Earth. And they have helped to make it. Some say Tammany Hall owns the Catholics. Others say the Catholics owns Tammany Hall. I say they have been loyal to Church and Nation ever since they come in it.
C. G. Calkins' Wife was my cousin, she was a Potter. Cook Talcott's wife was my Mother's Sister, so I have had a chance to get acquainted with the practical part of important History.
C. G. Calkins was the Greatest Hydrographical Engineer the World has ever known. He piloted Dewey through Manila Bay of shallow water undermined with torpedoes when he annihilated the whole Spanish Fleet and never lost a Man or Boat. Righteousness was the Issue.
Then Congress sent Calkins to Cuba to map out the water and surroundings'. After he had finished and perfected that work he retired from active service to go to Boston the only place in America where he could get access to the Libary and early History of the Mathers and the Potters, who framed the Map of the United States.
Cook Talcott was a civil enginneer He built the docks at San Francisco. Cal. He laid out the important Railroad at Portland, Oregon and started a railroad to connect Boston with the coal mines of Pennsylvania. And started the work at Central Valley to tunnel the Storm King mountain and bridge the Famous Hudson River, When he died. The work will soon be started again.
The most Historical part of the Revolutionary War was in Washington, Chester and Newburgh; When Washington controlled the Hudson River Lee and Grant were graduates of West Point. In the Civil War. For diversity of scenery the natural grass land with a pond or lake on the mountains for water storage, it has no equal for the summer months. The reason the plants, flowers, trees and shrubbery excels in color and beauty is because it has a rest during the winter months.
But alas we are living in the worst form of Government and Slavery, the world ever knew. The voters; are owned by their POLITICAL BOSSES, the Republicans are Republicans because they are Republicans. The Democrats are Democrats because they are Democrats. Tammany Hall owns them ALL.
No matter how hard you try and strive to make this thankless world your debtor someone who has never tried at all will vow they could have done it better. The less a man knows the higher value he places on his wisdom. For he don't have time to study up himself. But he depends on what some one else told some one else. So Tammany Hall and the Political Bosses of both parties are Gambling. To the Victors belong the Spoils. The sacred ballot box is controlled for selfish Graft and special favors. The taxpayers have to pay for it All. The most useful arid Noble Men have to bear all the pain and suffering through TRIBULATION Romans 5: 3. 4. To expose the wicked work of the Officials in Power. It was the Officials in the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in Chester that made the disturbance. They controlled the Members and ALL except one MAN. He was controlled by God. The rest of the members used a Village ordinance to destroy Virtue of every deed in the Village and robbed the People of their right and title to all the Public Land thev once owned, God loaded the work all on one Man. He was the Justice of the Peace of the Town, Police Justice of the Corporation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian Church, And Member of the Board of Education. An active worker in all Public Engagements, The First Foreman of the Walton Hose Fire Company when it was organized.
He was the Auctioneer that sold to John T. Thompson the old Bank property of which he had been President from its early history. Then the Auctioneer Bought of the Administrator the old Bank Property after the said Johnson had died. In less than one year the deed had been fixed up for a LAWSUIT. The writer paid the Cash when the Deed was Delivered.
The Building and Property had been rented and the work started. The Architect and Builder for the Conspiracy Company forbid my Tenants and myself doing anything with the Property and served a written Notice on us both to that effect.
Political Bosses Burdened with SelfConceit trying to make the People believe they are superior to the Laws of the STATE and the LAWS of God. And got it all recorded in the Orange County Clerk's Office expecting to Buy the Power of Official officers.
This has been explained in 18 Volumes of History. Beginnings are small, but God puts on the finishing touches when they become conspicuous enough to be seen and the promoters are beneath the sod. I have known it from childhood to old age.
The said Bosses for the said Conspiracy Company could not start an Action for the owner was the Justice of the Peace of the Town and Police Justice of the Corporation. It was enough to make the Conspiracy Company swear. But they could not any of them swear to an affidavit.
I don't like to make this publication Personal or Local, but I am compelled to do so to impress upon the minds of the People That beginnings are small, but develop into something stupendously wickedly and outrageous, and to convince the American People that they are SLAVES to their Political BOSSES and have been ever since the Civil War. The laws are made in Washington and every State has State Rights, what is good in one State would be very objectionable in another so that part is controlled by its Governor.
Some say that religion has no place in politics, And then there are others who think religion is Just what IS needed there. One is entirely dependent on the other. GOD and the BIBLE is NOT out of Fashion. And one could not exist without the other. The Political Bosses own the People Body and Soul. They are buying and selling the Voters to the highest Bidder. They use the Power of the public purse for selfish Graft and special favors. Then they vote each other a higher salary. I have worked in the mill and know how the game is played. It is the most wicked form of Slavery that could exist. The People are so willing to YIELD to TEMPTATION. The less a person knows the more ready they are to tell how mnch better they could have done it.
Davis' Platform is to get Religion out of Politics, that means the NATION.
The only issue in the next Presidential Election is: Does Tammany Hall own America, or Does it Belong to GOD and HIS People?
It was God that Crucified Christ to convince the People that the Bible was true and what had been foredained had come to pass. Could you expect God to make it any more Conspicuous.
It was God that put me prostrated on a Bed after half a century of the most important service that could be loaded on one man.
The Secret Session or Conspiracy Company, call them what you like, had to wait two years for my term of office to expire then it was not the People that turned me down and OUT. It was the Secret Session doing it in the dark and laughing at my helplessness.
For one quarter of a Century I have Published this work with eighteen Volumes of History. History is read today and forgotten tomorrow by a big majority of the People.
The influence of Tammany Hall to beat the Laws of the Nati'on and the Laws of God has become so great and has been for over half a century. The Voters are only playthings for their POWER for selfish graft and special favors of the publiC money and real property of America. Let the People remove the cause.
We don't need a President for every Foreigner that arrives. It is unnecessary to change the Boundaries of ever State in the Union to accomodate the flow of Emigrants.
Theodore Roosevelt saw the dangerous condition and started the Progressive Party and referred to the race suicide of the Nation. He said Wives were a necessity. Now they are a Luxury. He begged of the United States to save the Union before it was dissolved.
God has organized the Ku Klux Klan.
He has got the President already seated in Washington. He has accepted the nomination and his Platform is COMMON SENSE. That is all that is necessary, Congress can do the rest.
J. P. Morgan and other wealthy Bankers can take care of the Financial part, they have made it a study. Their interest is the interest of the People. And the NATION.
There is ten candidates in the field the same office and if nine will help elect Coolidge he will give them all they ask for, if it is consistent with his Office. Conld you expect any more? If not then ask God to elect HIM.
Then we will have ONE GOD, One America, and One People and One President from Maine to California and from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. With HARMONY for all. In one term And any voter who will turn down Coolidge without a cause defies the Almight God and is a Traitor to the NATION.
Praise God from whom all Blessings Flow and let Coolidge have one Full Term so GOD and the PEOPLE can feel more friendly TOWARD EACH OTHER.
Then GRAFTERS and a FEW MEN will not be BIGGER than the CHURCHES. and it will not be necessary to make a CESSPOOL of the Orange County Clerk's office to legalize the Wicked Work.
The writer has had Practical Experinece and bought the key of the situation. And it will not be necessary to send J. D. Wilson, Jr., to Congress to continue his work at Washington to satisfy the Grafters and Secret Sessions, at the expense of the People with Public Money and thus prevent an honest form of Government with Law, Honesty, Justice and Common Sense left out. And preventing the Grand Jury from doing their duty.
America don't need a War to get Religion Out of Politics.
Read Volume 13 of this History.
RESTCOME POTTER CONKLIN.
WE HAVE BOSSES BUT NOT OFFICIALS.
To the Village Board of Trustees:
I will say that the time has come to answer the question the Village President demanded of the writer over 20 years ago, and show that it has been established as private Property. The curbstone now is where you placed it Now. The meeting was held June 17th, 1915, Recorded in Vol. 6, page 6 of this history. Members present, J. S. Murray, president: Trustees Fred Volmer, John Diffily, C. W. Kerner, Richard Miller; Judge A. H. F. Seeger, Corporation Counsel; James Demerest, Village Clerk. Later I paid for the concrete walk, then you accepted my terms of unconditional surrender and gave me a receipt in full. That made your street lines and my street lines conect on both sides of the street. Now the vibration of the street center Must Stop. It has vibrated 10 feet for over 20 years. James Demerest has kept the Village reeords on the pages of Memory. And vibrated the pendelum to fit the counterfeit deeds. To force one man in the courts, and the property on the other side, in the street. He is not guilty of false records for no one has seen them. And the Village Board has depended on the invisible records to hide their criminal work.
He tore up my sidewalk and six months later tore down my fence. He never served any notice on the writer as the law requires. There had never been any action taken by the Village Board until sixteen years later when the curbstone was put back where the owner had it Before James Demerest tried to abandon the Village Map and deeds. With the power vested in him as Clerk of the Village.
It was your process to force the writer in the courts to fight the laws of God. You will find his laws in the Bible. My facts in pamphlet form.
C. W. Kerner, President of the Village. I will say that it was your writing that put the writer under Bonds of $100 in a criminal court to collect a penalty of $25. To rob the Village of all public property for private use.
You have told me repeatedly that you knew I was right but I could not prove it. You have proved it and forced the facts your-self in the County Clerk's office. And recorded in Kings County, Brooklyn, Maps and all. With the answer to the mandamus action. When the whole Village Board perjured themselves when it was signed.
You have proved yourself a traitor to the Nation. You have made the laws of the government rotten. Defied the laws of God. And placed a stain on the reputation of our best representatives. You may own the People of Chester, body and soul. But the writer Owns the Village. And you have forced it on him. With your deeds. And Supreme Power Of the Ballot Box.
There was no court on earth that could handle this case for it was Supernatural. For it was the Police Justice in Chester. And the creator of heaven and earth to regulate boundary lines. They had to have the Third man to decide the question. The writer was the one they both selected.
The Police Court notified the writer with a blank summons signed W. F. DePuy, P. J. That was the extent and limit of his official power. There was nothing more that he could do.
The Creator had created a spiritual nature that has always existed and did exist before the Brain and mind was created to receive it. And it controls the five senses which the system is impregnated with through life and death.
The laws of the world are limited at every office. The writer has ... [truncated due to length]