Victor Page Motors Corporation

Victor Page was born in 1885 in Massachusetts before his family moved to Rhode Island. When he was 19, he became part of the Page Motor Vehicle Company of Providence with Arthur Page and J.H. McHardy. They built a 10-horspower air-cooled car that sold for $750. A total of 25 cars were sold before the company folded.

Victor Page was a prolific writer of books on automotive and aviation construction and repair. By 1922, he had written fourteen textbooks and numerous articles on the topics. During World War I, he became the chief Aeronautical Engineering Officer of one of the largest aviation instruction centers in the world, located in France. When he returned home, he formed the Victor Page Motors Corporation. It was a Delaware corporation with a capital stock of 5,000,000 shares at a value of $1.00 each.

In his report to the stockholders, Victor spoke about the production of two models: the Aero-Type Four and Utility Four. The Corporation’s goal was to produce an improved car engine of the air-cooled type. These cars were built between 1921 and 1924 in the Liberty aircraft factory. During the Automobile Show on January 7, 1922, the Corporation exhibited two-coupe sedans, two convertible speedsters, a display chassis, and a body for its Aero-Type Four. The cost ranged from $1250 to $1750.

The Aero-Type Four was a nice car for its era. It had steel disc wheels, contoured shell, hood, and fenders. The engine was air cooled and featured an extensive use of aluminum. It had a four cylinder engine with overhead valves and camshafts and produced 30 horsepower. The fuel consumption was 25 to 30 mpg with a 119 inch wheelbase. The dashboard was made of black walnut. The interior featured tilt steering and the clutch and brake pedals were adjustable to fit the driver.

In 1922, the Corporation bought nearly four acres of land in Connecticut. Within a year, three building were completed, but there was no further construction after that. When he formed the company, Page made an arrangement with Charles Beadon to sell the stock. Unfortunately, some of Beadon’s salesmen were less than honest and when dividends and profits were not forthcoming, some of the stockholders travelled to Connecticut to get their money back. As soon as Page learned about the methods being used to sell his stock, he terminated his agreement with Beadon. Beadon brought a Bill of Complaint against him in federal court. Page won the case, but at a cost. Due to the money put into the legal proceedings, there was not enough money to begin commercial production of the cars. They tried selling stock, but sales were still below what was needed.

At a 1926 stockholder meeting, the Deputy Attorney General of New York began to question Page and eventually charged him with fraud. The judge ruled against Page and issued an injunction against the corporation, prohibiting it from selling stock anywhere in New York. Liquidation proceedings of the company were carried out and the land and buildings were sold on August 11, 1927.  During the proceedings, it was mentioned that although the cars had been made, none had been sold. At the liquidation, all the assets were sold off, including the cars.

Sources:

Derato, Frank. “Victor Page & His Automobile.” Bulb Horn. July-Sept., 1988

Gosden, Walter E. “Victor Page Aero Type Four.” Long Island Forum. October, 1978

Page, Victor W. “President’s Report of Progress to Stockholders of the Victor Page Motors Corporation.” October 21, 1921.

The Cross-Island Trolley Line

In 1886, Herman F. Rogers spoke to a railroad promoter while on a train from Santa Fe. Mr. Rogers was so enthusiastic about this idea that he spoke to Mr. E.D. Davidson, a local contractor about the possibility for a horse car line in Huntington. Mr. Rogers agreed to find financing for the road and Mr. Davidson would secure a franchise from the Town Board. In January of 1887, the Huntington RR was organized.  The route was to be along New York Avenue from the harbor through the village to the local LIRR station three miles away.  It would take another three years before it would begin to be built.

On June 10, 1890, grading commenced between Linden Street and Tuthill Avenue on the east side of New York Avenue. On June 26, the first car arrived and the railroad was open to the public on July 19. An incredible 1100 people filled and refilled the three cars that shuttled back and forth all day long. The railroad operated in two divisions, the harbor branch and the depot branch. Before the summer ended, the officials of the road secured permission from the LIRR to run a track across New York Avenue.

In the annual report of the directors of the LIRR in 1989, the road committed itself to another innovation: the construction of trolley roads. On April 21, the work began with the old light rails and ties being dug out and standard ties and rails being placed.  The first electric trolley car crossed Main Street on June 14.

In January 1906, the LIRR gave the first public intimation of its intentions to build a trolley road from Huntington Station through Melville and Farmingdale to Amityville. The LIRR bought a two-acre tract from John Mullins opposite the Huntington Station in April. That summer, the LIRR embarked on the process of securing franchises for the trolley from all the regulatory bodies involved. The Highway Commissioners granted the franchise on October 6. In December, cross ties arrived at Farmingdale and Huntington and preparations were made to being work in February if weather permitted. Difficulties created a postponement of the line, but work finally resumed in October of 1908. The line officially opened on August 25, 1909.

Source:

Seyfried, Vincent F. The Cross-Island Line: The Story of the Huntington Railroad. 1976.

Jesse Merritt - A Brief Biography

Jesse Merritt was born on September 4, 1889. The house he was born in was built in 1699 by Thomas Whitson, one of his ancestors.

He attended the Farmingdale Grammar School before attending Friends Academy and Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. From 1917 to 1924, he was the clerk of the Nassau County Board of Supervisors.

He served as part of the 7^th New York Infantry Regiment, Company C 1916 and did a tour of duty on the Mexican border. During World War I, he was attached to the 27^th Division and served in France and Belgium. His regiment was with the British when they broke through the Hindenburg Line. He received the Victory Medal, the Cross of Honor, and the Mexican Border Medal.

Jesse became Official historian Village of Farmingdale in 1920 and the historian for Nassau County in 1936. As part of his job as Nassau County Historian, he visited the White House and interviewed President Herbert Hoover. He has written three books: Two Hundredth Anniversary of Mattituck Meeting, Locust Valley, Long Island, 1724-1924, Essays on Walt Whitman, and Story of Nassau County, New York.

He was a lifetime member of the New York State Historical Society. Jesse was a member of the Mortin Lodge in Hempstead and became President in 1921. Was a charter member of the Bethpage Lodge in Farmingdale.

He was married Mabel Elva Witte on April 3, 1917 and they had two daughters. In 1920, he founded The Farmingdale Post. The village designated it as the official village newspaper. On April 9, 1923 the Women’s Club of Farmingdale met with representatives from various organizations of the village at Jesse Merritt’s home for the express purpose of forming a library. Jesse Merritt was elected the first President of the Farmingdale Library Association. He wrote a request for a library charter to Albany and it was granted in May of 1923. The library’s name was then changed to the Farmingdale Free library.

In 1932, Jesse suggested the name Bethpage State Park of the park recently built to Robert Moses, who agreed. Jesse Merritt died in 1957.

Sources:

Farmingdale’s Story: Farms to Flights. Junior Historical Society of Farmingdale, 1956

Halpin, James R. History of the Farmingdale Public Library. Master’s Thesis for Long Island University, 1965

Long Island: A History of Two Great Counties, Nassau and Suffolk. Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1949

Revolutionary War on Long Island

By 1775, eastern Long Island was well settled and an important agricultural district. The Gardiners on Gardiner’s Island were the first white settlers in that area. For many years, the farmer on eastern Long Island drove their sheep and cows to pasture on the hills of Montauk for the summer. There were concerns about their livestock and they requested protection for them against the British. John Hulburt lived in Bridgehampton and raised a company of minute men to guard the stock. After hearing a patriotic sermon, he then raised a company of twenty-one men from the steps of the church and recruited more on his way back to Montauk. By the end of the week, he had 68 volunteers and they were one of the first companies organized in New York State. They were eventually incorporated into the Third NY Regiment. The women of some of the families got together and created a flag with thirteen red and white stripes and thirteen six pointed stars for them.

The New York Provincial Congress was not positively inclined to independence. Upon reading the first draft of the Declaration of Independence, New York delayed its approval after discussion. On June 11, 1776, John Jay submitted a motion that stated, ‘that the good people of this colony have not, in the opinion of this [New York] Congress, authorized this [Continental] Congress to declare this Colony to be and continue independent of the Crown of Great Britain.” The delegates of New York consistently refrained from voting for any measures aiming at independence.

The Battle of Long Island was fought in Brooklyn in August, 1776. General Sir William Howe, commander of the British army, set up camp on Staten Island in June of 1776. On August 22, thousands of British troops were ferried across the Narrows and landed at DeNyse’s Point. There was no opposition as the British secured a beach head. On August 27, the Battle really began. By August 29, General Washington knew he had to retreat. On August 30, the Patriots were forced to withdraw and Long Island was left in British hands.

In order to find out what was going on, Washington organized a spy ring on Long Island. Some of the members were Robert Townsend, a merchant; Austin Roe, a tavern keeper; Abraham Woodhulll, a farmer; and Caleb Brewster, a whaler.  This group became known as the Setauket or Culper Spy Ring. One of the accomplishments of this spy ring was uncovering Benedict Arnold’s act of treason.

The colonies declared their independence on July 4, 1776, but it wasn’t until 1783 that it was fully assured. The last of the British red coats left Long Island in November of 1783.

Sources:

Flick, Alexander C. The American Revolution in New York. Ira J. Friedman, 1967.

Halsey, Carolyn D. The Revolution on Long Island. 1988.

The Grumman Story

The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation was founded on January 2, 1930. When it opened, the company had no plant, no product, no customers, no contracts, and barely enough money to meet its modest payroll. Its genesis came from the sale of the Loening Aircraft Engineering Company’s manufacturing plant. The employees left from the sale decided to begin their own business. Roy Grumman was only twenty-five when he joined Loening. He took with him some of the key members of the Loening team including Leon A. Swirbul, William T. Schwendler, and Ed Poor.

They decided, in order to get immediate business, the new company would repair and rebuild Loening amphibian craft already in service. In order to make this happen, they planned to enlist about a dozen skilled mechanics from Loening. On December 5, 1929, the initial investors in the company signed a subscription agreement covering two classes of stock. They needed to find a space. Jake Swirbul found the first plant in Baldwin. In addition to the repair work, Grumman actively worked on a proposal for a small Navy contract to help keep the company afloat. Their main goal was to design and build an airplane for any military branch; preferably the Navy.

On February 26, 1930, Roy Grumman, Jake Swirbul, and members of the Navy’s Bureau of Aeronautics held their first discussion on a proposal for what was termed a High Performance Two-Seater Fighter. That plane became the XFF-1. Grumman moved to a new plant in Valley Stream in November, 1931 before settling into Farmingdale in November, 1932. By 1934, Grumman had become a major factor in the country’s aeronautical industry. By 1936, Grumman had outgrown the space in Farmingdale. The building in Farmingdale was old and vulnerable to termites. They finally decided on an irregular rectangle of 120 acres in Bethpage.

In 1960, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) awarded Grumman its first major aerospace contract, the development of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) series of spacecraft. Grumman was acquired by the Northrup Corporation in 1994

Sources:

“Our Heritage” http://www.northrupgrumman.com/AboutUS/Our Heritage

Thruelsen, Richard. The Grumman Story. Praeger Publishers, 1976.

Charles "Mile-A-Minute" Murphy

On June 30, 1899, Charles Murphy would set a world record bicycle ride of one mile in 57. 8 seconds while being paced by a Long Island railroad train. Before he made his famous ride, he had asked railroad companies all over the country to let him ride his bicycle behind a train. Murphy rode behind a specially built railroad car with a wooden hood added to slow down the wind pressure. Planks were laid over the ties for a distance of three miles for the event. At the start of the ride, the engine shot off by mistake, causing Murphy to expend a tremendous amount of energy trying to catch up.

He covered the first quarter mile in 15.15 seconds, and passed the half-way mark in 29.25 seconds. The three-quarter post was passed in 43.45 seconds. When the ride was ended, the engineer turned off the steam for the train, forgetting that Murphy’s great speed would keep him from stopping. Fortunately, there were several men at the rare of the train to pull him onto the coach.

In his words, he said, “I was riding against hope, and expecting the worst. As I raised my head, I could see that the earlier feeling of despair and disappointment on the faces of the officials had given way to a feeling of confidence and success.”

A plaque was unveiled at the South Farmingdale train station on October 13, 1938. That day’s festivities included contests, a parade, football game, and a dance. Led by the high school band, the parade included an official car with Mr. Murphy, Acting Mayor Fred Murray, and Judge Willis Carman.

Charles Murphy died at Queens Hospital on February 17, 1950. In addition to his famous ride, Murphy held more than 1,000 prizes in other bicycle events.

Sources:

“Mile-A-Minute Murphy, Famed Cyclist, Dies at Queens Hospital.” Farmingdale Post. February 24, 1950.

Murphy, Charles. “Mile-A Minute Day – Here Next Saturday, Murphy Tells of Ride.” Farmingdale Post. September 29, 1938.

Murphy, Charles M. “Murphy Tells of First Half of Bike Ride.” Farmingdale Post. September 14, 1938.

“Plaque is Erected in Honor of Charles Murphy Saturday.” Farmingdale Post. October 13, 1938

The Mineola Fair

The Mineola Fair is one of the oldest operated fairs in New York State. An act authorizing public markets and fairs was adopted by New York State in 1692. On November 11, 1817, a meeting was held to consider creating an organization devoted to farming and rural economy. The agricultural society was created on June 12, 1819 and began sponsoring yearly fairs until it dissolved in 1822. The New York State Agricultural Society was formally founded in 1832. On October 13, 1842, the first Queens County Agricultural Society held its first Fair and Cattle Show. These tents fairs were usually held in September or October. Due to the constant worry about bad weather and the insecurity of the tents, the society determined it needed a permanent fairground. On April 3, 1866, forty acres of land on the Hempstead Plains near Mineola was given to the Queens County Agricultural Society.

The Society was able to host its twenty-fifth fair at the new fairgrounds in 1866. For nearly 85 years, the fairgrounds served as the home of the Agricultural Society. In 1899, the year Nassau County was created from Queens County, Governor Theodore Roosevelt delivered an address there. The last time the fair was held in Mineola was 1952. The fair then moved to the Roosevelt Raceway until the end of the 1960s

 In 1961, the fair officially became the Long Island Fair. When the fair interfered with the racing schedule, the Fair was moved to its present home at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Since 1985, the fair has been held in a recreation of the original 1866 fairgrounds.

Source:

Hammond, Gary R. The Mineola Fair: Mirror of a Country’s Growth. Reprinted from The Nassau County Historical Society Journal, 1999.