1981: TOM GLOVER'S "HI TECH" LAP TOP COMPUTER

Many things remind me that I am getting old! I started out over 70 years ago using a green "Dixon Ticonderoga" grammar school pencil. Then I and my contemporaries were issued "straight pens" with a cork finger grip. We dipped the pen into that ink well that was on the top right of every school desk. As we matured, we moved up to the upper classes where we used fountain pens and of course, pencils. At high school we were introduced to the manual typewriter. The electric was still a writer's dream. Into the top secret U.S.Army Security Agency where I was issued a typewriter that the army called a "Mill;" which was devoid of lower case letters; upper case only. Three years of "cloak and dagger" top secret typewriter output found me discharged and into a tragically dead end bearing business career where I began typing invoices on a "manual" typewriter. I pause here to marvel at the very gradual advances in literary and writing technology that I had experienced. Along came the electric typewriter. The transition from manual to electric was accompanied by a somewhat steep learning curve. Trying to remember that the electric typewriter no longer required a manual carriage return, and trying to keep your fingers from repeating key strokes. Hi tech electrics had the revolutionary automatic carriage return. Then, miracle of miracles, along came the "Sinclair," "Atari" "Radio Shack" and other dabblers in very early computing. Here we move into the latter stages of my journalistic career with the advent of the very early personal computer. When I started writing for the Mercer Messenger 30 years ago, I initially used a pencil and yellow lined paper to write a basic manuscript, moving paragraphs and sentences by circling them and arrowing them to their new location. Then came the electronic typewriter. Mine was a Brother which used a heat transfer system to print a page. It was also the first time I had a "spell-checker" and correction feature. And now to put a cherry on top of this rather verbose journalistic chronology, along came the Epson in the illustration above. I thought I achieved the ultimate in journalistic technology! The rest is recent history.

1982: TOM'S WHITE HORSE HOTEL STORY

Back in the 1980s when I had younger eyes, I was hooked on using the pen and ink media to represent some of our local historic places. The above engraving is one of those that I did for the Mercer Messenger in my "THE WAY WE WERE" column. Only those who are in one way or another involved with drawing or painting can understand the strange, almost ethereal emotions one experiences as his or her work develops. As I drew that old historic edifice, I could actually fell that I was a part of the scene as I pictured the old building as it looked from a bystander's position on the White Horse-Sandtown Road.

Note that I mentioned the soldiers coming from South Trenton (Camp Perrine.) It was more likely that they most of them came up Pond Run Road (today's Kuser Road) to the Sandtown Road to visit the old tavern. At the time this article was written in 1982, I hadn't yet discovered the ever mysterious Camp Olden. White Horse back then was just across numerous farm fields from the Camp Olden area.

1913: ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE

Did you know that St. Anthony of Padua Church on South Olden Avenue in Hamilton owes its existence to Immacualte Conception Parish? Along with St. Joachim's Church, "Immaculate" is alive with very interesting history. Over the oncoming years, I will be posting further fascinating historic photos and articles from the past as they relate to these two legendary landmarks.

Anonymous said...

Tom, Saint Francis College? I have never heard mention of this. Is there some relationship to the hospital?

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Michael said...

Tom: The only connection I am aware of between Immaculate, and St. Francis College; St. Francis of Loretto Penna. was the ultimate college for many Trenton Catholic graduates. There was a good amount of "steering" to this school. Hope this helps. Mike

Hi Mike-Hi Anonymous:

Thanks for your input. I have added the 1913 graphic above to explain the St. Francis College - Immaculate connection. Note the involvement of the Franciscan Fathers, all from the order of St. Francis.

Tom Glover

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Stephen said...

St. Francis College on Chestnut Avenue existed as early as 1882. According to "Chronological Index of Events in Trenton During the Year 1882" published by Trenton Daily True American on Monday Morning, January 1, 1883 (see: http://trentonhistory.org/Index/Index1882.htmlhttp://trentonhistory.org/Index/Index1882.html) on Dec 21, 1882 Bishop O’Farrell ordained three students of St. Francis College as Sub-Deacons at St. Mary’s Cathedral. St. Francis College was more akin to today's high school in that boys usually entered the schoool around the age of thirteen. It was a three year course of study for boys interested in the priesthood. Subsequent studies at other schools were more akin to today's four year colleges. Sometime around 1920 I surmise that St. Francis College and its functions relocated to Staten Island, NY. I found references to students attending St. Francis College on Staten Island in relation to studying for the priesthood. At some point it was renamed St. Francis Minor Seminary and closed in 1997. The Staten Island school was operated by the same order (Franciscans, OFM Conv.) as found at Immaculate Conception parish. St. Francis Minor Seminary was like St. Francis College, a college preparatory school (4 years instead of 3) for boys interested in the priesthood. The November 20, 1921 edition of the Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser mention a play being performed to make improvements to the the building formerly housing St. Francis College and now being used by the nuns teachinng at Immaculate Conception Grammar School. Part of the building is also being used as a Catholic high school for 40 pupils and that it is the beginning of a high school in connection with the Immaculate Conception Grammar School. This building was constructed in 1898. Around 1938 the former St. Francis College building became the Administration Building for Trenton Catholic Boys High School. It is now a parking lot.

The new Immaculate Conception High School building was dedicated on July 19, 1925 and opened that fall to accomodate all Chambersburg pupils. Having become an all boys school in Fall 1936, it was renamed Trenton Catholic Boys High School in 1938. The cornerstone of the Immaculate Conception Grammar School was laid on June 24, 1906 with the first students arriving in September 1907. The enrollment figures for September 1907 showed that there were over 600 pupils attending Immaculate Conception Grammar School.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Thanks you Stephen for the added information on the college. Like so many things of an historic nature, sometimes the newspapers publish differing accounts. The 1913 article I posted led me to believe that 1900 was the year of the college. However, I place more credibility in your findings and really appreciate the research you put forward. You are a special guy. Thanks much, and keep adding to our local history; that's what this site is all about------informed citizen input along with mine.

Tom Glover

1992: TOM GLOVER'S CAMP OLDEN - LAWTON CONNECTION

From the newsletter of the Camp Olden Civil War Roundtable, this note on the search for the very elusive Camp Olden:

The book, "The Search for Camp Olden, Hamilton Township" was written by Joseph Francis Seliga and published on May 20, 1995, the day of the dedication of Camp Olden Park. This park was renamed because research by the author showed that it was across the street from the Camp. Signed copies can be purchased at the Camp Olden Civil War and Indian Museum located in Veterans Park, in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey

Below is the column I wrote back in 1992, wherein I suggested that a monument to Camp Olden be constructed at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Liberty Street, based on the Lawton family reunion article which is cited in my column. I can't find my copy of Mr. Seliga's "The Search for Camp Olden." I am interested in Mr. Seliga's bibliographical information on his research so that I can continue my quest. If any Camp Olden C.W. Roundtable visitors

MY 1992 RESEARCH ALSO FOUND THE GENERAL LOCATION OF CAMP OLDEN, AND THE SUBSEQUENT ESTABLISHMENT OF CAMP OLDEN PARK. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR DEFINITIVE INFORMATION ON THE BOUNDARIES OF THAT CIVIL WAR SITE FOR YEARS. AT THE TIME, MR. BOB BUTERA AND VINCE MERCANDETTI CONTACTED THEN MAYOR JOHN RAFFERTY AND THE PARK WAS ESTABLISHED.

1992 JIM MALONEY REMEMBERS TRENTON CATHOLIC BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL PART 2 OF 2

Mike Kuzma said...

Ok Tom, it's me again, and believe it or not, I was one of those who was sentenced to "TC" back in 1951. Seems my "outstanding" athletic abilities were outweighed by my mischief at Trenton High. I entered "Catholic" in the Winter of 51, Fr. Robert was the Principal, and he had the most unusual way of talking. His mouth would open, and there seemed to be a time delay before the words came out. Since he knew the circumstances under which I transferred, and my ability to imitate his speaking, he took an immediate "interest" in me. It was only through the effort of Fr. Arthur (Doc) Nazic that I survived. Doc was a hoot. Under his cassock he had an arm full of watches a jeweler friend Fred Doh from Philadelphis's Jewelers row would ask him to peddle to the parishorners of Immcaculate Conception. I bought my wife's engagement ring from Fr. Arhtur's buddy as he had requested we remember "our friends" thoughout life. I got to return Fr. Arthur's many assists, when his neice was a tenant of mine and needed help. He was proud to say he was from "Gloversville, NY" Home of Camp Drum. Do I remember the "Jug" who wouldn't. it was like "Devil's Island", and being next to Mrs. Hogan's cafeteria, it was worse. Surprised there was no mention of the infamous "Bear", the school disciplinarian. Does anyone remember the incident in the hallway when the McCallough (sp) brothers took on the bear?? After making a permenent indentation in floor of the aisle with my knees from being punished for my "3 point" kneeling stance at first Friday Mass, I left at the end of the school year to join the Air Force. I figured war was a lot easier thant Trenton Catholic. Warmly Mike

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Mack said...

Hi Tom Fantastic stuff:)))

Bob Kusnirik said...

Funny, I thought I was the first one to make the reverse transfer in '53, my Junior Year due to circumstances beyond my control.

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Mack said...

Hi Tom Fantastic stuff:)))

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

1919: MERCERVILLE'S "MERCER MANOR"

In and article I wrote some 20 years ago, during the years when I was suggesting that Hamilton Township was woefully inadequate in recording and appreciating its historic heritage. It seemed that all history revolved around Hamilton Square, and the only reliable source of history originated in the West family of Hamilton Square. As a result, very little was ever written about Yardville, Edgebrook, Deutzville, Bromley, Groveville, White Horse and all the farm land in between. Thanks to former mayor Jack Rafferty, Joe Bellina, and Maurice "Mo" Rossi, they were sold on Tom Glover's concept of at least starting a recorded history of the township. I suggested to the gentlemen that the historic John Abbott II house, the Watson House, the Isaac Pearson house, and other COLONIAL historic spots in Hamilton were important, but not all history involved the colonial experience. What about the evolution of Hamilton to a burgeoning megalopolis? What about the beginnings of Bromley, the McGalliard family, the antiquity of Groveville, etc.?
To make a long story short, I found that I was really preaching to the choir. Jack Rafferty is and always was very interested in local history. As a result, I have been zealously building a comprehensive digital and physical database of Hamilton and little recognized material from the surrounding areas of Hamilton. The project is a lifetime project and will continue for generations to come.

Mack said...
"Mercer Manor" is where I live. Many of the streets named after members of president Wilsons administration.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

1986: THE DAY THE KU KLUX KLAN CAME TO HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

As we all know, February is Black History Month. Part of that celebration must include the negative aspects of the black experience in America's past. Nowhere is that experience more negative than one finds in the pages of yesterday's newspapers as accounts of anti black outrages were committed all over the United States. Above is an article I wrote in 1986, recalling a Klan auto parade and rally that culminated in  Springdale Park in Yardville. .

1925: WOODLAWN PARK GRAND OPENING

Along with Camp Olden, I consider Woodlawn Park to be one of the more elusive Hamilton Historic sites. Advertising for Woodlawn Park is plentiful; but over the years, I have failed to find anyone except Mr. Frank Yeager, who loaned me the originals for the photo article I wrote a number of years ago. If you use the "SEARCH BLOG" spot on the top left of my home page an type in Woodlawn Park, you will find a number of other graphics relating to that very popular amusement park.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM...HERE AGAIN I'M GOING BACK TO THE 20'S WHEN I RECALL TED LEWIS AND HIS ORCHESTRA PLAYING AT THE PARK. AND I REMEMBER MY SISTER ROSE ENTERING A CONTEST FOR BLACK BOTTOM DANCERS. IT WAS A VERY POPULAR PLACE IN THOSE DAYS, ESPECIALLY THE ROLLER COASTER AND THE SWIMMING POOL REMAINED OPEN AFTER THE PARK CLOSED DOWN, REGARDS.

Friday, February 04, 2011

1986: BROAD STREET PARK DIARY WEEK 1 MESSENGER

Earlier today, I posted Part 2 of a multi-week column I wrote which brings persons and events in Broad Street Park into focus, as we look back on life as it was lived there during the very early years of this vintage Hamilton Township neighborhood. Ladies and gentlemen, the Harry Martin family of Broad Street Park!

1986: BROAD STREET PARK DIARY

Anyone experienced in history knows that there has to be a certain "hook" when writing about things historic. There is nothing more boring than reading a small and insignificant community article in the daily paper. However, when these community articles are arranged in chronological order, and given a fictional person to relate to those articles, the end result is an interesting chronology. Such is the case with numerous columns I have written over the years. The above Broad Street Park retrospective kept by the fictional Harry Martin family is one. The actual dates and events in the diary re-edited into diary form and accurate as published..

1988:DO YOU REMEMBER THESE?

Over these many years, my columns in the local press have featured both historic and nostalgic subjects. The 1988 column "Do You Remember These" was calculated to stir the gray matter in those of us who are card-carrying members of what I jokingly call "WRINKLE CITY." See how many of these long lost vestiges of the past you recall. (Assuming you are old enough, of course!)

  Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: I remember many of your wonderful "memories,'' especially the movies on Saturday and the toaster in which my mother would burn one side of the bread and either flip it over on the plate or scrape the burned stuff off. She did not like black on a young lady and made we wear brown and white saddle shoes when all my friends wore the more popular black and white version. It was a great childhood and there is nothing "corny'' about recalling such great times. Beat wishes.

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Tom Glover said...

HI AGAIN, SALLY:

"CORNY" IS NOT PART OF MY VOCABULARY, SALLY. I HAVE REPLACED IT WITH THE LITTLE-USED WORD, "WHOLESOME!"

XO

TOM GLOVER

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Right you are,Tom. "Wholesome'' is a much better word than "corny.'' Either way, it was a great time to be growing up. Regards.

Thursday, February 03, 2011

1983: TOM GLOVER, MEET CHANNEL 6's 'S LARRY FERRARI

As holder of FCC amateur radio license WA2RVU, I have spent many hours contacting fellow amateurs all over the U.S.A., and many countries of the world. My fellow "ham" and friend Gerry Jurrens (N2GJ) has compiled a comprehensive list of celebrity amateurs on his web site. (http://users.tellurian.com/gjurrens/famous_hams.html). As for me, the only celebrities I have had conversations with beside the above Larry Ferrari, was back in the 1970's when I spent a few minutes talking to my favorite radio satirist, Jean Shepherd. I hope to once again get back on the air with a future purchase of a vertical antenna in limited size of my property, which will give me at least a bit of coverage of the amateur bands. I have more or less given up on what we hams know as the 2 meter band, due to the lack of activity with the advent of the cell phone.

1992: FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Racism was alive in well back in19th and early 20th century Trenton as the above article I wrote back in 1992 will attest. The idea that a black Union soldier not be allowed to be interred in a white cemetery is an incredible example of rampant racism that was once practiced not only in Trenton, but all over America.

1983: REMEMBERING "ST. ANTHONY'S" TRENTON

Were it not for an unpleasant occurrence in the past, St. Anthony's would be my current parish. I have many fond memories of my years at that great old church on South Olden Avenue. I grew up as a sometimes go to church Protestant Episcopal, only occasionally attending St. James P.E. Church on Greenwood Avenue. When I married into the Irish Catholic Britton family back in 1954, I was still "un-churched." When I married in April, 1954,. Father Thomas Coffee was the Priest who presided at our wedding ceremony. We had to stand in front of the altar rail, and the marriage knot was tied in front of the bronze gate that was once a part of the altar. Judy's steadfast loyalty to the faith led me to convert.  I took "Instructions" under the tutelageof the late Msgr. Leonard Toomey and Msgr. Michael P. McCorristin, It was the best move I ever made in my life. My life at St. Anthony was interesting, to say the very least. When Vatican II brought change to the church in the early 1960's, the music liturgy was a mess. Roman Catholics never heard of old time hymns like "Faith of our Fathers," "We Gather Together," "Abide With Me," and other classic and timeless Protestant hymns. As a new Catholic with a working knowledge of those melodies, I was one of the parishioners who assisted with the new music. I worked many hours with no musical accompaniment going over many of those old hymns. Msgr. McCorristin told me that "Faith of our Fathers" was one of his very favorite hymns. As the years piled on in my St. Anthony years, I became a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, president of the Holy Name Society, and during our childrens' years at St. Anthony Grammar School, my wife Judy and I became President and Vice President of that august organization. The graphic above is part five of a five week series I wrote on the history of St. Anthony from the time Fr.Bernadine Ludwig sent out mission Priests to start what would become St. Anthony of Padua parish in Trenton. One day, when the infirmities of old age prevent the weekly journey to Sacred Heart Parish in Trenton, I will probably once again renew old acquaintances with St. Anthony, the parish of my youth.

1982 (PEN AND INK) 1983 "THE WAY WE WERE:" I REMEMBER TRENTON TRANSIT-I REMEMBER TRENTON

The above article was written back in 1983 when Trenton Transit was celebrating an anniversary. As I once again look at my pen and ink drawing of Trenton Transit "L-9," when my eyes were those of a 50 year old! Hopefully when I get my next eye exam, I will once again be able to etch in those very fine pen and ink lines with my Staedtler pen. All of my old time Trenton natives each has his or her memories of the Trenton Transit bus that covered their neighborhood. I hope this post will spur a few visitors to remember their experiences with this vintage transportation company. Trenton was a real treat to those of us "hicks" from rural Hamilton who took a memorable ride to downtown Trenton before the advent of malls.

Speaking of memorable downtowns: At the advancing age of 77, I still harbor incredibly clear memories of the Trenton of my youth. Recent news of the Roman Catholic Diocesan Bishop leaving the city of Trenton for the suburbs has caused quite a controversy in some quarters. To me, it is quite understandable that His Excellency moves to the suburban Lawrenceville. My understanding of that decision lies in the fact that I Live within 2 blocks of the city of Trenton, Numerous people comment that the area of Bromley which has been our home for 50 years, like the Western section and nuerouse areas of Trenton, is no longer the area it was when we purchased our Atlantic Avenue home back in the early 1960's. On the other hand, when I received the news that the immensely popular annual St. Patrick's Day parade was being moved to Hamilton Township, I looked at it as another nail in the coffin of a grand old town that is trying so valiantly to move up to its former glory. Politics aside, Judy and I will be active supporters of that group of loyal Trentonians who will continue the custom of a Trenton St. Patrick's Day parade, even though it may not be as huge as the original parade. Additionally, it will be a pleasure to once again greet one of my favorite Priests, Father Danny Cahill, a dear friend of the Glover family when he was an Associate at St. Anthony's parish.

The above are my personal opinions, and mine alone.

1982: HISTORY OF THE "BURG;" A SUBJECT DEAR TO MY HEART

Volumes have been written about Chambersburg's restaurants, delicatessens, movie theaters, and other interesting and more recent minutia. I try to travel Robert Frost's "Road Less Traveled" and look back to the very early, rural years of the "Old Borough" as it was known during the 20th century. My research centers on the aforementioned rural character of Chambersburg, and includes the articles detailing the immigration of the Italians who really made Chambersburg the historic legend it is today.  

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....WHILE MY DAUGHTER WORKED FOR DELTA AIRLINES I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT ITALY 3 TIMES AND SPENT MUCH OF THE TIME VISITING CASANDRINO, WHERE MANY OF THE CHAMBERSBURG ITALIANS MIGRATED FROM. MY MOTHER'S PEOPLE WERE FROM THERE WHILE MY FATHER'S FAMILY WERE FROM GRUMO, THE VILLAGE ADJOINING. MANY OF THE PEOPLE I MET WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE TRENTON AREA, ESPECIALLY CHAMBERSBURG. I DID NOTICE THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ROMANS AND THE PEOPLE FROM THE NAPLES AREA. MOST OF THE ITALIANS THAT MIGRATED TO THE U.S.A. WERE FROM SOUTHERN ITALY AND FROM SMALLER VILLAGES. I DID GET TO WITNESS THE FEAST OF LIGHTS THAT HONORED THE MADONNA. BEST REGARDS.

Friday, January 07, 2011   Mack said... God Bless The Italians. They made the world I grew up in and were all my friends and neighbors. How lucky we all were to be part of it all:)

Friday, January 07, 2011

1995: TOM GLOVER WRITES ABOUT HAMILTON'S ILLUSTRIOUS PAST

As you can see, I wrote this article in 1995 (21 years ago!). I have shaded the ongoing dispute as to who held the first Decoration Day parade in Hamilton. Those from the Square say they did, and those from Groveville claim the earliest date. The insert in the lower right of the graphic is a cut and paste of the earliest date I have found to date, but the search will go on. As you will realize as you read the article, Hamilton has really changed over these many years, from a rural farming community with huge farms, to the megalopolis we are in this year of 2011 with around 90,000 citizens,

1987: BETTY KAUFFMAN'S BETHEL LUTHERAN - EARL WILLIAMS' "DOGTOWN"

Over the many years I have been writing, I have found many new friends, and renewed many old acquaintances. The letter I received from Mrs. Kauffman was a particularly treasured contribution to my column, as she recalled her beloved Bethel Lutheran Church on Johnston Avenue in Hamilton through her talent as a poet. Mrs. Kauffman probably forgot that I met her way back during my years as a classmate of her son Kieth, one of my singing buddies in Miss Louise Baird's music class. Her husband, Henry was one of our favorite Hamilton High teachers. Unfortunately, I had Herb Griffiths as my science teacher, and Mr. Kauffman specialized in Chemistry......a subject far above my mental capacity.

1987: COLONIAL FIRE COMPANY: THE FIRE DEPT. OF MY YOUTH

I can still recall lying comfortably in my bedroom on the back second floor of our 131 Hartley Avenue home on a cold, windy, and perhaps snowy evening and hearing the familiar Colonial Fire Company siren go off in the middle of the night in the middle of the winter. If you look up the words "bravery" and "dedication" in your dictionary, you will likely find photos of our fire fighters, police, and emergency medical personnel. I will always remember "Colonial" from my years at Kuser School, as we all rushed to second floor windows to watch that beautiful "Diamond T" and Peter Pirsch fire truck zoom out of the house with lights flashing and sirens blaring. My dear friend and classmate, the late Jesse Anderson was a member of the Colonial volunteers back during the time of John Lenhardt, the Costigan brothers, the Bade brothers, Tommy Argust, and others whose names escape me. Jesse lived his life as a dedicated fireman, moving to Seaside Park in the late 50's when he became a member of the Seaside Park Volunteer Fire Company.

1987: TOM GLOVER ON MERCERVILLE SCHOOL

This year of 2011 will mark the 30th year I have been writing history and nostalgia for the local press. When I began writing in 1981 for the Mercer Messenger, I carefully piled each and every column in a box for storage. It wasn't too long before I realized that saving those columns was not practical and I abandoned the project. However, I have access to most of my past columns and will post some of them from a stack that is in my collection. These columns were written before I acquired a computer, and were transcribed from my old yellow lined paper, then typed into manuscript form, and hand-carried to Wayne Davis, my Messenger Editor at the Route 33 office in Mercerville. 

As I read these old columns, I realize that the transcribed information I recorded from the millions of pages in my Trenton newspaper collection, along with my friend and then-Superintendent Al DeMartin's, generous loan of the Hamilton Township Board of Education's meeting minutes, have combined to record little known history which is interesting to local readers in this year of 2011.