The Gold Necklaces

Bank Village

Undated News Clipping

A story told by the late George Weston, one of the old characters of Bank Village, ran as follows: His "Uncle Walton" whose home was on what is now Wapack trail, told him of two Hessian women, wives of deserting Hessian soldiers, who were employed in the old glass factory about a mile away. The women died of smallpox and were buried, wearing solid necklaces. His "Uncle Walton" knew the exact burial place which had been shown him by his ancestors but he would not reveal the graves as George Weston had threatened to open the graves for the gold necklaces.

George Weston with his cows

One Hundred Formulas -

George Carmichael donated a copy of Stephen A. Thayer’s “One Hundred Formulas” which was published in 1883. It contains recipes from everything from printing ink to pain killers. Today we will share the formula for blue writing Fluid.

NOTE: Oil vitriol is sulfuric acid (used in batteries) and is extremely dangerous. “Whiting” is calcium carbonate which “kills” it because as a alkaline it counteracts the acid.

Blue Writing Fluid.-Oil vitriol, 2 ozs.; best Spanish float indigo, 2 lbs. Mix; put into a bottle and let it stand 14 days, then add whiting to kill the vitriol. Add water to reduce it to any shade desired; strain through a coarse cloth; add beef's gall 2 ozs.

James Roger diary entry

October 7^th 2024 (Wednesday)

Frost fine warm day.  Children’s fair a good turnout.  I drew 8⁶⁰ at the door.  David and Henry finished the Webber lot today. Ed Wheeler’s wife had a daughter this afternoon.  Mrs. Parker taken to the hospital at Gardner.  I was door keeper at the fair.