History of Hate and Intolerance
in the Delaware Highlands

Updated 6/17/06 - Underground Railroad Colloquim
Pike County - Milford	Mass Murder of Native Americans	Tom Quick, Jr. (1734-1795) killed Native Americas to avenge his father's murder. The town of Milford erected a monument in his honor in 1889. But in 1997, the monument was destroyed by unknown persons. Borough insurance paid to have the monument restored and in 1999 a major protest by Native American Historical Truth Association (NAHTA) was successful in preventing the monument from being re-erected. The restored monument now rests in the Milford Borough Garage. Keeping the monument in hiding is NOT a resolution. Perhaps the Borough is waiting for the controversy to go away so the monument can be re-erect in the middle of the night? Hiding the monument was not a resolution. TSUC held public meeting to discuss in May 2003. TSUC offered to work with the Milford Borough Council towards a resolution in July 2003 and the council declined. Instead, the Milford Borough Council accepted a proposal from the Pike County Historical Society to re-erect the monument in September 2003. More Info.
Port Jervis	Historic Lynching	On June 2, 1892, Robert Lewis was lynched before a crowd that some say may have numbered several thousand on East Main Street in front of the Baptist Church. News of this black man's tragic death, punishment for a rape he may not have committed spread throughout the nation, and for several days news regarding the lynching captivated the nation's interest. The case was left "resolved" when a special jury was convened and no one could be charged with a crime. Minisink Valley Historical Society (PDF) North not excluded from America's racist past (PDF). Record On-Line. 12/21/02. Lynchings: America's Shame. Time Herald Record. 4/13/00.
Pike County - Matemoras and Milford Township	History of KKK and Intimidation of African Americans	White supremacist groups like the KKK have a history in Pike County. This is documented in an official published history of the County and includes a photo of the Pike County KKK in front of a building in Matamoras (possibly the Methodist Church). Reference: Lehde, Norman B. A History of Pike County. Milford, PA, 1989, p. 192-193. White supremacist fliers were inserted unauthorized into the Pocono Record and other community papers - Reported by the Pocono Record on 6/9/01. The Confederate flag was used by Southern States during the Civil War in their fight to continue slavery and the oppression of African-Americans. The Confederate flag continues to be used by white supremacist groups as a symbol of hatred. It is not uncommon to find the flag proudly displayed by private citizens and businesses in Pike County. The most prominent display of the Confederate flag is in Apple Valley Village, a commercial area in Milford Township, adjacent to a historic site, the Schocopee Schoolhouse, which is owned by the Pike County Historical Society. See personal letter from Norm Gasbarro to the PCHS President - July 13, 2001. Other Sites for the Schocopee Schoolhouse - Ken Baumel's and Pocono Vacations Community Action Against Hate Why the Confederate Flag is a RACIST Symbol - Link and Flyer. Of White Robes and Midnight Fright: Why I'm Offended by the Confederate Flag - Article
Pike County	Ignored Contributions of African-Americans in Pike County See Update!	African-Americans of Pike County have made important contributions to our nation but they have been ignored. The best example are the contributions from the Davis-Bailey family. Abraham Davis, an African-American joined the Union Army with the promise of citizenship. His honorable service during the Civil War, and that of many other African-Americans, was the impetus for the passage of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Following the war, Davis used his pension to purchase property in Milford on High Street where his family lived for more than 100 years. In the early 1950s, his family again answered the call to duty and paid the ultimate price. Abraham Davis' great-grandson, Milton Bailey, fought in the Korean Conflict and was the only person from Pike County officially listed as "killed in action" (and only one other county resident had died in the Korean Conflict). The accomplishments of the Davis-Bailey family are ignored by the community. The Pike County Historical Society (PCHS) once featured an exhibit on the Davis-Bailey family at the Columns but only a short time. The exhibit was constructed by the former Director and was removed shortly after his dismissal. See personal letter from Norm Gasbarro to the PCHS President - July 13, 2001. During the 50th Anniversary of the Korean Conflict, the Pike County Commissioners passed a resolution honoring Korean Era Veterans but failed to mention Milton Bailey. The Memorial Day ceremonies that year included speeches from several veterans and community leaders but they all failed to mention Milton Bailey. The Tri-State Unity Coalition was the only group that honored Milton Bailey during the 50th Anniversary Memorial Day parade. The contributions of local African-Americans are conveniently, and perhaps deliberately, ignored in Pike County. February 2006 - Encouraging News! The Pike County Historical Society's Columns Museum unveiled a new permanent exhibit on Feb. 10, 2006 that focuses on the African American family of Abraham and Sarah Davis. Abraham is believed to have served in the 5th Regiment, 204th Volunteer Artillery in the Civil War. He married Sarah Johnson and purchased the family home in Milford. The exhibit features family photos, portraits and Milton’s letters home from Korea. These letters describe his tour of duty and contain many personal observations concerning his life at home and abroad. His family received much consolation and support from the community during this unsettling time and a sense of mourning was apparent upon the declaration of Milton’s death on Jan. 1, 1955.
		The Columns Museum of the Pike County Historical Society is the last stop in the Underground Railroad Driving Tour featuring the Davis-Bailey Family exhibit. The Historical Society is a member of the Pennsylvania Underground Railroad Colloquium. They are now working to expand the exhibit with reaserch on old tunnels in the area, etc. "The project is a two year project that hopes to boost tourism in Pike County, as well as cultural diversity " News Eagle May 27-29, 2006. Its unfortunate that tourism is the primary aim of this project.
Pike County	PCHS - Handicap Access Project	The Pike County Historical Society (PCHS) acquired money through grants and fundraisers to make their Columns Museum handicap accessible. The PCHS received money for this purpose but resisted making the changes. TSUC was the first to bring this issue out and also involved the Pike County American with Disabilities Act Committee (ADA). More Info.
Pike County	Handicap Accessibility	Pike County American with Disabilities Act Committee (ADA) is actively working on accessibility issues. Pike County is not very handicap assessable. Consider the adventures of the ADA at their meeting on March 8, 2002 in Milford. The owner of the Biondo Building no longer allows the ADA to meet there. Improvements by the Milford Enhancement Committee included cobblestone walkways that are not wheelchair friendly. Tourist information centers in Milford are not handicap accessible including the centers at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce building and Apple Valley Village. Resident complaint about lack of accessibility in Milford. Related Item - Action Newsletter Report from Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association on Meeting with Pike County's ADA - May 2002 "Some Services Lacking in Pike" by Richard Seltzer (Letter to the Editor in the Dispatch March 4, 2004). Richard is the Chairperson of the Pike County ADA Committee.
Pike County - Westfall Township	Anti-Jewish Statements	David H. Katz, et al. v. Zoning Hearing Bd of Westfall Township Reported in the Pocono Record - Developer wins $10M in Pike suit Pocono Record July 9, 1999 David H. Katz won a $10.1 million verdict against a Pike County township and several Westfall township officials. Katz' filed a lawsuit in 1994 with several allegations including civil rights violations by Westfall Township officials when he tried to develop Rosetown Estates outside of Milford in the mid-1980s. Katz also claimed he was the victim under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute. He said that the hostilities he faced were motivated by the fact he was an outsider and Jewish. The jury agreed and ordered fines of $210,000. Katz' suit cited a comment made in 1988 by a resident who called Katz "you Jew bastard ... you and your family come to this area and think you own everything ...'' Related Articles: Westfall Township keeping bankruptcy option open Pocono Record August 7, 1999 On losing end of $10.1 million lawsuit, Westfall Township hires new lawyer Pocono Record and the Ottaway News Service August 30, 1999 Developer settles suit with Westfall Township Pocono Record August 1, 2001
Pike County Jail	Human Rights Violations	At the Pike County Jail, a correctional officer was dismissed in 1997 after beating INS detainees; nevertheless, the detainees were disciplined and locked in solitary confinement after complaining of abuses by the guard. This abuse was reported in "Locked Away Immigration Detainees in Jails in the U.S." by the Human Rights Watch in 1998. See specific section on the Pike County Jail - hrw pike co jail.pdf. See also message forum.
Pike County	PCHS - Allegations of Discrimination	The Pike County Historical Society (PCHS) removed their first professional director for disagreements related to some of the museum artifacts. He opposed using a circa 1850 stage coach in a parade for fear it would be damaged. He also felt, due to the lack of evidence, that the Society's "Lincoln Flag" may not have been placed under President Lincoln's head moments after being shot by John Wilkes Booth. See Pocono Record - April 24, 2000. "Clausen accused board members of numerous wrongs against him, including writing poison pen letters, saying disparaging things about him – even possibly discriminating against him." Times Herald Record on April 13, 2000. "Clausen said that things went on that shouldn't have happened, including remarks regarding his sexual preference and his methods as a director." Pocono Record on June 15, 2000. See also personal letter from Norm Gasbarro to the PCHS President - July 13, 2001.