I see there is ongoing interest in Boston Corners and specifically, the illegal bare knuckle prize fights held there.

Having grown up in Copake, I've always been curious about them, with the result that I've researched the topic and have written the following as part of a book I'm writing. I'd like to share this small part of it with the readers of this web site.

Excerpt from book being written
by Alan Kaufman

The railroad was the defining link to the outside world. By the 1940s, it was the primary source of transportation, bringing not only freight to the local merchants, but also passengers, opening up the area as a summer resort. In the nineteenth century the railroad also played an important role in the illegal sport of bare knuckle prize fighting, bringing spectators from New York City and Albany to Boston Corners; a tiny hamlet five miles south of Copake. A quirk of nature spoiled the otherwise uniform state line put in place by early officials. Boston Corners is located in a niche in the mountains, resulting from the divergence of the Taconic Hills mountain range from its otherwise north-south direction, returning to its original direction a short distance farther north. Forming a statutory pocket of lawlessness, the mountains prevented Massachusetts law enforcement authorities from easily getting over the mountains to enforce the laws. New York State lawmen had easy access, but possessed no legal authority.

The town of Boston Corners (actual name was Boston Corner) was the venue for various illegal activities, including a hideout for a gang of horse thieves and other undesirables. Horses stolen from the race track stables at Saratoga[2] were dyed to mask their identity, and sent south to Long Island to be raced there. It was also the perfect venue for illegal bare knuckle prize fighting. Writing about this particular time and place, I feel that I am writing about the old West, but we should remember that in the mid-1880’s the East was equally violent, and many of the bad guys of the old West, such as Brooklyn’s Billy the Kid, moved west to get away from the law back home. Today, the only reminder of its violent sporting past is a small plaque on a golf course which commemorates one such match, a championship match fought on October 13, 1853, matching James “Yankee” Sullivan against John Morrissey.

According to an account in the October 13, 1853 issue of the New York Daily Times[3], an estimated four to five thousand fight fans traveled on special trains throughout the night to witness the fight the following day. But the audience contained some anticipated spectators -- lawmen had taken the long way around the mountains from Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and as the fight ended, they arrested John Morrissey, incarcerating him in the Lenox lockup. He was fined $1,200. Whether because of the publicity from the fight and subsequent trial of Morrissey, or from the growing pressure from the law abiding citizens of Boston Corner, legislators from both states decided th

 

Sounds like the environment is changing there not for the better as it has done in so many areas that were more pristine. I went to Camp Waubeeka around 1950-55, camped out in surrounding areas, hiked a lot and was a member of The Order of the Arrow in the scouts. It was beautiful, very scenic and countrified. Climbed some of the Berkshires and swam in Bash Bish for awhile, in the pool beneath the falls. I was from the NE Bronx and belonged to a troop in lower Westchester County and attended many scout Jamborees. But I will always remember the beauty of the Copake area, Boston Corners and other areas where I hiked for days.

 

If the following isn’t too relevant, that’s perfectly understandable; yet, Christ the King is always relevant if thou knowest where thou goest --- Got bawls? Alas, most of U.S. don’t!! Read the signs of the times and know God’s a concrete, kick-ass reality! GOD BLESSA YOUSE -Fr. Sarducci, SNL

 

My forthcoming book will deal with the forced confession and arrest for arson of my son. It will reveal why he signed this ridiculous statement the police wrote. While my book Scandal in the Courtroom is the bases of the book, this book will deal with why this present day forced “confession” violated values of our Constitution. Forced “confessions” seldom reflect what actually happened and sometimes convict innocent people,
     America is a law and order society. Public opinion comes down hard on anyone that breaks the law. I remember when the present Town of Copake Supervisor first decided to run for public office. Formerly he was a Deputy Sheriff and he was running for Judge. He said he would be a good choice because as a former Deputy Sheriff he would see things from the side of the police. He was easily elected. The public views the police with respect. If an accused person tells the judge one thing and a police officer tells the judge a different story, the police version will prevail in court. If it is a crime, like rape the judge will give the maximum sentence and would be criticized by the police if the sentence seems to light. Such a judge stands a good chance of losing the next election. .
     The general public give the police a great deal of power and the Federal Courts have tended to grant the police more and more power in conducting searches and such. When it comes to public opinion I can quote Ben Ackley in my home town. Mr. Ackley and his family owned the local telephone company and he owned the farm next to my farm. He maintained a race track and raced horsed as a hobby. Mr. Ackley called a public meeting at the Grange Hall to deal with the arson problem after a major fire and he had his second barn burned. I had three barns I operated my business out of burned. I spoke to Mr. Ackley, about the problem of the police and Frank’s arrest yet he preferred to believe the police story. At the meeting he said, “The police need better laws so they can do their job and not get sued “. Investigator Vick, standing next to him, said “no we don’t need better laws; What we need is better Judges.” He was speaking of “law and order Judges.” The perception carried away by the people at that meeting was that the liberal judges don’t back the police enough. Police unions and such regularly lobby for strong Law and Order Judges
     Copake is a small town. Deputy Wilson taught Sunday school in my son’s Sunday school. Deputy David Proper, the Sheriff’s son, and my son went out together for lunch on occasion and were in the fire company together. David in fact even served him beer at the firehouse although he knew my son was under age. These were the two Deputies that were sent to bring my son to the Sheriff’s office for an intense interrogation with the intent to arrest him They had been instructed in how to do it. He was not told where they intended to take him. They did not tell him what they intended to do. They did not tell him that he had the right to a lawyer. T

 

The Arson Fires and the Sham of Copake.
I grew up in Copake and expected to spend my entire life there as seven generation of my family did before me. Instead I had three of my barns burned by a serial arsonist. After my third fire I started a Stop Arson Fund. I told a reporter that then Sheriff Proper gave a lie detector test to a fireman after one of the fires and the fireman failed the test. A week after the New York Times story Sheriff Proper arrested my son for the Bull Spring Fire.
More disturbing was the fact that an investigation by the Sheriff of a badly burned man started Bull Spring fire. The investigation I demanded the night of the fire ended after the Sheriff’s investigation. I believe Sheriff Proper knew who it was.
The firm of Rapport Myers Griffin and Whitbeck was hired to defend my son, but after I told them I wanted to sue for damages they switched sides and became County Attorneys. When District Attorney Paul Czajka discovered the Sheriff’s investigation and the fact Sheriff Proper arrested a person he knew was innocent a cover-up was started.
After a lot of stalling a suit was filed but the statuette of limitations ran out. The lawyers for the County insurance company moved for a Summary Judgment to block the suit. My son’s lawyer requested a hearing. Judge Howard G. Munson denied the hearing where my son could testify, then ruled because there was no testimony for my son his “arrest was proper.” He then made his decision final that prevented his testimony from being introduced by affidavit for an appeal.
The decision was a disaster for my son as the arsonist kept burning building. My son was forced from town and the farm was lost on the courthouse steps.
A crime committed by the police and the courts is as bad as it gets. The Sham of Copake is former Sheriff Paul Proper is now the Police Commissioner and the arsonist still lives in Copake.
While I lost everything and was forced to move away the book I wrote has to some extent cleared my son’s name and is read across the country.

 

well i have lived here in Copake for many years and things are starting to drastically change as city people are moving up into upstate New York and sort of ruining everything as they believe everything revolves around themselves. Not all but most. Things such as snowmobiling has been limited because "it disturbs their peaceful time" and the lakes fish populations have been drastically decreasing because the city people want no weeds in their lakes when they go swimming. Its just these little things that are ruining this town. I cant forget to mention the businesses that are being turned away as well. Not all people are like this but i have met many that fit this mold.

 

Have many great memories of copke lake from mid 50's to mid 60's. All our releatives used to stay at a place called cove colony. It was on the opposite side of the lake from the main street . The gentlemen that owned the cottages had several of them . Always wanted to go back and see the beautiful sites at copake but living in Georgia is a long way off. Does anyone one know what happened to the cottages. My guess the land was sold and developed. It was such a beautiful location.

 

John Adams was a small man, but if he could hear what is going on in our courts today the ground would shake, there would be a rumbling and his protest would burst forth from his grave with a force thus far unknown to man. The jury trial is what made America free. Back then it meant the American people and not King George’s judge would have the say in who went to jail. Our Constitution puts the power in the hands of the common person and not in the hands of the government judge. What I call Club Justice has a privileged few that are beyond the reach of the law. They are Federal Judges. Federal Judges can take a bribe or rule as they may, and the common man has no protection. I am speaking from experience. The VII Amendment of our Constitution guarantees the right to a jury trial for damages over $20; it no longer applies. A Summary Judgment Motion ruled on by a judge can block a jury trial. I believe it is a violation of our Constitution.

 

MY grandmother was Greenwhich house camp director for many many years. And she had a house on North Mountain road, which now belongs to my aunt. I was wondering if anyone knew the name of the only book that was written about the boston corners boxing fight..."Hells' Acre"?

 

I live in a troubled land. It is not a land of rock and soil. It is not a land of stream and wood. It is a land within my mind. The trouble will follow me to my grave; my son was convicted of arson, yet he never stood trial. My son never started the fire but he was arrested because I knew too much.
Scandal in the Courtroom, Found Guilty without Trial is my story. It is a story of crime both outside the Courtroom and inside the Courtroom. The crime outside the courtroom was arson. Copake has a serial arsonist on the loose. The arsonist terrorized the community by burning many building including three of my barns.
The crime inside the courtroom started with our Sheriff. Paul grew up in our town and was well respected. He served his country well during the Korean War and he served the community well in the rescue squad and as our fire chief. As our Sheriff he was confronted with a conflict. His problem was politics, friends and relatives, and arson. This conflict would lead him astray from the law and land my son in the clutches of the State in the courtroom
In the courtroom a story of lies and deceit gradually unfold. It is here the power of the State stand exposed. It is here that politics and the interest of the State override our Constitution. It is here Justice Stands Denied. My son was convicted without trial of an arson he did not do and it was because I knew too much. The arsonist was a fireman.

Grant Langdon

 

I was watching "Who's That Knocking At My Door" directed by Martin Scorsese and in the film they had Copake, New York stated in the movie. If you haven't watched the movie, I suggest you do if you love Copake. Best wishes to all who read this. ~ Jason

 

I just finished the book "Scandal in the Courtroom" It was excellent! I spent every summer from 1929 to 1995 in West Copake on Lower Rhoda lake. There is no place nicer and more beautiful than Copake!

 

HELP US SAVE HUDSON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY PLEASE
PETITIONS ARE CIRCULATING ALSO

On January 11, 2008, Hudson Correctional Facility’s
employee’s received word that the doors will close in twelve months time. This decision was brought about by Commissioner of Corrections, Brian Fischer.
This facility employs New York State Correction’s Officers, otherwise
known as the (Forgotten Cops), and hard working Civilian Workers. It also provides many programs that help to reform inmates housed there, now at full capacity.
We need not forget the Work Release Program these inmates carry out daily costing the state little.
Many people might not realize how important this facility, and the employees, are to the economy of Hudson, New York.
On January 29, 2008, Governor Spitzer, was asked to hear our voices during a meeting regarding the closure of Hudson Correctional Facility. However, he did not attend himself. Instead Brian Fischer, Commissioner of Corrections, and the originator of this idea appeared. Approximately 400 people standing strong attended this meeting. We all had short notice regarding this event. This was a small portion of our voice considering the amount of notice given. This crowd of 400, or so, included not only Correction’s Officers, Civilian Workers from the Facility, Police Officer’s, Fireman, NYSCOPBA President Larry Flanagan, Residents of Hudson and surrounding areas, Employees from Price Chopper, Wal-Mart, Mr. Daniel Farrell, a long time resident and employee of Todd Farrell’s Car Care Center, located less than five minutes from the Facility. This list I offer giving only a small idea to our evening speakers opposing this closing. The room stood silent as even some wives and children stood before you, Mr. Fischer, voicing their opinions. You were cold-hearted to them, as they gave you respect along with their questions.
Also, attending were Senator, Stephen Saland, Assemblyman, Marcus Molinaro, Hudson’s Mayor Rick Scalera, Chairman of Columbia County Board of Supervisors, Art Baer, all voicing their opinions opposing the closure of this fine Facility. Please forgive me if I have left anyone out. You all showed such class as you expressed the reasons why you opposed the closure.
We walked in this meeting with hope in our hearts, and walked out feeling defeated and angered. Mr. Brian Fischer, you clearly have only one agenda-closing our Facility. As I heard one voice state
“You seem to have tunnel vision toward this matter Sir!” You
continuously avoided answering many important questions. You showed no compassion whatsoever. I understand you had a great deal against you while on stage facing us. However, you showed us your true colors.
With all due respect Sir, you obviously had your dollar amounts
wrong regarding the savings by closing this facility. Hudson’s
many Employees, and Officials who spoke that evening, had actual facts and figures to prove you wrong. At one point

 

copake has some of the finest landscapes available in the northeast, i can tell you this because ive lived here for a mere 17 years. and while in town do not forget to visit the copake circle deli.

 

Just to let anyone who might want to contact me that my eamil address is outdated and my current one is artlong@tampabay.rr.com; Winters in FL or skiing Wolf Creek CO instead of Catamount; summers in Pagosa Springs golfing; send me an email to chat about our days in Copake or at Roe Jan, the Ore Pit or Lake Taghkanic