Could everyone write one simple essay about something that once happened in Saltaire…that they saw or were a part of…and put it on one big website? Somebody should collect a lot of stories before we all forget. Otherwise it is like a line in “On The Beach” : The history of the war that now would never be written.” -(JO'H)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Japanese House

Ed note: some bloggers were commenting on about the house that Phil Keane was “Protecting” in his story below “Phil Keane Jr. Writes about Suzie.” Thinking together, they figured out it was the Johnstone house on Neptune Walk. Here is how their chain of consciousness spun out of control:

Jon Lyon sez: I Know the house, on Neptune, a few homes north of Corkscrews. The wife was Japanese which explains (I guess) the tea house. I think I considered making off with some available firewood from there on a cold autumn night, but shied away when Chief Dwight Isaakson just happened by (now that's a name from the past). Hello Dwight, just ignore me as I slither by with that wagon trailing behind me.

Phil Keane sez: The woman was not Japanese, she was a free spirited older woman with long flowing grey hair, what Stevie Nicks probably looks like now, spinning and shit. She and her husband were very artsy types.

Dwight was never a cop, just head lifeguard, too easy going of a guy for the seedier side of Saltaire. This occurred while Dunleavy was still at the helm, after the first summer of that famous trio of peace officers, Noel, Harry, and myself appeared on the scene. (Picture on request)

JO'H adds: The Tea House: a mystic lady named Johnstone.

Phil sez: You are probably right, now that I hear the name. He was a grumpy guy as I recall. I couldnt remember the people who's house it was I watched.They were a nice older couple. They were the first with a tea house in back and I think the Corrigans later built next to them. I cant remember the walk name either. East side of the ball fields?

Ed: Can't remember the name of the boardwalks? You have been away too long.

Jon: Dwight was never a cop, just head lifeguard, too easy going of a guy for the seedier side of Saltaire. This occurred while Dunleavy was still at the helm, after the first summer of that famous trio of peace officers, Noel, Harry, and myself appeared on the scene. (Picture on request)

Phil sez: I dont know, they didnt seem like the corporate type at all, she was kind of mystical. I didnt know they had children. The tea house was behind their house, NE corner, about as big as Jon's backhouse. Now theres a story. If Jon's backhouse is ever torn down you could smoke the 2x4 studs and roof joists and catch a hell of a buzz. Or build a sauna with them...

OUR HERO, COSMO HAS THE LAST, DEFINITIVE WORD:

cosmo sez:

I became very close to the Johnstones when they were alive. Bill Johnstone was  the first attorney and senior vice president for Bethlehem Steel since the  twenties.  Milly and Bill were very  wealthy, and brought the tea school to New  York, buying a former 100 plus year old equestrian unit of the NYPD, bought a  tea house and garden in  Japan for a fortune, and had it moved and reconstructed  in the old police building exactly as it had been in Japan.  Their son George  was one of the greatest photographers of our time, and would go deep into areas  of the planet that no white man had previously gone, later bringing with him the  leaders of the Travel industry who would open the areas to tourism.  George was  married to Lo, who was Chinese, and she still summers in Saltaire with her son  Tommy.          Cosmo



2 comments:

Noel said...

Prior to complete dementia setting in amongst former officers, a definitive history of the "Saltaire Police Department" circa summer of 1972 should be recorded for posterity. Witnesses of that time period might willingly contribute to this chronology if it can be established that the statute of limitations for impersonating a police officer as well as Police Department has expired under New York State law. Back then, we were the only force (completely lacking any legal authority) capable of preventing the entire village from slipping into anarchy. Yet, no fancy brass commemorative placard lists our names or symbolic titles on the wall of the Village Hall.. Former P.O. Phil claims to have photographic evidence of myself as well as Dockmaster Harry to substantiate such service... but a number more than our trio served back then with class and distinction. Add to this list, Chief of Police (at least in his head) Tom, and of a similar orderly mindset, imaginary second in command Jimmy and the ludicrous picture comes into focus. Then came the lower echelon membership, P.O.Rich, P.O. Terry and another memorable fellow, Officer Tom. We were all sworn in by the Village Trustees as "Assistant Street Commissioners", a fancy meaningless name for a place without streets just simple boardwalks.

Anonymous said...

That should be an interesting list to compile of former PO's of the village of assistant street commissioners yes with no authority- which is still in effect today. Not in any order:
Police Chiefs:
Joe Kelly
Lenny McGahey
Tom Conroy
Jimmy LoDuca
Larry Nicholson
Bob Garafolo
Fanning( although he was paid but never served- a great idea of the village fathers)
Dennis Foley