From Russia to Trouble on Point Grove Road

Author’s Note: This story has been particularly challenging to research because the historical records contain several conflicts surrounding names, dates, and places that cannot always be reconciled. Like every story on the Southwick Time Machine, it is a living document. The story will get updated if additional information is uncovered.

 

 

 — A Southwick Time Machine Original

 

 From Russia to Trouble on Point Grove Road

Albrecht Maske was born on October 15, 1905, in Russia. As Albert Maske, he crossed the Atlantic from Bremen, Germany, aboard the S.S. Friedrich der Große with his grandmother, Pauline (Mizel) Maske. They arrived in America on July 14, 1909. (Albert sometimes wrote his date of birth as October 15, 1902, which is what he did on his draft card in 1942.)

 

Believed to be Albert (Maske) Maskill 

(Photograph from a user-submitted online family tree; original source and date unknown)

According to the ship’s records, one of Pauline’s sons paid for her ticket. Albert’s father paid for his.

Young Albert fell ill aboard the ship and was removed to the hospital at the port of entry. This caused Bureau of Immigration authorities to flag Albert as a Likely Public Charge (L.P.C.), meaning they considered him likely to become a financial burden on the government. Pauline, traveling with only $2 and no spouse, was also flagged.

One of Pauline’s sons, Julius Maske, lived in Terryville, Connecticut, which was her and Albert’s destination, presumably to attend the November wedding of her other son, Augusta Maske, to Pauline Lux (Luchs). Augusta’s sister, Pauline Maske, who was likely Albert’s mother, was a bridesmaid. The family held a reception dinner at Julius Maske’s house. (Augusta arrived in America in 1907.)

Albert’s mother, Pauline Maske, was born in Russia, but her native tongue was German. She made her home in Connecticut.

Pauline married Emil Babeski. By 1920, they had six children and were living in Hartford, Connecticut. Albert resided with them.

Point Grove Trouble

Pauline and Emil moved to the Point Grove section of Southwick, Massachusetts. At some point, Pauline's son, now known as Albert Maskill, came to live with them. (Sometimes Albert's mother referred to him as a Babeski.)

Like his mother, Albert reportedly spoke both German and English. He was youthful and slender, about five feet seven inches tall, with blond hair and blue eyes.  

On October 29, 1924, Albert was arrested on the complaint of a 14-year-old girl. The victim told police that Albert Maskill of Southwick had assaulted her earlier that day. Albert was arrested on a rape charge.

The victim, Mary V. Woods of Westfield, Massachusetts, had disappeared from home on the afternoon of October 28. She returned later that evening, past midnight. Her parents questioned her after noticing that she appeared exhausted. Mary told them that she had spent the night in a barn on the outskirts of town.

When her parents learned the full story, they notified authorities.

At his arraignment in district court on October 30, 1924, Albert was found guilty of rape and was bound over to the grand jury.

The judge set his bond at $1,000.

Notably, the girl who made the complaint was herself charged with lewd and lascivious cohabitation. 

The judge gave her a suspended sentence to the Lancaster School and placed her on probation for one year.

The grand jury indicted Albert. In December, he pleaded guilty to rape. The judge placed him on probation with specific conditions.

Albert moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he was working as a shipping clerk by 1926. On September 9 of that year, he married Marion F. Bond. She was born in Port Henry, New York, but was living in Springfield. 

 

Marion F. Bond

 

(Photograph from a user-submitted online family tree; original source and date unknown) 

 

Albert had various jobs over the years, including dyer, hotel clerk, and bartender. He and Marion moved several times. (Albert even worked briefly at the Southwick Inn, in Southwick.)

They had three children:

• Albert Maskill Jr.
• Jane Mary
• Frederick
  

Mary V. Woods — What Happened Next

Mary Woods and Thomas Moriarty got a marriage license on February 1, 1929. They planned to get married that same day in New York City. 

That summer, they welcomed a baby girl, Maureen Moriarty, on August 21. 

On June 8, 1931, the couple welcomed a son, John. 

Maureen died in the Isolation Hospital on December 10, 1932. 

Mary and Thomas had more children later. 

Thomas Moriarty died in 1977. Mary died in 1984.

John “Chick” Moriarty died on March 13, 2025. He was 93 years old and worked for the same company for 50 years.

Marion's Trouble in Ware

On March 7, 1938, Marion Maskill and Theodore Rabidoux pleaded guilty in district court to a complaint of illegal cohabitation. Authorities had arrested them at a Springfield hotel on Main Street on March 5. They were both still legally married to other people at the time. (Theodore married his first wife in 1926.)

Marion was given a one-year suspended sentence in the women’s reformatory at Sherborn on the condition that she leave Ware immediately and go live with a relative.

The judge gave Rabidoux a three-month suspended sentence in the Northampton jail.

At a probate court hearing on February 10, 1941, Marion F. Maskill, then living in Springfield, sought a divorce decree from Albert Maskill, who was residing in Ware. She cited cruel and abusive treatment. Marion charged that on September 9, 1938, Albert cruelly abused her, in addition to other times.

It is unclear why, but on February 13, 1941, the judge dismissed the decree. The divorce had been erroneously reported as having been granted.

On September 9, 1941, Marion Maskill and Theodore Rabidoux were re-arrested. Both were still married to other people, and the pair had been living together in an apartment at 51 State Street since at least 1940. They were charged with being lewd and lascivious persons.

On September 10, the judge released Rabidoux on his own recognizance, and he required Marion to furnish $100 bail. He continued the case to September 17.

On September 17, the judge continued the case to September 26.

At the time, Marion was working as a waitress. Theodore was a cook at Handy Lunch.

Theodore held various positions over the years, including machine operator and guard.

By 1942, Theodore was living at the Hotel Barnes in downtown Springfield. Albert Maskill was working at the Southwick Inn.

In late 1943, Albert Maskill, then living in Springfield, was granted a divorce from Marion on grounds of desertion and was given custody of their three children..

Albert claimed that Marion had deserted him in 1937. (Albert and Marion reportedly separated on January 1, 1937.)

Re-Building Their Separate Lives

Albert remarried on June 22, 1944. He married Elizabeth Ann Ringie. (Elizabeth was previously married to Francis Kennedy.)

 

Elizabeth Ann Ringie, circa 1936

 

Elizabeth was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on July 23, 1914. She received her nursing degree in 1936.

Albert and Elizabeth had a daughter, Elizabeth “Betty” Maskill, born in Springfield on November 23, 1946.

Around 1947, Elizabeth and Albert Sr. moved to Lebanon Springs, New York. There, they owned and operated the Maskill Convalescent Home until about 1970. (Albert also continued working as a bartender.)

By 1950, Marion and Theodore were legally married and living at The Majestic, a large rooming house on Spring Street in Springfield. (Today, the Majestic Apartment Block is a notable historic apartment building in the Quadrangle-Mattoon Neighborhood.)

  

Majestic Apartment Block

 

Deserted on Point Grove Road

Around 1940, Pauline swore out a complaint on her husband, Emil Babeski. A judge issued a warrant charging Emil nonsupport of his wife and two minor children. Emil had fathered eight children. (Their son, Carl William Babeski, died on May 17, 1922. He was only three-years-old.)

After their father left, the two minor children began earning their own living. 

In 1943, Massachusetts State Police finally located Emil. He was served with the warrant on December 4 or 5. 

Emil appeared in Westfield District Court on December 6, 1943. At the time, Emil was working as a wood chopper in East Hawley. 

The two minor children told the court that they were still earning a living on their own and that they were not seeking support from their father. 

Emil pleaded guilty. The judge ordered him to pay $12 a week toward the costs of Pauline's expenses at the Westfield State Sanatorium, where she had recently been admitted. Emil was placed on probation, and the case was continued.

The outcome of the case is unclear.

On October 20, 1947, Emil was working at the American Sumatra Tobacco Company's plantation in Southwick when he died suddenly. 

To Jane Mary's Surprise

Albert and Marion’s daughter, Jane Mary Maskill, had married Leonard R. Morin on May 11, 1946. She was not aware that Morin’s former wife, Rosemary Ann Lynch Morin, had obtained a decree nisi from him in May 1945.

That decree barred him from remarrying until November 9, 1947.

When Jane learned the decree, she notified the court. But because she was still a minor, she brought the action through her father, Albert.

On July 16, 1947, a probate court judge issued Jane a decree of nullity, annulling her marriage to Leonard R. Morin. (Jane would later marry Arthur J. Bernier.)

$7, $62.10, and a Stolen Automobile

Albert Jr. and his friend broke into the Dwight Street Candy Company on Christmas Eve, 1944. No charges were pressed. The two reportedly took $7.

In early 1945, Albert Jr. pleaded guilty to larceny charges along with three other local boys. They had broken into the Victoria Cafeteria on State Street in Springfield and stripped a cigarette vending machine of $62.10. (Victoria Cafeteria was located at the Hotel Victoria.)

For his part in the break-in, Albert Jr. was sent to the Massachusetts Reformatory. A fifth boy was charged with receiving stolen goods because he had demanded a share of the loot from the young thieves. 

 

The Victoria Cafeteria was located at the Hotel Victoria

 

Trouble followed Albert Jr. into 1946. Police charged him with causing an explosive to be discharged after an eleven-year-old boy suffered an injury to his left eye. Police said Albert Jr. had thrown a cherry bomb into the street where the boy was playing. Albert Jr. told investigators that he obtained the illegal bomb from a Connecticut boy. He was placed on probation.

On March 3, 1947, Albert Jr., 20, pleaded guilty in District Court to driving an automobile away without authority.

A judge ordered him held on $2,000 bonds for appearance on March 10.

Albert Jr. had taken a car owned by Ida M. Peterson of Wilbraham Road, Springfield.

When Albert Jr. was arrested in Ware on the afternoon of March 2, 1947, he had a 16-year-old Springfield boy with him. At the time of his arrest, Albert Jr. was on parole from the Concord Reformatory.

In 1949, Albert Jr., then living in Southwick, was sentenced to an indeterminate term in Concord Reformatory for breaking into Charles Ferguson’s property in Charlton, Massachusetts, on August 30.

Albert Jr. pleaded guilty in Superior Court. 

Tending Bar to Behind Bars

In 1961, Albert Sr. was in trouble in New Lebanon, New York.

On October 14, state police made a routine check of the Ruby Inn and discovered that a person under 18 years of age was being served alcoholic beverages at the bar. 

Police arrested Albert Sr., who was tending the bar. They charged him with violating the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.

Albert Sr. pleaded guilty when arraigned.

He was fined $20.

Albert retired as a bartender. He was a longtime employee of the Country Kitchen Restaurant in Canaan, New York.

Albert Maskill died at his home in the Bellows Trailer Park in New Lebanon, New York, on March 30, 1980. 

 

— Uncovered and preserved by the Southwick Time Machine

Albert Maskill

October 15, 1905 – March 30, 1980

This article is based on original primary-source research, including official records and documents, census data, and period newspapers and directories.

 

Southwick Time Machine stories are living documents. Research is ongoing, and this account may evolve as new information comes to light.

 

Photographs accompanying this story are authentic, unless otherwise noted. In keeping with historical preservation standards, some of the images may have been digitally enhanced for clarity and detail, without altering the original subjects.  

 

 

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Frederick E. Babeski — Southwick  Hero

Frederick E. Babeski of Southwick, Massachusetts, served with the United States Army during World War II, seeing combat in North Africa and Sicily and being wounded twice in action.

Fred enlisted in the United States Army on July 24, 1940. Some records give his enlistment date as July 26.

Private Frederick E. Babeski

 

On August 4, 1942, Fred was transferred to England. From there, he went to Scotland and later to North Africa.

In both Scotland and North Africa, Fred unexpectedly encountered his older brother, Edward J. Babeski, who was serving in a different unit. The brothers wrote to their mother, Pauline Babeski, about the unusual meetings and the joyful reunions they shared overseas. (Edward had entered the United States Merchant Marine at age 17. Fred and Edward's brother, William H. Babeski, also served.)

In one of his letters, Fred wrote in part, 

“I’m confident 

we’re the guys who will point 

the way to victory.”  

 

Fred was assigned to front-line action with the invading force in North Africa. He was injured in the line of duty with shrapnel wounds in the knee and hand during a maneuver on March 30, 1943.

The War Department notified his mother, Pauline, that Fred had been wounded and was receiving treatment at a Red Cross hospital. Pauline, however, already knew that her son had been injured. A few days before receiving the War Department's correspondence, she had received a letter from Fred telling her about his wounds.

Fred was transferred to another hospital as he recovered.

After recovering, he returned to active duty. Fred was eventually promoted to sergeant. His promotion was made on the battlefield.
 

Edward J. Babeski returned to Southwick on furlough in the spring of 1943.

On July 9, 1943, Fred was fighting in the Battle of the Invasion of Sicily when a bomb blew him out of a foxhole. He was wounded again by shrapnel.

The second round of shrapnel caused severe wounds and resulted in a lengthy hospitalization. 

For his wounds received in action on March 30, 1943, Fred was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. The medal was sent to his mother in Southwick for safekeeping.

Fred was eventually honorably discharged from the United States Army. 

A homecoming party was held in Fred's honor at the Brass Rail in Southwick on November 19.  

Shortly after Fred's return, a reporter wanted to interview him about his wartime experience. Fred said that he would rather forget what he had experienced during the war and would not elaborate on them.

Fred was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for the March 30, 1943 event. The medal was sent to his mother in Southwick for safekeeping. His promotion to sergeant was made on the battlefield.

The names of the Babeski brothers (Fred, Edward, and William) are engraved on the Southwick Veteran's Monument in Southwick Center.   

 

Frederick Emil Babeski

November 19, 1919 – July 2, 1990

  

Edited Out/Author's Additional Research Notes

 

Pauline (Maske) Babeski: August 15, 1886 – June 2, 1966 

 

Edward Babeski: abt. 1911 – Unknown

 

Frederick Emil Babeski: November 19, 1919 – July 2, 1990 

 

William H. Babeski: July 31, 1924 – February 15, 1999

Marion Florence (Bond) (Maskill) Rabidoux: February 28, 1907 – March 7, 1982

Elizabeth Ann (Ringie) (Kennedy) Maskill: July 23, 1914 – August 15, 1989

 

Theodore Joseph Rabidoux: June 18, 1902 – May 31, 1964 

 

Mary V. (Woods) Moriarty: January 16, 1910 – August 10, 1984

Albert Maskill Jr.: May 16, 1927 – December 22, 1999

Jane Mary (Maskill) (Morin) Bernier: 1928 – October 13, 2010

Frederick J. Maskill: abt. 1929  – 

 

S.S. Friedrich der Große: August 1, 1896 – October 17, 1922

 

The Battle of the Invasion of Sicily: July 9 – August 17, 1943

Some records state that Albert was born on October 15, 1902. He gave this date of birth on his draft card. However, on other forms, he put 1905.

Immigration authorities appear to have permitted Pauline and Albert to enter the United States on August 8, 1909. They had arrived on July 14, but were flagged.

Albert’s arrival date is given as July 14, 1909, although some sources (info provided by Albert) say 1907 (with no month or day)

Albert was born in Russia. Some sources, usually information provided by Albert, claim Germany and Connecticut (Terryville and Plymouth).

The S.S. Friedrich der Große went through different owners and different names. On October 12, 1922, it caught fire at sea. Everyone was evacuated. The ship couldn't be towed so a Coast Guard Cutter fired 25 shots at it and sunk it on October 17, 1922. 

S.S. Friedrich der Große also known as the SS Friedrich der Grosse. 

Some also state that he arrived in America in 1907. Some state that he was born in Germany.)

Julius Maske was married to Amelia (Miller) Maske.

Ellen Lathers (West Lebanon)

Frederick Sr. may have been named after his mother Marion’s father, Frederick Bond.

Marion collapsed while out in downtown Springfield on December 14, 1960. She was rushed to the hospital, but later released. 

Elizabeth A. Maskill (daughter) underwent a tonsillectomy in 1954. 

Jane outlived her son Richard P. Bernier. He passed away in 1991 at age 41.

Some sources say that Albert and Marion wed on September 8.

Pauline married Emil Babeski. Babeski is sometimes spelled Babecki. 

Theodore Rabidoux married his first wife on November 25, 1926.

Theodore Rabidoux's obituary says he was born in June 18, 1901. His gravestone says June 18, 1902. 

Albert Sr.'s gravestone appears to show his date of birth as 1902. 

Mary V. Woods is sometimes listed as Mary L. Woods.  

Rabidoux spelling sometimes varies. 

Albert live on Wilberham Road in Springfield in 1930.  

Albert's sisters at time of death: Martha Chevosky and Helen Jordan both of Southwick. (Adeline Miller?)

Albert's brothers at time of death: Frederick E. Babeski (Agawam) and William H. Babeski (Connecticut). 

A brother, Edward Babeski, had already passed away.  

Albert Jr. moved around quite a bit. He lived in Texas at one time.  

In its heyday, the Ruby Inn was a rite-of-passage drinking spot for 18 year olds. It was originally Earl's New Starlight Restaurant (across the famous land-locked Showboat - once a Big Band dance palace in the shape of a large ship).

Changing the drinking age to 21 in New York was reportedly the main reason why the drinking establishments in Lebanon closed up.  

Frederick's son, Frederick Jr., passed away on August 18, 2004. He was only 54.

Thomas Kennedy (of Nashville) (2nd wife's 1st marriage)

Gerald “Jerry” Kennedy (born in Pittsfield) (Thomas and Jerry appear to have been twins)

Frederick Jr. was involved in a drunk driving accident on March 27. 1985. He was trapped inside his car after it flipped over in the northbound lane of Interstate 91 in Holyoke. He sustained chest and internal injuries in the accident, which occurred at about 11:25 p.m. Police charged Fred with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and driving to endanger.

Albert and Elizabeth’s daughter, Elizabeth, married Ronald “Porky” Bingham on June 10, 1965. (Ronald died in 2003.)

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