Sarkis Eminian

West of Malatia: the Boys of '26 Sarkis Eminian

West of Malatia begins around the turn of the Twentieth Century when Armenian refugees settled in Newburgh. By 1920 many had married and Armenian families began to form. In 1926 five young men were born to the families in one of the Clans. "The Boys of '26" were the first-born sons of a Clan of seven families. This is their story. "Bird Legs" Dadaian jumped higher than Michael Jordan ever imagined one day. Led by Sam Sisian, grape leaf picking was an annual event that sent our caravans on a hunt for the finest grape leaves. There was Jim who came from the hobo fires in Harvard gulley to play ball until September when they disappeared. There was Garo Mesrobian in Pete's basement, kneeling by a homemade Still, sipping "White Lightning" (Armenian Rachi). Mano, The Keeper of the Skewers, prepares Shish Kebob while puzzled "Odars" look on. No one knew the lady on Claasen. As a fifteen year old, Turvan eluding Turks discovers her baby brother is dead after carrying him on her back for days. There were leaders like Khosrof Esayian who is remembered, and older leaders like Harry Johnson who is long since forgotten. Stories that took a lifetime to tell.