HOMETOWN History

March 20, 2020

150 Years Ago

Shooting Affray – Nobody Killed: A disgraceful affair occurred in Shafer’s Store at Pepacton last Saturday evening. It appears that two men, James Frazier and Ad. Shafer, proprietor of the store, got into some dispute which brought on a war of words, when Frazier struck Shafer on the nose with some instrument which proved hard enough to break the said nose, and necessitate the sending for a medical man, who reconstructed it in the best possible manner. We are informed that revolvers were drawn by both parties and shots were fired, but by the exercise of their dodging powers the combatants were not hit. Frazier was in this village (Andes) last Monday with a small wound above his eye, which was caused by a blow from his antagonist. It is a disgrace that these young husbands should disgrace themselves in the manner stated. They should lay their revolvers to one side until a more honorable calling requires their use.

March 1870

125 Years Ago

The President Home Again – President Cleveland came back to Washington this afternoon after eleven days of recreation on the water. There was a glow of health upon his cheeks which was not there when he left Washington on March 5, the day after Congress had adjourned. St. Clair, the White House steward had provided a large express
wagon to carry away the game, and the Presidential baggage.
Enough game was brought back to send hampers to all the Cabinet officers in town, to Mr. Thurber, and to the homes of the President’s companions, not to speak of a plentiful supply for the White House table. Most of the sport was had in Pimlico Sound, and the President bagged a fair share.

March 1895

100 Years Ago

At a recent public hearing in Albany, relative to the proposed bill abolishing the death penalty in this state, there was not a single voice raised in opposition thereto. Of those favoring it there were two classes – humanitarians who were for the bill on what sometimes are called sentimental reasons, who exploited the sacredness of human life and declared that the Commonwealth had no right under any circumstances to violate its sanctities. Another hard-headed sort, mainly practitioners of law, who held for abolition of the extreme penalty on the quite different ground that it made convictions difficult, and often through sentiment, permitted the guilty to escape. In an earlier age punishment was considered primarily an act of revenge. A more modern conception of so-called punitive measures is that its primary purpose is the reformation of the wrongdoer. Another argument in favor of abolition is that the law, like everything else, is fallible.

March 1920

80 Years Ago

Opinion – It is true that our manner of meeting the economic troubles of the past decade – and fortunately, those of this country have been largely economic, does indicate that perhaps we are lacking in the virility which has made our nation great – that perhaps the character that looks to religion and reflects the Golden Rule has faded from the standards which once imbued us as a people. But it is  equally true that in most people these qualities essential to a great nation have only been lulled asleep – that again awakened, Americans will exhibit once more the resolution, resourcefulness, and character which our way of life exemplified for all the world. Our need is a moral reawakening – and that we must have.
Personals: Clifford Jordan of Morris visited in this city yesterday. Miss Myrtle I. Buckley of 17 Watkins Avenue will leave today to spend Easter with relatives in Hartford, Connecticut. Mrs. Maria Polli and daughter of Grand Gorge were Monday business callers in Oneonta.

March 1940

60 Years Ago

Civil Defense Alert Drill Scheduled for May: CONELRAD Alert Drill and initial tactical warning will signal a Civil Defense test operation beginning at 2 p.m. on May 3 and ending at 2:30 p.m. on May 5. All Civil Defense control centers and headquarters will be activated for the period of the federal exercise on a 4-hour basis to ensure continuous communication, analysis of attack weapon phenomena and prompt reporting of this data and/or bomb strikes to appropriate higher and lower headquarters, and for processing and interpretation of radiation reports. A mandatory public participation drill is scheduled to be held May 3 in each of the Civil Defense jurisdictions of New York State, as directed in a letter of instructions to Robert Simmons, Director. A “take-cover” signal will sound at 2:15 p.m. and extend a period of 15 minutes. At 2:30 p.m. the alert signal will be sounded and the public informed to resume normal activities.

March 1960

40 Years Ago

Workshops on understanding themselves were the first choices of men and women attending the “Every-Woman’s Fair” Saturday in the First United Methodist Church, Oneonta. More than 100 men and women participated in one or more workshops in spite of blowing, drifting snow that hampered travel. Workshops on “Enhancing Self-Esteem,” led by Suzanne Clarke, “On Becoming Your Own Woman,” led by Anita May Thacker, and “Women Alone” led by Mary Ann Keenan drew the most participants. Other workshops that drew many sign-ups were “Natural Childbirth – A Holistic Perspective” led by Kathleen Grandison, M.D., “Menopause” led by Sandy Cohen and Norma Lee Havens, “Why Do They Stay?” led by Aid to Battered Women, “Assertiveness Training” led by Joan Slepian, “Shiatsu Massage” led by Sue Yates, and “Women and Therapy” led by Joan Slepian and Sandy Cohen.

March 1980

10 Years Ago

Food needs of area residents were the main course at a meeting organized by the Hunger Task Force. About 30 volunteers, clergy, food pantry representatives and other agency representatives met in the Great Hall of St. James Episcopal Church on Elm Street to identify existing programs, gaps and other resources to increase supplies and access to food. Services and resources are changing as needs grow because of the economy, organizers said. Janice Hinkley, a member of the Hunger Task Force that is affiliated with St. Mary’s Church, said the church’s food pantry helped about 6,000 people last year.

March 2010