HOMETOWN HISTORY

June 10, 2021

Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library

135 Years Ago

The union temperance meeting at the Metropolitan theatre last Sunday evening was a decided success. Over 1,000 persons were present and from beginning to end manifested a deep interest in all the proceedings. Enthusiastic addresses were made by the pastors, Professor Bull and Dr. Morris. The object and aid of the Law and Order League was clearly set forth and the citizens urged to rally to its support. At the close of the addresses signers were called for and over 100 names secured. Since the meeting the pastors have conducted an active canvass and at the present time over 250 names have been secured to the continuation of the league. Scarcely a business or professional man has refused to become a member and several have voluntarily offered liberal financial support for the prosecution of the work of the league.

June 1886

110 Years Ago

Local News – “What are you digging for?” said an inquisitive pedestrian yesterday to a man working on a Dietz Street ditch. “Twenty cents an hour,” said the man and he went on shoveling.
John Lantz of 17 Cherry Street, while at work in the D & H shops last Thursday, had the misfortune to have his head caught and quite severely pinched between two parts of a machine. He was taken in the ambulance to his home and Dr. Cutler summoned. He was resting comfortably and it is thought that his injuries, although painful, will be in no way serious.
The Woolworth Store, adjoining the new Oneonta block, is in the hands of painters and decorators and will probably be completed this week. A large stock of goods has already arrived and the management expects to be open for business next week.

June 1911

90 Years Ago

Clinton H. Hoard of Brooklyn, well known baseball writer, gave a very interesting talk on his experiences and observations of the national game before the members of the Oneonta Kiwanis club at their regular weekly luncheon meeting in the Elks Club dining rooms last week. Mr. Hoard has not missed a World Series in 20 years. “Baseball is not on the wane,” he said. “A total of 11 million people paid admission to league games in Brooklyn last year alone. On Decoration Day 1931, there were 62,000 at the Polo Grounds in New York City and over in Brooklyn the next day there were 40,000. Receipts for the first World Series amounted to $68,000, while the total taken in during the 1930 games amounted to $1,320,000.” “Contrary to common belief,” Mr. Hoard continued, “baseball players do not all receive fabulous salaries. The average salary paid to players is about $6,000 per year, while the average active life of a ball player is only 10 years.”

June 1931

70 Years Ago

Governor Dewey said yesterday that the use of narcotics by teenagers has shot up disturbingly, and his staff investigators intend to find out why. Some of the reasons should come out at a three-day public hearing that opens in New York City today. Declaring that he was deeply disturbed about the increase in teenage addiction, Dewey said: “The question as to whether that has come about as a result of a post-war letdown, or lack of enforcement, or because there has been a new technique among local distributors is one that should be a major result of the inquiry. Dewey met for an hour with New York State Attorney General Nathaniel L. Goldstein who will conduct the hearings. His office has been probing narcotics traffic for two months. Three new laws relating to the punishment of narcotics offenders will go into effect July 1. The maximum penalty for the sale of narcotics has been raised from 10 to 15 years and the maximum penalty for possession of narcotics with intent to sell will also be raised from 10 to 15 years. Mere possession of narcotics without a license will become a felony punishable by a two to 10-year prison term.

June 1951

40 Years Ago

Preliminary statistics released by Oneonta Police Chief Joseph DeSalvatore indicate city drug arrests in 1971 will far exceed similar arrests in 1970. During the first four months of this year, city police made 19 felony and misdemeanor drug-related arrests, compared to 24 during all of 1970. Despite the continued sharp rise, 1970 will long be remembered as the year the drug problem officially hit Oneonta. Police statistics for the past 20 years show only two drug arrests in the period 1951-1969 – one in 1968 and one in 1969. The large number of drug arrests in the past year and a half has boosted the total number of felony arrests in the city, Chief DeSalvatore’s 20-year statistics show.

June 1971

30 Years Ago

The Oneonta Town Board is exploring the possibility of licensing hotels or motels that show x-rated movies. David Wilber, a town planning board member who opposes a proposed amendment banning x-rated movies in motels, suggested that the town
license the practice instead. Bruce Matzel, owner of the Traveler’s Budget Motel Inn on Route 7 at Emmons has been seeking permission to show adult films in his rooms. Some board members fear the movies may be advertised on highway billboards or through other media. Citing first amendment rights, Matzel said he plans to begin
showing the movies regardless of the board’s decision. At the Del-Sego Drive-In on Route 7, a large bill board advertises two R-Rated films, described as adult films,
and titled “Classroom Teasers” and “Centerfold Spread.”

June 1981

20 Years Ago

State agencies must be getting 20 percent of their electricity from green sources like wind, solar, fuel cells, or geothermal sources by 2010 under an executive order issued by Governor George Pataki. Pataki also called on President George W. Bush to improve nationwide emissions standards for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury and carbon dioxide. “We believe 20 percent is an aggressive goal, and a very achievable goal,” John Cahill, Pataki’s senior policy advisor, said. Pataki also directed agencies to follow “green building” standards for all new state construction or major renovation projects.

June 2001