135 YEARS AGO
Fire—About half past ten Tuesday evening the fire bell sounded an alarm, and at the same moment a large part of the village was illuminated by the flames which shot up from the old barn on the premises of Mr. B.F. Austin, on Elm Street. In it were four or five tons of baled straw and a covered buggy, which were destroyed. Loss was about $200. No insurance. Phinney Hose put the first stream of water on the fire, and Nelson Hose the second, preventing any further damage, and even leaving the frame of the barn standing. Six or eight firemen – vainly appealing for assistance from the able-bodied men running by—dragged the hook and ladder truck to the fire. The hydrants had not been flushed in a long time, and sand and gravel had consequently accumulated in them. One of the companies had two lengths of hose disabled, probably from that cause. The origin of the fire is unknown, but for some time past the barn has been slept in by one or more persons, and it is presumed they accidentally set fire to the straw.
April 5, 1889…

210 YEARS AGO
On Thursday morning last, between the hours of 3 and 4 o’clock, our citizens were aroused from their slumbers by the alarming cry of fire, which proved to be in the building occupied by Taylor and Graves as a Tailor’s and Barber’s shop, and had made such progress before the alarm became general, that it was impossible to save the building. The end of Messrs. Cook and Craft’s store, which stood about ten feet east, was several times on fire, but by the prompt exertions of the citizens in hastening supplies of water, and the well-directed application of it through the fire engine, united with the calmness of the weather, its desolating progress was arrested, and the whole range of buildings east to the corner saved from impending destruction. The shutters and windows in Col. Stranahan’s brick house, facing the fire, were burnt out; this building formed a barrier to the progress of the fire westward. The Ladies of the village deserve much praise for the promptitude and alacrity with which they volunteered their aid to the general exertions. They joined the ranks at an early hour, and continued during the whole time of danger, to render every assistance in their power.
March 19, 1814…

210 YEARS AGO
Dispatch from Plattsburgh—A Spy Detected: At length, by redoubled vigilance, in spite of the defects of our own laws, the corruption of some of our citizens, and the arts and cunning of the enemy, one Spy, of the hundreds who roam at large over this frontier, has been detected, convicted, and sentenced to Death. He came from the enemy as a deserter, in the uniform of a British corps, had obtained a pass to go into the interior, visited this place, and was on his return to Canada, in citizens’ clothes, when a virtuous citizen, who had seen him as he came from Canada, recognized and made him prisoner—and notwithstanding arts of one of our citizens (a Peace officer) who advised him to let the fellow go, brought him to this place. He has acknowledged he was a sergeant in the 103rd regiment of British infantry, and calls his name William Baker. We understand he is to be executed this day at 1 o’clock p.m.
April 9, 1814…