BOUND VOLUMES, October 10, 2013
200 YEARS AGO
The employment of Indians in our army seems already to have produced a salutary effect. British officers, dreading recrimination for their cruelties, seem now willing to put a stop to the indiscriminate butchery of prisoners by their savage allies; and a general order has been published from the British headquarters, fixing a premium upon every prisoner, instead of his scalp, which the Indians may bring in.
October 9, 1813
175 YEARS AGO
Peace Convention in Boston – One of the most extraordinary conventions ever held in this country assembled in Boston the latter part of last month. The avowed object was to promote peace. A constitution and a declaration of sentiments were drafted by a committee consisting of men and women. They deny the lawfulness of any human government and denounce all its forms as unauthorized usurpations of man over his fellow. They aim not to reform but to overthrow civil government and reconstruct society in all its relations and intercourse. They declare it inconsistent with a profession of Christianity to sue, or imprison, or coerce any offender by physical or legal or legal compulsion; and the members of this new society can neither do military duty, nor pay military fines; neither take an oath of allegiance to any human government, nor act themselves as legislators, judges, or jurors, nor assist as voters in appointing others to these or any civil offices.
October 8, 1838
150 YEARS AGO
Local – Pleasant Valley Wine Co. – The Agent of this company, located at Hammondsport, Steuben County, was here a few days ago with specimens of grapes, wines, and brandies. Some of our dealers have given orders. Mssrs. Beadle and Babcock are to have the grapes on sale soon. They are of choice varieties. Communications can be addressed to J.A. Ball, Secretary.
Effects of Intemperance – On Tuesday last an elderly lady by the name of Condon, a resident of Springfield, was killed while on her return home, about two miles north of this village. It is stated she was in a wagon with her husband and two or three other men, all more or less under the influence of liquor.
October 9, 1863
125 YEARS AGO
As the result of numerous inquiries among businessmen in Wall Street and elsewhere, a reporter of the New York Times reaches the conclusion that businessmen are, as a rule, less bibulous than were their predecessors a quarter of a century ago, and that it has ceased to be good form for a man to rush off to a saloon and close each transaction with a drink. The character of the drink has also changed, and wine and beer and even ginger ale, and other non-alcoholic drinks have now largely taken the place of spirits among those who adhere to old customs. Some of the above remarks in the Times article are applicable to this village. There is very little of that vice seen among our residents in these days.
October 12, 1888
75 YEARS AGO
A valuable addition was made last week to the collection of mementos at the National Baseball Museum came from Tyrus R. Cobb, first of the immortals to be elected to a place in the Hall of Fame. Mr. Cobb writes from his home at Menlo Park, California, that the gift includes the best of what he has left of the mementos of his days of glory on the diamond with Detroit and the Philadelphia, Athletics. There is a sweater, jacket, shirt, pants and stockings, and a pair of shoes and sliding pads he used for many years. The Cobb items are being displayed for the present in a case with other immortals of the game.
October 12, 1938
50 YEARS AGO
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the establishment of a residence in Cooperstown by the Clark family, although the first member of the family to live here was not a Clark, but a Jordan. Jordan Cottage, still standing on the northwest corner of Main and Chestnut Street, was the home of Ambrose L. Jordan, a native of Columbia County, who arrived in Cooperstown to practice law in 1813. Mr. Jordan practiced law here until 1820. During Jordan’s time in Cooperstown, his eldest daughter Caroline was born and received her early education. Caroline later married Edward Clark, her father’s law partner and the couple purchased the Apple Hill property on River Street in 1856, now known as Fernleigh.
October 9, 1963
25 YEARS AGO
U.S. astronaut and shuttle commander Robert “Hoot” Gibson, 42, will take a piece of Cooperstown, a baseball inside a cube, on board the Atlantis spacecraft when NASA’s next flight is launched in November. Gibson, who was born here, spent his early years in Fly Creek, but moved away in 1948. Astronauts have been taking small packages, known as “personal preference kits” into space with them which contain small objects such as medallions. Upon return, they are not allowed to sell the items. Generally, the items are presented to public officials, museums, or kept by the astronaut and family members.
October 12, 1988
10 YEARS AGO
“Without a doubt, this has been the fastest five years of my life,” Suzanne “Polly” Renckens said. “There’s a lot to be said for ‘time flies when you’re having fun.’” This summer Renckens marked five years as the director of the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce. Since moving to the Cooperstown area with her husband James, 30 years ago, Renckens has been the owner of the Hickory Grove Inn on State Route 80 and of Country Memories in Springfield Center. She also served as director of Otsego 2000 before taking the reins of the chamber in 1998. The Renckens are parents of three children – Shannon, Patrick and Elizabeth.
October 10, 2003
