BOUND VOLUMES, August 1, 2013
200 YEARS AGO
Dancing School postponed. Mr. Shepherd respectfully informs the inhabitants of this place that a number having declined subscribing to his school, alleging as a reason that it was too early in the season, has therefore postponed opening his school to the first of September next, and as that will be the most pleasant season in the year for a Dancing School, he flatters himself he shall meet with liberal encouragement. Cooperstown, July 31, 1813
July 31, 1813
175 YEARS AGO
Pension to Widows – At the recent Session of Congress, an act was passed containing the following provision: “If any person who served in the war of the Revolution, in the manner specified in the act passed the seventh day of June, 1832, have died leaving a widow, whose marriage took place after the expiration of the last period of this service, and before the first day of January, 1794, such widow shall be entitled to receive, for and during the term of five years, from the fourth day of March, 1836, the annuity or pension which might have been allowed to her husband in virtue of said act, if living at the time it was passed: Provided, That in the event of the marriage of such widow, said annuity or pension shall be discontinued.” Persons interested in the foregoing measure of the Government, will be cheerfully aided in their claims, on application to the editor of this paper.
July 30, 1838
150 YEARS AGO
Captain Charles D. McLean, son of Charles McLean, Esq., of Cherry Valley, was mortally wounded in the hard-fought battle of Gettysburg, and subsequently died a prisoner in the hands of the rebels. His body was recovered and brought home to his bereaved parents on the 21st of July and interred in Cherry Valley. This is the second son they have lost in the war and truly they are among the most severely affected. Capt. McLean was a young man of sterling worth beloved by his friends and fellow soldiers, all of whom mourn his loss. He had the heart of a patriot, the life blood of which he shed in defense of the Republic.
July 31, 1863
100 YEARS AGO
Activities at the Country Club: Five boats entered the sailing race last Wednesday from the Country Club. The Wednesday races are for the individual who wins them and the one who has won the greatest number of Wednesday races, regardless of the boat sailed, at the end of the season receives a cup. Those who were entered in the race Wednesday were: William C. Bowers, William Lee McKim, Waldo C. Johnston, William Truslow Hyde, Ralph Hyde and Wade Guy. The breeze was southerly and generally strong. Crossing the line first was William C. Bowers who kept the lead throughout the race. Ralph Hyde was next to cross, Wade Guy third, Waldo C. Johnston, fourth and William T. Hyde fifth. In the tennis stepladder tournament for ladies at present the ladder is as follows: Mrs. Stephen C. Clark, Miss LeMoyne, Miss Van Wyck, Miss McKim, Miss Grace Brown, Mrs. Ralph Birdsall, Miss Usher, Miss Mary Brown, Miss Dorothy Warrin, and Miss Patterson.
July 30, 1913
75 YEARS AGO
The hosts of the American Legion will invade the Leatherstocking land the coming weekend for the semi-final and final games of the Legion’s Junior Baseball Tournament of New York State. Local arrangements for the titular contests on historic Doubleday Field, for the second time in as many years, have been completed by Clark F. Simmons Post 579 of this village, according to Earl G. Stalker, post commander. Both the infield and outfield of the diamond which lies on the spot where Major-General Abner Doubleday laid out the first baseball lines and taught his schoolmates the rules of the new game he had devised, will be in first class condition, and there will be seating capacity for over 1,000 people. Community parking grounds at the entrance to the field afford ample provision for a multitude of cars which may be left without charge. Last year, a crowd of 1,500 was on hand to see Plewacki Post of Buffalo annex the state title.
August 3, 1938
50 YEARS AGO
As it has every year since 1939, with the exception of the war year 1945, Cooperstown will play host Monday to Major League baseball and to thousands of visitors on Hall of Fame Day. The day will get underway with induction ceremonies for John Gibson Clarkson (pitcher, 1882-1894); Elmer Harrison Flick (outfielder, 1898-1910); Edgar Charles “Sam” Rice (outfielder, 1915-1934); and Eppa Rixey, Jr. (pitcher, 1912-1933). In the afternoon at 2 o’clock, the Milwaukee Braves and the Boston Red Sox will meet in the annual Hall of Fame Game.
July 31, 1963
25 YEARS AGO
The Rotary Report by Jim Woolson: Fines: George Cade paid $1 for having spent two weeks on a trail ride in Cody, Wyoming and he “still has to stand up to eat!” Jim Woolson was forced to pay 50 cents because his wife won third prize at Senior’s Bridge – stop winning Beverly! Mike Jerome paid 50 cents for some free advertising, but the under-fine of the day was to Hugh MacDougall who only had to pay a dollar even though he was mentioned by name at least four times in the New York Times in an article about Burma.
August 3, 1988
10 YEARS AGO
When he graduates from Virginia Tech in May 2004, 20-year-old Scott Bliss plans a 30,000-mile trip across the continental United States to document on 300 rolls of film what he calls “blue collar patriotism.” “It seems like so many people have so many opinions on why we should or shouldn’t have gone to war,” Bliss explained. “I see all these white collar people on TV questioning our country’s motives, but the American workers are the ones who are going to support our country. As I drive around, it’s usually the house that needs a paint job that has an American flag out front.
August 1, 2003
