BOUND VOLUMES, May 24, 2012

200 YEARS AGO
One of the horses, which 17 years ago, in February last, drew the press and types on which the Otsego Herald first commenced, the property of John Noyes, Esq., late Sheriff of the county of Columbia, brought him and his son in a single wagon, to Otsego, on Wednesday last, and the Editor had the pleasure of entertaining them, and the veteran horse, which appeared plump and lively, aged from 24 to 25 years. His mate, 2 or 3 years older, was lately sold for 45 dollars, and is performing good service.
May 23, 1812

175 YEARS AGO
It is a fact that the balance of trade with foreign nations against this country for the last year was sixty-one millions of dollars. It is estimated that the amount of auction sales for land in the vicinity of the city of New York, amounted to 36 millions. Also, that there has been paid for city property in other places, and for sites for cities and villages, one hundred millions. The amount received at the public land offices during the last three years is 41 millions. Thus, there are three items alone, whose aggregate amount counts up the enormous sum of more than 200 millions of dollars paid out quite recently for property almost entirely unproductive; and the whole of this vast amount has been either borrowed or taken from funds that properly belong to the regular and legitimate business of the country. This is enough to show that the people have been engaged in the wildest schemes of extravagance, and to account for the derangement in our monetary concerns, without looking for any other cause.
May 29, 1837

150 YEARS AGO
The sudden death of Mrs. Schuyler Crippen on Sunday night last has cast a gloom over our village and filled many hearts with sorrow. She was a woman of strong and well-balanced mind, cultivated tastes, and warm and generous sympathies; and her energetic character often – especially during the last year or two – led her beyond her strength in deeds of charity and benevolence. The poor, the sick, the unfortunate, ever found in her a kind and efficient friend, always ready to respond to their calls to the extent of her ability.
Since the present war commenced, and appeals have been made in behalf of our sick and wounded soldiers, Mrs. Crippen has taken a leading and active part in meeting these demands.
May 23, 1862

125 YEARS AGO
The Village Hall – The purchase of the rink lot, in addition to and adjoining that already owned by the corporation, seems to give quite general satisfaction. One of the questions now discussed is this – Shall the building be two or three stories high? Not only on account of looks, but also of present and future convenience, we are inclined to side with those who favor the latter. The cost would not be a great deal more than a two-story building, and it would present a much more imposing appearance. It would be no great tax on those occasionally using them to place the trustees’ room and the separate rooms of the several fire departments in the third story. The hall would be large enough to accommodate about 1,000 people, and it can be reached by two broad winding stairs. There might also be in the third story one or two rooms to lease to the literary societies of the village. A heater such as that in use in the Second National Bank would warm the structure.
May 27, 1887

100 YEARS AGO
A Baseball Monument? Dear Sir – I seek this medium of conveying to the people of Cooperstown the subject matter of the enclosed clipping from a recent issue of the Denver Post in which Mr. Abner Graves presents quite conclusive proof that the first game of base ball was played in 1840 within the sacred precincts of the Immortal James Fenimore Cooper. Of this fact humanity should be enlightened, and although it may serve to dim the luster of the memory of our beloved Cooper, the aforesaid precincts will become more than doubly sacred. (Editor’s note: The several varying accounts of Abner Graves as an authority on the origins of the National Pastime, have long since been discredited)
May 29, 1912

75 YEARS AGO
Cherry Valley will not be located on historic Route 20 when the state decides to reconstruct a section of the highway. This was indicated last week when Col. Frederick Stuart Greene, state superintendent of public works, insisted a by-pass be made in spite of objections. The proposed new road, about five miles long, will be surveyed soon, and will probably be put on the state highway map in 1938 for early construction. The new road will eliminate travel through the village of Cherry Valley, and the bypass will shorten the route and overcome several curves. The residents of Cherry Valley, including men, women and children, have put forth the slogan “Route 20 Shall Not Pass.” “Must there be another Cherry Valley Massacre,” returning our community to a country hamlet instead of an historic summer resort” they ask? What would the Cherry Valley Turnpike be without Cherry Valley,” they ask.
May 26, 1937

25 YEARS AGO
Hats and britches, nighties and peplums are being sorted, cut from scratch or tucked and gussied up in the newly opened costume shop of the Glimmerglass Opera this week. Amanda May, the opera company’s production manager recently hired about 50 seasonal professionals needed to launch this landmark season in the opera’s 12-year history. Three of the costume specialists arrived on the scene May 18 to start the intensive job of preparing the millinery and costumes for Pirates of Penzance.
May 27, 1987

10 YEARS AGO
Cooperstown Central School graduate and now Lieutenant Colonel Patrick L. Fetterman, a battalion commander in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army, is currently leading missions in Afghanistan to root out members of the Al Qaeda terrorist organization and the Taliban. Lee is the son of Diane and the late Pat Fetterman.
May 24, 2002