HOMETOWN HISTORY, July 25, 2014

100 Years Ago
Charles A. Scut, age 23, of Harpersfield, Delaware County, was the victim of swindlers in the City of Albany which he visited, taking with him the sum of $250 and returning with only 15 cents to his name. On Wednesday night Scut made the acquaintance of Nellie Condon and became thoroughly enamored of the young woman. The two went to 43 Hudson Avenue where Scut remained in residence for several days. There, Scut declares, he underwent the most exciting series of events that had ever transpired in his short life. He was introduced, he says, to “Captains of Police,” actresses from some of the greatest theatres in the country, wizards of finance, and a social Bohemia that to his wondering mind was as magnificent and dazzling as it was strange and mysterious. He says he made love to fair maidens, drank marvelous drinks, and played weird, fascinating games of skill and chance, sometimes winning, but more often losing large sums of money. For four days Scut lived this life of gayety, unfettered and unconfined. He invited the Condon girl to take a trip to Oneonta with him. At first she accepted, but then demurred, saying she could not go because her new dress was not ready and she had not money enough to pay for its completion. Gallantly, Scut paid the required $6. On the eve of their departure, however, a supposed policeman arrested the girl. A bartender told Scut he could win the girl’s release with a $10 bribe. Gallantly as ever, Scut paid the price and Nellie returned. Finally, Scut concluded that he had been “kidded, hoodwinked and robbed.” Scut found a real policeman and told his tale. Arrests have been made in the Scut case but Scut’s pocket remains all but empty.
July 1914

80 Years Ago
An endeavor to introduce a new code of ethics for German business is one thing for which Adolf Hitler deserves credit. E. Lewis B. Curtis, head of the History Department at Oneonta State Normal School said in conversation yesterday. Other achievements of the Hitler regime that Mr. Curtis mentioned were the administrative unification of Germany, and a start at breaking up the large landed estates of East Prussia. Dr. Karl J. Arndt, head of the German Department at Hartwick College, stated that the recent “purge by blood” of the Nazi Party involved far less violence than did the suppressing of the recent Austrian revolt by Chancellor Dollfuss. Both professors agreed that Hitler was untactful and had gone to extremes, but that he was absolutely sincere in his efforts to serve the best interests of the German people. Dr. Arndt called attention to the fact that Hitler had begun his work among university students and had many university graduates in responsible positions, though the Chancellor himself was not a graduate.
July 1934

60 Years Ago
Jane Marie Molinari, daughter of Supreme Court Justice and Mrs. Joseph P. Molinari, has been awarded the Thomas More scholarship to pursue graduate studies in chemistry at Fordham University. Miss Molinari graduated last June from Marymount College, Tarrytown, with a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude. This is not the first scholarship won by Miss Molinari. She was graduated as Valedictorian of the class of 1950 from Oneonta High School and won scholarships from both New York State and Cornell University. During her high school career, she served as editor of the student publication “The Echo.”
July 1954

40 Years Ago
Fox Hospital’s obstetrics team is phasing out its involvement in pre-natal care and deliveries but officials are confident maternity care at the hospital won’t be interrupted as officials anticipate hiring two new physicians to replace Dr. John W. Latcher and Dr. Edward D. Eckman, both of who are leaving their Obstetric practices to specialize in gynecology.
July 1974

30 Years Ago
State Lottery Director John D. Quinn said Tuesday he has raised the jackpot for Wednesday’s Lotto drawing from $15.5 million to $20 million because of booming ticket sales. “If this jackpot doesn’t get hit it will go to $25 million on Saturday,” he declared. He said buyers were snapping up Lotto tickets at the rate of $500,000 an hour on Tuesday and it’s going up. Quinn said that, “if won by a single winner, it would be the largest jackpot prize in the world. The lucky individual would receive 21 annual payments of $952,000 each.”
July 1984

20 Years Ago
For at least 40 years the Family Service Association made its home in Wilber Mansion. This month it moved to 275-277 Chestnut Street. “We need to be on the first floor,” said Executive Director Mary O’Connor. “If we are on the ground floor we can provide better services.” The new quarters are handicap accessible and can be reached conveniently by public bus transportation. As well as clothing, the association provides limited medication and prescription assistance, limited transportation support, a 20-week course for new parents, and referral to other services. More than 500 families use services provided by the association annually.
July 1994