HOMETOWN HISTORY, July 13, 2012

125 Years Ago
The Local News – The China woman with the troupe exhibiting in Oneonta last Thursday evening had feet less than three inches long – smaller than her 17-month-old child’s. Her pedal extremities are so dwarfed that she cannot go up or down stairs without assistance, and after hobbling along the street the distance of a block, she is exhausted. The small feet of the women of China have been so much written about that they may have been envied of some of their western sisters with larger understandings. But, if so, a glance at the wretched work made by this specimen of the small-footed sisterhood would have put their minds at rest forever on this score. The entertainment furnished by the Chinese troupe was quite interesting.
July 1887

100 Years Ago
Monday evening at 8:25 Officer A. Howatt, a Russian member of the Binghamton police force arrived in the city and at once commenced a search in the Slavish section for one Mike Sawka, who is wanted in that city charged with assault in the first degree upon Mihaki Karaskin of that city, a countryman, with whom he quarreled on the evening of July 4 following a drunken fracas – the men having formerly been firm friends. The officer went at once to Williams Street, where he said he had been led to believe that the man might find lodging should he have reached Oneonta. He discovered on peering into a home on that street the man whom he wanted and whom he knows having boarded in the same vicinity in Binghamton. He rapped on the door and as soon as it was opened he covered his man and soon had the nippers on him. The fellow was brought to the city police station and placed in a cell and was taken on the sleeper this morning to Binghamton for arraignment.
July 1912

80 Years Ago
Oneonta will soon have a new American-LaFrance fire truck it was announced Saturday by G.A. Dewar, fire commissioner. The decision to purchase the LaFrance apparatus was made at a meeting of the Board of Public Safety on Saturday. The contract will be closed this week. The funds for the purchase are part of a sum secured by a $22,000 bond issue recently approved by the voters for necessary equipment. Fire alarm boxes, hose, and other minor equipment will also be purchased from the fund. With the new piece of motor fire apparatus, the local department will have one of the most modern fire trucks manufactured, embodying the latest features in modern fire fighting design.
July 1932

60 Years Ago
Thrills, chills and spills reminiscent of the old-time dare-devil shows was revived in miniature yesterday as a large crowd watched model airplane enthusiasts from four counties hold their first annual demonstration on Webb Island. Under ideal weather conditions, the crowd watched spellbound, as plane after plane soared gracefully overhead. Charles Hanor, chief counselor of the Oneonta Y.M.C.A.’s new model plane club, which sponsored the field day, said it was “most successful.” Probably the most spectacular thrill came when a small “flip-up” owned by Keith Beardsley of Walton, lost a wheel while stunt zooming at 60 m.p.h. – and crashed and disintegrated. One of Gerald Ferguson’s Delhi entries also crashed after losing a prop in mid-air. High grass prevented many of the exhibitor’s models from successful take-offs. A contest planned for this fall will feature controlled and free flight, pole-line gliders and formation flying.
July 1952

40 Years Ago
Angry residents of the Thorn Street and Telford Street area in the Fifth Ward turned out at last night’s Common Council meeting to protest what they contend is the illegal operation of a dog grooming business by Mrs. Mary Lou
Wendland. City Attorney Harold Vrooman told the protesters the Council could do nothing as Mrs. Wendland continues to operate the business at her Thorn Street residence pending appeal of a Zoning Board ruling against her. Vrooman advised the residents they should file a deposition if they believe Mrs. Wendland is violating the law by continuing to operate the business. However, Oneonta City Patrolman Rudolph Kreck of 16 Telford Street revealed that he and his wife had filed depositions on June 22. “We’ve heard nothing further on them,” Kreck said, noting that the depositions were processed by the police department. The next step would have been for the depositions to go to the City Court for a possible warrant against Mrs. Wendland requiring her to answer the charges. Mayor James Lettis and Vrooman promised they would check on the status of the depositions with court officials. Discussion was heated with several residents contending they have been getting the runaround from city officials.
July 1972

30 Years Ago
The U.S. Senate opened debate Monday on a politically popular constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget, a proposal which President Reagan said is needed “to stop squandering and over-taxing” by the government. During a year in which the federal deficit will approach $100 billion, the proposed amendment is sure to be approved by the Senate, although substantial opposition is expected in the House of Representatives. Republican Senator Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas, said approving a large federal deficit in the same year Congress votes for a balanced budget amendment “isn’t the type of behavior that inspires public confidence.” Strom Thurmond, Republican of South Carolina said the amendment is needed to end a decade of deficit spending in which Congress has failed to raise enough tax revenues to match spending on new and expanding federal programs.
July 1982

20 Years Ago
After more than four years of preparation, the Oneonta Job Corps Center will open its doors today to economically disadvantaged single mothers. “It’s really an outstanding opportunity,” said Gary Herzig, center director. “Many of the women who are attending this program have been living in homeless shelters. They now have the opportunity to change the direction of their lives and their kids’ lives.” The new Solo Parent Program will allow up to 24 women to take classes while their children remain on campus in a day care center operated by Head Start.
July 1992