BOUND VOLUMES

Compiled by Tom Heitz and SHARON STUART, with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library

200 YEARS AGO

Amidst the numerous and interesting objects which have experienced the benevolence of individuals, and the countenance of the government, it is pleasing to observe that the interests of the Dumb and the Insane have not been overlooked – two unfortunate descriptions of our fellow creatures, shut out from the blessings of social communion, and entitled to our deepest sympathy. The liberal grant of $10,000 a year to the Governors of the New York Hospital has enabled them to erect a most spacious and accommodating asylum for lunatics, about seven miles from the city, and on the island of New York – and the application of the fund has been so judiciously directed by its benevolent administrators, that the contemplated edifices and accommodations will be completed during the next season, and without the existence of any debt after the expiration of 15 years. (Excerpt from Governor DeWitt Clinton’s Annual Message to the Legislature)

January 11, 1819

175 YEARS AGO

A five-year-old cow – Flavel Day, Esq., of Burlington Flats slaughtered a cow a few days since, of the common breed, which weighed 1,132 pounds – Quarters, 889 pounds, clear rough tallow, 159 pounds, hide 84 pounds.
For the Ladies – The Philadelphia Times says: “We notice that white bonnets are quite the fashion in this city for the present season. They are made small, too, and sit back upon the head, exposing the features, and giving the face a saucy piquant air, that is sufficiently pretty. Neat, plain trimmings, too, are in vogue, with two or three pink-colored flowers inside, a small wreath without. Altogether we think the fashion notable and tasty.”

January 8, 1844

150 YEARS AGO

Excerpts from Elizabeth Cady Stanton on the “Management of Babies” – If babies are regularly fed, bathed and comfortably dressed, and in a pure atmosphere, they will be quiet and healthy. The ignorance of women on these subjects is truly lamentable. We have seen children a year old that had never tasted water, when they should have it half a dozen times every day from the hour of their birth. We have found fathers who worked hard all day complain bitterly of being disturbed at night by crying children, hence the common use of Mrs. Winslow’s soothing syrup, which only tends to increase the irritable condition of the nervous system, and permanently weaken the brain. Young mothers no doubt imagine that this Mrs. Winslow is some experienced humane old lady, who loves little children, knows just how to soothe them to sleep and pilot them through all the pitfalls of infancy. In fact, this abominable syrup is compounded by some ignorant man in whiskers, broadcloth and boots who lives and fattens on his ill-gotten gains, while babies are sent by the hundreds to untimely graves or made lunatics and idiots for life.

January 8, 1869

125 YEARS AGO

Musical Treat – There will be a vocal and instrumental concert in Village Hall, Wednesday evening, January 17, by Master Charles Mehan, the phenomenal boy soprano soloist of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Fifth Avenue, New York, and John Francis Gilder, the popular pianist, assisted by a double quartette of singers in glees and madrigals. Admission 35 cents. Reserved seats 50 cents. On sale at Russell’s bookstore.
The influenza claimed a good many victims on this corporation last week, but there were no fatal cases. With the favorable change in the weather which occurred on Sunday, it is hoped there will be less sickness.
The sidewalk near Bundy’s store was left in a condition which occasionally causes someone to stumble and fall. It should be fixed. We saw an old gentleman measure his length there Tuesday evening.

January 11, 1894

75 YEARS AGO

The Cooperstown Academy has opened in its new quarters on Beaver Street in the premises formerly occupied by the Susan Fenimore Cooper Foundation and the St. Christina School. The Academy acquired the property last autumn. Since that time the interior of the large building has been placed in good condition for occupancy by the boys. Rough grading has been completed at the rear of the building for a new athletic field large enough for a full-sized football gridiron, baseball diamonds, etc. The school starts in its new home with a total student body of thirty-one. Thus, the school, which had reached the capacity of its buildings on Elm and Pioneer streets, now has space to allow expansion to at least seventy boys. Headmaster and Mrs. Herbert E. Pickett have been working very hard under the handicap of wartime to accomplish the difficult task of moving and opening in the new building.

January 12, 1944

50 YEARS AGO

Local – Miss Martha Calbimonte of La Paz, Bolivia, who is spending the current academic year in Cooperstown as a Rotary International Exchange student, was the speaker at the regular meeting of the Rotary Club held Tuesday at the Hotel Otesaga. She spoke about her native country and showed colored slides of views taken there by her father.
Robert W. O’Brien, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. O’Brien of Cooperstown and Timothy Weir of Oaksville, left January 2 for the United States Marine Corps. They are both stationed at Parris Island, South Carolina.

January 8, 1969

25 YEARS AGO

The Emerald Knights of Hamilton
High School narrowly defeated the CCS Redskins, 56-55, in a Saturday afternoon outing at Bursey Gym before an overflow crowd estimated to number between 1,000 and 1,500 fans. A closed-circuit television feed with play-by-play commentary was provided courtesy of the National Baseball Hall of Fame staff. The two stars, Adonal Foyle, 6’10” senior center for Hamilton and Seth Schaeffer, 6’3” senior guard-forward for Cooperstown both showed the ability and leadership that have marked them
each as superior talents at their respective positions. Both Foyle and Schaeffer have announced plans to attend Colgate University and play basketball there following
graduation from high school. Schaeffer is expected to become the all-time leading scorer in CCS boys’ basketball history
in his next start. Schaeffer who has looked at 20 schools that offer Division I college basketball said, “I’ve been thinking about Colgate since last year and it really is
my first choice.”

January 11, 1994

10 YEARS AGO

Almost 43,000 acres are already under lease for natural gas drilling in Otsego County, according to a map completed in recent days by the Otsego County Conservation Association. In all, 638 leases are held by 300 property owners according to Bennett Sandler of Fly Creek, who prepared the map with data collected from county property-tax records by OCCA President Martha Clarvoe. Most surprising, said Sandler, a county resident since 1998, is that 86 percent of the landowners are local people. “So, this is not outsiders leasing their land,” he said. “This is county residents who are doing it.”

January 9, 2009