BOUND VOLUMES, December 5, 2013
200 YEARS AGO
Monday next is the day fixed upon for the meeting of Congress. So soon as that assembly shall have convened, we hope to see prompt and efficient measures adopted, in pursuance of which the War can be vigorously prosecuted, and its objects the sooner attained. Let our rulers but do their duty and they will be seconded in their exertions by the great mass of population which they represent. The question involved is neither more nor less than this: Shall we maintain our national independence, or not?
December 4, 1813
175 YEARS AGO
If the people of the United States have a ruling passion, it is the love of money. In the days of the Revolution and for a few succeeding years, patriotism – a love of country and a love of liberty – were their predominant characteristics. But freedom achieved, gave scope and impetus to enterprise, which, under favorable auspices, brought first comfort, then plenty, and lastly superfluity. (Ed. Note: These are the beginning lines of an editorial from the pen of John H. Prentiss, publisher of The Freeman’s Journal, who at the time was a U.S. Congressman from this district)
December 3, 1838
150 YEARS AGO
The ceremonies attending the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg commenced this morning by a grand military and civic display, under command of Major General Couch. The line of march was taken up at 10 o’clock, and the procession marched through the principal streets to the cemetery, where the military formed in line and saluted the President. At a quarter past 11 the head of the procession arrived at the main stand. The President and members of the cabinet, together with the chief military and civic dignitaries took positions on the stand. So quiet were the people that every word uttered by the orator of the day must have been heard by them all notwithstanding the immensity of the concourse. The President then delivered the dedicatory speech: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation…”
November 27, 1863
100 YEARS AGO
In Our Town – Mrs. Jasper A. Schrom has adopted a new dog which she has named Welcome. Not that she will ever believe that any dog could quite equal Fred, who a few months ago passed on to “dog heaven.” But it was in memory of Fred that she took her new charge. It is a beautiful Shepherd that has been roaming the streets apparently lost for several days past, and we are sure it has found a good home and a kind mistress.
December 3, 1913
75 YEARS AGO
Only on rare occasions do top-flight government officials open and directly criticize the government and policies of another power. Thus, when President Roosevelt recently spoke of the Jewish persecutions in Germany as being horrible and almost unbelievable, he was doing the unusual and the daring. The immediate response was a bitter campaign of vilification against this country in the inspired Nazi press. The response here was about 100 percent favorable to Mr. Roosevelt’s stands.
December 7, 1938
50 YEARS AGO
Contributions towards the $6,000 cost of a control dam which will regulate the level of Canadarago Lake are lagging, a spokesman for the Canadarago Lake Improvement Association said this week in an appeal for financial support. Work on the regulatory dam began last Wednesday with the arrival of pile-driving equipment. Some labor has been volunteered and the pile-driving machine has been rented on a pay-as-you-use basis, but the steel and concrete needed are being purchased, Eliott M. Helfand, association treasurer said.
December 4, 1963
25 YEARS AGO
Since the Cooperstown Fire Department started an equipment fund contributions by area residents have helped to purchase many items for mutual protection and safety, including first aid materials, foam ejectors, lighting plants, air compressors, Survivair units, protective clothing, a rural fire numbering system, a portable pond, a generator, radio equipment, Hurst jaws of life, power megaphone, fire police flashlights, paging units for department chiefs, 50 page units for members, and other apparatus. This past year the contributed funds have helped purchase OSHA bunker pants and boots, new lightweight fire hose, pager batteries, flashlights and four Haline fire extinguishers.
December 7, 1988
10 YEARS AGO
Susan and Jeff O’Handley are the proud owners of a refugee barred owl. The bird was found starving in North Carolina and came to its new home in Hartwick recently to become part of the Wildlife Learning Company team. Three other birds – a turkey vulture, a great horned owl, and a red-tailed hawk – also made the journey north. Wildlife Learning Company, Inc., is a full-service environmental education company. The O’Handleys bring the birds as well as a wide array of other animals to classrooms throughout the region for hands-on learning experiences.
December 5, 2003
