BOUND VOLUMES

Feb. 12, 2020

200 YEARS AGO

Excerpt from a Letter to the Editor dated Albany, February 9, 1820, signed Daniel D. Tompkins: “I occasionally get a glance at your paper, which I am glad to find conducted with a stability and moderation in regard to the political contentions which agitate the state, highly credible to your judgment. Faction has reared its head, and the party in
opposition to the state administration, appear determined by “hook or by crook,” to destroy all confidence not only in the ability of those at the helm of government, but in the integrity of their intentions. The important measures of the administration are not attacked, and for the most obvious reason, because any attempt to prove them injurious to the best interest of the state, would, with thinking men most effectually serve to exhibit their importance and usefulness. Invective and denunciation are therefore resorted to, in the hope that old party distinctions may be roused from their slumbers, and thus the judgment of the electors be controlled by their passions. But, I trust sober reason will not be discarded in making up an opinion on the question as to whether Mr. Clinton’s administration has proved beneficial or injurious to the state.”

February 14, 1820

175 YEARS AGO

Winter Weather: The storm which commenced on Tuesday, seems to have extended itself in all directions, so as to derange the mails. Our accounts ordinarily from Washington would have been to Tuesday last, but now only reach to Saturday, February 1. We were three successive days without mail from Utica.

February 10, 1845

150 YEARS AGO

Local – The Firemen of this Village have fitted up and furnished their Hall in a neat and substantial manner. With a portable furnace below in the engine room, the machines are kept in good working order and the Hall comfortable. Their Ball, to come off on February 17, is to pay off indebtedness incurred in making the above arrangements.
The present lot of paper used in printing the Journal is considered in this office the best ever made at the “Otsego Mills” – for the past year run by Mr. John Worthington of Cooperstown. Under his administration great improvements have been made in machinery and manufacturing.

February 10, 1870

125 YEARS AGO

Local – Favorable action will probably be taken at the coming Town Meeting to establish two district polling places in future – one at Cooperstown and one at Fly Creek. Lester Lettis and his son Fred have bought out Thomas Chapman’s livery business and will take possession this Friday. The former will remain with the Singer Company and the latter will have charge of the livery.
Edward S. Clark has added to his Fenimore flock
fourteen fine Cheviot sheep, purchased of the well-known local dealer, Geo. Lough of Hartwick.
The Great Storm of 1895 – Following several weeks of clear, cold weather, a fall of snow commenced last Thursday evening and continued through the night, adding a foot or more to the previous supply. During Saturday night, about six inches more of snow fell. Of course, roads in all directions were blocked and but few sleighs were seen
upon our streets.

February 7 and 14

75 YEARS AGO

Colored lights and sculptured snow figures, a huge ship, sail and all, and lots of snow formed the background of Knox School’s twenty-fourth annual Mid-Winter Carnival. This year the students presented the operetta “H.M.S.
Pinafore” by Gilbert and Sullivan on the school skating rink. An audience of about 150 parents and friends of the girls, as well as many Cooperstown residents enjoyed the graceful and finished performance of the skaters and the coronation of the Carnival Queen, Barbara Heinz, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her attendants were Meriwether Wright and Nancy Ferris. Betty Jane Cronk of Hamilton, New York read the story of the operetta as it progressed.

February 14, 1945

50 YEARS AGO

Prompt and efficient action by members of the Cooperstown Fire Department averted what could have been a major disaster in the village early Tuesday morning after a car smashed into a tractor-tanker laden with 6,200 gallons of gasoline. The tanker, driven by Milton Pitcher, 39, of Selkirk, was backing from Chestnut Street into Hunt’s Gulf Service Station at the corner of Elm Street about 2 a.m. when a car driven by Robert A. LaDuke, 30, of this village, slammed into the mid-section of the right side of the gasoline truck. The car caught fire on impact as gasoline in lines leading from the tanks apparently trickled through valves broken by the crash and onto the hot engine
of the passenger vehicle. Mr. LaDuke escaped from the wreckage with only a cut on his forehead. Mr. Pitcher rushed to the former St. John Grocery next door to the service station and alerted Mrs. Mildred St. John who has an apartment in the building. She turned in the fire alarm which sounded at 2:10 a.m. Firemen under the command of Chief Malcolm L. Root rushed to the scene with three pumpers and an emergency truck. Within three to four minutes after the alarm went off, firemen had discharged a huge blanket of foam to quell the flames.

February 11, 1970

25 YEARS AGO

Sydney Waller, a driving force in the Otsego County art world, is giving up her 14-year-old creation, Gallery 53 Artworks, to take a position as Director of Development and Public Affairs for the New York State Historical Association. “I will be involved in being an advocate for their wonderful programs and facilities, Waller said. “I will be involved with public relations and publicity, and I also hope to
expand and enhance appreciation and support for their incredible entities in the local, regional and statewide areas.”

February 12, 1995

10 YEARS AGO

2010 Winter Carnival Contest Winners – Carnival Court: King: Luke Folts; Queen: Elizabeth Szwejbka; Court: Carly Busse, Lauren Harris, Natalie Wrubleski, Edmund Donley, Jeremiah Ford and Scott Millea. Snow Sculpting: First Place: Cooperstown Graduate Program, Class of 2011; Second Place: Andrew and Erin Rock. Cheesecake Contest: First Place: Linda Smirk, Cooperstown B & B; Second Place: Elizabeth Dunn. X-Country Ski Race: First Female – Emily Stein (22:03); First Male – Gary Toombs (13:55).

February 11, 2010