BOUND VOLUMES

Feb. 27, 2018

200 YEARS AGO

Agitation in Virginia – Letters received from Richmond, Virginia, stating that a report circulated there, that a compromise would take place in Congress on the subject of Slavery, had excited a state of fermentation and acrimony never before witnessed in that place. The reported compromise was to embrace the admission of Missouri into the Union without restriction; and the passage of a law prohibiting the extension of Slavery west of the Mississippi, beyond Lat. 36 deg. 30 min. The agitation was so great that no person dared express an opinion contrary to that of the majority. An aged member of the Virginia legislature was so wrought upon by the subject, as to shed tears, and to say “Would to God we had war with England, France, Spain, or any other nation, which would unite the People, rather than a civil war with the Northern States, which must inevitably take place if any restriction is made on our right to hold Slaves, and to transport them where we please.”

February 23, 1820

175 YEARS AGO

The Special Court of Oyer and Terminer which was convened for the trial of prisoners confined in jail and others engaged in the late Anti-Rent disturbances adjourned on Tuesday last without the trial of any of the prisoners. As the excitement of the late disturbances dies away and the people examine and become acquainted with the causes which produced the outbreak, there is less feeling and sympathy expressed in favor of the tenants, that there was during the heat of the excitement. However much the people may wish to see a change in the existing relations between the landlords and tenants, still they are opposed to resorting to any forcible or unfair means to remedy the difficulty complained of, and will unite in bringing to punishment all who are engaged in violating the laws of the land.

February 24, 1845

150 YEARS AGO

Three Generations of Booksellers –
The recent expiration of the partnership of Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co., New York, (when Mr. H.F. Phinney of this village
retired) completed about 80 years of the Phinneys with the publishing and bookselling business. This is one of the rare instances in this land of change of so long a continuance of one family in the same business.
Married – In Cooperstown, February 16, 1870, at the residence of the bride’s father, by Rev. C.C. Smith, Mr. Moses H. Lippitt to Miss Sarah M., daughter of John Hinds, all of Cooperstown.
Died – In Brooklyn, New York, February 14, 1870, Delos D., only son of George W. and Cornelia H. Pier, aged two years, seven months and 7 days.

February 24, 1870

125 YEARS AGO

Local: Probably the largest religious meeting ever held in Cooperstown, was that which assembled in the Baptist Church last Sunday
evening, to listen to Rev. Mr. Davidson, there being present not less than 850 persons.
The question has frequently been asked, “Of what denomination is Mr. Davidson?” The reply is: “He is a Congregationalist.
Those persons who have charge of the churches, public halls, and school in Cooperstown should feel impressed with the fact that on them rests responsibility for the keeping of such places at a proper temperature and well ventilated. It not infrequently happens that over-heated and impure air invites the absence rather than the attendance of people not compelled to be present. It too seldom occurs that these public rooms are thoroughly ventilated after crowded audiences have occupied them.

February 28, 1895

100 YEARS AGO

At the opening of the County Court Monday afternoon, the business was the matter of naturalization. Sixteen were admitted to American citizenship: Alfred Richard Carr, Springfield Center (England); Omar Felix Chatauvert, Prattsvelle (Canada); David Douglas Laurie, Oneonta (Denmark); Armand J. Vallie Oneonta (Scotland); Peter Petersen, Oneonta (Denmark); Salvatore Galtano Puccio, Oneonta (Italy); Luigi Bachetta, Otego, Italy; Pietro Alotta, Cooperstown (Italy); Thomas Anthony Morris, Oneonta (Greece); Harry George Lambros, Oneonta (Greece); Angelo Banard, East Worcester (Italy); Joseph Kominski, Richfield Springs (Germany); Antonio Defiori, Oneonta (Italy); and Sisto Sardiello, Oneonta (Italy).

February 25, 1920

75 YEARS AGO

The Board of Village Trustees will submit a proposition at the Charter Election in Cooperstown on Tuesday, March 13, a proposition providing for the purchase of a parcel of land long needed as a desirable part of Doubleday Field. If approved, the result will be the squaring of the right field corner where a jog has existed since the historic field was established. The Trustees have been granted a sixty-day option upon the plot which is 98 feet and six inches long and from 52 to 54 feet wide, at a price of $800, by the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde A. Davis and Bertha May Russell. This is the first time the property has been obtainable. The “jog” has interfered with games brought here by the Major Leagues and also prevents the laying out of a full-sized football field, thus hampering games of the Cooperstown Central School and other local teams.

February 28, 1945

25 YEARS AGO

If the behavior of the students attending Cooperstown Elementary School was better than usual last week, it may have been the result of a special week of activities the school was involved in. Last week was “Caring and Sharing Week” for the 720 Kindergarten through fifth graders at the elementary school. The week’s theme was “Let it begin with me” and focused on conflict resolution. Activities focused on the steps of problem-solving, anger control, respect for others, and fostering friendship. Christine McBrearty-Hulse, school guidance counselor and the week’s organizer said, “everyone would like to see the good will exhibited during the week continue throughout the rest of the school year.”

February 22, 1995

10 YEARS AGO

The new New York Collegiate Baseball League’s Cooperstown Hawkeyes have a natural geographic rival waiting, in Oneonta. The Oneonta Outlaws will call Damaschke Field home while the Hawkeyes defend Doubleday Field. The geographic proximity is expected to fuel a natural rivalry that should benefit both teams. The Hawkeyes management team led by franchise owner Tom Hickey includes consultant Ted Peters, assistant manager David Pearlman, and marketing director Schuyler Pindar.

February 25, 2010