BOUND VOLUMES

January 21, 2021

200 YEARS AGO

Letter to the Overseer of the State Prison at Auburn Village from Utica – “Dear Sir: I have been informed that there is a young woman in prison for which her father offers the sum of $3,000 to the person who will marry her. If that be the case, I want you to see her father and have him write to me as soon as possible. If he writes to him direct, his letter is to be left at Cazenovia Village Post Office as I shall be there by the 25th. I was lately from Vermont on my journey to Illinois. I have had bad luck and got out of money and heard them speak of this girl, and I concluded I would marry her, if that was the truth. I wish to have you write as soon as possible. Direct your letter to Cyrus Crumb – this from me to the State Prison at Auburn Village.”

January 15, 1821

175 YEARS AGO

Letter to the Editor: There is one branch of our legislative government in which I understand there is a rule of secrecy. No more anti-American, anti-noble, and anti-honest practice, exists in any part of our institutions. Take a case – A man is nominated
by the President for an office on the fullest and strongest possible recommendations.
A loafer or a scoundrel writes to a Senator, or the Senate, a pack of lies to defeat his confirmation and neither the nominee nor his friends can be heard in his defense, or even see the charges, or learn who made them. The nomination is defeated. This is the worst of inquisitions and of tyranny. Such a procedure the people will one day, sooner or later, abolish.

January 17, 1846

150 Years Ago

Otsego County Governance: Last fall the Democrats carried 13 of the 24 towns comprising Otsego County, and there is no good reason why, if they make proper and judicious nominations for town officers, they should not elect as many Supervisors to the next board. To do this, however, two things are absolutely essential – the nomination of honest, upright, competent men, and fidelity to such nominations when made.
The man who refuses his support to such a candidate, because of some personal or local matter, is not a person of correct political principle, and can lay no very high claim to being a Democrat. The man who will not take the trouble to attend the Town caucus has himself to blame if good nominations are not made.

January 19, 1871

100 Years Ago

Lynn Walker, a native of Richfield Springs is reported in a dispatch from Daytona, Florida to have accomplished “one of the most spectacular feats ever witnessed in this section.” While traveling as a passenger in a speeding motor car driven by Ralph Mulford, noted racetrack king, Walker took hold of a trapeze suspended from the landing gear of an airplane overhead, piloted by Stuart J. Davies of Utica, New York and climbing from there into the airplane’s passenger seat. The stunt took place at Daytona Beach. Young Walker is a native of Richfield, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Walker of that town. He has gained considerable notoriety in the “flying game” during and since the war.

January 12, 1921

75 Years Ago

Motorists will welcome today’s word from the office of Governor Thomas A. Dewey indicating the Thruway from New York City to Buffalo will be a route free of tolls. This statement was made by Hon. Chester T. Backus of Morris, president of the Tri-County Motor Club. “Removal of the threat of tolls is gratifying to the organized car owners of the state. They appreciate the governor’s attitude and hope he will support another A.A.A. recommendation – a uniform ten dollar fee for car registration and plate.” The gasoline tax at four cents a gallon provides a fair differential in taxes between the various sizes and weights of vehicles,” Mr. Backus concluded.

January 16, 1946

50 YEARS AGO

The temperature dropped to 12 degrees below zero in Cooperstown early Saturday morning, the lowest of the season so far. It was still far short of the low mark for a January 9, when a minus 29 set the record on that day in 1968. During the past week, a little over two inches of snow has fallen here, and about nine inches so far in January. At this time last year nearly three feet of snow lay on the ground.
Bowling News – In the Individuals League, the Ding-A-Lings won three games from Bennett’s. High scores for the Ding-A-Lings were Lolita Clark’s 433 triple and Rowena Burgess 163 single. High for Bennett’s was Mary Bassler’s 164 single and 462 triple. League-leaders Wrench and Son won 4 games from Race’s with Betty Page’s 168 single and 472 triple and Gladys Wrench’s 180 single high. For Race’s, Virginia Gracey was high with 371.

January 13, 1971

25 YEARS AGO

The United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties pushed past its $290,000 goal as the 1995 campaign ended. The campaign was broken down into a number of divisions,” said United Way Executive Director Kathleen Lindberg. “One-third of the money came from the employees of participating businesses and organizations in the form of payroll deductions, direct contributions, and special events. The two largest contributors were the State University at Oneonta and Wilber National Bank.” United Way Campaign Chair Vince Foti said that small individual contributions add up. “”There are a lot of little guys giving small donations,” Foti said.

January 21, 1996

10 YEARS AGO

Two new members were inducted to the Lions Club of Cooperstown, bringing the total membership to more than 40. Mike Cring, Cooperstown Middle School Middle/High School Principal was sponsored by Lions Club president John Rowley. Rick Hulse of Fly Creek, self-employed, was sponsored by Lion Richie Abbate.
Winners of the Town of Springfield’s annual holiday lighting contest, sponsored by the Springfield Historical Society are: First, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Zdanoczno, Koenig Road. Second, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Taylor, Bartlett Road. Third, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Martz, Route 80.

January 13, 2011