BOUND VOLUMES

May 27, 2021

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

210 YEARS AGO

From the desk of poor Robert the Scribe – Zounds! Sir, you may as well swear you’ll never do it! I’m out of all patience with these “by and bye” folks. “One hour of the present tense is worth a week in the future.” Why, I know a bachelor as well calculated for matrimonial felicity as every virtue and every accomplishment can render him; but he has been putting off the happy time, from one year to another, always resolving that he would marry “by and bye” – and “by and bye – till the best ten years of life are gone, and he is still re-resolving,” and I fear “will die the same.” He that would gather the roses of matrimony should wed in the May of life. If you wish only the withered leaves and thorns, why, poor Robert says, put it off till September. “Procrastination is the thief of time.”

May 25, 1811

185 Years Ago

The agitators of abolitionism it would seem are not content with the show of public sentiment which has been exhibited against them in this county, for it will be seen that they have notified a public meeting at Hartwick Village on the first of June next. Such a step, to say the least, is ill-timed, and shows a want of proper respect for public opinion, which has been most significantly manifested not only in popular assemblies throughout the entire State, but in our legislative halls with the greatest possible unanimity of sentiment on the subject. If ill befall the fanatics who are emboldened to fan the embers of abolitionism at the present time, their rashness or folly will have caused the visitation upon them. There are not any justifiable grounds for their proceeding, and therefore public censure will be the more severe. Let the leaders look well to the consequences.

May 23, 1836

135 Years Ago

(The following is found in a letter from Samuel M. Shaw, editor of The Freeman’s Journal, describing events on a trip from Cooperstown to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. by train. Shaw boarded the Albany & Susquehanna train at Cooperstown Junction) “A glance through the car revealed the fact that we had no acquaintances aboard, and we settled down to a pleasing rest for the next three hours. Perhaps some of you have found out that to keep up a conversation on the rail, or even to be a close listener to one who will talk to you by the hour, is about as tiresome work as you can do – especially when weary at the start. Just then the fine-looking young man with the foreign air, in the seat just in front of me, politely inquired: ‘Is Cooperstown a large town, sir?’ ‘No, it is a village of about 2,600 inhabitants.’ ‘Ah, I saw so many gentlemen leave this train at the Junction, I thought it must be a place of much importance.’ ‘A court is being held there, which accounts for it.’ And from that we drifted into a conversation which revealed the fact that our questioner was a native of France, a Communist, and a practical chemist, who is occupied about four months of the year in a large sugar factory. He has been about five years in this country, speaks English fairly well, is a well-read man, and has a thorough knowledge of the doctrines and designs of the Communists in this country and Europe; and on these he spoke frankly and at length.”

May 29, 1886

110 Years Ago

There is great interest everywhere outside of Cooperstown in the Boy Scout encampment, which, it is intended, will be held here during the week of July 12. The city papers are devoting columns to telling of the advantages of such an encampment, and of Cooperstown as the logical place for it. If successful, it will ever associate Cooper and Cooperstown with the Boy Scout idea, which gives every promise of becoming one of the greatest movements ever inaugurated in this country. The number of boys coming this year is uncertain, but it is believed that there will be not less than 1,000 and the number may reach 5,000.

May 24, 1911

85 YEARS AGO

When the head of a croquet mallet flew from the handle in a game being played at West Winfield on Friday, it struck Robert Redman, 13-year-old son of William Redman of Middlefield. He was so seriously injured that he was brought to Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital where it was found he had sustained a skull fracture. Robert, a member of the Westville High School band, was at West Winfield attending a student assembly. The accident occurred as he was bending over to fix a wicket, and the mallet of one of his playmates came loose and crashed into his head.

May 27, 1936

60 YEARS AGO

The Fly Creek Valley Cooperative, an affiliate of the Mutual Federation of Independent Cooperatives, held its annual meeting at the Fly Creek Grange Hall last Friday. Directors in attendance included Albert Yourno, Stanley Petkewec, Joseph Kriz, William Keating, William Kelly, Joseph Udovich, Gerald Babcock, John Stucin, Lowell Mayne and George Smith. Joseph Udovich of Richfield Springs was re-elected president. Joseph Kriz, a charter director of the co-op, has been associated with the co-op since its formation in the 1930s.

May 24, 1961

25 YEARS AGO

With their two Yorkshire terriers Zip and Zap scampering about the lobby, Roland and Patricia Young paused last week to reflect on their first year of ownership of the Cooperstown Theater, a Main street landmark. “The community has been great,” Roland said. “I cannot thank them enough for supporting me.” Patricia added, “People are pleased to have a movie theater here. They want to keep it open.”

May 28, 1986

10 YEARS AGO

The NYS Dept. of Conservation will deliver 5,500 day-old pheasant chicks to 4-H youth for rearing and release in Otsego County. The Cornell Cooperative Extension office in Cooperstown will serve as an “incubator” for these pheasants as they await their new homes.

May 25, 2001