HOMETOWN History

Feb. 14, 2020

150 Years Ago

The Bible in Ohio Public Schools – The Judges of the Superior Court have rendered their decision in the case involving the question of the exclusion of the Bible from the public schools. The action was to discuss an injunction heretofore granted to restrain the operations of the School Board, declaring that the reading of the Bible and religious books should not be permitted in the schools. Judge Hagens held that the provisions of the Constitution recognize the religion of Christianity, and acknowledge that religion and morality are necessary to good government, and therefore the exclusion of all religious instruction from the public schools is contrary to the provision of the Bill of Rights. Judge Storer concurred in these views and the injunction was made perpetual.

February 1870

100 Years Ago

“Big Bertha,” with two Cleveland tractors manned by Fred E. Wells and Dick Bennett, another of R.J. Warren’s trusty men, plowed through the snow to Portlandville and return yesterday and opened the state road down close to the ice foundation, putting it in as fully good condition as the Otego road. While the crown is probably one or two feet above the macadam in places, light motor cars could easily make the trip, barring trouble to turning out when meeting other vehicles. One car made the trip through to Emmons after the trip up, while the road was in much better condition after the return trip. The road was much
improved for horse-drawn vehicles, the track being widened and lowered to the hard and frozen snow. At least three
motor cars came through over the Otego road. C.A. Nichols came in from his farm, while Mr. Bennett and Mr. Foote came all the way from Otego and experienced no serious trouble. Use of this or the Portlandville road, while passable, is not recommended to the drivers of motor cars unless quite familiar with winter motoring and prepared to contend with snow.

February 1920

80 Years Ago

Snow Hill, Maryland – Five state troopers overtook a crowd estimated at 1,000 at nearby Stockton, Maryland and rescued two Negro women who had been dragged from the Worcester County jail several hours earlier. The women had been taken into custody Tuesday afternoon for “investigation” in connection with the Sunday night slaying of Harvey W. Pilchard, a Stockton farmer and the wounding of his wife Annie. The mob was dispersed by five troopers but one state officer was badly injured. The crowd of men broke into the Worcester County jail through a window late Tuesday night, pulled out a cell block door with a rope and seized the two screaming Negro women as they cowered in the cell. The men talked to the girls and from them ascertained who had done the shooting. The crowd placed the women in automobiles and headed toward Stockton, home of the farmer and his wife, who was wounded seriously when three Negroes entered the home demanding money. The troopers rescued the two women there after a brief melee.

February 1940

60 Years Ago

A total of 41 students, the “scholastic cream” of Oneonta State University College of Education, have been named to the spring honors list, according to Dr. Howard D. Austin, associate dean of the college. Included in the group are three residents of Oneonta: Mrs. Janet S. Kniskern, Mrs. Dorothy J. Shedlock, and Miss Mary Ann Molinari. The listing of top honor students includes those who have maintained a cumulative average of 3.50 or above.
What to do with delinquent canines?  The problem has been referred to the Public Safety Board by the Oneonta Common Council. The ordinance reads: “No dog shall be allowed to run at large in any street, sidewalk, lane, or public places within the City of Oneonta without being properly muzzled, or under immediate care, custody and control of its owner or custodian.” “The ordinance is here in name only,” Mayor James Georgeson commented. According to the present law, it’s the Police Department’s job to enforce the “dog” ordinance.

February 1960

40 Years Ago

Twelve weathered stacks of $20 bills, part of the $200,000 given to legendary airline hijacker “D.B. Cooper” before he parachuted from an airliner more than eight years ago, were unveiled by the F.B.I. But, agents
said they still have no trace of Cooper.
The wads of money, bound by rubber bands, were found Sunday while Harold D. Ingram, his wife Patricia and their eight-year-old son, Brian, were preparing to build a picnic fire along the Columbia River, five miles northwest of the Interstate 5 bridge linking Portland and Vancouver, Washington.
Ingram said that the money was found
about 30 yards from the river’s edge under
a thin layer of sand.

February 1980

20 Years Ago

“Happy Birthday Marge” That phrase was abundant on Sunday as Marjory Hubler and 100 of her closest friends celebrated her 90th birthday at Elm Park Methodist Church. Parishioners held a potluck luncheon for Hubler and took turns telling jokes and stories about
Elm Park’s favorite grandma. Thank you, every one of you for being here on my birthday,” Hubler said. Hubler was born in 1910 and spent about the first half of her life in Pennsylvania. After her first husband died she remarried Graham “Grip” Hubler, who died six or seven years ago. Grip used to call his wife “Double Batch Marge” because whenever she baked cookies, pies or other treats she always made extra to give away, friends said.

February 2000

10 Years Ago

Walter Frederick Morrison, the man credited with inventing the Frisbee, has died. He was 90 years old. The manufacturing rights to the simple little toy originally named by Morrison as the “Pluto Platter, were licensed to a manufacturing firm in 1957 and later re-named the Frisbee. Sales have since surpassed 200 million. The Frisbee soon became a staple at beaches, college campuses and playgrounds and lately has spawned an official competition known as Ultimate Frisbee. There is also a licensed Frisbee Golf course that bears his name at Creekside Park in the Salt Lake City suburb of Holladay. “He was a nice guy. He helped a lot of people.

February 2010