HOMETOWN History

Jan. 10, 2020

150 Years Ago

“The Innocents Abroad” or “The New Pilgrim’s Progress” – This is the title by which Mark Twain designates his book, now attracting so much attention. We can describe the book which is a large handsome volume of over 650 pages, embellished with 234 spirited and appropriate engravings.
The contents are indescribable – the book must be seen and read to be appreciated. The name of Mark Twain, as the author, will be sufficient recommendation with many to ensure a rapid sale.
“Stories for Little Ones at Home” and “The Old Kitchen Fire and Other Poems” – These two neat and beautifully illustrated books are just published by the American Tract Society, from the gifted pen of
Mrs. C.E.R. Parker. The general appearance of the books commend them to notice, the paper type and pictures being of the first quality – but they must be read to be
appreciated. “Stories for Little Ones at Home” is every way attractive and full of instruction. “The Old Kitchen Fire” takes us back to the good old New England days when so much real happiness was found in the Chimney Corner. The Poems abound in pathos and beauty.

January 1870

125 Years Ago

Successful Operation – Charles Woodall, a boy whose home is in Oneonta is recovering from an operation for appendicitis. The operation was performed at the Albany City Hospital last Thursday. Young Woodall went to Bath to visit his aunt, Mrs. A.W. Skinner on December 22. That evening he complained of feeling quite ill. Some remedies were given him, but they offered no relief. Dr. Roberts was summoned. On Monday, the lad grew weaker, and his parents were called from Oneonta. Dr. Roberts consulted other physicians and their diagnosis showed that he had appendicitis. The boy was taken to the city hospital and Drs. VanderVeer and McDonald performed an operation. The boy is now improving rapidly.

January 1895

80 Years Ago

“Examples for Minorities” Iowans in California, Ohioans in New York, Hoosiers scattered all over the country, and other native sons and daughters who move for reasons of business or pleasure from one state to another, could teach those European peoples much about the valuation of a federation of states. The minorities that make insurmountable problems in Europe can never be completely unscrambled and returned to “homes” that will be natural and satisfactory to them. The great mass movements of population groups going on today are creating more anguish and hardship, rather than ending existing troubles. In this country state societies organize in the new state for social purposes, holding banquets and making speeches about the old home town, county or state. They recall childhood adventures and school-day dreams. But, all the while, they are tax-paying, law-abiding, civic-spirited citizens of the city and state into which they have migrated. They need no little Fuehrers to lead them in singing or cheering for the homeland. They motor back home for an occasional vacation, or move back as freely as they moved away. It is hard to see how Europe’s many nations and races can ever settle down to peaceful, side-by-side living until they stop taking their borders and national power so seriously.

January 1940

60 Years Ago

West Germany’s first major anti-Nazi demonstration in more than a quarter of a century rolled through the streets of Berlin Friday night. Authorities were cracking down on neo-Nazi activities, and outbursts of anti-Semitism, reflected in anti-Jewish slogans on walls from Hamburg to Hong Kong. Police estimated 10,000 West Berliners, mostly young people, began their mile-long parade despite weather near the freezing point. Thousands more joined them as they marched. They carried banners reading “Against Race Hate” and “Nazis Get Out.” New anti-Jewish activity throughout the Western world is reported to consist mainly of painting swastikas and slogans on synagogues and Jewish homes. Elsewhere in Germany, a public convention of the radical-rightist German Reich Party scheduled for Sunday was canceled by the State of Rhineland-Palatinate. Also, a West Berlin court sentenced Alfred Straats, 49, a city housing official, to 17 months in prison for giving the Nazi salute before rightist youths in a tavern this week.

January 1960

40 Years Ago

New York State Governor Hugh Carey has outlined a plan for reducing the state’s dependence on imported oil. In his State of the State message opening the 1980 session of the legislature, Carey said “If we are to restore our economy we must reduce our oil consumption.” He reiterated a program which he said last November would cut the state’s use of oil – currently 19 billion gallons annually – in half within ten years.  But, neither that plan nor the other items in Carey’s budget message count on any expanded use of nuclear power. However, Carey has told reporters in recent weeks that the state “can’t foreclose the nuclear option” and that “future nuclear plants should be built and run by the federal government.”

January 1980

20 Years Ago

Dr. C. Douglas Rowley, 81, an Oneonta doctor known for making house calls, treating thousands of children and delivering more than 2,000 babies during his 38-year career, has died. Dr. Rowley had been admitted to A.O. Fox Hospital before Christmas for treatment of pneumonia. Starting in 1948, Dr. Rowley had a general practice in Oneonta. He later specialized in pediatrics and obstetrics and maintained an active file for 6,000 young patients.

January 2000

10 Years Ago

About 60 people turned out at the Autumn Café downtown Monday night
to ask about the past and future of the Foothills Performing Arts Center. The Foothills board recently decided to dismiss the executive director and three other employees. Two other Foothills staffers resigned in support of their colleagues. Doug Reeser, Foothills’ board president, cited dissatisfaction about spending on staff and programming and a lack of focus on finishing the main theater in the Foothills complex. Several people voiced surprise that the theater lacks an orchestra pit and other features typically needed to stage productions. Patrice Macaluso, a SUNY Oneonta theatre professor involved with renovations at the historic Oneonta Theatre, said the Foothills Board is “in a hole” and may not know how to get out. She urged the arts community to think creatively about how the Foothills building can be used.

January 2010