HOMETOWN HISTORY, January 10, 2014
125 Years Ago
Frank Howard, a fireman on the railroad, was hunting on the Baker farm about one-half mile south of the village Monday afternoon. Frank was accompanied by two dogs, one big one; the other somewhat undersized. While wandering through the woods the big dog started up a huge wildcat, which furiously sprang at the dog and in a few moments put him to flight. The little dog was made of better stuff and engaged the cat in a fight to the death. While the fight was in progress, Frank walked up to within a few feet of the pair and drove a charge of shot into the cat’s head, terminating the fight. The animal was brought to this village and found to measure nearly four feet from the end of the nose to the tip of the tail. In connection with this we learn that W.A. Lakin and Charles Wilcox were hunting over this same ground several days ago, when they were startled by a succession of piercing, long-drawn screams which they were at a loss to account for. It sounded like the scream of a panther and local sportsmen think that perhaps there is a menagerie in the Baker woods.
January 1889
100 Years Ago
The first paper of the year 1914 was read before the Fortnightly Club of Oneonta on Tuesday by Rev. Granville Rathbun at the home of W.F. Eggleston on Maple Street. About 25 members of the club were present. The theme was “Life’s Ideals” in which the speaker protested against life of the present age, with the prominence which it gives to the acquisition or possession of wealth and the concurrent evils of undue attention to the merely physical pleasures of life. Among these he instanced the joys of the palate and table, the lighter forms of drama, and the picture plays, fashion and many another like thing which in large measure minister to the grosser instincts. He questioned whether the definite good which is the outcome of all this modern spirit of restlessness is in any way commensurate with the price we pay. There is no suggestion of repose or tranquility in what we call modern life, and Americans excel all other peoples in this possibly pernicious form of activity – this striving after wealth and ordinary pleasures for the game’s sake and the consequent failure to take the necessary time for rest and for that meditation which tends to enlargement of the soul.
January 1914
80 Years Ago
Bowlers in the Oneonta City League are still following the lead of Harry Lambros of the Oneonta Department Store team, whose average is 200-36 this week. In 48 games Lambros has tipped over 9,636 pins, scored 253 strikes, 212 spares, 14 perfect games and 23 games of 200 scores. The ODS is setting the pace in the championship race, having won 33 games and lost 15 for a winning percentage of .688.
January 1934
60 Years Ago
In near-zero weather an eight-month-old German police dog last night blockaded a business building for an hour, driving off all comers with warning growls and flashing teeth.
The dog held the line in front of Chrisler Tire & Battery Co., 9 Elm Street, until his master found him via phoned appeals to police. The case began at 7:29 p.m. when Hugh Moore, 31 Main Street phoned Sergeant James Fawcett that his silver and black German shepherd dog was AWOL. Mr. Moore said the dog answered to the name of Duke. About that time the dog had established his picket line as Raymond H. Gifford, 56 Maple Street, employed by the Chrisler firm, went to the Elm Street location to turn up the thermostat.
The dog wouldn’t let him enter the place. After Mr. Gifford’s second attempt was rebuffed with snarls and bared teeth he returned home. Eventually Oneonta patrolman H.R. “Bobby” Wenck arrived, but Duke wasn’t impressed with the uniform. Eventually Mr. Moore was notified and arrived to pick up his pet.
January 1954
40 Years Ago
The Common Council has voted unanimously to use five acres of park land in Neahwa Park for its Department of Public Works Garage. At the same time, the Council passed a $145,000 appropriation for the development of 10 acres of barren park land near Damaschke Field. After two years of debating locations for the garage, the Council determined to use five acres east of the Grand Street interchange and south of the Millrace for the structure. City officials believe most of the cost for a new garage will be covered when it collects money owed by the State of New York. The City is in the process of converting the 10 acres of land east of Gas Avenue into park land. The improvements will include three softball fields (one lighted), a basketball court, green areas and a sand box.
January 1974
20 Years Ago
Administrators of area schools say that most of their snow days have already been used. Before this school year, the Oneonta School District allotted four contingency days for students to stay home in case poor weather kept buses off the roads. As of last week three of those days had been taken. If all the snow days are used up, the school may have to take days away from either its February or April vacations. In Oneonta, there has been at least a trace of additional snow for the first twelve days of 1994 including a storm that dumped 8.9 inches on the area.
January 1994
10 Years Ago
Oneonta High School students will be on stage in coming days to perform “Up the Down Staircase.” The OHS Drama Club International Thespian Troupe 2092 will present the comedy based on Bel Kaufman’s book of the same title about her experiences as a first-year teacher at a New York City public school. Performers include Chelsea Nattrass as Sylvia Barrett, Chad Bowker as Joe Ferone and Katrina Rabeler as Alice Blake. Katie Lishansky plays the role of Bea Schachter, Sylvia’s mentor and Nico Meyering is J.J. McHabe. Sylvia Barrett’s motto, copied from Chaucer, is “Gladly would he learn, and gladly teach.”
January 2004
