HOMETOWN HISTORY, January 24, 2014
125 Years Ago
The Huntington Estate has been divided into 13 building lots. Fronting on Chestnut Street are 5 lots. No. 1 is 150 x 45 feet. Numbers 2, 3 and 4 are 115 x 33 feet, and number 5, corner of Chestnut and Church, is 115 on Church and 45 on Chestnut. Fronting on Church Street are three lots, numbers 6, 7 and 8, 36 x 172 feet. Fronting on High Street are five lots, numbers 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. Number 9, corner of Church and High, is 105 feet on Church and 33 feet front on High. The others are 105 x 30 feet.
The phosphate factory is accumulating “raw material.” The bodies of several dead horses and other quadrupeds decorate the side hill at the rear of the buildings. “After life’s fitful fever, they will grind well.”
The new bridge was thrown open to travel about 4 p.m., Tuesday, the 22nd of January. The foot tracks on each side of the bridge were not completed but it was ready for the accommodation of teams. The bridge, though not a “thing of beauty,” is evidently a solid, substantial structure and will be a powerful auxiliary in drawing our Delaware County friends to visit the coming city.
January 1889
100 Years Ago
Raymond Green, a recluse known as “Green the Hermit,” a man about 80 years of age, was found dead in his cabin Wednesday by Clark Green, a nephew who lives upon the farm on the west side of Otego Creek between West Oneonta and Laurens. Mr. Green had fallen upon his stove and burned his face and hands quite badly, but when found he was lying on the floor. Death was found due to heart trouble. About 25 years ago, it then being supposed that he had more money than he has been credited with in recent years, his hut was visited by three masked men one night and an effort was made to obtain some of his money. He insisted that he had no money either in his possession or hidden about the place. The visitors proceeded to bind and gag him and when he persisted in his declaration that he had no money they applied hot irons to his feet and otherwise maltreated him, but to no purpose. They found 11 cents in his pockets which they carried off. No trace of the offenders was ever found. At the time of his death Mr. Green had about $29.
January 1914
80 Years Ago
Habitual drunkards were not included in the list of persons who are to be sterilized by edict of the Hitler government in Germany. But, in Stuttgart, where it is said the citizens usually drink light wine and beer, enough individuals have been resorting to stronger liquors that the city authorities have committed seven “habitual drunkards” to “suitable institutions” for indefinite periods and have issued warnings that heavy drinking is bad for “race hygiene and national economy” and must be drastically reduced. The police there are reported as preparing a list of heavy drinkers who are soon to be arrested and confined indefinitely in concentration camps.
January 1934
60 Years Ago
Emphasis will be on merriment Saturday night as city organizations and volunteer performers tackle the serious business of fighting infantile paralysis. Group and individual talent will be combined in a variety show slated for 8 p.m. Saturday in the State Teachers College auditorium under the direction of Dale Patton, STC coordinator of field services. Two additional cases of polio were recently reported in Otsego County. John Black, Bugbee School principal will be master of ceremonies. Music will be furnished by the Oneonta High School band directed by Carmen Caizza. The Peter Bennett trio and the Kiwanis Hillbilly Band will also participate. STC students will present an exhibition of modern dancing under the direction of Mrs. Janet Bresee and the Oneonta High School baton twirlers, coached by
Miss Frances Byard, will give an exhibition of their dexterity.
January 1954
40 Years Ago
The Oneonta School Board last night hired Francis X. Doherty of Troy as the district’s first personnel director. In addition to handling all personnel matters, Dr. Doherty will be the district’s chief negotiator in contract discussions. His hiring eliminates the need for outside negotiators. Last year the school district paid about $10,000 for outside negotiating help. Doherty’s exact salary has yet to be determined but is expected to about $22,000 annually. Dr. Doherty is currently serving as a consultant for the New York State Office of Educational Performance Review Board, frequently referred to as the “education inspector general.” Doherty has an undergraduate degree in finance from Siena College and a doctor of education degree in administration from the University of Florida.
January 1974
30 Years Ago
Janet Occhino can add the January student of the month award to a long list of achievements at Oneonta High School. Last year Janet was picked to represent her junior class at a four-week intensive governmental study seminar at Cazenovia College. The previous summer she was sent by her church on an International Teen Mission to Ireland. There, Miss Occhino spent six weeks near Dublin with a group of students who worked to renovate a church mission headquarters facility. Miss Occhino is a member of the National Honor Society, the Thespians, and the French Club. She earned the respect of the teacher who nominated her for the student of the month award for her “old-fashioned virtues.”
January 1984
20 Years Ago
Subduing Mara, an alternative rock band with a strong following among high school and college crowds in its hometown of Oneonta will soon embark on a 34-city concert tour. The band will be in pre-tour mode tonight at the Autumn Café in an all-ages non-alcoholic concert with guest Culta Fatima. Next Thursday, Subduing Mara will go with an 18-and-over show at the Silver Bullet in Oneonta. The shows and the tour coincide with the band’s release of “Din” the band’s album issued on cassette in November and due out today on compact disc. In 1990, Subduing Mara released a tape titled “Well.”
January 1994
