hometown history

90 YEARS AGO
Operations at the test well on the farm of Merritt Hazlett, about two miles from Treadwell on the road to Franklin, have been abandoned for the time being. Though a few small pockets of gas were struck, the flow was not sufficient to be of commercial value. The outside casing of the well is being left in place, with a block closing the opening. Ralph Sawyer of Bolivar, contractor in charge of drilling, explained that the apparatus in…

110 Years Ago
Local News—A shirt waist dance for the members of the Oneonta Country Club will be held at the club house Saturday night, July 4, from 8 to 11 o’clock. A late car from Hartwick will stop at the club grounds at 10:15 p.m. in order that members who do not happen to be motor car owners can return to the city after the dance.
The Otsego & Herkimer trolley company will run an excursion from Oneonta to Canadarago Park…

90 YEARS AGO
Five persons were shaken up and one cut above the right eye when the car in which they were riding went out of control and crashed down an embankment between Wells and Rose avenues, landing in the middle of three D&H tracks about 9 o’clock last night. With a train due in five minutes, city and railroad police, assisted by volunteers, made quick work of moving the automobile. Mrs. Claire Harmon, wife of Milton Harmon of 3 Stapleton…

110 Years Ago
The annual Flag Day outing of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was held on Saturday, the event being a luncheon served by the chapter at the camp of Mrs. J. Olney Rowe at Goodyear Lake. The day and the scene were alike ideal and the 36 ladies who participated declared it one of the most delightful and enjoyable events of the organization. Those attending were all conveyed to the camp in motor cars…

135 YEARS AGO
That the people of Oneonta are thoroughly aroused over the street paving question, was shown by the large turnout of citizens at the meeting last evening of village trustees. A petition generally signed by property owners along Main Street was presented to the board, asking that the street be macadamized. The key to the situation appears to be with the street car company. If it will consent to pave between the tracks with asphalt, it is thought certain…

70 YEARS AGO
After a public hearing last night Oneonta Common Council voted 4 to 1 to abolish rent controls in the city. Under state law the decontrol will become effective four months after the vote on October 1. This will affect everything except leases, which will continue until their expiration dates, after which the properties involved will be freed of rent ceilings. The vote came after a hearing attended by 23 landlords and one tenant. Attorney Warren G. Farrington presented…

90 Years Ago
When goods are scarce there is no need to exert any effort in selling them, for the buyer seeks out the seller. It is only necessary for the vendor to post information as to his whereabouts, the nature of his merchandise, and its price. But things are different now. We have power plants, laboratories, and factories, capable of turning out a vastly greater amount of desirable goods than we have ever used. And we could all use more…

70 YEARS AGO
The Oneonta Dairy Company observed the 50th anniversary of its founding last night with a dinner at the Rex Restaurant, attended by employees, competitors and representatives of organized farmers and organized labor. Robert F. Robischon from the NYS Department of Commerce was the major speaker. He reviewed the history of the firm which was founded by the late Earl Hall. “Through fat years and lean,” he said, “the Oneonta Dairy Company succeeded in rendering a vital service to…

50 YEARS AGO
Rape victims will now have access to a counseling service in the City of Oneonta which would provide post-assault information on medical and psychological care. Public Safety Board members discussed the idea at a meeting Monday night. Last night the Common Council implemented the program and set up a fund to pay counselors. Safety Board members and Police Chief Joseph DeSalvatore agreed that such a service would be invaluable. The availability of women counselors, trained in psychology, would…

70 YEARS AGO
Having outgrown its home in Huntington Library, the Upper Susquehanna Historical Society is turning its eyes toward the city government hoping to get some sort of storage space for its growing volume of historical records. Dr. Edward J. Parish, president, has appointed a special committee to confer with the Common Council on a place for the records and historical objects. On the committee are Julian B. Jackson, Chester A. Miller, Harry C. Bard, Mrs. Earl P. Francis and…