HOMETOWN History
June 7, 2019
150 Years Ago
The new Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated on Thursday last. The day being fine, large numbers of people were present from the adjacent towns, including many of the clergy. The financial statement showed an expenditure of over $14,000 for building and parsonage house and grounds, with a balance of $5,500 to be provided for. This amount, after an able sermon, and a very convincing talk after the sermon, both by Rev. B.L. Ives of Auburn, was subscribed on the spot. Many liberal souls were made fat while shelling out the cash and feasting on the eloquence, wit and pathos of the matchless Ives. After the money matters were provided for, the church was dedicated in due form as prescribed in the book of discipline. The evening services were fully attended and the second sermon of Mr. Ives was a fit supplement to that of the afternoon. He left our village with many new friends, who will long remember this noble day’s work of his for Christianity in the Susquehanna Valley. The workers of this church, true as steel to the cause, and untiring and zealous against all obstacles, deserve the thanks of everybody among us for what they have done and still propose to do.
June 1869
125 Years Ago
The Normal ball nine defeated the Schenevus team on the grounds in this village by a score of 4-2. Only eight innings were played as the Schenevus team wanted to return home on the flyer. The Normals, as was demonstrated by their victory over this strong team, are getting on their batting clothes and are putting up the game which in other years has made them general favorites.
The gamblers and shell men who accompanied Barnum and Bailey’s circus, and who, despite the efforts of the circus detectives and local officers, managed to fleece the unwary in other towns, had no success in Oneonta. One of the gang arrested at Cooperstown Junction, from whose satchel was taken a very complete and expensive collection of crooked cards and dice, and gambling instruments, stated that, so well was Oneonta officered, they had no chance to work their little games. The satchel is still in the possession of the Oneonta police.
June 1894
100 Years Ago
A Rear-End Collision. A little after 6 o’clock last evening the rig of S.B. Gardner, in which were himself and two small boys had stopped for a moment on Main Street just above Tilton Avenue. While standing at that point, an auto driven by Lewis Croft of Cooperstown Junction came up behind, and either because Mr. Croft had miscalculated the distance, or because the car skidded on the rails at the Tilton Avenue trolley switch, bumped forcibly into the rear of the Gardner wagon. The wagon was tilted up and Mr. Gardner was thrown out on the pavement, sustaining injuries to hip, knee, wrist and fingers. Mr. Gardner’s well-known steed, although she has passed her twenty-ninth birthday, demonstrated the mettle of her pasture by promptly running away. But, before reaching Gardner Place, reflection had convinced her of the error of her ways, and she settled down to a walk. She was caught by Charles Walling and driven back to the scene of the accident. The two boys, whose names were unknown to Mr. Gardner, disappeared. Mr. Croft promptly and fairly assumed responsibility for the accident and offered to pay all damages.
June 1919
80 Years Ago
A desperate boatload of 907 German Jewish refugees sailed out of Havana harbor today heartened somewhat by a shipboard rumor they might yet find new homes in the western world after being denied entry into Cuba. Hambug Germany, their starting point, was the destination of the German liner St. Louis whose departure marked another unsuccessful attempt by German Jews to settle in this hemisphere. But, to avoid collective suicide attempts, word was spread on board the United States government had authorized their landing in New York if continuing effort for their entry into Cuba failed. Kept from them was the news from Washington that government officials there said no arrangements had been made for them to land in New York or any other U.S. port. Smiles spread over tear-stained faces among refugees who took the report at face value. Wailing, which had grown louder during five days of vain efforts to enter Cuba turned to happy laughter.
June 1939
40 Years Ago
A drive to round up reports that have not been returned from farm households in the 1978 Census of Agriculture has been launched by the Bureau of the Census. “The completeness and accuracy of this important agricultural census depend on each individual filling out the report form,” said Orvin Wilhite, Chief of the Bureau’s Agricultural Division. “I am sure farmers and agricultural leaders want their county and state totals to be as accurate and useful as possible.” The farm census is the only government or private method for gathering and reporting agricultural information on a county by county basis for the entire nation.
June 1979
10 Years Ago
Marty Patton is making lemon into lemonade at Cooperstown All-Star Village.
Or, rather, in recent days he was turning a lightning-struck 115-foot pine tree into what he hopes will be the largest wooden baseball bat on record.
Patton intends to get the behemoth bat listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
June 10, 2009