BOUND VOLUMES

June 25, 2020

210 YEARS AGO

A new Republic appears to be rising in South America, at Caracas, including a vast territory and a population nearly equal to that of the United States in 1776, to the government of which, the people and their leaders are strongly attached. Should they succeed in becoming independent, they will be the second Republic on the globe, as, until this event the United States are not only the first, but the only republic on earth.

June 23, 1810

180 YEARS AGO

Newspapers – The man who takes no newspaper cannot reasonably expect to occupy a very high station in society.  How can he expect to know what is passing in the world, what mankind is about, and what he ought to occupy himself about, unless he has access to those chronicles of the times, which disseminate intelligence, and herald in due form all earthly Monarchs, to the birth of Mrs. John Smith’s twins – from the conquest of empires to the capture of a hummingbird? How can a man expect to rank equal with the best, unless he takes a newspaper?

June 29, 1840

135 YEARS AGO

Few men in this county are more widely known throughout the State than George Clarke of Hyde, Otsego County, and none have more marked personal peculiarities. Favors may be obtained of him; he has the reputation of being kind and indulgent to good tenants, though not inclined toward many improvements; but it is questionable whether his opinions or actions are influenced by any one; in politics an independent; a good conversationalist; educated well and well read; fond of music and the drama; caring nothing for everyday personal appearance, yet thoroughly at home in the drawing room. With an immense landed estate – much of it very valuable, extending over several counties in this state – which we think he could close up in his lifetime, meet all obligations, and retire on not less than a million and a half of dollars. He will run an expensive lawsuit if crowded for money as long as he can, or till he gets ready to pay, sooner than sell a valuable town lot or farm – because his income exceeds his expenses. On his farms are over 100 acres of hops. Mr. Clarke is about 63 years of age, is a hard worker, and wastes little vitality on fret or worry.

June 23, 1885

110 YEARS AGO

Cooperstown Topics – Judge L.J. Arnold, Harold T. Basinger, C.R. Hartson, and Wm. Macdonald danced a jig on the four corners Wednesday morning. The cause of it was the Fenimore Farm Milk Wagon, which was running away up Pioneer Street. Upon seeing the terpsichorean efforts of the
gentlemen above mentioned the horse stopped before any damage was done.

June 25, 1910

80 YEARS AGO

Carl Sandburg, winner of this year’s Pulitzer Prize in history, will give an address July 4th in Cooperstown at the Dedication of the Hall of Life Mask in the Museum of the New York State Historical Association. The dedication of the Hall of Life Masks will have patriotic significance as the author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, is represented in the collection by a remarkable mask for which he sat at the age of 82.

June 26, 1940

60 YEARS AGO

On Thursday, June 16, about 54 parents and younger brothers and sisters of the 31 Kindergarteners in Mrs. Rutledge Manchester’s room were entertained at a play day. The children presented a circus in which they demonstrated many of the songs and rhythm games which they have learned this year. The “Circus McGercus,” as it was called, was complete with a ring, a band, wild animals, tight rope acts, and refreshments. Mrs. Manchester was ringmaster. Taking part as galloping horses were Charles Jennings, Mark Butler, Jimmy Robinson, Billy Snoad, Richard Weland, Craig Phillips, John Cook and Michael
Kraham. High-stepping horses were Michael Mondore, Danny Dodge, Danny DeSena, Randy Selan, Michael Frey, David Wilfeard, Danny Coons, Charles Ainslie and Michael Kraham. Bareback riders were Kathy St. John, Randy Selan and John Cook. Elephants were Peggy Norwood, Aleyne McRorie. Shelly Schallert, Teresa Petrucco, Patty Larbig, Barbara Mahlum, Melody Williams, Susan Walrath, Peggy Rees, Karen Bozosi, Cheryl Newell, Kathy St. John and Patty Weir.

June 22, 1960

35 YEARS AGO

Portable signs became an official part of Cooperstown Monday night, following a packed public hearing on a proposed amendment to the sign ordinance. The village board voted 4-2 with one abstention to pass the amendment and quiet a controversy that had reverberated through the community for almost a year. The amendment goes into effect immediately, Mayor Bill Purcell said. The village planning board was to begin defining the amendment and possibly begin hearing requests from business people at its meeting on Tuesday, June 25. The amendment allows the signs from May 1 to October 15 from 7 a.m. to sunset when the businesses are open. Proper papers and a sign permit approved by the planning board must be obtained before a business can display a portable sign. Trustees Bill Burnett, Gerald Wilson, Tom Malone and Mayor Purcell voted yes; Pam Washburn and Stu Taugher voted no. John Mitchell abstained.

June 26, 1985

15 YEARS AGO

The provisions of a new dress code for students at Cooperstown Central School include the following: “Shirts may not be off the shoulder, sheer, nor low-cut; shirts worn outside the waistband must be of sufficient length that no flesh is exposed when the student fully extends one arm above the head.” Long-slung pants “exposing underwear” are outlawed as are “holes, rips or tears” in “inappropriate places.”

June 24, 2005

10 YEARS AGO

When Price Chopper opens its doors in Cooperstown Tuesday, June 29, it plans to have produce from at least one local farmer on its shelves. Gaia’s Breath Farm, Jordanville, was expecting Price Chopper inspectors at his farm Thursday, June 24, the last step to supplying the 127-store grocery chain – Cooperstown’s will be 128 – with locally grown food.

June 25, 2010