Bound Volumes
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
210 YEARS AGO
Wisdom for the Merchant – Are you a merchant? Enter on your day book everything you let go on credit at the moment you dispose of it; never put it off till another time. The memory is treacherous and you may forget the number or price. Post your books every Saturday. Look frequently at your accounts. He who looks at his books often, understands his accounts and turns to them with pleasure; while the man who posts his books but once a year, and turns to them but seldom, always does it with reluctance; he hates to settle an account, and had rather lose a few cents than draw of a bill.
August 3, 1811
160 YEARS AGO
Aid for the soldiers – A subscription was circulated in this village last week in aid of the sick and wounded soldiers, and about $250 subscribed. The Ladies realized enough at the sale on Wednesday evening to make the sum about $300.
The Golden Chain, a new work for Sabbath Schools, by Wm. B. Bradbury, containing a choice collection of popular melodies. Price $12 per hundred; single copies 15 cts. W.H. Ruggles & Co.
August 9, 1861
110 YEARS AGO
A number of Mr. and Mrs. Marcus T. Hun’s friends enjoyed a unique entertainment at Willowbrook, their summer home, on Saturday evening, where they were invited to a charade party. Syllables and whole words were acted out by the younger people to the great delight of the spectators and roars of laughter greeted friends in strange garments and comic actions. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. D.H. Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Vanderpoel, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Van Amringe, Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Stokes, Mr. Henry Stokes, Mr. and Mrs. S.C. Clark, Mrs. F.A. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Pell, Rev. and Mrs. Ralph Birdsall, Mr. and Mrs. W.J.A. McKim, Mr. and Mrs. P.J. McCook, Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Johnston, Mrs. W.F. Morgan, Mrs. J.E.J. Fanshawe, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Coppell. Mrs. Paul Cooke, Miss E.G. Patterson, Miss Fredericka Savage, Miss Doris Savory, Mrs. F. deP. Townsend, Mrs. Daniel Barkalow, Miss Grace Bowen, Miss Mary Bonner, and Mssrs. D.T. Johnston, Allen, Foote, Zabriskie, Cooke, Clarke, Torrey and Brown.
August 9, 1911
85 YEARS AGO
John Potrikus of this village was drowned in the waters of Otsego Lake Tuesday night at about 7:30 o’clock. Mr. Potrikus had been fishing from a boat just off Fairy Spring and in some manner fell into the water. Before he was brought to shore, life had departed. Attached to the same buoy was another boat occupied by two Herkimer fishermen, Ray Staley and Frank Metzgar. Mr. Potrikus, who had been fishing most of the day, had earlier remarked to the Herkimer men that he would show them how to fish. However, in the act of removing a fish from his hook, he suddenly lost his balance and fell overboard. The Herkimer men got into the Potrikus boat and discovered that the victim’s hook had caught in his clothes. By pulling slowly on the line, and rowing the boat, they managed to tow the body to shore.
August 5, 1936
60 YEARS AGO
Miss Beverly Ann Bridger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd D. Bridger of Cooperstown, became the bride of Arthur C. Blessin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur O. Blessin of Cooperstown at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown. The Rev. Merlin W. Bradley, pastor, officiated at the ceremony. The bride wore a ballerina-length white satin brocade dress with long sleeves and carried a cascade of white feathered carnations. Theodore E. Lamb, brother-in-law of the groom, was best man.
August 2, 1961
35 YEARS AGO
Russ Bland, a Cooperstown accountant, has been appointed district chairman of Ducks Unlimited, the world’s largest waterfowl conservation organization. Bland will help D.U. raise money for waterfowl and other migratory bird conservation by overseeing and coordinating fundraising events in the Oneonta and Cooperstown area. “Ducks Unlimited” is successful because of volunteers like Russ,” said Dale Whitesell, executive vice-president of D.U., an organization with 560,000 members.
August 6, 1986
20 YEARS AGO
The Cooperstown major league All-Star team extended its winning streak to 11 games by claiming a home tournament championship in addition to two victories on the road. Team members include Kurt Bergfjord, Lucas Niedzialkowski, Phil Pohl, Frank Petroskey, Luke Banner, Mitchell Adsit, Wes Carroll, Luke Tirrell and Zach Sittler. “I am really proud of the job these kids are doing,” said head coach Bruce Pohl.
August 3, 2001