BOUND VOLUMES, July 10, 2014
200 YEARS AGO
A new invented Torpedo Boat, resembling a Turtle floating just above the surface of the water, and sufficiently roomy to carry nine persons within, having on her back a coat of mail, consisting of three large bombs, which could be discharged by machinery, so as to bid defiance to any attack by barges, left this city (New London, Connecticut) one day last week to blow up some of the enemy’s ships. At one end of the boat projected a long pole under water with a torpedo fastened to it, which, as she approached the enemy in the night, was to be poked under the bottom of a 74 and then let off. The boat we understand is the invention of an ingenious gentleman by the name of Berrain. A gentleman who arrived here last evening from Sag Harbor (Long Island), informed us that on Tuesday last, the Torpedo Boat was run ashore at Horton’s Point, opposite Falkner’s Island, and on Sunday she was destroyed by the Sylph sloop of war, and a frigate.
July 14, 1814
175 YEARS AGO
The history of all governments exhibits the struggles of two great parties – one rallying under the banner of the rights of property, the other under those of persons. The one will strive as a matter of course, to resolve the whole system into an extension of the rights of property so as to swallow up and annihilate those of persons. The latter will stand on the defensive and do all that is in its power to preserve and defend them. The contest is between the rights of men and the rights of things of inanimate substance. In short, they maintain the superiority of matter over mind; that property is the best of merit – and that the sordid miser who has heaped up riches and the unprincipled swindler or speculator are better entitled to a will and influence in the government than the laboring man who cultivates a farm, or the mechanic.
July 8, 1839
150 YEARS AGO
In most of the letters addressed to young men, there is a great deal said about the elevating influence of female society. Now, while we are the last to deny the advantages which any young man of sense experiences from the society of a woman of pure and elevated taste, we do deny that there is anything in indiscriminate devotion to female society which makes a man better or purer. In seeking female society as an agency for the elevation of your taste, the cultivation of your morals, and the improvement of your mind, seek that which is above you. Do not treat with rudeness or studied neglect such inferior female society as you are obliged to come in contact with; on the contrary, you owe to such society a duty; you should stimulate it, infuse new vitality into it, and endeavor to do for it what you would have superior female society do for yourself.
July 8, 1864
125 YEARS AGO
The United States Department of Agriculture has just issued a report on the English sparrow, an octavo volume of 408 pages containing maps showing the distribution of the sparrow in the U.S., and illustrations of traps and nets for destroying the birds. There are reports from all the states concerning its ravages in orchards and grain fields with suggestions as to the best means of extermination. The sparrow was first imported by Hon. Nicholas Pike, one of the Directors of the Brooklyn Institute, against the warning of naturalists and Englishmen who knew the bird’s character at home. The first pairs were brought over in 1850.
July 12, 1889
100 YEARS AGO
The regular classes in swimming made their debut last week, and will continue to meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons for the girls, the boat leaving the dock at 4 o’clock. On Tuesday Thursday and Saturday afternoons, at the same hour, the boys will take their dip. On the girls’ days, boys and men are respectfully, but firmly, requested to keep away from the float. The float is for gymnasium members, and they have the right of way. Anyone may become a member and use the gymnasium as well on payment of the very small fee of one dollar per month for men; and one dollar and-a-half for the season for ladies and boys under 16 years of age. The classes will be under the direction of Professor Martin, physical director of the gymnasium who will give special attention to the children and beginners in the art aquatic. Private lessons may be arranged, if desired.
July 8, 1914
75 YEARS AGO
Morning ceremonies on Sunday, July 9, were held on the second floor of the National Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame where a baseball library of over 400 volumes and documents was formally presented as were the flags of the United States and England in memory of departed players and members. Also, a large artistically inscribed bronze tablet was unveiled commemorating the founding of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.
July 12, 1939
50 YEARS AGO
Paul J. Lambert of this village has been named principal of the elementary school here succeeding James A. Robinson effective July 1. Mr. Robinson, elementary school principal since the school opened in 1954, was elevated to the principal-ship of the Junior-Senior High School. He takes over administrative functions formerly performed by N.J. Sterling who continues as the district’s Supervising Principal. A native of Athens, PA, Mr. Lambert joined the CCS faculty in the fall of 1957 as a Social Studies teacher.
July 8, 1964
10 YEARS AGO
The absence of bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that the annual Fourth of July fireworks show in the village was prematurely silenced last weekend when a 10-inch shell created a hole in the dock at Fairy Spring Park on Saturday and the annual fireworks show came to a halt short of the grand finale. Damage to the dock closed the swimming area until Wednesday.
July 9, 2004
