Bound Volumes 8-26-2021

Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library

210 YEARS AGO
The Great Western Canal – To save expense in the execution of this great national work, Mr. Fulton has invented a machine for digging or removing earth by means of horses, or a steam engine. A steam engine of eight horses’ power, and rendered portable, will do the work of 150 men. The wages of 150 men may be estimated at 120 dollars a day – four men can attend the steam engine 12 hours whose wages will be $6. Two cords of wood at a cost of $2 bring the total to $8. This gives an economy of $112 a day, or for 300 days which the machine would work in a year, the saving in expense would be $32,000 – and five of these machines which would cost about $30,000, would economize about $168,000 a year.
August 24, 1811

160 YEARS AGO
Cavalry Wanted – Capt. H.W. Lyon, of New York, is recruiting a company in this county for the Ira Harris Cavalry. Recruiting offices – Tryon House, Cherry Valley and Otsego Hotel, Cooperstown. The pay in this arm of the service is $15 a month for privates. Horses and all equipments furnished by the Government.
August 30, 1861

135 YEARS AGO
Among Cooperstown’s many pleasant and picturesque drives, none are moreso than the one of nine miles to Hartwick Village. Every turn of the road, each direction, has its new landscape and diversified scenery. For three miles the road follows the Susquehanna, and then turns over the hill to the west, then through a cool, shady gulch abounding on every side in its picturesqueness, the eye-catching glimpses of farm houses along the hill side, and a profusion of shade that renders the whole ride delightful. Two copses of woods add much to the pleasure and beauty of the drive. Just as you emerge from the last one the valley of the Otego lays spread out beneath the hill and one of the prettiest views of the village of Hartwick is obtained. The village is surrounded by high hills, which are broken only by water courses.
August 28, 1886

110 YEARS AGO
During the year 1912 there will be no less than 210,000 motor cars built. Sixty percent of these will be for utility purposes. The average price will be about $1,000. A greatly increased number of cars will sell at $1,000 or less, with a substantial increase in the higher priced cars. Six percent of the cars built will be used by physicians, contractors, salesmen and others for utility purposes, for the need of a motor car in almost every grade of business life is now apparent. There will be a great increase in motor trucks. The farmers are buying cars and will continue to buy cars in greater quantities than ever before, because their use is profitable and they make a far better living condition in the agricultural districts. The same is true for bicycles for there are more bicycles in farming communities than in the cities. The great need of automobiles is cheaper and better ones.
August 30, 1911

85 YEARS AGO
Cooperstown’s new post office building was dedicated with fitting ceremony on Saturday evening. A great crowd occupied all the seats which filled the street in front of the new structure from curb to curb and hundreds stood throughout. It was estimated that 2,000 people were present. Large numbers also took the opportunity to inspect the interior of the building. The speaker of the occasion was Acting Postmaster General William W. Howes of South Dakota.
August 19, 1936

35 YEARS AGO
The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital has announced the appointment of Ms. M. Patricia Brown as a certified nurse midwife in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Ms. Brown’s appointment will enable the hospital to expand the breadth of services available to obstetrical patients. These services currently include a fully equipped birthing suite and family-centered maternity care. Ms. Brown will work closely with the physicians, functioning as part of the overall team offering a broad range of services encompassing the total childbirth experience.
August 27, 1986