Bound Volumes

August 6, 2026

160 YEARS AGO

The Freeman’s Journal is now about the oldest country newspaper in the State, and one of the oldest papers in the Union, having been established by the late Col. J.H. Prentiss in 1808. We hope its centennial birthday may be recorded by some future prosperous and useful owner. Probably at no time within the past 35 years has the circulation of the Journal been less than 1,500; at one time its regular edition was 1,100 above that figure; and its present issue of upwards of 2,100 is about four times the average circulation of country newspapers.

August 3, 1866

135 YEARS AGO

The Girl from New York—The most predominant characteristic of the New York girl is that she is always there. If it is a new book, she has read it. If it is a new play, she has seen it. If it is a new style of gown, she has it on, and if it is the last new man to whom she has been introduced, he is pleading for an invitation to call on her. She is healthy because she believes in bathing and plenty of exercise. Her eyes are clear; and, if she walks a little too rapidly for absolute grace, you know it is because she has an object in view, and she intends to gain it. She is slightly cynical. She has by no means an abiding faith in men, and she believes that “out of sight, out of mind” is usually true as applied to them; consequently, she meets them on her own ground, and, in her close fitting, tailor-made suit, leaves them victims on the field of coquetry, slain by a determined enemy, and with weapons they don’t exactly understand.

August 6, 1891

110 YEARS AGO

What has become of the Village Improvement Society? This very useful organization started four or five years ago. The work it did was good, but for the past two years nothing has been heard of this society. The grounds that it beautified at the foot of River Street have grown up to weeds and bushes. The trash cans that were placed at the street corners have been carted off and thrown upon the village dump along with the rubbish. The trend of public opinion nowadays seems to indicate that the women will be called upon by their exercise of the right of suffrage to take an active part in civic affairs. Is not this an opportunity for the ladies of Cooperstown to demonstrate to the men folks that they are capable of doing things? At a meeting at the home of Mrs. W. Scott Root, 29 Nelson Avenue, at which there were 47 ladies present the Cooperstown Home Economics Club was organized. Miss Florence H. Freer, county agent was present, and explained fully the general plan of a Home Economics Club, as to organization and work done.

August 2, 1916

85 YEARS AGO

The largest opening attendance in the history of the Cooperstown Community Sings, a throng estimated at 4,000 people gathered on the lawns of the Otesaga Hotel on the shores of Otsego Lake Sunday afternoon. Weather conditions were perfect and the setting from which the singers could scan the entire length of the Glimmerglass and its surrounding wooded hills was entrancing. Dr. Elmer A. Tidmarsh of Schenectady conducted the musical program.

August 6, 1941

20 YEARS AGO

Mona Buckley and Marie Murray bid and made a bonus slam when Cooperstown senior bridge met Monday, August 1, at the Clark Sports Center. Irma Cizek was high scorer with 4,830; Marion Maxson second with 4,510; Nancy Birdsall third with 4,460. Betty Semrov won the special prize. The group meets at 9:45 a.m. every Tuesday. Bring a bag lunch. Coffee and tea provided.

August 4, 2006