BOUND VOLUMES, July 3, 2014
200 YEARS AGO
At a circuit court holden in Delhi, in the County of Delaware, on Friday last, James Graham, was tried for the murder of Hugh Cameron and Alexander M’Gilvery. The evidence was circumstantial, but of such a nature as to leave no doubt of his guilt. It appeared in evidence, that Graham, with the two for whose murder he was indicted, was at a raising at a Mr. Kellogg’s, in Delhi, on the 24th of July last; that they left Kellogg’s together, between sundown and dark, to return home across the mountain in a foot path; that Graham picked up a club, came in behind the two deceased, followed them about 20 rods and there killed them both. The bodies were found with their heads and faces so mangled that they could scarce be recognized by those well acquainted with them. The club with which they were killed was found in a brush heap a small distance from the bodies covered with blood and human hair. The clothes which Graham wore to the raising were found in a wash tub at his own door, with evident marks of blood upon them. Other circumstances such as previous threats were strong presumptive proof against him. He was found guilty and sentenced to be executed at Delhi, on Friday the 29th of July between the hours of 12 and 2 o’clock of that day.
July 7, 1814
175 YEARS AGO
Fourth of July – We are requested to mention that the day will be noticed at Clarkesville (now Middlefield Center), by the ascent of a balloon at half past 12 o’clock, dinner at 2 o’clock, and a balloon and fireworks in the evening. We hear of preparations for the same object at Cherry Valley, Little Lakes, and other towns within a couple of hour’s ride of this place where the inspiration of patriotic feelings has produced animation among the citizens. The day should never be suffered to pass by without some token of remembrance.
July 1, 1839
150 YEARS AGO
Prayer for our Country – Mr. Shaw: Allow me the medium of your paper to suggest that at no time since the commencement of this dreadful civil war has earnest, importunate, unceasing prayer to Almighty God for deliverance from national calamities been more strongly called for than at this time. The churches, all the members thereof, every praying person throughout the country, should daily make intercession at the Throne of Grace for an early peace; and while the conflict rages, for success on the part of those who stand in defense of the Government. Can any Christian man or woman do less? Hope.
July 1, 1864
125 YEARS AGO
Local: A game of baseball will be played on the Fair Grounds Thursday afternoon between Salt Springville and Cooperstown nines.
The Lake is now the particular point of attraction and about every stranger sailing upon it for the first time speaks enthusiastically of its beauty and that of the surrounding scenery. The steamboats are all running. The sail and row boats are in order for those wishing to use them. The camping houses are beginning to be occupied. The hotels at Three and Five Mile Points are open to customers. At the steamboat landing near the head of the lake stands Island Cottage which has been repaired and improved and is now kept by Mr. Eugene D. Hecox.
July 5, 1889
100 YEARS AGO
A suffrage meeting was organized last week by Miss Anna Constable of New York who is the guest of Mrs. Walter Watson Stokes at the Crooked Cottage. Miss Constable, who is prominent in New York as a member of the Woman’s Political Union is an ardent suffragist and has secured many faithful followers through her plausible reasons in regard to the question of the ballot as a means of freedom, advancement and political purity to the country. Through the courtesy of Garrett J. Benson, the Hotel Fenimore piazza as well as the street was filled with interested listeners. Miss Constable spoke of the responsibility man owed to the mind of a woman in giving her the vote, as well as the responsibility in which he acknowledged her as his equal in the Church.
July 1, 1914
75 YEARS AGO
A baseball used in the first game on record where gate money was demanded and received from spectators has just been added to the collection of mementos of the national game at the National Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame. The date of this game was July 20, 1858, when New York defeated Brooklyn 22 to 18. A companion ball used in a game between the same teams in the same series on September 10, 1858, was also donated. New York also won that game 28 to 19.
July 5, 1939
25 YEARS AGO
In 1817, George Hyde Clarke began constructing an English manor house known as Hyde Hall overlooking Otsego Lake near what is now known as Glimmerglass State Park. Designed by Philip Hooker, a leading Albany architect of the day, the 50-room, 200-foot-long “country home” was completed in 1833 and it is considered one of the finest examples of pre-Civil War houses in America. The Friends of Hyde Hall organization, formed in 1964 to save the building, continues the work of restoration. “What really sets Hyde Hall apart is its quadrangular plan,” says Douglas Kent, executive vice-president of the friends group.
July 5, 1989
10 YEARS AGO
The Episcopal Diocese of Albany, which oversees all of the Episcopal congregations in the area, recently joined the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes, a conservative network formed in response to the consecration of an openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, in New Hampshire last year. Opinions are mixed as to what the final significance of the newly formed network will be. Robinson was consecrated in the fall of last year at a ceremony in New Hampshire, making him the world’s first openly gay Episcopalian bishop. The appointment upset many of the 70 million Anglicans worldwide.
July 2, 2004