Bound Volumes

June 12, 2025

185 YEARS AGO

The following are excerpts from a speech delivered to the Young Men’s Republican Convention at Cooperstown in late May by Dr. H.S. Harper. In 1840 members of the Democratic Party were often referred to as Republicans. “…in all ages and nations, there has existed, and still exists, an unconquerable desire in a certain few to rule over the many—assuming to themselves the competency to govern mankind, and denying the ability of the People to govern themselves. These seem to be made up of a most rare combination of mad-men, knaves and fools, united into a most unique mass by the intervention of wealth—always striving to create distinctions in society, founded upon the power that money bestows, rather than intelligence and merit.”

June 15, 1840

110 YEARS AGO

As a result of a drunken brawl at Cherry Valley Monday evening one man had fatally stabbed another and escaped. Such, in substance, was the story which was circulated upon the streets of Cooperstown Tuesday morning. Sheriff Orlo J. Brown was roused from his bed at an early hour and started by auto for that village. Ex-Sheriff Holbrook and District Attorney Orange L. Van Horne followed in another car. Upon arrival at the scene of the massacre they found the inhabitants going about their morning’s work unaware that any crime had been committed. A thorough search was made but no clues of a murder, a victim or a perpetrator were found. Finally, fully convinced that they were on a wild goose chase, they returned to Cooperstown.

June 9, 1915

60 YEARS AGO

Voter Registration—An estimated $40,000 will be required to introduce permanent, personal registration in Oneonta and the 24 towns of Otsego County. An estimated 20 percent of eligible voters in New York State are not registered, a percentage that includes 24,000 voters in Otsego County. The bill was opposed by several upstate GOP legislators as well as the predominantly Republican Otsego County Board of Supervisors. “It will cost the county a $1.50 or more a head to register the voters and double the expense of maintaining the Board of Elections office in Cooperstown,” Election Commissioner Lee McRorie said.

June 9, 1965

35 YEARS AGO

The Otsego County District Attorney’s office is handling the case involving vandalism caused by skateboarding in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church Hall. Rev. John Sise said parishioners noticed some vandalism recently. Skateboarding in the hall has caused damage to floors, walls and tables. Last week, Sise said he saw three youths walking between the Catholic Church and the neighboring Baptist Church heading for the Parish Hall. He was able to seize one of the youths but the other two made off over the fence.

June 13, 1990

20 YEARS AGO

The Rotary Club of Cooperstown will sponsor an informal Rotary Host Family Evening for those interested in knowing more about the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Those who might consider hosting an incoming exchange student are welcome to attend on Tuesday, June 14 at Christ Episcopal Church. Since 1964-65, the Rotary Club of Cooperstown has sent 74 students overseas and hosted 51 inbound students from other countries. The inbound students and their host families have their horizons broadened and their lives enriched by the experience, a Rotary Club release states. The upcoming event will include an overview of the youth exchange program.

June 10, 2005