Bound Volumes
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
210 YEARS AGO
Gallantry of an American Youth – In the late conflict between the United States frigate President and the British ship of war Little Belt, a gunner’s boy on board the frigate who had his arm broken by a shot, while under the hands of the surgeon in the cockpit, requested that he would make haste in dressing his wound, that he might get on deck again. On the surgeon’s asking what he would do on deck, wounded as he was, the little American replied, “If I can’t do more, I can at least be shot at!” It is known that the heroism of this lad has attracted the earnest attention of the secretary of the navy.
June 15, 1811
185 YEARS AGO
An effectual mode certainly of preventing hereditary pauperism, whatever may be said of its character in some respects, was recently put in practice by two justices of the peace, and of the quorum, in Taunton, Massachusetts, under a law of the Bay State, relative to marriage contracts. They forbade the marriage of a man and woman on the ground that the parties were not of sufficient ability to maintain themselves, and were not of competent ability to make a contract of marriage. In giving this decision, the editor of a Boston paper remarks: “If the principle which appears in the above decision should be generally recognized, it will prove an effectual check to the extension of pauperism inasmuch as it will tend to prevent its being transmitted as an heirloom through succeeding generations.”
June 27, 1836
160 YEARS AGO
The following resolution was unanimously adopted at the Semi-Annual Meeting of the Otsego Presbytery, held at Worcester, in this county, on June 12: Inasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God to command loyalty to established Government, as the only guarantee of National and Christian prosperity, and inasmuch as the disloyalty of armed traitors and their misguided followers has assailed, and is now imperiling, the authority of these United States, founded, as it is, in strong principles, embodied in the constitution, Resolved, That we, the Otsego Presbytery do most heartily respond to the recent patriotic resolutions of our General Assembly, and do hereby pledge ourselves to obey, in the spirit of those resolutions, the voice of conscience and of God for the preservation and permanence of the integrity of these United States.
June 21, 1861
135 YEARS AGO
Gone! Another of the old village landmarks is now to be recorded among the things that were. The “Town Pump”, for many years a thing of note on this corporation, and of great usefulness to three generations of residents, is no more. The pump has been removed, and the deep well – that so long furnished the best of cool water, “free to all,” – has been covered over by a large stone, that forms part of the new sidewalk being laid in that part of Main Street. What noble work that old “Town Pump” did the night of the great fire of 1862 when all other sources of water failed. The present generation will bear it in kindly and appreciative recollection –the next will inquire it exact location – and then it will fade away from the recollection of the oldest inhabitant.
June 20, 1886
110 YEARS AGO
Personal – August Busch and family have arrived at Uncas Lodge for the summer. “Frisky” is no more, having departed this earth Monday afternoon. “Frisky” was the pet dog of Mrs. Joseph K. Choate and had many acquaintances. He will be sorely missed. He refused to submit to the muzzle ordinance and took chloroform instead. Dr. Joseph B. Cooke has written the scenario for a moving picture drama of the western type, which has been accepted by the Vitagraph Company, and will, therefore, in due course of time, be presented in the Star Theatre in Cooperstown. It is quite a compliment to Dr. Cooke that his first effort along this line should be accepted at first hand by one of the most particular companies in America.
June 21, 1911
60 YEARS AGO
The Girls’ Athletic Association of the Cooperstown Central School held its Mother-Daughter Banquet at the Treadway-Otesaga on Wednesday, June 7. The theme for this year was “Space Age.” Barbara R. Westbrook was toastmistress. Speaking for the classes were Jane E. Rees, freshman; Diane J. Hanson, sophomore; Donna G. Howe, junior; and Jean A. Nevil, senior. The guest speaker was Miss Nancy Wick, a graduate of CCS, currently finishing her junior year at the State University College of Education at Cortland, where she is majoring in physical education. She took the letters G.A.A. and gave them the meaning “Goals Through Attitudes and Abilities.” The true awards that come from participation in an association are not material ones, but rather the development of a sense of sportsmanship, responsibility and cooperation that will be necessary throughout life, she stressed.
June 14, 1961
35 YEARS AGO
More than 2,000 people flooded into the village last weekend for the Otsego County Firemen’s Convention and Bicentennial Parade. “It was beautiful,” Cooperstown Bicentennial Committee Co-Chair Cathe Ellsworth said, noting the good weather, the large crowd and the long parade of floats, bands and other units. There were 10 floats, six high school bands, a community band from Keene, NH, and about 30 other units represented in the parade line.
June 18, 1986
20 YEARS AGO
The Doubleday Field Committee welcomed John Davis, M.D.and Michael Whaling to air their concerns about pesticide use on Doubleday Field at a June 12 meeting. The purpose of the discussion was to provide the committee with information on herbicide use on the field and the concerns that resulted. Joe Harris, groundskeeper, explained to Davis, Whaling and the committee what he does to maintain the field and described the use made of herbicides. Dr. Davis said he was impressed that Harris uses herbicides sparingly and removes any dandelions by hand as they appear on the field.
June 15, 2001