Bound Volumes

March 6, 2025

160 YEARS AGO

Insane Paupers in Otsego County—There are sixteen lunatics in the poor house of Otsego County, and it is a remarkable circumstance that fifteen are American-born. Four are males and twelve are females. Two of this number have been insane since 1837, and one since 1845. Five have been treated in an asylum and returned to the county poor house. Eleven have never had the opportunity for a care that an asylum affords. Five of the sixteen are violent, and three are filthy in their habits. Four of the 16 require mechanical restraint. One male and four females are capable of doing some labor. Their only amusement is to saunter about the grounds when the weather will permit. Though the house has 130 inmates, there is not a bathing tub in it. The house is supplied with water and the insane are washed once a week. They are visited by a physician once each week.

March 3, 1865

135 YEARS AGO

The membership of the Baptist Church of this village, as recently stated, is about 265, of whom several are non-resident, and a few others too old or too feeble to attend public service. The Pastor last month gave notice last month of a “roll call” meeting of the members, desiring a verbal or written reply—and last week Thursday, 217, all but 48, responded in person or by letter. The church dining room was occupied for the first time, and was found to be very convenient. About 100 persons can be seated at the tables.

March 7, 1890

60 YEARS AGO

Local News—A pair of gray and white sport socks has been turned in at our “Lost & Found” Department in the newspaper office. If you have lost a pair, please come in and pick them up.
The Cooperstown Fire Department was called out at 11:30 a.m. Sunday night in response to an alarm sounded from the home of Mr. and Mrs. George G. Tillapaugh on Pioneer Street. An oil fire had broken out in a Chrysler sedan Mr. Tillapaugh was using to transport incoming passengers from Cooperstown airport to the Hotel Otesaga. Mr. Tillapaugh had returned from the airport and left the car engine idling when he went into the house to make a phone call. When he came out, he saw what he believed to be steam coming from the front portion of the car, but it was a fire. He used a fire extinguisher in an attempt to put it out. When the attempt failed, he called the fire department. Meanwhile, George and his son Martin used another fire extinguisher to bring the blaze under control.

March 3, 1965

35 YEARS AGO

The Cooperstown varsity boys’ basketball team ended an outstanding season last Saturday suffering a tough 69-45 loss to Beaver River in the Section Three, Class C-2 championship. The Redskins finished their season with a 21-2 record. The team was ranked among the top ten Class C schools in the state most of the season. Ken Fetterman led the scoring for CCS with 21 points before fouling out. The Redskins played without the services of injured starter Tim Osterhoudt.

March 7, 1990

20 YEARS AGO

Millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett has become the first person to fly around the world solo without stopping or refueling. His flight lasted 67 hours in the air and covered 23,000 miles in a spindly-looking experimental single-engine jet aircraft equipped with 13 fuel tanks. Fossett, age 60, already holds the record for flying solo around the globe in a balloon. He took off and landed in Salina, Kansas.

March 4, 2005