Bound Volumes

May 7, 2026

185 YEARS AGO

Steamboat Accident—The steamboat Henry Eckford, Captain Tice, was preparing to tow some Canal boats into the river at the foot of Cedar Street, New York when her boiler exploded. The deck of the vessel was completely ripped up, and the fragments thrown in every direction. Captain T. who stood in front of the pilot house, was thrown entirely over an adjoining vessel and fell in the water, having been slightly scalded, besides having one leg broken. The crew consisted of six men, all of whom were more or less injured. A man by the name of Belcher was killed instantly by a sheet of lead thrown on board of a canal boat lying opposite the steamer.

May 3, 1841

110 YEARS AGO

Chalk Lake is filled—Despite the many stories that Chalk Lake was bottomless, that there was a strong undercurrent, that acres of forest had been thrown into same, that several cars and a locomotive had been lost therein, the Otsego & Herkimer Electric Line has completed the filling of this place which is located midway between Oaksville and Fly Creek, and known by name for the substance under the water. This lake, as it is called, is not two feet deep at any point—yet the gray substance which forms the bottom is such that a tool dropped by a workman would immediately sink. A solid bottom runs anywhere from 40 to 70 feet below the surface. This lake has no visible inlet or outlet, yet fish such as pickerel, bullheads and suckers swim therein.

May 3, 1916

35 YEARS AGO

The League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown area has given its first annual Community Service Award to Pamela W. Washburn. LWV President Martha Clarvoe said “our league recognizes and commends Washburn’s outstanding public service.” The award honors an elected or appointed individual who has worked to improve legislative procedures, efficiency, or effectiveness, encouraged and facilitated public participation in government, served impartially to ensure equitable and accountable government, and whose contributions of time and effort show great dedication to public service.

May 8, 1991

20 YEARS AGO

May 5, 2006