BOUND VOLUMES

Oct. 31, 2019

200 YEARS AGO

Petticoat Government has rarely been established over nations. Queen Elizabeth exercised it but she was always considered more like a man than a woman. Besides, she governed men under a constitution which men made for their own use and benefit, and she was therefore a kind of usurper in her place. As it has always been difficult for men to contend seriously with women, we advise the ministry and the borough-mongers and let the Spinsters take the business in hand. What the peculiar features of the new constitution shall be, we pretend not to conjecture. Probably one provision of it will be, that the girls shall in future go a courting, and the lads stay at home and be wooed. And we should not be surprised if the old-fashioned mode of travelling on saddles and pillions should be revived, and the poor man be forced to ride behind. Whatever it may be it will be something laughable, that these modern Eves should produce a revolution in a country that has so long withstood the exertions and machinations of so many Burdetts, Hunts, Cartwrights, and Ruta Baga Merchants.

October 25, 1819

175 YEARS AGO

A Word of Caution – The Whigs are full of tricks and will resort to any means to prop up their failing cause. Even here in the country, we hear of their maneuvers and attempts at bargaining for votes. It is said that they propose in some cases to vote the Liberty Ticket if Democrats will pledge themselves to do so; in others not to vote at all, or “pair off” with a Democrat; and to vote for Mr. Wright in exchange for a Clay Electoral vote. All this shows a destitution of political principle in the proposer, and warrants the belief that such arrangements would not be regarded by him if made. Our advice then is that Democrats should frown upon every attempt at bargains made by a Whig, and vote as his principles indicate to be his duty to his country. Act honestly, openly, manfully, in exercising the electoral franchise, despising trick and bargain, and Democracy is certain to prevail.

October 28, 1844

150 YEARS AGO

Poor Gas – There is a very general complaint among gas consumers in this village, and not without just cause. The price is high, and the gas poor with so little illuminating power for a few nights past that men in a business like ours find it inadequate. The stores are also poorly lighted. At times the smoke from the gas has blackened the walls and annoyed those forced to breathe it. The dry goods merchants say it has damaged fine goods. The consumers have been imposed upon long enough and have borne it patiently until patience has ceased to be a virtue. Scolding in the newspapers will not remedy it. Our citizens feel that they must have better gas from the same source or go back to the use of kerosene, or organize a new gas company. The citizens might also authorize the village Trustees to put up works and run them for the public benefit. If necessary, let a meeting of citizens be called.

October 22, 1869

125 YEARS AGO

Mohican Club – At the annual meeting held at the club rooms on Monday evening, the following officers were chosen: G.M. Jarvis, president; Charles T. Brewer, vice-president; L.E. Walrath, secretary; C.W. G. Ross, treasurer; C.T. Brewer, C.R. Burch, M.C. Bundy and S.M. Shaw, trustees.

October 25, 1894

100 YEARS AGO

One of the largest real estate deals in Cooperstown for several months past was consummated on Monday when William Smalley, proprietor of the Village Theatre, became the owner and proprietor of Carr’s Hotel, on Main Street, one of the oldest buildings, and a distinct landmark in the Village of Cooperstown. The consideration was not made public. Mr. Smalley took possession immediately. Smalley then sold the west portion of the hotel, the main structure, to James J. Byrd Jr. The hotel’s annex portion will be torn down next spring and replaced with a handsome new brick business block containing a motion picture theatre with a seating capacity of 1,000. Another portion of the new building will be devoted to a retail business house.

October 22, 1919

75 YEARS AGO

Literacy tests for new voters will be given in the Cooperstown Central School building Tuesday, October 31 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Election Day, November 7 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. All new voters must show evidence of literacy to the Election Board. The Regents preliminary certificate or any other higher certificate will be accepted. All people who completed the work of the sixth grade or its equivalent will be issued a Certificate of Literacy without examinations. All others will be required to take the test.

October 25, 1944

25 YEARS AGO

Four friends needed quick cash for a restaurant meal, and so decided to stop at an ATM in downtown Brooklyn over the weekend. They ended up thwarting a robbery. Dr. Eric Knight, 29, Bassett Hospital chief resident of internal medicine was with his fiancée, Susan Lasher, owner of Global Traders in Cooperstown, and Katherine Marks, a teacher. They were visiting Brooklyn resident, Elizabeth Cooper, 27. As Cooper was extracting funds from the machine in a bank lobby Enrique Maldonado, 44, of the Bronx attempted to grab the money from Cooper’s hand who then latched on to his arm to resist. Dr. Knight saw the struggle and intervened to help Cooper. As the struggle ensued two bystanders came to the rescue and a police cruiser was flagged down. Maldonado was arrested and charged with robbery and assault.

October 26, 1994