Bound Volumes, Hometown History
December 5, 2024
90 YEARS AGO
Denouncing the liquor traffic as “Public Enemy No. 1,” Mrs. Ella A. Boole, veteran dry crusader, called for its complete destruction and declared that not a single promise by repeal advocates has been kept. Looking back over twelve months of repeal, Mrs. Boole said it not only had “not changed the nature or effects of alcohol,” but had failed to live up to its financial and sociological promises. “Prohibition,” she predicted, “will return. How and when I do not know. We still believe it to be the best method of dealing with the liquor traffic.” The mild-mannered, motherly-looking head of the world’s W.C.T.U. (Women’s Christian Temperance Union), who has been identified with temperance organizations since 1897, said that drunkenness has increased and that conditions not tolerated in pre-prohibition days have sprung up under repeal. Women are encouraged to drink, liquor is sold on Sundays, and the age limit of liquor buyers has been reduced, she said. “The fact that the sale of alcohol is legal makes many people think its effects have been repealed,” she added.
December 1934
50 YEARS AGO
A fire destroyed six apartments in the Campus Heights complex early Thursday morning. A contingent of nearly 70 firefighters battled the blaze which started in a second floor apartment. Three fire victims remain hospitalized at Fox Hospital. Oneonta Fire Chief George P. McGurl was listed in stable condition in the cardiac unit after suffering smoke inhalation. Howard Jeffrey, a former Fifth Ward Alderman, suffered cuts sustained when he jumped through a window to escape from flames. He was listed in satisfactory condition. Mrs. Betty Keeton, a former chairman of the Oneonta City Democratic Committee suffered smoke inhalation. She remains in the intensive care unit, but is reported in stable condition. The fire apparently started in Mrs. Keeton’s apartment, probably in the kitchen. Jeffery, who was a guest in the Keeton residence, first discovered the blaze. Mrs. Keeton was in the bathtub at the time. After Jeffrey jumped through the window, David Lander, a neighbor, realized that Mrs. Keeton was still in the apartment. Lander ran in to get her but found Mrs. Keeton already overcome with smoke. Lander grabbed her and attempted to carry her out of the burning apartment. But, finding himself affected by the smoke, Lander ran back outside to regain his breath. Lander then re-entered and dragged Mrs. Keeton to safety. Three fireman, Nick Brent, John Smalley and Fred Catella sustained minor injuries.
December 1974
30 YEARS AGO
The city of Oneonta again will try to sell the house at 97 Elm Street during an auction in City Hall on December 13. The minimum bid will be $40,000. The house at the corner of Main and Cedar streets will be open for viewing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. The building previously was used for student housing. To encourage home ownership, the Common Council requires that the dwelling be used as a one or two-family home, and the owner must live there for at least five years.
December 1994
20 YEARS AGO
The December program sponsored by the Greater Oneonta Historical Society will explore the founding of the Mormon Church. Taylor Hollist will show slides of local development and Suzanne Hollist will tell relevant stories. The Saturday afternoon program will begin at 1 p.m. in Room 104 at Morris Hall on the State University College at Oneonta campus. Joseph Smith was married in Afton in 1827, endured two court trials and worked on two farms. The first branch of the Mormon Church in Colesville was the site of many early baptisms and conversions. Many followed Smith to Ohio, Missouri, Illinois and Utah.
December 2004
