Bound Volumes, Hometown History
January 29, 2026
110 YEARS AGO
James P. Butts, a veteran of the Rebellion, a leading contractor and builder, and for many years a resident of Oneonta, died at five o’clock this Thursday morning at his home, 61 Elm Street, Oneonta. He had been in failing health for several years and for the last twelve weeks had been confined to the house and for two weeks to his bed. Mr. Butts was 71 years of age, having been born in the Town of Walton in Delaware County, August 22, 1844. While he was yet young, his parents moved to Davenport where he was educated in the public schools. At the age of 18, on August 28, 1862, he enlisted in Company G of the 144th New York Volunteers. He served throughout the war with the Army of the Potomac, participating in many battles. He was wounded at the battle of Honeyhill and lay in the Hilton Head hospital for two months. He then rejoined his regiment. He was married 50 years ago to Miss Adaline Ruth Peck of Sidney. The deceased was a man of sterling honesty and integrity, a most conscientious builder, and in every field of effort in which he engaged, thoroughly dependable.
January 1916
70 YEARS AGO
MacKinley Kantor’s latest book, “Andersonville,” has stirred new interest on whether Oneonta is the only city in the nation with a map of the famous Civil War prison. City Clerk Olaf M. Nelson doesn’t know for sure, but says, “I’d like to find out.” Stretching almost from floor to ceiling, the map hangs in his office. It’s been kicking around City Hall for almost 25 years and at one time used to hang in former Police Chief Horton’s office. Mr. Nelson has tried to find records on who gave the map to the city and when. So far, he’s had no luck. The ill-famed prison, scene of many tortuous events, housed many Oneonta and area soldiers during the Civil War. Andersonville, at Camp Sumter, GA. “as it appeared August 1, 1864,” was drawn from memory by Thomas O’Dea, a private of Company E, 16th Regiment, Maine Infantry Volunteers. The map was lithographed by Henry Seibel and Brothers, Art Lithographers of New York from a stone cutting by T.J.S. Landis.
January 1956
30 YEARS AGO
Floodwaters caused heavy damage to roads and properties throughout nearby Schoharie and Delaware counties but largely spared Otsego except for damage to roads. Five persons are known to have lost their lives in the deluge and its aftermath and one person remains missing. The devastation from flooding in Walton in Delaware County was exacerbated by a raging fire that wiped out Charlie’s True Value Hardware Store and its building at 168-170 Delaware and also leveled the Family Shopping Center department store at 174 Delaware. The efforts of firefighters were hampered by the nearly five feet of flood waters moving through the area as the blaze continued. All the while rescue workers responded to multiple calls from stranded homeowners as the waters continued to rise throughout Walton’s residential area.
January 1996
20 YEARS AGO
The Nader Towers Resident Organization honored Jean Larsen, a Nader Towers resident for 14 years, with a framed plaque recognizing her long service to her neighbors. Larsen was an active member of the original resident organization and then carried on alone for more than 10 years after that group ceased to exist. During that 10-year period, Larsen organized and ran, with help from volunteers, every extra-curricular activity at Nader Towers, including the annual yard sale, the Christmas party, the social hours, the visiting entertainment and more. Larsen also maintained the Nader Towers garden. “I am thrilled and deeply touched,” Larsen said. “It has been a privilege and pleasure to serve my neighbors all this time.”
January 2006
