Bound Volumes, Hometown History
May 22, 2025
110 YEARS AGO
What up to the present is the last word in the treatment of disease through the medium of the X-Ray is believed to be the Scheidel-Western Improved Interrupterless Transformer and X-Ray outfit which this week has been installed in the office of Dr. Daniel Luce in this city. R.K. Taylor, an expert representative of the manufacturer, was in Oneonta this week, and on Monday began the demonstration of the apparatus to all who are interested in this latest form of electro-therapeutics. In response to letters sent out by Dr. Luce, many called at the office yesterday and the operations of the apparatus were explained. Among diseases for which the Roentgen ray is now being used are cancers, in which a large percentage, even in advanced stages of malignancy, are said to be cured or relieved, while cases in the first stage nearly all are claimed to be cured. Radiographs taken in the office yesterday included two remarkable brain pictures of a young boy. With the fluoroscope it was possible to see the internal organs and to watch the dilation and contraction of the heart.
May 1915
70 YEARS AGO
Local government officials continually complain about the lack of tax revenues at their disposal and use this as an excuse for thrusting new responsibilities and financial burdens upon the state and federal governments. Yet they may be overlooking a traditional source of tax revenue. According to a spokesman for the National Association of Assessing Officers, “assessments have failed to keep pace with the rise of national wealth,” and “non-uniformity in assessments has increased as property values rise.” If property assessments were made according to present market value, municipalities would have more tax revenues to use for building schools and roads instead of depending on the federal and state governments to do this.
May 1955
40 YEARS AGO
The Common Council approved a $90,700 low bid from John M. Robertson, Inc. contracting firm of Oneonta for the resurfacing of Chestnut Street between West and Wall Streets. The bid was $50,700 more than the original city estimate. The work will include tearing up the old pavement, trolley tracks and cement underneath, filling in one foot of gravel and repaving the roadway.
May 1985
30 YEARS AGO
The death toll from the Ebola virus topped 100 Sunday and health workers said the epidemic may have started as long ago as December—three months earlier than previously thought. Medical workers scouring Kikwit, Zaire, a city of 600,000 where the outbreak was previously believed to have started in mid-March, found hospital records linking the virus to a household of 12 people, where seven people died in December last year. Tests confirmed that at least one of the victims had Ebola.
May 1995
20 YEARS AGO
Mike Connolly, Oneonta native and Oneonta high school graduate, struck out four and walked one in six innings Sunday to lead the Altoona Curve to a 6-2 Eastern League victory over the Binghamton Mets at NYSEG Stadium. Connolly allowed two runs, both earned and eight hits before leaving the Double A minor league game with the 6-2 lead. “I’m throwing real well right now—can’t complain,” Connolly said. “I just go out and pitch and do the best I can.” Connolly is now in his sixth season in professional baseball. The Pittsburgh Pirates, Altoona’s parent club, selected Connolly in the 19th round of the 2000 major league baseball draft. Connolly’s record is now 3-3 with a 3.33 ERA.
May 2005
