HOMETOWN HISTORY

September 3, 2020

150 Years Ago

Oneonta and Area Items – Quoit pitching seems to be the popular game at the depot.
Just received at the Crockery Store of J. B. Roberts, some fine plums and delicious grapes.
The rain of Saturday night raised the brook on Dietz Street – the first it has run this summer.
Our thanks is due to A.A. Whitcomb for a quantity of large tomatoes.
A young man named John Bonfoy, who has for some time been employed in New Berlin, committed suicide by hanging himself. He was a young man of excellent character.
French’s Grand Oriental Circus and Egyptian Caravan, with a renowned and rare exhibition of animals, gave two exhibitions in this village on Friday afternoon.
The Singer Sewing Machine is used by all of the manufacturing tailors and clothing merchants of Oneonta.

September, 1870

100 Years Ago

The largest potato of the season thus far was dug last week from the garden plot of J.E. Goodsell at Oneonta Plains and weighed one and three-quarters pounds. It was one of the Bovee variety which quite uniformly weigh 8 to 10 ounces. Mr. Goodsell grew last year some eight bushels which averaged about that size.
While motoring with a party of friends through the Catskills recently, Edwin Jahn of Oneonta stopped on Mt. Usayantha, near Stamford, and while walking in the woods with Howard Yager, also of the party, had the rare good fortune to come upon a buck deer, who obligingly stood still about 20 feet from them long enough for Mr. Jahn to photograph him, and looking directly into the camera. The two think that the buck would have held his pose longer had the rest of the party not come upon them and frightened him away.
Tagged and labeled like a parcel post consignment, Robert Johnson, aged five years, of Eastwood, in Onondaga County, started alone on a recent night on a month-long journey to Alaska, where he will make his home with his grandparents.

September 1920

80 Years Ago

West Oneonta News Items – Daniel Lingner of the U.S. Army, stationed at Mitchell Field Long Island spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Lingner. Miss Helena Barney, R.N. is caring for Mrs. Weeks at Hartwick. Mrs. George Kilquist of Otego and daughter Helen of Binghamton, called on Miss Lillian Smith Monday. Percy Fairfierld of Massachusetts spent the week with his cousin, Mrs. Arthur Fairfield. Teachers who have been spending the summer vacation with their parents, returned to their schools Tuesday. Miss Erna Varney, Salisbury, Vermont; Miss Avis Smith, West Davenport; Miss Velma Green, Butts Corners, and Miss Rena Smith, Oriskany. Private Lawrence Herring of Madison Barracks spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Clark. Mrs. Hettie Rous had the misfortune to fall last week and break her hip.

September 1940

60 Years Ago

This past year, 8,018 residents of New York State have turned to the U.S. Census Bureau for help in proving they were born. These persons were among an estimated 30 million U.S. residents who were without proof of age or birth. The historical records of the Census Bureau provide the only source of this information for most of these 30 million people. Proof of age or birth is needed today to collect Social Security and other retirement benefits. It is needed to obtain passports. It is needed to qualify for jobs carrying certain age or citizenship requirements and some forms of insurance. Since 1920 the Census Bureau has provided more than 3.5 million persons with copies of their Census records.

September 1960

40 Years Ago

Primary Day Polls Open Next Tuesday – Next Tuesday, September 9, registered Republicans and Democrats in New York State go to the polls to cast their ballots for desired candidates for Senator and Congressman. For U.S. Senator, incumbent Republican Jacob K. Javits is hopeful of winning over his challenger Alphonse M. D’Amato. Democratic hopefuls for the Senate candidacy include former New York City Mayor John V. Lindsay, John Santucci, Bess Myerson and Elizabeth Holtzman. Republican Congressional hopefuls in the 32nd District include Peter J. DiGiorno, Herbert D. Brewer, Mayor of Oneida, George C. Wortley, newspaper publisher and Pat R. Bombard, automobile salesman. Democratic challengers include Gary Nicholson and Jeffrey S. Brooks. The currently serving Democratic Congressman, James Hanley of Syracuse is retiring from office. The 59 polling places in Otsego County will be open from Noon to 9 p.m. on Primary Day, Tuesday, September 9.

September 1980

20 Years Ago

In preparation for its thirtieth anniversary season the Catskill Choral Society will audition new singers beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 7 at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Ford Avenue. This fall, the group, under the direction of Dr. Jirka Kratochvil, will present the American premiere of “Requiem” by Czech composer Antonin Reicha (1770-1836). All voice parts are welcome. Weekly rehearsals begin that evening and will continue on Thursdays at the First Presbyterian Church in Oneonta. Performance dates are Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2.
“End of Life Decisions” will be the focus of a public lecture by Timothy E. Quill on September 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Agora, Dewar Hall, Hartwick College. Quill is a Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at the Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He is the author of two books on end-of-life decision-making. His presentation titled “Partnership and Non-Abandonment Critical Values in End-of-Life Care” is sponsored by Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., Bassett Healthcare, Fox Care and Hartwick College.

September 2000

10 Years Ago

Cuyle Carvin, born and raised in Oneonta, has been making his way to television screens. His latest appearance is a public service announcement titled “He Knows Safety” where he is admired by cartoon characters Olive Oyl and Betty Boop. Olive and Betty admire Carvin for wearing a life jacket. The admiration and affection bestowed on Carvin by the ladies makes Bluto jealous. “He Knows Safety” airs as part of an award-winning children’s cable television series “Drawing With Fred,” which can be viewed on YouTube.com. Carvin’s latest film, “Assault of the Sasquatch,” is scheduled for DVD release in October.

September 2010