By: Reporter
10/07/2021 11:42 am
125 Years Ago
Home & Vicinity – The surroundings at the railroad shops have been given a cheerful appearance this summer by neat grass lawns, laid out under the direction of master-mechanic Howard. Until cold weather made their removal necessary, the lawns were studded with blooming plants, contributions in good part of the employees who took a lively interest in the effort to give a cheery look to the naturally somber appearance of the shops. Next year still more lawns are to be laid out.
Health officer O.W. Peck makes the following report for the month of September: Births 12, deaths 14, marriages 6. Five cases of diphtheria and 16 of typhoid fever have been reported as against 3 of diphtheria and 4 of typhoid fever in August. Four cases of diphtheria have proven fatal.
October 1886
By: Reporter
10/01/2021 1:36 pm
135 Years Ago
The much anticipated Oneonta Agricultural Society sponsored wedding at the Oneonta Fair, scheduled for last Saturday, between Mr. George Lee of Scranton, Pennsylvania and Miss Sykes of Binghamton did not come about as advertised. However, the society secured another couple, Albert H. Jeffrey and Mary E. Sickler, who reside near Schuyler’s Lake in this county. Promptly at one o’clock on Saturday afternoon, when the bell at the judges’ stand announced the coming of the bridal party, nearly everybody on the grounds directed their steps toward the grandstand where the ceremony was to occur. There were probably not less than 8,000 people to witness the ceremony. Before A.B. Richardson proceeded with the ceremony, he asked that order and decorum prevail. His request was complied with, for during the entire ceremony, no unseemly act or remark was noticed.
September 1886
By: Staff
08/12/2021 1:00 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
Home & Vicinity – Frank A. Robbin’s Circus & Menagerie drew a big crowd to Oneonta on Tuesday. The company met with delays in getting here from Delhi, where it showed the day preceding, and it was not until between twelve and one o’clock that the street parade occurred. The best feature of the tent performance was the trained elephant exhibition.
Last September, a bay mare valued at $200 was stolen from the barn of Andrew J. Burdick of Clifford, Pennsylvania. Nick Crandall, a notorious character, was arrested and convicted of the theft and sent to prison for two years and six months. He had disposed of the horse but would not disclose to whom. Recently Mr. Burdick was informed that the horse was in Oneonta, and on coming here he found it in the possession of Lafayette Stanton, who bought it of Charles Knapp of Mt. Vision, who procured it from Crandall. The horse has been identified by Burdick, but legal steps will be necessary before he obtains possession of it.
August 1886
By: Staff
08/05/2021 1:00 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
Home & Vicinity – A horse driven by Mrs. Eugene Parish ran away last evening on Elm Street, a bolt working loose and allowing the thills to drop against its heels. The buggy collided with a tree near the front of G.H. Shearer’s residence, and Mrs. Parish was thrown several feet, striking the ground heavily. One rib was fractured and serious bruises were sustained. Besides, her system received a severe shock. She was taken into Mr. Shearer’s house and Dr. Manchester summoned. This morning she is reported to be in as comfortable a condition as possible under the circumstances. The wagon was quite badly demolished.
August 1886
By: Staff
07/29/2021 1:00 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
It would be difficult for the lover of wild and picturesque scenery to imagine a more delightful trip than that afforded by a ride at this season over the New York, Ontario, and Western railroad between Sidney Plains and Middletown. The road winds its way through the wildest regions of Delaware and Sullivan counties, traveling up mountain sides, crossing gorges, and now and then darting through tunnels; then, after reaching Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, runs for many miles along the shore of the Hudson River at a point where the view is the most desirable. Altogether it is a ride worth taking, if for no other motive than to view the matchless scenery to the eye along the way.
July 1886
By: Staff
07/22/2021 1:00 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
Mr. N.C. Hart of Oneonta, who is
presently on his annual pilgrimage in the North Woods, writes poetically of his time there: “I have built me a cot close by a great rock at the base of a high mountain crest where the hawks sail around and game doth abound, and the eagle has chosen her nest. At the foot of the hill are both springlet and rill, and the shores of a bright sylvan lake in whose waters the trout leap spryly about and the deer comes his thirst to slake. Amid scenes like this our outing is bliss – no cares have we on our mind. We enjoy perfect rest in a haven that’s blest mid nature’s own bright summer clime.”
July 1886
By: Staff
07/15/2021 1:00 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
Home & Vicinity – Mrs. Scanling of Oneonta, who has for years been addicted to the use of morphine, takes now on average ten grains daily. Her average used to be twelve grains a day, and once, through oversight, she took eighteen grains at a dose without ill effects. When it is considered that from one-third to one-half grains of morphine is the usual dose for an adult and that fatal effects usually follow where from one to three grains are given, the magnitude of the amount of morphine which slavish habit requires this poor woman to indulge in becomes woefully apparent.
It is reported that a child of Mrs. Davis Brumaghim, who lives back of the board fence near the railroad shops, died today of diphtheria. The ball game last Saturday between the Oneonta and Franklin clubs resulted in a score of 31 to 5 in favor of the home nine. The Oneonta nine has been materially strengthened by the addition of the Cox brothers of Williams College, who are passing the summer at Gilbertsville.
July 1886
By: Staff
07/08/2021 1:00 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
Kate Farrell, aged 22, whose home is at Starucca, Pennsylvania, has for a few weeks been visiting her sister, Mrs. Frazee, at Gaylord’s store, West Harpersfield. Kate was addicted to the morphine habit.
She obtained as a substitute some hydrate of chloral. Sunday afternoon she visited Agnes Ward of Oneonta, who is caring for her mother, not far from the Gaylord store. Not long after Kate left Agnes she was found down the bank by the roadside, nearly unconscious. She was taken to her sister’s, where she died in a few hours.
The coroner’s jury found that she came to her death from an overdose of chloral, taken in mistake.
The body was buried at Starucca on Tuesday.
July 1886
By: Staff
07/01/2021 4:53 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
A letter to the editor: Allow me to
add a little emphasis to what you say concerning the loafers who are frequenting the Susquehanna House corner. So disagreeable has their presence become that the ladies generally dread to pass the corner, and not infrequently go out of their way to avoid doing so. Aside from being made a target for the eyes of every loafer and for the tobacco juice from the mouths of a dozen rowdies it is not unusual, particularly if a lady is passing alone, for remarks to reach her ears which set every drop of blood in her veins tingling with indignation. In behalf of the ladies of the village I would respectfully ask our trustees if something cannot be done to put a stop to the nuisance.
Sig. A Lady Reader
July 1886
By: Staff
06/24/2021 1:30 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
100 Years Ago
The death of Harlow Lithbridge, son of Mrs. W.N. Millard, reported last week, from diphtheria, has been followed by the deaths from the same disease of Earnest M. Blend, nine-year-old child of Dr. G.W. Blend, which occurred on Saturday on Dietz Street, and of the wife of Dr. Blend, who died Wednesday evening and was, by order of the Board of Health, buried a few hours afterward. Another child of Dr. Blend is ill from diphtheria, with a prospect of recovery. These cases are the only ones reported to the Board of Health, despite rumors to the contrary. They are thought to be purely sporadic, and due solely to bad sanitary surroundings. The Board of Health has taken every possible precaution against a spread of the disease, and there appears to be no cause for further alarm, particularly if the rules and regulations of the board are properly observed.
June 1861
By: Staff
06/17/2021 1:00 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
100 Years Ago
The Sullivan bill making it a felony to carry concealed weapons has been signed by Governor Dix. Among the provisions is one putting restrictions upon dealers. Every person selling a pistol or revolver must keep a register in which shall be entered at the time of sale, the date of sale, name, age occupation and residence of every purchaser of a revolver, together with the caliber, make and manufacturer’s number of the weapon. The dealer shall also, before delivering a firearm, require each purchaser to produce a permit for carrying or possessing the same as required by law, and shall also enter in such register the number thereon, if any, and the name of the magistrate or other officer by whom the permit was issued.
June 1911
By: Staff
06/10/2021 1:00 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
The union temperance meeting at the Metropolitan theatre last Sunday evening was a decided success. Over 1,000 persons were present and from beginning to end manifested a deep interest in all the proceedings. Enthusiastic addresses were made by the pastors, Professor Bull and Dr. Morris. The object and aid of the Law and Order League was clearly set forth and the citizens urged to rally to its support. At the close of the addresses signers were called for and over 100 names secured. Since the meeting the pastors have conducted an active canvass and at the present time over 250 names have been secured to the continuation of the league. Scarcely a business or professional man has refused to become a member and several have voluntarily offered liberal financial support for the prosecution of the work of the league.
June 1886
By: Staff
06/03/2021 1:00 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
The board of trustees has effected a settlement with Harvey Baker whereby Mr. Baker releases the village from the contract made by the board of trustees of two years ago to grade Main Street from Grove Street to the railroad crossing, to give Mechanic Street a true grade from Main Street to the easterly limits of Mr. Baker’s property and to put a culvert in Mechanic Street, all in consideration of a vacant lot from Mr. Baker on which to erect a building for Wilber Hose Co. The board, as a compromise, agrees to drain the Baker ditch from Victor Street to Mechanic Street, to lay a culvert across Mechanic Street and to grade the Mechanic Street hill as soon as practicable. Mr. Baker withdraws all claims against the village, including that for $600 damages accruing from the time of the commencement of his action against the village to the rendering of judgment in his favor. Under this arrangement, the lot reverts to Mr. Baker, the hose building having been constructed elsewhere.
June 1886
By: Staff
05/27/2021 1:00 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
“What Are Boys Worth?” was the title of a lecture delivered by Rev. George W. Perry of Rutland, Vermont at the Universalist Church Tuesday evening. There was a good attendance and a goodly sprinkling of girls who were interested in the answer to the question. The average cost of a boy at 15 was figured by the lecturer to be about $1,500, aside from the toil, the care and the anxiety of bringing him up. The boys were given to understand that they are a far greater factor in society than they are generally given credit for being, and left the church at the close of the lecture invested with new ideas of their importance.
May 1886
By: Staff
05/20/2021 1:00 pm
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources
courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
Home & Vicinity – A few days since a hard-looking character came to Oneonta, claiming to be a bricklayer. He told an acquaintance that he had fled from Chicago during the recent trouble after hitting a policeman on the head with a club. His description tallied with that of one of the escaped anarchists, and as he professed to be a socialist, Officer Seeger telegraphed the fact of his presence here to the Chicago chief of police. Reply came that a photograph of the man wanted had been forwarded. A search for him revealed that he had suddenly left town. No one knows where to.
May 1886
