Miscellaneous News from Old Newspapers
Herkimer County, NY
2/15/09 From the Richfield Springs Mercury, March 19, 1896
Herkimer County.
The following notary publics have been appointed: Delos E. Swift, Paines Hollow; R. T. E. Van Horne, Van Hornesville; Israel I. Young, Millers Mills; O./C.(?) Thomas, West Winfield; C. Barrett, Old Forge; Geo. H. Kibbie, Stratford; J. B. Sadler, Inghams Mills; M. Rasbach, Eatonville; F. N. Petrie, Columbia; Byron Paine, Jordanville; W. W. Mosher, Middleville; W. W. Moon, Cold Brook; Jno. C. Bou_field, Northwood; S. F. Brayton, Poland; Will Brown, Cedarville; Jas. O. Carpenter, Grant; W. D. Goodwin, West Schuyler; Jas. N. Green, Fairfield; Frank Harvey, Center; Chauncey Houpt, Newville; Geo. R. Jencks, Gravesville; S. P. JOhnson, East Schuyler.
Some newsy late 19th century gossip mentions for Herkimer County from The Boonville Herald, an Oneida County NY newspaper. Spotted by Lisa Slaski!
From The Boonville Herald, Boonville, N.Y., Thursday, 29 Nov 1888
Middleville, Nov. 28 - No more crossing the bridge with teams until the new one is ready.
Examinations are being conducted at our public school this week.
Mrs. S. R. Ward of Richfield is visiting her daughter, Mrs. B. W. Franklin.
Dr. and Mrs. C. W. Hamlin attended the dedication services of the new cathedral in Albany last week.
The patrons of Perkins market will be sorry to learn that Frank is soon to dissolve partnership with his brother to accept a position in Little Falls.
Henry Ward and wife are spending a few days in Troy with their son, B. J. Ward, M. D.
Clinton Parry spent Sunday with his parents.
Preparations are being made extensively for the Catholic fair to be held here some time next month.
Mrs. Howard Hildreth is in Albany with her sister, Mrs. A. V. V. Raymond.
Jerry Meagher, who has been spending some time with his family in Cohoes, returned to Middleville Saturday to resume his work in the knitting mill.
Mrs. Newell Morey of Newport is the guest of Mrs. S. B. Hawkins.
George Law recently missed quite a number of bushels of oats from his barn they having been appropriated by some unknown person.
Miss Madge Payne of Cold Brook has been spending a few days in town with her sister, Mrs. Robinson.
One of the workmen on the bridge [illegible] with a serious accident Friday resulting in the loss of his thumb. A beam was being lowered when his thumb caught between the beam and a plank, crushing it off at the first joint.
A short time ago Pierce Law fell thro' his barn floor with a lighted lantern which overturned, lighting the hay. Mr. Law extinguished the fire with some difficulty. He escaped with a few bruises.
A week ago this evening Frank Rasbach of Shell's Bush was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Lasher of this place. A large company of relatives and friends gathered to witness the ceremony and to partake of the generous hospitality afforded. Rev. R. E. Sykes of Little Falls officiated. The bridal pair are spending some time in New York city. Who next?
Thanksgiving services will be held tomorrow morning in the Church of the Memorial at 10:30, and in the Universalist church at 7:30 in the evening.
Quarterly meeting services will be held in the M. E. church Sunday at the usual hour for service and the quarterly conference will meet next Saturday afternoon at two o'clock. Rev. Erasmus Jones of Utica is expected to speak both Saturday and Sunday.
From The Boonville Herald, Boonville, N.Y., Thursday, 27 Dec 1888
Middleville, Dec. 26 - Mrs. C. W. Hamlin and daughter have been spending a few days in Holland Patent.
The initial number of the Herkimer County Record appeared last week edited by George W. Nellis of Herkimer. It is an enterprising sheet and we wish it success.
Myra Burns from St. Agnes school, Albany, is spending her vacation with her parents.
Mrs. Ad. Dickins is very sick and at the present time lies in a critical condition.
May Burton, teacher in Little Falls is spending her holiday vacation with the family of A. W. Ford.
Service was held in the church of the Memorial Christmas morning.
Clinton Parry of Fort Plain is at home for the holidays.
The Christmas exercises in the M. E. church were highly entertaining and the presents varied and beautiful.
We are sorry to learn that our bridge, thought a beautiful structure, is not built according to contract, and we are likely to have further trouble before it is completed.
Prof. Marie Knibloe of Boston will give an entertainment in the school building to-morrow evening. A percentage of the proceeds will be given to the school. Admission 25 cents for adults and 15 cents for children. Miss Knibloe comes highly recommended.
From The Boonville Herald, Boonville, N.Y., Thursday, 3 Jan 1889
Middleville, Jan. 2 - The chicken pox is among us.
George Nellis of the Herkimer County Record was in town Saturday.
A special train ran for the Masonic dance in Newport Friday night.
The drum corps serenaded us New Year's eve.
The W. C. T. U. met yesterday at four o'clock at the home of Mrs. Libbie Miller.
The knitting mill operatives enjoyed a double holiday, working neitherMonday nor Tuesday of Christmas or New Year's week.
Wolcott Sheldon, son of Albert Sheldon is quite sick.
Members of the Episcopalian Sunday school enjoyed a Christmas supper Wednesday evening last.
Varney B. Hamlin, who is attending Trinity school in Tivoli, is spending his holiday vacation with us.
Garrett Smith of Syracuse, brother of Mrs. Clarence Farrington, called on friends in town last week. Miss Edith Churchill was the recipient of a fine Estey organ Christmas eve.
Mrs. John Currier and daughter Bessie of Mannsville, Jefferson county, are spending a few days with Mrs. Walker.
Homer Hinds and wife returned from their bridal trip Saturday. Their many friends are glad to welcome them home.
Rev. Mr. Haskell of Iowa is making a tremendous effort to organize an I. O. of G. T. lodge in this place. We trust he may succeed in enlisting the business men as well as others in the enterprise and that it may be productive of much good. The need is great.
The entertainment given in the school house by Miss Knibloe was listened to by a small audience with much pleasure. We regret that more did not brave the bad weather and roads for the sake of hearing her.
The Boonville Herald, Boonville, N.Y., Thursday, 6 Mar 1889
Brayton Corners, June 5 - Orrin Harkel and son and L. E. Waite have been doing carpenter work at Fairfield, but now are waiting for timber. Harkel and Waite will also build a large barn for Mr. Fenner of Fairfield.
John Carver, while coming home from church last Sunday, had the misfortune to tip over with his wife and daughter in the carriage. The horse ran away doing some damage to the buggy.
Mrs. Thomas Waite had the misfortune to fall while going to a neighbor's, dislocating her arm.
Vital records and newsy tidbits from one issue of the Herkimer Democrat. Marriages from this number are posted in Part 3 of our Marriage Notices files.
Herkimer Democrat
January 8, 1890
Frankfort
-- Miss Carrie Wilber is in the metropolis for a visit
-- A. C. Dingman is moving to Danube, his former home.
-- James Patterson of Coeymans, is in town for a few days.
-- Mrs. Geo. Russell has for a guest her cousin from Little Falls.
-- Mrs. Ed. Bosely has been entertaining Mrs. Tripp of Elmira.
-- Mr. James McCartney was in Madison on business last week.
-- Dr. Humphrey had for a guest, last week, Rev. L. D. White of Utica.
-- Mrs. James McCartney has been spending a week with her mother in Utica.
-- Mrs. Frank Demarest is entertaining her mother, Mrs. Wellington of Fonda.
-- Mr. and Mrs. Geo. T. Hoxie have been visiting Mrs. H's parents, at Lebanon.
-- Foreman Bennett was presented with a Lord's patent rocker on Christmas day.
-- Misses Ashley and Brennan of Oneida, have been visiting friends in town.
-- Mrs. Jacob Meil of New London, has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. L. C. Evenden.
-- Mr. and Mrs. Irving Richardson entertained Miss Maggie Myers, of Utica, recently.
-- Mrs. Leander Russell of New Haven, Conn. is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Lloyd.
-- Mrs. Kittie Watson is visiting relatives in Brooklyn, and friends in New York and Jersey City.
-- Mr. H. J. Travis' drawing class presented him with a very fine oak rocker a few days since.
-- Have you had "La Grippe?" "Wa'al yes, I reckon, and it has a grip on the majority of our citizens."
-- Mr. Wm. Deuel and family, have been entertaining Prof. Kingsley of Palatine Bridge, and Philip Sherman of Round Lake.
-- The week of prayer is being observed in our village, but with a population of 3,000 there are more vacant pews than there ought to be.
-- The ladies of the Universalist church will hold a social with Mrs. Hannibal Folts, on Litchfield street, this (Wednesday) afternoon and evening.
-- The entertainment at the Y.M.C.A. room, on New Year's night, was one of the finest ever given. Refreshments were served and everything was in first class order.
-- At the home of the bride, on Main street, last Thursday afternoon, the nuptial knot was tied, which bound together Mr. Arthur Givin and Miss Hattie Hyde. Rev. J. R. Shaw tied the knot. The happy pair are visiting relatives in Buffalo.
-- On New Year's eve, at the Episcopal church, occurred the marriage of Mr. Jabez Law and Miss Mary Buckley, both of our village. Rev. Mr. Cook performed the ceremony which made them happy. They have many friends who wish them a long happy life.
Herkimer Democrat
January 8, 1890
Little Falls
-- Miss May Carroll and Miss Nellie Tony, of Rome, are spending a few days with friends in this place.
-- Charles H. Clark has gone to Washington, to accept a clerkship in the House of Representatives.
-- Those seriously ill are Senator Titus Sheard, ex-Supervisor P. A. Staring, Thomas A. Kane and Dr. J. B. Ellis.
-- The members of the Little Falls Lodge of Elks entertained their friends New Year's day, from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M., at Elk Hall.
-- Thomas Murphy has purchased the saloon on Mary street formerly owned by George Stark, and will hereafter conduct the business.
-- Arabella Law, aged 11 years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Law died Thursday morning of diphtheria, and was buried Friday afternoon.
-- The total number of deaths in Little Falls during the year was 138, a decrease of 21 as compared with 1888. There were last year 171 births and 115 marriages.
-- John Fahey, Sr., a farmer, was severely kicked and stamped upon by a vicious horse, Wednesday last, and may not recover. His head and back were badly gashed.
-- "Uncle" John Feeter, the venerable and well known resident, fired off his ancient revolutionary musket New Year's morning, which has been his usual custom for the past fifty years.
-- There was never so much sickness in Little Falls as at the present time. It is estimated there are over 200 cases of "grip" in the village. Twenty-three employees at the tannery are unable to attend to their duties.
-- A barn belonging to A. Haight, on Gansevoort St., was destroyed by fire last Wednesday night. The building was occupied by Edwin Sizer, who lost about $50 worth of hay and other things. The fire is supposed to be of an incendiary origin.
-- Edwin Jones, collector of water taxes, went to the residence of N. C. Loucks, on William street, and levied on five chairs, which were in Mr. Loucks' parlors, for the non-payment of water tax. Mr. Loucks intends to contest the case.
The Utica Observer
Sat. 26 Jan 1901
page 5
Hotel Osgood.
Famous Ilion Hotel Badly Damaged by Fire
This Morning.
Ilion, Jan 28, (Special) - The most severe fire which has visited Ilion in several years broke out in Hotel Osgood, on the corner of Main and Otsego streets, at an early hour this morning. Night Officer Luly discovered the smoke issuing from a basement window and notified Proprietor J. M. Spencer. They made an examination and found fire in the furnace room. It appears to be of small proportion and the employee of the hotel made efforts to put it out. As the smoke from the interior increased the officer sent in an alarm, and the two fire companies responded. Numerous lines of hose were run out to the hydrants, and in a short time many streams were playing on the interior of the building, which was by that time a mass of flames. Mr. Spencer set the electric alarms ringing and went to each room to see that the guests and employees were aroused and taken to a place of safety. The flames ate their way to the upper floors, through the ceiling and hollow partitions. After an hour of heroic work the flames were checked and put out, but not before the two floors and basement were badly gutted.
It is not known positively how the fire started, but it is generally supposed that it started from the furnace pipes.
It is difficult to state the total loss, but it is generally estimated at over $10,000. The hotel block is a four-story brick structure with basement. On the first floor is the hotel offices, dining room, cafe and the Rasbach & Son grocery. In the basement is the Youngs barber shop, the Leahy branch laundry, C. J. Kelly's tailor shop and the hotel store rooms. The second, third and fourth floors are waiting rooms, bed rooms and apartments.
Rasbach & Son's grocery escaped serious loss, being in the west end of the building. The Youngs barber shop is a total loss.
The hotel was built in 1855 by the Remingtons, who owned and operated the immense Remington shops. The property was sold later to the late Josiah Osgood, and has been a part of the Osgood estate since. It is the largest and best known hotel in Ilion. The present proprietor, James M. Spencer, has run the hotel for several years. Lately he leased the hotel proper to a Brooklyn gentleman, but he never materialized.
So serious was the fire that it will be many weeks before the hotel can be opened to the public, and the lower part will all have to be torn out and built up new. Mr. Spencer is not sure as yet what will be done towards repairing.
Herkimer Democrat
22 Jul 1903
GRANT
Fred Wagner is the happy father of a bouncing boy. Mother and son are doing well.
Herkimer Democrat,
9 Sep 1903
CEDARVILLE
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Burt Slaughter, last week, a son.
EAST SCHUYLER
Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Johnson are rejoicing over the arrival of a new boy.
The Utica Observer
Jan 29, 1901
Fire Did $10,000 Damage.
Threatened Further Destruction - Contagious Diseases Wiped Out in Little Falls.
Little Falls, Jan. 29 (Special) - A fire in the business section of the city this morning created considerable excitement and ruined about $10,000 worth of property. It was about 12:30 this morning when J. R. Baker, proprietor of the restaurant in the basement of the block at the corner of Main and Ann streets, discovered smoke and flames coming down through the ceiling. He gave the alarm from box 13 and the department found the fruit and confectionery store owned by Joseph White on Main street a mass of flames. Chief Cooney sent in a second alarm when he arrived and the entire department was soon on the scene. Four streams were soon laid and throwing water on the flames, which had broken through the rear and were destroying the goods in O'Rourke & Hurley's storehouse, and by a skylight had communicated with the roof. Chief Cooney and his men worked for two hours and finally put out the blaze. As the building, which is owned by J. R. Baker, is an old one the flames penetrated all parts of the building and was concealed behind the plaster and laths. It was necessary to call the department out at 4:25, as the fire had broken out again. It was quickly extinguished. Joe White places his loss at $1,000 and has $700 insurance. His stock is a total loss and he is unable to explain the origin of the flames. He locked his store up about a half an hour before the fire was discovered. O'Rourke & Hurley's drug store is damaged several thousand dollars and Baker's restaurant suffered about $500 by water. The loss to the building will be about $2,000, and other occupants of the block suffered by smoke and water. Most of the damage is covered by insurance. Owing to a strong wind it looked at one time as if a bad conflagration would result.
At about 8:30 this morning the fire department was called to Arthur street, where a small blaze was started in John Murphy's house by an attempt to thaw out frozen water pipes, by a carpet and lighted lamp. The damage was slight.