Out of the Past

125 Years Ago

Feb. 9, 1882

During the past week, the Rough and Ready Fire Co. of this village presented Mrs. Mittie Hartman with $25 as a token of esteem for her late husband, Henry, who was a member of the company.

Mr. Henry Moll, aged seventy-four years, died Monday, Feb. 6, 1882, at his late residence on Bear Street, after a long illness of consumption.

We were shown a loaf of bread baked by Mrs. John Keller, of Clarence Center, in a two and one-half inch pan, that rose nine inches without breaking or cracking. It was made from Dodge's Favorite Roller Flour.

Some enterprising people on the Canadian side at Niagara Falls are persisting in their efforts to organize a World's Fair for 1883. New York and Boston having failed in the undertaking, it would be interesting to see if this village, which may almost be called a suburb of Buffalo, succeeds.

"'Money is active,' read the man in a newspaper. 'That's so,' he agreed. 'It's active enough to keep out of my reach.'"

100 Years Ago

Feb. 7, 1907

John Wooster has sold to Christian Bondley the cottage and lot on Mill Street, which was part of the Dodge property.

John Pope has purchased the Charles Ernst Sr. home at the corner of Eagle and Orchard Streets.

75 Years Ago

Feb. 11, 1932

About 600 acres of land in Amherst, now worthless because of its swampy condition, is to be reclaimed and made tillable, productive soil. This acreage has been known for years as "the swamp" and is located on the Hopkins Road. (Editor's note: This is believed to be the current site of Margaret Louise Park.)

The motorcycle of Officer Franklin Roof of the Amherst police force was completely destroyed by fire in Snyder on Tuesday evening about 10 o'clock. A backfire from the motor was the cause.

The annual father and son banquet of the Methodist Episcopal Church was held on February 2. The evening of fellowship was brought to a close by the showing of beautiful hand-colored slides of Yellowstone National Park and a reel of moving pictures of northern Canada.

In the termination of the life of John Pope of Williamsville, the community recognizes that a man of high integrity and fine character has been removed. He died at his home Feb. 7, 1932.

Notice: "Will the young lady who boarded the Greyhound Line coach at Williamsville about 10:15 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 29th, to go to Rochester to attend a wedding ceremony, mail her name and address to the gentleman who occupied a seat with her in the first row. Would very much like to communicate with her. P.O. Box 791, Watkins Glen, N. Y."

50 Years Ago

Feb. 7, 1957

Commander William N. Weber of the Lamm Post announced that it will undertake sponsorship of a baseball league in town for boys 16-18 years. Fenton F. Harrison was appointed chairman.

Ground breaking ceremonies for St. Stephen's Evangelical and Reformed Church will be held next Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock at Wehrle Drive and Churchcroft Lane.

An Eggertsville resident well-known in the food business, Antonio Gioia, 75, died Feb. 5, 1957. He was president of the Gioia Macaroni Co., which employs more than 200 workers in Buffalo.

25 Years Ago

Feb. 3, 1982

The revitalization of the 40-year-old University Plaza will be bolstered this week by the expected signing of two major lease agreements, expected to breathe life into the vacant Grants store.

William Grady of Williamsville has been elected president of the Western New York Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association.