Out of the Past

125 Years Ago

May 4, 1882

Gustavus J. Mueller, after a four-week illness, quietly and peacefully went to rest Thursday evening, April 27, 1882. He was 22 years and 23 days of age. He was a beloved member of the Rough and Ready Fire Company and the Royal Templars of Temperance.

Last week, Mr. Charles Ernst sold a 1,430-pound cow for $74.00.

Two young men from the Village went fishing last Sunday and were drawn into the water, either by the strength of hard cider or some other disturbing influence.

This is the season of the year for setting out young trees. Parties wishing to buy either ornamental or fruit trees will do well to give Mr. David Long a call at the Williamsville Nurseries.

"At a town meeting, a taxpayer arose to protest against building a new schoolhouse in a certain part of town. 'What's the good of it?' he asked. 'They are an ignorant set down there anyway.'"

100 Years Ago

May 2, 1907

The Buffalo & Williamsville trolley line may become part of the electric railroad which the newly-incorporated Buffalo, Rochester & Eastern proposed to build from Troy to Buffalo.

75 Years Ago

May 5, 1932

The men of the Methodist Episcopal Church are making elaborate preparations for the annual Mother and Daughter banquet, which will be served at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12 in Wesley Hall.

The annual good roads meeting to consider the northern portion of the town will be held at the Getzville fire hall on Monday, May 9, opening at 2:30 p.m.

Lawrence Kramer, a member of one of the oldest families in Amherst, passed away Thursday, April 28, 1932, at the age of 35 years. He was attacked nine days ago with acute appendicitis and was removed to a Buffalo hospital, where death occurred.

The Blocher Home family enjoyed fully the entertainment arranged for them by Mrs. Charles P. Rogers one evening last week. There were splendid numbers by M.J. Lovejoy, vocal soloist, with his son, Addison Lovejoy, as accompanist, Arthur Cobb Jr., who performed with the chimes, and Prof. Oliver Loud, who sang.

Dr. Rockwell, president of the State Teachers College, visited Williamsville High School for the first time on Monday.

Williamsville High School opened its baseball season last Friday afternoon by crushing Clarence under a 13 to 2 score. The boys in blue were aided by six miscues on the part of the Clarence lads.

50 Years Ago

May 2, 1957

The severe injury of a seven-year-old boy last Sunday afternoon as he attempted to cross Main Street near Garrison Road again emphasizes the need for more traffic signals in the Village of Williamsville. Some time ago, the state investigated the need for signals at Mill and Main and Los Robles and Main and determined traffic did not warrant installation of signals there.

A momentous change will soon take place in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Rathgelber of Williamsville. Mr. Rathgelber, better known as "Gene the Taylor" has sold his shop at 5687 Main St. and the couple will move to Clearwater, Fla.

25 Years Ago

April 28, 1982

"Twenty years - looking ahead" will be the theme of the 20th anniversary of the Amherst Senior Citizens Center.

Amherst Councilman Harold J. Collier, turned down last week for appointment to the County's Environmental Management Council, yesterday described the action as a "Democratic knife in the back."

George Klein and Regina B. Keaton, members of SS. Peter and Paul Church, will receive the lay award of St. Joseph the Worker this Saturday.