Out of the Past

125 Years Ago

June 15, 1882

A tramp called at Mr. P.J. Zent's house last Sunday, asked for something to eat, and was given a good dinner. On passing through the hall, he rewarded the hospitality by stealing Mr. Zent's hat. Mr. Zent thought going bare-headed a poor scheme, and therefore started a constable in pursuit. The tramp was caught and given sixty days in the County Workhouse.

A fish chowder was held at Mr. Silas Hoover's last Sunday afternoon.

Mr. Geo. Wittenbeck picked a stem of rye from his lot measuring six feet, three inches.

Mr. E.T. Crane of Batavia was in town last week tuning pianos.

Farmers are very busy now planting corn and potatoes. It is late, but with favorable weather, a crop may be reasonably expected.

"Every man is fond of striking the nail on the head; but when it happens to be his finger-nail, his enthusiasm becomes wild and incoherent."

"The man who didn't care two shakes of a lamb's tail about a newspaper rode thirteen miles through a fierce snow storm to get a copy of a weekly that spoke of him as a "prominent citizen."

100 Years Ago

June 13, 1907 Messrs. D. Duncan and Peter C. Chalmers, who have been traveling in the West for the past year, sailed from Duluth on Tuesday evening and are expected to arrive in Buffalo on Saturday noon.

Area deaths included Miss Katherine Secrist of Swormville.

75 Years Ago

June 16, 1932

A second disastrous fire occurred on Sheridan Drive Tuesday when the large barn on the farm of George P. Klein, opposite the Park Club, was completely destroyed. A splendid community spirit was shown by Dr. Fred Parmenter and his daughter, who live across the way. They brought hot coffee and sandwiches over for the firemen.

Several homes and business places were broken into during the past week. Mrs. Philip Rugg of 5658 Main St. reports that someone stole six window screens from her garage.

Raymond C. Vohwinkle and Samuel H. Hancock applied to the Village Board for a permit to build a one-story frame refreshment stand and bathhouse, to be located on the premises of the Buffalo Transit Company on Main Street.

New postal rates will go into effect on July 6. First class matter will be 3 cents per ounce.

Warren Dix Hopkins entered into rest on Friday, June 10, 1932. He was a grandson of Gen. Timothy S. Hopkins, first supervisor of the Town of Amherst. The deceased lived abroad quite a few years, and introduced the Gillette safety razor in Europe.

For Sale: "One 1927 Ford roadster and a good bicycle. Edward Jaehn, Paradise Road."

50 Years Ago

June 13, 1957

A cashier at Bells supermarket, Kensington Avenue near Main Street, had her purse robbed of $450 in cash last Saturday. The victim has the cash in her pocketbook under her cash register.

Miss Universe of 1956, Miss Carol Morris of Iowa, visited Hengerer's Amherst store on Wednesday.

Miss Alice Oliver of Monroe Drive, Williamsville, received her master's degree in guidance at the University of Buffalo on June 9. A member of the guidance department at Clarence High School , she has taught 12th grade English since joining the Clarence faculty in 1944.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Kelsch of Highland Drive reaffirmed their vows on Tuesday in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.

25 Years Ago

June 9, 1982

"It's like losing a home," said Mrs. Ruth E. Russell, principal of Harlem Road School. Both the Harlem and Eggert Road schools will be closed at the end of the school year because of decreased enrollment.

Edwina Lerner was recently honored as Sweet Home High's Most Valuable Swimmer by the Girls Athletic Association.

Janet Snyder has been named to the "Goodtime Players" entertainment ensemble at Darien Lake Theme Park.