Out of the Past

125 Years Ago

July 6, 1882

Tuesday morning the sky looked dark and dubious and, in fact, retained that look all day. Notwithstanding this, however, hundreds of picnickers wended their way to the grove and the majority stayed until the gathering darkness compelled a cessation of amusements. The A.O.U.W. picnic was described as a grand success, a credit to all participating. (Editor's note: the Ancient Order of United Workmen was founded in 1868.)

Harvey J. Hurd has been appointed engineer on the staff of Brig. Gen. John C. Graves with the rank of major.

A road bee was held on the New Home Road last week Tuesday. Refreshments were plenty and work thoroughly done. It would not be out of place to say that there is not a finer road in the town.

At J.D. Spayth's harness shop can be found lap-dusters, horse sheets and fly nets of all kinds, at the lowest possible prices.

The Eagle House advertises transient board, $1 per day.

The weather for the past nine days has been all that could be desired. All farm crops appear to be doing splendidly. The fruit prospect looks slim.

"A city girl ran to her mother alongside a country road with some early spring blossoms in her hands. She exclaimed, 'Oh mama, how nice it is to live where somebody doesn't own everything.'"

"A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep its eyes on the spot where the crack was."

100 Years Ago

July 4, 1907

Mr. Albert Demert was painfully injured when he was thrown from a rig into a barbed-wire fence when his horse went into a ditch.

George O'Leary had his left leg injured when he was struck by the trolley on Main Street near the city line.

75 Years Ago

July 7, 1932

The Town Board declared it has no jurisdiction to stop Sunday dancing, following a protest registered by Charles A. Drefts Jr. and others regarding the annoyance suffered because of activity at Grover Cleveland Park. It is claimed that the dance hall, which is rented by the city to individuals, has violated the midnight closing ordinance and also that it is disgraceful as to the number of young people who are congregated there long after midnight.

A delicious hot beef dinner at only 50 cents per plate will be featured at the annual picnic of the Snyder Hose Company next Saturday, July 9 at the company's grove adjacent to the hall.

John W. Henry of LeBrun Road was the only Amherst resident who attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last week.

Don't forget the big picnic at St. Mary's grove, next week Wednesday. A chicken dinner will be served as usual.

50 Years Ago

July 4, 1957

Sometime between 12 noon and 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 12, the Civil Defense air raid sirens will wail their "take cover" signal throughout Buffalo and Erie County. Thirteen minutes later, they will sound the "alert" signal, meaning all is clear. For those thirteen minutes, there should be no activity in the streets of the cities, towns and villages of Erie County. Just be grateful that it is only a test and take part in it, willingly and cheerfully.

Ronald H. McLernon has been appointed chief engineer of the Town of Amherst at an annual salary of $9,339.75.

Edward W. Suor, a heating and air conditioning contractor of Snyder, died at his home on June 30, 1957. He was a graduate of the Nichols School and Cornell University.

25 Years Ago

June 30, 1982

Rep. Jack Kemp hosted representatives of Western New York weekly newspapers at an informal luncheon yesterday at the Statler Hotel, touching on issues from education to foreign policy.

Michael F. Ellis Jr. and Margaret S. Mugel were honored last week by the Williamsville School Board for their years of service to the district.

Western New York's dean of bird and hunting dog breeders lives right here in Amherst. He is S. Wesley Palmer, who will be 85 later this month.