Out of the Past

125 Years Ago

Aug. 17, 1882

The building of the bridge over Ellicott Creek is a feast for the man with nothing to do. He sits all day, except at meal time, watching the men drilling, blasting and carting out stone.

The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church of Eggertsville will give one of their grand picnics on Wednesday, August 30 in Jacob Wolf's grove, Getzville. Good music will be in attendance and refreshments of all kinds will be furnished on the grounds. Dancing and other amusements will be provided.

The baseball game of Saturday was a fizzle because of the drizzle.

The Home Journal of New York, which in 1879 adopted the reformed method of spelling, publishes a supplement, in which are seven solid columns of endorsement from the very best scholars of the country. The changes adopted include the following: "Drop the final e in such words as definite and favorite where the preceding vowel is short. Thus spell as opposit, hypocrit, etc. Change pf for f in words like phantom, telegraph and phase. Thus spell alfebet, fonetic, fotograf, etc."

"'How does that strike you,' as the lightning said to the barn."

"In charity it may be better to give than to receive; but in kissing it is about equal."

"'How strange,' said the fond wife. 'Every time Peter comes home from his lodge, he comes to bed with his hat on. I suppose it is some more of those Masonic doings.'"

100 Years Ago

Aug. 15, 1907

Because of the extremely dry season, Williamsville water users are requested not to allow any water to go to waste. Sprinkling has been banned after 8 p.m.

Miss Esther E. Witmer was elected president of the Auld Lang Syne Study Club, with Mrs. Elmer A. Pardee as vice president.

75 Years Ago

Aug. 18, 1932

Continuing an unbroken record of long service as chairman of the board of education of the Williamsville High School District, Howard G. Britting was last Thursday selected for that office for the coming year at the reorganizational meeting of the board.

John B. Schoelles of Highland Drive was retired by the International Harvester Company on August 1, with pension. Mr. Schoelles has been with the company for 33 years.

A first-class shoe shine service is now available at John B. Donius' barber shop, 5503 Main St.

Bee commentary: "No town is able to hold its own, much less grow, without a newspaper. Businesses disappear, and store buildings are soon vacant. The businesses that once made the town prosperous go to make neighboring towns and cities larger. Home loyalty is lost. A town must have its home paper."

50 Years Ago

Aug. 15, 1957

Another change in the facade of Snyder will soon be made when a combination drug store and medical center is built at 4563 Main St. at the corner of Fruehauf. The drug store will be occupied by the Snyder Pharmacy, now located on the opposite side of the street.

Brief ceremonies Wednesday morning marked the groundbreaking for the new Sweet Home Junior-Senior High School at Sweet Home and Skinnerville roads.

The Blacksmith Shop at 5329 Main St., one of the area's most popular gift shops, has been sold to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth B. Dodds. (Editor's note: This is now the site of the DiCamillo Bakery.)

25 Years Ago

Aug. 11, 1982

The Adam, Meldrum and Anderson Co. (AM&A's) last week opened its 10th local store in the Northtown Plaza.

Mrs. Everett E. Snell, the former Bertha Secrist who was born in Swormville on Aug. 6, 1882, will be honored at a reception on Aug. 14 at the Eagle House in recognition of her 100th birthday.

A longtime Snyder barber is in Syracuse this week for the Empire State Games, but not as a competitor. Charlie Basile, who runs a haircutting shop at 5 Lincoln Road, is one of 10 referees selected for the boxing competition.