Out of the Past

125 Years Ago

Sept. 28, 1882

On Tuesday morning about nine o'clock, the dreaded sound of "fire" echoed through our village, and immediately all was excitement. It was soon ascertained that the location was at David N. Long's Williamsville Nursery, and firemen and citizens alike headed with the engine to that point. A nursery team sent by Mr. Long met the boys and helped draw the engine to the fire. It was useless to attempt to save the barn or stacks and all energy was directed to saving Mr. Long's house and other out buildings.

Mrs. Sidney Parker's new home on Mill Street is nearly completed.

Like Alexander of old, the potato bug sittith upon the fence and weepeth, as there are no new fields to conquer.

An interviewer in New York City recently elicited the fact that in the corps of teachers in the public schools, thirty resignations of lady teachers were received during the summer vacation, caused by their marriage. Cupid does not slight the teachers, we are glad to note.

"An Arkansas girl refused to marry her beau unless he performed some heroic deed. So, he eloped with her mother."

"A Texas man started in the livery stable business, and the first thing he did was have a large sign painted representing himself holding a mule by the bridle. 'Is this a good likeness of me?' he asked friend. 'It's a perfect picture of you, but who is that fellow holding you by the nose?'"

100 Years Ago

Sept. 26, 1907

A serious auto accident occurred in Swormville on Sept. 22. A young man rode his bicycle directly in front of a car and the chauffeur swerved the machine, ending up in the ditch. The bicyclist, Joseph Hipner, broke his right arm.

Work is progressing on Main Street from the City Line and Williamsville, and it is expected by the end of another week (that) the work of laying the tarvia will be completed. Property adjoining the road will advance in value if the dust nuisance is abated.

Rally Day will be observed at the Christian Sunday School, with a button given to each member who attends.

75 Years Ago

Sept. 29, 1932

Dedication of the splendid new home of George F. Lamm Post No. 622, American Legion, will be extended over four days, from Oct. 27-30.

All boys between the ages of 14 and 17 of good character and upstanding principles are invited to report to the Snyder Fire Hall next Monday evening. It is proposed to start an organization of torch boys within the fire district.

Mr. and Mrs. Gottfried Krueger celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home, 20 Callodine Avenue, on Sunday afternoon.

Next Sunday, October 2, will be observed as Rally Day in the local Christian Church.

50 Years Ago

Sept. 26, 1957

Detective John Walsh of the Amherst Police Department had the honor of being the first recipient of the Amherst Bee's "Officer of the Year" award last Friday at the Glen Park Casino.

The pews of SS. Peter and Paul Church were marked with white ribbon and flowers for the double-ring marriage ceremony of Carol Lee Henning and William R. Grady on Sept. 14, 1957.

Mr. and Mrs. Sibby Sisti and their four children have returned home from Austin, Texas, where Mr. Sisti was the player-manager of that city's team in the Texas League. The Sistis are now keeping their fingers crossed for the Milwaukee Braves, the parent club of the Austin team. Should they win the flag in the National League, Mr. and Mrs. Sisti will attend the World Series games in Milwaukee. (Editor's note: Milwaukee defeated the New York Yankees in seven games to win the 1957 title.)

25 Years Ago

Sept. 22, 1982

Officer Marc Gravelle will receive the Amherst Bee "Officer of the Year" award on Friday, Oct. 1 at Samuel's Grande Manor.

Copies of last Sunday's final edition of the Courier Express were as scarce as hen's teeth last Sunday. "Too bad they were not so much in demand when they were in business," said a clerk at the Tech Village Pharmacy in Williamsville.