Out of the Past

125 Years Ago

Oct. 19, 1882

Again it becomes our painful duty to chronicle the death of an old citizen, who has been an honored resident of our village for nearly two score years. On last Sunday evening, Mr. Lawrence Pond passed from this earth after a long illness.

Seventy acres of good farming land located on the Main Road two and one-half miles west of Williamsville is listed for sale. Includes house, barn, large orchard and other improvements to be sold at a bargain. Inquire of Paul Mauer, Snearley's Corners.

We saw a wild rabbit running along the roadside on Tuesday night.

Henry L. Reist and Miss Minnie C. Brock, both of this village, were married in Elma last Sunday.

Frank James, the outlaw, has surrendered himself to the governor of Missouri and says he wants to spend the remainder of his days in peace. Of course he does. He has robbed and murdered . . . and now the scamp wants to be let alone. Hard labor for the term of his natural life is the mildest punishment that should be given him.

Those wishing pure liquors for medicinal purposes should bear in mind that Mr. Chas. Person of 390 and 392 Elm Street, Buffalo, makes a specialty of this class of goods.

"When a scholar wrote, 'There is a happiness that makes the heart afraid,' he was probably thinking of one evening when he sat up late with his girlfriend and did not know what minute the old man might come thumping down stairs."

100 Years Ago

Oct. 17, 1907

The Rev. C.A. Woodworth, pastor of the Williamsville M.E. Church, has been transferred to the Kensington, Md. church. The Rev. J.F. Bennett of Pike, N.Y. has been assigned the pastorate of both the Williamsville and Bowmansville M.E. Churches.

Fire was discovered in the barn which stands behind the soldiers cemetery on the Creek Road, and because there is no water protection, the barn and its contents were soon destroyed.

75 Years Ago

Oct. 27, 1932

A thoroughbred registered saddle horse fell into the well at the home of its owner, Edward Durfee, on the Daigler Sand and Gravel Farm, last Saturday and was killed in the process of being rescued.

A reward of $25 is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone stealing planks leading to the village dumping grounds on Hopkins Road.

No one was tardy in Mrs. Saunders' sixth grade during the past six weeks.

Some 1,000 balled and burlapped evergreens will be offered for public auction sale at the hardware store of the Barney Miller Co. on Main Street

Now playing at the Granada Theatre, Buffalo: The 4 Marx Brothers in "Horse Feathers."

50 Years Ago

Oct. 17, 1957

Antagonism for the suggestion by the State Education Department that the Amherst Central High School District might combine with the Sweet Home Central School district has been voiced by officials of both districts.

More than 300 people were held captive by one of baseball's all-time greats last Thursday evening. "Marse" Joe McCarthy, one-time New York Yankee manager, was the guest speaker at the Amherst Little League's fourth annual banquet at the Lamm Post.

Now open: Williamsville's first motel, the Holiday Motel, 5801 Main Street. Bob and Eleanor Smith, proprietors. Phone PLaza 2140.

25 Years Ago

Oct. 13, 1982

Seven persons were injured early Saturday when one of two vehicles involved in a Millersport Highway collision near the Marriott Hotel veered off the road and into a 7-Eleven food store.

Gordon Gross has been named chairman of the Advance Gifts Dinner for the 1983 United Jewish Fund Campaign.

East Amherst native Albert G. Witnauer died Oct. 10, 1982. Born on the family homestead on Paradise Road, he worked as a bartender and waiter at several restaurants, including Muegel's Inn, now site of the Transit fire hall.