Out of the Past

125 Years Ago

Nov. 2, 1882

Contractor Wendel stated the Main Street bridge probably would be completed by November 15. He decided that he should have the honor as the first to drive over the bridge. A week ago Saturday, about five o'clock, he got in his buggy and drove over, amid the applause of the workingmen.

Some hefty pumpkins have been raised in Amherst this past season, according to all reports. Adam Schworm Sr. is said to have raised a pumpkin so large that he could not get men enough to load it on a two-horse wagon, and therefore it had to be chopped up to get it to market.

The family of Alois Reger, grocer and restaurant keeper at the corner of Carlton and Rose streets, Buffalo, were fatally poisoned last Friday in a manner yet unexplained. At dinner, all of the family ate freely of potato pancakes, prepared in the usual fashion.

From the report of the Commissioners in Lunacy in Scotland, it appears that thirty-three in every 1,000 inmates in asylums in that country escape in the course of each year. More than half are brought back within twenty-four hours.

"A political delegate out west made a motion to have a bar set up in the conference room. He said he wanted to halt the numerous motions to adjourn."

"A little boy was sent to the shop for some eggs. Before reaching home he dropped them. His mother asked, 'Did you break any?' and he replied, 'No, but the shells came off some of them.'"

100 Years Ago

Oct. 31, 1907

At the special election, the motion to build the new combination village and fire hall won by 12 votes. The next step is to secure a site.

Mrs. F.L. Bucher of Getzville was seriously injured when a buggy in which she and Mrs. E.C. Bucher and Mrs. Kobel tipped over in a ditch.

75 Years Ago

Nov. 3, 1932

Village residents who are desirous of having ashes carted away once weekly and who are willing to pay 25 cents for such service are requested to notify Village Clerk Fred Schumacher. A resident has signified he will do this collecting as a private business.

Francis Ludwig has assumed ownership of the Snyder Garage located on Main Street just east of Harlem Road.

Saturday will be another gala night for dancers at the Mansion House when Johnnie Schachtel and his famous Ambassadors perform.

50 Years Ago

Oct. 31, 1957

A public hearing on the new Amherst town budget will be conducted by the Town Board at next Monday's meeting. Budget figures cannot be raised, but they can be cut.

If you have ever wanted to visit 15 countries at one time, you will be able to accomplish just that by attending the International Fall Fiesta at Calvary Episcopal Church next Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Thrifty motorists are flocking to Basil's Self-Service Esso Center, where by serving themselves, they save up to 5 cents per gallon. Basil's offers regular-priced 31.9 cents per gallon gas at 26.9 cents, tax included. The Center is at 4515 Genesee Street, opposite the Westinghouse Plant.

Mayor Howard Tatu proclaimed Oct. 27 through Nov. 3 as National Catholic Youth Week in Williamsville.

Robert J. (Bibbs) Fischer of Los Robles Street has enlisted in the Army and left for Fort Dix, N.J. on Saturday, Oct. 12.

25 Years Ago

Oct. 27, 1982

Without much fanfare, the time capsule in the Main Street bridge over Ellicott Creek was opened Saturday. The lead box was imbedded in a stone marked, "Erected 1882", carved by the father of Miss Kathleen Deazley of Orchard Place.

The Amherst Youth Board and its advisory board will soon present a plan to the Town Board for taking over operation of the town's youth programs from the YMCA, which has administered it for the last eight years.

Dr. Russell Massaro has been elected the first president of the New York State Office of Mental Health's Medical Staff Presidents Organization.