Out of the Past

125 Years Ago

Dec. 14, 1882

Last Friday evening as John Ernst of Amherst and Wm. Smith of Lancaster were returning from a party at Buffalo Plains, they stopped at Mr. A. Krumholtz. While in his place a train came along, frightening the horse, causing the animal to break the strap and run away. He was brought up at the Eggertsville toll gate, where he got tangled in the blanket and was caught. The seat and an accordion belonging to Mr. Ernst were badly damaged.

The celebrated Tyler Brothers will give a grand vocal and instrumental concert at the Mansion House next Tuesday evening. We have had the pleasure of witnessing the Tyler Brothers in their pleasing specialties and therefore speak advisably in saying that they give a first-class entertainment in every respect.

Merchants will find printers ink an excellent oil to keep the hinges on their doors from rusting.

Mr. Gibson T. Williams has been elected president of the Erie County Savings Bank, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James Harrison.

Boys and girls who practice hanging on sleighs should be very careful that no accident happens. It is attractive but dangerous sport.

Dressed hogs are now finding a ready market from $8.00 to $8.50 cwt. (Editor's note: "cwt" was a unit of weight created in the late 1800s. A hundred weight is equal to 100 pounds.)

"A writer proclaimed that his works contained much 'food for thought.' A friend remarked, 'That may be so, but it is wretchedly cooked.'"

100 Years Ago

Dec. 12, 1907

The annual ball of the Williamsville Fire Company will be held at the Mansion House on Dec. 31. Supper will be served at 6 and is being prepared under the direction of host Ernest Zabel.

The Williamsville High faculty and school board members were entertained by the president of the board and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Long.

75 Years Ago

Dec. 15, 1932

It's less than two weeks until the Merry Christmas time. But that word "merry" will have a pretty hollow sound to a large number of Amherst families unless those who have beyond their needs will share. Around 350 baskets with contents to insure food for the holidays will be needed for distribution in Amherst.

Mr. and Mrs. Chester B. Winn, 129 Berryman Drive, entertained Mr. C.H. Davies of Philadelphia, who has just returned from Europe.

Daniel Hammer Stoll died Sunday, December 11, 1932, at the beautiful home he had created on Sheridan Drive along the banks of Ellicott Creek. Seventeen years ago, he came to Williamsville and the former Hobeil farm was converted into a beautiful country estate.

Local interest attaches to the State Teachers College basketball team since Hubert Coyer, living at 131 Hirschfield Drive, is the new coach.

Classified ad: "E. Durfus' horseshoeing truck on wheels goes anywhere, anytime to do your shoeing. Expert work. Box 301, Williamsville."

50 Years Ago

Dec. 12, 1957

Amherst will soon lose the valuable services of a woman who has a vast and comprehensive knowledge of the phenomenal growth of the town in the post-war years. That woman is Florence S. Britting, who is retiring on January 1 as clerk to the Board of Assessors after 26 years.

A flash fire swept through the DeBolt Model Engineering plant at the rear of 5416 Main St. last Saturday afternoon, resulting in about $32,000 damage. The smoke was so thick that Williamsville firemen had to wear gas masks to enter the building.

25 Years Ago

Dec. 8, 1982

The Amherst Museum's Williamsburg Celebration has been expanded to two evenings and features hot, cold and dessert items this year.

Raymond Federman has published "The Twofold Vibration," a novel set on New Year's Eve 1999. The novel mirrors Federman's experiences as a character in the book is like one of the Jews who were deported to concentration camps during the Holocaust. Federman's family was killed at Auschwitz.