Out of the Past

125 Years Ago

March 22, 1883

A meeting of soldiers of the late war will be held at the Eagle House this week Saturday, to take further action in forming a Grand Army of the Republic post to have its headquarters in the village. All former soldiers are invited.

Abraham Frick Sr. departed this life on Saturday, the 15th, at his residence at Eggertsville after an illness of about four weeks, of apoplexy. He was one of the oldest inhabitants of this town, having lived 80 years, 3 months and 11 days.

Owing to the heavy fall of snow Sunday and Monday, there has been fine sledding the past two days.

The Teachers Association, which met at Clarence last Friday evening and Saturday, was one of the most interesting ever attended in the First Commissioners District of Erie County. The meeting began with the singing of "Give God the Glory." Commissioner Lentz called the meeting to order and Prof. Morris was elected president. Each gentleman will pay twenty-five cents for membership; ladies shall be considered members without payment.

"Why is a dealer in fish a very prudent merchant? Because he buys and sells c.o.d."

"A man declared that his wife is the most thrifty woman he ever knew. 'She has made ten patchwork quilts during the past two years - made them herself out of the samples she collected on her shopping tours.'"

100 Years Ago

March 19, 1908

Mrs. Joseph Bellgard experienced a daring holdup while on return to her home on Mill Street at 11 p.m. A fellow wearing a mask dashed across the street toward her. Realizing his intention, she took a pail she was carrying and beat the man on his head. When the man still persisted, Mrs. Bellgard took out her hat pin and threatened to pierce him. The thief ran away.

75 Years Ago

March 23, 1933

Present officers of the Village were again chosen at the annual election in Williamsville held Tuesday. Elected were Harry M. Abel, mayor; Russell L. Hoffman and W.H. Knowles, trustees; and Alvin Ouchie, police justice.

Simon Spoth, well-known resident of Swormville, has been selected as the new president of the Amherst & Clarence Cooperative Insurance Association.

Two residents elected to membership in the Williamsville Rotary Club Monday evening were Arthur E. Landel, proprietor of the A.E. Landel Dairy, and Harry J. Green, rural free delivery carrier.

Spry 86-year-old Joseph Fiegl marked his birthday on March 21. He is one of two surviving Civil War veterans in Amherst.

50 Years Ago

March 20, 1958

Less than seven hours after a hit-run driver struck and severely injured an Amherst man about 3:40 o'clock Wednesday morning, the Amherst Police have the culprit in custody.

Television is changing American children from "irresistible forces" to "immovable objects," according to Caryl G. Hedden, assistant principal of the Smallwood Drive Elementary School.

This is a momentous year in the annals of the North Bailey Fire Company, as 1958 represents the 20th anniversary of its founding.

New Brunswick automatic pin spotters have been installed on all 12 lanes at the South of the Boarder bowling alley, Transit at Millersport.

25 Years Ago

March 16, 1983

Connie Murray and Lawrence Brenton were elected to the Williamsville Village Board Tuesday. Edward A. Rath Jr. was elected village justice.

Mary Blessing, a first-grade teacher at Forest Elementary School, and Camille Afshani, a longtime volunteer with the Williamsville Central School District, will be honored Monday by the American Education Association.

Dr. Bernard Eisenberg of Amherst has been named Pediatrician of the Year by the Buffalo Pediatric Society.