100 Years Ago

In 1909, arguments were heard by the court of appeals on the question of whether oral betting on the race tracks constituted a violation of the anti-racetrack gambling laws. The case was on appeal from the appellate division which ordered the discharge of two men indicted for such violation.

For the sixth time in as many years, Edgar J. Cole entertained a company of Jamestown Masonic friends at his farm at Forestville. A party of 66 men accepted his invitation. A ball game, cards and quoit pitching constituted the amusements of the day. A luncheon was served on the lawn and each member of the party was presented a 20 pound basket of grapes. On behalf of the company, H. R. Lewis presented Mr. and Mrs. Cole with two elegant leather chairs.

25 Years Ago

In 1984, about 150 people were on hand at Youngsville High School for the opening of the cornerstone box from the Dr. J. F. White Memorial Building. The cornerstone box was sealed Oct. 10, 1904, exactly 80 years before it was opened. Last year the White building was torn down for construction of a new high school and the cornerstone was removed. The box, approximately 6-by-9 inches was made of copper and had a lead lining. Found inside were pictures and short biographies of Dr. J. F. White, Franklin Hemingway and others connected with the White building.

A nearly century-old department store in Jamestown had established a new direction under the supervision of its recently named president Marian E. Olson, who had headed its activities since mid-June. The Bigelow's Department Store building had undergone an extensive interior facelift, along with numerous changes and additions in its various departments. Mrs. Olson said the store had taken on "a whole new sparkle," and strongly positive attitude toward the customer had been developed.

10 Years Ago

In 1999, the first-place prize in the pneumatic cannon division at the Pumpkin Hurling Festival in Busti went to a Delaware competitor who set the world record for a female launcher. Wayne and Brenda Sennett of Ellendale, Del. sent a pumpkin 3,147 feet with their cannon, "Poor and Hungry." Brenda Sennett shot the cannon, making her the new female world-record holder. She became the first woman to fire a pumpkin more than 1,000 feet. "I get really excited seeing 'em go," said Wayne Sennett, who competed in Busti for the second consecutive year. "It's clean family fun," Brenda Sennett said.

It was a dream come true when 9-year-old Paige Gustafson met her mentor, Mary Ramsey, violinist and lead vocalist for the internationally famous musical group, 10,000 Maniacs. Paige met Ms. Ramsey in concert before, long enough to be inspired to play the violin. Now in her second year of violin lessons, Paige was invited to a "Maniacs" private rehearsal at the Reg Lenna Civic Center. Paige was known locally for inspiring her classmates and friends in her community to send letters, clothing and games to soldiers and refugees suffering in Yugoslavia, during the war earlier in the year. Her father, Army Sgt. Danny Gustafson, was stationed in Bosnia as a NATO peacekeeper. She dedicated her violin concert to the cause, "because music might make people stop fighting."