100 Years Ago
In 1912, the Westfield Hotel, owned and operated by D.D. Arnold, was visited the previous day by three men representing the state excise department. John Lynch and Timothy Driscoll of Buffalo were two of the party and they seized 31 bottles said to contain beer and a gallon jug said to contain whiskey. Westfield had been without a license with the exceptions of the drug stores for a number of years and these men were sent there by the state to make an inspection upon a complaint received by them from citizens of the village. It was expected that other seizures would be made shortly.
One of the treats of the Chautauqua season was the opportunity to see and to hear the Baroness von Suttner speak on international peace. Baroness von Suttner was an Austrian but her command of the English language was wonderful and she showed her greatness while addressing a large audience in the amphitheater by speaking slowly and very distinctly - two virtues which American-born citizens do not always observe. When Nobel sought to terminate war it was Baroness von Suttner who suggested that a prize should be offered to those whose works contributed during a stated period most potently towards securing peace or in the education of the people towards that end.
75 Years Ago
In 1937, the Willing Workers Society of Busti Central gathered at the home of Miss Mary Mead with 25 present to celebrate her 90th birthday. Miss Mead was a charter member of the society which had been formed 42 years ago. She resided at the old Ira Mead homestead, where she had always lived. Her niece, Miss Vesta Mead, and her nephew, William Mead, were caretakers of the farm. Miss Mead was in excellent health for one so advanced in years. Her hearing was good and she possessed a keen mind. At times her eyesight was somewhat impaired. She enjoyed radio and kept abreast of the times. Miss Mead received numerous cards, letters, gifts, flowers and three large birthday cakes.
After two searchers for Washington Tarr, 63-year-old Cherry Tree Township, Pa., farmer, encountered and killed two four-foot rattlesnakes in the wooded area near where he disappeared a week previously, belief grew that the aged man had been attacked by a snake or had possibly fallen into one of the shallow, vine-covered pits which dotted the lonely territory. Belief prevailed that Tarr was dead. A reward of $500 had been offered for his return home or the finding of his body. A rumor that he was seen north of Titusville was discounted when description of the clothing failed to tally with that Tarr wore when he left the home of his daughter, Mrs. E.S. Rogers.
50 Years Ago
In 1962, the Federal Aviation Agency had allocated $10,000 to Jamestown for acquisition of land to enlarge the approach area of the northwest-southwest landing strip at the Jamestown airport, known as the factory runway. Formal announcement of the allocation was expected to be made the following day by the FAA. The fund was part of a $74,283,719 appropriation by the FAA in fiscal 1963 for port improvements throughout the nation under its airport aid program.
Col. Ralph Allen Jones Jr., 48, former Jamestown man and member of a distinguished military family, died suddenly of a heart attack in Naples, Italy. He was en route to Ankara, Turkey, as military attache. He was the brother of Falconer Jones of Bemus Point. Col. Jones, a West Point graduate, with a brilliant military career the past two decades, came from a distinguished Jamestown family with strong military traditions. He was the son of the late Col. Ralph Allen Jones, also a West Point graduate.
25 Years Ago
In 1987, Chautauqua County had apparently made an impact on some Japanese businessmen. Eight such businessmen from a firm included in a 12-company delegation to Chautauqua County in May would be in the county Aug. 11-14 to discuss business matters with at least three companies.
The 4-H meat animal sale at the Chautauqua County Fair broke all sales records the previous day. Ken Balling, Cooperative Extension agent, said the total sale was in excess of $104,000, breaking the record of $98,000 set in 1985. "The support was super and I can't thank the bidders and supporters enough," Balling said.