HISTORY COLUMN
By Tom Heitz |
35 Years Ago – March 1972 Charles H. Morse, a 66-year-old Herkimer man, was killed in a collision between his snowmobile and a car on Route 20, near Harry’s restaurant Saturday afternoon. Morse was pronounced dead at the scene after his snowmobile started to cross Route 28 from west to east directly in the path of a northbound car driven by George Wafful, 57, of Richfield Springs. The victim was killed instantly. No charges were lodged against the motorist. Kathy Hornacek won first place honors in the Richfield Springs Lions Club Winter Fun Snow Sculpture contest with her “Alligator.” Second-place went to Pat Smith and Patty Kurkowski for a “turtle.” Debbie West also sculpted a “turtle,” for third place. 40 Years Ago – March 1967 Mrs. Rosalia Nagy of East Springfield is 100 years old. A birthday card from President Lyndon B. Johnson was a highlight of her celebration. It read: “My sincerest congratulations upon your birthday. May good health be yours through many more happy years.” Mrs. Nagy, a native of Transylvania, now a province of Roumania, lives with her daughter, Mrs. Frank Nagy.
Mrs. Pearl H. Bennett of Cedarville, died in Bassett Hospital late Friday night from injuries sustained when she was struck by a car just east of the Main and Lake Street four corners in the village of Richfield Springs. Her sister, Fleda Woodard, 69, who was crossing the highway, walking diagonally with Miss Bennett, remains in critical condition at the hospital. Both women were thrown some distance from the impact of a car driven by Robert Scripa of Camillus.
50 Years Ago – March 1957 More than 300 students participated in the Polio Vaccination Clinic held March 6, 1957 by Dr. Wendell L. Bryce in the Richfield Springs Central School. Dr. Bryce was assisted by Mrs. Herman Pratt, school nurse-teacher, Mrs. Robert Hosford, R.N., Mrs. Myron Jordan, Miss Sally Pfeifer, and Miss Joan Kingsbury. Teenagers in Richfield Springs are not protected 100 percent against polio for this coming season because only 72 percent have taken advantage of the polio vaccination program.
60 Years Ago – March 1947 Classified Advertisements – Wanted – Secretary. Must have knowledge of stenography and bookkeeping. Pleasant surroundings. Half-day Saturday. $25 weekly to start. Write or phone W.L. Goldrich, attorney. Phone 77. Wanted – Will the person who borrowed the chain falls from Harry Smith’s Garage return them at once as they are badly needed. Wanted – $2 for dead horses and cows if called same day they die; $3 to $5 for old, live or disabled horses of a size. Reverse phone calls to Sherburne rendering works, Sherburne, NY. Wanted – Two short-order cooks, three waitresses for six 8-hour days. Richfield Diner. Wanted – Married man to work on farm. Joe Kozak, Richfield Springs. Phone 31.
75 Years Ago – March 1932 The members of the Richfield Springs boys’ basketball squad were the guests of the Exchange Club of Richfield Springs at the club’s regular dinner meeting at the Park Inn last Thursday night. The following players received letters for 1930-31: Henry Abramski, Kenneth Darling, George Durisek, George Goodale, Lewis Horan, Paul Johnstick, and Russell Van Valkenburg. The following received letters for 1931-1932: Henry Abramski, Kenneth Darling, Lewis Horan, and Paul Johnstick. Justin Johnson was awarded the manager’s letter.
100 Years Ago – March 1907 During the present dry time the farm of Wallace Starr has been a public meeting place for passing teams and many of his neighbors have been drawing water from a tub in his yard to supply their stock, there being an unlimited supply furnished by a spring near the barn which runs an inch stream the year around without any danger of giving out or freezing up.
On Saturday evening this week there will be two games of basket ball in the Elk Opera House. The preliminary game will be between the “Star Five” of this village and the West Winfield Germans. The big game, and it will be a hot one, will be between the “All Richfields” and the Y.M.C.A. team of Rome. A St. Patrick’s dance with music by Merrill’s Orchestra will follow the games.
Resources for this column have been provided courtesy of the New York State Historical Association Library.
|
|