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1973: Walkerbilt Files for Chapter 11 The Chronicle-Express: Consolidation, January 1, 1926, of the Yates County Chronicle (1824) and the Penn Yan Express (1866); the Rushville Chronicle (1905) and the Gorham New Age (1902) The Yates County History Center’s volunteers have gleaned these entries for your enjoyment from their digitized newspapers. You can access them at the free site www.nyshistoricnewspapers. com. For more information about the YCHC, visit www. yatespast.org. 150 Years Ago January 16, 1873 Close Call - On Tuesday, between the hours of 12 noon and 1 p.m. the Cabinet Works and Grape Box Manufactury of the Hopkins Bros., took fire, and but for timely discovery, it would have destroyed the entire building. The fire originated in the engine room. They were drying lumber for the manufacture of Grape Boxes, which became heated sufficiently to ignite. In the forenoon the smokestack of the engine took fire, heating the light stuff too rapidly, and probably this was the cause of the fire. The damage was comparatively small to the building and stock; probably $100 will cover their loss. No insurance. Both the engine companies were promptly on hand ready for service but were not needed. Trains Derailed - There was a railway accident north of Gorham Station last Saturday, by which a southward bound train was thrown from the track and delayed a few hours. Nobody was hurt. On Tuesday the noon train south, by the spreading of the track at some point near Hopewell, was thrown off the rails and delayed four or five hours. Luckily no one was harmed by this accident. It is to be hoped that all the accidents on this road will be equally innocent of injury to life and limb. Ice Harvest Bounty - The ice harvest this winter is very fine. The extreme cold weather has made the ice quite thick. Its quality has never been surpassed, and those who have ice houses to fill are attending to it in good season. 100 Years Ago January 17, 1923 Stovepipe Fire Destroys Dundee Home - Fire thought to have been caused by an overheated stovepipe destroyed the house on Edwina Street, Dundee occupied by Charles Weaver on Sunday evening. Mr. Weaver is employed in shoveling snow from the walks and had been at work nearly all day. Coming home at night he found the fire out and kindled it, putting on a quantity of soft coal. It is thought the pipes were probably filled with soot and this was ignited, causing the fire. The fire department responded to the call, but there was nothing to be done as the flames had gained such headway that it was impossible to save anything. Mr. Weaver’s effects were all destroyed except the clothing he was wearing. The house belonged to the greenhouse property and was owned by Wendell P. Shattuck of Penn Yan. New Fire Engine - A new Howe fire engine made at Anderson, Ind., has been purchased by the village of Rushville at a cost of something over $3,000. It arrived here the last week in December and on New Year’s Day was given its first try out by Louis B. Howe, who accompanied it to Rushville. A good-sized crowd of spectators gathered for the demonstration, which started on Gilbert Street in front of the Catholic Church. The water was pumped with force enough to carry the stream to the tip of the spire of the church. Michaels-Stern Expands - The Michaels-Stern Penn Yan shops have added some $6,000 worth of new machinery and are now making sack coats in addition to overcoats and trousers. Some 50 new operators have been added to the mechanical force. 75 Years Ago January 15, 1948 IzaakWaltonLeagueOfficers- Robert Penrod, electro-chemical engineer for the Taylor Chemical Company and ardent angler and hunter, was named president of the local chapter of Izaak Walton League at the annual meeting Thursday evening. Mr. Penrod, who is married and has two sons, came to Penn Yan about seven years ago. Serving with him on the official staff of the conservation group will be Roy Salada of Himrod, first vice-president; James Samson of Penn Yan, second vice-president; Morris Burke of Keuka Park, secretary; and J. Oliver Wilcox of the East Lake Road, treasurer. Penn Yan Embezzlement Trial Begins - Ernest B. Reed, 71, treasurer of the Village of Penn Yan for 24 consecutive years, went on trial Monday for falsifying village accounts and the misappropriation of village funds in excess of $26,000. County Judge Maurice McCann is presiding at this session of county court. After the jury was chosen, Monday afternoon was taken up with the presentation of various items of evidence such as the village account books, tax collector’s receipt books for the years 1942-45 included in the indictment, bank deposit books for village funds, and similar items. Unusual Houseguest - Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Snedecker of 112 Highland Drive, Penn Yan derive a great deal of pleasure being hospitable to a friendly wasp. At mealtime, the hungry insect appears at the table and feasts on sweet delicacies. The top of the jam can is the wasp’s chief delight. The insect apparently stays in the folds of a curtain. Perhaps heat from the range tells him that there will be food at the table. In any event, several times a week, hunger brings him to the table, where he dines with the rest of the family. The wasp’s enjoyment of Mrs. Snedecker’s delicious homemade jam almost cost him his life the other day. Mr. Snedecker was about to take a big bite of jam-covered bread when he noticed — just in time — the honor guest feasting on the jam, too. 50 Years Ago January 18, 1973 Walkerbilt Files Chapter 11 - Officials of the Walkerbilt Woodwork Inc., Penn Yan have filed a petition under Chapter 11 for the purpose of getting protection against creditors while reorganization plans are in process. The company is seeking to re-open under the same management to get started again with a possible merger or consolidation with another firm. The present modern plant and equipment were designed approximately five years ago, under an Urban Renewal program with a mortgage of $200,000 from Waterloo National Bank and $200,000 from the District Council of Carpenters Union; second mortgage of $388,999 from Lincoln First Bank of Rochester, and $1.514 million in a Small Business Administration third mortgage. DCS Student Ambassador to Brazil - Brian Peele, 17, a member of the class of 1974 at Dundee Central School, has been designated as Dundee’s ambassador of good will to Brazil. He will leave Jan. 22 from the Chemung County Airport for New York City, where after a series of meetings, he will board a plane on Jan. 28 and fly to Rio de Janeiro. He will remain there for six days for orientation and basic language skills. The next step in his trip will be joining his adoptive “family,” the Freitas, in their modern home in the state of Sao Paulo. His new family includes the father, mother, two brothers, and an aunt. Brian is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Peelle of Glenora. 4-H Cherry Pie Champions - Cherry Delight and Cherry Fluff Pie were the top winners at the Yates County 4-H Cherry Dessert competition. Carol Borglum, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregor Borglum, was winner in the senior division with her Cherry Delight recipe. Jeanne Kress, daugher of Mr. and Mrs. George Havens, placed first in the junior division with her Cherry Fluff pie. Both girls will demonstrate their prize-winning recipes in the State Cherry Dessert Contest Feb. 22 at Eastview Mall, Victor.

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