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
September 17, 1874
Winged Ants - The Dansville Advertiser gives the following account of a strange occurrence of recent date in that neighborhood. "Early Monday evening the attention of our citizens was attracted to a phenomenon in the sky at which they greatly and gravely wondered. They saw a few hundred feet about above the earth clouds of something moving from the head of the valley northeasterly, in long lines, like flocks of pigeons. Some of these clouds were higher than others, and sometimes the higher ones were seen to pass the lower. They moved at the rate of about twenty miles an hour, and some of them appeared to be miles in length and several rods in width. About fifteen minutes after they were first seen all passed out of sight. But, just after they first came over the village, the air of the streets and stores and open buildings became thick with insects, which flew into mouths, noses, eyes and ears; and swarming around the gaslights, dropped down with scorched wings in unaccountable numbers; and catching in all the spiders' webs, packed them full; and lighting on the windows, obscured them; and covering the sidewalks and floors, were crushed at every step by hundred by the pedestrians. Whenever any one of the persecuted citizens dared to open his eyes, he saw the hands of other citizens gyrating in all directions about their respective heads like his own, their lips tightly compressed. None of them however poorly fed, seemed disposed to open their mouths and get a square meal of insect meat without any trouble. These insects were the droppings from the clouds above – the tired or cowardly stragglers, probably, of the grand army. They were found to be small, winged ants, a little larger than sand-flies, and resembling them somewhat. A gentleman who came up from West Sparta during their flight said the air was so black with them in front of him that he could hardly see his horse. Where did they come from and where are they going? It was one of the most remarkable phenomena ever witnessed in this village or valley, and the savants are requested to explain it."
Reported New Cancer Cure - At the regular meeting of the Homeopathic Society last night, Dr. Duncan read a letter from Dr. J. B. Braun, dated Munich, Bavaria, July 30, in which it was reported that a new cancer cure. He had noticed that cancer patients on drinking the mineral waters of Tyrol became much worse. On examination he found that the mountains whence the steam flowed were principally composed of gneiss, and minute particles of that rock were also found in the water. On the homeopathic principle that the cause is likewise the cure, he tried the experiment of triturating the gneiss and applied it as a dressing, the results being eminently satisfactory, as of his patients some seven or eight had completely recovered, while all the others had improved noticeably.
100 Years Ago
September 17, 1924
Search for Missing Child - Considerable excitement was caused around Crystal Springs near Dundee last week Monday by the disappearance of Pauline, the little daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Clyde Swartwood. The little girl, who is less than three years of age, was last seen about 9 o'clock in the morning. At the time she had her doll and a small plate in her hand and was accompanied by the family dog. After a time, the dog returned without the child. Search was begun at once and continued until the middle of the afternoon without success. The plate which the child had carried was found in a field. About 3 o'clock, a telephone call was sent to the farm of Henry Tuttle, where threshers were at work, and help was requested. About 5:20 p.m., Mrs. Earl Millard, who lives on the state road, saw a small child walking alone in the roadway. As soon as the child saw her, she ran to Mrs. Millard. She was badly frightened and very wet, for it had been raining. She realized that she was lost but could not tell her name. Mrs. Millard then telephoned to the Swartwoods that the child had been found, so that the searchers might be called in. It is thought that the child had spent much of the day in a brush lot on the Millard farm, as Mrs. Millard remembers having seen something white there earlier in the day. The child did not seem to have suffered any harm.
Dresden to Have Street Lights - At the village election held in Dresden Monday it was unanimously voted that the village pay to the New York Central Electric Corporation the sum of $1,000 per year to light the streets of this village. Of the 59 ballots cast on this proposition, there was not one which registered a protest. The arrangement with the company provides that it will install the wiring and equipment without extra charge. The work will start immediately.
75 Years Ago
September 22, 1949
Dance held every Friday and Saturday - Dance every Friday and Saturday night at the Branchport Community Barn. Music on Friday by Slim and the Swing-Time Cowboys. 9:30 p.m. -1:30 a.m. Admission 60 cents, inc. tax. Also dancing every Saturday night. Music by Royal Olde Tymers.
The Question: What is your Pet Peeve? - K.T. Millian, of 337 Main St., office manager - "My pet peeve is people who come around asking foolish question - particularly roving reporters." Bill Mann, of 118 Main St., parts manager - "My pet peeve is what happened to all the college girls? In other years you used to see a lot of them on the street, but so far this fall they seem to be hibernating." Elias Wallace, of 118 Main St., clothing store - "I have no pet peeves. Everything is all right with me and the world." Mrs. Perry Vasil, of the West Lake Road, restaurant operator - "My pet peeve is to be working upstairs, hear the phone ring and after dashing all the way down, have it quit ringing just before you get there. I wish people would let the phone ring several times when making a call before hanging up."
Hugh Bentley Jr. to Play Pro Baseball - Former four-letter man at Penn Yan Academy, Hugh W. Bentley, Jr., signed with a professional baseball club Monday. Hugh signed a contract for the next season with the Boston Braves through their scout, Don Macri. According to present plans, the 17-year-old Penn Yan athlete will go to South Carolina in March of next year to attend a baseball training school for several weeks. He will then be assigned to a farm team of the Boston club. Hugh graduated from Penn Yan Academy in June,1949, and stared in baseball, football, basketball and tennis during his high school career. He was a four-letter man in his junior year and won three varsity letters as a senior. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh W Bentley of RD 5, Penn Yan are Hugh's parents.
Wanted Ad - Good housekeeper to know Hill's Vanilla won't bake out, and Hill's Strong Ammonia or Simons Wonder Blue, makes clothes whiter. At Grocers.
50 Years Ago
September 19, 1974
Keuka Restaurant Ad: Wednesday Nights - Australian Lobster tails and all the BOORDY WINE you can drink for $5.95. Thursday Night- Prime Rib and all the BOORDY WINE you can drink for $4.95.
Price Spiral is "Headache" for MUB - Skyrocketing costs have made construction of the Penn Yan Substation a headache for the Penn Yan Municipal Board, according to Board President Robert Shay. The construction timetable is "all shot," Shay said, who explained to the Village Board that securing materials regardless of the price, has been a problem. "When the general contractor can't find materials, it begins to scare you," Shay said. Shay told the Board that buying some scarce materials without bidding might be the most expedient way of getting the job done, adding that escalation clauses that generally accompany bid returns mean the Village will pay higher than anticipated prices, perhaps more in some cases than if the municipal board simply bought the material without bidding.
25 Years Ago
September 22, 1999
Alconero Now A Pilot for American Airlines- Ruben Alconero, member of the Penn Yan Flying Club, was recently hired by American Airlines where he currently flying the Boeing 727. At age 27, Alconero is one of American's youngest pilots. The dream of being an airline pilot began for Alconero when he was only a child going on vacations with his parents, Rodrigo and Barbara. The airplane ride was always the best part. At age 13, Alconero took his first flight lesson with Lee Sackett at the Flying Club. For more than two years he spent all his paper route earnings on flying lessons. His instructors, Lee Sackett and Dave Shaw, worked together to provide an all-inclusive learning experience. Alconero thanks many people for helping him to achieve his goal. "Growing up, my parents were always there to offer their love and support. My flight inspiration and a mentor, and my wife, Beverly, offered her loving support as I flew my way through all the rough air. With all of these people behind you, believing in you, when you barely believe yourself, the rough spots just don't seem so bad. For any young person wanting to fly, I say, be willing to weather the storm, be persistent... Dreams do come true!"
PY Moose to Host Bike Safety Rodeo- The Penn Yan Moose Lodge recently purchased 100 bike helmets from Weaver's Bike Shop. There will be a Bike Safety Rodeo on Saturday at the Moose Lodge parking lot. Children, ages 3-10, can try an obstacle course set up by Officer Mike Donovan of the Penn Yan Police Department, register their bike with the village police, and get a free bike helmet, courtesy of the Moose Lodge. Plan to be 1 of the 100 kids to ride your bike wearing a new bike helmet.
