100 Years Ago
In 1912, an enthusiastic gathering of personal friends and political associates in the Prohibition party greeted Arthur A. Amidon of Jamestown in City Hall on Saturday evening to tender him a public reception in honor of his choice as the candidate of the Prohibition Party for state treasurer. The attendance was not large but made up in enthusiasm and sincerity of purpose what it lacked in numbers.
Caroline Van Sickle, aged about 80 years, was found dead at her home in Busti on Sunday morning, death having been caused by heart trouble. Van Sickle lived alone in what was known as the Van Sickle homestead. The discovery of her body was made by Fred Cowan, a neighbor, who knew that Van Sickle was in feeble health and usually made a visit at her place every day to see how she was Sunday morning he found the doors all locked and could hear no sound from inside so he forced open a side door. The body of Van Sickle was lying on the floor of her bedroom. Van Sickle was a member of one of the oldest families in the town of Busti.
75 Years Ago
In 1937, although he continued to be the topline sensation and biggest drawing card in cities like Rochester, Binghamton and Syracuse, Little Red Johnson's prestige in his home city of Jamestown would be at stake this night when he stepped into the Washington Street auditorium ring to do battle with the veteran Steve Hunt, local fisticuffer who formerly held the New York state 135-pound championship. For Johnson, a youngster whose star was still in the ascendancy, the outcome meant considerable, including his rating in Western New York circles. Also, the sting he received from Hunt's bristling gloves in their first set-to a few week previously still lingered on the titian-thatched youngster's flesh. For Little Red, a win would compensate like an arnica rub.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. N.C. Fuller, East Main Street, Ashville, was badly damaged by fire which broke out from a defective chimney on the second floor. The fire spread to the attic and before the Ashville Fire Department had it under control, after about 3hours work, it destroyed the entire interior of the building with the exception of the furniture which was removed by firemen. In battling the flames, the Ashville Fire Department suffered the loss of three 50-foot hose, which blew up under pressure of the water, leaving the department with only 500 feet of hose.
25 Years Ago
In 1987, an anti-war activist returned to the train tracks in California where he lost both his leg when he was run over while trying to block weapons shipments to Central America and vowed to continue his protest there. "We the people want peace and justice. Our government wants war," Brian Willson told about 200 cheering demonstrators outside the Concord Naval Weapons Station. They lined the roadway, holding hands and singing. With the help of a walker and a wheelchair, the 46-year-old Vietnam veteran, who was a native of Ashville, N.Y., toured the site where a two-car munitions train ran him over after he failed to move while trying to block the train.
A decision to allocate inexpensive hydroelectric power to enable the Dunkirk Ice Cream Co. to expand and help create 200 new jobs was made by the New York Power Authority. The allocation of up to 2,000 kilowatts would be used for a $14 million expansion of the plant and could save the company up to $500,000 a year in electricity bills. Richard M. Flynn, power authority chairman, said, "This is yet another example of how our low-cost electricity helps to create jobs and stimulate our overall economy. We're pleased to be part of Dunkirk Ice Cream's continued growth."