August 1917 - 100 Years Ago "In That Thriving Town"

100 years ago in August 1917, Bovina saw the death of long time merchant Thomas E. Hastings, who once owned what is now Russell’s Store.

August 3, 1917

·         John A. Irvine had a fine heifer killed by lightning Sabbath afternoon.

·         Thomas, son of Herbert Olmstead, is on the sick list.  It is reported that he has the measles.

·         W.H. Taff has purchased a five passenger Maxwell touring car from W.J. Roney, of Andes.

·         Abram Brandow, a civil war veteran, was taken ill Tuesday at his home at the head of Hobbie Mountain.

·         Dr. and Mrs. Norris B. Whitcomb were at Walton to witness the departure of Co. F., for southern camp.

·         Clarence, the seven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Whitehead, was operated upon Friday at the Neal hospital in Delhi, for the removal of adenoids.

·         Miss Freda Muller, who a few weeks ago underwent an operation in New York for goiter, is with her sister, Mrs. Otis McCumber in Andes, and is very much improved in health.

·         Miss Marjorie Allen, who is employed at Ellsworth Tuttle’s, was taken suddenly ill Sabbath morning and was taken to Delhi and operated upon at the Neal hospital Sabbath afternoon for appendicitis.  The operation was performed by Dr. Latcher, assisted by Dr. Ormiston and Dr. Whitcomb and she is doing well.

Bovina House Struck by Lightning

            During the severe electrical storm which passed over Bovina late Sabbath afternoon, the lightning entered the farmhouse of John Storie, up Pink street, on the telephone wire and filled the room with fire.  Fortunately it did not fire the house and the only damage done was the putting of the telephone out of commission.

August 10, 1917

·         Alva Shultis is the proud possessor of a new Ford car.

·         Fletcher Davidson is home for a few days from the Camp at Spartenberg, South Carolina.

·         J. Millard Blair of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, is spending his vacation with his parents.

·         Dr. and Mrs. Whitcomb and Rev. Thos E. Graham and wife are camping for a week near Walton.

·         Andrew T. Doig and Walter G. Coulter went to Utica on Tuesday and returned with a new 1918 Cadillac car.

·         The Town Board of Education will meet Thursday to visit the various school houses and decide on what repairs are needed.

Bovina at the Head

            The dogs in Bovina were all licensed or properly accounted for on August 1.  The report of that fact was the first received by the State department.

Native of Bovina Dead

            G.D. Miller received word that Thomas Downie, a native of Bovina, died August 6, at his home in Cleveland, Ohio, of stomach trouble.  He went to Cleveland many years ago and for a number of years conducted a shoe store, retiring a few years ago.  He had returned to his native town several times, his last visit being two years ago.  He has a brother, Jas Downie, living in Oneonta.  His wife died 8 years ago and he is survived by 9 children.  Burial was at Cleveland on Wednesday.

August 17, 1917

·         A reunion of the Thomson family was held at Dixon Thomson’s Wednesday.

·         W.D. Oliver and wife accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. G.D. Miller motored to Delhi Saturday afternoon.

·         The W.T.C.U. was disappointed in not having the temperance lecture which was announced for Thursday night. Miss Tangeu was unable to come. They are promised another speaker for Friday night.

Reaches Ripe Old Age

Thomas E. Hastings, Retired Bovina Center Merchant Dead

            Thomas E. Hastings passed away at his home in Bovina Center August 8, at the age of 88 years, having been in failing health for the past four years.

            He was born in Bovina on April 1, 1829, and had always resided in the town.  He began his business career in 1852, by forming a partnership with James Elliott in a store near the bridge and two years later W.D. Telford bought out Elliott. This firm moved to the Judge Cowan store which with the lot now occupied by his home had been bought by Mr. Hastings.  In 1860 he became sole owner and from 1866 and for two years was associated with J.K. Hood.  From 1868 to 1870 he was out of business, and during that time got out lumber for a new store. In 1893 he sold the store and business to the present owner, Andrew T. Doig.  He then engaged in the feed business until four years ago, and has since that time, though afflicted with no disease, been on gradual decline.

            In 1859 he married Miss Jane Blair, who died in 1887.  Four sons and one dauter, all of whom are living, were born to them.  They are James B. of Cape May, N.J., Elmer E. of Saranac Lake, William E. of Oneonta, Milton T. of Bovina Center, and Miss Jane Hastings of Fleischmanns.  One brother James E. Hastings of Bovina, and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Miller of Colliers, also survive.

August 24, 1917

·         John and James Hilson were at Cortland last week to have a new frame fitted to their auto truck.

·         Miss Jane Hilson returned Saturday from Columbia University, where she had been attending summer school.

·         The officers of the Bovina Town Board of Education are Walter Coulter chairman; Thomas Gordon, clerk; Jas. W. Thomson, treasurer.

·         A fire caused slight damage at John W. McCune’s on Monday afternoon.  Mrs. McCune was canning and using the oil stove.  A shelf over the stove had become loose and tipped three lamps with their contents onto the oil stove.  Of course there was a big blaze but it was soon extinguished by Mrs. McCune with the aid of some of the neighbors. [This is now the home of Stephen & Glenna MacGrotty on Maple Avenue.]

August 31, 1917

·         A re-union of the Doig family was held Thursday at the home of Douglas Burns.  The Thomson re-union will be held Friday at John Campbell’s.

·         Rev. J.A. Mahaffey, John A. Irvine and Miss Lela Miller started Monday morning for a western trip.  The later will visit her brother in Minneapolis.

·         Mr. and Mrs. Earl Shaw, of Albany, are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Thomson.  Mrs. Thomson had the misfortune to fall recently and break her leg.

·         Alex Myers has been laid up this week with a sore foot.  Tuesday he drove the team of Ted Fuller to the creamery with the milk and while he was loading the empty cans the team started to turn sharp around.  In order to save his little grandson he jumped and landed behind one horse.  He succeeded in getting hold of one line and swung the team around and stopped them. What he hit when he jumped he does not know but his right heel was injured so that he could not step on it.