150 Years Ago

October 2, 1867 — We have heard the question repeatedly asked, Why cannot we have street lamps, to be lighted during the dark evening? And it has become so common that we feel constrained to make the question a public one. The unusually large number of shade trees on most of our streets render locomotion exceedingly uncertain in a night when the moon isn’t “on the shine,” and we believe that no outlay of public money would prove more acceptable to the people than that expended in lighting the streets. We ask all to consider the matter.

125 Years Ago

September 29, 1892 — Mrs. Ruth Coggswell McQueen, who lived on Sullivan street, and who had suffered for many years died Thursday evening, Sept. 22, aged 78 years. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the residence, Rev. F.T. Keeney officiating. Mrs. McQueen was a direct descendant and heir of the French spoliation claimants.

100 Years Ago

October 4, 1917 — The remains of Mr. Clayton Northrup who was found dead in Sims’ swamp on Monday afternoon, were buried Tuesday afternoon in Nelson cemetery, following an inquest directed by Coroner Tanner and Dr. Brooks of Oneida and Health Officer Dr. J.E. Salsbury of this place.

The body of Mr. Northrup was found by Mr. Joseph J. Darcy, who was on a hunting trip about a mile south of the village. Mr. Darcy was with his dog in the swamp when the animal suddenly darted into the bushes. The man followed and discovered the body. He came to the village and notified Coroner Tanner of Oneida, who authorized Daley & Evans, undertakers, to take charge of the body.

Mr. Northrup left his home August 29th, telling members of his family that he was going to a meat market. No one has been found who remembers seeing him since that time.

Mr. Northrup had been employed as a carpenter in and about Cazenovia for many years. Surviving are his widow, a child, his mother, Mrs. M.B. Northrup, and a brother and sister.

50 Years Ago

October 4, 1967 — Jimmy Van Heusen, well-known composer of popular music, has presented Cazenovia College with a valuable collection of music manuscripts and awards for exhibit at the college.

The collection will be unveiled at a special award dinner for Mr. Van Heusen to be held at the college on October 21 at 7 p.m.

Mr. Van Heusen, who grew up in Syracuse as Edward Chester Babcock, was a radio announcer for WSYR and WFBL prior to moving on to New York City and a career as a composer.

Included in the items given to the college for display are four Oscars from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which Van Heusen received for the songs, “Call Me Irresponsible,” “High Hopes,” “Swinging on a Star,” and “All the Way.”

Also to be exhibited is an Emmy received from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the song “Love and Marriage” composed for the television dramatization “Our Town.”

Mr. Van Heusen has collected a number of original pieces of music. Included in the collection at Cazenovia College will be music autographed by Stravinsky, Chopin, Puccini, Grieg, Ravel, Brahms, Mendelsohn, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Irving Berlin, Rubinstein, Milhaud, Meyerberg, and Delius.

The Delius music is a maroon leather boxed score of “Suzanna.”

A letter from Eric Fenby Delius’ musical secretary for over ten years when he was blind, explains that this is the only signed manuscript of Mr. Delius in private hands.

The Van Heusen collection will be previewed at the dinner in his honor on October 21, in a temporary display, which will be moved to the Witherill Learning Center for public viewing on October 23.

Eventually the total collection will be on continuous display at the College.

“A Night with Jimmy Van Heusen” will be sponsored by the Cazenovia College Auxiliary on Friday, October 20. Van Heusen music will be played for dancing by the Carl Silfer Orchestra.

Mr. Van Heusen will be present during intermission to autograph record albums, which will be auctioned to those in attendance.

Years Ago is compiled by Erica Barnes. She is a contributing writer for The Cazenovia Republican with a degree in history and communications from Flagler College. She compiles the column from the archives of the Cazenovia Public Library. It is written in the style of the time.