150 Years
April 9, 1874: The House committee on Indian Affairs to whom the bill introduced by Mr. Sessions in regard to the Indian Lands in the villages of Salamanca, Great Valley, Carrollton and Red House, has decided not to give us anything further, at present, than to ratify leases &c. If both Houses of Congress will promptly pass over this much of the bill it will afford us great relief and will ensure Salamanca such a growth during the coming summer as is seldom secured.
April 9, 1874: The snow storm of last Saturday and Sunday (April 4 and 5) was about as severe as any we have had this winter. It is now hoped that winter will linger no longer in the lap of Spring. He is old enough to know better, and should have a greater regard for the feelings of suffering humanity.
100 Years
April 5, 1924: Scarcely any apparently healthy child is free from physical defects which, if given no attention, may prove serious physical handicaps in later life, is the verdict of experts of the Division of Maternity, Infancy and Child Welfare of the State Department of Health after examining 363 such children, between the ages of six months and six years in Cattaraugus county. Consultations were conducted during February at nine points in the county by Dr. R.D. Champlin and Dr. Irma Houser of the state department. Each child brought in was weighed and measured and given a thorough physical examination in the presence of the mother.
April 7, 1924: (SALAMANCA —) Charles Cochran, of 11 Nelson avenue, and H.L. Bourse, of 106 Summit street, both were injured about 1:45 o’clock this afternoon when a wagon on which they were riding was struck by an automobile driven by Robert Hartranft, of 81 Wilson street, at Main and Race streets. Mr. Cochran was driving the team and was turning down East Race street when the automobile struck the wagon and the automobile of Dr. Taggert, parked on Main street, in the driver’s effort to drive between them, according to witnesses.
50 Years
April 5, 1974: John R. Fitzgerald, of 153 South Main St., 17-year-old senior at Salamanca Central School, won first runnerup honor in the finals of the New York State Jaycees’ competition for the state’s “Outstanding Teenage Young Man,” the sponsoring Salamanca Jaycees announced today.
As first runnerup, the local teenager was awarded a plaque and received $125 in scholarship money and certificates. He was one of eight division winners across the state to compete in the final interviews.
April 9, 1974: (SALAMANCA —) Cost of remodeling the 65-year-old Jefferson St. School building and adding necessary enlargements would amount to as much or more than the “cost of an entirely new school.”
That was reported to the Board of Education at its April meeting Monday night by Biggie & Shaflucas, architects of Buffalo, after an inspection and review of the three-story, brick building built in 1909. The cost mentioned was $2,450,000.
April 9, 1974: “It’s going to be a considerable challenge.” That’s the way George Whitcher described his new position as head football coach at Salamanca High School.
Whitcher was appointed to the post by the Salamanca Board of Education at their monthly meeting Monday night (April 8).
25 Years
April 6, 1999: GREAT VALLEY — The most up-to-date communications technology money can buy will be available by September just over the city line in a new facility being constructed by a three-county planning agency.
Site preparation work began late last month for the Southern Tier Business Resource Center Inc.’s 31,000-square-foot structure between Highland Avenue Extension and Route 219 just north of Salamanca.
April 9, 1999: GREAT VALLEY — After six years on the Cattaraugus County Legislature, Great Valley Republican Hobart Hall announced he won’t seek reelection.
Hall, a 71-year-old retired school teacher, told the Press Wednesday (April 7) he wants to spend more time traveling. He owns a Model T, Model A and 1960 Buick convertible and enjoys showing them at car shows.
“If I was elected I’d be 75 at the end of my term,” Hall said. “I think I’d like to have the time to travel. I love my job but it does tie you down.”
10 Years
April 10, 2014: SALAMANCA — The Seneca Salamanca Chamber of Commerce has moved from its Main Street location back closer to its former site on Broad Street Extension.
Although this time around the chamber won’t be inside a caboose like it had for years before its move to Main Street, the new offices will be located inside the Hotel Westgate.
John Sheehan, executive director of the chamber, and Tim Flanigan, the chamber’s president, both said the search for a new location took about eight months. The chamber board had been looking to vacate the Main Street space primarily because of the lack of visitors.
April 10, 2014: IRVING — One day shy of a year since the Salamanca School Board first began the process of selling its former Seneca Elementary School building, a ceremonial check presentation officially closed the sale to the Seneca Nation of Indians.
Officials from both the school district and Seneca Nation gathered Tuesday (April 8) at the William Seneca Administration Building on the Cattaraugus Territory for the Nation’s $950,000 payment to the school district for the building.
“We are delighted to accept this check and give you the Seneca Elementary School,” said Salamanca Superintendent Robert Breidenstein.
