150 Years

• June 4, 1875: ATTEMPT TO BREAK JAIL — Last Saturday (May 30), the prisoners in the county jail made an attempt to escape from confinement. During the temporary absence of Sheriff Henry and Deputy Sheriff Smith, they slipped a couple of bars from a cell door, and went to work at the walls. They commenced operations in the privy, where the plank sheeting had become so unsound that they easily made a hole through them. When Sheriff Henry returned, his suspicions were aroused that all was not right, and after a little investigation, he ascertained what was up, and nipped the plot in the bud. The prisoners had got a hole through to the brick wall, and if they had not been interrupted, would undoubtedly have pierced that also.
• June 4, 1875: Prof. Zera, the “Magic King,” the man with the “spirit hand and a hundred voices,” will give entertainments in Flint’s Hall the evening, and the remaining evenings of this week. Prof. Zera has appeared before the public in many of our cities and received the highest commendation from the press. We are informed by persons who have witnessed his performances that they are of superior character.

100 Years

• June 1, 1925: A forest fire which already had burned over approximately 1,200 acres, containing some fine timber in the vicinity of Peters Creek near Onoville, Allegany State Park, broke out afresh last night and added a small area to the burned territory, but was again under control this morning, State Park Officials said here today. What the damage is in figures, they were unable to say, but indicated it would not be large, though this is the most serious fire in the park territory this spring.
• June 4, 1925: (SALAMANCA —) Officials of Allegany State Park expect to move the headquarters from River street here to Frecks in the camping territory of the park, sometime next week, it was learned at the local headquarters this morning. The office here will be closed for the summer before the end of this month. Plans for the official opening of the park, scheduled for July 1st, are being completed rapidly, and the officials promise to have everything in readiness for the influx of vacationists.

50 Years

• May 30, 1975: (SALAMANCA —) YMCA leaders urged community support of Y programs during the annual Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce banquet, held Thursday evening (May 29) at the Holy Cross Athletic Club. Ed Gelen, master of ceremonies, also announced the Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award to Carl J. Zaprowski, owner of the Hampshire Knitting Mill Outlet. Mr. Zaprowski’s son, Mike, accepted the award on behalf of his father, who is fishing in Canada.

● June 2, 1975: More than 100 persons were on hand Saturday morning (May 31) for the opening of the Seneca Nation’s new Hotchkiss plateau campgrounds, now formally known as Highbanks Campground. Seneca President Robert Hoag told the audience that the tribe has spent $100,000 of its own money to get the project off the ground. The total cost of the completed campground is estimated at $850,000.

● June 4, 1975: LITTLE VALLEY — The Cattaraugus County Bicentennial Commission will seek a funding grant from the New York State Council of the Arts to improve the county museum here. The grant will be used to refurbish displays and museum contents in order to make them more educational and eye-appealing to those who view them.

25 Years

● May 30, 2000: SALAMANCA — A new Broad Street Rite Aid Pharmacy is scheduled to open its doors Monday. New signs, identifying the store as Rite Aid with its various features, were put up during the middle of last week. The store features an expanded cosmetics department, more foodstuffs and a wide selection of greeting cards. “It’s definitely an upgrade from the mall area,” said Jody Cook, manager of public relations.

● June 1, 2000: LITTLE VALLEY — Distinguished portraits of two former Cattaraugus County judges will be added to those adorning the walls of courtrooms in Little Valley. Paintings of former Surrogate Judge Edward M. Horey and former County Judge James F. Crowley were unveiled Wednesday (May 31) during a special ceremony at the Cattaraugus County Courthouse.

● June 2, 2000: FREWSBURG — Former Salamanca Middle School teacher and Ellicottville Central School graduate David Smith has been hired as the new elementary school principal at Frewsburg Elementary School. Smith, who at 28 is one of the youngest school administrators in Western New York, will leave his post at Pine Valley Elementary School for his new post on July 1.

10 Years

● June 4, 2015: SALAMANCA — Titus Creek, which runs through the center of the city, was the source of the flooding over Broad and Frank streets and other residential areas last May. While the rain and runoff didn’t help matters, the real culprit is the buildup of debris in the creek.

Stumps, downed trees, beaver dams and general waste can be found in Titus Creek and last year caused the water to back up over the roadways. The primary affected areas were Broad Street between Swan and Hancock streets; parts of Frank Street; and residential properties along State Park Avenue, where a detention pond connects with Titus Creek.

● June 4, 2015: LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County attorney Thomas Brady was congratulated Wednesday, May 27, by county lawmakers on his retirement. It is the second time he has left the county office — the first being in 1976 when he resigned after more than three years to form his own law firm in Salamanca.

After starting his own law practice in Salamanca in 1976, Brady represented various municipal governments in the area, as well as representing people in city and county courts and in injury and other court cases.