West NY News

This week in Chautauqua County history, various events from the past two centuries highlight significant moments of progress, loss, and community development.

On January 26, 1900, Fredonia was shaken by the murder of Salvatore Latona. In 1937, Jamestown marked a milestone with the opening of the M.J. Fletcher School.

January 27 saw a fire in 1860 that destroyed Abram Frank's tannery in Busti, with losses exceeding $3,000. In 1877, weaving operations began at Broadhead Mills in Jamestown. The Gustavus Adolphus Children’s Home opened in Jamestown in 1886. In 1903, communication improved as the Home Telephone Company connected Jamestown to Busti. Renowned comedian and pianist Victor Borge performed at Shea’s in Jamestown in 1958.

On January 28, an attempt to transmit music via telephone between Jamestown and Warren was made in 1878 but deemed impractical for widespread use. WJOC (now WKSN) began broadcasting in Jamestown in 1948. The Busti Historical Society received its permanent charter in 1976. In 2002, school crossing guards ended their service but were reinstated the following year. A fire destroyed part of Broadhead Mills' historic west end in Jamestown in 2004.

January 29 marked improvements with door-to-door mail delivery introduced to Jamestown in 1885. The steamer City of Jamestown made a winter cruise on Chautauqua Lake without ice cover in 1950. The Empire Worsted Mill closed down in 1955. Denny’s Restaurant closed its doors at Lakewood at precisely four o'clock on this day back in 2002.

The Kennedy Baptist Church was organized on January 30,1836. The Cassadaga Hotel succumbed to fire damage back then too - it was lost forever come1897 . At exactly six-forty AM during nineteen seventy-nine , early risers witnessed WWSE-FM's five-hundred-foot radio tower collapse right there within West Ellicott . A local farm near Westfield saw Chautauqua County's first robotic milking system start operating come twenty-twelve .

January thirty-first has its own stories: An organizational meeting happened back when there wasn't much happening yet - eighteen forty-three brought about establishment by members coming together forming what would become known today simply called “Church Of Christ” located nearby Pennsylvania border within tiny township now referred collectively simply “Busti”. Thereafter followed destruction wrought through flames burning Main Street straight into ashes between Second Third Streets amidst downtown core inside nineteenth century version same city mentioned above – nineteen sixty-one leaving lasting impact felt far beyond immediate vicinity alone! Thirty-four skunks captured sold each pelt fifty sixty cents worth small fortune time same place different era altogether occurring seventeen seventy-one! Old school built way back eighteen ninety-eight finally demolished completely wiping away last traces memory forevermore during nineteen fifty-five . Lastly residents living throughout entire region suddenly found themselves experiencing rumbling sensations reminiscent those associated earthquakes albeit rare occurrences happen hereabouts these parts typically though exception occurred once already before mid-nineteen eighties specifically eighty-five when such event transpired causing brief momentary alarm among populace unaware origins tremor source originating deep beneath surface earth itself!

February first dates abolition lectures given faced mob opposition illustrating challenges encountered earlier anti-slavery advocates faced while trying spread message against prevailing societal norms day age .

These historical events reflect resilience creativity compassion which have continuously shaped county across decades inspiring future generations alike reminding us always strive better selves amidst ever-changing world around us today tomorrow beyond!