Local humankind took a temporary back seat in local news during the early months of 1931 around Oneonta and vicinity.
Humans read in the Jan. 29, 1931 edition of The Oneonta Herald, “Elijah is missing.
“That is the gossip that stirred the animal bird colony of Neahwa park yesterday and set many tongues wagging.” For several years, while it wasn’t officially called a zoo, the park had several animals in cages. After a flood in 1935, the animals and pens were moved to Wilber Park’s lower level.
“‘Yes sir!’ their tongues wagged. ‘Elijah has disappeared and we won’t be pestered by that Labrador raven any more.’
“Just when Elijah disappeared is not known. On several occasions previous to this one, Elijah has mysteriously absented himself from the park and M.G. Keenan’s animal colony for two or three days at a time. He would appear as suddenly as he had disappeared.
“Some of the older birds, those who are said to be in the know, declare that Elijah has found new friends. Others deny this. But the older birds insist it is so and to prove their contention cite the time a few weeks ago when several crows visited the park and became friendly with the raven.”
Another animal proved to be a hero, as with a dateline of East Meredith, the Herald of Jan. 29 also reported, “Awakened by the howling of a pet cat, members of the S. Donley family in this village, were barely able to escape with their lives early Saturday morning, when fire completely destroyed their home.
“Discovery of the fire was made by Mrs. Donley, who upon being awakened by the cat howling, discovered that the house was filled with smoke.” All escaped safely. The family was staying with friends in Davenport as they decided on what their future plans might be. No name on the pet cat.
From feline to canine, news in The Herald on Jan. 1 informed readers, “It is not unusual for a hen to steal a nest in some sequestered, unsuspected corner and hatch out a brood of chicks. But it is not often that a little brown spaniel dog steals a nest in a chicken house and brings into the world a litter of pups.
“That, however, is what happened on the premises of A.B. Webster, 431 Main street, last week, and Mr. Webster found himself the possessor, or at least the guardian, of a Christmas present consisting of nine healthy, hungry, squirming spaniel puppies.
“The tragic part of the episode is that Mr. Webster does not know where the mother of this large and lively family came from. He had seen her around the yard occasionally, but had no idea who her owner was.” Mr. Webster took care of the family temporarily, and readers were invited to call on him to take in a spaniel puppy or more.
Lastly, as the Herald of Feb. 19 reported, “The menagerie at Neahwa park had an addition for a short time a little while before noon Thursday, and Park Commissioner M.G. Keenan had hopes of adding a young buck to the attractions of the place.
“This hope was frustrated, however, when the buck died from injuries received in a flight that had taken him from the Plains section along River street and West Broadway, across the D.& H. tracks, and through the business section of the city.”
The buck plunged through a glass door at 114 Main St., and through a rear window, falling and sliding under a fire escape 30 feet below, in an area now occupied by the Clinton Plaza and what used to be Oneonta Sales Co. on Market Street. Oddly enough, the chase resumed until the buck was cornered on Broad Street.
On Tuesday, starts and finishes locally in March 2006.