Sifting Through the Sands of Time from the Courier Archives

140 Years Ago - June 26, 1869

Notice to 1812 War Veterans

 

At the last session of the Legislature an act was passed appropriating $50,000 to pay the claims of the surviving soldiers of the War of 1812. This sum is to be distributed pro rata among the surviving soldiers who have received certificates under the laws of 1857 and 1859 recognizing their services during that war. Under the laws of 1857 and 1859 there was established a commission to examine the claims of the soldiers of the war of 1812, with authority to issue certificates stating the amount which the claimant was entitled to. These certificates have never been redeemed, for the reason that the national government, whose duty it was to pay these men, never made any provision. There being many instances of suffering with these aged veterans the Legislature decided last winter to make provisions for the payment of these certificates. A bill was therefore passed appropriating $50,000 for this purpose. In order that it may be ascertained how much each holder of the certificate is entitled to as his pro rata share of this fifty thousand dollars, each soldier of that was holding a certificate is required to send an affidavit to the Adjutant-General's office, at Albany, giving his name, place of residence, number of the certificate which was issues to him in 1857 and 1859, and also stating the number of months and the place in which he served during that war and the name of his commanding officer. The award will be made and the pro rata amounts forwarded to the holders of the certificates immediately after that date. In order to receive any benefit of this appropriation, the affidavit must be in Albany on or before the first day of next July.

85 Years Ago - June 27, 1924

Barber Talk

 

Man is said to be a social animal, enjoying the company and conversation of his fellows. But though most men can talk not all are talkative. Between strangers the conversation often lags. With barbers it is different, their loquacity being proverbial and their talkativeness contagious. Some barbers can make the most reticent shavee talk, and the result is discussion of some sort. The barber draws out his patron, especially if he is a stranger in the place, and incidentally passes on to him his own views on politics, religion, the liquor problem and anything and everything else that will make talk.

Community gossip gravitates to the barber shop as readily as water flows down hill, and the tonsorial parlor becomes a canter of news and comment. Barber shop discussion is of the most free-for-all character with no limitations as to subject and no handicaps as to time. In a very real sense it is a community forum, where the common people speak their minds. While too much importance is not to be attached to discussions of this sort, they have possibilities not to be ignored for what passes as the common knowledge of the average citizen is a hodge podge derived from many sources.