Paging Through H

The Stratford Journal 50 years ago... thursday, November 1, 1973 Stratford United Fund aims to raise $1,200 The Stratford United Fund kicks off its annual campaign on November 6. The Stratford Lions Club conducts the drive each year and has named Robert L. Hubert as its 1973 chairman. A goal of $1,200 has been set for this year.

This year’s campaign funds will be distributed locally to the Boy Scout Council and Girl Scout Council, among other organizations.

25 years ago... wednesday, november 4, 1998 Stratford State Bank celebrates 90 years On November 2, 1908, Stratford State Bank opened its doors. Now, 90 years later, the bank has survived two world wars, the Great Depression and many technological changes.

Stratford State Bank was organized by Robert Conner, H.L. Klemme, W.F. Goetz, Jacob Wachtl and Christ Franzen. These men decided to lease a storeroom building for $12 per month at the site of the Stratford Hotel.

Walter Oby was the first cashier with a salary of $900 per year, or approximately $17.30 per week.

A permanent bank building was constructed in June of 1909 at the corner of Third Avenue and Elm Street, the current home of the Stratford Municipal Building.

Record Review 50 years ago... thursday, november 1, 1973 Money stolen in Athens break-ins Law enforcement officers are continuing their investigation of three break-ins and two attempted break-ins in Athens which occured either late Sunday evening or early Monday morning.

According to Gary Nehrbass, Athens Chief of Police, Erman’s Cafe on Alfred Street suffered the largest loss. Entry was gained through a back basement door on which the lock was pried open. Several hundred dollars in cash was taken from a drawer and approximately $100 was taken from the cash register. 25 years ago... wednesday, November 4, 1998 Local voters identify with blue collar candidates A little dirt on your britches doesn’t hurt. Especially if you are looking for votes in the 29th Senate District and 86th Assembly District.

Voters easily re-elected incumbent Senator Russ Decker, who continues to work as a bricklayer, and, in an upset, narrowly elected Jerry Petrowski, a town of Stettin ginseng grower and beef cattle rancher.

The pair defeated Senate Republican hopeful Dan Krema, a teacher at Northcentral Technical College, and sevenyear incumbent Tom Springer, a Democrat whose career has been politics.