It was still called Armistice Day, hospitals were modernizing and Thanksgiving brought winter a little early to our area.
These were part of our local life and times during November 1938.
“Where were you on the first Armistice day?” The Oneonta Star asked in an article dated Friday, Nov. 11.
“Answers to this question, given by a representative group of Oneonta World war veterans, showed a variety of experiences and feelings when the war came to an end 20 years ago at 6 this morning. That is, it was 6 in the morning by Eastern Standard Time, though it was 11 by Paris time.
“Former members of the Canadian, English, Scotch, Italian and French armies are now living in Oneonta.
“Of the former wearers of the American uniform who answered the question, some were in the lines, and had the thrill of being at the battlefront as the guns ceased firing and history’s greatest war — to date — came to a close; others were in hospitals recovering from wounds, and for them the armistice meant they would not have to go back into combat; while still others were in training camps, and experienced the ‘let-down’ feeling of men who had prepared themselves for a great service, and then found they never would render that service.”
The article went on to list all area participants and their roles overseas. On Nov. 11, there were many activities throughout the day to commemorate the war’s end. The Star reported how over 800 attended the public memorial service, held at the Oneonta Theatre. Thousands were reported to witness the parade, under “perfect” weather.
The Star continued, “At the Elks club,” then found at 99 Main St., “where an open house was held during the afternoon and evening, blue-capped legionnaires and brown-capped V.F.W. members rubbed shoulders over a large map of France, pointing out where they were when the Armistice was signed in 1918, and playing the popular game of ‘Do you remember when…?’ and, ‘Let’s see now, what was the name of that town where we were?’”
That same month, news of improving health care was being heard. As The Star of Nov. 19 reported, “For the accommodation of Hobart and the surrounding communities, Dr. F. Dickson Brown of that village is constructing a new, modern hospital which will have a capacity allowing six adults and two child patients.
“Situated on a two-and-a-half acre site in the village, the hospital will be completely equipped and air-conditioned. The latter feature is said to be uncommon in hospitals at present. Dr. Brown expressed the belief that accommodations for eight patients, although seemingly small, will be sufficient to serve the community.
“With its completion, the community there will have convenience for caring for the sick seldom found in villages of its size, it was said.”
Meanwhile in Oneonta, Star readers of Nov. 21 found out, “The new maternity unit and children’s ward, completed this year at Fox Memorial hospital, through the efforts of the Junior Women’s Hospital board, will be inspected for the first time in conjunction with the annual Donation day observance and tea at the institution today.
“New delivery and new labor rooms are the main features of the improved maternity unit. These are equipped with modern obstetrical beds and tables as well as sterilizers. The nursery has been enlarged to accommodate 12 infants, whereas before there was only room for six. Complete renovation and refurnishing of the maternity ward has been completed as a phase of the improvement project.
Heading to “Grandmother’s house” became difficult for some to enjoy turkey and trimmings that year, as The Star of Nov. 25 reported, “On the whitest Thanksgiving day Oneonta has seen in many a year, and the coldest Nov. 24 in the city’s history, community residents arose from their dinner tables yesterday, donned overshoes and overcoats, and went out to clear their walks of a quantity of snow that was exceptional for the season’s first hard storm.
“A half-inch of snow fell Wednesday, froze on the roads and promised trouble for motorists. In the 24 hours ending at 8 last night, six more inches of dry, powdery snow came down, covering the ice and adding to the hazards of driving and inconvenience of walking. At midnight the snow was eight and a half inches deep.
On Wednesday, a very tumultuous November of 1978.
Oneonta City Historian Mark Simonson’s column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area before 1950. His Wednesday columns address local history 1950 and later. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or email him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is oneontanyhistorian.com. His columns can be found at www.thedailystar.com/opinion/columns/.