Downtown 1888 — Calendar critic

The editor was a self-appointed calendar art critic.

“It would seem that all the genius of art had been brought to exercise itself upon the calendars for 1888,” The Morning Star editorialized on Jan. 6,1888. “This is true of none of the specimens that have come within our observation more than one just issued by Hood & Co., the sarsaparilla men. Their new calendar is a perfect beauty.”

Here’s an entertainment you won’t find on South Street these days.

“Horse Traders’ Convention every Saturday at Pelkey’s, twenty-seven South Street. Clam chowder free,” the business advertised Jan. 2,1888 in The Morning Star.

The Rochester Store donated a suit of clothes for a prize at the St. Mary’s Fair on New Year’s Eve, The Morning Star reported on Jan.4, 1888.

“Michael Scannell, a manly little fellow of the village, was the lucky winner.”

B.B. Fowler dry goods store announced on Feb. 3 that the expected shipment of embroideries imported from Hamburg, Germany was delayed.

“The cause of the delay is doubtless due to the superfluous amount of ‘red tape’ employed at the New York custom house. … Watch and wait for the announcement of the arrival.”

The annual J.L. Cunningham Hose Company ball in the basement of the Glens Falls Opera House, on Warren Street, in February was high-point on the winter social calendar.

“The hall was verily tastily decorated with evergreens, flags, bunting and drapery,” The Morning Star reported on Feb. 14. “At the rear of the hall was a neat banner, on which was inscribed the legend: ‘J.L. Cunningham Hose Co. Bid You Welcome.’”

The Robert Sims five-piece orchestra performed music for dancing.

Caterer Myron Conery of The Windsor Hotel served supper at a little after midnight.

“The tables, arranged with that taste and care characteristic of the house, were laden with such tempting dishes as roast turkey, chicken salad, cold meats, choice fruit, and the various other adjuncts of a first-class supper.”

Conery treated The Morning Star staff to the leftovers.

“The night force of The Star is indebted to Myron Conery of the Windsor Hotel for a generous sample of the supper he served last evening at the Cunningham’s Ball. It is seldom that the poor printer is afforded an opportunity to feast on such a tempting array of viands as was spread before them last night.”

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