HISTORY: The headline read “The Titanic Sinks and 1,800 Lives Are Lost!”
On April 16, 1912, The Era shared the news of the tragic maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic, thought to be an unsinkable steamship. It struck an iceberg and sank in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912.
“A Catastrophe to The Titanic .. Survivors number 600 — those on board were 1,300 passengers and a crew of 860. Property loss in the millions.”
It was a sad day for the world.
Curiosity sent us looking back at the microfilm from those days to see what was happening in Bradford at that time.
Here’s a glimpse: “The Bradford Chamber of Commerce is doing business in a businesslike way. Treasurer Lydell informs The Era that the sum of $205,000 has been pledged for the working fund and that within a few days he expects the fund will be closed at the sum originally decided upon — $250,000. That is a bit of news that should greatly please every resident of Bradford whose interest in the town amounts of anything.”
A piece of news about a trip out of town: “Anyone desiring to to to Olean to see the Bon Air vaudeville show tonight can make the round trip for 75 cents by notifying the street car office. Special car back after the show.”
And a human interest piece: “G.C. Murray of Tibbits avenue has purchased a Model 35, five-passenger Buick automobile through the agency of the Ideal Garage company. The new machine has arrived and is a beauty.”
And a bit of a laugh: “Two burglars, a master and a second hand, had broken softly and silently into a house and were stealing past a bedroom door when the master burglar stumbled over a chair, and a startled voice cried from within: ‘Who’s there?’ The master burglar thought for a moment, then went, ‘Meow, meow, meow.’ “It’s a cat, dear,’ said the voice in a relieved tone. But a moment later, the second burglar stumbled. ‘Who’s there?’ cried the voice again. The second burglar said promptly, ‘Another cat.’”
