RETAIL: Old copies of a newspaper are a treasure trove of information for a community.

Back in an edition from October 1917, we found a report about a Buffalo, N.Y., merchant who purchased a store in Bradford.

“AJ Cooke of Buffalo, who is very well known in the piano and music trade throughout the country, has purchased the balance of stock of Scott, Madison & Company and will continue the business as No. 117 Main Street, the old location, which for over 30 years has been known as one of Bradford’s leading piano and music houses.”

It seems strange for anything to be 30 years old in 1919, but Bradford was originally settled in 1823 and incorporated in 1879.

“Mr. Cooke will start at once to make improvement to the interior of the store, which, when completed, will give Bradford one of the most complete music establishments in the country.

“The victrola department will be reorganized and new soundproof booths will be installed which will allow many customers to be waited on at the same time, new record cabinets, enabling the store to carry the complete Victor catalog — in fact all that is possible will be done to give the public service, which is the main issue in this branch of the music business at the present time.

“The sheet music department which is in (the) charge of Miss Janet Dennis, will also be operated in an up-to-date manner and all the latest popular and classical music will be carried at all times.”

JOKE: Often in older papers, a one-liner will appear tucked in between stories, perhaps as a space filler or maybe just for amusement’s sake.

This one appeared on Nov. 2, 1917: “It gets to be a long time between birthdays when a girl passes 25.”