Thirty years ago — 1992

Ralph “Bucky” Phillips, 29, of Stockton, Chautauqua County’s most-wanted felon for more than two weeks, was returned to the Chautauqua County Jail in Mayville this afternoon. Within 10 minutes of his arrival, he was arraigned before County Court Judge Lee Towne Adams by DA John T. Ward Jr. on two two-count marijuana indictments. Police say Phillips stole at least a dozen vehicles after he crashed his motorcycle on the Stockton-Bear Lake Road and took flight.

Forty years ago — 1982

Fredonia State University alumni who recently abandoned the search for a 75-year-old statue of Abraham Lincoln that stood in the Fredonia Normal School for many years said it was a shocking surprise to see the OBSERVER’s Feb. 11 photograph of the statue in the John W. Dill American Legion in Brocton.

Fifty years ago — 1972

A seven-foot Latin cross, to be hung in the sanctuary of the Fredonia Baptist Church, will be dedicated during Sunday services. The cross, made of black walnut, was constructed by Casimer Dloniak of Dunkirk.