Jan. 1st

1816

A report for 1815 showed Herkimer County had forty-three slave holders having fifty-three slaves valued at $8,465. Slaves and horses were about equal value. The county was divided into six slave towns (Columbia, Fairfield, German Flatts, Herkimer, and Schuyler) and five free towns (Frankfort, Newport, Norway, Litchfield, and Russia.) The Town of Little Falls had not yet been organized.

1866

The Journal & Courier published the 1865 income of notable Little Falls residents – N.S. Benton $3683, Geo. A. Feeter  $2379, J.J. Gilbert Sr. $8508, D.H. Burrell $1323, Z.C. Priest $9920, W.G. Milligan $2662, Nelson Rust $8550, X.A. Willard $1315, A. Loomis $1992, Harry Burrell $8549.

1875

Golden Gate Lodge No. 414, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) paid recognition to its five charter members, and the installation of the first officers at the new lodge meeting rooms in the Wheeler & Milligan building in Little Falls. Preceding the ceremonies, a sumptuous banquet was served at the Hinchman House.

1887

Today marks the eleventh week of the lockout of the employees belonging to the Knights of Labor in the Little Falls knitting mills. The mills are all running, the manufacturers being satisfied with their present help.

1890

“Uncle” John Feeter again announced the arrival of the new year by firing his old revolutionary flint lock musket.

1920

A Main Street block was swept by a costly fire, one of the worst fires experienced in many years, with damages amounting to $50,000. The fire originated in the Burney Brothers Hardware Store (current White Rose Bakery) and spread to M.J. Coats, B.E. Chapman, Michael J. Creedon, and L.O. Bucklin businesses.

1950

It has always been rumored that Little Falls has more Bars/Grills/Drinking Establishments per capita than any community in New York State. The city has 41 such places, 11 on the South Side. Based on our population, that is one bar for every 239 persons – one for every 179 persons of drinking age.

1994

At the start of the year, there were nine lawyers in Little Falls.

Jan. 2nd

1874

General Z. C. Priest informs us that during the past ten years, there have passed over this division of the N. Y. Central Railroad, 5,700,000 cars, or an average of one every minute during that long time.

Jan. 3rd

1913

The three month long strike in the Little Falls textile mills is over. The workers will receive 60 hours of pay for a 54 hour week, and increases in the rate for piecework ranging from 8 to about 15 percent. All employees will be rehired.

1924

To safeguard coasters, motorists will be asked to stop at all intersections leading into Monroe Street. This was an exception as the commissioners decided to have the police enforce the ordinance against coasting on other city streets. Coasters are at risk of being struck by automobiles and trolley cars. It was observed that bobsleds go down East Monroe up to 40 mph.

1942

WW II Era – A Home Defense Council was appointed by Mayor Richard Conley. Home Defense units were formed: Firemen 150, Police 125, Air Wardens 400, Observers 40, First Aid 40, Red Cross 20, Transportation 20, Demolition 15, Public Works 30.

Jan. 4th

1893

Crowds greeted former heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan and his troupe as they checked into the Metropolitan hotel in advance of his performance in “The Man from Boston” a sensational and romantic drama. Admission is 50 cents to $1.00. The fellow sparring with Sullivan was Daniel Dwyer an old-time prize fighter.

1916

The contract for the new City Hall was given to George Wills Company for $104,706. Of this total, David H. Burrell donated $60,000.

1919

In his annual report, Chief of Police James Long reported 698 arrests during 1918 – 664 males and 34 females. Of special interest were the significant increase in the number of cases of juvenile delinquency, which Long laid principally at the door of parents who are indifferent to the welfare of their offspring.

1925

Tony Sarg’s marionettes made a great appeal at the afternoon  performance, “Pied Piper of Hamelin,” given to 1,500 school children of the city at the Rialto Theatre. The evening performance, for adults, was “Treasure Island.” Mrs. Loomis Burrell was in charge, assisted by Mrs. George H. Smith.

1934

The first truckload of machinery arrived from New York City for the Melrose Slipper Company, and was installed on the top floor of the former Phoenix Mill. The firm expanded and soon occupied all six floors of the building.

Jan. 5th

1883

An unknown caller left a little box containing $80 in gold at the home of Rev. Francis Bellamy. An accompanying card informed him that it was from his friends in the Baptist church.

1892

Patrick Kelly, of Little Falls, who has been serving a five year sentence in Auburn prison for mayhem, was pardoned by Governor Hill.

Jan. 6th

1885

On this date, Rev. Francis Bellamy wrote a letter to the Journal & Courier on behalf of a group of earnest ladies in Little Falls who were endeavoring to do something to relieve the suffering of the very poor in the village. In his letter, Bellamy distinguished between the “deserving poor” and the “undeserving poor.”

1900

The Little Falls fire and police departments and the recorder’s court have moved into the new municipal building at the corner of Albany and Second Streets. The first floor contains the fire department with stalls for the horses. Jail cells were in the basement.

1955

Capt. Milan Mosny died today in a collision of jets over Tokyo Bay. He was the valedictorian of his high school class, and a star basketball player at Little Falls High School under Coach Wilbur Crisp. At West point, the 5’9” Mosny was the team captain, the leading scorer, free throw and field goal percentage leader for both the 47/48 and 48/49 basketball seasons. He was buried in Church Street Cemetery.

This Week in History” is brought to you by the Little Falls Historical Society. Please visit the Little Falls Historical Society Website and please consider supporting the Museum by becoming a Member. Download the membership form here!