Apr. 17th

1858

The Little Falls newspaper, the “Mohawk Courier”, in an extra edition, wrote “Glad Tidings, the United States and England have exchanged greetings, through the Atlantic Cable.”

1952

Restante’s Dairy Bar opened at 67 Flint Avenue featuring milk, cream, buttermilk, and specialty homemade ice cream. It was operated by Paul Restante Sr. and his sons Paul Jr. and John. In 1960, they purchased an ice cream truck and peddled their wares evenings throughout the city neighborhoods.

1964

Long mislaid headstones were uncovered this week when the old West Shore freight house was razed. Both stones bear the name “Bellinger” with date of 1886-1889 and 1884-1893. It appears the stones were shipped via the West Shore Railroad and never picked up.

Apr. 18th

1876

Dudley Burwell, prominent Little Falls attorney and one-time member of the State legislature, died at his home in what is now Moreland Park. He donated the land for the park and is buried at the top-of-the-hill with his beloved dog.

1894

Date of a letter to Zaida Zoller of Little Falls from Susan B. Anthony asking that on November 6th the adjective “male” be stricken from the suffrage clause of the U. S. Constitution.

1896

Frank Vincent, of Little Falls, has purchased a lot on Southern Avenue, directly across from Casler & Eaton’s ice house, and will erect a building to be used as a mattress factory. He had started a small mattress business in Casler’s saw mill a few years ago.

1942

WW II Era –  The “Salvage for Victory” campaign got off to a good start when the old German cannon, a fixture in Eastern Park since 1920, was dismantled by work men from Matlow & Sons scrap yard.

Apr. 19th

1940

At 11:33 pm, the New York Central Lake Shore Limited, speeding to make up for lost time, crashed at the sharp Gulf Curve in Little Falls killing 31 and injuring over 100 others.  The massive pileup taxed the resources of the local hospital and community, however they responded in a magnificent and heroic manner to the disaster.

1958

At the former LiFalco Manufacturing plant on East Mill Street, a small group of local entrepreneurs are building canoes out of a new material, fiberglass. All of the canoes are being taken by Horrocks & Ibbotson Company of Utica, a distributor of sporting goods. Neil Baum is president, Ed Cigale vice-president, and Ed Gregorka secretary-treasurer.

Apr. 20th

1831

A group of Albany men, purchased the Ellice’s holdings, and held a meeting at the McKinster House to dispose of the lots and property.

1883

It has been decided to build a footbridge on the east side of the Mohawk River bridge. This will accommodate foot passers who currently risk being knocked off should a runaway team happen along, or have to wade through slush and mud during spring and autumn.

The Board of Health should compel the removal of all slaughter houses to outside the corporate limits, at least during the summer months. No one wants to be near the numerous establishments on Mill Street and vicinity that are close to our mills and many dwellings. Windows had to be closed on account of the nauseating odors emanating from them.

1887

There will be a balloon ascension tonight at 8 o’clock on Main Street.

1918

As a part of the Liberty Loan campaign, a seven foot diameter ball is being rolled from Buffalo to New York City. The jouncing sphere was pushed through Little Falls by Boy Scouts ahead of a five division parade with twenty five hundred people in line including fifteen hundred union members. After a speech by Mayor Zoller, the scouts rolled the ball to East Creek.

1940

The recently remodeled and redecorated Sokol Hall on Flint Avenue will host a big gymnastic meet and exhibition today with venues at both the Y.M.C.A. and the hall. Teams from Rochester, Gloversville, Binghamton, Johnstown, and Little Falls will be in competition.

Apr. 21st

1831

Several new streets are to be opened and a number of new buildings are to be erected including two houses of public worship – Baptist and Presbyterian – and a third, the Episcopal, is in contemplation. The chant is, “Let the people with money come on to Little Falls and use the water front.”

1908

Miss Annie S. Wall, deputy state factory inspector, was brought to the city by the mill owners to get an official interpretation of the newly amended state factory law. She indicated they were conforming with the law, but were not fully aware of its provisions. Further, she said “ …. and the mill owners of this city now give as little trouble as any in the state.”

1919

Corporal John B. Reardon enjoys the distinction of being the only man from Little Falls cited for bravery during World War I. A member of the 77th division, his citation was for bringing food and ammunition to his comrades in the “lost battalion” in the Argonne sector. His Captain said “He would carry rations to hell if men needed them there.”

Apr. 22nd

1890

One of the pleasantest social events of the waning season was the private social given by the Celtic Lyceum at the Star Academy tonight. Refreshments were served, and Fallis’ orchestra furnished music for the occasion.

1903

The grand colored ball and cake walk was held this evening at the Chronkhite Opera House under the direction of Professor Johnson. The cake walk was participated in by couples from Utica, Syracuse and other neighboring cities.

1911

The wreck of the American Mail & Express train in Little Falls has been determined to be premediated. A person or persons, put obstructions in the switches causing the engine to “leap” from the rails. The engineer and fireman were badly injured.

1917

The fire alarm system was transferred to the City Hall which was still under construction. Fire Chief Ed Cooney moved in that day, so as to take care of the equipment.

Apr. 23rd

1892

John Chester resigned his position as boss spinner at the Saxony Knitting Mills after thirty-one years of service. The spinners presented him an elegant gold-headed cane. The cane is a handsome ebony stick with a massive gold head monogramed with the letters “J. C.”

1949

Dr. Augustus B. Santry, three-time mayor of Little Falls (1908-1909 and 1931-1935) passed away today. Dr. Santry practiced medicine in Little Falls for more than half a century and served for many years as health officer of the city.

1953

Honey Russell, basketball coach at Seton Hall, was the speaker at the Varsity Club’s ninth annual Athletic Awards banquet at the Masonic Temple. Trophies were awarded to star athletes from LFHS and St. Mary’s. Russell was also reunited with three members of the 1929-30 LFHS state championship basketball team who had played for him on a Utica pro basketball team.

1963

The Little Falls Historical Society received a provisional charter from the University of the State of New York Education Department. This capped a multi-year battle with the Urban Renewal Agency to prevent the 1833 historic Herkimer County Bank building from being torn down.

1964

The Little Falls Housing Authority awarded contracts for the construction of the housing development, the Valley View Courts, on East Monroe Street Extension. Work is expected to start next month.

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!