This Week in History – Week of July 5th
July 5th
1832
The undisputed Asiatic Cholera is extending over our country, one case is reported in Little Falls. An ordinance for the protection of our village was passed. It ordained that no boatman or other person shall land or set ashore from the Erie Canal. No inhabitant shall let a sick person in the house, Inn, etc. without a certificate from the village president and physician stating the person is not afflicted with cholera.
July 6th
An imposter, garbed as a Franciscan monk, has been soliciting contributions throughout the city, allegedly for the assistance of the order. His attire was a novelty, and he attracted a great deal of attention and considerable coin. Nabbed by Chief Long, and taken before Father White, he was quickly found to be an impostor.
July 7th
1882
Two cannon balls, one 20# and the other 10#, were found on West Shore Road near the brick school (Jefferson Street School.) Others had been found in the area by construction workers, and they were thought to date back to the Revolutionary War.
July 8th
1869
Madame Fernanto, the wonderful clairvoyant and healing medium, has taken rooms in the Hinchman House for one week. She has a marvelous and wonderful skill in revealing the present and future, and can cure all kinds of female diseases. Her stay was extended a few days.
July 9th
1722
Governor William Burnet purchased from the Mohawks the lands lying westward along the river from Little Falls to Utica. This action was known as the “Indian Deed.”
1853
Henry P. Alexander, one of the largest land owners in Little Falls, sold parts of lots No. 99 and No. 100 on North Ann Street and No. 1 and 2 on Garden Street to the trustees of the First Presbyterian Society. The current Presbyterian Church stands at the corner of Ann and Albany Streets.
1886
A new law gives women the right to vote at school meetings providing they reside in the school district, has a child who has attended school for eight weeks within one year preceding, the child resides with him or her permanently, and owns personal property exceeding $55.
1985
Nine-year old John DuPont drowned today in the city’s municipal swimming pool. The finding of his body was delayed for a day before it was found, because of murky water due to an improperly functioning diatomaceous earth filter system.
1996
Two Chevrolet Caprice patrol cars, formerly used by the Little Falls Police Department, are on their way to Cairo, Egypt via the Bronx. A dealer bought the cars at a public auction,, and ships them to Africa where they have a higher resale value.
July 10th
1921
A new form of entertainment, a pavement dance, was held on East Gansevoort Street adjacent to Western Park.
1996
More than 50 people were evacuated from their homes on West Main Street when a contractor hit an eight-inch natural gas main causing a major gas burst. Factory workers at nearby Burrows Paper Company were also evacuated.
July 11th
1761
A letter from a British official, John Bradstreet, to the Petries: “I am directed by his Excellency General Amherst to acquaint you both of his being informed of your obstructing his Majesty’s Service at the Little Falls. If you do not immediately desist from such insolent behavior, he will treat you both with the severity your Crimes deserve.”
The Bradstreet letter was important because, outside the Water Powers, these and adjoining lots east were valuable as they controlled the carrying place around the Falls of the river, and the leases of lands for taverns, stores, and the license of passing the lands went with the title.
1876
Over two thousand tickets to Herkimer were sold at the railroad depot today.
1892
The members of the New York Liederkranz society lay claim to being the first gentleman to ride over a part of the Little Falls & Dolgeville railroad. However, the credit really belongs to about 400 public spirited citizens and youths who walked out to the work area and returned to the village in eleven work cars.
1913
The Little Falls Building, Savings And Loan Association was organized with the objective of the encouragement of industry, frugality, home owning and saving of money by its members.
1921
Letter from Homer P. Snyder to employees: We closed our factory on December 1, 1920, when the sale of bicycles suddenly ceased because of the general business depression and the increasing cost of material and high labor costs. We can now purchase material at a reduced price, and can reopen July 17th, on a limited basis, with a plan for a reduced scale of wages.
1964
One of the city’s oldest houses is the victim of Urban Renewal. A pile of rubble is all that is left of the brick home at the corner of Albany and Mary streets which was built in 1830 by Dr. Milton Gray.
1968
Eleven months after the voters gave approval, Rupert Palmer, President of the Board of Education, signed a contract for $2,395,457 for the construction of the new Little Falls Junior-Senior High School at the Top Notch Road site. Work was to begin immediately.
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!
Additional Links
- Little Falls Historical Society
- Times Telegram
- Little Falls, NY
- Little Falls City School District
- Little Falls Hospital
- City of Little Falls
- Little Falls Youth & Family Center
- Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts
- Upstate Venture Connect
- Shop Little Falls, NY
- Preserve Our Past
- The Mohawk Valley Through the Lens
- My Little Falls
- Think Local Little Falls
- Little Falls Public Library