This day in history: December 7

1887

Impressive services were held by the Knights Templar at the Little Falls Baptist church for General Zenas C. Priest, long active in local, state, and national affairs. Attending were President Chauncey Depew of the N.Y.C. & H.R. Railroad, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and many other dignitaries who were greeted by several hundred mourners at the passenger depot.

1941

WW II era – Little Falls citizens reacted with horror as reports came in concerning the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the beginning of World War II. Local residents were slowly receiving word about the fate of their relatives in Hawaii.

This day in history: December 8

1896

The notorious “Pastime Club” in Little Falls was shut down following the conviction of its promoters for the use of nefarious implements in their gambling den. It seems that a clever magnetic device was being used at the dice table to fleece the young men who frequented the place. Police are raiding other such “clubs” throughout the city.

1899

Do not forget the high school congress debate tonight at the Quackenbush Hall. The question is the Transvaal question. The proceeds are for the high school decoration fund.

This day in history: December 9

1848

The Ladies Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this village will hold a fair for the sale of useful and fancy articles at the Benton House.

1881

The Catholic bell now rings every morning at half past six, at noon and at 6:30 in the evening. It is a much pleasanter way of announcing the time than by the screams of the mill whistles every one of which is blown at a different time.

1898

For the past several weeks, Professor Sugarman , a practicing eye specialist in Little Falls, has been amazing local residents by taking daily plunges in the icy Mohawk River. He is a firm believer and advocate of the curative powers of cold water. The colder the atmosphere the more he seems to enjoy the bath.

1916

Henry Hondorf, of Jersey City, foreman of the structural iron workers building the new City Hall, died as a result of a fall from the top of the structure.

2005

Artist Stephen “Pitt” Nicholas has created a 34- foot mural on the west side of the 1855 stone building housing the Little Falls Antique Center. Nicholas’ piece relates the river and time to the historical area.