This day in history: November 3

1887

A reception was held today at the recently enlarged Barnet     Bros. tannery on East Mill Street, the second largest tannery on this continent. Rich and poor alike were made welcome with several visitors from abroad. Music and speeches are to be followed by a banquet this evening at the Metropolitan Hotel.

1952

Evening Times headline: “Voter Drive Reaches Colorful Climax Tonight” “Gala Parade and Program To Emphasize Freedoms We Protect Through Our Votes”

“Today the Little Falls “Get Out the Vote” swings into the final phase as members of the Citizens’ Committee prepare to go all out tonight and tomorrow to secure a record vote for this city. Tonight, one of the most colorful parades the city has seen in years will march through Main St. and end at Western Park where the floats will proceed to assigned positions framing the park and an outdoor show will be presented.”

1970

A resolution was passed by the Common Council authorizing the construction of a sewage disposal treatment plant for the City of Little Falls at an estimated cost of $5,700,000.

2006

Mary Haggerty, considered the “Jill-of-all- Civic-Trades” in Little Falls passed away today at age 58. An educator in Little Falls schools for 34 years, she was nationally prominent in the Girl Scouts and the Red Cross, and held leadership positions in the Hospital Guild, DAR, WCA, Community Chest, Holy Family Parish, and the Little Falls Historical Society.

2015

Mark Blask was elected as the new mayor of Little Falls on the Democratic ticket, gathering 745 votes, to 230 votes for current mayor Robert Peters Sr., and 36 for Michael Lonis.

This day in history: November 4

1893

Jack Dempsey, perhaps the most popular American prize fighter, arrived in Little Falls this afternoon, and will stay at the Girvan House. He will appear in “Bottom of the Sea” at the Cronkhite Opera House tonight.

1952

“Voting Heavy Here and Throughout the Nation: Nearly Half of Little Falls’ Vote Cast by 1 pm. Record Total of Ballots Will Be Cast in Election.”

“Little Falls voters were turning out in large numbers today to register their choice for President of the United States and the other offices to beap filled in the great national election. Although the polling places will remain open until 9 o’clock tonight, nearly half of the record number of voters here had cast their ballots by 1 o’clock this afternoon.”

1989

Long-time LFHS wrestling coach, Charley Young, was inducted into the Central New York Wrestling Hall of Fame. In addition to leading the wrestling program for over twenty years, Young also coached football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and physical education during his tenure at Little Falls High School.

This day in history: November 5

1874

The Chronkhite Opera House opened with a concert.

1897

The Little Falls fire companies were well known throughout the State for their expertise in fire drill competitions. They did not do as well in foot ball. The local Erina Chemicals team met the Herkimer Field Club at the county fairgrounds and came out on the short end of the contest. Little Falls lost 56 to 0.

1919

Rame Rovazzi (the unofficial mayor of the south side) led the Italian Citizens Band to the home of Nelson R. Gilbert to publicly congratulate him on being elected mayor of Little Falls. Gilbert’s motto had been “Fairness to All.”

1952

“More Than 99 Per Cent of Registered Voters visited the Polls Here” “Although it is still too early to know how this city stood in relation to the rest of the country, as far as the number of voters is concerned, it is evident that it stands very high and there is a strong possibility that Little Falls has produced the highest percentage on voters of any city in the country.”

Of interest are the two short telegrams exchanged by Eisenhower and Stevenson following the election:

Congratulations/ concession from Adlai Stevenson:  “The people have made their choice and I congratulate you. That you may be the servant and guardian of peace and make the vale of trouble a door of hope is my earnest prayer.”                                                         .

Eisenhower’s reply:  “I thank you for your courteous and generous message. Recognizing the intensity of the difficulties that lie ahead, it is clearly necessary that men and women of goodwill of both parties forget the political strife through which we have passed and devote themselves to the single purpose of a better future. This I believe they will do.”

This day in history: November 6

1901

John and Patrick Kearney have the contract to complete the St. Mary’s church steeple for $8,300. The original church building was topped at the height of the bell tower. The contracting masons built the handsome 185 foot steeple, and “crowned” the new spire with a massive gilded cross.

1911

David H. Burrell laid the cornerstone of the present Y. M. C. A. building which was then called the Presbyterian Parish House.

1912

A citizens’ mass meeting was held at the Hippodrome Theatre, sponsored by people not sympathetic with the strikers at the Phoenix Mill. The object of the meeting was: “to take action for the preservation of peace, business stability and the welfare in general to businessmen and wage earners alike, and the enforcement of laws regulating riotous and disorderly acts.”

1953

Dr. Mary K. Irving returned to Little Falls and set up a medical practice at 29 North Ann Street, the same location as Dr. J. J. McEvilly. She was the first woman doctor to practice in the city’s history