This day in history: July 7

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.

1891

The great candle in Anderson & Houghton’s jewelry store at 550 East Main Street is to be lighted. A contest is being held to guess the length of time it will burn. General W. F. Lansing was the winner of a gold watch with a guess of 4 days, 4 hours, 3 minutes and 3 seconds. The actual time was 4 days, 4 hours and 17 minutes.

This day in history: July 8

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.

1876

The “Daily Graphic” has a ten-page insert of maps of the country in which the Indian war is in progress, showing the location of two recent battles, an excellent portrait of General George A. Custer and Sioux chiefs, and reports and illustrations on the Centennial Exposition.

1932

As a result of provisions of the federal economy bill, employees of the post office will have a reduction of 8 1/3%.

Post Office employees, nationally as well as at the local post office, will have their pay cut about 8 % and receive reduced mileage allowance as a result of the Federal Economy bill passed by Congress.

This day in history: July 9

1722

Governor William Burnet purchased of 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.

This day in history: July 10

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.