This day in history: April 17

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.

This day in history: April 18

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 workman from Matlow & Sons scrap yard.

This day in history: April 19

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-treasure.

This day in history: April 20

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.