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.

This day in history: July 11

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 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 17^th, 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.