This day in history: June 21

1821

While the stage was rapidly passing westward through the village, a passenger was thrown off and crushed beneath the wheels. Joseph Cowden, a merchant from Genesse County, returning home, died twenty minutes later. His remains were buried in our village cemetery.

1870

Recently, a new block at the corner of Main and Second Streets was erected by Hon. William I. Skinner, and designed by J. E. Warren of Rochester. The three story building, with a beautiful Mansard roof, stretches 120 feet on Second Street and 70 feet on Main Street. The structure contains 700,000 bricks made by Mr. Skinner. It will be known as the Skinner Opera House.

1889

After a meeting of the Village Board, and at the suggestion of the Trustees, a local campaign was started for the relief of the sufferers by the great flood in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In a short order, $2,700 in cash was raised in twenty-four hours.

1892

A severe shock of an earthquake was felt about 11:30 AM. There was a tremulous motion accompanied by a rumbling sound like that of distant thunder.  Windows rattled and glassware jingled. About four minutes after the first shock a second one occurred but less severe than the first. No damage was reported.

1901

The Pinkerton detective agency has taken up the search for Hadley Jones. The agency has branch offices all over the world including Central and South America. The Pinkerton’s are employed by the Bankers’ Association, to which the area banks,  which have been defrauded by Jones, belong.

1911

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show made its farewell stop in Little Falls. Colonel Cody was quite feeble and nearly fell off of his horse.

Work began on the construction of the Y.M.C.A.

2016

Independent candidate for Congress Martin Babinec, of Little Falls, announced the launch of the petition drive to gather signatures to qualify the Upstate Jobs Party as an independent party line for the November ballot.

This day in history: June 22

1913

At 3:00 am, a blaze, starting from defective light wiring, caused considerable damage at the Chronkhite block at the southwest corner of Main and Ann streets. Thick volumes of smoke were rolling from the Thomas Fitzgerald saloon, the Lasch & Kirchner tailor shop, and the Joseph Fleming shoe store.

1952

WLFH began broadcasts today at 1230 on the dial with Robert Earle as station manager. In addition to local programing,  comedy, mystery, and news programs will be relayed from the Mutual Broadcasting System. Included in the congratulatory messages will be one from Johannes Hansen, chairman of the board of Chr. Hansen’s Laboratories.

1977

Professional baseball comes to Little Falls. The Little Falls Mets, a farm team of the New York Mets, played their first game at beautiful Veterans Memorial Park before a crowd of 1371 fans. Little Falls beat the Utica Blue Sox 4-2 in an exciting contest.

This day in history: June 23

1898

The Ringling Brother’s circus performed in Little Falls.

1916

Insurance inspectors have notified Fire Chief Cooney that residential fire rates may be doubled unless suggested improvements are made. Recommendations made include two new chemical engines and more men.

1925

The Prentice Vise Company of New York City completed the purchase of the Henry Cheney Hammer Company. Elmer S. Mulford moved to Little Falls and became Secretary and Treasurer. His father, Edwin H. Mulford, was President. The company employed 75 people.

This day in history: June 24

1881

The recently condemned Catholic church on Petrie Street is being torn down by Thomas Dale & Sons for $4,525. The material was then used by the Dale Bros. for the construction of three beautiful brick residences along the corner of Alexander and Petrie Streets.

1898

Charles King’s Saxony Mills in Little Falls turned out high quality and high priced underwear, however the recent business recession led people to a cheaper grade of garments. King has been forced to close his mills and the business has been forced into receivership by his creditors.

1902

The building occupied by police and fire headquarters, corner of Second and Albany streets, was sold at mortgage foreclosure by Deputy Sheriff Kelley. This was the property on which Hadley Jones placed several mortgages which were of doubtful character. The property was sold for $9,878.

1917

The “Bird Women,” Katherine Stinson, became the first female to fly over Little Falls. Six years prior, the first man, Harry Atwood, passed over the city.

1923

It was announced that Mrs. D. H. Burrell, Sr. was planning the erection of a home for nurses on Whited Street. Mrs. Burrell passed away in 1924 before the nurses’ residence was completed.

1927

A formal presentation of the Carnegie Hero Medal was made to a young Slovak girl, 11 year- old Susie Mizerak, at a large dinner sponsored by the Exchange Club. She had jumped into the canal to rescue a 4–year boy; “caught hold of his clothing” and swam 22 feet to the ladder in the wall, and waited for help to arrive.

1932

A carload of flour, which will be given away free to needy families, has arrived in the city. The flour, made from government owned wheat, was obtained through the national Red Cross, and will be distributed this evening at 7 o’clock.

1961

One of the most memorable events of Little Falls Sesquicentennial Year transpired with the opening of the city’s new distribution reservoir, on Top Notch Road, which was dedicated to long-time resident and public servant George W. Boyle.