Local reaction after Pearl Harbor: This week in Mohawk Valley history

Edward Harris, Utica Observer Dispatch
·6 min read
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1941, 82 years ago

It's war!

The happiness of the holidays is shattered in the Upper Mohawk Valley -- and throughout the nation -- when on Sunday morning, Dec. 7, Japan makes a surprise air and submarine attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The United States declares war on Japan and days later. Japan's allies, Germany and Italy, declare war on the United States.

In 1960, the New York Central Railroad developed an experimental snow blower. Its funnel blew out air of 300 degrees Fahrenheit with a force of 108 pounds per square inch. Its first job on January 6, 1960 was to blow snow off tracks from Utica to the Lake Placid area that was covered with 40 inches of snow. The snow blower, pushed by a diesel engine, was driven by Donald Carhart of Syracuse.

Residents in Utica and the vicinity are quick to respond. Local FBI agents begin to investigate German, Italian and Japanese aliens in the region and say they will arrest "any who are considered dangerous to the peace and security of the country."

It is believed that Germany is developing bombers with the fuel capacity to cross the Atlantic Ocean, reach the east coast of America and return to Europe, so hundreds of members of American Legion posts in Oneida and Herkimer counties volunteer to work at air-raid warning stations situated at high points across the region. They also volunteer to protect reservoirs at Hinckley and Delta lakes from possible saboteurs.

The biggest concern is the possible sabotage at area war-defense plants. The number of guards has increased at Savage Arms and Bosserts in Utica and Remington Arms in Ilion. Many guards have anti-sabotage training. Guards also are sent to Rome General Cable and Rome Revere Copper & Brass. Meanwhile, early the morning of Monday, December 8th, Army, Navy and Marine recruiting offices in the area are crowded with young men eager to enlist.

1923, 100 years ago

A war warning

Pierrepont Noyes, president of the Oneida Community in Sherrill, says the United States must help Germany to solve its financial problems or there will be another world war within 20 years. Noyes, addressing a group of area bankers in Hotel Utica, predicts that Germany will become an outlaw nation if its economy does not improve. "Reparation figures placed on Germany by the victorious allies in the recent world war are so high, Germany cannot possibly pay. It is destroying Germany and making Europe the most dangerous since the war ended in 1918." (Sixteen years later, Germany invaded Poland and began World War II.)

1948, 75 years ago

Area elections

Arthur J. Foley Sr. is elected director of the Automobile Club of Utica and William C. Steinhorst is the new treasurer. Meanwhile, The Utica Camera Club elect Ray Martin as its president.

1973, 50 years ago

Landmark destroyed

The Valley Tavern, on Main Street in the village of Mohawk, is destroyed by fire. The building, once known as Shoemaker Tavern, was built in 1768 and for many years accommodated westbound pioneers traveling through the Mohawk Valley. It is said that General George Washington dined there when he toured the region in 1783.

Names in the news include: Eric Bullock, who is elected president of the Sauquoit Valley Volunteer Fire Company; Howard Seld, Utica attorney who is elected master of Moriah Lodge 958, Free and Accepted Masons and Stephanie Yevich, the new president of the Westmoreland Road School Parents Club.

1998, 25 years ago

United Way

The United Way of Greater Utica raised $3.4 million, the most it has raised in its 78-year history. Timothy R. Reed is campaign chairman. Vice chairman Larry Gilroy III says, "I think it is a great accomplishment and a testament to the community." Money raised supports more than 400 programs run by 43 local health and human care agencies.

The All Mohawk Valley Field Hockey team consists of from Rome Free Academy -- Julie Zingerline, Kristin Ciotti and Kelly Washburn; from Clinton -- Shelia McKevitt, Katie Dillon and Heidi McCrath; and Jessica Ueltschi of Holland Patent; Heather Mika of New York Mills; Melissa Farber of Little Falls; Ann Fidler of Vernon-Verona-Sherrill, and Carrie DePuy of Morrisville-Eaton. Clinton's Carolyn Steele is "player of the year."

Frankfort-Schuyler schools have two new principals. They are John Brankacz at Reese Road Elementary and Patricia Haynes ar the Junior-Senior High School.

Jeff Dimeo makes two free throws with less than three seconds left in regulation play, to lead Oriskany to a 92-90 win over Brookfield. He finishes with 32 points. Mike Andoloro had 12 points for the winners and Mark Bader and Jon Tuhle each added 11. Brookfield got 35 points from Jeff Crandall and Matt Wilcox and Robert Risley each added 17.

2013, 10 years ago

Holiday celebration

It's Christmas on Main Street in New York Mills and it features decorated fire trucks, hayrides, snacks, bonfires, live entertainment and, of course, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. The best-decorated fire trucks with Christmas lights are from Maynard, Clinton and Bridgewater. "We spent three hours decorating our truck," says Maynard Firefighter Josh Szot.

"We usually come to do the sleigh ride as a family unit," says Renee Tramacera, whose daughter is part of the live entertainment. "It's fun for the kids," says Megan Horning, of Marcy. "It's a great community event," says Peggy Ostrander, of New York Mills.

In high school basketball, Notre Dame defeats New Hartford, 78-60, and is led by Kevin Warmack's 28 points, 9 assists and 7 steals. Cal Schaaf added 17 points and Jerome Brabham 14. Mark Chanatry leads New Hartford with 24. Meanwhile, Nick Comenale's 21 points lead New York Mills over Sauquoit Valley, 73-31. Terrance Nichols and Zach Vennaro each added 11. Ryan Griffith and Ethan Harris each scored seven points for Sauquoit Valley.

Trivia quiz

U.S. presidents often say the darndest things. I'll give you sayings, you name the presidents who said them. (1) One summer it rained for nine straight days in Washington and when a congressman asked the president if he thought it would ever stop raining, he paused for a moment and replied: "Well, it always has." (2) This president admitted he knew little about music. He said: "I only know two tunes. One is 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and the other ain't." (3) This president declined an invitation to attend a baseball game. He said: "I will not sit for three hours and watch someone else do something." (4) When asked about his political opponent, this president said: "His problem is that when he talks, he cannot think and when he thinks, he cannot talk." Answers will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: Presidential campaign slogans and the candidates who used them to win the White House. (1) "A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage." -- Herbert Hoover in 1927. (2) "Don't switch horses in the middle of a stream." -- Abraham Lincoln in 1864. (3) "Happy days are here again." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. (4) "I like Ike." -- Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952. (5) "Tippecone and Tyler Too." -- William Henry Harrison in 1840.

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com. 

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Local landmark destroyed by fire this week in Mohawk Valley history