Mohawk Valley History: Early carmakers and return visit by Richie Ashburn

1903, 120 years ago

Car makers

The Remington Automobile and Motor Company begins to make tonneau carriages in East Utica on a block bordered by Broad, Niagara and Ontario streets.

They are cars that seat five, have 10-horsepower, two-cylinder engines, and can reach speeds up to 35 mph. Each car costs about $1,700 and the interior is of the latest French design with seats upholstered in dark green leather.

The company was founded by Philo Remington of Ilion, grandson of Eliphalet Remington, founder of the gun manufacturing company in Ilion.

Alas, the Remington auto company went out of business in 1904. Utica was fast becoming a manufacturing center for the new auto industry but got little encouragement and no support from the city's civic leaders. Many of them had ties to Utica's many knitting mills.

The mills paid low wages and city leaders feared that the burgeoning auto industry -- that paid higher wages -- would cut into the mills' cheap labor force. Auto experts at the time, however, said that the Remington failed because of ignition problems and an imperfect carburetor.

1923, 100 years ago

Special visitor

Lilliian Sholes Fortier of Milwaukee, the first woman to operate a typewriter, is visiting the Remington Typewriter plants in Ilion. Her father, Christopher Latham Sholes, designed the first practical typewriter in the 1860s and this week marks the 50th anniversary of the year his invention was placed on the market by Remington. It began to manufacture typewriters in September 1873. One of the first to purchase one was Mark Twain, famed American author.

1948, 75 years ago

Ashburn visit 

More than 4,300 fans crowded into McConnell Field in North Utica to honor Richie Ashburn and watch the Utica Blue Sox play the Albany Senators. Last season, Ashburn - who now plays center field for the Philadelphia Phillies - led the Blue Sox to the Eastern League pennant. He is greeted by Yogi Giammarco, his close friend who plays right field for the Blue Sox. Ashburn tells the crowd: "It's great to be in Utica again. It looks like the same old fans are here today and I know it's the same old park."

Ashburn now is in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Meanwhile, David J. Roberts, of Washington Mills, is the first dairy farmer in Oneida County to receive the "progressive breeders award" given by the National Holstein Association. Roberts has a 200-acre farm

1973, 50 years ago

State regent

Emlyn I. Griffith, of Rome, is honored at a testimonial dinner at Hart's Hill Inn. He is the newest member of the state's Board of Regents - the state's policy-making body on education. He is the first regent from the Fifth Judicial District outside of Onondaga County since 1897.

Twenty-six men from New York Mills and vicinity form a new chapter of Optimist International. Ronald Newman, of New York Mills, is elected the club's first president. Others elected include Gino Nunno, of New Hartford, and Dean Perry, of New York Mills, vice presidents; William Krause, of New Hartford, secretary, and Joseph Yagey, of Yorkville, treasurer.

1998, 25 years ago

New name

Mohawk Valley Performing Arts begins its 25th year by changing its name to Mohawk Valley Ballet. Executive Director Dominic Passalacqua and founder and artistic director Delia Foley say performances in the Stanley Performing Arts Center will include "Dracula," a ballet with a bite; Tchaikovskys' "The Nutcracker," and a spring concert, "Celebration," narrated by Marolyn Wilson.

In high school football, Proctor beats Cicero-North Syracuse, 34 to 18. Lamar Liggins and Jose T. Colon, each ran for two touchdowns. Defensive end Will Smith returns the opening kick-off 84 yards for a touchdown and leads a swarming defense with Venice Erwin, Mike Inman, Mike Wells and Penny Semaia. Other stars on the offense are Chris Puleo, Clyde Taylor and Tennell Savage.

Michael Calogero, of Westmoreland, is elected chairman of the board of directors of the American Lung Association of Mid-New York. Other officers include Henry Testa of Ilion, vice chairman; Sue Bartholomew, of Vestal, second vice chairman; Michael Oriolo of Frankfort, secretary; Maureen Champoux of Ilion, treasurer; and Gerald Gortner of Canastota, assistant treasurer. Timothy Kane, of Eagle Bay, is a new board member.

2013, 10 years ago

Catholic schools

William W. Crist is superintendent of Catholic schools in the Syracuse Diocese, which includes seven counties, including Oneida County. The diocese has 22 schools and more than 5,000 students.

David Short now will direct operations at the Utica Youth Bureau. He will continue as the city's commissioner of public works and parks. Lonnie Jenkins is recreation director and Fred Sperry will oversee the city's infrastructure projects.

In high school boys soccer, Mike Bates' second half penalty kick gives New Hartford a 1-0 win over

Vernon-Verona-Sherrill. Justin Vanduluitgaar has 10 saves for VVS.

The 71st annual Edward J. Herrmann Invitational Cross Country Meet at Utica's Thomas R. Proctor Park attracts 2,100 runners from 62 schools. Race director Sam Paniccia was instrumental in getting the East Utica Optimist Club to sponor the event. Among the runners is Meghann Tanner, of Adirondack High, who ranks in the top 30 in Section III girls.

The 101st Sts. Cosmas and Damian feast attracts thousands to St. Anthony of Padua-St. Agnes Church in East Utica. Making the pilgrimage are peope from Canada, New Rochelle, Queens, Rochester and Syracuse.

Trivia quiz

This man had presidential ambitions for many years. He ran and lost in three presidential elections and twice refused chances for the vice presidency under winning candidates who later died in office. He was (a) Daniel Webster, (b) Henry Clay, (c) Arthur Vandenberg or (d) Harold Stassen. (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: President Jimmy Carter did not enjoy playing golf. It was said that he was more of a softball man. "He plays tennis a bit, loves fishing and is crazy about auto racing. But golf? Forget it."

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: Why did Remington's auto business fail? A look back at Mohawk Valley history