Mohawk Valley history: Week of remembrance, unity and tending horses

Frank Tomaino
·6 min read

1899, 124 years ago

There ought to be a law

A large, handsome horse is pulling a buggy across Genesee Street near Bleecker Street in Utica when it suddenly turns and heads for a drinking fountain for animals at nearby Franklin Square. The fountain is one of several scattered throughout the city's business district.

The driver, however, is determined to continue on his way so he cracks his whip near the horse's ear, urging it to keep moving. But the animal is just as determined to reach the fountain — and does. It is obvious that it has not had water in many an hour for it buries its head in the fountain and gulps with a sense of urgency.

A policeman spots the thirsty horse drinking, shakes his finger at the driver and scolds him saying, "Too many of you drivers are too much in a hurry these days. You don't even have a few minutes to give your horse a drink. There ought to be a law against cruelty to animals."

John Post left Schenectady in 1790 and settled in Old Fort Schuyler (in what is now Utica). He built a house (shown here in a sketch made by his daughter) on the west side of lower Genesee Street near Whitesboro Street. It was said to be the first frame house built in the area (the others being log houses). Post built a store in what is now Bagg’s Square and became one of the village’s first successful merchants, dealing in such items as tobacco, blankets, furs and ammunition. By 1802, he was the village’s highest taxpayer —at $2 a year. Post was a veteran of the Revolutionary War and was with Gen. George Washington on October 19, 1781 at Yorktown, Virginia, when British Gen. Charles Cornwallis surrendered to the Americans, leading to the end of the war.

1923, 100 years ago

Masons, Catholics

For the first time in Utica's history, Masonic organizations and the Knights of Columbus unite on a project. Ziyara Temple is sponsoring a circus in the State Armory and William Cahill, grand knight of the of the Utica K of C, promises that many of his members will attend and says members of the K of C Glee Club are eager to be part of the circus entertainment. Curtis Alliaume, chairman of the event, replies, "Your generous suggestion of cooperation is accepted with great satisfaction and is indicative of the existence of a broadminded American spirit in Masonic and Catholic circles locally."

1948, 75 years ago

New Hartford

Ralph W. Perry, of Washington Mills, is appointed supervising principal of New Hartford Central Schools. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1922 and has done graduate work at Columbia University.

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1973, 50 years ago

CYO event

Mark Bolos and Mary Jo Ferris are co-chairs of a smorgasbord sponsored by the Catholic Youth Organization of St. Louis Gonzaga Church in Utica.

The Frankfort-Schuyler Board of Education raises the cost of school lunches by five cents. Members say the lunch program is losing about $1,000 a month. Beginning next month, student lunches will increase to 35 cents and adult lunches to 65 cents.

1998, 25 years ago

Rev. King remembered

The Mohawk Valley Frontiers' 14th annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon is held in the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre. The Rev. Lawrence S. Harris, of Philadelphia, is main speaker. President Winston Johnson says, "The event is a way to continue the dream of a man who inspired many before and after the day he was assassinated."

Harris tells the large crowd that it is important to break down stereotypes. "People often hate each other because they do not understand each other. They do not understand each other because they do not know each other. They do not know each other because they do not communicate." Proceeds from the luncheon — that observes the birthday of Rev. King — pays for the Frontier's educational programs and student scholarships.

Evelyn Murphy is the new executive director of the Utica Symphony Orchestra. She succeeds Terry Ibbotson, who has retired after 21 years. Murphy, who lives in Waterville, attended Waterville High School and earned a a doctorate degree in economics from Michigan State University.

Evelyn Dryden, who has been an employee of the Utica National Insurance Group in New Hartford for 50 years, is guest of honor at a company luncheon. She began as a "mail girl" in 1948 and now is in the Actuarial Department's form-control unit. To celebrate her longevity, an entrée in the company cafeteria has been named Chicken Dryden.

In high school basketball, Notre Dame upsets Bishop Ford of Brooklyn to win the 25th annual Juggler Basketball Classic. Mike Plonisch scores 22 points and is named the tournament's "most valuable player." Kevin Roberts' basket with 1:22 remaining gives Notre Dame the lead for good. C.J. Cantil has eight points and nine rebounds. The win helps ease the pain of the recent death of former Notre Dame principal, Brother More.

2013, 10 years ago

Veterans remembered

In Yorkville, Douglas E. Voss, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 6001, presents a check for $1,000 and a hospital bed to the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center. Post Commander Ronald Jubis says, "Every thing we do here is to give back to the veterans. Homeless veterans have a lot of personal problems to deal with and this check is just a small token of our appreciation of what they have done for our country and a reminder that they are thought of."

Alfonso Thomas, chief engineer at the Rome Laboratory and a member of St. Paul's Baptist Church in Utica, speaks to the church congregation that is observing the birthday of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Thomas says that "there is still much work to be done. One day, we as people will cross the threshold and get to the promised land. The Reverend King was one of the greatest leaders of our time. He endured physical violence and degradation all for the love of his people."

The Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce elects John F. Kenealy as chairman of its board of directors. Others elected include: Scott K. Williams, first vice chairman; Michael Morrill, second vice chairman; James H. Brockway, treasurer; Brian R. Loughlin, assistant treasurer, and Vincent Chiffy, secretary.

Brenda Carney is elected president of the Mohawk Valley Nurses Practitioners Association. Other officers include: Deanna Brady, vice president; Kathy Marollo, treasurer, and Kristen Tooker, secretary. The association represents 250 nurses in Oneida County and 50 in Herkimer County.

Trivia quiz

I'll name the place, you name the U.S. presidents born there. (1) Kinderhook, New York, (2) Hyde Park, New York, (3) Hope, Arkansas, (4) Lamar, Missouri, (5) Stonewall, Texas, (6) Plains, Georgia, (7) Niles, Ohio, (8) Hillsboro, New Hampshire. (Answers will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected to four terms as president of the United States. His vice presidents were -- John Nance Garner for Roosevelt's first two terms from 1933 to 1941; Henry Agard Wallace for his third term from 1941 to 1945, and Harry Truman from Jan. 20, 1945 to the day Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945.

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: Mohawk Valley history: Week to remember Martin Luther King Jr.