Brigadier General and Yonkers native Francis Brady
By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Municipal Historian, recipient of the Key to the City of Yonkers, President Emeritus Yonkers Historical Society and Yonkers Red Cross. Recipient of the 2004 Key to History, Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board Member, and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, March 23rd
March 23, 1930: Fairlawn, summer home of the late Alfred and Rosalie Nathan at 1181 North Broadway, was auctioned. The seven acre property, valued at $125,000, was sold for $138,000 to Frederick Marx.
March 23, 1942: After Sheldon Pollock, Yonkers Defense Transportation Chair, pleaded for Eleventh Ward emergency drivers, he learned Crestwood Red Cross had organized 507 drivers with vehicles.
Pollock stated emergency vehicles and drivers were under the Yonkers Defense Council’s Transportation Committee and needed training by their committee before they could be dispatched.
Pollock was “glad to learn” about vehicles available in Crestwood and invited their drivers to take his Defense Driver training.
March 23, 1943: Yonkers was shaken by air raid sirens at 4:55 in the morning, followed by a two minute blast signifying theoretical planes were overhead at 5:10 am.
The all clear was given over the radio at 5:29 am. Were we in danger? No! The surprise trial blackout was for the Bronx!
Tuesday, March.24th
March 24, 1942: Vice Mayor James Sullivan distracted former Alderman William Slater and Mayor Benjamin Barnes from escalating a loud argument into physical violence! The two got into a shouting match at a Public Hearing; it got more “animated,” and Barnes yelled he would throw Slater out. Just as Barnes was telling Slater to try, Vice Mayor Sullivan jumped in, with a loud speech, distracting the two from fisticuffs!
The hearing was for Westchester Surface Ways request to use the Broad Street viaduct to Bronx River Road and Midland Avenue to turn their buses; although it was a Mount Vernon line, the Mount Vernon side was not wide enough for buses to turn. Sullivan gave a long explanation of what was needed, closing the argument. The council unanimously approved the resolution asking Mt. Vernon to consider the Company’s application.
After the meeting, the two warriors were seen chatting amicably.
Wednesday, March 25th
March 23, 1943: Mayor Benjamin Barnes honored three Yonkers servicemen on Heroes’ Day; this ceremony was held at the Eastern entrance to City Hall. More than 1500 people attended. Special scrolls were presented to wounded Sergeant William Caldwell of the Army Air Corps, holder of several decorations; Midshipman William Zinchak; and Private Austin Millen. The scrolls were inscribed, “We are resolved that the City of Yonkers in recognition of the outstanding bravery you have shown in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, do take the means of setting down for posterity our sincere commendation for your meritorious deeds in World War No. 2.” Each scroll was signed by Mayor Barnes and had the city seal.
Private Millen, wounded in Tunisia, was in a New York Army base hospital and brought to the ceremony by car. Austin was the first Yonkers Police Department officer injured in action in WWII.
Thursday, March 26th
March 26, 1943: Glenwood Gardens’ Bert Lown was credited with the successful US tour by Madam Chiang Kai-shek! Lown, one-time stage partner of Rudy Valee and former Biltmore orchestra leader, represented the Citizen’s Committee of New York. He said Madame Chiang was an “exceedingly charming and brilliant woman—probably the most brilliant of our times.” Earlier that month, Madame had spoken to 17,000 people at a Committee Rally in Madison Square Garden. She urged we eliminate postwar hatred, asking we seek cooperation between nations.
For another program he organized for the American Red Cross, Jimmie Dorsey and his orchestra performed at the Brooklyn Armed Guard Center. Servicemen attending donated well over $1000!
His next event? Simultaneous neighborhood parties. Well-known stars would return to their former NYC neighborhoods, entertain the neighbors… then plead for contributions!
Friday, March 27th
March 27, 1957: New York State’s Joint Legislative Committee on Commerce and Economic Development complimented Yonkers for our handling of the departure of Smith Carpet Company, labeling it an example of “cooperative activity to bring in new industry.”
The committee’s report stated, “Jarred by the loss of Alexander Smith… Yonkers has taken stock of itself… now occupying space in the former carpet works are a tea packing company, and manufacturers of furniture, dresses, batteries, greeting cards, duplicating machines, pharmaceuticals, paper boxes, plumbing supplies and briefcases. General Motors converted one building into a parts warehouse.”
Saturday, March 28th
March 28, 1920: Mayor William Wallin submitted plans to transfer eight acres of Yonkers property to New York City. The property, east of Old Central Avenue and south of McLean, included McLean Pond; New York wanted to create an entrance to Van Cortland Park and fill in swamp land on the property.
March 28, 1943: Staff Sergeant John Quinlan of Truman Avenue had a narrow escape in the American air assault on Rouen, France. The Yonkers tail gunner in the American Flying Fortress “Hunk-o-Junk” downed a Nazi Fock-Wulf, then had his guns put out of commission by another German plane. When his plane landed, he discovered an unexploded 20-mm canon shell in his compartment, one that could have killed him.
Sunday, March 29th
March 29, 1927: Excavation for the new Sarah Lawrence College began in Lawrence Park West.
March 29, 1943: Randolph Street’s Brigadier General Francis Brady, son of the late former Yonkers Police Captain Hugh Brady, left the United States for another overseas assignment after visiting his sister, Mrs. Walter Fitzpatrick of Valentine Lane.
Brady won the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in the battle of Macassar Strait; during WWI, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Honor and Crois de Guerre with Palms from France and several British decorations for bravery. He was awarded the Silver Star for extraordinary gallantry.
If you have questions, please email yonkershistory1646@gmail.com. For information on Yonkers Historical Society, Sherwood House and upcoming events, please visit their website www.yonkershistoricalsociety.org, call 914-961-8940 or email info@yonkershistoricalsociety.org.
