By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Historian, President Emerita Yonkers Historical Society, recipient of the 2004 Key to History, Member of the Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board, and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, February 13th
February 13, 1940:The New York State Education Department declared the election of Board of Education Vice President Sylvester Del Bello to the Library Board of Trustees was illegal. Yonkers was informed no member of the School Board was eligible to serve as a library trustee since the Board of Ed appointed the Library Trustees and it violated the State Education Law.
February 13, 1946: Because the fuel shortage had gotten so acute, City Manager Robert Montgomery declared a state of emergency, and closed all Yonkers schools, the Yonkers Public Library, and the Hudson River Museum for the rest of the week. He ordered wartime brownout regulations returned, including no window displays, outdoor electric signs, billboards and theater marquees. Theaters and “places of amusements” could continue to operate as long as they had fuel, but were not allowed to accept new deliveries.
Tuesday, February 14th
February 14, 1927: The Federal Sugar Refining Company after converting part of its plant to manufacture a brand new product, began manufacturing “dry ice,” making it the very first dry ice plant in the world! Dry ice, or solid carbonic acid gas, was the byproduct of the Federal’s Syrup Products Company division. Previously, the gas was stored in tanks and sold to soda manufacturers.
February 14, 1938: Justine Meredith of Meadow Road West filed an appeal of a decision against her law suit against the Dravo Corporation, the NYC Board of Water Supply, New York City and Yonkers. Night blasting at the Delaware Aqueduct shafts disturbed the sleep of Northeast Yonkers residents. Justice Witschief granted an injunction against the company, but denied $10,000 for Mrs. Meredith’s claimed damages.
Wednesday, February 15th
February 15, 1925: Billy Cook’s Inn on South Broadway closed its doors indefinitely. Cook, who went on a vacation with several prominent Yonkers residents a few days earlier, paid the staff through the end of the week before he left. He was arrested ten days earlier for selling liquor; the raid was conducted while the Yonkers Republican Club was holding their annual dinner on an upper floor. Mayor Ulrich Wiesendanger had stopped the Prohibition agents from checking dinner attendees for flasks.
February 15, 1943: In an effort to alleviate the late night noise nuisance and parking issues caused by the Glenwood Habirshaw Cable and Wire plant, City Manager William Walsh ordered a report on the situation from Captain John McCormack after Navy Chief Petty Officer Bert Rothing of Ravine Avenue had a public confrontation with Mayor Benjamin Barnes. Plant workers took all the parking spots in the Ravine Avenue area, and the heavy winter snow made it worse. People parked four to five feet from the curb on both sides of the streets, leaving only narrow driving lanes.
Thursday, February 16th
February 16, 1934: At a rally to protest high electric rates, George Kay, President of the Yonkers Merchants Association, urged Yonkers merchants to create a weekly lightless window night, explaining darkening windows the same night every week would be an “impressive protest.” Kay felt the company had too long ignored merchants complaints.
February 16, 1936: Ruth Dresser, head of Yonkers’ Big Sister Organization, found out how famous she really was! Former Yonkers resident Dr. Albert subscribed to The Herald Statesman while living in Arizona. When he spotted her picture in the paper, he cut it out, pasted it to the front of an envelope with the words “Yonkers, NY” and mailed it. Ruth got the letter!
Friday, February 17th
February 17, 1928; Dunwoodie Heights residents learned “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds on their appointed rounds,” did not apply to mud! Postmaster Albert Bogert advised residents parcel post deliveries were suspended until the muddy streets were cleared, and the muddy conditions from heavy, slushy snow were getting worse. Carrier delivery continued, but would stop if the sidewalks became bad as postal rules required walks and streets be kept passable for the safety of their personnel.
February 17, 1941: The United States Supreme Court unanimously upheld the conviction of Yonkers resident Earl Browder, 1940 Communist Party Presidential candidate, for “willfully using a passport obtained by false statements.” Browder had applied for a passport in 1934, swearing he had did not have a passport. They alleged he got a passport under three aliases.
Saturday, February 18th
February 18, 1928: Mabel Carr’s second grade class at School 22 decided they had to have a cat! They set up a mini-farm on their classroom sand table, and after seeing a cat in the hallway, thought that cat was the perfect way to complete it. The cat belonged to Janitor Edward Jakorsky, who agreed to allow the cat to spend time in their classroom.
February 18, 1939: Mrs. Anna Baraka filed a lawsuit for $70,000 damages against the City of Yonkers for allowing the trash at the Austin Avenue dump to be burned. The flames smoldered, making it necessary for her family to sleep with damp towels over their faces; four of her six children moved because of the constant odors.
Sunday, February 19th
February 19, 1925: Lieutenant Frederick Hopkins of Riverdale Avenue tested the practicality of a new communication method between land and air. With assistance from a copilot, his plane flew a few feet above the ground and Hopkins grabbed a note using a long string with a double hook.
February 19, 1947: Yonkers Health Commissioner Berwyn Pattison, working to eliminate noxious odors, asked Yonkers citizens to complain! His staff was interested in three “stenches:” stench 1 was described as burned corn; stench 2 was reminiscent of mucilage; and stench 3 was a barnyard odor, and wanted to know where, when, and which odor.
Questions or comments? Email YonkersHistory1646@gmail.com. For information on the Yonkers Historical Society, Sherwood House and upcoming events, visit www.yonkershistoricalsociety.org, call 914-961-8940 or email info@yonkershistoricalsociety.org
