FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover
By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Historian, Chair of Revolutionary Yonkers 250, 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
July 22nd
July 22, 1942: NY Governor Herbert Lehman directed Yonkers Mayor Benjamin Barnes to close all our gambling and bookmaking places, “without loss of time” and “regardless of the identity of their owners or operators.” Barnes felt honored Lehman recognized him “as boss,” although our City Charter gave most of the authority to the City Manager. The Mayor announced he would take control of the Police Department, appoint an investigating officer, and remove uniformed police officers from the front of suspected gambling places.
July 22, 1942: Horace Gray, City Manager League Chair, caused an uproar when he “accused” Draft Board Chairman and former Republican Mayor Ulrich Wiesendanger of granting an “unwarranted deferment” to Democratic Councilman Al Richter. Turns out the deferment was granted at the request of the Navy! Gray claimed he was just “asking questions.”
Richter investigated positions he might be suitable for, applying for three jobs. He was rejected for one, but the Navy seriously was considering Richter for the other two… and asked he be deferred until they finished.
Tuesday July 23rd
July 23, 1929: Spreckels Sugar Refinery began erecting five new illuminated signs to replace old signs on its plant at the foot of Vark Street, to denote change of the company name. Signs north and west were for river traffic; the sign to the east would be for Yonkers, and remaining signs were a “deluxe version” for train traffic traveling north and south on nearby tracks.
They also announced sugar packets supplied to hotels and restaurants in Westchester County and New York would be labeled “Made in Yonkers!”
July 23, 1949: Austrian born chemical engineer Dr. Fritz Hansgirg of Kenilworth Road passed away. Hansgirg invented the internationally recognized method of manufacturing superior magnesium, called the Hansgirg Method.
After selling American rights to Henry Kaiser in 1941, he built a huge plant in California. Since he had worked for several years in Japan, he was arrested as an enemy alien shortly after Pearl Harbor. Hansgirg operated the new plant from the San Jose jail. Once released, he expedited production of magnesium to manufacture planes and bombs.
Also known as the “Father of Wartime Heavy Water Production,” Hansgirg’s manufacturing method was essential to the Manhattan Project building the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki.
At the time of his death, he worked for American Electro Metal Corporation on Yonkers Avenue.
Wednesday, July 24th
July 24, 1939: FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover paid tribute to The Herald Statesman for its role in capturing Hendryk Reszka, “hiding in plain sight” at 275 McLean Avenue! According to Hoover, “The press of this country can be of invaluable assistance, especially bringing attention to fugitives from justice… I wish to extend to you my deep appreciation.”
Reszka, leader of thieves accused of stealing $1.5 million in jewelry, had escaped from Great Meadows Prison two years earlier and moved to Yonkers with girlfriend Frances Consola. Identified after his description was published at the request of YPD Chief Edward Quirk, he was caught walking near Getty Square by detectives from the FBI, NYPD and Pinkerton.
Thursday, July 25th
July 25, 1930: John Law of Yonkers, Manhattan College Football team Coach, announced Manhattan College and Atlanta’s Oglethorpe University would play New York’s first night college football game at the Polo Grounds! Powerful lights were used to illuminate the field to daytime brilliance.
July 25, 1934: Dr. James King began an internship at Yonkers General Hospital, the first person of Chinese heritage to do so.
Friday, July 26th
July 26, 1922: Health Commissioner Clarence Buckmaster announced gypsies camping in Yonkers left before the 9 am deadline he gave them. Buckmaster credited Second Precinct Captain John Cahill and his officers; they “gave the visitors little rest,” showing up an hour before their deadline to “encourage” departure.
July 26, 1922: Mrs. Catherine Carney, owner of property the Police and Fire Bureau Stables were on, notified Public Safety Commissioner Tobin she was raising the rent August 1st, from $70 to $130.
Saturday, July 27th
July 27, 1937: Dr. Stephen Goodrich of Landscape Avenue, one of our last surviving Civil War veterans, passed away at the age of 90. Goodrich entered service at the age of 15, with his first combat experience in the Battle of Spottsylvania. From then on, he saw almost constant fighting. After being captured, he was taken to Andersonville Prison and paroled two months later; the Confederates broke up the prison in the face of Sherman’s advancing Army. He returned to his regiment in time for Grant’s last offensive before Appomattox and witnessed Lee’s surrender. Goodrich’s grandfather Captain William Hutchings, one of the last survivors of the Revolution, had lived to see his grandson Stephen fight in the Civil War.
July 27, 1922: Public Safety Commissioner Tobin announced he would not give in to Catherine Carney’s 85% rent increase demand for her Central Avenue property. Tobin announced he would “be glad if the city was evicted.“ He believed Yonkers should buy land to build a new fire and police station.
Sunday, July 28th
July 28, 1936: Yonkers College opened its summer session at Saunders Trade School with 40 students. Its curriculum included courses in languages, mathematics, economics, public speaking, philosophy, and psychology. One class, limited to ten students, studied modern advances in biology by visiting scientific institutions throughout Yonkers. Dr. Crocker, Director of the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, offered the collegiate center full use of his institution’s facilities. Another special course was the historical background of
modern society, comparing contemporary democracies and dictatorships to those in the past. No credit was offered for these courses, but successful students received certificates.
Approximately 150 high school students enrolled for Fall 1936 Yonkers College courses; the College of the City of New York took on the center and accredited its courses.
Questions or comments on this column? Email YonkersHistory1646@gmail.com. For information on the Yonkers Historical Society, Sherwood House and upcoming events, please visit its website www.yonkershistoricalsociety.org, call 914-961-8940 or email info@yonkershistoricalsociety.org.
