Yonkers Mayor, NY Congressman and “Millionaire Straphanger” John Emory Andrus.
By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Historian, President Emeritus Yonkers Historical Society, recipient of the 2004 Key to History, Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board Member, Chair of Revolutionary Yonkers 250 and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, July 21st
July 21, 1934: Bryn Mawr Park homemaker Hansine Hirtle named Yonkers as codefendant with the Yonkers Electric Light and Power Company in an action she brought to force removal of steel towers built in 1933. The towers were built to bring electricity to New York City, power generated by Niagara Falls and upstate New York.
The Common Council approved the construction in return for a reduction in Yonkers’ utility rates.
Although Supreme Court Justice Joseph Morschauser refused
Yonkers’ earlier attempt for an injunction preventing tower construction, our city now was a defendant with the utility. And… Yonkers had a pending application in the courts for a permanent injunction forcing the electric company to tear down the towers; Corporation Council McAneny had brought the action citing the towers were a zoning law violation.
July 21, 1942: The dance of choice at Yonkers 73 South Broadway USO was… the “Hokey-Pokey!” The dance, introduced by visiting British sailors, became so popular it was danced every night at least once. Everyone joined in this irresistible party dance!
Tuesday, July 22nd
July 22, 1781: American and French forces formed a junction on Valentine Hill at daybreak. Abbe Robin, who came over with the French companies, offered the first mass in Yonkers for the gathered troops.
July 22, 1929: Yonkers fruit dealers were advised they would not be able to sell their “Hoover Apricots” under that name. Although grown and packed on a ranch in Wasco, California in which Hoover had a financial interest, the advertising annoyed the president. He only had a partial interest and the ranch was not called the Hoover Ranch. Even though the dealers paid 25 cents more for each box, and it was more expensive, sales had been brisk. The apricots were reported to have a superior flavor, making the extra cost worth it.
July 22, 1935: Two river incidents happened almost simultaneously at the Ludlow Yacht Club! Curtis Watkins, Prospect Drive, had just brought his passengers to the club dock when his 30-foot cruiser burst into flames; the Yonkers Fire Department extinguished the fire. Watkins suffered first and second degree burns.
The second accident happened when Peter Hemmel’s sailboat was swamped; a large riverboat came too close and created a “roller” and overturned the boat. They were immediately rescued, and the sailboat was righted.
Wednesday, July 23rd
July 23, 1931: Well-known contractor George T. Kelly of North Broadway judged the Mickey Walker-Jack Sharkey fight at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. The fight ended in a draw; Kelly voted for Sharkey and noted referee Arthur Donovan voted for Sharkey. The third judge, Charles Mathison, judged the fight a draw.
July 23, 1934: Central Avenue’s Nathan Dunn received a check for one cent, his proceeds from liquidation of the Westchester Trust Company. He had a balance of four cents in his account when the bank closed a few months earlier.
Thursday, July 24th
July 24, 1653: Adraien Van der Donck was given permission to practice law in New Netherlands, making him the first lawyer in the new world.
July 24, 1922: Cy Barker, one of Yonkers youngest pitchers, was signed to play for the semi-pro Federal A. C. Baseball Team by newly appointed Manager Frank Stiefel. The Federals were part of the Yonkers Industrial League.
July 24, 1946: Colonel Oliver Troster, head of Yonkers Tercentennial Commission, announced he appointed a special committee to select a Yonkers veteran to represent our city on a special Veterans broadcast called “One Year After.” “Veteran Reports” would commemorate the first anniversary of V-J Day, August 13th. Representatives from sixteen communities throughout the Eastern US would be interviewed. Each veteran would speak about his life since V-J Day, and how his community has helped him. Troster appointed Kris Kristensen as Chair; Melvin Kempton, Veterans Service Agency Director, and the Central Committee of War Veterans Organization would select their own representatives.
Friday, July 25th
July 25, 1906: Dayspring Presbyterian Church purchased land next to the church to build a parsonage. Mrs. Eva Smith Cochran’s generous donation made the purchase possible.
July 25, 1921: The Alexander Smith & Sons Carpet Company presented the largest bonus ever given by the company, $376,000 to be divided among its 5,628 employees. The bonus was $20,000 more than the previous highest bonus.
July 25, 1910: Amid rumors Congressman John Andrus might move his medicine plant from Palisade Avenue to one he would build on the riverfront, workmen began tapping soundings on his property between the National and Federal Sugar Refineries.
Saturday, July 26t
July 26, 1915: Alexander Smith & Sons Carpet Company gave their employees a nice surprise! They received an unanticipated 10% salary raise!
July 26, 1922: Julia Irving of 90 Locust Hill Avenue, great niece of Washington Irving, passed away at her home after an illness of more than two months.
July 26, 1935: Yonkers police and Pinkerton detectives worked together to search for men suspected of tampering with horses scheduled to race.
Sunday, July 27th
July 27, 1907: The Charles E. Blaney Amusement Company of New York City leased Warburton Avenue’s Music Hall. The new management kept the policy to show only first class plays.
July 27, 1930: In an emergency meeting lasting less than three minutes, the Common Council approved $10,000 to replace the Wells Avenue Police Headquarters roof.
July 27, 1934: Hours after Detectives Thomas Flynn and Joseph Sullivan arrested still operator Nicolas Fidlado, he was serving his sentence in Westchester County Penitentiary! He had immediately pled guilty and chose to serve his sentence immediately; he operated the still from his School Street apartment!
Questions or comments on this column? Email YonkersHistory1646@gmail.com.
For information on the Yonkers Historical Society, Sherwood House and upcoming events, please visit our website www.yonkershistoricalsociety.org, call 914-961-8940 or email info@yonkershistoricalsociety.org.
