Senator John F. Kennedy campaigning for the presidency in Yonkers, with Yonkers Police Officer Joe Greco
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, September 15th
September 15, 1943: Aranya Smart, Women’s Division Chairman of Yonkers War Finance Committee, announced Yonkers School Children would finance a “Yonkers product” through bond purchases; the children promised to sell war bonds and stamps totaling $164,000 to fund a US Maritime Tug built at Arthur G. Blair shipyards in Yonkers!
The Committee wanted a Yonkers student to launch the boat, and hoped the Government would allow our students to name the tug.
September 15, 1943: Although rumors circulated the statute of limitations might prevent Rear Admiral Husband Kimmel’s trial, Secretary of the Navy Knox declined to discuss it. Kimmel, who lived at 280 Bronxville Road, was Commander in Chief of Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. War Department officials refused to discuss similarities between Kimmel’s case and Major General Walter Short’s case; Short was Commander of the Army’s Hawaiian Department during the attack. Both men retired after ordered to stand trial by courts-martial.
Tuesday, September 16th
September 16, 1952: Purl Wightman, owner of the Hudson River Country Club, petitioned the Common Council to change the zoning ordinance of her property. She wanted her 22,325 acres (south of Odell Avenue) changed to MG for garden apartments; this property was the golf course, a clubhouse and a caddie house. The change would “protect the residential character of that part of North Broadway.”
Her attorney, former Mayor Wallin, said this would protect the property, and she had no intention to build on the golf course or sell the property.
September 16, 1952: Detectives Alexander Forbes and Harry O’Neill arrested sixteen-year-old Francis Huen, who admitted committing 22 burglaries at gas stations, grocery and candy stores, pharmacies and private homes. More surprising, after escaping from the State School of Industry, he lived in Tibbetts Brook Park. First he lived in a foxhole, then in a tent stocked with stolen food.
After escaping from the correctional institution, he walked 12 miles to Rochester, robbing money from a parked car. He took a bus to Buffalo, where he broke into homes and cars. He then took a bus to NYC, returned to Yonkers by subway and trolley. Although his family lived on Mansion Avenue, he didn’t return there; he knew his father would tell YPD.
Wednesday, September 17th
September 17, 1930: Henrietta Livermore, President of the Women’s National Republican Club, announced the organization was considering supporting repeal of the 18th Amendment and the return of power to regulate manufacture, sale and transportation of intoxicants to each state.
September 17, 1942: The Army Quartermaster Depot announced Alexander Smith and Sons Carpet Company received a contract for 155,000 wool blankets, on which would keep the blanket-making department running full time into the next year.
Thursday, September 18th
September 18, 1943: Eight children from Nodine Hill organized themselves into “junior commandos,” raiding neighborhood households for tin cans. The kids went from house to house to stores that were not official collection centers; they stored their collection at the Joseph DeDivitis’ grocery store on Oak Street, where the salvage truck collected it. They were so successful, the truck frequently filled up at the “youngsters’ depot,” dropped off its load and returned to pick up more. The group also collected waste fat and sold it to the butcher; they used the money to buy war stamps. The “junior commandos” were Raymond Ferucci, Lucille Kennedy, Frances Placquadio, Marie Alfini and siblings Frank, Angelo, Theresa and Carmine Forlenza.
September 18, 1944: Anna Meade of Palisade Avenue received upsetting news from the US Navy; her son, Yeoman Second Class William Meade, US Coast Guard, was” lost at sea in the performance of duty;” fortunately, William was home on leave and standing next to her while she read the telegram!
His ship, the Bedloe, was lost in a hurricane.
Friday, September 19th
September 19, 1927: Alderman John Kinney, Council for hot dog vendor Walter Mahon, accused Public Safety Commissioner Cameron of persecuting his client.
Cameron had ordered Mahon to close his wagon on Central Avenue for blocking the sidewalk. Kinney reminded the court Judge Broderick allowed Mahon, in business on the spot for three years, to continue operating until it was determined whether he was on city property.
Cameron ordered Second Precinct Captain Cashin to arrest Mahon, saying he didn’t care what the judge said. Allegedly the Commissioner stated if Mahon went on his own property, he would install “No Parking” signs. The case adjourned until the City Engineer’s office could determine the exact border between Mahon’s property and Yonkers property.
September 19. 1928: Less than twenty minutes after the airplane Roma took off from Old Orchard Beach, Maine, attempting a non-stop flight to Rome, it returned with engine trouble. On board was medical observer Park Hill Avenue’s Dr. Leon Pisculli. When the flight took off a few weeks later, it was without Pisculli.
Saturday, September 20th
September 20, 1853: Elisha Graves Otis opened a small factory on the banks of the Hudson River to manufacture elevators equipped with his automatic safety equipment
September 20, 1921: Star basketball center Joe Lapchick signed to play with the noted New York Whirlwinds.
Sunday, September 21st
Sept. 21, 1666, Mary Doughty, widow of Adriaen Van der Donck, and wife of Hugh O’Neale, by right of her late husband, claimed “all that land upon the maine not far from Westchester, called the Younckers land;” to support her claim, several Indians testified to the authenticity of her late husband’s claim and her rights.
September 21, 1960: Mrs. Robert Kennedy and Mrs. Robert Wagner substituted for Democratic Presidential candidate John F Kennedy at a 200-person “Meet’n’Greet” at the Polish Community Center in Yonkers!
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.
