By Mary Hoar, President Emerita, Yonkers Historical Society, recipient of the 2004 Key to History, and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, October 25th
October 25, 1915: Police Headquarters came up with a new definition of intoxication. They booked a homeless man on the charges when William Daxon, NY Central RR Special Agent, informed police he spotted the gentleman standing near the tracks and lobbing spuds at the windows of trains pulling into the Yonkers Train Station!
October 25, 1949: Yonkers composer Vic Kenmore of Saw Mill River Road, heard his recently released tune “My Love Song,” performed in Yonkers in the vaudeville program at Loew’s Theater. Besides being heard in Yonkers, Peter Ratonda, the orchestra leader at the Stork Club, not only introduced the song at the world-famous club, but also played it nightly. Kenmore, a pianist at Riptide on South Broadway, had the song published by Yonkers resident Fred Mayo, head of the Mayo Music Company. Not to rest on his laurels, Kenmore also was hard at work “perfecting luminous plastic drumsticks,” patent applied for.
Tuesday, October 26th
October 26, 1776: American light horse and infantry companies took overnight possession of the Manor Hall on their way to the Battle of White Plains.
October 26, 1944: Casper DiMaggio of Ash Street, returned home from war with pictures that thrilled his parents. Both of Di Maggio’s parents were born in Altofonte outside Palermo. While stationed at Palermo, he paid the town a visit. As soon as he set foot in his parents’ hometown, he ran smack into aunts, uncles and an assortment of cousins! They liked him so much, he was invited to spend the remainder of his free time with the family, coming for special meals and just getting to know them. When he got home, he filled his parents in on all the news, and illustrated his stories with the dozens of pictures he took!
Wednesday, October 27th
October 27, 1919: Public Safety Commissioner Maurice O’Keefe announced “bone-dry” war time prohibition would be in effect until Washington authorities lifted the ban; federal law stated no beverage with more than ½ of one percent alcohol could be sold.
October 27, 1944: Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal sent a Navy Day commendation telegram to the men and women of the Alexander Smith and Sons Carpet Company for their role in the war effort. “The patriotic support of our working forces at home has been a major factor in our successes… it seems appropriate, therefore, on this day when America pays tribute to her fighting Navy, to tender a salute on behalf of the fleet to the men and women who are backing up the Navy in the war plants.”
Thursday, October 28th
October 28, 1927: The Waring mansion at 92 South Broadway was “knocked down” to John Stone of 315 South Broadway for $10 by City Clerk John Kettell’s in his City Hall office. That hammer sounded the knell for the old home that once was among the city’s show places.
October 28, 1943: Seventy-year-old William C. Handy of Chester Drive took a serious fall while waiting at the 146th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue subway station, fracturing his skull. Known as the Father of the Blues, he was one of the most influential songwriters in the Country. His best-known compositions are “St. Louis Blues” and “Memphis Blues.”
Friday, October 29th
October 29, 1924: Upholding the contention Yonkers is just as suitable to make movies as France, the NY Supreme Court handed down a decision awarding John E. Kellerd $772. Kellerd signed a contract to make a film for a New York concern in the “suburbs of Yonkers.” Instead, the company filmed in France. Kellerd, unable to go to France, sued for his contractual agreement to be honored.
October 29, 1934: In a race against time, John Gullikson, Jr., became Yonkers’ first “taxi baby!” Mrs. Gullikson called for an ambulance, but it never arrived. In desperation, she called Central Taxi Company. Dispatcher William Wall fielded her call; he had no cabs so he grabbed a car and rushed to the woman himself, then sped non-stop from Gullikson’s Walnut Street home to the hospital, but the wee baby had another idea. John made his entry into the world at Nepperhan Avenue and School Street. Doctors reported mom and baby were doing well.
Saturday, October 30th
October 30, 1934: Socialist US Senatorial candidate Norman Thomas spoke at a rally in Eagles’ Hall on South Broadway; he garnered more than 200,000 votes statewide. Thomas also ran for NY governor in 1924, mayor of NYC in 1925 and 1929, NYS Senate in 1926, NY alderman in 1927, and ran for US President six consecutive times beginning in 1928, all on the Socialist ticket.
October 30, 1944: Yonkers mourned when it learned Private First Class Gerald
Azzinnaro of Seminary Avenue was lost when a heavy bomber he was on crashed in Florida. His sister Antoinette called the base to confirm. She was told her brother was on leave. Unfortunately, the officer was wrong, and Gerald had perished along with eight other crew members.
Sunday, October 31st
October 31, 1912: Mrs. Corinne Knickerbocker presented a life-size bust of George Washington to Mayor Lennon for the City of Yonkers. Created by the late Wilson MacDonald, it was a replica of Houdon’s life mask of Washington, molded directly from Washington’s face in 1785. MacDonald numbered the castings he made, writing on the back, “This is a mathematical reduction of the original Life Mask Bust of Washington, sworn to by Wilson MacDonald, Copyright 1899, Menry-Bonnard Bronze Co, Founders NY 1899.”
October 31, 1946: Yonkers PAL held its first Ragamuffin Parade. More than 3000 costumed youngsters marched without squabbling or injury. Adult PAL members, unformed police officers and fire fighters marched with the boys and girls; fifty prize winners each received silver dollars!
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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 yhsociety@aol.com.
