The Historians

Mohwak Valley History on the World Wide Web and Public Radio

The Historians Go Fund Me for 2022 needs a slight(small in degree) push

 $150.00 by this Thursday, June 30, 2022

Update: $100.00 raised over the weekend Thank You 

A check in the mail to:

Bob Cudmore 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, New York 12302

or use your mouse

https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022  

Three Amsterdam train tragedies

By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History 

   Three Amsterdam accidents involving New York Central passenger trains in the 20th century resulted in a total of 18 fatalities.

   On April 8, 1918, the Empire State Express collided with a freight train near Henrietta Street in the West End shortly after Noon.  An eastbound passenger train, the New England Express, subsequently crashed into the derailment. 

   The engineer of the Empire State, John R. Botts of Albany, and the fireman, William Barringer, died.  It was considered miraculous that there were only two fatalities among the 60 people injured.

    Eight lives were lost May 6, 1924 when the Twentieth Century Limited passenger train struck a car being driven across the tracks near Dicaprio’s produce farm just east of Amsterdam.

   The automobile in the 1924 accident was driven by John Acee, 45, a clothing merchant on the South Side who was an immigrant from Syria.   Acee, his wife Emmeline, 33, their three children (Julia, Thomas and Joseph), Mrs. Acee’s sister (Sahandra Herb), the sister’s daughter (Mary) and an Italian immigrant (David Sprone) died when the car was struck by the fast moving train.

   Recorder history columnist Tony Pacelli saw the 1924 accident, which took place at a track crossing near Quist’s Lumber at Luther Street, “We worked on the DiCaprio’s farm during the summer months and were waiting for DiCaprio’s flatbed truck to take us home.  Mr. Acee was told to wait, for the train was due at any minute.  He did not comprehend.”  

   Pacelli said a small dog also was in the Acee car, “Mr. Acee was on track two and had trouble shifting the car when the train struck it.  No one survived but the dog, who ran down the tracks.”

   The Recorder reported the animal waited patiently but in vain for his favorite, Julia, to come home from school the day after the accident, “Through some means beyond his canine comprehension he has been bereft of a beloved playmate.”

   More than 100 Syrian-Americans came for the funerals from various Upstate New York cities, adding to the thousands of Amsterdam mourners.  Word was passed to local restaurants to feed the Syrian guests, keep track of the charges and present the bills to relatives of the Acee family.

   The wake was held at Dugan’s Hall of St. Mary’s Institute on Forbes Street after crowds overwhelmed the Perillo and Gilston undertaking parlors.

   The third accident was on June 15, 1945.  Eight men working on the main line tracks just east of Amsterdam were killed when struck by the Water Level Limited passenger train.  The men were from Mexico and had been hired to work on the railroad because so many American men were at war.   

   According to historian Hugh Donlon, the eight Mexican workers who perished were part of a group of 65 working on track maintenance that day.  Donlon said bodies were strewn along the tracks for a quarter mile.

   The eight Mexicans were buried in a mass grave at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Their bodies were taken to the cemetery in a procession of eight hearses.

   Diane Hale Smith of Amsterdam did research on the accident, “I located their unmarked burial place, using cemetery records and made arrangements for a headstone and urn to be put over the mass grave.”

   Smith said, “I imagined how future generations would hear the story of how these men had died so far from home.  It symbolized for me so many of our ancestors who ventured far from home never to return again--my own Swedish grandfather, to name just one… These eight men were building our rail system and lost their lives doing it.”

Todays rain should produce a puddle or two..

Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Puddle Program scheduled at Schoharie Crossing

“There's nothing shallow about a puddle! Puddles are homes, bathtubs, and drinking fountains for wildlife.

https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/schohariecrossing

The Friends of Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will wrap up Great Outdoors month on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 6:30pm by hosting environmental educator and author Anita Sanchez for the program, “Hello, Puddles!” This family friendly program will be conducted from the Enders House on Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter, near the Visitor Center.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Monday, June 27, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

FULTON COUNTY, JOHNSTOWN, LOCAL NEWS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THE GLOVERSVILLE LEADER HERALD

https://www.leaderherald.com/

If your driving thru The Mohawk Valley this weekend and tuning around the FM radio dial, keep an ear "out" for the Historians Podcast on several radio stations, same across The Southern Tier.

The Historians Go Fund Me effort for 2022 needs a little elbow grease

Need to raise $250.00 by this coming Thursday, June 30, 2022

Current and stuck at $2950.00-Goal $6000.00

Thank You

If good for you, a check in the mail to:

Bob Cudmore 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, New York 12302

or like trying to get away with 75mph on The New York State Thruway just click:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022  

Saturday, June 25, 2022-From the Archives- June 14, 2019-Episode 270-Deborah Emmons-Andarawis is executive director at Historic Cherry Hill, an 18th century house museum on South Pearl Street in Albany New York.  Hear about the lives of the former residents and the gripping tale of a murder at Cherry Hill in the 1800s.

Tomorrow, Sunday, June 26, 2022-Focus on History

Three Amsterdam train tragedies

The automobile in the 1924 accident was driven by John Acee, 45, a clothing merchant on the South Side who was an immigrant from Syria.

Ben Kemp Historians Episode 428 

Puddle Program scheduled at Schoharie Crossing

“There's nothing shallow about a puddle! Puddles are homes, bathtubs, and drinking fountains for wildlife.

https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/schohariecrossing

The Friends of Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will wrap up Great Outdoors month on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 6:30pm by hosting environmental educator and author Anita Sanchez for the program, “Hello, Puddles!” This family friendly program will be conducted from the Enders House on Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter, near the Visitor Center.

Mohawk Valley Weather for the Weekend, Saturday, June 25, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

FULTON COUNTY, JOHNSTOWN, LOCAL NEWS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THE GLOVERSVILLE LEADER HERALD

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The new column (Congressmen from Amsterdam) in the Gazette this Weekend

Amsterdam is being moved out of Tonko’s 20th Congressional district and will become part of the 21st district.  

https://dailygazette.com/

 (pick up a copy of the paper-paper or subscribe on-line)

Posted on Bob Cudmore dot com next Weekend

Today, Sunday, June 26, 2022

Three Amsterdam train tragedies

By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History 

   Three Amsterdam accidents involving New York Central passenger trains in the 20th century resulted in a total of 18 fatalities.

   On April 8, 1918, the Empire State Express collided with a freight train near Henrietta Street in the West End shortly after Noon.  An eastbound passenger train, the New England Express, subsequently crashed into the derailment. 

   The engineer of the Empire State, John R. Botts of Albany, and the fireman, William Barringer, died.  It was considered miraculous that there were only two fatalities among the 60 people injured.

    Eight lives were lost May 6, 1924 when the Twentieth Century Limited passenger train struck a car being driven across the tracks near Dicaprio’s produce farm just east of Amsterdam.

   The automobile in the 1924 accident was driven by John Acee, 45, a clothing merchant on the South Side who was an immigrant from Syria.   Acee, his wife Emmeline, 33, their three children (Julia, Thomas and Joseph), Mrs. Acee’s sister (Sahandra Herb), the sister’s daughter (Mary) and an Italian immigrant (David Sprone) died when the car was struck by the fast moving train.

   Recorder history columnist Tony Pacelli saw the 1924 accident, which took place at a track crossing near Quist’s Lumber at Luther Street, “We worked on the DiCaprio’s farm during the summer months and were waiting for DiCaprio’s flatbed truck to take us home.  Mr. Acee was told to wait, for the train was due at any minute.  He did not comprehend.”  

   Pacelli said a small dog also was in the Acee car, “Mr. Acee was on track two and had trouble shifting the car when the train struck it.  No one survived but the dog, who ran down the tracks.”

   The Recorder reported the animal waited patiently but in vain for his favorite, Julia, to come home from school the day after the accident, “Through some means beyond his canine comprehension he has been bereft of a beloved playmate.”

   More than 100 Syrian-Americans came for the funerals from various Upstate New York cities, adding to the thousands of Amsterdam mourners.  Word was passed to local restaurants to feed the Syrian guests, keep track of the charges and present the bills to relatives of the Acee family.

   The wake was held at Dugan’s Hall of St. Mary’s Institute on Forbes Street after crowds overwhelmed the Perillo and Gilston undertaking parlors.

Tomorrow, Monday, June 27, 2022-The story behind the story podcast- Three Amsterdam train tragedies (Eight minutes with information not in the print story)

   The third accident was on June 15, 1945.  Eight men working on the main line tracks just east of Amsterdam were killed when struck by the Water Level Limited passenger train.  The men were from Mexico and had been hired to work on the railroad because so many American men were at war.   

   According to historian Hugh Donlon, the eight Mexican workers who perished were part of a group of 65 working on track maintenance that day.  Donlon said bodies were strewn along the tracks for a quarter mile.

   The eight Mexicans were buried in a mass grave at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Their bodies were taken to the cemetery in a procession of eight hearses.

   Diane Hale Smith of Amsterdam did research on the accident, “I located their unmarked burial place, using cemetery records and made arrangements for a headstone and urn to be put over the mass grave.”

   Smith said, “I imagined how future generations would hear the story of how these men had died so far from home.  It symbolized for me so many of our ancestors who ventured far from home never to return again--my own Swedish grandfather, to name just one… These eight men were building our rail system and lost their lives doing it.”

The Historians Go Fund Me effort for 2022 needs just a little more elbow grease due to a great $100.00 donation Saturday night

 $150.00 to go by this Thursday, June 30, 2022

Current and unstuck from $2950.00 to $3050.00-Goal $6000.00 by this December 31.

We can deal with that later.

Thank You (Mohwak Valley History on the internet and radio)

Two ways to address this

...a check in the mail to:

Bob Cudmore 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, New York 12302

or "click"

https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022  

Day after tomorrow, Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Puddle Program scheduled at Schoharie Crossing

“There's nothing shallow about a puddle! Puddles are homes, bathtubs, and drinking fountains for wildlife.

https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/schohariecrossing

The Friends of Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will wrap up Great Outdoors month on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 6:30pm by hosting environmental educator and author Anita Sanchez for the program, “Hello, Puddles!” This family friendly program will be conducted from the Enders House on Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter, near the Visitor Center.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Sunday, Sunday, June 26, 2022

Information from The National Weather Service, some would say "The Horses Mouth"

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

FULTON COUNTY, JOHNSTOWN, LOCAL NEWS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THE GLOVERSVILLE LEADER HERALD

https://www.leaderherald.com/

...did not like to ship the horses by rail

Walking the horses to Saratoga

By Bob Cudmore

          In the early twentieth century, thoroughbred horses owned by Amsterdam carpet mill owner Stephen Sanford were walked each summer to Saratoga from Sanford’s Hurricana Farm.

          Racing Hall of Fame trainer Hollie Hughes, who served three generations of Sanfords, recalled the annual trek in Alex M. Robb’s book, “The Sanfords of Amsterdam.”

The trip began at the Sanford horse farm on what is now Route 30 in the town of Amsterdam.  Efforts are underway to preserve remaining buildings at the complex, originally called Hurricana Farm but later known as the Sanford Stud Farm.

          “First, we’d go up to Hagaman, a couple of miles away, and then we’d head for Top Notch, or West Galway, as it’s called,” Hughes said.  “That would be about five miles.  Then we’d go three miles straight east to Galway village.  Then we’d go to West Milton, about seven miles farther east, and there we’d stop at the old Dutch Inn and feed the horses and men.  My, those breakfasts tasted good!  By that time it would be close to daylight.  On the way over, half the horses would be under saddle with boys up.  After breakfast the saddles were put on the others which had been led by the men up to this point, and we’d walk the remaining ten miles to Saratoga, coming in by Geyser Spring.”

          In 1901, Sanford built his own stable on Nelson Avenue in Saratoga.  He had as many as 35 horses at a time.  When asked why he kept so many horses, the industrialist replied he was not in the horse raising business for “margin,” in other words for profit. 

Author Robb, an official of the New York State Racing Commission in 1969 when he wrote his book about the Sanfords, said that Stephen Sanford started buying the property that would become Hurricana Farm in the 1870s after his doctor recommended he take up farming as a hobby to help with what may have been stomach ulcers.  And Robb said that Sanford’s sons—John and William—also encouraged their father in this enterprise because of their own interest in fast horses, especially jumpers.  William died in 1896.

          From 1903 through 1907, the Sanfords invited the people of Amsterdam to the Sanford Matinee Races at Hurricana on the Sunday closest to Fourth of July.  Trolleys ran continuously up to Market and Meadow Streets.  From there, horse drawn wagons took people to the farm.  Some automobiles went to the farm as well but were not admitted to the grounds.  There was food, drink, music and, of course, horse racing. Some 15,000 attended the event during its last year.

Bob Cudmore "The Historians" Go Fund Me https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022

          New York State outlawed betting in 1907 and racing stopped at Saratoga.  Temporarily, the Sanfords sold most of their horses to out-of-staters and Canadians, according to Robb.

          Stephen Sanford was blind the last five years of his life.  Born in 1826, he worked with his father John and then on his own to create the Sanford carpet mills.  Stephen Sanford went to West Point, served in Congress and was a friend of Ulysses S. Grant.

The old gentleman doted on his grandchildren, in particular his namesake, born in 1899.  He gave the boy a Shetland pony almost before the youngster could walk.  Young Stephen called the pony Laddie.  The grandfather bestowed the nickname Laddie on his grandson as well.

Stephen Sanford died on February 13, 1913.  Six months later, racing resumed at Saratoga along with the first running of the Sanford Memorial. 

Stephen’s 62-year old son John continued to head the carpet mills and racing stables created during his father’s lifetime.  According to Robb, John Sanford inherited $40 million at his father’s death. 

Robb wrote, “Hollie Hughes recalls Stephen Sanford as a man with a magnetic personality, one to whom your eyes would turn instinctively, even though he was but one of a hundred men in a crowd.  Hollie describes him as tall, thin, straight as a ramrod, his chin (and the chin whiskers) carried high, his right arm across his back.  He had a dry wit.”

Ben Kemp told Bob Cudmore in tomorrows interview that in the last twenty years

a better light has appeared on Grants time in  office March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877

Called The Whiskey Ring 

Grant's Justice Department prosecuted members of Grant's own Republican Party who were part of the Ring.

Tomorrow, Friday, June 24, 2022-Episode 428

Ben Kemp from Grant Cottage in Wilton N.Y., where Ulysses Grant died after completing his memoirs.  

Saturday, June 25, 2022-From the Archives- June 14, 2019-Episode 270-Deborah Emmons-Andarawis is executive director at Historic Cherry Hill, an 18th century house museum on South Pearl Street in Albany New York.  Hear about the lives of the former residents and the gripping tale of a murder at Cherry Hill in the 1800s.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Thursday, June 23, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

FULTON COUNTY, JOHNSTOWN, LOCAL NEWS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THE GLOVERSVILLE LEADER HERALD

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The 2022 Historians Podcast fund drive continues for the month of June. The need, to raise $200.00 over the next nine days. New way-https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022

The Old Way

Bob, the check is in the mail  

Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

From the Archives-2018-Historians Episode 222-Jennifer DeBruin is the author of three historical novels and is working on a non-fiction-book on Loyalist espionage during the American Revolution.  Many Loyalists ended up, as did DeBruin’s ancestors, settling in Canada.  She was a speaker at the 2018 conference on the American Revolution sponsored by the Fort Plain Museum.

Tomorrow, Thursday, June 23, 2022

Walking the horses to Saratoga 

“First, we’d go up to Hagaman, a couple of miles away, and then we’d head for Top Notch, or West Galway, as it’s called,” Hughes said.  “That would be about five miles...

Friday, June 24, 2022-Episode 428-Ben Kemp from Grant Cottage in Wilton N.Y., where Ulysses Grant died after completing his memoirs.  This year is the 200th anniversary of Grant’s birth.

Saturday, June 25, 2022-From the Archives- June 14, 2019-Episode 270-Deborah Emmons-Andarawis is executive director at Historic Cherry Hill, an 18th century house museum on South Pearl Street in Albany New York.  Hear about the lives of the former residents and the gripping tale of a murder at Cherry Hill in the 1800s.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Wednesday, June 22, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

FULTON COUNTY, JOHNSTOWN, LOCAL NEWS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THE GLOVERSVILLE LEADER HERALD

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The 2022 Historians Podcast fund drive continues for the month of June. The need, to raise $200.00 by July 1. Two ways to transact this, On-Line https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022

Or check, stamp and mailer thru The USPS   

Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302. Recognition in Return for the help.  

Old pictures of Pest House being sought

and SHERMAN’S MEMORIES

By Bob Cudmore  

          Kaye Krutz would like to locate old pictures of a building her husband and she own on Chapman Drive in the town of Amsterdam that used to be a hotel and then was known for a short time as the Pest House.

          Today, the Krutzes live in the front of the property where Janeski’s gasoline station used to be.  The building in the rear was converted to apartments before the Krutzes bought the complex 32 years ago.  They hope to locate pictures of the property before construction of the front addition.

          Originally, the building in the rear was Hotel Thayer, built in 1897.  According to Hugh Donlon’s “Annals of a Mill Town,” the structure was converted into a temporary hospital in 1909 during a smallpox outbreak and known as the Pest House.  By 1924, the Hotel Thayer relocated to Division Street in the city of Amsterdam. 

          Krutz also has discovered a cemetery on the other side of Chapman Drive with graves of young children who died years ago in a diphtheria epidemic.

HOLTON SEELEY

          Tony Ermie has a new page on his Caroga Lake web site (www.carogatimes.com) remembering Holton “Holt” Seeley.

Seeley, 96, died last month.  A native of Stratford, he was three years old when his mother died, so his grandparents who lived on Seeley Road raised him.

Seeley was state game warden in Caroga Lake for over 30 years.  "Holt" was considered one of the most knowledgeable people in the area regarding State Forest and private lands.  He was a deacon for many years at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Gloversville.  His wife Elsie survives.

"Top of the mornin', everybody" was Seeley’s greeting when he would arrive for Coffee at Fritz’s Countryside Café in Caroga, according to Ermie.

Ermie wrote, “When he shook your hand he would almost jerk your arm out of its socket. That at 90 plus years!”

In conversations with Ermie, Seeley remarked, “I wish my grandmother had lived long enough to see the electric lights come in. She read the Bible to us every night by a kerosene lamp."

Ermie said, “He talked of his faith, his love for Elsie, and his homestead. He had, at least, one Bible in each room of his home as he had difficulty walking. Wherever he was at the time he could, as he told me, ‘get fed.’" 

SHERMAN’S MEMORIES

A column describing the model train display at Sherman’s amusement park at Caroga Lake prompted childhood memories from Jerry Snyder of Amsterdam.  Snyder would stay with relatives in Canajoharie in the summer, sometimes going to Sherman’s where an afternoon of fun only cost a few dollars.

Snyder wrote, “I guess my favorite ride was the whip, but only because I wasn't big enough to ride the bumper cars by myself and when I rode with my cousin he never let me steer.  In addition to the trains, I remember a bicycle race game and some kind of fortune meter, both of which cost a penny to play.”

Snyder said the fortune meter was a test of strength, “I believe you had to squeeze a lever as hard as you could to get a series of lights to move up on it.  I remember thinking even back then that a lot of the arcade equipment looked very old.”

Snyder collects postcards and photos and came across a 1900s-era picture of a train derailment at Railroad Street in downtown Amsterdam showing the Brunswick Hotel.  A previous column made reference to that hotel, which was known as Hotel Mitchell in the 1930s, operated then by Salvatore Morreale and Joseph Sapia.

Tomorrow

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

From the Archives-2018-Historians Episode 222-Jennifer DeBruin is the author of three historical novels and is working on a non-fiction-book on Loyalist espionage during the American Revolution.  Many Loyalists ended up, as did DeBruin’s ancestors, settling in Canada.  She was a speaker at the 2018 conference on the American Revolution sponsored by the Fort Plain Museum.

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Walking the horses to Saratoga 

Racing Hall of Fame trainer Hollie Hughes, who served three generations of Sanfords, recalled the annual trek in Alex M. Robb’s book, “The Sanfords of Amsterdam.”

The trip began at the Sanford horse farm on what is now Route 30 in the town of Amsterdam. 

Friday, June 24, 2022-Episode 428-Ben Kemp from Grant Cottage in Wilton N.Y., where Ulysses Grant died after completing his memoirs.  This year is the 200th anniversary of Grant’s birth.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Tuesday, June 21, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

FULTON COUNTY, JOHNSTOWN, LOCAL NEWS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THE GLOVERSVILLE LEADER HERALD

https://www.leaderherald.com/

Monday, June 20, 2022-The story behind the story podcast-What I don’t like about Amsterdam.

and more critiques from 1946

The good old days?

By Bob Cudmore

   The Chamber of Commerce published a booklet of essays submitted by local people for a city improvement contest in 1946 called “What I Don’t Like About Amsterdam.”

   Few of us today actually remember 1946, but many who grew up in Amsterdam after World War II would probably regard that postwar year of 1946 as part of the good old days. 

   The carpet mills, other Amsterdam factories and businesses were still thriving.  Downtown was busy.  People enjoyed bowling, softball and other amateur sports.  The war had ended.

   Nonetheless Charles H. Schenck, Chamber Executive Secretary, said the essays submitted in the contest cited multiple complaints.

   Lack of recreational facilities was mentioned in 230 essays.  The poor condition of streets was cited in 177 entries.  There were 139 ash and garbage collection complaints.  Seventy nine people wrote Amsterdam had too many bars and deplored the sale of alcohol to minors.  Some essays called for more hotel accommodations, transportation and theatrical facilities.

   A numbering system enabled the Chamber judges to award cash prizes anonymously to individuals whose essays were deemed the best among the 850 entries.  The judges were also anonymous.

   “We are quick to criticize those who make an honest effort to do something,” wrote the first prize winner, who was awarded $40.

   Forty dollars in 1946 would translate into over $500 today because of inflation, making it a rather substantial prize.

   The winning writer continued, “Misguided leadership has done a lot to put nationalism above civic responsibility and has tended to build up group interest with selfish motives.  We are all Americans and we should work together.”

   The second place essay was awarded $20 and called for Sunday evening services in the churches and an end to competition among local veterans groups.  The writer suggested city employees only get 10 days in sick leave each year, that the city buy sidewalk snow plows and that the proposed athletic field near the Lynch School be designated a World War II memorial.

   The Recorder announced the conclusion of the contest on March 26, “The project to secure a self-portrait of Amsterdam by her own residents was started about one month ago when blanks were distributed through the public schools and mercantile establishments of the city.

   “In expression of approximately 100 words, men, women and children were invited to say what they think about the city and its weak points." 

   The third place finisher, who was awarded $10, suggested a waste disposal system so that sewage would no longer be dumped into the Mohawk River.  The writer also called for beautification of the riverfront.

   Here are more critiques from 1946:

   “I don’t like the taste of city water. It has too much chlorine in it.  They admit the water looks bad and tastes bad but say it’s harmless.  It should be—the way it’s been drugged.”

   “Amsterdam should have a curfew law for children up to 16 years, and it should be enforced, even if it means bringing parents into court.”

   “The streets are a hodge-podge of houses, dinky little stores (often empty), gas stations, vacant lots (used as dumping grounds) and unoccupied buildings with broken windows.”

   “The characters that clutter up the streets in front of some of the downtown cigar stores are no ad for the police department.”

   “Amsterdam needs a sort of night club just for us kids, with special attractions by kids who can sing, dance, play an instrument or perform.”

   And a final complaint from over 75 years ago, “Have another contest entitled ‘What I do like about Amsterdam’ and limit the answers to one word.  Mine would be ‘Nothing!’”   

Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 21, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Pest house memories

Kaye Krutz would like to locate old pictures of a building her husband and she own on Chapman Drive in the town of Amsterdam that used to be a hotel and then was known for a short time as the Pest House.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022-From the Archives-2018-Historians Episode 222-Jennifer DeBruin is the author of three historical novels and is working on a non-fiction-book on Loyalist espionage during the American Revolution.  Many Loyalists ended up, as did DeBruin’s ancestors, settling in Canada.  She was a speaker at the 2018 conference on the American Revolution sponsored by the Fort Plain Museum.

Thursday, June 23, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette- Walking the horses to Saratoga 

Friday, June 24, 2022-Episode 428-Ben Kemp from Grant Cottage in Wilton N.Y., where Ulysses Grant died after completing his memoirs.  This year is the 200th anniversary of Grant’s birth.

The Preservation League of New York State will host “Preservation Roundtable: Accidental Preservationists,” a virtual program about how to fix up a historic house.

Zoom

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEudu6qrTkiE91iCKP28vaQ5ZHcwA39-z0p

Mohawk Valley Weather, Monday, June 20, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

FULTON COUNTY, JOHNSTOWN, LOCAL NEWS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THE GLOVERSVILLE LEADER HERALD

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The good old days?

By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History 

   The Chamber of Commerce published a booklet of essays submitted by local people for a city improvement contest in 1946 called “What I Don’t Like About Amsterdam.”

   Few of us today actually remember 1946, but many who grew up in Amsterdam after World War II would probably regard that postwar year of 1946 as part of the good old days. 

   The carpet mills, other Amsterdam factories and businesses were still thriving.  Downtown was busy.  People enjoyed bowling, softball and other amateur sports.  The war had ended.

   Nonetheless Charles H. Schenck, Chamber Executive Secretary, said the essays submitted in the contest cited multiple complaints.

   Lack of recreational facilities was mentioned in 230 essays.  The poor condition of streets was cited in 177 entries.  There were 139 ash and garbage collection complaints.  Seventy nine people wrote Amsterdam had too many bars and deplored the sale of alcohol to minors.  Some essays called for more hotel accommodations, transportation and theatrical facilities.

   A numbering system enabled the Chamber judges to award cash prizes anonymously to individuals whose essays were deemed the best among the 850 entries.  The judges were also anonymous.

   “We are quick to criticize those who make an honest effort to do something,” wrote the first prize winner, who was awarded $40.

   Forty dollars in 1946 would translate into over $500 today because of inflation, making it a rather substantial prize.

   The winning writer continued, “Misguided leadership has done a lot to put nationalism above civic responsibility and has tended to build up group interest with selfish motives.  We are all Americans and we should work together.”

   The second place essay was awarded $20 and called for Sunday evening services in the churches and an end to competition among local veterans groups.  The writer suggested city employees only get 10 days in sick leave each year, that the city buy sidewalk snow plows and that the proposed athletic field near the Lynch School be designated a World War II memorial.

   The Recorder announced the conclusion of the contest on March 26, “The project to secure a self-portrait of Amsterdam by her own residents was started about one month ago when blanks were distributed through the public schools and mercantile establishments of the city.

   “In expression of approximately 100 words, men, women and children were invited to say what they think about the city and its weak points." 

   The third place finisher, who was awarded $10, suggested a waste disposal system so that sewage would no longer be dumped into the Mohawk River.  The writer also called for beautification of the riverfront.

Tomorrow, Monday, June 20, 2022-The story behind the story podcast-What I don’t like about Amsterdam.

   Here are more critiques from 1946:

   “I don’t like the taste of city water. It has too much chlorine in it.  They admit the water looks bad and tastes bad but say it’s harmless.  It should be—the way it’s been drugged.”

   “Amsterdam should have a curfew law for children up to 16 years, and it should be enforced, even if it means bringing parents into court.”

   “The streets are a hodge-podge of houses, dinky little stores (often empty), gas stations, vacant lots (used as dumping grounds) and unoccupied buildings with broken windows.”

   “The characters that clutter up the streets in front of some of the downtown cigar stores are no ad for the police department.”

   “Amsterdam needs a sort of night club just for us kids, with special attractions by kids who can sing, dance, play an instrument or perform.”

   And a final complaint from over 75 years ago, “Have another contest entitled ‘What I do like about Amsterdam’ and limit the answers to one word.  Mine would be ‘Nothing!’” 

Pest House, what does that mean!  

Tuesday, June 21, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Pest house memories

Wednesday, June 22, 2022-From the Archives-2018-Historians Episode 222-Jennifer DeBruin is the author of three historical novels and is working on a non-fiction-book on Loyalist espionage during the American Revolution.  Many Loyalists ended up, as did DeBruin’s ancestors, settling in Canada.  She was a speaker at the 2018 conference on the American Revolution sponsored by the Fort Plain Museum.

Thursday, June 23, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette- Walking the horses to Saratoga 

Friday, June 24, 2022-Episode 428-Ben Kemp from Grant Cottage in Wilton N.Y., where Ulysses Grant died after completing his memoirs.  This year is the 200th anniversary of Grant’s birth.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Sunday, June 19, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

FULTON COUNTY, JOHNSTOWN, LOCAL NEWS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THE GLOVERSVILLE LEADER HERALD

https://www.leaderherald.com/

Current Historians Go Fund Me $2950.00 

$6000 the objective. Today and tomorrow looking to push over 50%.

The U.S. Mail, a check, a little more work, but lots of readers like it that way.  

Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.

On-Line, easy, just click

https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022  

One way or ta'other, Thank You

Saturday, June 18, 2022-From the Archives-Episode 78, September 20. 2015-Dennis Webster has written “Old Main: New York State Lunatic Asylum in Utica, N.Y.” 

Tomorrow, Sunday, June 19, 2022-Focus on History-What don’t you like about Amsterdam?

The Chamber of Commerce published a booklet of essays submitted by local people for a city improvement contest in 1946 called “What I Don’t Like About Amsterdam.”

   Few of us today actually remember 1946, but many who grew up in Amsterdam after World War II...

Episode 427

Journalist David Levine is author of “The Hudson Valley: The First 250 Million Years.”  His book explains how Hudson New York for a time was part of the whaling industry.  He also includes stories about Alexander Hamilton, the Mohicans and slavery in the time of Dutch colonial rule.

Grant Cottage Wilton, New York

Free Family Fun Day

https://www.grantcottage.org/

Today, Saturday, June 18, 2022

Impoverished by a Ponzi-style swindle and dying of throat cancer, Ulysses S. Grant moved to the Cottage on June 16, 1885. With the love and support of his family, his publisher Mark Twain and the nation at large, he completed Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant only days before his death on July 23, 1885. The publication of this two-volume work ensured his family’s financial security and gave the world one of the most critically acclaimed memoirs by a U.S. president or historic military figure.

...about a week from now

Friday, June 24, 2022

Episode 428-Ben Kemp from Grant Cottage in Wilton N.Y., where Ulysses Grant died after completing his memoirs.

The Rome Historical Society

https://romehistoricalsociety.org/

In-person event

Time:1PM

-has invited local veterans and retirees of the former Griffiss Air Force Base to a special viewing of RHS’ Griffiss Air Force Base photograph collection today, Saturday, June 18, 2022

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Saturday, June 18, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

FULTON COUNTY, JOHNSTOWN, LOCAL NEWS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THE GLOVERSVILLE LEADER HERALD

https://www.leaderherald.com/