1861, 162 years ago
Abraham Lincoln’s Bittersweet Visit
Crowds gather in Bugs Square in Utica, waiting for the eastbound train to arrive in Washington with President-elect Abraham Lincoln. President of the United States on March 4th.
Because the Uticans and their neighbors can celebrate Lincoln’s birthday and get an up-close look at his famous beard. After all, he would become the first bearded president in U.S. history. Six days ago on his February 12th, on the first train across Indiana en route from Springfield, Illinois to Washington, he celebrated his 52nd birthday. On his snowy February 18 morning, his yellow-painted three-car train stops at his Utica for his ten minutes.
But mixed with the feeling of joy is the fear of what lies ahead for Lincoln and the country. He angered the southern slave states with his anti-slavery speeches and opposed the expansion of slavery into western territories. South Carolina seceded from the United States and on February 4 in Montgomery, Alabama, his six southern states of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina declared the Confederate States of America. formed. (Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Arkansas and Tennessee will be added later.)
Many in the Utica crowd wonder, “Will there be a Civil War if Lincoln is sworn in? And what about rumors that he will be assassinated before he reaches Washington?” So when Lincoln’s train pulls up at 11:17 a.m., it’s a mixture of joy and anxiety. (Next week: What Lincoln has to say during his brief stay in Utica.)
1923, 100 years ago
special tree
The Jiyala Temple of Utica pays tribute to the memory of James Schoolcraft Sherman (a true Uticaan who served as Vice President of the United States from 1909 to 1912) and was erected on the grounds of the White House “to perpetuate his name.” I planted a tree. Sherman died in 1912. Little Falls District Councilor Homer P. Snyder told a large audience at the tree-planting ceremony that Sherman was “one of the friendliest and most sociable people in Washington. It was something like this: He had the title that everyone knew him for, “Sunny Jim.” ”
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1948, 75 years ago
UFA Cheerleaders
The Utica Free Academy is proud to have cheerleaders coached by Central Oneida League Championship winner Austin Bell. They include Isabel Tinker, Virginia Gentek (Captain), Helen Pawelek, Helen Jablonski, Alice Fishmel and Shirley Perolaz.
1973, 50 years ago
local elections
John D. Ackley is re-elected Mayor of Remsen. Edward McCarthy is elected mayor of Sylvan Beach. In Yorkville, voters voted him 589 to 90 to build a $348,000 fire station and municipal building. And in Boonville, David Ernst — a writing candidate — was elected mayor.
Central Oneida League basketball coaches select the All-Star team. Chris Madden of New Hartford. Dave Russell from Rome Free Academy and Sabin Harris from Utica Free Academy.
25 years ago in 1998
McLeod wins
Harold McLeod of Utica was elected commander of the Oneida County American Legion. Other officers include: Joseph Perrone of Rome, second-in-command. Edward Morris of Westmoreland, Treasurer and John Suwald of Oriskany Falls, Executive Committee member.
In the Section III, Class B, High School Swimming Championships, Holland Patent’s Kevin West won the 100-yard breaststroke in a school record of 1:02.14. Teammate Brett Stevens won his 500-yard freestyle, and both he and West finished Holland Patent in his second place.
The Maynard Volunteer Fire Department elects Joe Mack as President and Dan Crossway as Chief. Others elected are: Joseph T. White, Vice President. Jared A. Pearl, corresponding secretary. Brian Smith, Treasurer. Michael Magnitzky, Glenn Stevener, Tim Weigel, Assistant Chief. Randy Caldwell, L. Wagner, David Stzepek, Captain. Steve Buda, Bill Gagnon, Lieutenant John Trinkous, Reverend Don Hartshorne.
2013, ten years ago
Kuhn elected
Willowvale Fire Department elects James Kuhn as Chief. Others elected are: William Smith, Assistant Chief. First captain Chad Powers. Ronald Dittmer, Second Captain. John Kuhn, Lieutenant. Lieutenant Wayne Smosey. Daniel Snyder, Third Lieutenant. David Jones, EMS Lieutenant. Michael Siciliano, Fire Chief. Gary Edwards, President. Charles Strong, Vice President. Joseph David, Secretary of the Treasury. Treasurer William Snyder and Recorder Margaret Jones. Thomas Smith was named ‘Martin Shepard Ironman of the Year’ and Gary Edwards was named ‘Fireman of the Year’.
In high school basketball, Mark Channatry had 15 points and 15 rebounds in New Hartford’s 76-34 victory over Whitesboro. Jordan Henderson adds 13 points and Jared Henderson adds 12 points. Joel Yakubowitz at Witsboro he has nine points.
trivia quiz
George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789. He is the Attorney General and the Postmaster. How many first ministers can you name? (Answers will appear here next week.)
Answers to last week’s question: Five former U.S. presidents were alive when Abraham Lincoln became president on March 4, 1861 at the age of 52 — Martin Van Buren (died 1862), John Tyler (died 1862), and James Buchanan (died 1868), Franklin Pierce (died 1869) and Millard Fillmore (died 1874).
This Week in History was researched and written by Frank Tomaino. Email him at ftomino221@gmail.com.