Beloved benefactor dies, Rotary formed: This week in Mohawk Valley history

1898, 126 years ago

Beloved benefactor

Cornelia Cooper Graham, one of Utica's most beloved benefactors, dies at age 84 in her home at 241 Genesee St. She donated much of her time and money to local charities and served on many of their boards of trustees. One of her favorites was the Utica Orphan Asylum.

Her father, Apollos Cooper, was one of Oneida County's early settlers, arriving in the hamlet of Old Fort Schuyler (today Utica) in 1790, after having purchased much of the land around today's city hall. Cornelia Street is named for his daughter.

1924, 100 years ago

Gas prices soar

Gasoline prices in Utica and the vicinity are much higher than those in other parts of the Northeast and Uticans are not happy about it. Directors with the Automobile Club of Utica say, "Prices are too high and unjustified." The price in Utica is 22 cents a gallon. It's 16 cents in Syracuse and 14 cents in Rochester and Albany.

Gasoline dealers in Utica blame freight rates for the difference. One says, "There is a higher rate charge attached to railroad deliveries in Utica."

1949, 75 years ago

Rotary formed

Frank F. Despard, one of the founders of the Rotary Club of Utica, is honored by club members.

In 1914, Despard said that too many city leaders were too conservative, aloof and cool and that an organization was needed to emphasize the city's warmth, wholesomeness and friendliness. He convinced George Evans, Burr Tibbits and Charles Palmer that a Rotary Club was the answer and that they should work to convince others. On March 12, 1915, a charter was signed by 104 men and the Rotary Club of Utica came into being.

1974, 50 years ago

Barneveld's big bands

The "big band" sound of the 1930s, 40s and 50s is alive once again in Central New York at Beachley's Restaurant in Barneveld.

Owner Frank Zito booked Harry James two weeks ago. Before him was Stan Kenton who followed Woody Herman. "Many schools are offering courses in ballroom dancing so young people are learning the steps many of their parents danced to when they were young," Zito says,

Later this year, he plans to have Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson and the Tommy Dorsey Band. The bands usually attract more than 700 to Zito's three large dance floors.

1999, 25 years ago

Boilermaker 22

It's 60 degrees, the humidity is low, and Kenya dominates the 22nd annual Boliermaker Road Race with 26-year-old Catherine Ndereba winning the Women's Open in a record 48 minutes, 52 seconds. Twenty-three-year-old John Korir won the Men's Open in 43 minutes. Each receives $5,000.

Meanwhile, the 4th annual Dreamscape K-Rockathon attracts nearly 20,000 fans to Vernon Downs. A dozen rock bands are there, headed by Orgy,and Violent Femmes.

And once again the area's two great women pilots participate in the all-women, cross country Air Race Classic. Elaine Roehrig, of Deerfield, and Marolyn Wilson, of Whitesboro, enter their Cherokee 140. The race is from El Paso, Texas, to Willoughby, Ohio. Alas, bad weather forces the local team to slow down and eventually they are disqualified. (They finished 10th in 1989.)

Meanwhile, the Clifford J. Fulmer Post 92, American Legion in Waterville, elects Don Hammond as its commander. Mike Kopec is first vice commander. Leo Huff receives a Silver Cross, having "rendered conspicuous service to our country in the European Theater of War during World War II." Among the many medals he earned during the war are the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

And Jessica Jean Stovall, of Whitesboro, is named "cheerleader of the year" at Elmira College where she is studying elementary education.,

2014, 10 years ago

All-Star team

The All-Mohawk Valley Baseball team features: from Clinton Central -- Andrew Taft (named "player of the year"), Andrew Hobika, Lenny Ortiz and Ian Foxton; from New Hartford -- Mark Chanatry and Connor Manderson; from Oneida -- Drew Mallinder and Mitch Cavanaugh; from Hamilton -- Brent Harris; from Brookfield -- Jaike Cowen; from New York Mills -- Zach Vennaro; from Little Falls -- Mitchell Baumeister; from Whitesboro -- Kevin Flynn; from Central Valley -- Jared Marquissee; from Mount Markham -- Mike Gras; from Oriskany -- Nick Springer and Ryan Enos; from Sauquoit Valley -- Ethan Harris; from Proctor -- Connor Roth; from Frankfort-Schuyler -- Joe Desarro and Justin Kiesow; from Holland Patent -- Nico Ramos and Jared Fisher. Tom Pfisterer, of Clinton, is the "coach of the year."

Trivia quiz

This candidate defeated George H.W. Bush and H. Ross Perot in a presidential election to win the White House. Four years later, he won re-election by beating Perot and Bob Dole. Name him. (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826 -- the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Coincidentally, Adams and Jefferson were the only two future presidents to sign the Declaration. Adams was our second president from 1797 to 1801. He was 90 when he died. Jefferson was our third president from 1801 to 1809. He died at age 83.

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com.