Lookback: June 1, 2009

June 01, 2009 03:28 am

— 25 YEARS AGO — 1984
  A crop-dusting plane, spraying Pitlak Orchards on the Banker Road, Plattsburgh, loses about a foot of wing tip when it flies under a 115,000-volt power line. The plane is owned by Dust Air of East Middleburg and flown by Gary Hall, 35, of Bridport. Power is knocked out to a wide area for about 10 minutes.

  The waiting continues for the $250,000 letter of credit from the Plattsburgh Pioneers Hockey Club before renovation work to accommodate the team begins at Crete Memorial Civic Center.

  The proposed new Rouses Point bridge will be the subject of discussion when Gov. Mario Cuomo and State Sen. Ronald B. Stafford meet with local government leaders in Plattsburgh. However, no announcement will be made about state commitment to the proposal.

  Vowing to strike forever if need be, nearly 100 labor employees of Willsboro's NYCO plant walk off their jobs. The issue is money.

50 YEARS AGO — 1959
  Robert J. Foley, 20, of Saranac Lake awaits grand-jury action in the robbery-slaying of a Saranac Lake taxi driver. Foley is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Kendrick VanOrman, 50,

  Mayor John J. Tyrell signs a law prohibiting the wearing of short shorts and bathing suits on City of Plattsburgh streets or in public areas. The law carries a $25 fine or 25 days in jail for failure to comply.

  A Plattsburgh heavy-equipment dealer is given a two-week extension to rectify a condition on Macomb Street. The firm of Vincent S. Jerry & Son was asked three weeks ago by the Common Council to repair the sidewalks along its Macomb Street property.

  North Country travel takes an upward swing over the weekend as about 60,000 people cross the international border into Clinton County.

75 YEARS AGO — 1934
  Fire — the worst in New York state in 20 years — cuts a huge black gash across the rolling foothills a dozen miles north of Saranac Lake. For seven miles, pine and hardwood trees were leveled or remain standing, gaunt poles that somehow escaped the fire's fury.

  A violent rain, hail and wind storm in the vicinity of Peru causes considerable damage. A twister also damages Champlain Valley Orchards and takes the side of a barn off at the John McCarell farm.

  M.E. Ryan Co. of Schenectady, builder of the new Franklin Academy in Malone, is the lowest bidder for the new Post Office. The bid was $139,313.

  The reservoir furnishing Malone Village with fresh water lowers 3 feet due, it is believed, to the extensive use of garden hoses by local gardeners. Warnings have been issued.

100 YEARS AGO — 1909
  Filippe Nicolo shoots Leon Natale, probably fatally, and thus far is still at liberty. Both were employees at the lumber mill at Santa Clara.

  Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rowan of New York City and Port Kent are spearheading a drive to raise money to build a Catholic church at Port Kent. Construction has started, and it is expected Sacred Heart Church will be completed by the end of the season.

  The attention of people passing the west side of Crab Island is now drawn to the tall granite shaft erected late last fall. It is a monument to the heroes of the Battle of 1814.

  The New York Central Railroad will begin using oil for fuel on its locomotives hauling trains from Malone on its Mohawk and Malone Division. This is an attempt to prevent forest fires.

— Compiled by Contributing Writer Sue Botsford, who can be reached at 834-7201 or botsford@westelcom.com

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.