ON THIS DAY IN 1926, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “TANNERSVILLE, N.Y. — At least 12 persons were burned to death and 17 injured when fire destroyed the noted Twilight Inn at Haines Falls, near here, shortly after 1 o’clock this morning. Sixteen guests and seven employees of the hotel have not been accounted for. It is feared that at least two Brooklynites perished. Those who died probably were trapped as they slept. Their bodies were burned so badly that it is believed identification will be impossible. Survivors, awakening to find all stairways blocked by the roaring flames, dragged themselves through their smoke-filled rooms to windows and leaped for their lives. The cause of the fire was undetermined.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1930, the Eagle reported, “MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY (AP) — The United States team defeated its first opponent, Belgium, 3 to 0, yesterday in the world’s open soccer championship. James Brown of New York and William Gonsalves of Fall River, Mass., were the outstanding stars for the Americans. France defeated Mexico, 4 to 1.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1940, the Eagle reported, “POUGHKEEPSIE, JULY 13 (AP) — The traditional cake centers Birdsall Sweet’s 22nd birthday celebration tomorrow but the cheerful eight-year occupant of Vassar Hospital’s ‘iron lung’ won’t share the repast. Plenty of pals gathered with him at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Percy R. Sweet, will take care of the cake, however, and a pile of presents will compensate the celebrant for his loss. Dr. Scott Lord-Smith, the youth’s physician, explained that despite increasing freedom from the ‘lung,’ his patient still can’t eat away from the respirator to which a paralysis attack sentenced him nine years ago next September. He is helpless from the neck down and makes little consistent improvement. A daily ‘9 a.m. to 9 p.m.’ release from the machine, however, has strengthened the ‘remarkably good morale,’ which the physician said he maintains. A year ago, six hours was his limit ‘outside.’ Sweet’s expensive, continuous treatment is financed partly by the State Health Department.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1943, the Eagle reported, “PHILADELPHIA (U.P.) — For the first time in the history of the classic, the American League didn’t use a single New York Yankee player as it defeated the National League in the 11th annual All-Star game at Shibe Park last night, and the only reason, Manager Joe McCarthy explained, was that ‘we didn’t need them.’ In all of the other All-Star games, Yankees not only appeared but some always had been in the starting lineup. ‘But don’t think I’ve got anything against my boys,’ Joe said, as he undressed hurriedly in front of his locker in the small, hot and crowded dressing room. ‘There was just that one reason — the fact that we didn’t need the Yankees.’ And as McCarthy, surrounded by newspapermen, described the locker-room hilarity as ‘just like a World Series,’ the American League players — in all stages of dressing — were shouting congratulations to each other.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1946, the Eagle reported, “Union Pacific’s Passenger Traffic Manager C.J. Collins says that vacation-hungry Americans are visiting Yellowstone Park at a rate nearly four times that of the Summer prior to Pearl Harbor. He added that he was told by officers of the Yellowstone Park Company that requests for reservations are pouring in from all over the world at a rate of 500 a day. No person may remain at any Yellowstone Park hotel or cabin this season for more than five nights … American Express Travel Service announces a 14-day sightseeing tour, featuring seldom seen wonder points, in a trip through Yellowstone, Rainier and Glacier Parks. The first tour left Chicago yesterday. The motor tours start from Glacier Park hotels. Following a launch voyage on Two Medicine Lake there will be an inspection of Trick Falls, Mount Rainier, 14,408 feet above sea level, and one of America’s great scenic National Parks, will be approached through the world-renowned ‘Paradise Valley,’ with a visit to the peak over the Mather Memorial Highway. Four days will be devoted to Yellowstone, with the approach from the Gardiner Gateway through the spectacular Yellowstone River Canyon via Boiling River to Mammoth Hot Springs. From Old Faithful Inn, tour headquarters of the Northern Park, excursions will be made to the land of world-famed geysers.”
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Jane Lynch. Photo: Casey Curry/Invision/AP
NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include “Sunset Boulevard” star Nancy Olson, who was born in 1928; former N.Y. Giants defensive tackle Rosey Grier, who was born in 1932; former Sony Music Entertainment CEO Tommy Mottola, who was born in 1949; fashion designer Bruce Oldfield, who was born in 1950; “Glee” star Jane Lynch, who was born in 1960; “The Bad News
Jackie Earle Haley. Photo: Brent N. Clarke/Invision/AP
Bears” star Jackie Earle Haley, who was born in 1961; “Party of Five” star Matthew Fox, who was born in 1966; former N.Y. Mets and Yankees third baseman Robin Ventura, who was born in 1967; four-time Major League All-Star pitcher Tim Hudson, who was born in 1975; former N.Y. Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, who was born in 1985; “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who was born in 1985; and Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney, who was born in 2004.
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HANNA-MATION:William Hanna was born on this day in 1910. The New Mexico native co-created popular animated characters such as Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, Snagglepuss and Magilla Gorilla. With partner Joe Barbera, he won seven Academy Awards for his Tom and Jerry cartoon shorts, and eight other works were nominated. The Hanna-Barbera team created the first animated TV sitcom for adults, “The Flintstones” (1960), and such favorites as “The Jetsons” and “Scooby-Doo,
Darrelle Revis. Photo: Seth Wenig/AP
Where Are You?” Hanna died in 2001.
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SURREAL DEAL: Ingmar Bergman was born on this day in 1918. One of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th century, Bergman directed such classics as “Fanny and Alexander,” “Wild Strawberries” and “Cries and Whispers.” He wrote or directed 62 films and more than 170 stage plays, mainly in his native Sweden, but was renowned all over the world and nominated for nine Academy Awards. He died in 2007.
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Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.
Quotable:
“A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.” — former President Gerald Ford, who was born on this day in 1913.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
