Lincoln's funeral train makes stop in Utica: This week in Mohawk Valley history

1865, 159 years ago

A time to mourn

The funeral train carrying the remains of assassinated President Abraham Lincoln passes through the Upper Mohawk Valley region on its 1,700-mile journey from Washington to Springfield, Illinois.

On a rainy Wednesday night at about 8, it stops in Utica, where thousands of Uticans are gathered at the train depot on Main Street. The Utica Daily Press reports: "We never before witnessed so large and compact an assemblage in the vicinity of the depot."

The train's locomotive -- its large bell tolling -- is pulling seven cars, including the burial car containing the closed coffin. The Utica Brass Band begins to play, "The Dead March in Saul." The recently formed German Glee Club (today the Utica Maennerchor) then sings sad songs for the fallen president. It's only the club's second public appearance, the first being last week for the Steuben Lodge, German Odd Fellows.

About 45 minutes after having arrived, the locomotive's bell again begins to toll once again as the train slowly pulls out of Utica and continues its journey west.

1924, 100 years ago

Rome schools

George R. Staley, Rome's superintendent of schools, says the city needs another school building. In 1915, the city's population was 21,629. In 1920, it was 26,345 and the number of students had increased from 3,000 to nearly 4,000. Staley says the high school population was about 400 in 1912 and is now 690. It is expected to be more than 700 next year.

1949, 75 years ago

Zonta awards

The Zonta Club of Utica awards three nursing scholarships valued at $1,200. The club's Margaret E. Shaw says the winners are Joan Cromer of Utica Free Academy, Joanne Hastings of Whitesboro Central and Patricia Kreimeyer of Thomas R. Proctor High.

1974, 50 years ago

Hamilton president

J. Martin Carovano, a 39-year-old economics professor, is named president of Hamilton College. He is the youngest person to become president of the college. A native of Tacoma, Washington, Carovano earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College in Claremont, California, and masters and doctorate degrees from the University of California. He came to Hamilton College in 1963 as an instructor in economics.

Meanwhile, W. Rexford Gilliland, of Utica, is named executive director if the Utica chapter of the American Red Cross. He succeeds Richard H. Bearse, who has retired.

And the Beautifying Club at St. Paul's Baptist Church in Utica is sponsoring a fashion show. Minnie Northern and Faye Short are the show's chairwomen and models include Ernestine and Bonita Northern.

1999, 25 years ago

HCCC trustees

James I. Marsh, of Trenton Falls, is re-elected chairman of the board of trustees at Herkimer County Community College. He has served on the board since 1991 and has been chairman since 1996. Georgette Drake, of Little Falls, is vice chair and Gary C. Luther, of Dolgeville, is secretary.

Ken Smith is elected chief of the Cassville Volunteer Fire Department. Other officers include Mike Barkley and Ray Wengert, assistant chiefs; Sue Leonard and Ken Lamonte, lieutenants; Gina Lamonte, fire police captain, and Debbie Orcutt, EMS captain. Civil officers include Don Goodenough, president; Ken Andella, vice president; Joan Hollenbeck, secretary and treasurer, and Peter Lallier, firemen's fund treasurer. Meanwhile, Ray Hollenbeck retires after 38 years of service, 27 as chief.

In high school baseball, Camden defeated Oneida, 3-2, behind the pitching of Jeb Moore (the winner) and Job Johnson (the save). Tim Nobis drives in two runs.

2014, 10 years ago

Aviation head

Russell Stark is appointed aviation commissioner at the Griffiss International Airport in Rome. He is a 1980 graduate of Holland Patent High and has masters degrees in aeronautical science, business and administration.

In high school softball, Whitesboro defeated Vernon-Verona-Sherrill, 4-3. Kristyn Deuel is the winning pitcher and Ashley Robinson pitches in relief. Top hitters are Kaylee Gassner, Melanie Klauser and Krista Rounds. VVS gets outstanding play from Emily Duvall, Kate Render and Addy Szczerba.

In other news, Mark Mojave is elected president of the Bagg's Square Association. Chris Talgo is vice president, Beth Irons is secretary and Vitaly Verenich is treasurer.

Trivia quiz

Who was the U.S. president when these four persons were in his cabinet -- Les Aspin as secretary of defense, Lloyd Bentsen as secretary of the treasury, Warren Christopher as secretary of state and Janet Reno as attorney general? (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: Norman Thomas was nominated six times by the Socialist Paety to run for president of the United States. What follows are the years he ran, the presidents who beat him and the number of votes Thomas received in the November elections: 1928, Herbert Hoover, 268,000; 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt, 884,000; 1936, Roosevelt, 188,000; 1940, Roosevelt, 117,000; 1944, Roosevelt, 76,000; 1948, Harry Truman, 96,000.

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

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Hamilton College names youngest president, HCCC announces trustees: History