Greenerpasture Daily News - 1904 - December 31 – In New York City, the first New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square.

New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA

1857  Unseasonable Weather

On the 22d of December, the weather was so unseasonable in the neighborhood of New Bedford, Massachusetts, that the farmers employed their teams in ploughing.

The Daily Milwaukee News -  Milwaukee, Wisconsin -  December 31, 1857
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Franklin, Pennsylvania, USA

1870 - FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT AT FRANKLIN! FALL OF THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE. SEVERAL LIVES LOST. DESTRUCTION OF THE MARSHALL HOUSE.
About half past eleven o'clock yesterday morning, a fire broke out in the Marshall House, situated at the Franklin end of the Suspension Bridge at that point, which connects the Allegheny Valley Railroad with the town. Though the most strenuous efforts were made to save the structure it was entirely destroyed. During the burning of the hotel the flames communicated to the bridge, upon which were... Read MORE...

The Petroleum Centre Daily Record -  Pennsylvania -  December 31, 1870
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Manhattan, New York, USA (New York City) (New Amsterdam)

1904 - December 31 – In New York City, the first New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square.

1904. The History of New Year's Eve In Times Square (www.youtube.com)

"In 1904, the New York Times moved from the City Hall are to the triangular piece of land at the intersection of 7th Avenue, Broadway, and 42nd Street. People thought they were crazy for moving so far... Read MORE...

www.6sqft.com
December 31, 1904
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Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA

1919  Bonds Are Stolen

Fayetteville, Ark., Dec. 31. - Between $25,000 and $30,000 in liberty bonds were secured by robbers who looted the vault in the Bank of Lincoln, this county, last night, according to information received here this morning. No explosion was heard and there is no clew to the robbers.

Muskogee Times-Democrat -  Muskogee, Oklahoma -  December 31, 1919
Comments

Tampa, Florida, USA

1919 - FIRE SWEEPS TAMPA. BLAZE STARTED BY SPARKS FROM SHIPS; DESTROYS TWO BLOCKS.
Tampa, Fla., Dec. 31. - Two blocks in the wholesale district, bounded by the river and by Tampa, Whiting and Washington streets were destroyed by fire late yesterday. Early estimates placed the loss between $350,000 and $500,000.

The business section was cut off from electric lights and power, and special police protection was provided merchants last night, thieves having robbed offices at the ... Read MORE...

San Antonio Light -  San Antonio, Texas -  December 31, 1919
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Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA

1928 - Teens Die at Rail Crossing
30 teens, mostly the children of Kenosha's Social elite. went on a scavenger hunt. There were a total of eight cars in the hunt. 3 of the cars met up at a railroad crossing on 12th avenue and 75th street . There was a freight train going northbound and they all stopped. As soon as the freight train passed, One car sped over the tracks okay but there was a passenger train going southbound that... Read MORE...

Kenosha Evening News -  Kenosha, Wisconsin -  December 31, 1928
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Great Falls, Montana, USA

1949 - Man Looking for Gas Leak Finds It by Lighting Match; Fire Extinguished.
Great Falls, Dec. 30 - (AP) - It finally happened.

A gas company employe, checking a report of escaping gas in a Great Falls residence Friday afternoon, went looking for the leak with matches, city firemen reported. He found it.

Firemen extinguished the blaze after some damage resulted. The fire was at the home of Theodore Remus.

Mrs. Remus, after smelling the escaping gas, had notified... Read MORE...

Billings Gazette -  Billings, Montana -  December 31, 1949
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1775  December 31 - The Battle of Québec was fought on December 31 between the American Continental Army and British defenders of Québec City. It was the first major defeat for the Americans in the Revolutionary War.



1870  The straw in a barn-yard near Santa Clara, California, was set on fire by a piece of meteoric iron which fell there the other day.


St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan

1879  December 31 – Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time in Menlo Park, New Jersey.

www.wikipedia.org

1892  BUILDING DESTROYED.
Duluth, Minn., Dec. 30. - Flames destroyed the Fargusson building in Duluth, Minn., causing a loss of about $250,000 on building and contents.

Stevens Point Daily Journal
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

1916  December 31 – The Hampton Terrace Hotel in North Augusta, South Carolina, one of the largest and most luxurious hotels in the nation at the time, burns to the ground.

www.wikipedia.org

Died December 31

Read MORE...

Greenerpasture Daily News - 1903 December 30 – Iroquois Theater fire in Chicago kills 600

Milford, Massachusetts, USA

1867  Destructive Fire at Milford

WORCESTER, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 29. A fire occurred in Milford, on Saturday afternoon, which consumed a barn containing fifteen tons of hay, a large quantity of grain, eleven cattle and three sheep, the property of Nelson Madden. It was set on fire by a little boy three years old. The loss will amount to about $3,000; insurance small.

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 30, 1867
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Greensburg, Pennsylvania, USA

1886 - Ten Buildings in Ruins at Greensburg, Pa. - A Tannery Consumed - Minor Burnings.
OTHER FIRES
AT GREENSBURG, PA.

GREENSBURG, Pa., Dec. 29. - A conflagration at Greensburg, Westmoreland County, this morning, destroyed one of the finest blocks in the city, and for several hours threatened destruction of the entire business portion of that thriving place. The fire was discovered at 2 o'clock, and is supposed to have originated in Temple's hardware store. The fire apparatus... Read MORE...

The Daily Inter Ocean -  Chicago, Illinois -  December 30, 1886
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West Haven, Connecticut, USA

1893 - INCENDIARY FIRES IN WEST HAVEN. The Fire Department of the Town Was Kept Busy for Several Hours.
NEW-HAVEN, Conn., Dec. 29. - Two incendiary fires in West Haven to-night kept the Fire Department busy for several hours. The first consumed a barn owned by the late George Kelsey. By extinguishing a lively blaze the firemen prevented imminent destruction to adjacent buildings.

Before the burning barn was abandoned a general alarm called the department to the newly-erected Town Hall, which has ... Read MORE...

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 30, 1893
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Chicago, Illinois, USA

1903  December 30 – Iroquois Theater fire in Chicago kills 600

A safety standard for theaters and public buildings rises from the ashes of the Iroquois Theater (in Chicago), where more than 600 people were killed... Henceforth, all theater exits had to be clearly marked and the doors rigged so that, even if they could not be pulled open from the outside, they could be pushed open from the inside.

www.chicagotribune.com/news/ politics/chi-chicagodays- iroquoisfire-story,0,6395565.story
December 30, 1903
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Westport, Massachusetts, USA (North Westport)

1911  Duck Hunters Drown

Westport, Mass., Dec. 29 - The drowning of three men who left their homes here yesterday afternoon to go duck hunting became known today. A searching party today found their boat floating, bottom up.

Reading Times -  Reading, Pennsylvania -  December 30, 1911
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Watertown, Massachusetts, USA

1916 - ENDS LIFE IN POTOMAC - Edwin Coobs, Watertown, Mass., Victim of Nervous Troubles
Arrived With Specialist En Route to Florida and Vanished from Hotel. Body Found Two Hours Later.

The body of Edwin Coombs, 50 years old, librarian, of Watertown, Mass., was recovered from the Potomac River at the Tenth street wharf southwest, at 9 o'clock last night, two hours after he had disappeared from the Congress Hall Hotel.

Mr. Coombs, suffering from a nervous trouble, accompanied by ... Read MORE...

The Washington Post -  Washington, D.C. -  December 30, 1916
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Flint, Michigan, USA

1936  General Motors Strike

December 30 - Spurred by an unfounded rumor that work is going to be transferred to plants with weak union support, autoworkers begin a spontaneous sit-down strike at General Motors Corporation (GMC) plants in Flint.

www.e-referencedesk.com/ resources/state-history-timeline/ michigan.html
December 30, 1936
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1862  December 30 – The USS Monitor sinks in storm in the Atlantic off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

www.wikipedia.org

1924  December 30 – Astronomer Edwin Hubble announces that Andromeda, previously believed to be a nebula, is actually another galaxy, and that the Milky Way is only one of many such galaxies in the universe

www.wikipedia.org

Died December 30

Read MORE...

Greenerpasture Daily News - 1893 - HUNDRED LIVES IN DANGER. Ice In the River at Haverhill Breaks Up While People Are Crossing.

Manhattan, New York, USA (New York City) (New Amsterdam)

1835 - AWFUL CONFLAGRATION !!
Our city has just been the theatre and the victim of the most disastrous visitation ever known to this Continent !! The heart of her business, her commerce, and her wealth, is now a blackened mass of smouldering ruins !! New York has received a blow, from the effects of which the utmost exertion of her fearless enterprise, the most liberal and beneficent application of her yet unbounded wealth,... Read MORE...

Huron Reflector  -  Norwalk, Ohio -  December 29, 1835
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

1851 - DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 27.
A destructive fire broke out at 1 o'clock this morning, in HART'S Building, corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets. The flames spread with great rapidity, destroying the entire building, together with several book and music stores, and PARKER'S Restaurant in the basement.
The flames spread to the Shakespere building on the opposite side of Sixth street, and... Read MORE...

The New York Times -  New York -  December 29, 1851
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York, Pennsylvania, USA (Yorktown)

1888  Hall Collapses

A Hall at York, Pa., collapsed on the 26th during an entertainment, burying three hundred persons in the ruins, and large number were seriously injured.

St Joseph Herald -  Saint Joseph, Michigan -  December 29, 1888
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Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA (Ayers Village)

1893 - HUNDRED LIVES IN DANGER. Ice In the River at Haverhill Breaks Up While People Are Crossing.
HAVERHILL, Mass., Dec. 28. - Special Telegram - The Merrimac River was the scene this noon of a narrow escape from a frightful accident. More than 100 men, women, and children were on the ice. Since the river had been frozen over the operatives in the Haverhill factories who live in Bradford have walked across the river on the ice, instead of on the railroad when suddenly, without a moment's... Read MORE...

The Daily Inter Ocean -  Chicago, Illinois -  December 29, 1893
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Bismarck, North Dakota, USA

1930 - CAPITOL BUILDING AT BISMARCK, N. DAKOTA, BURNED TO THE GROUND. FIRE STARTS IN STATE ENGINEER'S OFFICE; FLAMES RACING THROUGH STRUCTURE WHEN FIREMEN ARRIVE.
LOSS OF STATE PAPERS AND DOCUMENTS SO GREAT, CALL ISSUED FOR LEGISLATURE TO MEET AT ONCE.

INSURANCE POLICIES ON BUILDING TOTAL $600,000; LOSS ESTIMATE AT FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS MORE.

Bismarck, N. D., Dec. 28. - North Dakots's state capitol building burned to the ground today.

Resultant loss of state papers and documents was so great that GOV. GEORGE F. SHAFER issued an emergency call for... Read MORE...

Winnipeg Free Press -  Winnpeg, Manitoba -  December 29, 1930
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Sebring, Florida, USA

1943 - SIX DIE WHEN BOMBER CRASHES IN HEAVY FOG.
Hendricks Field, Sebring, Fla., Dec. 29 - (AP) -
Heavy fog which came up unexpectedly was given as the cause of the crash of a heavy bomber hear here Monday night in which six fliers were killed, Col. Warren H. Higgins, commanding officer, said.

The dead were:
Second Lieut. EARL LANHAM, instructor pilot.
Second Lieut. WILLIAM H. RESSLER, JR., student officer, Shamokin, Pa.
Second Lieut.... Read MORE...

Panama City News-Herald -  Panama City, Florida -  December 29, 1943
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Lake Placid, New York, USA

1966 - FIVE PRESUMED DEAD IN BLAZE AT LAKE PLACID'S MARCY HOTEL.
Special to The Post-Standard.
Lake Placid - A search of ice-sheathed debris will begin Thursday in an effort to recover the bodies of five men missing and presumed dead after a fire Wednesday which destroyed a wing of Hotel Marcy.

The missing men, all employes of the famed resort hotel, were identified by Police Chief Charles Prasse as:

MILTON ANINGER, about 50, of Lake Placid.
CLYDE... Read MORE...

The Post-Standard -  Syracuse, New York -  December 29, 1966
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1830  December 29 - A very heavy snowstorm ushered in the "winter of the deep snow." The storm produced 30 inches of snow at Peoria IL and 36 inches at Kansas City MO.

WeatherForYou.com

1852  December 29 - Emma Snodgrass arrested in Boston for wearing pants

historyorb.com

1890  December 29 - Wounded Knee Massacre occurred - 7th Cavalry killed more than 250 Lakota men, women and children; Sitting Bull killed at Little Eagle; Indian wars ended

www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ sdtimeln.htm

Died December 29

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Greenerpasture Daily News - 1879 The Hornell (N. Y.) Times records the marriage of a man in Le Roy to his sixth wife

North Grosvenordale, Connecticut, USA

1896  Fire

Fire in North Grosvenordale, Conn., totally destroyed the two largest business blocks in the town, together with two barns and adjoining sheds. Loss, $15,000.

The Times -  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -  December 27, 1896
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East Lyme, Connecticut, USA

1898 Christmas in East Lyme
ALL THE CHILDREN AND THEIR ELDERS CELEBRATE THE DAY.

Saturday night was a red letter time for East Lyme children and their friends. A fine Christmas tree was provided in the hall and loaded down with presents and decorations. At 5 o'clock the juveniles gathered in great force and were all supplied with as much cake and coffee, etc., as they could accommodate. After the hunger of the multitude... Read MORE...

The Day -  New London, Connecticut -  December 27, 1898
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Camden, New Jersey, USA

1907 - BAD ACCIDENT NEAR CAMDEN. THREE ARE KILLED AND SEVENTEEN INJURED. DUE LARGELY TO A FOG. WRECKAGE ON FIRE, BUT THE LOCAL FIREMEN RENDER EFFICIENT AID.
(By Associated Press.)
Camden, N. J., Dec. 27. - Three persons were killed and seventeen injured in a collision on the elevated tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad just outside the station here today, with a Pemberton accommodation train ran into the rear of an Atlantic City express. A heavy fog was the principal cause of the accident.

The dead are:
C. H. BROWN, Moorestown.
J. L. GARBARINI, ... Read MORE...

Middletown Daily Times-Press -  Middletown, New York -  December 27, 1907
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Detroit, Michigan, USA

1913 - OLD DEPOT BURNS; NEW ONE IS READY
Detroit Has Spectacular Fire Which Does $250,000 Damage to Michigan Central Railway.

Detroit, Mich., Dec. 26.- A spectacular fire, starting from a cause undetermined, swept through the main depot of the Michigan Central Railway here this afternoon. The blaze, which started in one of the office rooms in an upper story, gained great headway before an employe discovered it, and although several... Read MORE...

The Indianapolis Star -  Indianapolis, Indiana -  December 27, 1913
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Key West, Florida, USA

1928 - Explosion Kills One Lighthouse Tender Off Key West Catches Fire When Cook Strikes Matches.
(By United Press.)
Key West, Fla., Dec. 27. - The lighthouse tender, Poinsettia, caught fire and exploded at her berth in the navy yard Thursday, killing one and injuring three others.

Kris Knutsen, 32, a seaman, a native of Norway, was killed and Leon Carey and Y. Lesia, seamen, and J.C. Brown, a cook, were injured.

The explosion occurred when Brown struck a match in the galley to start... Read MORE...

Decatur Evening Herald -  Decatur, Illinois -  December 27, 1928
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Manhattan, New York, USA (New York City) (New Amsterdam)

1947  December 26-27 - New York City received a record 26.4 inches of snow in 24 hours, with as much as 32 inches reported in the suburbs.

The heavy snow brought traffic to a standstill, and snow removal cost eight million dollars. Thirty thousand persons were called upon to remove the 100 million tons of snow. The storm claimed 27 lives.

WeatherForYou.com
December 27, 1947
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Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA

1964 - TORNADO IS REPORTED IN FAYETTEVILLE.
Fayetteville, N.C. (AP) - A tornado struck near Fayetteville, N. C., Saturday and the Weather Bureau issued a severe weather warning that included North Carolina and South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.
The severe weather warning included the possibility of tornadoes, thunderstorms, hail and locally damaging winds from 1 to 7 p.m. along a 60-mile swath extending from Atlanta to 30 miles north... Read MORE...

Gastonia Gazette -  North Carolina -  December 27, 1964
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1879  The Hornell (N. Y.) Times records the marriage of a man in Le Roy to his sixth wife,
four of them being sisters, and the last one being the youngest. He says: "When you get into a good family stick to it."

St. Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan

1932  December 27 - Radio City Music Hall opens in New York City.

www.wikipedia.org

Died December 27

Read MORE...

Greenerpasture Daily News - 1910 - Germany Enjoys a "Fat" Christmas

1849 - The safety pin is invented (Walter Hunt, United States)
THE SAFETY PIN.
Interesting Story of Its Inventor, Walter Hunt.

Buffalo Commercial.
John R. Chapin, now of Buffalo, gives some interesting reminiscences of Walter Hunt, who, in the opinion of may, including Mr. Chapin, was the real inventor of the sewing machine. "Let me close," he says "with an anecdote of his talent in the line of invention. He came inot my office on Nassau street one day... Read MORE...

The Saint Paul Globe -  Saint Paul, Minnesota -  December 25, 1895
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

1854 - DREADFUL ACCIDENT ON THE READING RAILROAD.
On Friday afternoon week, the locomotive Wisconsin life Richmond for Pottsville, with a train of empty coal cars. When the train was approaching the Manayunk tunnel the boiler of the locomotive exploded, blowing out the end over the firebox, and rendering the engine a complete wreck. GEORGE LONG, formerly an engineer on the road, but recently living in Baltimore, where he leaves a family, was on... Read MORE...

The Republican Compiler -  Pennsylvania -  December 25, 1854
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Cleveland, Ohio, USA

1874  3 Votes Not Enough

An enterprising voter of Cleveland, Ohio, voted three times for a sheriff of Cuyahoga county in the late election. Of course, a candidate so ably voted fro was elected, and the voter, having been convicted of voting, was sent to the penitentiary for three years. One good turn deserves another, and the sheriff for whom the voter voted saw him safely to the prison.

genealogybank.com
New Orleans Times -  New Orleans, Louisiana -  December 25, 1874
Comments

1910 - Germany Enjoys a "Fat" Christmas
Year of Immense Prosperity Ending, and People are Spending Lavishly.

BUT WEATHER IS ABNORMAL

April-Like Drizzle in Berlin and Hardly a Flake of Snow in All the Empire - Bad for Hotels.
Special Cable to THE NEW YORK TIMES.
BERLIN, Dec. 24. - Germany is celebrating a "fat" Christmas. The Fatherland has rounded out another year of very great prosperity, and the Yuletide is characterized by... Read MORE...

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 25, 1910
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Lexington, Kentucky, USA

1917 - Auto Damaged in Collision
An automobile driven by George Calvin, of this city, collided with a horse and buggy driven by James Ecton, colored, at the corner of Main and Washington streets Sunday. The machine was considerably damaged by the impact. The windshield was broken and glass was scattered over Mr. Calvin, who suffered several slight cuts on the face. The other The other occupants of the car, his wife and three... Read MORE...

The Lexington Herald -  Lexington, Kentucky -  December 25, 1917
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1869  Lead
Lead of the best quality has been found near York, Pa.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan

1896  December 25 - John Philip Sousa composes his magnum opus, the Stars and Stripes Forever.

www.wikipedia.org

Died December 25

Read MORE...

Greenerpasture Daily News - 1905 - PANIC FOLLOWS EXPLOSION. All Providence Scared Over Prediction of Christmas Disaster.

Port Jervis, New York, USA

1876 - Christmas
THE POST OFFICE ON CHRISTMAS.
The postoffice will be opened on Christmas day from 9 to 10 a.m. and 12 to 1 p.m.

...Many of our villagers were busily engaged in removing the snow and ice from their sidewalks this morning.

...The snow fell all Friday afternoon and until late in the evening. The quantity is sufficient to make good sleighing, and every owner of a pair of runners and a piece of ... Read MORE...

The Evening Gazette -  Port Jervis, New York -  Saturday, December 23, 1876
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Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA

1900 - BABE TRAMPLED UPON BY FRANTIC PASSENGERS Cars Collide on Lebanon Trolley Line, Twenty Injured in the Crash.
Special to The Inquirer.

LEBANON, Pa., Dec. 22. - Two cars filled with Christmas shoppers collided this afternoon on the Lebanon Valley Street Railway, a short distance west of this city, with disastrous results. About twenty persons were injured, some of them seriously. The 18 months' old baby of Mrs. J. W. Walter, of Annville, was trampled on by the panic-stricken passengers and injured so... Read MORE...

The Philadelphia Inquirer -  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -  December 23, 1900
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Providence, Rhode Island, USA

1905 - PANIC FOLLOWS EXPLOSION. All Providence Scared Over Prediction of Christmas Disaster.
Special to The New York Times.

PROVIDENCE, R. I., Dec. 22. - A slight explosion in a jewelry factory, within a short block of the shopping district caused by a panic to-day among the several hundred employes[sic] in the building, two men being painfully injured and a dozen women fainting before any attempt was made to ascertain the nature of the trouble.

The explosion occurred in the... Read MORE...

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 23, 1905
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1913  December 23 – The Federal Reserve System is created as the central banking system of the United States by Woodrow Wilson's signature of the Federal Reserve Act.

www.wikipedia.org

Died December 23

Read MORE...

Greenerpasture Daily News - 1884 Photographic film is invented (George Eastman, United States)

Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA

1790 - December 20 - 1st successful US cotton mill to spin yarn (Pawtucket, RI)


Reinvent Rhode Island: The Industrial Revolution started in Rhode Island
Providence Journal (www.youtube.com)

The first American cotton mill began operation on December 20, 1790. The mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, had water-powered machinery for carding and spinning... Read MORE...

www.americaslibrary.gov
December 20, 1790
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Augusta, Maine, USA

1867  Destructive Fire in Augusta, Me.

AUGUSTA, Me., Thursday, Dec. 19. A large building, the property of the A & W Sprague Manufacturing Company, of Providence, R. I., and occupied by several firms for the manufacture of sash, blinds and doors, furniture and other wood works, a grist-mill, salt manufactory, machinist, &c., was totally destroyed by fire this afternoon. The total loss is about $80,000, with no insurance.

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 20, 1867
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1884  Photographic film is invented (George Eastman, United States)

Photographic. A certificate was filed yesterday in the county clerk's office showing that the capital stock of the Eastman Dry Plate and Film company $200,000, has been fully paid up. The trustees are Henry A. Strong, Edwin O. Sage, J. H. Kent, George Eastman and William H. Walker. The company is preparing to introduce its new discovery, paper dry plates.

Democrat and Chronicle -  Rochester, New York -  December 20, 1884
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Caraquet, Gloucester, New Brunswick, Canada

1887 - PLUNGED OFF A BRIDGE. EIGHT MEN PERISH UNDER AN ENGINE.
Moncton, N.B., Dec. 19. - A fearful disaster occurred last night near Caraquette Station, on the northern division of the Intercolonial Railroad. It is reported that a train went through a bridge and that ten men were killed. No particulars have yet been received.

Later - The disaster occurred at a point about forty miles from Bathurst, the capital of Gloucester County, one of the northern... Read MORE...

Logansport Journal -  Logansport, Indiana -  December 20, 1887
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St Louis, Missouri, USA

1897 - VAULTS SAVE. St. Louis' Largest Jewelry Firm From Being Wiped Out by Fire. BUILDING AND ALL GO. But Half of the Stock Was Saved by Being in Fire Proof Vaults. FAMILY'S NARROW ESCAPE.
St. Louis, Dec. 19. - Fire started in the basement of the building occupied by the Mermod & Jaccard Jewelry Company, at the corner of Locust street and Broadway, early this morning. The five story building is a total loss, $335,000, fully insured. It is thought the fire started in the boiler room.

W. A. Rutledge, the engineer, and his family lived on the fourth floor. The fireman dragged them... Read MORE...

The Morning Herald -  Lexington, Kentucky -  December 20, 1897
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Huntington, West Virginia, USA

1904 - ALL FIREMEN CALLED OUT To Fight a Bad Blaze Back of the C & O Hospital
High Wind Was Blowing and the Fire Destroyed Three Buildings
A fire alarm from box twenty-eight called the department to the corner of Eighteenth street and Sixth avenue, where just back of the C & O hospital, fire was discovered in the barn belonging to Mrs. L. Buffington.

The department was soon on the scene, but the blaze had gained such headway that it was thought best to sound the second ... Read MORE...

The Huntington Advertiser -  Huntington, West Virginia -  December 20, 1904
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Lavaltrie, Québec, Canada (Saint-Antoine)

1913 - Counterfeit Money Source - Canadian Authorities Raid Shack in Little Village of Lavaltrie
Six Men are Captured
Complete Plant: Press. Plates and Paper: Building Resembles Arsenal.
MAKE NIGHT ATTACK
Officers Smash Door, Rush in Upon Occupants While They Sleep.

MONTREAL - By a raid on a shack in the woods five miles from the village of Lavaltrie, Friday, the police unearthed what is believe to be the source of one of the most important counterfeiting schemes discovered in this... Read MORE...

Idaho Statesman -  Idaho -  December 20, 1913
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Tracadie, New Brunswick, Canada (Tracadie-Sheila)

1958 - Santa Answers Appeal of Girl
TAMPA, Fla., Dec 20. (AP) - Note to Viola S. McGraw of Tracadie, New Brunswick, Canada: A Christmas package containing a doll, pajamas, socks, pencils, crayons and coloring books is on its way from Tampa.

Mrs Ida Hernandez fixed up the package after finding a note tied to the Christmas tree she purchased. Viola wrote:

"I am a very poor little girl 6 years old. Will you pleas send me some... Read MORE...

Spokane Daily Chronicle -  Spokane, Washington -  December 20, 1958
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Warren, Michigan, USA

1964 - SIX PERISH IN HOUSE FIRE.
Warren, Mich. - Six of the nine children of ELBERT TURNER COX, 40, a steel-worker and part-time cab driver of Warren, Mich., a Detroit suburb, perished in a fire that destroyed their two-story frame home.
"Six of my babies are gone ... "

"I've lost six of my babies," COX cried on learning of the tragedy as he returned from work. His wife, MARIE, 35, was reported in critical condition.

The... Read MORE...

Waterloo Daily Courier -  Iowa -  December 20, 1964
Comments

1946  December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, featuring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers, and Thomas Mitchell, is released in New York.

www.wikipedia.org

Died December 20

Read MORE...

Greenerpasture Daily News - 1903 - The first engine-powered airplane is invented (Wilbur & Orville Wright, United States)

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

1882 - FIRE IN MINNEAPOLIS. BURNING OF THE BARTON BLOCK - LOSS NEARLY $100,000.
ST. PAUL, Dec. 18. - The Barton Block, in Washington avenue, Minneapolis, was burned this morning, making the third disastrous fire there within a few weeks. The fire originated in the printing-office of Dimond & Ross, on the third floor, but in just what manner cannot be definitely determined. The Fire Department succeeded in confining the fire to the building in which it originated, besides... Read MORE...

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 19, 1882
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Detroit, Michigan, USA

1884 - A Serious Blaze in Detroit
Detroit, Mich., Sept. 18. Fire broke out yesterday afternoon in Thomas Moore’s planing-mill on High street. Delbridge, Brooks & Fisher’s planning-mill was also ignited, and the flames soon leaped across Grand River avenue, setting fire to Reed’s block of stores, Crapo’s lumber yard and Engel’s brick block. A dozen or more persons were passing along Grand avenue when the flames leaped across... Read MORE...

Decatur Morning Review -  Decatur, Illinois -  December 19, 1884
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Lauzon, Lévis, Québec, Canada (Saint-Joseph-de-la-Pointe-de-Lévy)

1890 - BRIDGE WENT DOWN - ENTIRE PASSENGER TRAIN SMASHED IN PIECES. ENGINE AND BAGGAGE CAR ALONE REMAIN ON TRACK - TEN PASSENGERS KILLED AND MANY INJURED.
Quebec, Dec. 18. - The express train from Halifax on the Intercolonial which was due at Levis at 11:40 a.m., met with a frightful accident about three miles from its destination.
The scene of the wreck is an embankment at St. Joseph de Levis. The train was made up of a baggage and mail car, one second class, one first class and one sleeper. It was running at a high speed, and after passing St.... Read MORE...

Manitoba Daily Free Press -  Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -  December 19, 1890
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Fall River, Massachusetts, USA

1892 - Loss in the Fall River Fire.
FALL RIVER, Mass., Dec. 18 - In the fire on the Staples Coal Company's wharf property, Davel Street, last night a large Chase elevator costing over $11,000 was practically rendered useless by falling across the stern of the three-masted schooner Elwood Marlow. Two-thirds of the longest coal shed, on the north side of Rodman's wharf will have to be torn down. The schooner Marlow is virtually a... Read MORE...

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 19, 1892
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Easton, Pennsylvania, USA

1897 - FIRE AT LAFAYETTE COLLEGE. NEW PARDEE HALL PARTLY DESTROYED - VALUABLE COLLECTIONS AND APPARATUS BURNED - WARD LIBRARY GONE.
Easton, Penn., Dec. 18. - Pardee Hall, the magnificent four-story stone structure that stood on the brow of College Hill, this city, and was the pride of Lafayette College, was badly damaged by fire early this morning. Only the east wing was saved from the flames.

Besides the damage to the building, there were thousands of dollars worth of valuable property belonging to professors at the... Read MORE...

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 19, 1897
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1903 - The first engine-powered airplane is invented (Wilbur & Orville Wright, United States)
LIKE A BIRD AEROPLANE FLIES.
Two Americans Solve Great Problem of Aerial Navigation With a Flying Machine Which They Invent and Build.
NORFOLK, Va. - The problem of aerial flight without the use of a balloon has been solved by Wilbur and Orville Wright of Dayton, O.

At Kitty Hawk, on the coast of North Carolina, they successfully navigated a flying machine of their own invention for three... Read MORE...

Evening Sentinel -  Santa Cruz, California -  December 19, 1903
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1912 - DEATH TOLL IN WRECK IS FIVE; CREW CENSURED. IMPROPER HANDLING BELIEVED CAUSE OF FREIGHT'S WILD RACE. GENERAL MANAGER'S STATEMENT.
Besides Crew, Bodies of Two Others are Found and More May Be Buried Beneath the Debris - Injured Fireman is Dying, Brakeman is Better.

The toll of death in Thursday's terrible wreck on the Connellsville division of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad was placed at five Friday. It will likely grow. In addition to the two trainmen known to have perished, another is missing and the safety of one in... Read MORE...

The Weekly Courier -  Connellsville, Pennsylvania -  December 19, 1912
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Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

1934 - SOUTHBRIDGE DIRECTORS VOTE TO LIQUIDATE MILL
MEANS THAT 1,000 WOOLEN WORKERS MUST FIND JOBS ELSEWHERE

Boston, Dec. 19 - (AP) - The board of directors of the Hamilton Woolen Co. of Southbridge late today voted to recommend the liquidation of the company.

Their decision was arrived at after several hours debate behind closed doors and it was announced early tonight. It means that 1,000 workers or one-fifth of the working population of... Read MORE...

The Lewiston Daily Sun -  Lewiston, Maine -  December 19, 1934
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1904  December 19 - Dawson City hockey team begins 9 day walk to get a boat to Seattle to catch a train to Ottawa to play in Stanley Cup on Jan 13 1905

historyorb.com

1907  December 19 – An explosion in a coal mine in Jacobs Creek, Pennsylvania kills 239.

www.wikipedia.org

Died December 19

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Greenerpasture Daily News - 1903 - December 17 – Orville Wright flies an aircraft with a petrol engine at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in the first documented, successful, controlled, powered, heavier-than-air flight.

Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA

1866  Fire at Charlestown

BOSTON, Monday, Dec. 17. A fire in Charlestown last night destroyed the wooden building at the corner of High and Pearl streets, formerly occupied as a Methodist Church. Loss, $10,000. The Armory of the Prescott Light Horse Guard, a school-room and several offices in the building were burned out.

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 18, 1866
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Munich, Bavaria, Germany

1869  Not long ago a merchant in Munich bought from a peasant a wagon load of hay, paying for it by weight.

When the wagon was about to be unloaded the head of the seller's son appeared on top. The buyer cried out that he had bought the young scamp too, and therefore could do as he liked with him, and began to beat him. The father of the boy came to the rescue, and the fight grew to such proportions that the police took the peasant, his son, the buyer and the wagon load of hay into custody.

St Joseph Herald -  Saint Joseph, Michigan -  December 18, 1869
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1903 - December 17 – Orville Wright flies an aircraft with a petrol engine at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in the first documented, successful, controlled, powered, heavier-than-air flight.
THE MACHINE ACTUALLY FLIES
Successful Trial of Kitty Hawk, N.C., of Wright Brother's Invention.

NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 18. - A successful trial of a flying machine was made yesterday near Kitty Hawk, N. C., by Wilbur and Orville Wright, of Dayton, Ohio. The machine flew for three miles in the face of a wind blowing at the registered velocity of 21 miles and hour and then gracefully descended to... Read MORE...

Lewiston Evening Journal -  Lewiston, Maine -  December 18, 1903
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Spokane, Washington, USA

1915 - STREET CAR GOES THROUGH BRIDGE. SEVEN KILLED AND TEN INJURED HEN DIVISION STREET, SPOKANE, STRUCTURE COLLAPSES AND PEOPLE FALL INTO RIVER.
Spokane, Wash., Dec. 18 - Seven persons were killed and ten were injured today when a street car went through the Division Street bridge over the Spokane River. The killed were in the car more than an hour after it went into the river. The injured were removed to a hospital.

Two street cars were on the bridge at the time of the accident. They were owned by the Washington Water Power Company.... Read MORE...

Ogden Standard -  Ogden, Utah -  December 18, 1915
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1796  December 18 - 1st US newspaper to appear on Sunday (Baltimore Monitor)

historyorb.com

1869  In Tiffin, Ohio, the other day a little boy placed his mouth over a teakettle of boiling water, tipped it up and filled his mouth with the hot water, a portion of which he swallowed. His death resulted in a few days after the occurrence.


St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan

1892  December 18 – The Nutcracker ballet with music by Tchaikovsky is premiered at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, Russia.

www.wikipedia.org

Died December 18

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Greenerpasture Daily News - 1843 December 17 – Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol is first published, in London. Released on December 19 it sells out by Christmas Eve.

Eden, Vermont, USA

1839  December 17 - Singular Coincidence

A man named Cain Able, keeps the Adam and Eve tavern in Eden, Vermont. Yes, and no doubt the Serpent can be found there too, as busy as ever in destroying Adam and Eve's children.

The Greensboro Patriot -  Greensboro, North Carolina -  December 17, 1839
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Albany, New York, USA (Fort Orange)

1884 - CRASHING INTO A LAND SLIDE. A TRAIN ON THE WEST SHORE WRECKED AND SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED.
The Atlantic express of the West Shore Road is due at Jersey City at 7 o’clock in the morning. It lost a few minutes south of Albany yesterday morning, and a little before 5 o’clock was booming along to make up time when it crashed into landslide at a bend in the road about a quarter of a mile above Highland Station. The engine mounted the pile of dirt and rocks and swerving to the left fell flat ... Read MORE...

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 17, 1884
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Château-Richer, Québec, Canada (La Visitation-de-Notre-Dame de Chateau-Richer)

1884 - An Aerolite Falls in Canada
Quebec, P. Q., Dec. 16, 1884. - An aerolite fell on the farm of C. Francois, at Chateau Richer, below Montmorency Falls, a short distance from Quebec, at three o'clock Saturday morning. It was dug up from the ground, in which it had imbedded itself, and was found to measure about a foot in diameter. The people at Chateau Richer were so startled by the intense light that many rushed out of their... Read MORE...

The New York Herald -  New York, New York -  December 17, 1884
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Elmira, New York, USA

1886 - FOUR MEN KILLED - Victims of the Explosion of a Locomotive Boiler
A few minutes after 3 o'clock the other afternoon an engine of the Beech Creek Railroad blew up with tremendous force near Elmira, N. Y. Five men were on the engine at the time, and all were instantly killed but one.

The killed are: PHILIP KNIGHT, engineer; ALLEN RAMSEY, fireman; JAMES WARREN, engineer; and JOSEPH FIELDS, machinist. JOHN STAPLETON, machinist who was on the engine at the time,... Read MORE...

The Cranbury Press -  New Jersey -  December 17, 1886
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Bismarck, North Dakota, USA

1907 - BADLY BURNED - MRS. KOYER FALLS WITH LIGHTED LAMP SETTING FIRE TO HER CLOTHES - NEIGHBOR EXTINGUISHES FLAMES BY ROLLING HER IN SNOW AND SAVES HER LIFE.
Mrs. Kooyer, wife of Engineer Kooyer of the 300 road, was the victim Sunday evening of an accident which came near being the cause of her death. She was going down into the cellar with a lighted lamp in her hand when she stumbled and fell, breaking the lamp and scattering the oil over her clothing, which took fire. Crazed with fear she ran upstairs and out into the street with her clothes and... Read MORE...

Bismarck Daily Tribune -  Bismarck, North Dakota -  December 17, 1907
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Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA

1910 - WINDSOR LOCKS. Tobacco Shed and Contents Burn.
A tobacco shed and a small barn close by belonging to the estate of P. J. McMahon on Spring street were burned to the ground Thursday morning. In the barn was a quantity of tobacco and some laths, all of, which were consumed. The cause of the fire is unknown. Nobody, had been a the barn during the day and combustion is suspected. Henry McMahon had three acres of tobacco bundled up ready for... Read MORE...

Springfield Republican -  Springfield, Massachusetts -  December 17, 1910
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1937 - December 12 - Mae West makes a risque guest appearance on NBC's Chase and Sanborn Hour, which eventually results in her being banned from radio.
Their "Adam and Eve" Rankles
It was innocent fun in the script, and innocuous enough for N.B.C. officials in the final rehearsals, but the actual broadcast of "Adam and Eve," as done last Sunday by Miss West (particularly) and Don Ameche, Sunday, drew shouts of protest from all over the continent.

Mae As Eve Rouses Flood of Protests
Script, Rehearsals Harmless, But Actress "Pepped Up"... Read MORE...

The Winnipeg Evening Tribune -  Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -  December 17, 1937
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1843  December 17 – Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol is first published, in London. Released on December 19 it sells out by Christmas Eve.

www.wikipedia.org

1870  The oldest office-holder in the United States is probably the Town Clerk of Southbury, Conn., who is 95 years old.


St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan

1884  December 17 - A three week blockade of snow began at Portland, OR. A record December total of 34 inches was received.

WeatherForYou.com

1927  December 17 – The U.S. submarine S-4 is accidentally rammed and sunk by the United States Coast Guard cutter John Paulding off Provincetown, Massachusetts, killing everyone aboard despite several unsuccessful attempts to raise the submarine.

www.wikipedia.org

Died December 17

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Greenerpasture Daily News - 1870 - Our Frozen Possessions - A Sea Captain's Opinion About Mr. Seward's Purchase - The North-West Pasasge.

1791 - December 15 - The Bill of Rights takes effect

TED-Ed (www.youtube.com)

The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, confirming the fundamental rights of American citizens. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press, the rights of peaceful assembly and... Read MORE...

www.americaslibrary.gov
December 15, 1791
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Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA

1869  A Morocco Factory in Charlestown, Mass., Burned.

BOSTON, Dec. 14. - The morocco factory of C. C. PERKINS, in Charlestown, including the machinery and a portion of the stock, was destroyed by fire last night. The loss in 20,000, which is partially covered by insurance.

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 15, 1869
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New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA

1870 - Our Frozen Possessions - A Sea Captain's Opinion About Mr. Seward's Purchase - The North-West Pasasge.
We make the following extracts from a letter recently written to the Titusville Herald by Capt. LEONARD HARTWELL, of New-Bedford, Mass.:

"Having spent the past four years on whaling voyages in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, I have no hesitation in stating that the Territory of Alaska was, in my opinion, a good bargain for the United States. The climate is not too severe for Americans and not... Read MORE...

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 15, 1870
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Atlanta, Georgia, USA

1885 - A FATAL WRECK. FEARFUL ACCIDENT ON THE GEORGIA RAILROAD. FIFTEEN PERSONS KILLED OR FATALLY INJURED. A TERRIBLE RAILROAD ACCIDENT.
Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 15. - One of the most terrible railroad accidents ever known in Georgia, occurred last night at midnight, fifteen miles from this city on the Georgia Pacific road. The East Tennessee, and Georgia Pacific run the same track to Austel. Last night the Georgia Pacific mixed train with coach and one sleeper stopped at the tank to be watered. The coach and sleeper were on the trestle ... Read MORE...

Daily Iowa Capital -  Des Moines, Iowa -  December 15, 1885
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Ithaca, New York, USA

1888  Fell Through Ice

At Ithaca, N.Y., on the 12th E. S. Nevins, of Orange, N.J., a student and Maggie Sullivan, a teacher, broke through the ice while skating and were drowned.

St Joseph Herald -  Saint Joseph, Michigan -  December 15, 1888
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Providence, Rhode Island, USA

1890 - THE BIG PROVIDENCE FIRE. THOUSANDS OF CURIOUS PERSONS WATCHING THE RUINS.
PROVIDENCE, R. I., Dec. 14. - Thousands of spectators flocked around the scene of Saturday's half-million-dollar fire to-day. Chief of Police Child ordered the circle of the ropes contracted to within safe distance of the tottering walls in order that the crowds might better survey the ruins. Trains coming into the city and the street-car service brought a multitude of spectators, who came and... Read MORE...

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 15, 1890
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Dunkirk, New York, USA

1900 - SEVEN WERE KILLED IN NORMAL SCHOOL FIRE. SIX OF THE VICTIMS GIRL STUDENTS OF THE FREDONIA INSTITUTION.
Wire Window Screens Prevented Easy Access to the Fire Escapes - Nothing Saved from the Building.

Dunkirk, N. Y., Dec. 14 - From the smoldering ruins of the Fredonia State Normal and Training School, which was destroyed by fire at 6 o'clock this morning, one charred body has been recovered, and it is now certain that seven persons perished in the fire.

There were seventy-five young women... Read MORE...

The New York Times -  New York, New York -  December 15, 1900
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Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada / Port La-Joie, Isle-St-Jean, Acadia

1931 - FIRE AT HOSPITAL FOR INSANE KILLS THREE, 300 PATIENTS DRIVEN INTO COLD OF NIGHT.
Charlottetown, P.E.I., Dec. 15 - With two known dead and three missing persons believed also to have lost their lives in the flames, the Falconwood hospital for the insane was in ashes today after a spectacular fire that spread terror among the hospital's 400 patients.

The two known dead were:
DON MacKENZIE, 65, who fell from a top floor window as he tried to grab hold of an extension... Read MORE...

Stevens Point Daily Journal -  Stevens Point, Wisconsin -  December 15, 1931
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Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA

1958 - SIX KILLED BY ALLENTOWN GAS BLASTS. FIRE SPECTATORS ARE VICTIMS OF HOTEL EXPLOSION.
Allentown, Pa. (UPI) - A series of gas explosions destroyed the Mountainville Inn Sunday, killing six persons including a newspaper employe apparently trying to photograph the incident.

Some 24 persons were injured, two of them critically. The injured included some of the crowd attracted to the scene by the first blasts.
The first explosion in the street in front of the tavern routed about 30 ... Read MORE...

Lebanon Daily News -  Lebanon, Pennsylvania -  December 15, 1958
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Died December 15

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