Category: Schenectady

Sorry, Schenectady, but it’s still your turn for True Crime Fortnight. Just about 99 years ago, the region was gripped with the discovery of a gruesome murder. On Friday, June 19, “fishermen brought to the surface of the Mohawk River the torso of a well proportioned woman, wrapped in a burlap bag, which had…

A tremendous effort was put into finding the gunman who in 1924 ambushed Schenectady Police Captain Albert Youmans, who died instantly, and Patrolman John Flynn, who died years later from his wounds. The underworld didn’t back down, immediately threatening the mayor, William Campbell, and the new chief Billy Funston. Investigations continued for months with…

After the murder of Captain Youmans and the ouster of Chief Rynex in 1924, Schenectady needed a new police chief to establish order, crack down on vice and straighten up the police department. They turned to Billy Funston, a New York City detective who was well-known for being tough on crime and for escorting…

Dec. 3, 1924: “Two young men, wearing plaid comforters, stumbled down Edison Avenue to-night. They brought up uncertainly before a two-storied frame house, the drawn blinds of which hid jolly red lights. One ventured into an unlighted area-way and presently beckoned his companion to follow. “Schenectady’s ‘gut’ reopened for business to-night, quietly, for the…

It’s “True Crime: Schenectady” Week on Hoxsie! From the Troy Sunday Budget, Nov. 30, 1924: “Acting Police Captain Albert L. Youmans of the Schenectady police force, who was shot down from ambush by an unknown assailant on Edison Avenue in that city early Friday evening, died yesterday afternoon at the Ellis Hospital as a…

1862’s Schenectady city directory informed us that B. Van Vranken’s grocery and provisions store was at the corner of State and Jay streets. He apparently was also agent for Kirby’s American Harvester. Meanwhile, over on College Street, Rodgers & Weller were making soda, sarsaparilla, porter, ale, and cider. Their root beer was very popular,…

It makes perfect sense that A. Brown & Son of Schenectady, back in 1864, were advertising their furniture and coffin warerooms. Most furniture or cabinet makers also made coffins at the time. So there’s nothing creepy about it. At all. On the other hand, buying a coffin in a place where they sell something…

The Atlanta Constitution of April 9, 1906, carried this story of romance from Athens, Georgia that involved a Schenectady girl with big brown eyes. “News has just reached Athens of the marriage of Thomas R. King, formerly of this city, and Miss Theresa Cotie, of Schenectady, N.Y., the marriage having been solemnized the first…

Not surprising that there was a grocery store going by the name of Van Dyk in Schenectady back in 1930, but in fact it wasn’t a local chain. James Van Dyk ran a chain of tea and coffee stores from Barclay Street in Manhattan, and as the ad notes, this location at 173 Jay…

From a 1924 edition of the Christian Science Monitor, we find one of the earliest indications of modern technology becoming ridiculous: “Automobile tourists who visit Central Park at Schenectady Sundays during the months of July or August may enjoy the novel experience of listening to a concert direct from the instruments at the same…