100 years ago in The Record

Friday, Feb. 7, 1919. An abrupt change in the rules of a downtown Troy dance marathon provokes a nearriot early this morning, The Record reports. Only the appearance of Sergeant Bendon of the Second Precinct and six patrolmen prevents “a general clean-up” of Magill’s Studio by contestants and spectators shortly after 1:30 a.m., five hours into the marathon. All eleven couples who started the marathon are still going when the proprietor announces that “only those who danced continuously on their toes were eligible for the prize money of $20.” Adjusted for inflation, the prize money is equivalent to about $310 in 2019 money. “As none of the contestants knew of such rules, they believed that it was a case of go-as-you-please,” our reporter writes, “The announcement created considerable dissatisfaction. The manager left the hall at that time and failed to return, but left a note.” “The four teams qualifying for the prize the last half hour will receive their awards next Thursday,” the note reads. By the time people have read or heard the note, the police have arrived to prevent any further disturbance. At 2 a.m. Magill tells The Record that “Only four teams were qualified to enter the last half-hour according to my figuring. They should have competed for the prize of $20 offered to the win- ning couple….My idea was at that hour to give the main prize to the freshest couple at the end. Three Troy couples and one from Albany were the finalists, Magill says. The Trojans are James Corrigan and Miss Bleickert, Andy Nicol and Anna Clifford, and Jack Goodwin and L. Page. Baucus Amplifies Bridge Suggestion Trojans are debating whether to erect a permanent structure in honor of local veterans of the world war. While some support the erection of a community hall, Troy Automobile Club president Frank M. Baucus has an alternative suggestion. “If some of our philanthropic friends wish to erect a community building I think it a capital idea,” Baucus writes The Record, “but do not think the money can be raised by popular subscription as a large number of our citizens feel the [new] armory will answer the purpose.” Instead, Baucus proposes a V-shaped bridge, with its apex in Green Island, that will carry traffic to two points in Troy. One arm would stretch to Douw Street, while the other would extend to Ninth or Tenth street as a link to Beman Park and Sycaway. “Personally I do not care what is done … but would like to see something that will be an asset to the community instead of a liability,” Baucus says.