100 years ago in The Saratogian

Thursday, July 26, 1917

A fight in a Schuylerville restaurant this afternoon ends with a man in Saratoga Hospital with a knife wound close to his heart, The Saratogian reports.

Al Thompson takes a dinner break from his job on the Northumberland Bridge at George B. Peckham’s restaurant. While he’s eating, Carl Anderson of Middle Falls comes in to reclaim a bag he’d left in the restaurant earlier in the day. Anderson “appeared to be very much intoxicated and began annoying Thompson by slapping his face and pulling at his clothing.”

George Peckham orders Anderson to leave, only to have Thompson throw the offending man out himself. Anderson returns five minutes later, wielding a “large sized jack knife” and threatening Thompson from just outside the door.

As Peckham calls the police, Thompson recklessly charges Anderson in an attempt to disarm him. Thompson suffers “severe cuts on his hand” as the men brawl their way to the corner of Broad and Ferry.

Just as Deputy Sheriff James Bryant reaches the scene, Anderson stabs Thompson just under the collar bone. As Thompson drops to the sidewalk, Bryant engages Anderson in a “sharp scuffle” before disarming him and taking him into custody. In the meantime, Thompson gets to his feet and staggers down Ferry before collapsing again.

Dr. E. J. Callahan treats Thompson at the scene and takes him to the hospital, where Dr. F. J. Resseguie says the victim will most likely recover.

CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR

Since Mayor Walter P. Butler of Saratoga Springs isn’t running for reelection this fall, The Saratogian reports that “some of those interested in seeing the city governed in a modern and economical manner” have a successor in mind.

Harry E. Pettee, co-owner of the General Carbonic Gas company, reportedly has agreed to run for mayor. While today’s front-page report doesn’t mention Pettee’s party affiliation, he will take part in a primary election this September.

“It is urged by Mr. Pettee’s friends that he is a progressive citizen, interested in all public matters and known to be loyal to the best interests of the city,” a reporter notes.

YADDO FLAG RAISING

Local author Katrina Trask was well known as a pacifist before the U.S. declared war on Germany last April. In a letter read at a Yaddo flagraising ceremony this week, Trask insists that while she supports the war effort, “I have not changed.”

Trask still believes that “War is not the best nor the surest way” to secure liberty and democracy. But since “this Country is a Republic [and] the majority rules,” she considers it her duty to silence her pacifism for the duration.