100 years ago in The Saratogian
Saturday, Feb. 9, 1918
Mechanicville public safety commissioner Newton M. Austin has been put in charge of distributing two carloads of confiscated coal to residents of his coalstarved community, The Saratogian reports.
Austin received authorization last night from the county fuel administration to seize the cars from local railroad yards. Despite intense government efforts to conserve coal for the U.S. war effort, including mandatory shutdowns of most businesses on Mondays, communities like Mechanicville are experiencing coal famines in the middle of a harsh winter.
“The city has been without an ounce of coal, their yards being scraped,” a Mechanicville correspondent writes, “Much suffering has occurred in the city the past few days as the shortage became acute.”
Coal dealers are expecting fresh shipments sometime next week. Until then, they’ll act as delivery men for Commissioner Austin.
“Arrangements have been made whereby persons will be given orders for a certain amount by the official to carry them over,” the reporter explains. Families in “dire need” of heating and cooking fuel will have top priority.
Close call
The region gets hit by another wintry blast today when “a southwest wind that was almost a gale brought a fall of several inches of sleet and snow to this section of the county.
“While the storm did not assume the proportions of a blizzard, it succeeded in putting all trolley cars off their regular schedule,” delaying the start of tonight’s basketball game between Saratoga Springs High School and St. Mary’s Academy of Glens Falls.
The game at the Y.M.C.A. court has to be shortened to 30 minutes so the visitors can catch the last trolley home. That proves to be a lucky break for the home team. Led by star forward Anibal, Saratoga jumps out to a 10-4 halftime lead, but a Saratogian sportswriter observes that “the Saratoga boys seemed to tire toward the end. Perhaps it was due to the long practice waiting for the St. Mary’s team.”
Saratoga holds on for a 1716 victory. “The St. Mary’s boys displayed some fast basketball, especially at the end,” the reporter notes, “and although they fouled quite often they did not play the role of ‘soreheads’ as did their neighbors, the Glens Falls High School.” What’s Happening “The Musical Comedy Treat of the Year,” the Bon Tons, complete their run at the Broadway Theatre tonight with an “entire change of show” from yesterday. At the Palace, Gladys Brockwell, “The Girl with a Thousand Expressions,” stars in “A Branded Soul,” while the Lyric offers the latest chapters of “The Lost Express” and “Stingaree,” plus a newsreel and “a good comedy.”