100 years ago in The Saratogian
Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1918. The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce plans to raise $35,000 toward the purchase of the Strong Spring Hotel by the Skidmore School of Arts, The Saratogian reports.
Chamber president Joseph H. Clark got the ball rolling last night by pledging $2,000. Mayor Harry E. Pettee matched the pledge.
“The location of this property, and its general equipment, make it a most desirable acquisition to the present Skidmore School holdings,” according to a Chamber statement released today, “The lack of accommodation for both housing and instruction at the present time is a positive hindrance to the growth of the institution, and the possession of this property would solve that problem for some years to come.”
The Chamber sees their fundraising effort “solely as a business proposition. Aside from its educational value, the school as a business institution ranks among the foremost of our producers of local revenue.
“There should be no hesitancy in aiding the establishment of what is equivalent to a new business enterprise in this city.”
$35,000 is only a fraction of the asking price for the Strong Spring, but it’s the minimum amount that would enable Skidmore to take immediate possession of the property.
Lieut. Deming on Way to England
The Deming family of Ballston Spa has received word that Lt. Robert M. Deming has been released from a German prisoner-of-war camp and is on his way to England.
Deming, a medic attached to a British unit, was taken prisoner by the Germans during their last major offensive this past spring. He was allowed to write home several times to update loved ones on his status. After the November 11 armistice ended the world war, Deming was sent to the Netherlands, where the U.S. consul reported his safe arrival to his family.
In other war news, the Reagan family of 126 Woodlawn Avenue, Saratoga Springs, has been notified by the federal war department that Private Daniel F. Reagan Jr. was killed in action storming the Hindenburg Line with the 39th U.S. Infantry regiment on September 28. The 28 year old railroad detective enlisted in Bridgeport CT last spring. His mother is receiving medical treatment after being “overcome with grief” at the news.
The Hennessey family of 225 Lake Avenue believe that Corporal William Hennessey of the 310th U.S. Infantry was wounded or gassed sometime in October. They base their belief on letters received from William this week, but written in late October, reporting that “The place where I am now is a fine place [with] a cot to sleep on [and] very fine food.” He’s most likely describing a military hospital.