100 years ago in The Record

Sunday, Jan. 12, 1919

Record reporter Marvin B. Downing is struck and killed by a train while walking on the railroad tracks between Hoosick and Hoosick Falls this afternoon. Downing, 40, was the paper’s Hoosick Falls correspondent. He taught school in the area and was clerk of the Hoosick Falls draft board during the world war. “Mr. Downing had gone to the village of Hoosick earlier in the day to get material for his work as correspondent of The Record and was returning to his home in Hoosick Falls by way of the railroad tracks,” another reporter explains, “The country roads in that section are drifted with snow to such an extent that the railroad tracks present a much easier walking surface. “Footprint evidence shows that Downing was walking in the same direction as the train, and that he heard it approaching. He makes an effort to get off the track, but “he did not leave the rails, probably because the snow a short distance from them was deep. The supposition is that he thought himself sufficiently removed from the train to allow it a clear passage.” Instead, Downing is struck by the train’s cowcatcher. Members of the train crew see it happen and call for a doctor. Dr. Cahill of Hoosick Falls declares Downing dead at the scene. “His ribs were smashed in and he was otherwise injured,” the reporter notes.

Capacity Audiences Attended Concerts

The Lyceum Theater in downtown Troy hosts two “sacred concerts” today to raise money for the Twelfth Ward Patriotic League’s homecoming reception for local soldiers returning from the world war. “There was a good crowd present at the matinee, and standing room was at a premium for the evening performance,” The Record reports. While total proceeds aren’t tabulated in time for Monday’s paper, Patriotic League president C. A. McGrath is “gratified with the results.” Eighteen acts perform during each show. The Lyceum Stock Company does its part in the comedy sketch, “The Man From Memphis,” while violinist Cecilia Holden “provided several pleasing moments.” Our reporter writes that “the only regret of the audience was that she could not hold the boards longer.” The star attraction is Troy sports legend John J. Evers, back from a tour of duty as a Knights of Columbus baseball instructor for American and allied troops in Europe. Evers calls on the Patriotic League to “purchase some kind of medal” for returning veterans. “I think that the boys will prize more some kind of a trophy that they may have for years to come, as a remembrance of the esteem with which they are held,” Evers says.