Utica boxer draws at MSG, roof raised at Hotel Utica: This week in Mohawk Valley history

1926, 98 years ago

In this corner is ...

Utica boxer Bushy Graham always draws a packed house at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and it is no different tonight as the 118-pound bantamweight defeats California Joe Lynch in a 10-round decision. Graham -- who grew up in Utica as Angelo Geraci and still lives there -- now is the foremost challenger for the bantamweight championship of the world (which he won on May 23, 1928, defeating Corporal Izzy Schwartz).

Graham -- who probably got his nickname because of his thick, bushy hair -- has a deceptive style with his fists dangling at his sides, hips always moving, his jaw out. When his opponent swings, Bushy isn't there. Then he shoots a wicked right hand from any angle.

(Graham never defended his bantamweight title because he gained weight and began to fight as a featherweight. He was 5-feet-5 and weighed about 125 pounds. When he retired in 1936, he had had 127 professional bouts and had won 101 of them -- 37 by knockout. He had six no decisions and six draws. He lost only 14 times. He died in 1982 at age 79.)

1924, 100 years ago

Raising the roof

The 12-year-old, 10-story Hotel Utica always is filled to capacity, so its owners decide to add four stories. Construction will begin this spring. (The new four stories to the hotel on Lafayette Street -- today the DoubleTree by Hilton -- opened in 1926.)

1949, 75 years ago

UFA gym

For the first time in its long history, Utica Free Academy (UFA) has a room large enough to accommodate its more than 2,000 students. The long-awaited, $850,000 gymnasium opens with ceremonies attended by students and school and city officials. Principal Clifford A. Stanton dedicates the gym in honor of the "alumni who served their country during World War II and in recent memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice."

Later, the largest crowd ever to attend a basketball game in Utica -- 2,400 -- sees UFA defeat New Hartford, 44-37. The winners are led by Dick Miller's 21 points and eight by Jerry Gilberti.

1974, 50 years ago

Clayville fire

Four volunteer fire companies battle a blaze that destroys the 125-year-old Alberding Building on Main Street in Clayville. Firefighters from Clayville, Cassville, Willowvale and Bridgewater say the wooden structure was engulfed in flames when they arrived. The building once housed a hotel and later a hardware store.

Meanwhile, the Kennedy Plaza Apartments -- Utica's newest apartment complex -- is nearly filled. The 17-story tower and two five-story buildings have 300 units available and 291 already are rented. Basic rents range from $104 a month for an efficiency unit to $147 for two bedrooms. Rent includes heat, utilities, stove and refridgerator.

1999, 25 years ago

Remembering Rev. King

The Mohawk Valley Frontiers has its 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. observance in the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre (today the Delta Hotels by Marriott). Member Carol Crooms presents the King Scholastic Award to Tameka Winston, a senior at Rome Free Academy. Arnette Lang, a senior at Thomas R. Proctor High in Utica, is recognized for being the head of her class. Faye Short, president of the Oneida County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) receives the King Community Service Award.

Wayne Inglis Sr. is elected chief of the Clayville Volunteer Fire Department for the fifth time. Robert Hryb is elected president for the 11th time. Other line officers include: first assistant chief, Wayne Inglis Jr.; second assistant chief, Joseph Inglis; captain, Christopher Hryb; lieutenants, David Tilbe, Ernie Lamoree and Doug Barron; fire police captain, William Tilbe; EMS captain, Christopher Madore and chief engineer, Ralph Leiter.Other company officers include: Ed Bradbury, vice president; Christopher Hryb, secretary; Ralph Leiter, treasurer, and directors, David Tilbe, Richard Williams and Doug Barron.

Four boys trained at the Utica Boxing Association win Silver Gloves competition in Saratoga Springs. They are: Dan Carroll, 13, in the 125-pound class; Allen Colvin, 12, in the 106-pound class; Calvin Lang, 12, in the 55-pound class, and Jose Colon, 15, in the senior heavyweight class.

Area Assemblyman Marc Butler, R-Newport, is assigned to the Assembly's Agriculture and Higher Education Committees. He also is a member of the Labor Committee and is the ranking GOP member on the Governmental Employees Committee.

2014, 10 years ago

Jazz musicians

The Notre Dame Junior-Senior High School jazz ensemble -- headed by teacher Kristin Hahn -- is making great music. Members include Gillian Keeler, Katerine Elacqua, Elizabeth Hahn, Zack Harter, Dominic Romano, Alex Kondzielawa, Christo Gardinier, Jay Valencia, Michael Romano, Aaron Comesky and Faith Valencia.

Zvia McCormick is named chief executive officer of the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL), replacing Burt Danovitz, who has retired after 30 years as RCIL's chief executive officer.

Trivia quiz

This is a tough one. Most U.S. presidential historians admire this 19th century president because when he campaigned for the presidency, he told voters what he intended to do as president and then, after being elected, he did it. Name him. For presidential history buffs only: name the four main goals he promised to accomplish while in office and did so. (Answers will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: Events and the presidents at the time: (1) the Mexican War in 1846-48 (Polk), (2) the Spanish-American War in 1898 (McKinley), (3) Orville and Wilbur Wright launch the air age when in !903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, they fly the first power-driven, heavier-than-air machine (Theodore Roosevelt), (4) the Gadsden Purchase of land from Mexico for $10 million in 1853-54 adds Arizona and New Mexico to the United States (Pierce), (5) Alexander Graham Bell is granted a telephone patent in 1876 (Grant).

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Taking a look back at this week's Mohawk Valley history