This Week In Toledo History

May 26 to June 1

May 26
1887 - Statue of Toledo Civil War hero General James Steedman unveiled in downtown Toledo on Summit St.
1906 - Two men are stabbed to death and another is near death after an all-day drinking orgy of men, women and boys on Sycamore Street. Described in newspaper account as “disreputable part of the city.”
1919 - Toledo Patrolman William Bather shot and mortally wounded on Emerald Avenue after he attempts to question three stolen car suspects. He dies the next day. The 29-year-old patrolman leaves behind a wife and two children.
1942 - It’s reported in Toledo Blade that more “Air Raid Wardens” are needed to be trained for help with planning and coordinating air raid siren tests in the city.
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May 27
1862 -Toledo Street Railway begins operation as horse-drawn streetcars start running through the city.
1908 - A downtown Toledo beer garden is closed after violating a police order that women not be allowed in beer gardens in the city.
1921- In a Fremont courtroom, during a civil trial, two opposing attorneys get into a brawl before the bench of Judge Scott Stahl. Others join in the melee before order is restored.
1928 - Race car driver Roy Goodwin is killed in crash at Fort Miami Race Track in Maumee.
1942 -A big thrill for folks in Rocky Ridge as entertainers Bob Hope, Frances Langford and Jerry Colonna stop for a bite to eat at Wendt’s restaurant while on a bus trip to Oberlin Ohio for a show. The troupe stayed for about a half hour in the diner.

May 28
1902 - On the main street of Cygnet, an oil boom village in Wood County, witnesses report that two men, “Yank” Robinson and George Kersey fought a duel to the death with Bowie knives over a woman.
1911 - Lion Store in Toledo selling new screen doors starting at 69 cents each, and ladies silk hosiery for 35 cents a pair.
1936 - An investigation into the “Black Legion” in Toledo reveals there are more than 700 members around the city. Police say they don’t appear responsible for any acts of violence in Toledo.
1970 - After reports of armed gangs roaming the streets, Toledo enacts tough new gun laws that would ban anyone from carrying firearms on public streets or in cars.

May 29
1837 - Toledo Fire Department is first formed with volunteers.
1892 -First mass held at present-day St. Rose Catholic Church in Perrysburg.
1917 - Anti-draft riots break out on Lucas County Courthouse lawn, several people hurt and arrested.
1960 - Toledo’s downtown movie district is going strong with heavy crowds at the Paramount, Pantheon, Princess, Palace, Rivoli, Valentine, Gayety and Town Hall Burlesque.

May 30
1918 - It’s revealed that a 14-year-old Toledo boy, Ells G. Porterfield, has enlisted in the U.S. Army Engineer Corps and is now serving his country.
1934 - Toledoans, like much of the world, are amazed and waiting for more news about the birth of the five Dionne quintuplets in North Bay, Ontario. Their story will continue to be followed for years to come.
1968- For the 100th year in a row, the Memorial Day service at Forest Cemetery in Toledo is held at the grave site of George Duncan Forsythe, the first Toledoan killed in the Civil War.
1972 - The Tommy Vance Hit Parade on WOHO Radio 1470 features “Candy Man” by Sammy Davis Jr. as number one followed by Neil Diamond’s “Song Sung Blue”.

May 31
1928 - Crowds gather outside Safety Building where 26-year-old Stanley Hoppe of Elm Street is charged with murder of a seven-year-old girl, Dorothy Szelagowski. She had been kidnapped several days before and her body found a day later on the front porch of her home. Hoppe is found guilty and executed later that year.
1935 - More reports surface that aviator Paul Redfern, married to Toledo woman Gertrude Hillabrand, may still be alive in the jungles of South America after he vanished on an attempted solo flight to Brazil in 1927.

1939 - The Aquarium at the Toledo Zoo opens and is billed as the "largest freshwater aquarium in the world".
1976 - Kip Boulis, a Perrysburg policeman, drowns while trying to rescue a man and his four children in Maumee River.

June 1
1905 - James Winter, the caretaker of Oak Grove Cemetery in Bowling Green, is charged with misconduct after being accused of using profanity and shooting at a dog in the presence of ladies.
1931 - Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, opens on Collingwood Avenue as the mother church of the Toledo Catholic Diocese.
1934 - Actor Jamie Farr born in Toledo as Jamiel Farrah. He grew up in North Toledo, attended Woodward High, joined the army and eventually moved to Hollywood to become an actor.
1975 - The "Poe Ditch Music Festival" is held in Bowling Green drawing 45,000 fans for the all-day event held at BGSU’s Doyt Perry field. The featured acts included Johnny Winter, Pure Prairie League, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Richie Havens and Styx. A thunderstorm however soaked the crowd towards the end of the day.

Lou's notebook: The story of the Bob Hope troupe making a dinner stop in Rocky Ridge in 1942 makes me wonder if anyone has any other information about the stop. If you happen to know, please share. Also Genoa History Society is seeking any confirmation on a loose report that Henry Ford once made a stop at a dealership in Genoa. Would like to know if it really did happen.