Years Ago

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 2, the 336th day of 2009. There are 29 days left in the year. On this date in 1859, militant abolitionist John Brown is hanged for his raid on Harpers Ferry the previous October. Artist Georges-Pierre Seurat was born in Paris.

In 1823, President James Monroe outlines his doctrine opposing European expansion in the Western Hemisphere. In 1927, Ford Motor Co. formally unveils its second Model A automobile, the successor to its Model T. In 1939, New York Municipal Airport-LaGuardia Field (later LaGuardia Airport) goes into operation as an airliner from Chicago lands at one minute past midnight. In 1942, an artificially created, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction is demonstrated for the first time, at the University of Chicago.

December 2, 1984: Kenneth E. Murphy of North Jackson, an employee at the Buick-Oldsmobile-Cadillac plant at Lordstown, receives the first maximum $20,000 suggestion award ever made at the Lordstown complex.

Officials of International Union of Electrical Workers Local 717 say the new tentative contract with Packard Electric shows the way for the auto industry and other U.S. businesses to be competitive in world markets. It provides virtual lifetime job security for Packard’s 8,400 hourly workers and allows creation of new lower-wage employees.

David L. Engler, a student at Case Western Reserve Law School, says a new political group, Mahoning County Young Democrats Club, has been organized as an alternative to the “old rusted machine.”

David Bozanich, Youngstown’s assistant finance director, says it appears that no city workers will be laid off in the final month of 1984, barring an unforeseen financial crunch.

December 2, 1969: The Youngs-town Development and Review Committee approves preliminary site plans for a new Salvation Army building at E. Federal Street and South Avenue.

A Cleveland man and his 8-year-old boxer dog, Duke, will spend 30 days behind bars after the owner was arrested for drunken driving. The Cleveland man will be responsible for paying a 50 cent per day boarding fee to the county pound for Duke.

Mayor-elect Jack C. Hunter names Donald G. Baker, a 19-year veteran in the police department, as his police chief. Baker names Capt. James M. McBride and Detective Donald Komara as his two assistant deputy chiefs.

Dr. Albert L. Pugsley, president of Youngstown State University, announces that contracts for the $5.25 million Beeghly Health and Physical Education Center are awarded. The general contract of $3.3 million goes to Joseph Bucheit and Sons Construction Co.

A 25-year-old Griffith Street man sought in the slaying of Alexander Brown II, 16, surrenders to police but refuses to give a statement. Police say Brown was shot in or near South Side Billiards on Hillman Street.

December 2, 1959: More than 600 extra post office employees are hired in Youngstown and are standing by, ready to report when the holiday mail rush hits.

Nearly 900 city residents sign petitions backing 3rd Ward Councilman McCullough Williams Jr.’s drive to end the police towing monopoly held by Passarelli Bros. Auto Service.

Lt. Col. Pete W. Kuba of Struthers, pilot of a C47l, is killed when the twin-engined military plane crashes and burns in the wood north of Oslo, Norway.

December 2, 1934: Downtown Youngstown stores report their biggest Saturday shopping day of the year, with sales far greater than had been anticipated, especially in toy departments.

A revolt by young and liberal Republican elements to force a “complete reorganization” of the party for the 1936 campaign is proposed by Sen. Borah of Idaho. Borah says there are young Republican clubs all over the country that would form the nucleus of a revolt movement against the conservative leadership.

The Rev. Clark K. Oler, associate rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church for three years, will become rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Cleveland.