Years Ago

Today is Friday, Nov. 6, the 310th day of 2009. There are 55 days left in the year. On this date in 1934, Nebraska voters approve a constitutional amendment which dissolves their two-chamber legislature in favor of a nonpartisan, single legislative body (or “unicameral”), which is implemented in 1937.

In 1860, former Illinois Congressman Abraham Lincoln defeats three other candidates for the presidency: John Breckinridge, John Bell and Stephen Douglas. In 1861, Confederate President Jefferson Davis is elected to a six-year term of office.In 1888, Benjamin Harrison wins the presidential election, defeating incumbent Grover Cleveland with enough electoral votes, even though Cleveland led in the popular vote. In 1893, composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky dies in St. Petersburg, Russia, at age 53. In 1900, President William McKinley is re-elected, beating Democrat William Jennings Bryan. In 1906, Republican Charles Evans Hughes is elected governor of New York, defeating newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. In 1928, in a first, the results of Herbert Hoover’s election victory over Democrat Alfred E. Smith are flashed onto an electric wraparound sign on the New York Times building.

November 6, 1984: Despite the threat of icy rain, election officials in Mahoning County are predicting a heavy voter turnout for the presidential race and the hotly contested 17th District Congressional race.

Neighbors and acquaintances in Deerfield express surprise in finding out that Raymond Luc Levasseur, who lived in their community under an assumed name for more than a year, was an accused bank robber, bomber and terrorist who had been on the FBI’s Most Wanted list for seven years. Southeast schools Superintendent Don Fedorchak described Levasseur’s elementary school daughters as “bright, model kids.”

November 6, 1969: Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge David McLain dismisses a suit by Liberty Township trustees who sought to invalidate the county commissioners’ decision separating the city of Girard from Liberty Township.

Thomas Jordan, real estate man, pony breeder and long-time resident of Austintown, is elected president of the Canfield Fair Board, succeeding Charles V. Blunt.

November 6, 1959: Marine Lt. Col. Charles E. Kollman, 39, son of W.H. Kollman of Liberty Township, is one of three people killed instantly when a Navy jet crashes at McChord Air Force Base near Tacoma Wash.

John R. “Jack” Elliott, 80, for years Youngstown’s “Mr. Show Business,” dies at the age of 80 at his Norwick Drive home. During half a century, he managed nearly every one of Youngstown’s big theaters.

November 6, 1934: Youngstown City Council’s finance committee is considering legislation that would extend the closing hour for liquor establishments in the city from midnight to 2 a.m. for the benefit of proposed local night clubs.

A price war between brewers in San Francisco has dropped the price of beer to four cents a pint.