Years Ago

Today is Thursday, Sept. 24, the 267th day of 2009. There are 98 days left in the year. On this date in 1969, the trial of the “Chicago Eight” (later seven) begins. (Five of the defendants are later convicted of crossing state lines to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic national convention, but the convictions are ultimately overturned.)

In 1789, Congress passes a Judiciary Act which provides for an attorney general and a Supreme Court. In 1929, Lt. James H. Doolittle guides a Consolidated NY-2 Biplane over Mitchel Field on Long Island in the first all-instrument flight. In 1948, Mildred Gillars, accused of being Nazi wartime radio propagandist “Axis Sally,” pleads not guilty in Washington, D.C., to charges of treason. (Gillars, later convicted, ends up serving 12 years in prison.) In 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower suffers a heart attack while on vacation in Denver.

September 24, 1984: A Youngs-town State University study claims that more than 14,000 unemployed people in the Youngstown-Warren area were omitted from the federal government’s June jobless statistics.

Cleveland Browns Coach Sam Rutigliano says Quarterback Paul McDonald has turned the corner after he leads the Browns to a 20-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hartzell’s Rose & Sons will close its menswear store in the Eastwood Mall, leaving the company, which was founded in 1848, with only one store, at the Southern Park Mall.

September 24, 1969: The number of major crimes in Youngstown rises in six of seven categories in the first six months of the year, a report by the FBI shows.

Youngstown’s urban renewal program is severely criticized in Chicago for “lack of progress” and a project in the Youngstown State University area is written off the books because of changes in “national goals.”

Federal tax liens totaling $1.2 million against the estate of slain racketeer Vince DeNiro of Youngstown are released following a settlement on the unpaid taxes with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

September 24, 1959: George Mikan, the greatest name in basketball, who led the Minneapolis Lakers to six out of seven championships, will be among hundreds of sports celebrities at the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame Heart Fund Banquet at the Idora Ballroom.

Thomas V. Caldrone, 2nd Ward councilman, demands an immediate crackdown by police on speeding cars and truck on Oak Street.

U.S. District Court Judge Paul C. Weick administers the oath to seven Youngstown attorneys admitted to practice in federal courts: Phillip A. Crino, Lloyd R. Haynes, Lawrence V. Cregan, Michael Yurchison, Leo Morley, Nelson Doyle and Charles Bannon.

September 24, 1934: Council-men A.T. Kryzan and M.J. Kirwan propose legislation that would allow residents with uncollectable delinquent water accounts to work them off.

Mayor Mark E. Moore orders the discharge of 40 men in the street department, most of them short-term employees.

Stone’s Grill opens at Hazel and Federal streets in downtown, giving Youngstown one of most attractive and modern restaurants in Ohio. The new bar is the third operating in Youngstown under the Stone’s Grill name.