Years Ago

Today is Monday, Sept. 28, the 271st day of 2009. There are 94 days left in the year. On this date in 1909, satirical cartoonist Al Capp, the creator of “Li’l Abner,” is born in New Haven, Conn.

In 1542, Portuguese navigator Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo arrives at present-day San Diego. In 1781, American forces in the Revolutionary War, backed by a French fleet, begin their successful siege of Yorktown, Va. In 1787, the Congress of the Confederation votes to send the just-completed Constitution of the United States to state legislatures for their approval. In 1850, flogging is abolished as a form of punishment in the U.S. Navy. In 1924, two U.S. Army planes land in Seattle, having completed the first round-the-world flight in 175 days. In 1939, during World War II, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign a treaty calling for the partitioning of Poland, which the two countries had invaded. In 1967, Walter E. Washington is sworn in as the first mayor-commissioner of the District of Columbia. (He’d been appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.)

September 28, 1984: U.S. Rep. Lyle Williams, R-17th, presents Youngstown Mayor Patrick J. Ungaro with a check for $9.3 million representing a low-interest loan for a brewery proposed at Youngstown Commerce Park.

Sally A. Savage of Girard, former president of the Ohio Education Association, is named second in command at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Columbus.

September 28, 1969: A.E. McCully, area manager of the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services, says the Youngstown area is going through its worst labor shortage since World War II, and things could get worse with thousands of employees needed for expanding operations at General Motors Lordstown plant and at Packard Electric Division operations.

The Warren Area United Appeal is ready to kick off its annual drive, with a goal of $755,256.

Dick Schafrath, veteran offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns, will speak at the annual fall round-up of the Mahoning County Bar Association.

The Youngstown Transit Co. continues to post losses, with only 179,335 passengers in August, compared to 212,300 the same month a year earlier and net income losses of $2,600, compared to $248 the year before.

September 28, 1959: Ohio State’s Buckeyes score with 1:51 remaining to eke out a 14-13 victory over Duke’s Blue Devils in an intersectional game before 82,834 in Columbus.

Members of Local 298 of the Retail Clerks Union unanimously reject a contract proposal from four major food chains in the Youngstown area (A&P, Loblaw, Century Foods and Kroger) and prepare for a strike. The two-month steel strike has cost Mahoning County $452,334 in welfare costs for people who have run short of funds.

September 28, 1934: Mrs. John Stambaugh Jr., 71, widow of a Youngstown steel pioneer and philanthropist, dies of heart disease at “The Chalet,” the family estate at Seceders’ Corners.

Youngstown’s three savings and loan companies are preparing to apply for participation in a federal plan under which the bulk of nearly $40 million on deposit with them by Youngstown area residents will become insured.

E.F. Milligan of Central Tower, Youngstown, proposes that the government buy and destroy 10 million antiquated automobiles five years old or older at a cost of $100 each, thus opening a huge sales field for the automobile industry that would put 5 million men to work in 30 days. The total cost would be $1 billion.