Years Ago

Today is Monday, Dec. 22, the 356th day of 2014. There are nine days left in the year.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

On this date in:

1775: Esek Hopkins is appointed the commander-in-chief of the Continental Navy.

1864: During the Civil War, Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman says in a message to President Abraham Lincoln: “I beg to present you as a Christmas-gift the city of Savannah.”

1894: French army officer Alfred Dreyfus is convicted of treason in a court-martial that triggers worldwide charges of anti-Semitism. (Dreyfus was eventually vindicated.)

1910: A fire lasting more than 26 hours breaks out at the Chicago Union Stock Yards; 21 firefighters are killed in the collapse of a burning building.

1937: The first, center tube of the Lincoln Tunnel connecting New York City and New Jersey beneath the Hudson River is opened to traffic. (The second tube opened in 1945, the third in 1957.)

1944: During the World War II Battle of the Bulge, U.S. Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe rejects a German demand for surrender, writing “Nuts!” in his official reply.

VINDICATOR FILES

1989: Cafaro Co. has proposed a new 100,000- square-foot store on the north end of the Eastwood Mall, which is presently anchored by Kaufmann, J.C. Penney, Sears and Carlisle’s stores.

Ohio Bancorp Inc.’s pending $27 million buyout of Trumbull Savings & Loan involves a purchase premium of more than 500 percent for Trumbulll Savings shareholders, who will receive $5,400 worth of Bancorp stock for every Trumbull share, which is valued at $1,000.

Two Mercer County, Pa., soldiers are wounded in the fighting in Panama: Pfc. William Clepper III of Sharon and staff Sgt. Kenneth Howard Jr. of Hermitage.

1974: The Western Reserve Transit Authority will file suit in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court challenging a Youngstown ordinance that would require the installation of flashers on municipal buses carrying students to school.

Coach Dom Rosselli’s Youngstown State’s undefeated Penguins come from behind to defeat California-Hayward, 99-78, before 2,383 fans.

1964: The General Fireproofing Co. buys up 121,558 shares of GF common stock that was owned by Rockwell Standard Corp. at $35 per share.

Don D. Cook, director of the Ohio Department of Liquor Control, announces a 10 percent across-the-board pay increase for all state liquor store employees.

1939: George Oles, former Youngstown mayor, tells 50 boys for whom he purchased YMCA memberships the importance of absolute honesty and attention to studies.

Brier Hill Iron & Coal Co., Youngstown’s oldest incorporated industrial concern which was formed 101 years ago by “war governor” David Tod, passes out of existence when it is dissolved by the Tod, Stambaugh and Butler families. Its assets of $13 a share will be distributed among shareholders.

A Mahoning County grand jury refuses to indict in an alleged scheme to mark ballots in the 1938 board of education race in Campbell, saying too much time has passed.