125 years ago, 1897

Taken directly from the Youngstown Vindicator:

“At death’s door. The husband steals a sack of flour for his starving family. It is eagerly devoured. A Christian man sees the whole affair and at once provides for the suffering family.

“A case of extreme want came to the ears of the congregation of the Tabernacle U.P. Church, as told by a member of the assembly, who made a thorough and satisfactory investigation of the affair.

“A church member going along a certain street about dusk, noticed a man poorly clad take a sack of flour from in front of a grocery store. The man with the flour hurried up the street and away to his home.

“The anxiety of the church member became increased. He knew well the man had stolen the sack of flour, and through curiosity decided to follow him. The way led to a dreary house, which, inside, must have been very cold. No Brussels carpet adorned the floor. No stylish Turkish rugs were noticeable. The floor was bare and the children poorly clad crouched by the mother awaiting the father’s return.

“Peering through the window, a harrowing sight was witnessed. The husband no sooner got inside than the flour sack was opened and the contents eagerly devoured by the half-starved family. The church member went inside soon after and talked to the man concerning the theft. The answer quickly came that the family was starving and something had to be done to aid them. The Christian gentleman at once went to the grocery store and paid for the flour and ordered another sack and a large quantity of groceries, which were soon delivered to the home. A quantity of meat was also purchased.

“In speaking of the condition of the city’s poor, the story was told in a church meeting by a friend of the worthy man who gave relief. The poor man was not encouraged in his mode of getting food, but given relief. The family will be properly cared for by those in possession of the facts as to their true condition. “No names are given, the donor particularly requesting that his name be not used.”

40 years ago, 1982

An image of Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy over his head, graced the front page of the Youngstown Vindicator as the San Francisco 49ers celebrated their Super Bowl victory.

“Our kids really deserve it. I’m really proud,” DeBartolo remarked.

The 49ers may be from San Francisco, but the team’s connection to Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley runs deep. “They have an intense desire to win. They don’t know the word lose. And that’s the way Youngstown is. Youngstown doesn’t know how to lose. Youngstown picks itself up from adversity. It has done it over the years. And this is as great for Youngstown as it is for San Francisco and our family,” DeBartolo commented. The 49ers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21 in Michigan in front of 81,000 fans.

• Compiled from the archives of The Vindicator by Traci Manning, Mahoning Valley Historical Society curator of education.