125 years ago, 1895

The Reform Club’s meeting took on a spirited atmosphere as its main focus was women’s rights, though no women were present. The topic was stirred when Frank Mariner remarked that Queen Victoria was running England’s government remarkably well, “better than the government of the United States is being run at the present time.”

Mariner spoke at length about the current state of women, noting: “Woman today is the slave of man. God created woman for other purposes than to be a slave. We boast today of our liberties and freedom. What right have we to so boast? Over 12 million people are today held absolutely in slavery; slaves to man’s laws. … An old adage says that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. This is not correct. We should have equal rights to all, special privileges to none, and all people should be protected in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Several men in the crowd added their comments, such as Billy Radcliffe — who favored the idea of women’s suffrage. He noted that his wife would make a better choice with her vote than a number of drunk men who waddle to the polls. According to the article, “the meeting was an interesting one, and little opposition shown to woman’s rights.”

110 years ago, 1910

It was a sad week, with home burns seriously injuring local women. Annie Bogatano, 19, worked as a domestic in the home of Henry Rigelhaupt on Grant Street and was badly burned while making breakfast. She was working near the kitchen stove when the fringe of the shawl thrown around her shoulders caught fire. The flames spread to her clothing within seconds. Her screams woke Mr. Rigelhaupt and his brother-in-law who both rushed to her assistance. Despite her condition, she remained conscious and was able to speak. Dr. Coe was called and he ordered her to be immediately taken to City Hospital. Combining the burns with inhaling toxic fumes, there was little hope for her recovery.

Miss Sarah Henry, principal at the Steelton grade school, was also badly burned when a pocket of coal gas erupted. Early in the morning, she rose to stir the fire in the kitchen stove at her Oak Hill Avenue home. A small pocket of gas had formed underneath the coal and exploded when she stoked the fire. The flames puffed out of the stove door and ignited her clothing. Before the fire was extinguished, she suffered severe burns to her head, face, and legs.

75 years ago, 1945

News from the War Department continued to flood the newspaper with updates from overseas. Technician Fifth Grade Barnet Levy, 35 of Struthers, had succumbed to his injuries in Italy. He was wounded in an accident when his truck overturned. Before enlisting, he was the manager of the Goodstein Department Store on Bridge Street in Struthers. Private John J. Caputo, Youngstown, was injured in Belgium and recovering in an English hospital. He was scheduled to report to a replacement depot soon. Sergeants Frank Bednarchik and Andy DeLorenzo were both recovering from frozen feet. Sergeant William F. Miller was injured in Belgium after stepping on a Nazi mine and was sent to Paris to recover.

Private Thomas E. L. Gent, Youngstown, was reported as killed in action on Dec. 25 in Belgium, though he had been listed as missing since. His family had hoped for a different outcome and his father clung to the idea that he might be alive. During the World War I, his father was held captive in a German prison and reported as killed in action. Years later, his family discovered that he was alive and being held as a prisoner. Private Gent’s father noted: “I am hoping for the same luck this second time in my son’s case.” Unfortunately, the family was not so lucky this time. In his last letter home, dated December 18, 1944, Private Gent said he was going into action for the first time.

50 years ago, 1970

Midway through its third year, the Youngstown State University Department of Nursing had a waiting list of more than 75 applicants. It was the largest enrollment and the fastest-growing program offered by YSU’s Technical and Community College. One of its chief attractions was the focus on broad educational preparation and practical hospital laboratory experience. The program resulted in an associate’s degree in Applied Science at the end of two years. It replaced a three-year program offered by the Youngstown Hospital Association at the North and South hospital units which ended in June 1969. With an initial enrollment of 73 in 1967, the program had grown to 232 students in 1970.

• Compiled from the archives of the Youngstown Vindicator by Traci Manning, MVHS

Curator of Education