120 Years Ago, 1901

Taken directly from The Vindicator:

“Youthful Thief’s Career Cut Short by Detective Geo. Moyer This Morning. For over two months the lad had been operating in the coat room at the Tod House.”

“For some weeks past articles of wearing apparel have been missing from the coat room of the Tod House, and Mr. Baker has been at a loss to know just what became of them, for despite the strictest vigilance the thefts have continued must to the annoyance of Mr. Baker and his guests.”

“That ‘murder will out’ is however, a long accepted proverb, and this morning the thief was apprehended. Early this morning a muffler was found to be missing from the coat pocket of a guest and a little investigation resulted in its being located in the overcoat pocket of J. Mercer, one of the elevator boys. Detective Moyer was called in and acquainted with the facts in the case and he at once set to work. When it comes to throwing a trick of this kind ‘Doc’ knows how, and he got a hold of the offending youth and for about five minutes the detective put the youngster through a course of sprouts he will not soon forget. The consequence was that when the detective had the boy for a few minutes, the lad confessed all and said that he had commenced to steal the very first day he worked at the hotel and has kept it up ever since with as much regularity as circumstances would permit. Just what the extent of the lad’s stealing will amount to cannot at this time be stated, but is likely to prove considerable upon investigation. Just how to deal with a youth of his years is a grave problem.”

“While Mr. Baker has been caused no little annoyance and considerable expense in reimbursing guests for losses, he yet feels loath to prosecute the lad if any other means of correction can be found.”

40 Years Ago, 1981:

For nearly 450 days, The Vindicator’s front page featured a small box with the words “Lest We Forget” along with a number that seemed to never stop growing. For more than a year, the world had their eyes on the hostage crisis in Iran. More than 50 Americans were held hostage after a group of Iranian students stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran.

Coverage of the crisis was intense throughout its 444 days and in the days leading up to Jan. 20, 1981, The Vindicator’s front page was dedicated to updates. The headline on Jan. 19 read “Hostages Ready to Leave Iran” but hesitation remained. Patricia Lee, wife of hostage Gary Lee, spoke with Vindicator reporters about her lingering worries. “I will believe it when I hear my husband’s voice,” she said. The Lees had lived in Youngstown before Gary joined the foreign service in 1971. Patricia also spoke about the lack of trust on both sides, “as long as the hostages are there, anything can happen. I’m really not going to believe anything until Gary calls me from Algeria or Germany.”

While the families of the hostages remained concerned, there was a clear and powerful sense of relief. “Ringing telephones around the country today awakened the families of 52 American hostages before dawn with good news for the first time in 14 1/2 months: the agreement to free their loved ones was signed at last.” The good news was confirmed on Jan. 21 with a front page picture showing the now ex-hostages getting off a plane in Germany. Similar images flashed across television screens as families watched, looking desperately for their family members.

Reverend Dr. Earl Lee, Gary Lee’s father, was interviewed by Vindicator reporters just after the long awaited phone call with his son. “It was just an amazing conversation. He sounded absolutely great. He said he wanted to be home in time for the Super Bowl,” Rev. Dr. Lee noted. Gary’s mother, Hazel, would never forget the day, which happened to also be her birthday. “It’s the birthday to end all birthdays,” she said. The image of an overjoyed Patricia Lee also graced the front page. Her smile was contagious as she spoke with a representative from the State Department who confirmed Gary’s release.

Youngstown Mayor George Vukovich declared the day “Hostage Freedom Day” complete with patriotic activities downtown. Students at Youngstown’s Taft Elementary School untied a large yellow ribbon from a tree while students at West Elementary planted 52 flags on the front lawn.

A billboard along Interstate 680 had long called for the hostages to be released but it was finally edited to say “Freedom: God Bless America.”

— Compiled from the archives of The Vindicator by Traci Manning, MVHS Curator of Education