South Swing Bridge, pen and ink (2026-02-19).jpg
Pioneer Period of Western New York, book (Chipman P. Turner, 1888).pdf
Pettit's Run and the Easiest Victory of the War of 1812 - Excerpted from Pioneer Period of Western New York, Chipman P. Turner, pp. 35-36 (1888).htm
A slight haze rose from the marshes on the borders of the Niagara River, but not enough to shroud the banks or the road that lay along its shore in obscure darkness. It was the route from the year 1800 for military transfer from Fort Niagara to Black Rock, Buffalo and other western points. The march of regiments, companies and detachments, was a common, hourly expected occurrence, not usually creating surprise or apprehension of peril. The tragedy of Lewiston had been enacted, creating constant fear in the minds of all. Buffalo and Black Rock were threatened points. Volunteer regiments had been drafted from eastern sections to the rescue, timidly approaching the scene of war, to which they were unaccustomed; crackling brush, a rustling leaf, were startling omens, and prudence in advancing was deemed “the better part of valor,” and made the adopted strategy in the instance related. The scene of action, according to the record of the time, may be placed at what is known as “Pettitt’s Run,” taking the name of Joshua Pettitt, locating at its junction with the Niagara river, a short two miles below Tonawanda, as early as 1810. Nearly as early a settler as Pettitt, was George N. Burger, who made a beginning by erecting a log house, which in the exigency of war was appropriated by the government as an arsenal for the depositing of arms and ammunition, guarded by a small number of volunteer citizens. The hour of midnight had but just passed when the vigilant watchman were aroused by the footsteps of marching men, tramp of horses and mud-bound wheels of a wagon train, in slow progress up the river. Whether friend or foe was yet to be determined; moments were not to be wasted or retreat justified, without at least the best defence that could be made. Necessity became “the mother of invention,” and proved to be the available relief. The stream passed through a bed of mud, mixed with melting snow, bridged in rough corduroy, that proved fitting for the success of the exploit they had resolved upon. An old dilapidated, one-horse lumber wagon was employed to represent a cannon, “big gun,” by trundling it over the uneven logs. Burger in the full strength of his voice, giving the command: “Bring up the guns, form in line!” while the wagon was drawn again and again by the squad noiselessly through the mud, and thundering back over the bridge, to create the imaginary array of a host. Soon an order was heard directing a halt of the approaching volunteer militia, that was yet to see battle, if at all, while preparations commenced to meet the sudden surprise. Outlooks detached from both the trembling parties approaching each other in hailing distance and in sight of each other, it was discovered they were the same color of clothes; greeting each other as friends, the Colonel, surprised that “ten should overcome a thousand and one,” while Captain Burger exulted that he and his few comrades had gained the easiest victory of the war of 1812.
Early Ironton School principal Walter Luman Case, bio (c.1890).jpg
Island Street Lumber Co. Mill, 11 Felton Street, photo set (Dennis Reed Jr., 2025).gal
A business of the same name produces this ruler and gives an address of 65 Island Street.
Niagara Musical Instrument Co., mailer (1914-04-27).jpg
Featuring a photo of the so-called "Midget Orchestra"
Incinerator Walck and Zimmerman, photo (Dennis Reed Jr. 2008-01-16).png
Tonawanda Power Co. car and probably High Speed line, photo (Power News c. 1926).jpg
Tonawanda line crew pauses for picture, photo (Power Events, c.1926).jpg
Structure at Robonson Street station, photo (c.1926).jpg
Station invites attention, photo article (Power Events, 1927-08).jpg
Power furnished by chips, article (Power Events, 1927-01).jpg
Old dynamo found in haystack, photo article (Power Events, 1927-05).jpg
Niagara falls Power Co wagon and horse, photo (c.1896).jpg
Sweeney, James Sr. and James Jr., portraits and bio (A History of the City of Buffalo, pp187-188, 1908).htm
Archive.org, transcribed by AI: James Sweeney, Senior, and James Sweeney, Junior.—About the year 1820 three residents of Buffalo—James Sweeney, John Sweeney, and William Vandervoort—came into possession of three farm lots north of Tonawanda creek, comprising in all about five hundred acres, and upon which a part of the city of North Tonawanda now stands. This land had been selling at a very low figure, land that only awaited the development of the Niagara Frontier to become one of the most valuable tracts in this section of the State. George Goundry had a third interest in the property at one time, Mr. Goundry being one of the pioneers of North Tonawanda. In 1824 the owners of this land, which is located north of Tonawanda creek, began to dispose of it piece by piece, to the village corporation and the residents therein. A copy of a deed of land from James Sweeney, John Sweeney, and William Vandervoort to the village of North Tonawanda, dated 1824, is still in possession of James Sweeney, Senior, son of the James Sweeney mentioned above. In a few years the remaining property passed over to the control of the Sweeney family and has remained in their possession since. The sales which have been made from time to time to individuals, and also to the city of North Tonawanda, leave at the present time in the possession of the Sweeney family about one hundred and fifty to two hundred acres, and comprise what is left of the original grant of the three farm lots. At the death of the elder Sweeney, his son, James Sweeney, took over the management of the property, which was becoming more valuable year by year. About ten years ago, he in turn gave over the control of the property to his son, James Sweeney, Junior. The elder Sweeney still lives and is manager of the property, but James Sweeney, Junior, acting as his agent, does the active work in connection therewith. During the latter part of the ten years that James Sweeney, Junior, has been in control, he has paid particular attention to the building up of large factory buildings and industries on the property. During the past five or six years he has closed twenty-three factory deals, the owners of the land erecting the factories on the property and leasing them to the manufacturers on long terms of from ten to twenty-five years. These factories, combined, employ about two thousand people, and the desirability of the property as a site for manufacturing purposes is plainly manifest. It is situated on the thousand ton barge canal and the Niagara River, accessible to connections with every important railroad line in this part of the country. Natural gas and electric power from Niagara Falls add to its desirability. James Sweeney, Junior.—Sometime before the War of 1812, the old family records show that he was one of those who fled up the beach road, when the British and Indians sacked the town in 1814. After peace came and the hardy settlers went back to their former vocations, Mr. Sweeney seems to have been attracted Tonawandards, and he also owned a large amount of land in the south village of Tonawanda, as well as in the north village. He was subsequently actively identified with the early railroad interests in this section of the State, and was one of the stockholders of the Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad, which ran between those points as early as 1836 and was later merged with the New York Central, whose Buffalo and Niagara Falls division now runs over the same road. James Sweeney, Senior, one of the preceding James Sweeneys, was born in North Tonawanda in 1831, and received his early education in the Buffalo public schools. Having completed his school education he began to assist his father in the management of his large holdings in the Tonawandas. Ten years ago his advanced age forced him to retire from the active management of the property, but he still maintains an active interest in Buffalo and Niagara Frontier affairs. He is a trustee of the Erie County Savings Bank, a member of the Buffalo Historical Society, the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, the Buffalo Club, and several other social and business organizations. He has been identified with the history of old St. Paul’s Church for many years. His father was one of the original members of the church and the son was the holder of one of the original pews. He is at present time one of its vestrymen. James Sweeney, Junior, was born in this city in 1866 and supplemented his early training in the Buffalo public schools with a thorough course of training in Professor Briggs’ Classical School, from which he graduated. After spending a year in Europe Mr. Sweeney returned to this country, and at once took up the active management of the Sweeney property, which he retains up to the time of this writing. He is a member of the Buffalo, Ellicott, Country, Saturn, and Park clubs of this city and of the Frontier Club of North Tonawanda. Other business associations are with the American Savings Bank and the Tonawanda Power Company, he being a trustee of the former and a director of the latter organization. Mr. Sweeney’s office is in the building which was formerly occupied by the first bank established in Tonawanda.
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company Niagara Plant historical files.htm
From Hagley Archives: The E.I. du Pont de Nemours Niagara Plant produces a number of specialty chemicals, such as polymer acetates, sodium cyanide, and methyl chloride; the plant was purchased by the DuPont Company in 1930. The Niagara Plant, located in Niagara Falls, New York, can be traced back to two chemical companies founded in the late nineteenth century. The first was the Niagara Electro-Chemical Company, formed in 1896, which manufactured metallic sodium. The second was Roessler & Hasslacher (R&H), which began in 1885 as a precious metals business that later developed into a specialized producer of chlorine products, hydrogen peroxide, other oxides, and metal cyanides. Both companies were very successful and understood the value of combining their companies to form even greater success. They merged in 1925 and operated the Niagara plant until 1930 when DuPont purchased their assets. The purchase ensured DuPont a steady flow of raw materials for manufacturing dyes and tetraethyllead. In addition, the R&H acquisition provided DuPont with access to numerous specialized chemicals such as sodium cyanide used in electroplating, methyl chloride for refrigerants, hydrogen peroxide for oxidizing and bleaching, formaldehyde for plastic and disinfectants, dry-cleaning agents, fumigants, insecticides, and ceramic colors. The plant operated as the R&H Department of DuPont until 1946 when it became known as the Electrochemical Department; in 1971, it was transferred to the Industrial Chemicals Department. The plant marketed the following products: polymer acetates, chlorine products, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, cyanides, and several other specialty chemicals. The Niagara Plant was included in the DuPont Performance Chemicals spinoff that created the Chemours Company in July 2015.
City of North Tonawanda, map (Niagara County Atlas, 1908).jpg
EL-2 railroad signal, Rose Coal, photo (1930).jpg
Great Sale of Lots in the Ironton District, ad (Polish Everybody’s Daily, 1922-10-17).jpg
Translation from the Polish by AI: Great Sale of Lots in the Ironton District Real Bargains for 10 Days In the Fastest-Growing Neighborhood of Our City Stop paying rent! Own your own home! Don’t pay high streetcar fares! Live close to your workplace Times are improving There is plenty of work — steady employment — higher wages. PRICES: $60 to $600 $5 down payment $5 per month 10% discount for cash. Surveying/preparation $10 extra. Clear title guaranteed. Large selection of lots The safest investment of money Protection in case of unemployment or illness Great value at low cost Last chance to get bargains like these First come, first served.
Ironton-related news from Polish Everybody’s Daily newspaper (1912-1923).jpg
[Translated from a Buffalo Polish newspaper by AI] 1912 A grand jury has indicted the brothers Jan and Stefan Kuczmiński for burglary (theft with breaking and entering). They stole clothing and other goods worth $502.00 from a railroad car in the Ironton district. They left their stolen loot at the saloon of Walenty Yunger on 7th Avenue. The jury also indicted this saloonkeeper for storing and buying stolen items and goods. — The brothers Kuczmiński committed this robbery and theft on the Lehigh Valley railroad a few months ago, but managed to get away. — Meanwhile, what is meant to hang won’t drown. The Buffalo police arrested them for third-degree assault and for beating Stanisław Rosiński of Tonawanda. — For that they were put in jail for 100 days. Now, as a result of the grand jury indictment, Deputy Sheriff John H. Bollier of Tonawanda has received a court warrant, under which he will arrest the brothers and take them to Lockport as soon as they finish serving this one sentence... To be continued. And the longer they sigh there behind those “Swedish curtains” (jail bars), the better it will be for society and for the Polish community of Tonawanda, because they’re bad birds, and everyone will be glad to be rid of them. 1912-04-24 Marya Malik from the Ironton district on 8th Ave. has evidently fallen into religious insanity. — She walked the streets with a prayer book and prayed loudly without stopping. — She had been ill for quite some time. — The police took her into care, and with her husband’s consent she was sent to the state asylum for the insane. 1912-05-03 New policemen. The police force of North Tonawanda has been strengthened by two policemen, so that the police contingent now totals 15 members, together with a chief, a sergeant, and a special detective. It is not a force that one could boast about in terms of numbers, but it consists almost exclusively of intelligent and respectable citizens. The police consider the Ironton district the most dangerous; pr[illegible word] they will have policemen patrol there in pairs. — In several cases, during arrests they had to resort to revolvers, as in the arrest of Basara’s murderers. — One may expect that in the future the people of Tronton will behave more modestly. 1913-01-04 KACZOR STOLE PARAT’S WIFE TONAWANDA HAS ITS OWN LITTLE HOLIDAY SENSATION. Kaczor is accused of stealing not only several dozen dollars but, in addition… Miss Katarzyna Parat. — After the wedding! — Fr. Bubacz bound the pair of lovers with a lifelong marriage bond. Buffalo has its sensations; so does the much smaller Tonawanda—or rather North Tonawanda, since Poles live in Tonawanda in only small numbers. In North Tonawanda, in the Ironton district, there lives a certain Parat family. They are fairly well-off people. They’re doing well. The Parats have a daughter—moreover, very comely, even pretty. Her name is Katarzyna. Katarzyna fell in love, as later turned out, with a bachelor named Franciszek Kaczor. Kaczor, too, was madly in love with the girl—and the romance was ready-made. Bad luck had it that last week, about $150 worth of various items disappeared from the Parats in Ironton, and in addition $37 in cash. And along with all that, gone without a trace (like a stone in water) were the Parats’ daughter, Miss Katarzyna, and also Mr. Franciszek Kaczor. As later turned out, the young lady and the bachelor went to Niagara Falls, where they wanted to Parat from Ironton notified the police; the matter was uncovered, and in Niagara Falls the little pair was arrested—before they got married! So they were brought back home to North Tonawanda, Mr. Kaczor was brought before the court, and people awaited the hearing. But when the hearing was supposed to take place, Miss Katarzyna begged her father and mother, and the young man—who had “stolen” their daughter away and meant to make her happy—was forgiven, with the help of that clever, brave, and no doubt spirited young lady! Somehow the judge dismissed the charge; instead they were led to the church, the groom and the young bride, and Fr. Stanisław Bubacz bound them with a lifelong marital bond. And that Kaczor will be a capable husband, and the Parats’ daughter likewise a capable wife—of that no one doubts. All of North Tonawanda wishes the young couple—who lived through so much fear and suffered a lot as well—the happiest life together and every success. They earned it, one way or another, by loving each other; and the whole world loves people in love! The costs of lawyers and defenders were paid by the Parats, who could afford it. Now everyone is satisfied and happy, because this whole wedding “sensation” has ended—and that’s the main thing! Long live the newlyweds! 1914-06-13 N. TONAWANDA, N.Y. NOTICE TO RESPECTED SUBSCRIBERS. Once again, I ask you to remember that every recipient of “Dziennik dla Wszystkich” should pay for the paper regularly. Otherwise, further delivery of the newspaper will be stopped. At the same time, I ask for prompt payment of overdue subscriptions. Andrzej Niemiec, agent, 11—6th Ave., N. Tonawanda, N.Y. ROBBERY IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. Poles themselves are to blame for these sad conditions. Some robber, not yet tracked down, sneaked into the home of Stanisław Glica at 27—5th Ave. and took jewelry worth $45—namely a watch, rings, and various other items. This is a warning to housewives that they should not leave their homes without any supervision, with the doors left open, as happened in this case. That theft is spreading among us is the fault of the citizens themselves, because they do not try to [...] when the moon is shining, thank God for that; but when it’s cloudy, someone could twist an ankle or two on the sidewalk and, in other words, wouldn’t find their way in the darkness. Not only are the streets dark, but also the access roads for coal and firewood—the so-called “alleys.” In those alleys at night, thieves of various sorts hide and steal chickens, etc. A person with good intentions doesn’t go there at night. THE NEW CLUB IS ASLEEP! A civic club has been formed here, that is, the “Ironton City Sons Club,” which was supposed to be the “best” of them all. Evidently something has gone wrong there—and that’s a shame, because it could have done a lot of good for the local Polish community. Come on, citizens, to work—wake up, all of you! FROM THE SOCIETY OF OUR LADY OF CZĘSTOCHOWA. On Sunday, the usual monthly meeting. The societies are developing fairly well, though there still aren’t enough of them / not enough participation. Among others, the Society of Our Lady of Częstochowa, Polish Union in America No. 81, is doing quite well financially and has the largest number of members. The monthly meeting will take place on Sunday, June 14, 1914, in the parish hall at 2 p.m. All who wish to belong to this society may come to this meeting, and they will be warmly received. - The Board 1914-06-17 KNIFE AT WORK AFTER THE PICNIC. An unknown “knife-knight.” In Ironton a Polish society picnic took place. When Franciszek Heretka, from No. 125 Wheatfield St., returned from the picnic, he stopped in to see his friend, Wiktor Brusko, in Tonawanda. Meeting another comrade there, he drank one or two with him, and then they quarreled. Both became worked up, and Heretka’s companion, having seized a knife, struck his friend in the head several times and bloodied him badly. The unconscious man was taken home, and Dr. C. W. Clendennan treated him. The police are looking for the knifeman, although they don’t know his name, and he certainly took off. A very sad and ugly end to a picnic and a bit of fun… And won’t our countrymen come to their senses in this regard—must individual wrongdoers always bring shame upon the whole community?! 1914-06-27 FROM NORTH TONAWANDA. The civic political club, that is, the Ironton City Sons Club, will hold its monthly meeting on Sunday, June 28, at one o’clock in the afternoon, in the parish hall. The presence of every member is desired. New members are invited to attend in as great numbers as possible. — With fraternal greetings, Stanisław Rosiński, president; Andrzej Niemiec, secretary. 1914-10-29 A neighborly quarrel. — Boiling water as a weapon. — A meeting on Oliver Street. A neighborhood dispute has resulted in Katarzyna Kowalska, of No. 127 Wheatfield Street, being confined to bed, as she has a badly scalded left arm. Mrs. Józefa Korgom, from the same address, is under police accusation, charged with third-degree assault. The case is to be heard today before City Judge George J. Smith. Mrs. Kowalska lives on the ground floor, and Mrs. Korgom on the second floor of the same house. Yesterday afternoon the two women quarreled over some small matter in the yard of the house. In anger, Korgom ran into the house, grabbed a pot of boiling water, and poured its contents over Kowalska. Mrs. Kowalska fainted, and several people rushed to her aid. The burns were treated by Dr. A. J. Martin. — In Mr. Dąka’s hall on Oliver Street, a meeting of the “Ironton” Republican Club was held. The mayoral candidate, W. A. Moore, addressed those gathered. On the… GREAT FIRE IN TONAWANDA HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. Three lumber yards and factories the victims. A huge fire, which caused about half a million dollars in damage, broke out yesterday just beyond the borders of our city, in Tonawanda, and even at this moment the fire has not been completely extinguished. It broke out shortly after midnight, at 12:30 a.m., but the fire department performed so valiantly that within an hour the blaze was already under control and thus localized. Above all, the firefighters took care that the fire did not spread to the residential houses in the vicinity of the “lumber yards.” The extinguishing and the work of the fire brigade were ham...It also added greatly to the disaster that, almost at the same time, a fire broke out at the Adamit Abrasive Company factories, located only two blocks from the burning lumber yards. The flames also engulfed the Buffalo Sled Company plant, causing damage there amounting to $5,000, and then the fire spread further to the department store warehouse of F. S. Pashen, inflicting major losses there as well. Rail traffic came to a halt because the flames raged across the tracks of the New York Central and Erie railroads. Traffic on the Buffalo, Lockport & Rochester line was likewise stopped, and all communication with Niagara Falls was suspended. All telegraphic communication in the city was cut off. Nearby homes and factories suffered heavy damage—not from fire, but from water—used to protect them from the flames and to save the surrounding neighborhood from further destruction. This fire was evidently set in several places, as firefighters found oakum soaked with kerosene in several different locations, even inside factories and lumber yards. As for the fire at the Adamit Abrasive factories, witnesses even reported seeing a young man lighting matches, applying them to something, and then running away… Near the raging flames, two tank cars filled with gasoline stood on the tracks. Had the fire reached them, a terrible explosion would have occurred—one that might have shaken the entire town to its foundations. Fortunately, brave railroad workers stepped forward and, amid smoke and flames, used a locomotive to pull those two cars out of the danger zone, risking their lives. Unfortunately, during this effort a mishap occurred: a gasoline train struck some unfortunate onlookers who were watching the fire. A 35-year-old man, Kalbot Abbott of Oliver Street, was severely injured and might lose—and likely will—…who lost his leg and will likely die in the hospital due to loss of blood. He was treated by Dr. R. H. Wilcox and taken in the doctor’s automobile to the General Hospital, but it appears he will not survive. Firefighter Fred Stickney was also seriously injured when a falling shield struck him on the head, but he is expected to recover. At the Adamite factory not one stone was left upon another, and the damage amounts to over $30,000. In short, it was a fire the like of which Tonawanda had never known, and the police are searching in every direction for the arsonists—but so far they have no “key,” nor any idea who or how someone could have been driven to commit such a criminal act, one that nearly caused the entire city to fall victim. 1914-11-20 A BRAVE COUNTRYMAN. A fire destroyed the house and barn of Jan Kuszkowski on Payne Avenue. At 1:30 a.m., the Kuszkowski family’s tenant, Antoni Robiński, noticed flames engulfing the house. Without losing his composure, the brave man awakened the household and then rescued five children one by one—three of whom were already half-suffocated by smoke, so artificial respiration had to be applied. About one hundred head of poultry burned in the barn. The loss amounts to $3,000 and is partially covered by insurance. THE SZEWCZYK BROTHERS ON A RAMPAGE. One of the late passersby found a man lying terribly injured in a pool of blood on Wheatfield Street the other night. It turned out to be Michał Olszowski, living at No. 9 Simson Street. He had a smashed head and a cut wound under his right eye. Upon regaining consciousness, Olszowski testified that he had been badly beaten by the brothers Jan and Józef Szewczyk from Ironton Street, with whom he had had a dispute for several months. The hearing of the Szewczyk brothers for assault is to take place on Friday. 1915-03-05 A fine for assault. — Drunk. — From the poor relief office. — Water purification. — Police examination. — Factory closure. Young Andrzej Cypak, son of Jerzy, of 77 Wheatfield Street, was fined $5 for assaulting Paweł Markowicz of Robinson Street. The altercation occurred two weeks ago in the Ironton district. For causing disturbances on a streetcar, two countrymen were not only thrown off into the street but also arrested. The judge found them guilty of drunkenness and sentenced both to 10 days in the county jail. The “heroes” are 50-year-old Jan Szantys and 32-year-old Jan Nowak of Lockport. They were put off on Oliver Street. The city spent only $70 on the poor in February—half as much as in the same month last year. Evidently poverty is felt less keenly at present. 1915-06-08 DISPUTE OVER SUNDAY SHOWS. Judge Marcus, in the higher Buffalo court, issued a ruling in favor of the owner of the moving-picture theater on Oliver Street and against Mayor Rancia’s decision banning Sunday performances. This decision is also important for the Dreamland theater, owned by a Pole, Mr. Gerlach. As we are informed, Mr. Gerlach no longer leases out his theater but operates it under his own management. The sensational case of a tin can containing the ashes of a newborn being buried in St. Francis Cemetery has not yet been clarified. The investigation into this mysterious matter has now been taken up by the City Physician of Buffalo, Dr. Fronczak, as there are indications that a certain Buffalo woman committed the crime. For stealing coal from the Central Railroad yards, two countrymen were arrested: Aleksander Kozłów of No. 24 Ironton Street and Dominik Grykel of Kent Street. Both paid fines of $3 each. In the past month, the following disease cases occurred in North Tonawanda: whooping cough—25 cases; cancer—7; mumps—4; typhus—3; scarlet fever—1; pneumonia—1. Whooping cough is spreading particularly widely. 1915-10-14 N. TONAWANDA, N.Y. OUR YOUTH ON TOP! In the Polish Ironton district of North Tonawanda, the police arrested an entire gang of railroad thieves who robbed two Erie Railroad freight cars. The theft was committed in the vicinity of Oliver Street—this “center of Polish life”—on the night from Saturday to Sunday. The following Poles were arrested: Grzegorz Zakazany, age 15, of No. 30, 7th Ave.; Wilhelm and Leon Kiljan, ages 12 and 13, of No. 3, 7th Ave.; Rudolf Klaus, age 14, of No. 1, 8th Ave.; Jan Wrażeń, age 12, of No. 2, 7th Ave.; and Piotr Krzemiński, age 13, of No. 1, 6th Ave. The boys stole goods—especially sugar—worth $100. Detectives found part of the loot in the homes of the parents of the underage hooligans. All of the boys were either sent to the “Father Baker” institution or placed on probation. 1915-10-16 OPENING OF EVENING SCHOOLS. On Monday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m., evening courses for foreigners will open at the Ironton School. English will be taught, along with other elementary subjects. The registration fee is $1.00, but it will be refunded if the student attends at least 80% of the lessons. In addition, under the same conditions, courses will be offered in business letter writing, geometric and technical drawing, etc. Poles should enroll in large numbers in these useful classes. [WORKER SHORTAGE] In both Tonawandas there is a shortage of workers for ordinary jobs, and for that reason many factories have raised wages just to get people to work. Especially in the sawmills there is an urgent need for laborers. The sawmills have increased wages by 25 to 50 cents per day. A worker now earns $2.25 a day there, and despite this the companies complain that they still have too few workers. [FATHER ARRESTED FOR SON'S RAILROAD CAR THEFT OF SUGAR] As a result of thefts of goods—especially sugar—from Erie Railroad cars, the father of one of the suspected Polish boys was arrested: Marcin Krzemiński of No. 7, 6th Avenue. Part of the stolen goods was found in his home, and therefore Mr. Krzemiński will be held responsible for receiving/harboring stolen property. The judge postponed the hearing. Mr. Marcin’s son, Piotr Krzemiński, was sent for penance to “Father Baker’s.” 1915-10-28 CONCERT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHURCH. On Tuesday, the 15th of this month, a large concert of choirs will be held in the hall of the Dreamland Theater, organized by the parish of Our Lady of Częstochowa on Oliver Street. After the concert, a dance will take place. The proceeds from the evening are intended for the new Polish church, whose construction will begin in Ironton in the spring. Participating in the concert will be the “Lutnia” choir from Niagara Falls, the church choir from Black Rock, and the “Harmonia” choir from North Tonawanda. [FIRE ON 8TH] In the kitchen of the home of Mr. Jan Iłonek on 8th Avenue, a fire broke out in the stove. The fire department extinguished it skillfully using chemical apparatus. The damage amounts to about $50. The workers on the Wheatfield railroad, employed in the construction of the state road near Chestnut Ridge, have abandoned the job. They claim that the contractor has not paid them their wages for two months. Piotr Baha of 6th Avenue was summoned before the Grand Jury for defaming Piotr Zaborowski of the same street. The case has been dragging on since August, when during a neighborhood quarrel Baha struck his compatriot with a brick and severely smashed his head. The accused is at liberty on bail. 1915-11-24 IMPORTANT NOTICE. We inform our esteemed countrymen that in North Tonawanda the women have joined together in solidarity to organize a new society. On Sunday, November 27, a meeting of the newly organized society was held in the parish hall. There were more than 30 participants. At this meeting, 24 new members signed up, and from among them a committee was elected to lead the undertaking, consisting of the following persons: Maryanna Gerlach, president; Maryanna Witkowska, vice president; Franciszka Janiszewska, financial secretary; Helena Nadolewska, recording secretary; Michalina Rosińska, trustee; Dominika Glogora, trustee; Walerya Nowak, marshal; Anna Frąszczewska, doorkeeper. The committee was chosen from among capable women, under whose leadership we expect successful results. The society resolved to hold its next meeting on Sunday, February 2, in the parish hall, in the evening, for the purpose of completing applications and refining organizational matters. We invite the remaining women who belong to this organization and wish to join to come forward. Younger parish girls are also welcome. The society adopted the name “Star of Victory” and will affiliate with the P.N.A. It is the first women’s group in North Tonawanda, to which we wish every success. — Fr. Janiszewska, secretary. 1915-12-01 VISIT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE. Last evening the annual banquet of the local Chamber of Industry was held. The beautiful auditorium hall of the YMCA was filled to capacity, with guests also attending from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Lockport. The principal speaker and guest of honor was the Secretary of State of New York, Francis M. Hugo, who particularly emphasized the importance of the navigational canal for Tonawanda. Congressman Dempsey spoke about the nation’s military preparedness. A speech was also delivered by Mr. O’Keefe, secretary of the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce. For smashing Walenty Kranth’s head with a stone on Second Avenue, Piotr Cyran of 6th Avenue was arrested. Kranth is confined ill at home. The attack took place at night after a parish dance. The hearing is to be held today. Police were notified that a band of intoxicated Poles was fighting on Oliver Street near 6th Avenue, by a certain saloon. However, when the police arrived at the “battlefield,” the valiant countrymen had already vanished without a trace. In critical condition in the hospital lies 30-year-old Antoni Horka of No. 100 Simson Street. He slightly cut a finger on his hand; the wound became so badly infected that doctors fear for his life. After a week’s vacation, evening schools have now reopened in Ironton and Goundry. 1916-09-01 Next Monday, that is on the national holiday “Labor Day,” a parish picnic will be held on the grounds between 8th and 9th Streets. This picnic was originally scheduled for July 4, but for important reasons had to be postponed. All proceeds from the picnic will be devoted to the construction of a new church, as the current church building has become too small for the local Polish community, which has grown very rapidly in recent times. Festivities will last all day, with the main attraction being a picnic football match between the “Polish Defenders” club and a club made up of skilled players, led by Mr. Stanisław Rosiński, who will surely prove to everyone that he has not yet retired from athletic competition. The Polish community is growing every day. Recently many families have come to our city, especially from Buffalo, so that today there is no housing at all available for newcomers. On side streets one can notice home construction, and in the spring many new houses will certainly appear. In the past week Poles purchased fourteen building lots on Centre Avenue, East Avenue, and First Avenue, through Mr. Prelewicz. There is plenty of work in local factories, and everyone is earning good wages. There will be no Polish candidates for municipal offices in the upcoming primaries this year. However, Polish voters will support those candidates who have shown goodwill and have aided Poles when needed. It turns out that the number of Polish votes is far too small for such a large Polish population. There are only 155 Polish votes. At Sunday’s meeting of the Falcons (Sokół), applications from twenty-two new candidates will be considered. The ranks of the “gray team” in North Tonawanda continue to grow. The matter of purchasing land for a new Sokol Hall will be discussed, as well as the sale of a lot on Centre Avenue. The Sokół organization is steadily working toward one goal: to erect a new Sokol Hall as soon as possible, where people may gather and deliberate not only on the development of the organization, but also on the needs and improvements of the Polish district. Following a complaint by Mrs. Julia Dziwanowska of 144 Ironton Street, police arrested Filip Gutkowski of 696 Oliver Street on charges of third-degree assault and battery. At the preliminary hearing held yesterday morning, it was learned that the accused allegedly struck Mrs. Dziwanowska after she reprimanded him for supposed improper behavior toward her daughter in her apartment. By agreement of attorneys for both sides, the court postponed the case until next Thursday. The accused posted bail and remains free pending trial. After a period of inactivity, the Zorza Benevolent Society intends to resume work in earnest and is organizing a theatrical performance, the date of which will be decided at the next meeting. Members have begun collecting donated items. The Polish community—especially Polish patients—is pleased, as they can now be treated by a Polish physician, Dr. W. Tyszliński, who has lived here for several weeks. A Polish dentist is expected to arrive soon. The school year will begin next week. The Felician Sisters have already arrived, and classrooms are being cleaned daily so that there will be no obstacles next Tuesday. 1917-07-06 STABBED HIM IN THE BACK. In Ironton, North Tonawanda, a picnic and celebration was taking place, which among others was attended by Antoni Zawadzki, a 30-year-old local resident. While Zawadzki was engaged in conversation with several Polish young women near Center Street, suddenly—under cover of darkness and in the shadow of the trees—some criminal attacked him and plunged a large knife into his back, then disappeared into the night, unseen by any reliable witnesses to the murderous assault. Dr. Tarasiński provided medical assistance to Zawadzki, but there is little hope of keeping him alive. 1921-03-12 RUSIN AND JAWORSKI ARRESTED. After a chase and a gunfight with revolvers, the police succeeded in arresting Stefan Rusin, of 15 Fifteenth Avenue, and Fred Jaworski, of 2 Miller Avenue, in the city of North Tonawanda, early in the morning. Both are 19 years old and are charged with robbing a freight car. During the pursuit, the police opened fire. At ten o’clock in the evening, the police received a report that someone was breaking into freight cars. One car was standing on the tracks leading toward the city of Lockport. When Chief Ryan and the officers arrived at the scene, the two suspects jumped from the car and began shooting, then fled across the tracks into the Ironton district. 1921-05-20 A double celebration on Sunday, May 22. — In the morning, schoolchildren will receive their First Holy Communion. In the afternoon, a parade of societies and the May celebration. — Poles decorate their homes with Polish and American flags. — The Harmonia Singing Society launches a membership drive. — Personal news. — Piernowski’s wife threw a plate at her husband. — An interesting court chronicle. — Polish affairs. Sunday, May 22, has entered the history of the local parish of Our Lady of Częstochowa as a landmark day of religious and national importance. It is the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of May 3rd — one of Poland’s greatest national holidays — and also the day of First Holy Communion for schoolchildren. As every year, all societies affiliated with the parish of Our Lady of Częstochowa have been invited by the parish priest to take part in this solemn occasion. The children will be led in a ceremonial procession from the school to the church. The solemn Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Benedykowski, who will deliver an address appropriate to the moment before distributing Holy Communion. Overall, the Sunday celebration at the parish promises to be impressive. That same Sunday at 1:30 p.m., church and national societies will assemble into a demonstrative procession to mark the great May celebration. The Polish community of North Tonawanda is expected to honor this great national holiday — the anniversary of the Constitution — in a fitting manner. It is a great day for all of Poland and for Poles everywhere. During the procession, Poles will decorate their homes with national flags. It is a civic duty in North Tonawanda that every Polish man and woman be properly dressed on this day, and especially that national colors be worn. The well-liked Harmonia Singing Society, which owns its own building, has begun a campaign to recruit new members. At its last meeting, each member pledged to bring at least two new candidates within two months. Citizens and youth of North Tonawanda should join the Harmonia Singing Society in large numbers. It promotes Polish song — and everyone knows that Polish song is the most effective defense against the denationalization of the Polish people. Children and youth who join Harmonia gain access to a highly valued community. Thanks to Harmonia, cultural and educational work among local youth continues to advance, nurturing the young Polish spirit. Long live song! After the meeting, Harmonia held a so-called “Smok” (social gathering) for members. The evening was lively and cheerful, with games, entertainment, and discussions for the youth. In short, the meeting was a great success, and the organization benefited greatly. Many people shop at the “Rozmaitości” (Varieties) store on Oliver Street, owned by Mr. Józef Pawlik. The store offers goods at the lowest prices, while guaranteeing honesty and courtesy. The slogan is “Buy from your own.” Everything we can recommend. Last Sunday, a lively christening celebration took place at the home of local residents on Oliver Street, attended by many relatives and friends. The festivities lasted late into the night. The godmother of the newborn was Miss Józefa Pawlik, and the godfather Mr. Bolesław Kaczmarek. At a generously set table, guests enjoyed themselves warmly…, and the good cheer was enhanced by a speech from Mr. Teofil Lipiński of Buffalo, formerly a resident of Tonawanda and founder of a butter shop near the parish school. Miss Zofia Pawlicka was asked to collect donations. The following contributions were made: Teofil Lipiński — $1.00 Mr. and Mrs. Franonek — $1.00 Mr. and Mrs. Susanek — $1.00 Mr. and Mrs. Waszkowski — $1.00 Mrs. Dembek — $1.00 S. Dembek — $0.25 Mr. and Mrs. Kaszubski — $1.00 Mr. and Mrs. Pawlicki — $2.00 Mr. Jakowski — $0.50 Total — $8.75 The money was presented to the parish priest, Fr. Benedykowski, who expressed heartfelt thanks to the donors. Because the dinner that his wife cooked and served to her husband, Józef Piernowski of Ironton Street, did not suit his taste, Piernowski threw a bowl of soup at his wife, spilling it so badly that it splashed over the tableware, and then continued throwing objects at her. A plate struck Piernowski in the eye, injuring him; nevertheless, he managed to flee. The injuries were significant. The police were notified and an officer arrived on a motorcycle, but Piernowski had already left the house and hid in a place known as a “bimber” joint called “Pod Krzyżem.” He was eventually found and placed under arrest. He is charged with assault and battery against his wife in the third degree. 1922-02-07 BANDITS RAMPAGE IN NORTH TONAWANDA Severe beating of the owner of a soft-drink shop. Frank Nowak arrested. In the Ironton district of the town of North Tonawanda, a major disturbance broke out recently when police received reports about lawless bandits. The result of the police investigation was the arrest of one of the alleged bandits. For now, police have not yet filed formal charges and are awaiting further developments. Police arrested Frank Nowak, age 28, of 48 Third Avenue, as one of the alleged bandits who attacked Jan Brzeziński, owner of a soft-drink shop at 5 Fifth Avenue. Brzeziński sustained such serious injuries that he was beaten unconscious; during the fight several gunshots were fired. Later that evening, police learned that a gang had broken into the home of Frank Czerwiński at 38 Seventh Avenue and assaulted participants of a gathering there. Police believe that the same gang was responsible for the attack on Brzeziński. 1923-02-08 Poles in North Tonawanda are actively working to obtain citizenship for as many people as possible. A special session of the naturalization court held this week granted citizenship to 37 new Polish citizens in North Tonawanda. Much credit for this work is owed to Mr. Stanisław Rosiński, who helped prepare the first papers and served as a principal witness for several of our compatriots. This year it is expected that Poles in North Tonawanda will gain approximately 100 new citizens of this country. In North Tonawanda, new enterprises are being built—specifically, two Poles, Mr. Bork and Mr. Krasiński, are constructing a large new coal yard at a cost of $25,000 at Ironton Avenue and 6th Avenue. This is a business that will undoubtedly develop rapidly here. Much is being said about an upcoming bazaar to be organized by the Slavic Citizens of the Polish Home in early March. The bazaar is intended to increase financial resources to help pay down part of the debt on the building, and at the same time to maintain the Polish Home and construct a new bowling alley, which the youth have been strongly requesting. All societies operating in North Tonawanda have pledged to assist with this bazaar. The Polish Women’s Society “Zorza” and the Rosary Women’s Society will certainly organize their own booths. All booths will be stocked with abundant goods, which are already in good supply. On Thursday, February 1, an elegant surprise party was held at the home of Mrs. Marya Jetter on 5th Avenue. Participants in this pleasant gathering were presented with beautiful gifts. The party was held in honor of Mrs. Marya’s name day. The following ladies took part: H. Zakrzewska, Z. Okójska, G. Krzywda, A. Turmanek, J. Pawlicka, J. Neel, A. Stempińska, Mrs. Woloszen, J. Kotecka, and Miss Kwiatkowska. The celebrant extends heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to making the event enjoyable. The Polish Women’s Society Zorza is organizing a masquerade on Tuesday, February 6, at the Polish Home. Reportedly, beautiful prizes will be awarded—unmatched by any previous masquerade held by any society. The active organizing committee is working tirelessly to ensure the event’s success. Proceeds from the event are designated for a noble cause, as Polish women are always ready to offer help.
Village of Niagara, advertising poster at Long Homestead (1824-07-05).jpg
Mary Long, portrait at Long Homestead (c.1840).jpg
Benjamin Long, portrait at Long Homestead (c.1840).jpg
John Carr buys 111 acres of Lot 75, deed (1868-04-27).jpg
This Indenture, made the Twenty-seventh day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight BETWEEN Arthur J. Ayer, Susan S. Ayer his wife of the Town of Wheatfield, Niagara County, of the first part, and John Carr of the same place. of the second part, Witnesseth, That the said party of the first part, in consideration of the sum of Six Thousand, six hundred sixty-seven dollars and twenty cents, to them in hand paid, hath sold, and by these presents do grant and convey to the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, ALL that tract or parcel of land situate in the Town of Wheatfield Niagara County State of New York being the northerly half of Lot number seventy-five and bounded as follows to wit East by the Mile line and West by the Niagara River; North by the [north] line of lot seventy-four & South by a line parallel with the north line of said lot number seventy-five. Containing one hundred and eleven acres & 12/100 acres of land. Excepting the lands conveyed to the Buffalo & Niagara Falls Rail Road Company & the Canandaigua & Niagara Falls Rail Road Company! This being the same lands conveyed by deed to Orson Shepard and Jonathan S. Ayers dated Oct 15th 1855 & recorded in the County Clerk’s Office of Niagara County Oct 31st 1855 in Book of Deeds No 65 at page 495. Quick abstract (key facts) Date: 27 April 1868 Grantors: Arthur J. Ayers and Susan B. Ayers (wife), Wheatfield, Niagara County, NY Grantee: John Carr, Wheatfield Consideration: $6,667.20 Land: Northerly half of Lot 75, Wheatfield East: Mile Line West: Niagara River North: Lot 74 line South: line parallel with Lot 75 north line Acreage: 111.12 acres Exceptions: prior conveyances to Buffalo & Niagara Falls Rail Road Co. and Canandaigua & Niagara Falls Rail Road Co. Prior deed breadcrumb: deed to Orson Shepard and Jonathan S. Ayers dated Oct 15, 1855, recorded Oct 31, 1855, Deeds Book 65, p. 495 (Niagara County Clerk)
Born 1817 in Dromore Parish, Down, Ireland. In Wheatfield by 1860. https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/22937845/person/272174679708/facts?usePUBJs=true
Tonawandas, Sanborn insurance map overview (1913).jpg
Wurlitzer player piano, ad (New York Tribune, 1918-03-31).pdf
Along the frontier, Erie Canal placed New York First, article (Tonawanda News, 1924-11-18).pdf
A. Weston and Son, postcard receipt (1882).jpg
Tondas out for season, article (Niagara Gazette, 1974-10-20).png
Brief history and large ads for North Tonawanda Land Co., Ironton Land Co., A.W. Story portrait (Tonawanda News, 1894-06-12).pdf
History includes Cleveland investors. North Tonawanda Land Co. located in Real Estate Exchange Bldg. List of factories within last two years.
New North Tonawanda officials, Gilmore, photo (Buffalo News, 1914-12-31).pdf
Tonawanda Iron and Steel with fence, photo (Ancestry, c.1920).jpg
Tonawanda Iron and Steel Co., note (Engineering and Mining Journal, 1889-07-13).png
Tonawanda Iron and Steel Co., note (Engineering and Mining Journal, 1889-01-19).png
Tonawanda Iron and Steel and Tonawanda Island, photo (c.1950).png
Tondas take establishment to court, article (Niagara Gazette, 1976-10-17).jpg
The Transfer Lumber and Shingle Company, letterhead and bill (1906).jpg
Payne Wheatfield registry drama, article 1865-11-01_002.pdf
P. W. Scribner, advertising card (c1890).jpg
NT Centennial edition, Payne, Felton, Bodoni, article (Tonawanda News, 1965-06-26).pdf
Martinsville Hotel and brass band, photo (c.1880).jpg
Joseph E. Gilmore, obit (Tonawanda News, 1948-03-30).png
Jack's White Flash, service station, O.iver and Linwood, photo (Ancestry, 1938).png
Ironton football team, newspaper photo (1926).jpg
Indian bones uncovered, article (Buffalo Express, 1884-08-14.pdf
History of Twin Cities, Millener, article (Tonawanda News, 1921-04-19).pdf
Highlights in history of the Tonawandas, article (Tonawanda News, 1930-04-07).pdf
Close sketches of business, municipal growth of the Tonawandas.
Gratwick Hose Christmas party, Santa and three pigs, photo (19498-12).jpg
Fredreick Robertson and Co. Bankers, illustrated ad (Tonawanda News, (1925-05-04).png
Christian Wittkiwski obit, 1939-07-14.jpg
Cholera, Ironton home afflicted, article (Buffalo News, 1892-10-07).pdf
Chokes to death as Vic plays, 46 Sweeney, article (Tonawanda News, 1923-02-23).jpg
Carl F. Platter, obit (Tonawanda News, 1985-08-06).jpg
Walenty Krzeminski, Polish-born 1865 and others, photo (Ancestry, before 1947).png
Rose Zoladz at 17, photo (Ancestry 1938).png
Rose Scrivo making punch cards at Remington Rand, photo (Ancestry, 1943).jpg
Rosebrock w Auto-Kart on Payne Ave, photo (Ancestry c1915).jpg
Oliver and Center, across from OLC, carriage, Krzeminski, Frances and Cecilia, photo (1915).jpg
Mabell Lydia Zaggel, photo (Ancestry, c.1910.jpg
Joseph Albert Grzenkowski at his wedding reception, photo (Ancestry 1923-08-10).jpg
John Pasciak holding granddaughter Theresa, 418 Rogers St, photo (Ancestry, c1930.jpg
John Olewnick Jr marries Rose Zoladz at OLC, photo (Ancesty, 1942-01-10).png
Grunzweigs trimming hedges, Tonawanda (Ancestry, 1940).png
Girl on bike, 59 Allen Street, Kaufmann (Rev. Helmuth) house, photo (Ancestry, c1916).png
Family with bike, 59 Allen Street, Kaufmann (Rev. Helmuth) house, photo (Ancestry, c1916).png
Family next to garden wall, 59 Allen Street, Kaufmann (Rev. Helmuth) house, photo (Ancestry, c1916).png
Denny & Gladys with Evelyn Teal, photo (Ancestry c1934).jpg
Christian Flateau, Wurlitzer employee badge (c1930).jpg
Celso, Serena, Carlo Merletti, East Schenck, photo (Ancestry, c1945).jpg
But, Lawrence, Sister Mary Kobos, Walenty Krzeminski (3 unk), North Tonawanda, photo (Ancestry, before 1947).png
Bush's Bridge, Rosseau, Edward, Ida (Sahr), photo (Ancestry, c1940).jpg
219 Robinson, HST, photo (Ancestry, 1888).png
59 Allen Street, Grandpa Kaufmann (Rev. Helmuth) house, photo (Ancestry, c1916).png
William Schultz, unknown solder, Fred Schultz, Hagen?, photo (Ancestry, c. 1917).jpg
Uncle Jimmy in Grandpa's chicken coop, 41 Bryant, photo (Ancestry).jpg
Tony Vona and Nellie Yates wedding party, photo (Ancestry, 1938-07).jpg
Tofts, 107 Keil, photo (Ancestry, 1918).jpg
Toft family, flags, 109 Keil Street, photo (Ancestry c1915).jpg
Toft family, 109 Keil Street, photo (Ancestrt c1915).jpg
Sweeney Street farm, George Stagg and Uncle Fred Zaggel (on right), photo (Ancestry).jpg
Sharlene & Sandy, Sister & Brother, Falconer St. Home, photo (Ancestry c1940).jpg
Mary Keil, 21 Jackson Street, photo (Ancestry, c.1937).jpg
Maria Piepenhagen center front, 100 Washingtin St., photo (Ancestry, c1940).jpg
Lockwood Joyce Rathbun, mother and baby, photo (Ancestry, 1924).jpg
Keil family farm on Nash Road, photo (Ancestry c1894).jpg
JMLT portrait, 109 Keil, photo (c1915).jpg
Henry Louis Keil and his sisters, Nad Rd farm, photo (Ancestry c1894).jpg
Great Great Grandpa and Grandma Zimmerman, NT (Ancestry c 1890).jpg
Friedens confirmation, photo (Ancestry, 1918).jpg
Chris and Ed Flateau, wrong side of fence at Falls, photo (Ancestry).jpg
Charles A. Toye Sr. and other Toyes, photo (Ancestry c. 1950).jpg
Carl Platter fishing, photo (Ancestry, c1930).jpg
Ascension church, Wilma Toye, Papsidero wedding, photo (Ancestry, c1950).jpg
Adam Kuglin with Christian Wittkowsky family, 38 Geneva Street, photo (Ancestry, 1888).jpg
Erie's Buffalo Tondas, hockey puck (c1973).jpg
Sketch of early North Tonawanda history in The Ganson Street Tigers Go to War by Frederick T. Adcock.htm
The calmness of this virgin forest was disturbed in the year 1801 when soldiers of the young Republic were ordered to cut a road through the dank woodlands. General James Wilkinson commanded the expedition intent on linking the garrison at Fort Niagara on the lower Niagara River with the settlement of New Amsterdam (Buffalo) on the upper reaches of the watercourse. The US Government had entrusted the mission to an officer with a checkered past. General Wilkinson was a flabby, balding Revolutionary War veteran and was later found to be a spy in the service of Spain. Historian Robert Leckie summarized his career as, “a general who never won a battle or lost a court-martial.” But, Wilkinson and his command succeeded with the construction of the military road and a series of bridges needed to traverse numerous tributaries feeding the grand river. A rough-hewn bridge constructed across Tonawanda Creek allowed the uninterrupted passage of military personnel and goods between the isolated settlements. To protect the vital span, the US Army constructed a log blockhouse and stationed a small detachment of blue-coated infantrymen. Among the guard was Lieutenant John Sweeney, a Buffalo businessman, who would become a prominent land speculator along Tonawanda Creek years later. In 1808, Henry Anguish became the first settler along the banks of the creek. He raised a small cabin and cleared some farmland. Anguish’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to build a tavern three years later, and his best, and possibly his only, customers were the soldiers from the blockhouse a short distance away. Settlers quickly developed the lands near the bridge and along the military road. The dense forests of oak trees disappeared under the swing of broad axes and the cleared land was cultivated. The prosperity of the frontier community was destroyed during the War of 1812 when British soldiers torched nearly every structure along the Niagara River. American militiamen had burned the sturdy bridge over Tonawanda Creek in 1813 to prevent the advance of the British upon the village of Buffalo. This action had only temporarily saved the village. A few days later, British forces crossed the Niagara River and burned Buffalo, leaving only the stone foundations and chimneys in the smoldering ruins. After the peace, the hardy settlers returned to their charred homes to rebuild their lives. Pioneering men such as Colonel John Sweeney, George Goundry, and Stephen Jacobs utilized the wood and water resources of the region to accumulate small fortunes and the settlement along the creek grew and prospered. With the westward expansion of the nation, the need to ease travel and stimulate commerce became an important concern. Businessmen and government officials looked to mimic the canals of Europe as a solution. A backwater politician named DeWitt Clinton spearheaded a bold plan to cut a canal across New York State. The plan was masterminded by a collection of brilliant engineers and the construction of the longest canal in the world was begun. In a few short years, the waters of Tonawanda Creek were incorporated into the Erie Canal system and the area’s population quickly boomed. The canal, which opened in 1825, stretched across New York State bringing commerce and wealth to ports located on the waterway. Settlers traveling westward on overcrowded packet boats flooded Western New York, while other barges carried lumber and produce to large markets in the eastern part of the state. The Erie Canal also carried hundreds of European immigrants into Western New York. These settlers, mainly of German origin, searched for work in the mills and purchased tracts of land to farm. The area at the confluence of the Niagara River and Tonawanda Creek became synonymous with the lumber trade. Numerous ships carrying timber from nearby Grand Island, America’s midlands, and the wilds of Canada, docked at the local wharfs. More than one hundred businesses related to the lumber industry were located in the Tonawandas over the next 120 years, and the small port on the Niagara River was known as the greatest lumber port in the world. Eleven years after the opening of the Erie Canal, another technological innovation was introduced to the villages along this waterway. Gangs of Irish laborers laying iron rails worked their way to the area. A short time later, the chugging steam locomotives of the new industrial age began to transform the economic and transportation infrastructure of the fledgling settlements. Despite the coming of the railroad, the presence of sweating draft animals pulling barges on the canal continued for another fifty years. Soon after the arrival of the railroad, steam-powered machinery began to alter the lumber industry. Sooty clouds of black smoke dirtied the skies and massive piles of machine-processed lumber dominated the landscape. By the autumn of 1861, it was evident the industrial output of the villages huddled against the banks of Tonawanda Creek would be utilized in the war effort against the southern states. Early in the war, local civic leader Lewis S. Payne received permission from the government to raise a company of soldiers for the 100th New York State Volunteer Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the “Board of Trade Regiment”. The unit was organized by the Buffalo Board of Trade, a civic organization that fostered goodwill between merchants in the big port city. The regiment marched off to war in 1862, its ranks deluged with German immigrants. During the Civil War, casualties decimated the 100th Infantry Regiment and Payne was captured by rebel troops. Upon his return from the war, he found the villages that straddled the creek had separated and the community on the north side of the muddy waters had incorporated, naming itself North Tonawanda. The split meant more to the tax collector than the average citizen, and many continued to traverse the wood bridges to labor in the shops and mills located throughout the two towns now located in separate counties. Lumbering and brick-making industries dominated the economic scene until 1870 when the Niagara River Iron Company fired up its blast furnaces on the north side of the creek. The iron company was in need of many new workers and some of the first immigrants from Eastern Europe and Italy relocated to the Lumber City. These unskilled settlers, who had suffered from chronic poverty and oppression in Russia, Sicily, and southern Italy, took on the lowest paying jobs and lived in shacks constructed from discarded wood and packing crates. The new immigrants clustered together on undeveloped parcels of land and found mutual support in a society that did not understand or accept their languages, customs, and superstitions. “The Ku Klux Klan was big in North Tonawanda in the old days,” said Ganson Street resident Patrick DePaolo. “Every bridge leading into the city had a sign on it that said, ‘No Coloreds’. They [the Klan] weren’t fond of Italians either, they called us dagos, wops, and garlic eaters and the Italians suffered a lot of abuse. That’s how the immigrant neighborhoods formed. The Italians had their own church, school, and stores. Everybody knew everybody else in the neighborhood and they looked out for each other.” Outsiders looked upon the Italians with scorn. The immigrants, especially from southern Italy and Sicily, were very superstitious. Pierced ears were common, even with infants, in the belief that gold near the eyes produced keen eyesight. Bewitching by means of a sordid glance, known as, Malocchio, or “the evil eye”, was greatly feared and a ritual involving olive oil and cold water could only lift the curse. There was also the superstition that mentioning Satan after midnight would bring one face-to-face with the evil devil. The custom of leaving food on the dinner table on November 2, or All Souls Day, in the belief that dead relatives would return to the family was alien to those who were not accustomed to the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. At the turn of the twentieth century, North Tonawanda had been incorporated as a city and industrial based businesses were booming. By this time, nearly one million Italian immigrants had also entered the country and settled mainly in large cities on the East Coast. Seeking to escape city slums and overcrowded tenement houses, many Italians boarded canal boats and worked their way into Central and Western New York seeking employment in port towns located on the vast highway of water. The Tonawandas, with its large industrial base, became an important destination for immigrants searching for work and the “American Dream”. Menial jobs were readily found in factories that produced lumber, bricks, and textiles. Employment could also be obtained in other local companies that manufactured musical instruments, automobiles, carousels, and even chocolate. The Twin Cities were old industrial towns known for manufacturing many products including lumber, iron, steel, paper, textile, musical instruments, amusement rides, watercraft, and business and industrial machinery. Thousands of European immigrants labored in the shops and factories in their quest to fulfill the American dream. The ribbon of water that separates Tonawanda Island from the mainland is identified as the “Little River”, a channel for commercial shipping and a favorite swimming area for local boys. Shown in the foreground is Tonawanda Iron Corporation. The mills of the International Paper Company, located on the northern part of the island, are shown in the background. (Courtesy of the Historical Society of the Tonawandas) By 1910, the Buffalo Bolt Company set up a production facility on the northern reaches of Oliver Street, and wooden boats were sliding down the ways at the Richardson Boat Company on Sweeney Street. Numerous other subsidiary businesses, such as bakeries, taverns, grocers, and retail stores, employed hundreds of others by the onset of the Great War in 1914. The welfare of the citizens was also cared for with the construction of a library with funds donated by wealthy industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, and the building of a hospital under the direction of LeGrand S. DeGraff. The influx of immigrants led to a boom of house construction in both cities. New streets were surveyed and cleared of brush, as rows of simple wood-frame structures rapidly appeared on the dirt byways. Streets named for early settlers or the social prominent were developed a few short blocks from the industrial hub located near the waterfront. The small homes, often constructed by the immigrants themselves, were erected on new streets named Tremont, Bryant, Lincoln, Geneva, and Ganson. Ganson Street was named for Kate Ganson, a socialite who had married local businessman James Sweeney. The first house was built on Ganson Street in 1876 and over the next forty years other lots on the street were sold and developed. The humble street of twenty-eight wood-frame structures became home to many laborers who toiled in local shops and factories. Men like Toni Carere, Michael Belviso, Anthony DePaolo, Peter Malone, Toni Stefanucci, and Anthony Versaci skimped and saved for years to purchase a lot and build a house. After the Armistice in 1918 ending World War I, the growing industrial base in the Tonawandas needed more workers, and streams of immigrants came from Europe. Germans escaping the economic calamity in their homeland found employment and camaraderie in Gratwick, an immigrant community in the northern environs of North Tonawanda named for William H. Gratwick, a nineteenth century lumber baron...
That Ironton disaster, article (Niagara Gazette, 1874-10-21).png
Pig iron, ad (Buffalo Courier, 1874-07-14.png
Niagara River Iron Co. dissolved, article (Niagara Gazette, 1884-01-29).png
Materials moved to Buffalo, article (Niagara Gazette, 1879-08-27).png
Iron Works to be sold at auction, article (Niagara Gazette, 1879-04-23).png
An Iron Works Boom, article (Buffalo News, 1888-12-30).png
Niagara River Iron Corporation, map detail (1876).png
Niagara River Iron Corporation, map detail (1875).png
Gilmores (Georges at 18 Marion and a Joseph at 282 Payne, City Directory 1905-1906).JPG
Joseph E Gilmore of TI&S holds first publuc office as Board of Health, one of "one of North Tonawanda's best known citizens" (12/31/14) More Gilmores: Gilmore, Anna B. July 1969 Gilmore, Charles January 8, 1923 Ton. News [missing?] Gilmore, David Bruce Died July 16, 1976 Gilmore, Dudley W. Died November 6, 1944 Ton. News 11/6/44 pg. 1 Gilmore, George W. Died February 2, 1956 Ton. News 2/2/56 pg. 1 Elmlawn Gilmore, Glen B. Died October 25, 1985 Ton. News 10/28/85 Gilmore, Grace March 20, 1922 Ton. News Gilmore, H.L. Died December 30, 1906 Ton. News 12/31/06 pg. 4 Gilmore, Harry d. Jan. 18, 1957 age 65 Ton.News 1-19-1957 p.1 Miami, FL Gilmore, Isaac T. Died February 17, 1933 Ton. News 2/17/33 Gilmore, Jean D. (nee Weber) d.Feb.18, 2008 Ton.News 2-20-2008 Acacia Park Gilmore, John Gibson Died June 20, 1990 Ton. News 6/22/90 Bear Ridge Cem. Gilmore, John Wakefield Died January 7, 1952 Ton. News 1/8/52 pg. 5 Acacia Park Gilmore, Joseph E. Died March 29, 1948 Ton. News 3/30/48 pg. 1 Gilmore, Lena Died July 18, 1946 Ton. News 7/19/46 pg. 4 Gilmore, Marie A. Died June 28, 1924 Ton. News 6/30/24 pg. 1 7/01/24 pg. 4 Forest Lawn Gilmore, Martha C. July 18, 1921 Ton. News Gilmore, Mrs. Daisy L. Died April 13, 1935 Ton. News 4/13/35 Gilmore, Nellie April 22, 1920 Ton. News Gilmore, Ralph F. Died April 3, 1962 4/3/62 Bear Ridge Cem. Gilmore, Rits A. (nee Miller) d. July 16, 2009 Ton.News 7-18-2009 Elmlawn Cem. Gilmore, Robert Died April 24, 1926 Ton. News 4/26/26 pg. 3 Forest Lawn Gilmore, Rosetta (Marjorie) Died December 31, 1989 Ton. News 1/1/90 Bear Ridge Cem.
Gilmore Ave first appearance in city directory, 1909.jpg
Mentioned June 1905 tax sale Common Council. Joseph Gilmore on Board of Health in 1915, with Iron and Steel Works as early as 1896. Wife dies days after giving birth to twins, daughter dies before at 20. 305 Wheatfields, 248 Payne.
Soup Lady photos (Dennis Reed Jr., 2025-12-23).png
Gratwick School wins trophy for county bicycle safety campaign, photos (1948-04).jpg
Gratwick School History, faculty (1906).jpg
Gratwick School elms getting a haircut, photo article (1949-04).jpg
Gratwick School county bicycle safety campaign, photos (1948-04).jpg
Projected improvements at Tonawanda, Cleveland and Albany investors, article (Rochester Republican, 1848-12-07).jpg
Letting of the locks, article (Republic, 1847-07-16).jpg
Another project for a new commercial city, Cleveland and Albany forwarders, article (Schenectady Reflector via Express, 1848-12-22).jpg
Affairs at Tonawanda, Hinds enlarging canal to furnish elevator basin, article (Buffalo Daily Republic, 1849-05-25).jpg
Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co. Inc. Invoice (1921).jpg
Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co., letter (1921).jpg
Bennett Homes Lumber Co. Letterhead (1922).jpg
Norsemen Scrapbook of Kim Turecki, photo (2025).JPG
Twin City Band of Tonawanda, photo (c.1910).jpg
Scanlon's Hall, Niagara Frontier House, illustration (1893).jpg
Illustration seems to misspell P. Scanlon's name.
Robinson Street power house, photo (Dennis Reed Jr., 2009).jpg
Human remains discovered in Goundry Street area (Tonawanda Herald, 1884 and 1888).jpg
Pioneer cemetery or Indian burial ground?
Toros farm out Neeld, article (Leader-Post, 1975-12-17).jpg
Theyre coming to get me, Neeld, article (St. Petersberg Independent, 1976-03-31).jpg
Stanfield back home, article (Spokane Daily Chronicle, 1976-04-01).jpg
Norsemen to sit out 76-77, rink condition cited, article (Lewiston, Maine Daily Sun, 1976-06-18).jpg
Binkley retired by Toros, Vien demoted, article (Ottawa Citizen, 1976-03-09).jpg
Animals in demand, bitter scout Trottier, article (Ottawa Citizen, 1976-04-07).jpg
Norsemen tag Jets in the Aud, article (Ed Helinski, Tonawanda News, 1976-03-22).pdf
Real Estate Exchange Building, illustration (Buffalo of Today Business Histories, 1893).jpg
Tonawanda, book excerpt, illustrations, photos (Buffalo of Today Business Histories, 1893)
Weatherbest Stained Shingles, advertising blotter (c.1930).jpg
Buffalo Norsemen player photos (c.1976-03).gal
A full set of 8x10s, courtesy of Kim Turecki-Chiodo, one of the owners' daughters. 1 Mario Viens 2 Wayne Morin 3 Shane McConvey 4 Derek Harker 5 Greg Neeld 6 Reg Lahey 7 Dave Peace Larry Gould 9 Bill Steele 10 Charlie Labelle 12 Dave Given 14 Jim Stanfield 15 Claude Noel 16 Guy Trottier 18 Keke Mortson 19 Paul Crowley 20 Denis Anderson 30 Jim Mackey
NAHL Welcomes Buffalo Norsemen As New Team Unveils Rink Plans, article (The Hockey News, 1975-05-23).htm
BUFFALO— The major news media personnel gathered at Buffalo’s Statler Hilton Hotel for a press conference called by the North American Hockey League to introduce the new Buffalo entry, which officially became known as the Norsemen. Greater Buffalo Hockey Club Inc. named its principal officers and they included Dr. Dudley Turecki, president and Dr. Syde Taheri, chairman of the board. The club’s general manager is Willie Marshall, a super star (before the word became popular) in the American Hockey League over a span of 20 years. Marshall holds most of that league’s career offensive records and his signing was a popular choice in the Buffalo area. Marshall also spent part of a couple of seasons with the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. He has served as coachgeneral manager of two junior clubs since his retirement from the active ranks and looks upon his new job as a “big challenge.” This new position, in effect, will be Marshall’s first job in the pro ranks outside of his outstanding career as a player. Marshall has been serving as the manager of the Tonawanda Sports Center, the building the Norsemen will call home. The center is located in North Tonawanda, a suburb of Buffalo. The Buffalo club will begin the season in a building that will hold some 3,000 fans, sometime on or about Jan. 1, 1976 they are hoping to be playing in a new facility located adjacent to the present structure. The new facility should seat in the area of 6,000-6,500 when complete, if everything goes according to schedule. No coach was named by the new club but all indications pointed to a presently active player in the NHL or WHA (bet on the first one) joining this club as coach next year. Marshall indicated that the Norsemen would be naming a coach right after the NHL playoffs had concluded. They do have their man in mind but right now nothing has been signed. What this club does have is a place to play, a well known general manager, and a group of dedicated owners bent on becoming a successful franchise. They also enjoyed a big press splash from their conference that officially launched the team. Team and NAHL officials were hoping for the same kind of success that the Buffalo Sabres have enjoyed. The Sabres began their entrance into the NHL with a press conference in the same Statler Hiton in Buffalo. Commissioner Bob Dextraze was at the NHAL-run press gathering and was very pleased at not only the turnout but also for “the enormous genuine interest in us as expressed by the media.” Looking back at the NAHL finals, in a tale of two cities (Binghamton and Johnstown), both cities paid high tribute to their respective clubs even after the finals had ended. In Johnstown the Jets 4-0 series conquest was roundly received. Johnstown certainly enjoyed having a winning team. The morning after their final victory the citizens of Johnstown gathered on the sidewalks to pay tribute to their Jets. The Jet players rode in open cars amidst the noise and beat of a marching band. The Lockhart Cup, won the previous night by the players, was also there, riding in one of the open cars. Radio and television stations and the newspapers all joined in saluting the new Lockhart Cup winners. It was something that the Jet players and management had to really enjoy. In Binghamton, the team may have lost the series but they didn’t lose their hard core fans. The Booster Club organized a banquet for the team and presented several awards. Each player received a gift from the Booster Club at the party held just a few days after the finals had ended. Some of the major award winners were Rod Bloomfield (most valuable player). Dale McBain (best defenseman), and Rick Lemay (best goaltender).
Mortson Giving Macon Fans Money’s Worth, article (The Hockey News, 1974-02-22).htm
MACON— Cleland Lindsay (Keke) Mortson came into the Southern Hockey League with a reputation as being a colorful athlete and the 39-year-old skater certainly hasn’t let anyone down. Critics label him a “hot dog” and a “show-off” and several unprintable things. But neutral observers agree he is simply an exciting player to watch, one with a flair for entertaining the fans, giving the fans a little extra. And it should not be overlooked that even at 39 years old — and with the added responsibilities of being the coach and general manager of the Macon Whoopees as well as a player — he is still a talented athlete. Athletes who are both talented and colorful are rare, and ol’ 99 — that’s Keke’s number — is one of them. A veteran of 22 years of professional hockey, Mortson is worth the price of admission, according to most observers arounckthe SHL. I’ve never put on a show to hurt my own club,” says Mortson. “Basicially, everything I do is spontaneous. People will go home from the game and not remember anybody on my club unless it’s me. Maybe I’ve given them something extra, something to bring them back. “There’s nothing worse than losing unless it’s losing and not having any fun. 1 still think hockey is fun, even when you lose. Of course. I’d rather not be noticed and get a win. But still, you can’t take the fun out of the game.” Some examples of Keke’s fun: When fans in Charlotte started calling him a dirty old man, Mortson waited between periods one night so he’d be the last to leave the ice; he then put his stick under his arm and limped off the ice as if he were using a crutch. He often pounds his chest, sometimes a la Tarazen and sometimes as if he’s so old he’s lost his breath — which isn’t likely since he’s one of the best conditioned athletes in any sport. Also, he likes to skate up to the opposition’s policeman during a stoppage in play and nudge him in the ribs — and then skate away as fast as possible. “The fans like those things.” he says, “so why not do them?” When it’s time to play, Mortson may be the best center in the league. After a slow start, he has moved to fifth place in league scoring with 70 points in 58 games. He’s second in assists with 48 and he’s respected as a clutch performer. SOUTHERN HOCKEY LEAGUE A man of extreme self-confidence, he isn’t moaning about his first coaching assignment, although the Whoopeesare in fourth place, struggling to stay ahead to Winston-Salem and earn a playoff spot in the five-team league. The Whoopees have undergone numerous player changes because of call-ups by their World Hockey Association parent clubs. Houston and Cleveland. Also, financial problems made the club’s future doubtful during mid-season. It isn’t a coincidence that the club soured on the ice at the same time. Such adversity doesn’t seem to bother ol’ 99. “We’ll be all right,” he says in his high-pitched voice. “Ol’ Keke has everything under control.” 1969-11-28 The other was Cleland ‘Keke’ Mortson, the fiery and controversial center of the Baltimore Clippers, who was sold outright to Vancouver Canucks of the WHL. Mortson, who is 35, has been a pro since 1953. He has spent seven of his last eight years in the AHL with Hershey and Baltimore. He was a 20-goal scorer last season with the Clippers but this season, like Horvath, fell victim to the club’s newly-introduced development youth program which has been instilled in practically all AHL clubs. Mar 3, 1972/vol. 25, issue 22 ‘Old Pro’ Mortson Showing Young Swords How it’s Done CINCINNATI— Keke Mortson has been around hockey for a long time—and he’s still going strong. He’s the kind of a guy you really need on a club, to help keep things loose when the tension starts to grow. And that’s been the role he has played this year as captain of the fledgling Cincinnati Swords, contenders for the title in the West ern Division of the American Hockey League. But Keke, who hates to admit it but hesitatingly will tell you that his first name is Cleland, is more than just a happy-go-lucky puck chaser. As a matter of fact, teaming up with players almost two decades his junior, he has been a consistent point-maker all year and headed the scoring parade for the Swords with 54 points in the first 54 games. Numbered among his impressive total are 14 goals and 40 assists, and he has tallied three game-winning goals and a like number of power play goals. He’s also one of the most durable members of the Cincinnati squad, as he, along with Doug Rombough and Jim Nichols, is the only skater to have appeared in every contest his season. Mortson is high on his two linematers, wingers Butch Dead-marsh and Rick Dudley. “They’re both young,” he pointed out, “and a look for them to go a long way in professional hockey. Remember, Butch only scored 11 goals last season and he’s developed rapidly to the point that he already has lit the red light 24 times for us this year. “And Dudley, while he hasn’t been scoring so frequently, has all the tools to be a good one, too. He gives out 100 per cent all the time and is a fine team player. He’s tough, too (as Dudley’s 253 minutes in penalties attest) and he looks like a cinch to improve real fast.” Keke doesn’t make any bones about his age. “I’ll be 38 in a month,” he said. “And I consider myself lucky to be playing. I love this game of hockey, which has been real good to me, and I would say that right about now I’m halfway home to heaven. After all, you might say that I really haven’t had to work, because I’ve really enjoyed it.”
NEELD articles - CAHA Decision Keeps Neeld In Limbo; Centennials Need Him To Stay In Race, article (The Hockey News, 1974-11-08).htm
CALGARY— Greg Neeld should have fastened his seat belt when his Junior hockey career hit top acceleration. He has experienced more turbulence than most young prospects. Neeld began his Tier One tale last season as a promising 18-year old defenseman with Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey Association’s Major Junior A league. But on Dec. 7, 1973 he came in collision with Dave Maloney of Kitchener Rangers on a play which was to make headlines across the country. Hospitalized from an errant high stick, Neeld eventually lost his left eye as a result of the incident and generally missed the rest of the season. He was not to be deterred from the pursuit of his boyhood dream, however. Neeld was back with the Marlies this season through exhibition play and the first four regularly-scheduled games wearing a helmet and a protective shield. But he was not at all pleased with the amount of ice time he was receiving. Marlies were carrying seven defensemen. Neeld wanted to see more action. So he headed west to the Calgary Centennials of the Western Canada Hockey League, where two of his brothers play in the organization. In the process, he became the eye of another hurricane. Neeld was in the Centennial lineup for two games before he received his formal release from the OH A or the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. “There was no way Neeld could play in Calgary until he is released by Toronto. waived out of the OHA Major Junior A League and then given an east-west transfer by the CAHA.” said Gordon Juckes. executive-director of the CAHA. Neeld actually did receive a verbal commitment from the Marlboros. Beyond that, he was not aware of all the technicalities involved. Frank Bonello, Marlboros’ general manager, agreed generally that he is in compliance with the shift. “I promised Greg I wouldn’t stand in his way… but I haven’t released him. The release is up to the CAHA. This way, if the east-west transfer does not come through, he is still ours to trade to another OH A club,” Bonello said. In the meantime. Neeld has been ordered to sit out of the Calgary lineup by WCHL president Ed Chynoweth until the controversy is settled. And the red tape was expected to take from 10 days to two weeks. “I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion,” indicated Chynoweth. “Certainly some of our people jumped the gun. The CAHA has rules set down and our people should have followed them. “But things have been straightened away now and we’ll wait for the proper processes to take effect,” added Chynoweth. “I still think you’ll see Greg Neeld in our league, not because we’re trying to rob OHA players but because the OHA will waive him and the CAHA will give him his transfer.” In the meantime a talented hockey player sits in the wings according to Centennial general manager Scott Munro, and at the moment the Calgary club could use his abilities along the blueline. With nine games gone in the schedule, the Cents are still winless with six defeats and only three ties to show for their efforts. “This guy Neeld is just a heck of a player,” offered Munro. “He cleans penalties in the 19 games he played with the Marlies last season. And he hasn’t let the loss of an eye affect his aggressive style of play. In his four games with the Marlies this year, he had 27 penalty minutes including a major for fighting and in his first game as a Centennial he picked up 16 minutes including a double major for foghting. Neeld described his fight in the OHA against a Sault Ste. Marie player this way: “Their guy took a cheap shot at one of our guys, a cheap shot from be hind. I went over and suggested he ought not do that again. He dropped his gloves and the fight was on. And yeah, I won. “If I was conscious of the eye. I wouldn’t be playing,” continued Neeld. “You just go out and give it your damndest. “I had been interested in coming to Calgary for quite some time,” said Neeld. “My young brother Rob was in Calgary and is part of the Centennials’ organization. He told me all about it and how good it was and I decided if I would make a move it would be to Calgary. “I wouldn’t say I’m upset about it all. I’d say it’s a real letdown. I’d like to be playing,” added Neeld. “Toronto could be tough about it but I don’t think so. At least, I hope not.” In the meantime. Neeld’s junior hockey career once again consists of crossing his fingers and hoping he’ll be able to play as soon as possible. It’s not as if a guy’s Junior eligibility runs forever and time is running out on Greg Neeld. 1976-01-02 NAHL Opens Doors Of Pro Hockey To Neeld BUFFALO— Young Greg Neeld spent much of last summer fighting legal battles designed to allow him to play pro hockey in Buffalo. Now he is doing just that, even if it is not exactly as he envisioned it. Neeld of course is the Sabres draft choice who has been barred from signing with the NHL team by a league rule which declares players who have suffered his disability ineligible. Neeld lost the sight of his left eye while _ playing an OHA game two seasons ago. The right hand shooting defenseman has signed with the Toronto Toros and been assigned to Buffalo Norsemen. He played his first NAHL game in a 8-1 Norsemen victory over the Maine Nordiques. And while he did not score any points in that win. he showed flashes of the talent that made him a potential NHL first round pick before his injury. Since the injury. Neeld has suffered setbacks to his attempted comeback but never has given up pursuit of his goal of a major league career. He was prohibited from returning to OHA competition so he moved to Calgary to play his last year of Juniors with the WCHL Centennials where he was a 29-goal scorer. When he was barred from signing with the Sabres he at first decided to attend school and play semi-pro hockey with the Reno Broncos of the SWHL. When that team folded earlier this season he was left with no place to play at all. But the still was convinced that the could return too organized hockey. Greg now wears a specially designed helmet with a protective mask that entirely covers his face. And after experimenting with a move to forward to see if that would ease his readjustment. he has returned to his natural position, defense. Were there ever two teams that need a good defenseman they are the Toros and the Norsemen. The Toros have been desparate for capable major league defensemen. which made a gamble on Neeld all the more attractive. Gilles Leger of the Toros explained his club’s decision to sign the young seter thusly: “At the time Greg was originally injured John Bassett (Toros owner) promised him that the could have a shot with the Toros if he wanted one. We need good major league defensemen and think Greg has the ability to be one.” Minnesota Fighting Saints held the WHA draft rights to Neeld. The Toros acquired him by giving Minnesota the WHA rights to Bill Nyrop. Leger is enthusiastic that the deal for Neeld will turn out to be a steal. “He shoots well, skates well, and is very strong fundamentally. And he has already improved markedly in playing the body, playing the man.” [later article says WHA wouldnt let him in] Nevertheless Leger wants to give the youngster some time to adjust to the pros, thus his status as the newest Buffalo Norseman. That sits just fine with the Norsemen, who along with the Toros have been crying for defensive help, and it also sits just fine with the league itself. Commissioner Jack Timmins stated, “Neeld obviously has a lot of determination to make it in pro hockey and we are very happy that the is getting his first chance in the NAHL.” And how does Neeld feel about this rejuvenated pro career? He has no doubts now; he feels that the can completely compensate for his handicap. As he explained to Mike Billoni of the Tonawanda News, “I had to learn to put my head to the left and look straight ahead. Now I can do it instinctively. I have gotten back my peripheral vision and my hearing has improved so much and is so crisp that I can tell exactly how far away other players are just by sound.” Coach Guy Trottier summed up succinctly, “He is better than most hockey players with full vision.” Feb 10, 1995/vol. 48, issue 21 Neeld faced blind justice in NHL bid Talent wasn’t enough for Greg Neeld to play in the NHL. The league’s by-law against one-eyed players saw to that. But talent could be enough for David-Alexandre Beauregard. In 1977, Neeld won a New York state court case against the American League for his right to play. If Beauregard pursues his NHL dream through the courts, he would be building on the legal ease Neeld began 18 years ago. “If (Beauregard) wants to continue, he could use that as a precedent and probably have it turned over if the NHL decides to keep him from playing,” said Neeld, 39, now working for a security systems company in Vancouver. Having been denied his own NHL career, he would like nothing better. The common bond between Neeld and Beauregard is an opponent’s errant stick and enough ability and desire to overcome adversity. Beauregard, a 19-year old with the St-Hyacinthe Laser and 1994 San Jose Shark draft pick, lost his left eye in a Quebec League game earlier this season. He has since rejoined the Laser. Neeld was a consensus first-round pick before he was struck in the left eye by a stick from Kitchener Ranger Dave Maloney in an Ontario League game in 1973. Buffalo Sabres’ general manager Punch Imlach still saw enough in Neeld’s potential to warrant a significant gamble in the 1974 draft-a fourth-round selection on a one-eyed defenseman whom NHL administrators shunned like the plague. League officials and his agent Alan Eagleson, advised Neeld to quit and return to school for his own safety. He fought them all. Neeld never did make it to hockey’s highest level. Imlach’s effort to bypass the NHL by-law was quickly blocked and Neeld lost a U.S. antitrust suit against the league. But his perseverance laid the groundwork for Beauregard to complete the inroads Neeld began. With a new lawyer. Neeld went after the AHL, where Imlaeh initially wanted him to play. U.S. District Court judge John T. Blfvin invoked the state’s human rights law in striking down the league’s by-law. Neeld kept playing in other leagues throughout the legal battles. A six-year career took him through the International and North American Leagues, the World Hockey Association and Europe. Two years after the injury he had learned how to carry his head tilted to the left, with his right eye focused straight ahead to expand his field of vision. “All my skills were the same, but I couldn’t see the plays happening like before,” Neeld said. He eventually received a $100,000 out-of-court settlement from the NHL ($75,000 of which went for lawyer’s costs) to stop pursuing his case. His lawyers told him they would quit if he didn’t accept the deal. “I didn’t want their money,” he said. “I wanted to play in the NHL.”
Gould Major Force Behind Buffalo Offense, NAHL pennant race, Lou Nistico, articles (The Hockey News, 1975-12-05).htm
Gould Major Force Behind Buffalo Offense The Buffalo Norsemen have what is now the most potent offense in the North American Hockey League. In three games last week the Norsemen scored 18 goals to raise their league leading total of goals-scored to 78. The major portion of Buffao’s fire-power has been generated by their number one line of Larry Gould, Steve Atkinson and Bryan McSheffrey. Last week it was Gould who showed the way by scoring points in the Buffs three encouters. Larry began his big week with a six-point performance against the Beauce Jaros. He scored one powerplay goal, one unassisted shorthanded goal, and one even-handed goal for a hat trick, plus added three assists. He closed his week by assisting on three goals, including the tying and go-ahead goals, in a 43 win in Maine. Larry Gould’s eleven-point week was enough to move him up to second place in the NAHL scoring race, and it was more than enough to make him the North American Hockey League player of the week for the week of November 10 thru November 16. NAHL Gearing Up For Hottest Pennant Race BUFFALO— The cold depths of winter may be just around the corner, but these chips say that the fans in at least three Western Division rinks are never going’ to notice. They should be warmed by what looms as the hottest pennant race in the three-year history of the NAHL. As the teams neared the Thanksgiving quarter pole, Johnstown, Buffalo, and Erie were all taking turns at holding first place and unsuccessfully fighting off the challenges of the other two. And right behind those three was Philadelphia, a pre-season favorite that started dismally but has been coming on strong as of late. How close has the chase been? In one four-day period from November 15 to November 18 the Norsemen, Jets and Blades all had been in the top spot at one time or another. That is close. Closer than the races in either of the league’s first two years when it consisted of one division only. In each of those years Syracuse won fairly easily after being challenged early. In 1973-74 the Blazers outdistanced the Maine Nordiques by 19 points. Last year the Blazers held off the Firebirds by 12 points. The 1975-76 Western Division race could be much closer than either of those. The Norsemen have won eight of ten and eleven of fourteen with an offense filling the nets at a faster rate than the 1973-74 Nordiques who hold the NAHL record with 398. Their offense has been hyped even further by the recent addition of Lou Nistico from the Toronto Toros. The Jets are challenging partly due to continued success on the road. Last season’s Lochhart Cup champs posted the top road record in the NAHL. This year’s Jets trail only Cape Cod in that category and have come on strong, losing only once in their last four forays into enemy rinks. Erie has taken a more traditional approach. They have yet to lose in eight starts at the Erie County Fieldhouse. Also in the tradition of hockey winners, they have the best goals-against mark of the ten NAHL teams. Certainly not to be dismissed yet are the Firebirds, who in winning five of their last six have nudged themselves ever closer to the leaders that everyone figured that they would be among. They match Buffalo by having four players listed in the league’s top twenty scorers thru Nov. 16. If they could cut down on their goals-against they could easily climb right into the thick of things. f0036-01 Lou Nistico A four-team race would be a luxury never before experienced in the NAHL. And that is only one of the two divisions. BEAUCE: Les Jaros boast the league leading scorer in Jocelyn “Joe” Hardy, who had accumulated 34 points and 14 goals, both pacesetting figures, in his first 14 games. But the hottest Beauce scorer or late has been Richard Grenier, the former New York Islander, who had one stretch where he scored eight goals in five games. Grenier’s center Dwayne Byers has taken to wearing a knitted toque while playing. That has to be a pro first. The Jaros had available some pretty fair talent as spare goaltenders when regular netminder Yves Archambault was sitting out a recent suspension. First Detroit loaned Jim Makey and then Vancouver sent Bruce Bullock. BINGHAMTON: The Dusters have set a record that they didn’t want. Their currently running streak of eight losses in a row snapped their previous record of six set in 1973-74 and matched last year. But not until Buffalo swamped them 9-1 on Nov. 17 had they lost by more than two goals during the skein. Three of those losses were in overtime, they had one other one goal loss, and they lost three times by a pair. Considering the team that the Dusters had sidelined by injury their plight was easily explainable. Center Rob Walton was leading the team in scoring when he was sidelined by a knee injury. Randy MacGregor, another knee victim had yet to play in 1975-76. Ditto for right wing Barry Brooks. Bill Gratton had been lost ever since his freak injury suffered in a fight in Erie. Veteran defenseman Paul Laplante had been sidelined by a succession of maladies, the most recent being broken ribs. BUFFALO: Lou Nistico was a second team All Star at Mohawk Valley last year before being promoted to the Toronto Toros. His second-half Toronto performance and his flamboyant onice personality made him a Maple Leaf, Gardens darling, just as he had been in Utica. A six-goal in six-game playoff performance made him the Toros most effective post-season performer. But Lou had had his problems this season and eventually was demoted to the Norsemen. Typically, the 5’7” pepperpot scored two goals, rang the pipe with a blistering slapper in missing his hat, and had a fight in his first appearance in the Green and Gold. Louis was named First Star in that initial start. He is well on his way to becoming a favorite in the Queen City. CAPE COD: General managercoach Larry Kish shook up the NAHL by making two major trades within 24 hours. Firsthe landed right wing Mike Boland from Philadelphia in exchange for defenseman Mike Penasse. Boland was a second team All Star last year. Then he pulled a surprise by selling former Cape Cod Cub super star Luc Simard to the Beauce Jaros. Simard had been lured back to the Cape this season after he spent a year in the AHL. Kish explained the moves bv a saving. “Boland gives us a natural right wing who will give us experience and goal producttion. Although Luc had already scored eight goals, he had not played well of late. The additions of Nick Fotiu and Boland give us a set lineup up front and Luc became expendable.” ERIE: The Blades attracted their largest home crowd since their off season move to the Pennsylvania city when 3,728 showed up for a game with Cape Cod. The fans were treated to the Blades’ eighth consecutive home win when Erie whipped the Codders 6-3. They also saw Codder captain Bob Charlebois earn the dubious honor of being the first player given a mis-conduct under the NHAL’s new penalty structure. Charlebois argued a bit too strenuously with referee Alan Glaspell. He received an automatic one-game suspension for his labor. MAINE: After ten straight losses the Nordiques won three in succession, over Johnstown, Binghamton, and Mohawk Valley. All three in succession, over Johnstown, Binghamton, and Mohawk Valley. All three were by identical scores of 4-3 and the Duster and Comet wins were in overtime. All of which prompted general manager Mo Ducharme to comment, “I relax whenever the score gets to 3-3.” Not so soon, Mo. The Nordiques turned right around and dropped their next two games by scores of, you guessed it, 4-3. MOHAWK VALLEY: Brian McKenzie is off to the best start in his pro career with nine goals and 11 assists. Mac was the eighteenth player chosen in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, buthe has never lived up to the promise indicated by his second round selection. He did score 18 times in the WHA two years ago, and he had 28 goals in 55 NAHL games with the Comets last year. But reports out of Utica say that Brian is putting forth the best effort of his five-year career. The results he is getting substantiate it. PHILADELPHIA: Trainer David Settlemyre was activated as backup goaltender when Ron Marlow was injured. Gregg Pilling chanced that he might stir the Firebirds into playing a tight game on the road when he started Settlemyre in Mohawk Valley. Pilling’s gamble failed. Both teams played wide open hockey; the Comets took 47 shots at Settlemyre. So much for strategy. By the way…Settlemyre stopped 46 of those shots to stone the Comets 4-1. Pretty heady stuff for a kid from Greensboro, N. C. who started in hockey as a stickboy for the then EHL Generals. Settlemyre, Pilling’s trainer at both Roanoke Valley and Philly, works out every day with the team and has in the past played a handful of games in both the EHL and NAHL while serving as an emergency backup. But this was the first time he had ever started, finished and won. The Firebirds biggest disappointment continues to be the knee miseries of Tom Young. The right winger was being counted on as one of the Birds leading scorers. So far he hasn’t a point in nine games in between trips to the disabled list. SYRACUSE: Rick Newell only played six games with the Blazers before deciding to retire in order to return to law school. Newell has already completed one year towards his graduate degree. Bim McFall was reactivated to fill Newell’s spot on the roster. McFall had been waived by the Blazers earlier in the season. Danny Belisle has named Craig Reichmuth captain and has appointed Pat Russell, Terry West and Brian Bowles as his alternates. Reichmuth and Blazer vice-president Don Swete received the Governors Cup from commissioner Jack Timmins in recent pre-game ceremonies at the Onondaga War Memorial. The Blazers thought they would be happy returning home after eight games on the road but they dropped two of three, including 7-1 bombing by Erie.
We'll be back, say Norsemen directors, article (Peter Drumsta, c1976-04).JPG
Trottier fined and suspended, article (Mike Billoni, c.1976-02-20).jpg
Rest of NAHL teams battling for playoff spots, article (Gary Clark, Hockey news, 1976-02-20).jpg
Norsemen story is exciting one, article (Peter Drumsta, c.1976-03-26).jpg
Norsemen still fighting odds in playoff battle, article (Tonawanda News, 1976-03-16).jpg
Norsemen nip Jets 3-2, tie series in fight-filled game, article (Courier-Express, c.1976-03-26).jpg
Norsemen lose twice, article (Ed Helinski, Tonawanda News, c.1976-02-16).jpg
Norsemen guarantee is a fizzler, article (c1976-01-14).jpg
NAHL suspends, fines Trottier, article (Peter Drumsta, c1976-02-18).JPG
N-men set for playoffs after tough season, article (Mike Billoni, Tonawanda News, 1976-03-18).JPG
Mortson's hat trick leads Norsemen's 7-5 win at Aud, article (c.1976-02-14).jpg
Keke Mortson bolsters Norsemen playoff drive, article (Norsemen Magazine, 1976-02-13).jpg
Former Norsemen with Sabres, Claude Noel, article (Mike Billoni, Tonawanda News, 1976-09-18).jpg
Dusters subdue Norsemen 7-6, article (c.1976-03-18).jpg
Dusters' Cheropita blanks Norsemen, article (Ed Helsinki, Tonawanda News, 1976-02-23).jpg
A disheartening ending for the Norsemen, article (Peter Drumsta, Buffalo News, c. 1976-03-29).jpg
Norsemen charge "goons" after Johnstown debacle, article (Albert L. Hershey, c. 1976-03-30).jpg
[cont'd] Check from behind Campigotto skated into the Norsemen's end of the rink, cross-checked Neeld from the back during the pregame warmup, and “knocked him flying,” in a “goon hockey” tactic. Commissioner John Timmins was unavailable for comment, as he left Johnstown after the disputed game for the Jets' en- counter with the Philadelphia Firebirds in the first game of the semifinal round. The league public relations di- rector, Gary Clark, said the decision to forfeit was made by the ownership of the Norsemen, but the commissioner tried for an hour to get them to reverse their decision and play. He said according to league bylaws a forfeit is declared five minutes after game time, and Referee Steve Dowling had ordered that the clock be started. Clark said no one from the commissioner's office is sure exactly what did happen, as the incident occurred before game time. Clark said he was just coming into the arena at the time. Another Version But, he said, observers disputed Trottier's claim that the Jets just attacked Neeld. Clark said he understood both teams were skating full circle, when Neeld and Campigotto exchanged words and began fighting, which led to a melee on the ice. Trottier said the Jets' Steve Carlson, who had a cast on his right arm; Dave Hanson and Campigotto all started mugging Neeld at the Buffalo end of the ice. The player-coach said Carlson then turned on the Norsemen's Charlie Labelle and hit him across the face with the cast. Neeld was treated for a con- cussion and Labelle for bruises. The fans became incensed when the Norsemen refused to come out for the start of the game, and about 300 of them blocked the passage from the dressing room. Rock Breaks Window About 1½ hours after the game was called, Johnstown police arrived with K-9 dogs and cordoned off a path so the visiting team could board its bus. A rock was thrown through a window of the bus, but no one was injured. The decision not to play was made by Marshall and several of the owners, including Dr. Dudley Turecki, Richard DiVita and Barnard Hewitt. “Naturally we took the team off the ice,” Marshall said, “we had two players who couldn’t play . . . they beat up a couple of our stars.” Marshall continued: “Now the league goes along and they forfeit the game, and they fine us for being the victims. If that is any type of justice, hockey has taken a giant step backwards.” There had been bad blood between the two teams and the Johnstown fans, and in a previous playoff in Johnstown Neeld was given a game misconduct when he threw his stick into the stands at the end of the game. The Jets were given a police escort out of town after Thursday night’s game with the Norsemen in the Tonawanda Sports Center. The Norsemen won that game, deadlocking the series. “The people of Buffalo, North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls got a raw deal,” Trottier said. “I didn’t see any of their guys suspended. There are guys in the league who are not hockey players, guys who can’t shoot, and can’t skate, and can’t pass, but can only fight.” The playoff series between the Norsemen, who finished fourth, and the Jets, who won the Western Division, was deadlocked at two games each, setting the stage for Saturday’s finale in Johnstown. Series Was Tied Trottier, who was sitting out a two game suspension, said the Norsemen took the ice about 7:25, and were skating in their zone when Johnstown came on the ice about two minutes later, and eventually came into the Norsemen zone and took on the two Buffalo players. Neeld, who was knocked unconscious, was helped off the ice by his teammates. Goalie Jim Makey also was roughed up.
Pro Stars Take Swipe At Violence, NAHL takes steps, Norsemen look like contender, Riot on Ice, articles (Hockey News, 1975-11-28)
Pro Stars Take Swipe At Violence MONTREAL- There is mixed emotion about the growing violence in professional hockey. Some argue that it is blown out of all proportion. Others acknowledge that it is on the increase. Curt Bennett of the At lanta Flames hates to have to use his fists to teach rival NHL players the meaning of respect. But if he had to, Bennett will react. “I don’t particularly like to go out and beat people up,” said the 195-pound forward who holds a brown belt in Karate. ‘‘That’s not part of my game. In college it was against the rules and considered unsportsmanlike but in the pros it’s looked on with favor.” Bennett is ranked as one of the NHL’s better fighters but he detests fighting. Thinks it takes too much away from hockey. He also thinks the Philadelphia Flyers have gone overboard in their intimidation program in recent years. Bennett isn’t the only pro to draw a bead on the rough stuff that’s going on around hockey. Bobby Hull staged a one-weekend strike to emphasize his discontent over the increasing rough stuff and brawling that was becoming a part of the WHA. He says hockey was getting too brutal and players were being seriously injured by stick-swinging players. Hull said that unless the WHA cleaned up its act, he was ready to quit the game. The recent at tack by Dan Maloney on Toronto’s Brian Glennie has again aroused the diehards who are campaigning to have hockey cleaned up. Maloney is facing an assault with bodily harm charge Dec. 1 in Toronto after beating up on Glennie as he lay helpless on the ice. The Maloney affair is being compared to the Dave Forbes-Henry Boucha incident of last season when Forbes struck Boucha in the eye during an altercation on the ice. Punch Imlach of Buffalo thinks, minor, double “the whole hockey violence thing has been blown out of proportion. It’s hard to define what this guy (Ontario at torney general Roy McMurty) is talking about. The law is the law and hockey business is hockey business. Everyone has their definition of violence in hockey. Mine is two guys standing there hitting each other over the head with their sticks,” said Imlach. Punch said he wouldn’t change his thinking of hockey for anyone. “People take this stuff too seriously. In all my years with the Sabres I haven’t seen excessive violence. We’ve got some guys that play tough but don’t break the law.” Glennie, who suffered a mild concussion and was hospitalized overnight after the pummeling by Maloney, didn’t comment on the incident or the violence in hockey but his wife, Barbara, did. She said that she has noticed an increase in rough stuff in hockey since her husband began playing proeight years-ago. NAHL Takes Unprecedented Steps To Curb Growing Hockey Violence BUFFALO— Commissioner John E. Timmins of the North American Hockey League has announced unprecedented rule revisions that if universally adopted could change the face of hockey. He instituted the most sweeping changes in league penalties for player misconducts and the most severe penalty for the “third man” in a fight in the history of professional hockey. The NAHL had been plagued with an unusually high incidence of misconducts and major brawls early this season, a situation seemingly besetting all pro leagues and a situation which precipitated the commissioner’s action. Effective Nov. 13 the following structure for league fines and suspensions as a result of player misconducts went into effect in the three year old league: MISCONDUCTS 1st offense: fine $50.00; suspension one game. 2nd offense: fine $100.00; suspension two games. 3rd offense: fine $150.00; suspension indefinite. GAME MISCONDUCTS 1st offense: fine $100.00; suspension two games. 2nd offense: fine $150.00; suspension three games. 3rd offense: fine $200.00; suspension indefinite. MATCH MISCONDUCTS 1st offense: fine $250.00; suspension two games. 2nd offense: fine $300.00; suspension five games. 3rd offense: fine $350.00; suspension indefinite. The revised structure makes the NAHL the only league in all of professional hockey to assess automatic suspensions for all misconducts. In the past misconducts in the NAHL resulted in a fine of only 10 dollars, while game and match misconducts resulted in a fine of only 25 dollars; there were no automatic suspensions. In an equally significant change Timmins announced that henceforth the third man in any fight would be assessed a five minute match misconduct. This move extends by one step the rule adopted by the National Hockey League prior to the 197172 season, and since adopted by most professional leagues, whereby the third man is assessed a game misconduct. The distinction is a major one. Under the NHL rule only the individual is penalized. Under the NAHL version the team may also be severely penalized. When a player is given a match misconduct he is not only barred from the game but his team skates shorthanded for the full duration of the penalty, regardless of how many times the opposition scores. A team may immediately substitute for a player handed a game misconduct. Furthermore, under the new structure dealing with misconducts any “third man” will automatically receive at least a four game suspension and only that if it is his first such offense. The NAHL had used the NHL version of the third man rule during its first two years. But this year the league had been operating under the World Hockey Association rule, also revised this year, of allowing the referee discretion to penalize the third man with either a minor, or misconduct penalty. In making the changes Timmins commented, “We want a tough, hard hittings action packed hockey league. We do not want endless dead spots where players argue with referees, mill about endlessly, and bore the fans who pay to see. hockey with their needless charades and histrionics. We do not want a league where a clean one on one fight is at any time liable to erupt into a vicious brawl,” The immediate reaction to the change was almost universally positive. When notified of the change WHA supervisor of officials Bob Frampton, whose referees officiate all NAHL games, was enthusiastic. Robbie Roberts, director of operations of the league’s Erie Blades commented, “Finally hockey will give its game and its officials the same sanctity that baseball and football do. This is a major step for our sport. “ A major step indeed. The intent of the revisions is the virtual elimination of the behavior that leads to misconducts and therefore all misconducts themselves, said Tim-mins, “misconducts add nothing to the game; eliminating the behavior that results in misconducts will not diminish the game in the least. Misconducts don’t add to skating. They don’t add to stick handling. They don’t add to shooting, passing, checking, or even fighting. All they add to is the self-glorifying badgering of officials by players and also to senseless brutality. Who needs that? If the other leagues want that let them have it. We don’t and we wont.” One of the few negative comments came from a Syracuse Broadcaster who editorialized that the move would make the game fall into the hands of the referee. To which the commissioner replied, “the people we are going to give the game to are the fans who want a tight, action packed two and one half hour hockey game, not a three hour plus waltz. Besides, can you think of anyone better to give the game to than the referee?” Expansion Norsemen Look Like Strong Contender Gary Clark BUFFALO— Philadelphia Flyers…Buffalo Sabres…Vancouver Canucks. It hardly seems possible that less than a decade has passed since the beginning of the expansion era in hockey especially when you consider that three of the four divisional races in the NHL last year were won by those three teams, expansion teams all. The NHL claims an excellent achievement in parity to have created competitive expansion teams so soon. But the North American League will take second seat to none when it comes to successful expansion teams. They too have produced winners from new clubs, but will a difference. The NAHL has the knack for doing it instantaneously. In 1974-75 the NAHL introduced the Philadelphia Firebirds, and in doing so created a fine team. The Birds battled for first place most of the season and finished with a record of 40-31-.3 for a strong second place standing. In 1975-76 the League has another expansion team performing like a genuine contender, the Buffalo Norsemen. The parallels between the new Norsemen and the 1974-75 Firebirds are striking. Both teams are located in areas that are hockey mad. Both teams share their cities with fabulously successful NHL franchises. Both teams have working agreements with the “big brother” of their cities. And most importantly, the Norsemen are waging a see-saw battle for first place with the defending Lockhart Cup champions just as did the Firebirds last season. The Norsemen lost their first two games, but ever since their 12-1 rout of Mohawk Valley in their third, they have been rolling. Their record just prior to a two-game trip to Beauce and Maine stood at nine wins, four losses. That gave them 18 points, just one more that the Johnstown Jets, with whom they have been neck and neck since the second week of the season. The Norsemen have the look of a legitimate contender and not just an early-season pretender. They are strong in the nets and they have the firepower to match anyone goal for goal. In goal they have been receiving strong performances from young Houston Aero property Bill Cheropita and veteran major leaguer Les Binkley. They form an interesting tandem. Cheropita is long on natural ability and short on experience. Binkley makes up for what the years may have taken from his abiltiy with the savvy acquired in 271 major league games. But the Norsemen are not going to win any trophies for allowing the fewest goals in the NAHL. Their game is “you score six, I’ll score seven.” They have the horses to play it well. Their number one line has Steve At kinson centering for right wing Bryan McSheffrey and left wing Larry Gould. Whenever the Norsemen have a power play that trio is joined on the ice by player-coach Guy Trottier. A potent combination it is. Through 13 games all four of them were scoring at a pace that would shatter the NAHL season scoring record of 124 points held by Luc Simard. At kinson and Gould each had 26 points while McSheffrey had 21 and Trottier was close behind with 18. Trottier had scored 12 goals and seven of them had come on power plays. No figures are yet available from the NAHL for team power-play efficiency, but the Norsemen had to rank at or near the top. The Norsemen are thinnest at defense, where the recall of Paul Heaver left the team with only four blueliners, three of them pro rookies. No one realizes that problem better than general manager Willie Marshall who has been searching everywhere for experienced defensemen. So far the Norsemen’s formula for success seems to be to score as many goals as they can as quickly as they can and not to look back. Since they were leading the NAHL in scoring and were in first place in the League’s Western Division to boot, that doesn’t seem like such a bad idea after all. ■ “Riot On Ice” Mars NAHL ST. GEORGES DE BEAUCE— The North American’ Hockey League, like all other hockey leagues, has had its share of unfortunate incidents so far this season. But by far the most serious occurred on Fri. Nov. 7 when the Mohawk Valley Comets Beauce Jaros game being “played” in the Quebec city was halted after two periods of play because of what Brian Conacher called a “riot on the ice”. The game was declared “no contest” by referee Eric Manship. Manship’s action came after a fight-filled game erupted into total mayhem as the teams were leaving the ice for the second intermission. It was uncertain what precipitated the clash, but what was know was that there were idiotic acts of brutality by players of both teams. Among the incidents cited in referee Manship’s report to the commissioner: one player viciously biting another on the nose; one player breaking another player’s nose with a twohanded swing of a stick; one player beating on another despite the. second player’s apparent unconsciousness. Ugly would seem hardly a sufficient description for the scene. The Beauce fans were reported to have jeered and littered the ice in protest of what they were witnessing. Some were said to have demanded refunds for their season tickets. The reaction to the brawl by the or NAHL League Office was swift and stern. Commissioner Jack Timmins conferred by phone throughout Saturday with Manship and WHA Supervisor of Officials Bob Frampton. Within 24 hours of the game he had handed out four indefinite suspensions. Bannished were Jaros coach Marc Picard, Jaros’ players Gilles Bilodeau and Michel Gameau and Comets’ defenseman Bob O’Reilly. The commissioner pursued the investigation, taking a complete written report from Manship and meeting with him to confer personally. By the middle of the following week Timmins had announced the following suspensions: Michel Garneau, 10 games; Gilles Bilodeau, three games; Yves Arch-ambeault, three games; and O’Reilly, four games. Coach Picard continued under indefinite suspension. Stiff fines were also given with the suspensions. Garneau, who had been accused of other unjustifiable altercations and who had once before been suspended, was immediately placed on waivers by the Jaros and then released.
Norsemen Land Binkley From Toros, article (The Hockey News, 1975-10-31).jpg
BUFFALO: The Norsemen acquired two more former National Leaguers from the Sabres and Toros (they already had Guy Trottier and Steve Atkinson). From Toronto came goaltender Les Binkley, a veteran of five years in the NHL and three in the WHA. Binkley is 41 years old and coming off of a knee injury, but he should lend a steadying hand to young netminders Peter Crosbie and Bill Cheropita.
Norsemen's Trottier suspended for blast, article (Jim Baker, c.1976-02-17).JPG
NT Lumberjacks hockey, team photo (c.1977).jpg
NT Lumberjacks hockey, team photo (c.1976).jpg
Nelson Brochey was a fixture at the Tonawanda Sports Center in the mid 1970s, including the Norsemen's single season, attending many games and becoming an avid collector of Norsemen memorabilia. He also played for the Budwey Bells-sponsored Rangers and the NT Lumberjacks high school hockey team. The first photos are from our meeting at Coffee and Stone in North Tonawanda in 2025.
NAHL final season statistics (1975-1976).pdf
Johnstown Jets v Buffalo Norsemen, game program (c.1976-01-02).jpg
NAHL rule changes have immediate impact (NAHL press release, 1975-12-10).jpg
Hank Taylor rookie of the year (NAHL press release, 1976-05-03).jpg
Buffalo Norsemen Complete Final scoring, penalty and goaltending stats (NAHL).jpg
Big crowds, Trottier suspended indefinitely (NAHL press release, 1976-02-18).jpg
NAHL press release excerpts (1975-1976).htm
https://archive.org/details/nahl_press_releases_1975-76/page/n17/mode/2up League headquarters transition that season from Albany to Buffalo (30 Cayuga Road Williamsville, NY) OCT 30 - NOV 11 BUFFALO: Defenseman Paul Heaver recalled by Toronto Toros, Defenseman Rick Foley assigned by Toronto Toros. NOVEMBER 11 Norsemen in 1st place in Western Division, most wins and most goals league-wide. Also in November, Comets - Jaros "Riot on Ice" which results in "no-contest" decision and halting of game after 2nd. NAHL institutes new rules to crack down on violence. (Announced rule Nov 13 according to Billoni article). "Commissioner Jack Timmins conferred by phone throughout Saturday wit:n Mian ship and J.-IA Supervisor of Referees Bob Frame ton, and within 2w hours of the game he handed out four indefinite suspensions. Banished were Jaros coach marc Picard, Ja.ro players Gilles Bilodeau and Michel Garneau, and Comet player Bob 0 ’Reilly. Declared Timmins, "We will not tolerate any actions that will diminish the reputation that the NAI-IL has developed as a professional hockey league." NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE ROSTER NOV 11 - NOV 17 BUFFALO: Defenseman Rich Foley removed from active roster, Foley released by Toronto Toros. Left wing Lou Nistico assigned by Toronto Toros. NOV 18 1975 (Player of the Week) NAHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOVEMBER 10 - NOVEMBER 16: LARRY GOULD The Buffalo Norsemen have what is now the most potent offense in the North American hockey League. In three games last week the Norsemen scored eighteen goals to raise their league leading total of goals scored to seventy-eight. The major portion of Buffalo’s firepower has been generated by their number one line of Larry Gould, Steve Atkinson, and Bryan McSheffrey* Last week it was Gould who showed the way by scoring eleven points in the Buffs three encounters. Larry began his big week with a six point performance against the Beauce Jaros. He scored one powerplay goal, one unassisted shorthanded goal, and one evenhanded goal for a hat trick, plus added three assists. He closed his week by assisting on three goals, including the tying and go-ahead goals, in a 4-3 win in Maine. Larry Gould’s eleven point week was enough to move him up to second place in the NAHL scoring race, and it was more than enough to make him the North American Hockey League Player of the Peek for the week of November 10 thru November I5. DECEMBER 3 - DECEMBER 8 BUFFALO: Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA placed on disabled list. Defenseman STEVE SIBA signed as free agent, SIBA later placed on disabled list. Goaltender CLIFF ADCOCK signed as free agent. DECEMBER 9 - DECEMBER 15 BUFFALO: Goaltender CLIFF ADCOCK and defenseman STEVE SIBA waived. Center LOU NISTICO recalled by Toronto Toros. Left wing FRED HUNT placed on disabled list. Centers JEAN-LUC PHANEUF and BOR D f AT.VTSE assigned by Toronto Toros. Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA activated from disabled list. DECEMBER 16 - DECEMBER 22 BUFFALO: Centers BOB D'ALVISE and JEAN-LUC PHANEUF recalled by Toronto Toros. Defenseman GREG NEELD assigned by Toronto Toros. Left wing FRED HUNT activated from the disabled list. DEC 23 PLAYER OF THE WEEK The captain of the Buffalo Norsemen, Steve Atkinson, has merited Player of the Week consideration several times this season. Off of his last week's performance his selection this time is unavoidable. The statistics speak for themselves*: Four games, three Buffalo wins, six goals, four assists, ten points. But they do not accurately describe Atkinson's total contributions to his club. Prior to 1975-76 Atkinson had spent the bulk of his career playing right wing. This season he was asked to tackle a new spot, center. He handled his assignment well enough to lead the League in scoring and spur the Norsemen to nine wins in eleven games early in the season. More recently, manpower shortages at defense have caused Guy Trottier to call on Atkinson to take an odd shift at the blueline. Last week Atkinson found himself playing three different positions: defense, center, and point on the power play. In addition, he took his usual turns killing penalties. Despite it all he managed the six goal performance. One of his four assists came on a key faceoff in overtime against Mohawk Valley, which he drew to Larry Gould for the game winning goal. Steve Atkinson's selection as North American Hockey League Player of the Week is probably long overdue, but because of his do-every thing performance of December 15 through December 21 he is finally receiving the recognition that he has deserved. DEC 23 - JAN 5 BUFFALO: Defenseman DAVE SYVRET and center STEVE ATKINSON purchased by Toronto Toros. Defenseman GEORGE KUZMICZ waived. Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA removed from the active roster, CHEROPITA on loan to Springfield Indians. Center BOB D'ALVISE assigned by Toronto Toros. Defensemen JIM ROFFEY and BOB BARNES signed as free agents. JAN 6 - JAN 26 BUFFALO: Goaltender BILL CHEROPITA, left wing, FRED HUNT, and center RANDY MONTGOMERY all waived. Defenseman JIM ROFFEY placed on disabled list. Goaltender MARIO VIEN assigned by Toronto Toros. Defensemen GEORGE KUZMICZ and GORD DAVIES and right wing ROBBIE BALYC all signed as free agents. JAN 27 - FEB 10 BUFFALO : Right wing BRYAN MCSHEFFREY traded to Cape Codders for future considerations. Goaltenders LES BINKLEY and MARIO VIEN and defenseman GEORGE KUZMICZ recalled by Toronto Toros. Defenseman GORD DAVIES placed on disabled, list. Goaltenders BUZZ SHANE and HOWIE SAPERSTON, left wing JIM STANFIELD, and center KEKE MORTSON all signed as free agents. FEB 7 1976 Buffalo acquires two players in defunct Cape Codders "dispersal draft." Gord Neilson (C) and Jim Makey (goal). MAY 19 1976 NORSEMEN PENALIZED FOR PLAYOFF FORFEIT The first item on the Meeting agenda was a petition by the Johnstown Jets concerning the Buffalo- Johnstown playoff series. Arguments were heard by the Governors who then announced strong disciplinary action against the Norsemen. Johnstown’s petition brought charges against the Norsemen as a result of the Norsemen’s forfeiture of the deciding game of the Quarter Final series between the two teams on March 27. The Governors found the Norsemen guilty of violating the League’s Constitution by failing to ice their team. They were ordered to compensate the Jets for their loss and in addition were assessed a substantial fine. The Norsemen later posted their League-required performance bond for 1976-77 and remain members in good standing of the NAHL. JULY 7 1976 NORSEMEN APPLY FOR ABEYANCE The Buffalo Norsemen have applied to the NAHL Board of Governors to suspend operations for the 1976-77 season. Action is expected on their application at the Philadelphia Meeting. Under the NAHL Constitution a member may suspend operations by notifying the League in writing of its intentions before the annual meeting and by paying a non-refundable fee of $2,500.00. Should the member wish to continue the abeyance of its franchise in subsequent years, it may do so at the additional annual fee of $2,500.00. The Norsemen had announced at the Cooperstown Meeting their intention of being active members of the NAHL in 1976-77. They were planning on playing a partial home schedule at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, where they drew well in two regular season and one playoff game last year. However, the uncertainty of the status of the Buffalo Braves of the NBA apparently made it impossible for the Norsemen to secure the needed Auditorium dates. The Norsemen were not represented at an NAHL scheduling meeting held in Syracuse on June 14 and 15. The Norsemen were an NAHL expansion team in 1975-76. They finished in fourth place in the Western Division with a record of 30-44-0. They bowed out of the playoffs in a first round loss to the Johnstown Jets.
412 Diner, E & M Diner, photo (c.1959).jpg
Diner (412 Oliver), waitress, customers, photos (c.1959).jpg
Diner (412 Oliver), staff photo (c.1959).jpg
Diner (412 Oliver), Marion Gauda, Eva Terry, staff photos (c. 1959(.jpg
Diner (412 Oliver), interior, customers (c. 1959).jpg
Barbara will pull this out when anyone asks about the history of the 412 Diner. "I was fascinated with it when I first got it," she told me. There are scans of pertinent pages from the North Tonawanda History Museum's Historic Treasures series, some of which have been corrected by hand by visiting descendants of diner owners. Owner descendants also supplied a half dozen or so photos of the diner and its people in the 40s and 50s (found elsewhere in this collection).
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 for Albert Obrofta.jpg
Marion's Diner, 412 Oliver, ad (Tonawanda News, 1959-01-06).jpg
Albert Obrofta, obit (Tonawansda News, 1944-05-03).jpg
412 Diner (Soup Lady), sketch (Dennis Reed Jr., 2025)
Fred Hunt Jr. interviewed by Pete Gallivan and posing w Dennis Reed Jr., photo set (2025-10-29).gal
All player stats (alphabetical) Player Name GP G A. Pts PIM Seasons Yrs. Pos. Birthdate Birthplace Highest Level Cliff Adock 3 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G Niagara Falls, NY Minor Pro Denis Anderson 10 2 5 7 16 1975-1976 1 D 1953-10-29 Sardis, BC Minor Pro Steve Atkinson 37 30 31 61 38 1975-1976 1 R 1948-10-16 Toronto, ONT Major League Robbie Balyk 23 1 5 6 7 1975-1976 1 L 1954-11-18 Thorold, ONT Minor Pro Bob Barnes 27 1 5 6 25 1975-1976 1 D 1955-08-10 Toronto, ONT Minor Pro Les Binkley 24 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G 1934-06-06 Owen Sound, ONT Major League Bill Cheropita 21 0 1 1 23 1975-1976 1 G 1955-09-26 St. Catharines, ONT Minor Pro Paul Crowley 72 26 34 60 138 1975-1976 1 R 1955-12-26 Montreal, PQ Major League Rick Cunningham 1 1 0 1 2 1975-1976 1 D 1951-03-03 Toronto, ONT Major League Bob D'Alvise 19 13 15 28 2 1975-1976 1 C 1952-12-23 Etobicoke, ONT Major League Gord Davies 3 1 2 3 0 1975-1976 1 W Toronto, ONT Minor Pro Erin Fostey 2 0 1 1 19 1975-1976 1 Minor Pro Dave Given 10 3 12 15 0 1975-1976 1 F 1954-05-14 Summit, NJ Major League Larry Gould 71 32 68 100 22 1975-1976 1 L 1952-08-16 Alliston, ONT Major League Derek Harker 10 0 2 2 4 1975-1976 1 C 1949-05-07 Peterborough, ONT Major League Paul Heaver 11 2 5 7 21 1975-1976 1 D 1955-02-15 Paddington, England Major League Fred Hunt 35 10 12 22 0 1975-1976 1 F 1950-05-18 Buffalo, NY Minor Pro George Kuzmicz 38 1 8 9 35 1975-1976 1 D 1952-05-24 Montreal, PQ Major League Charles Labelle 69 29 30 59 110 1975-1976 1 W 1952-05-27 Stratford, ONT Minor Pro Reg Lahey 55 9 13 22 29 1975-1976 1 R 1954-12-01 Galt, ONT Minor Pro Scott Mabley 1 0 0 0 4 1975-1976 1 D 1954-07-17 Newmarket, ONT Minor Pro Jim Makey 13 0 1 1 12 1975-1976 1 G 1950-05-30 Dunnville, ONT Minor Pro Willie Marshall 1 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 C 1931-12-01 Kirkland Lake, ONT Major League Shane McConvey 72 6 22 28 136 1975-1976 1 D 1954-11-21 Ottawa, ONT Minor Pro Sean McKenna 1 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 Minor Pro Bryan McSheffrey 46 27 31 58 26 1975-1976 1 F 1952-09-25 Ottawa, ONT Major League Randy Montgomery 36 8 8 16 22 1975-1976 1 L 1954-09-30 St. Catharines, ONT Minor Pro Wayne Morrin 73 1 23 24 172 1975-1976 1 D 1955-05-13 Dawson Creek, BC Major League Cleland "Keke" Mortson 12 8 9 17 29 1975-1976 1 R 1934-03-29 Arntfield, PQ Major League Greg Neeld 26 7 6 13 85 1975-1976 1 D 1955-02-25 Vancouver, BC Major League Gord Neilson 9 3 2 5 2 1975-1976 1 Minor Pro Lou Nistico 10 9 5 14 49 1975-1976 1 L 1953-01-25 Thunder Bay, ONT Major League Claude Noel 74 19 42 61 27 1975-1976 1 F 1955-10-31 Kirkland Lake, ONT Major League Onni Nordstrom 2 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 Minor Pro Dave Peace 64 17 15 32 48 1975-1976 1 W 1952-07-24 Hespeler, ONT Minor Pro Jean-Luc Phaneuf 2 0 1 1 0 1975-1976 1 C 1955-10-26 Montreal, PQ Major League Jim Roffey 9 0 1 1 6 1975-1976 1 Minor Pro Pat Rupp 4 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G 1942-08-12 Detroit, MI Major League Howard Saperston 1 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G Minor Pro Buzz Sheain 3 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G Baltimore, MD Minor Pro Steve Siba 2 0 0 0 5 1975-1976 1 D Port Colborne, ONT Minor Pro Ron Snell 3 1 2 3 2 1975-1976 1 R 1948-08-11 Regina, SASK Major League Jim Stanfield 27 10 19 29 0 1975-1976 1 C 1947-01-01 Toronto, ONT Major League Bill Steele 10 7 8 15 4 1975-1976 1 R 1952-11-13 Edinburgh, Scotland Major League Dave Syvret 33 3 26 29 40 1975-1976 1 D 1954-10-28 Hamilton, ONT Major League Dave Tataryn 2 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G 1950-07-17 Sudbury, ONT Major League Guy Trottier 56 36 22 58 59 1975-1976 1 R 1941-04-01 Hull, PQ Major League Mario Viens 15 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G 1955-08-07 Cornwall, ONT Major League Top 10 Scorers Player Name GP G A. Pts PIM Seasons Yrs. Pos. Birthdate Birthplace Highest Level Larry Gould 71 32 68 100 22 1975-1976 1 L 1952-08-16 Alliston, ONT Major League Claude Noel 74 19 42 61 27 1975-1976 1 F 1955-10-31 Kirkland Lake, ONT Major League Steve Atkinson 37 30 31 61 38 1975-1976 1 R 1948-10-16 Toronto, ONT Major League Paul Crowley 72 26 34 60 138 1975-1976 1 R 1955-12-26 Montreal, PQ Major League Charles Labelle 69 29 30 59 110 1975-1976 1 W 1952-05-27 Stratford, ONT Minor Pro Guy Trottier 56 36 22 58 59 1975-1976 1 R 1941-04-01 Hull, PQ Major League Bryan McSheffrey 46 27 31 58 26 1975-1976 1 F 1952-09-25 Ottawa, ONT Major League Dave Peace 64 17 15 32 48 1975-1976 1 W 1952-07-24 Hespeler, ONT Minor Pro Dave Syvret 33 3 26 29 40 1975-1976 1 D 1954-10-28 Hamilton, ONT Major League Jim Stanfield 27 10 19 29 0 1975-1976 1 C 1947-01-01 Toronto, ONT Major League Most games (37 or more) Player Name GP G A. Pts PIM Seasons Yrs. Pos. Birthdate Birthplace Highest Level Claude Noel 74 19 42 61 27 1975-1976 1 F 1955-10-31 Kirkland Lake, ONT Major League Wayne Morrin 73 1 23 24 172 1975-1976 1 D 1955-05-13 Dawson Creek, BC Major League Shane McConvey 72 6 22 28 136 1975-1976 1 D 1954-11-21 Ottawa, ONT Minor Pro Paul Crowley 72 26 34 60 138 1975-1976 1 R 1955-12-26 Montreal, PQ Major League Larry Gould 71 32 68 100 22 1975-1976 1 L 1952-08-16 Alliston, ONT Major League Charles Labelle 69 29 30 59 110 1975-1976 1 W 1952-05-27 Stratford, ONT Minor Pro Dave Peace 64 17 15 32 48 1975-1976 1 W 1952-07-24 Hespeler, ONT Minor Pro Guy Trottier 56 36 22 58 59 1975-1976 1 R 1941-04-01 Hull, PQ Major League Reg Lahey 55 9 13 22 29 1975-1976 1 R 1954-12-01 Galt, ONT Minor Pro Bryan McSheffrey 46 27 31 58 26 1975-1976 1 F 1952-09-25 Ottawa, ONT Major League George Kuzmicz 38 1 8 9 35 1975-1976 1 D 1952-05-24 Montreal, PQ Major League Steve Atkinson 37 30 31 61 38 1975-1976 1 R 1948-10-16 Toronto, ONT Major League PIM Player Name GP G A. Pts PIM Seasons Yrs. Pos. Birthdate Birthplace Highest Level Wayne Morrin 73 1 23 24 172 1975-1976 1 D 1955-05-13 Dawson Creek, BC Major League Paul Crowley 72 26 34 60 138 1975-1976 1 R 1955-12-26 Montreal, PQ Major League Shane McConvey 72 6 22 28 136 1975-1976 1 D 1954-11-21 Ottawa, ONT Minor Pro Charles Labelle 69 29 30 59 110 1975-1976 1 W 1952-05-27 Stratford, ONT Minor Pro Greg Neeld 26 7 6 13 85 1975-1976 1 D 1955-02-25 Vancouver, BC Major League Guy Trottier 56 36 22 58 59 1975-1976 1 R 1941-04-01 Hull, PQ Major League Goalies Les Binkley 24 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G 1934-06-06 Owen Sound, ONT Major League Bill Cheropita 21 0 1 1 23 1975-1976 1 G 1955-09-26 St. Catharines, ONT Minor Pro Mario Viens 15 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G 1955-08-07 Cornwall, ONT Major League Jim Makey 13 0 1 1 12 1975-1976 1 G 1950-05-30 Dunnville, ONT Minor Pro Pat Rupp 4 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G 1942-08-12 Detroit, MI Major League Cliff Adock 3 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G Niagara Falls, NY Minor Pro Buzz Sheain 3 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G Baltimore, MD Minor Pro Dave Tataryn 2 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G 1950-07-17 Sudbury, ONT Major League Howard Saperston 1 0 0 0 0 1975-1976 1 G Minor Pro
Ugly incident at Norseman game, article (Peter Drumsta, 1976-02-07).jpg
Trottier exits early, so do the fans, article (Peter Drumsta, 1975-12-04).jpg
See the other hockey team play at the aud, ad (c1976-02-13).jpg
Record 5924 fans give Norsemen a big lift in 7-5 Aud triumph, article (Buffalo News, c1976-02-14).jpg
Norsemen win forfeit, article (c1976-02-27).jpg
Norsemen whip (Binghamton Broome) Dusters, 9-1, article (Courier-Express, 1975-11-18).jpg
Norsemen trio leads, article, team scoring (c1975-12-19).jpg
Norsemen switch one game to Aud, article (Peter Drumsta, 1975-12-19).jpg