I have searched many times to find a story that would reveal to me that the famous actor and humorist Will Rogers may have visited the equally famous Will Rogers tuberculosis hospital. And now, because of CEO Jamie Whidden, the equally famous senior living facility manager at Will Rogers, we know the answer.

–

1932

–

So, dear readers, I can’t keep you in suspense any longer — from the Enterprise, Feb. 13, 1932, and the Adirondack Room of the Saranac Lake Free Library …

“A record-breaking crowd filled Lake Placid yesterday to overflowing, taxing to capacity every restaurant, hotel, rooming house and the Olympic facilities where games were in progress. In spite of the fact that a steady stream of water drizzled down the streets, gay sports costumes gave evidence of the winter sport’s world faith in the weather man.

“Over 15,000 saw Hans Beck of Norway smash the hill record of the Intervale jump with a 71 meter, 232 feet (the old newspaper copy was difficult to read so I had to call my pal Jay Rand to convert the meters to feet) plunge into the air.

“WILL ROGERS, WORLD FAMOUS HUMORIST joined a distinguished group of guests here yesterday. (I am sure that if Mr. Rogers was in Lake Placid, he certainly visited the hospital built in his name.)

“The arena again bulged out on the sides last night as crowds jammed the doors to get a glimpse of the pairs figure skating. Standing room has been at a premium since Wednesday, bleacher seats have long since been out of the question, while grandstand seats are something to be dreamed about. Figure skating has taken a tremendous hold on the entire Adirondack area as well as the thousands of visitors here. During the figure skating practice hours at the arena, the seats are packed with interested spectators who watch the stars prepare for the world championships meet which will be held in Montreal immediately following the close of the Olympics.”

–

Figure skating pairs shine

–

“The lithe limbs and twinkling of the skating Brunets of France, Pierre and Andree have brought them more Olympic honors.

“Married since they won the title of Olympic pair skating champions (gold medal?) at St. Moritz four years ago, the former Andree Joly and her strikingly handsome skating and domestic partner, Pierre, successfully defended it last night by a dazzling performance before a packed house.

“They gave the best performance, in the opinion of the international judges of any of the seven couples representing four nations, who tried for the title in one of the feature exhibitions of the program for the Third Winter Olympics.

“Rated just below the Brunets were the New York City couple, Sherwin C. Badger and Beatrix Loughran, who seemed almost their equals. Spectators from other countries cheering on their own skating pairs insisted that the first honors belonged to the Americans.”

–

1934

–

“Lake Placid, October 17 — Dr. William H. Perkins who has for the past several years been associated with his brother, Dr. James J. Perkins, with dental offices at 113 Main Street, is moving his household effects and office equipment to Fort Edward, where he will open an office at 3 Washington Street on November 1. The local office will remain in charge of Dr. James Perkins.

“Miss D. Bellmore, Dr. Perkins nurse will accompany the Doctor and his family to Fort Edward where she will assist him in his practice.”

“Lake Placid, October 17 — A clinic for infantile paralysis and other orthopedic cases will be held at the Lake Placid High School on Friday, October 19, from two to four o’clock in the afternoon. The clinic will be in charge of Dr. W. J. Craig, state orthopedic surgeon, assisted by the orthopedic nurse of the district.”

“Old Forge, October 17 — Efforts were being made here today to identify the skeleton of a man found yesterday on the side of Bald mountain. An old brief case containing a safety razor, brush and two flashlight batteries provided the only possible clues to the man’s identity.”

“Saranac Lake, October 17 — A resolution to publish the bacteria count of milk from all dairies in and about Saranac Lake at regular intervals was passed at the meeting of the Board of Health held yesterday at the village office.

“The motion was made by Village Manager Wayne Timmerman. Mr. Timmerman stated that he believed such a policy would encourage local dairymen to keep the bacteria count as low as possible and would consequently be of great benefit to consumers in Saranac Lake.”

–

Identifying the troopers

–

Now we all know what happens when we “assume” — making an a** of you and me. So trying to have some fun and honor some of my retried New York State Police friends, I copied a nearly 100-year-old photo of the Troop B Black Horse Squad, shown in this space last week, marching proudly in a parade in Saranac Lake. I just didn’t think anyone would believe that the former Troopers I identified as Mike Ryan, Frank Whitelaw, Sean Donovan and Mike Downs were around in 1932. Someone notified my talented editor Elizabeth (did you read her great editorial concerning the ORDA/North Elba Board friction?) to tell her that I had made a mistake in ID-ing the Troopers. I made a mistake all right — I should have told more of the back story of the photo. Another time I will publish the history of my association with the New York State Police starting with Maj. Harold “Dutch” Muller in the 1960s.