OCTOBER 8 — 1778 British money-shovers hang during Revolution for waging economic warfare; 1956 Don Larsen is perfect; 1998 Clinton impeachment begins; 1948 Happy Birthday Stephen Huneck (Vermont Dog Chapel)
OCTOBER 8
1778 – British agent David Farnsworth and John Blair are sentenced to hang.
The charge, “being found about the Encampment of the Armies of the United States as spies and having a large sum of counterfeit money about them which they brought here from New York.” This British attempt at economic warfare was so good most folks couldn’t tell the difference between Continental currency and fake currency. This wasn’t really that hard to do because serial numbers can be made up and signatures can be forged and few would question the shovers until it’s too late. John Adams reminded Abigail to be careful of these scams, “Let me entreat you not to take a shilling of any but continental money or Massachusetts, and be very careful of that.”
The shovers were British agents sent in to pump this counterfeit money into circulation and devaluing actual money from Congress. Many historians agree that if it weren’t for the aid of the French and Spanish, financial and otherwise, these undisciplined American ragtags wouldn’t stand a chance against the mightiest army on earth. Paper money became almost worthless in most trading situations and the very promise that Congress had towards its value was meaningless. Counterfeiting money became a capital crime, as it was in many countries. When the Americans lost faith in Congress, they would have no choice but to remain loyal to the Crown, and David Farnsworth and John Blair would be among the best shovers making it happen. Yeah, until they were caught red handed in Danbury, Conn., with $10,000 in counterfeit currency.
Then on this day in 1778, the trial began for Farnsworth and Blair, and their death sentence would be approved by Virginia Commander in Chief George Washington gave his nod on the punishment, and hanged they were on November 3, 1778.
1956 – Don Larsen is perfect.
…The New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers and the box score displayed its truth to all who could see it. This was a rematch from the 1955 World Series, and would be the last all New York Series until 2000, since the Dodgers and New York Giants would head to California a year later. The Yankees would win the Series 4-3, but Game 5 remains to this day the only perfect game in the history of WORLD SERIES Major League Baseball. From Indiana, Larsen, a.k.a. Gooneybird, moved to San Diego as a youngster and went to the same high school as my brother in law Derek would attend about 50 years later.
He would play for seven different MLB teams, but his immortality sits with the Yankees. He was okay; he was struggling a little bit up to this point. In Game 2 he pitched almost two Innings and only gave up one hit and that was to the always dangerous Gill Hodges, but walked four batters and the Yankees lost 13-8. And then on October 8th, Game 5, Larsen got it together and retired 27 batters, including future Hall of Famers Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider. Of course there were some close calls.
In the second inning, Robinson knocked a line-drive toward third baseman Andy Carey, who deflected the ball to shortstop Gil McDougald, who then managed to throw it to first in a thrilling play. Top of the fifth, Micky Mantle scored off Sal Maglie. Bombers were now up 1-nothing. Bottom of the 5th, Mantle makes another spectacular play when Hodges hit a long fly deep into Yankee Stadium’s notorious Death Valley, towards left center. Mantle sprinted across the outfield for a remarkable behind the back catch.
Next, Sandy Amoros hit a line-drive that veered off and went foul. At this point in the game, Larsen’s teammates started ignoring him, especially when Larsen went up to Mantle and said Look at the scoreboard! Wouldn’t it be something! Two more innings to go. Mangle said nothing and walked away, rather than acknowledging Larsen’s comment and thereby jinxing his streak. Top of the 8th, Gil Hodges socks a low line drive and Carey caught it just inches from the ground. Dodger pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell was the last batter up at the top of the 9th, and fouled off the 1-2 pitch. Here came the pitch, and a fastball sailed right over the plate.
Strike 3! Babe Pinellli called it. The games was over and the Yankees won. You may have seen the famous picture of Yogi Berra leaping into Larsen’s arms once the game ended. Incidentally a ticket stub from that game, depending on its condition, could be sold at an auction for about 2 grand these days. In 2012, according to ESPN, Larsen sold the jersey he was wearing October8 1956 at an auction to pay for his grandchildren’s college education expenses.
1998 – House of Representatives start Clinton impeachment inquiry.
…Paula Jones brought it on when she filed a complaint stating the in 1991 then Governor Clinton crudely made a pass at her in a hotel room when she was an Arkansas state employee. However she didn’t have any evidence and they settled the case in November 1998. But then came Monika Lewinski. Not to mention scandals involving Bill’s wife Hillary including improper Arkansas real estate deals, suspected fundraising violations, claims o cronyism involving the firing of White House travel agents, and of course, sexual harassment.
Kenneth Starr led the charge, but Clinton denied having sexual relations with Lewinski, and tried to invoke executive privilege to avoid responding to the charges. Starr charged Clinton with obstruction of justice, and Clinton had to testify before a grand jury on August 7, 1998. Although he admitted to having sexual relations with Lewinski, this wouldn’t prove any of the other illegal activities he and Hillary allegedly committed. In December 1998, the House voted to impeach President Clinton, but after a five week trial he was acquitted.
1986 — Elton John, David Lee Roth and Cher appear on the opening night of the The Late Show starring…wait for it…Joan Rivers? Joan’s decision to host her own show without telling Johnny Carson, for whom she filled in for on the Tonight Show, would permanently sour the friendship between the two.
1948 – happy birthday Stephen Huneck, creator of the Dog Chapel in Vermont.
Steve was living proof that you can’t keep a good man down in the 1980s when he died of AIDS. Briefly. Actually he was in a coma for two months but he did apparently visit the other side, if you know what I mean. When he returned to this plain, he created what he envisioned during his coma: A place for All Creeds and breeds, a place where people can go and celebrate the spiritual bond they have with their dogs, and no dogma allowed.
During his first life, Stephen wrote a number of dog books for kids, including My Dog’s Brain, Sally Goes to the Vet, and others, as well as dog shaped woodcarvings, paintings, furniture, etc. So when he came out of his coma, it only made sense he would dedicate the chapel to our beloved canine friends. Yes, you’re a good boy. Good boy! Check out some of these stained glass windows with dogs being petted or licking an ice cream cone. Woof! There’s also a wall of dog fame of Post-It notes, where, if your dog is deceased, you can put his or her name on it and their birth and final dates. The Chapel on St. Johnsbury comes equipped with 400 acres on a mountaintop for dogs to run around.
A dog’s life indeed.