Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Peter Larson, a laborer, limped into the emergency hospital with burns to his feet, and a bizarre story.

He said he was “shaking drinks” with friends – whatever that means – at First Avenue and Bernard Street.

While Larson was intently occupied with that endeavor, some mischievous messenger boys snuck up behind him, poured gasoline into his high-top boots, and set fire to them.

Larson danced around for several minutes and was able to save his clothing. Yet the flames burned down into the farthest reaches of his boots, and scorched his toes. 

His toes were bandaged up and he was able to walk home.

From the amusement beat: A feature reporter dryly explained the uncommon appeal of certain rides at Natatorium Park.

“Esthetic couples attain their lofty ideals on the Scenic Railway,” the reporter wrote. “It has the peculiar quality of causing people to sit close together. The same psychic phenomenon is noticeable about the Olde Mill (similar to a Tunnel of Love), heightened by darkness. Very few men on earth today care to make that voyage alone.”

Also on this date:

(From the Associated Press)

1973: Former presidential aide Alexander P. Butterfield, under questioning from Senate Watergate Committee staffers, revealed the existence of President Richard Nixon’s secret White House taping system. (Butterfield’s public revelation came three days later.)