A tropical hurricane that practically wiped out the city of Belize in British Honduras, struck St. John’s College, killing 10 American members of the faculty there in mid-Sept. 1931.
Lieutenant G. H. Stainforth set a new airplane speed record of 388 miles per hour. Stainforth is a member of the British Schneider Cup team. His performance prompted American Maj. Jimmy Doolittle to say that he sees no limit to the speed that may be attained in the air. Captain Frank Hawks predicted that within four years, the 500-mile per hour velocity would be attained.
For the first time in our nation’s history, two blind men were members of the U. S. Senate at the same time.
Thomas P. Gore, Democrat from Oklahoma, was joined by Progressive Republican Thomas D. Schall of Minnesota. Gore was serving his third term, while the Minnesota solon was entering his second term in the Senate after serving 10 years in the House of Representatives.
Great Britain lowered their gold standard to avert a crisis. The British people were advised to keep steady nerves and cool heads as the government made an effort to alleviate the financial crisis. In Britain, the price of gold dropped three and one half cents per ounce.
With 11 seniors graduating from Penn State’s football team, a promising group of sophomores were out to make the starting lineup for the Nittany Lions in the fall of 1931. Husky lineman Bill Barr, a former Tyrone grid star, had been injured during the summer, but was expected to round into form quickly when he reported to practice.
Brigadier General Edward L. Shannon. Lieutenant Governor of the state spoke at the Chamber of Commerce Dinner held at the Masonic Building.
Gen. Shannon was well known in the Tyrone area, for during World War I he was in command of the 111th Infantry of the 28th Division and with his regiment participated in all of the action in France that earned this division immortal fame.
It was in the midst of battle that he earned for himself the name of “Two-yard Shannon” for in every engagement he took his place, two yards ahead of his regiment.
A leader of men in war, Shannon was a leader of men in peacetime. He was the head of a large manufacturing establishment in Columbia. PA and in the past year had devoted much of his time to the development and training of the National Guard of Pennsylvania as a part of the first line of defense of the U. S. In 1931, he was a brigadier general commanding the 52nd Cavalry Brigade, generally recognized as the finest mounted force in this country.
William B. Hicks, president of the Chamber of Commerce presided over the meeting and Maj. B. C. Jones introduced Brigadier General Shannon.
The Ladies of the Civic Club served the dinner and orchestral music provided entertainment during the dinner. Later, the recently renowned Westvaco Quartet provided songs and Harry Smith led the singing.
Bucknell football began for Merle “Tarzan” Stonebraker and Forest “Eli” Priest, two Tyrone grads. Stonebraker has attended the university and played football for two years, while Priest was a member of the undefeated freshman team in 1930. The season started with a battle against St. Thomas.
Stonebraker came to Bucknell from New York Military Academy, while Priest was graduated from the Keystone Academy.
Stonebraker was on every Al-opponent team on the Bucknell schedule in 1930. Coach Carl Snavely was said to regard Stonebraker as one of the best ha has had in his coaching career.
Japan invaded Manchuria, which proved to be a great test for the League of Nations.
Manchuria invoked a non-resistance policy and China refused to be a party to the new war in Asia.
It was the Philadelphia Athletics against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1931 baseball World Series.
Champions of the American league, the Athletics were managed by ageless Connie Mack, whose real name was Cornelius McGillicudy and played in Philadelphia at Shibe Park.
The Cards, champions of the National League played at Sportsman Park and were managed by Gabbie Street.
For the A’s the pitching rotation included Left Grove, Rube Walberg, George Earnshaw and Waite Hoyt.
St. Louis countered with Bill Hallahan, Burleigh Grimes and Paul Derringer.
The commissioner of baseball was Kennesaw Mountain Landis, who had been hired for his strictness and honesty following the infamous Black Sox Scandal of 1919.
St. Louis and Philadelphia battled all the way through the first six contests dead even before the Cardinals took the seventh game and the championship.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, 1931, the Tyrone Golden Eagles upped their record to 2-0-1 with a 14-0 win over Clearfield at the losers field.
With Robinson and Burget returning to the backfield and Aurand, Waple, Rodgers and Berkstresser again on the line after missing time due to injuries, the Orange and Black controlled the game for just about the entire first three quarters. Although Tyrone had several opportunities to get into the Clearfield endzone, fumbles spoiled each occasion.
In the second quarter, Bubbles Robinson scooted 30 yards off tackle for the longest run of the afternoon, then picked up gains of 10 and 11 yards on the same play to get the pigskin to the Bisons-29. Hildebrand gained nine around left end and Robinson reached the 15-yard line with a seven yard pickup through right tackle. Another fumble stopped that drive however.
Robinson finally score from seven yards away on a drive that began late in the third quarter and carried over into the fourth. Getz added the PAT kick.
After forcing Clearfield to punt, Tyrone started another march immediately. Burget dropped back and heaved a perfect pass to Getz, who picked up 25 yards on the play. After three running plays netted another first down at the Bison-12, Burget and Getz worked to combine for the 12-yard TD pass and Getz also booted the PAT.
Burget also completed a 15-yard pass to Getz on the Eagles’ next offensive series, but the game ended 14-0 in favor of the Orange and Black.
