Cape Cod History

1929: Curley goes too far; 1979: Major reconstruction of Bourne Bridge begins; 1930: Blogfather hatched

1929: Irish pol finally goes too far
"My opponent is a known thesbian and practices nepotism with a maiden aunt."

     "Every time you do a favor for a constituent, you make nine enemies and one ingrate."
         - James Michael Curley

On this day in 1929 James Michael Curley, heavily favored to win his third term as mayor of Boston, used a radio appearance to defame a school committee member who had spoken out against him. The savage, and ungrounded, attack was unprecedented: his adversary was a woman, a wife, a mother, and popular civic volunteer. The remake was "My opponent is a known thesbian and practices nepotism with a maiden aunt. "Curley's tactic of "do unto others before they do you" backfired, and he barely squeaked out a victory in the election two days later. One local newspaper would call it "one of the most dramatic incidents in the whole history of Boston politics." Between 1914 and 1950, the charismatic and resilient Irishman served four terms as Boston's mayor, one term as Massachusetts governor, and two terms in jail.

1979: Rebuilding the Bourne Bridge

   The Bourne Bridge is in the foreground with the Railroad Bridge beneath and behind it in a setting sun. It's difficult to remember that the canal runs more north and south than east and west which allows for this photograph.

On this day in 1979 the first complete overhaul of the Bourne Bridge in its 45-year history ends its second week.  The $11 million, two-year project will include replacing the 2,384-foot long bridge's entire concrete span, shoring up of structural components, new paint and placement of suicide deterrent barriers.

1930: Blogfather born - the Republicans lose control for decades.

November 3, 1930 was the first national election after the start of the Great Depression which had begun a year before.

It was also the day our Blogfather was born. That's him on the right holding a photo of his wife Pat and sitting on his evil twin Vlad. Paul Rifkin recently shot a short film about all this which you can see here or by clicking on the video below.

Walter "Blogfather" Brooks' own father was the political columnist for the Waterbury, CT daily newspaper, The Republican-American. 

So on this day 78 years ago, Walter Sr.  received a telegram from the Democratic candidate for Governor that year, Wilbur Cross ( for whom the Wilbur Cross Parkway is named) saying,

"Congratulations on the birth of your son. This must bode well for the party in today's elections."  - Wilbur Cross.

It was. It would be four more elections for Governor before a Republican regained the State House.

When asked his reaction at attaining his 79th birthday, Brooks aped W.C. Fields and said, "If I'd known I was going to live this long I'd have taken better care of myself."