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Realization of the dreams of an Adirondack pioneer and retired North Country merchant, 89-year-old Marcellus A. Leonard of Saranac Lake, the ribbon of new macadam winding up the granite side of Whiteface Mountain is gradually approaching completion. Work on the road is soon to be abandoned to await milder weather.

The eight-mile motor highway, the only one in the East up a major mountain peak, except Mount Washington in New Hampshire, has been under construction nearly two years and is expected to be opened for traffic in August of 1934.

Decades ago when Mr. Leonard was driving his store on wheels through four Adirondack counties bringing everything from sewing machines to salt and pork to housewives in their isolated cabins, he would gaze up at the great peak of Whiteface and dream of a highway up its slopes. With the advent of the automobile and construction of motor roads up several mountains of the West, notably Pike’s Peak, Mr. Leonard began to urge that such a road be constructed from the hamlet of Wilmington that nestles at the base of Whiteface to the summit.

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27 lb. bobcat

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The first bobcat to be shot in the vicinity this fall was brought in this week by Paul Cobane of this village for exhibit at the Sport Shop. Weighing 27 pounds, the animal measured over four feet in length from his head to the tip of his tail. Hunting near Marcy Dam, Mr. Cobane first believed the animal to be a fox due to his rusty brown color.

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CCC crew

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Ninety Civilian Conservation Corps youths will arrive at Lake Placid Saturday from Camp Goldsmith to take occupation of winter quarters at Whiteface Inn.

Alterations and equipment for the laundry, garage and servants’ quarters of the inn have been completed sufficiently to accommodate the first of the quota of men who will be stationed here this winter. Construction of a bathhouse and further alterations are anticipated to be completed within a few days when the remainder of the quota of 200 youths will arrive.

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Skunk v. man

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Soon after Ernest Gezzi, AuSable Forks shoe repair man, had secured a renewal of his contract with the U.S. government for the repair of all shoes worn by enlisted men at the Plattsburgh barracks, he faced even greater worries than that of a possible cancellation of government work. A skunk decided to move into Mr. Gezzi’s basement for the winter and took complete possession of the premises.

“Either the skunk or I move out,” said Mr. Gezzi, “but how am I to know which?”

He finally sought advice of a resident who had the reputation of being able to handle skunks without rousing the ire of the animals. He struck a bargain and the man went to the basement, picked the skunk up by the tail, placed it in a paper box and carried it away. He took the prize package to the riverbank and threw it in the water.

After floating for some distance, the skunk escaped from the box and swam to shore.