Actress Lillian Russell received a speeding ticket in Freeport.
TRUE
On July 13, 1902, Lillian Russell, Jesse Lewisohn, and their chauffeur Theodore Weinman were caught in a speed trap setup along Merrick Road in Freeport. The chauffeur was arrested and fined $15 for traveling over the 8 mile-an-hour speed limit. Ms. Russell was not happy about the incident. She reportedly referred to Freeport authorities as "pig headed ignoramuses."
Village officials did not hold a grudge towards Ms. Russell or her companion. In the Freeport development known as Stromberg Park, the Village immortalized the pair in street names - Jesse Street and Russell Street (Russell Street was later moved from northeast Freeport to a street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Long Beach Avenue and renamed Russell Place).
Sources:
-- "Miss Russell's Auto Too Fast" The New York Times. 14 July 1902: page 1
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