Three who served the town

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Cabinet file photo In 1993 Cora Conti, a longtime Milford ballot clerk, was honored at Town Meeting, but she could not attend the meeting, so Willie Leduc, left, and Bob Philbrick went to her home to gve her the plaque. She died the same year at age 87. Leduc, the former town clerk, was an election day volunteer at the Milford polling place for many years. He died in November and this year's New Hampshire primary was the first election without him, and "there were quite a few teary eyes," said one observer.

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From the files of Feb. 2-9

99 years ago, 1913

Luigi Calderara,a sculptor and prominent granite man, was fatally injured while walking to work along the railroad tracks in Milford when he was hit by a train. Because of the frosty morning, his hat was pulled over his ears, so he apparently failed to hear the train approach. Local granite firms closed until after his funeral.

A sewing bee was held at the Milford home of Mrs. E.H. Proctor on Myrtle Street attended by 18 ladies.

From Havana, Cuba: “The Negroes of this city have been donating 25 cents a month toward the financing of another uprising which they plan to start simultaneously with the proposed revolt of the Liberalists.”

A large crowd of school children enjoyed a real old-fashioned “Punch and Judy” show in Milford’s Eagle Hall.

In Milford Police Court, a tramp named Cary was sentenced by Judge Keyes to 90 days in jail, suspended, on condition that Cary leave town. He had been arrested in an intoxicated condition after getting off the 2:30 train from Nashua.

Agent Cooley, of the Humane Society, killed a horse on Railroad Square in Wilton. The horse was owned by George Badger and got down and could not get up.

75 years ago, 1937

Wilton’s and Milford’s professional basketball teams couldn’t agree on a sharing of proceeds, so hopes for a series between the two teams “went glimmering.” Their managers had met in Fitchburg, Mass., in an attempt to resolve the issue.

Miss Viola Jenkins substituted for Miss Helen C. Draper at the Mont Vernon Village School because Miss Draper was ill.

In Lyndeborough, Mrs. Will F. Herrick was confined to the house with “a hard cold.”

The Strand Theatre in Milford was showing “Yours for the Asking” with George Raft. The State in Nashua was showing “Black Legion” with Humphrey Bogart.

Guy and Arthur Reynolds left South Lyndeborough to attend the Sportsmen’s Show in Boston.

Wilton High’s boys’ basketball team easily beat Conant, 29-12. “Tiny” Hurley led the team with 12 points.

50 years ago, 1962

Milford was scheduled to become a “dial” telephone area, ending the era of telephone operators.

Gillian Hawkins was crowned Milford SnoBall queen by the 1961 queen, Susan Hallet.

The Cabinet endorsed Perkins Bass for U.S. Senate.

The Rev. Paul Trudinger of the Milford Congregational Church discussed the Dead Sea Scrolls with the local Woman’s Association.

Conduct at Milford Biddy League basketball games was so bad that coaches and officials were looking to encourage “more gentlemanly conduct.”

The Latchis theater in Milford was showing “Babes in Toyland” with Ray Bolger, Tommy Sands, Annette, and Ed Wynn.

The Wilton Town Hall Theater was showing “Desert Attack” with John Mills and Sylvia Syms.

25 years ago, 1987

Sgt. Robert McGuire of the Wilton Police Department spoke to Advance Grange about alcohol-impaired driving.

Mark Nadeau was vocational student of the month at Milford Area Senior High.

James Crane became the Milford Police Department’s K-9 officer. His partner was Fox.

The Wilton Budget Committee cut raises for elementary school teachers from the proposed 12 percent to 6 percent. Only Gail Proctor voted against the cut.

Harold Melcher was chairman of the Wilton Capital Improvements Plan Committee.

A juvenile poured gasoline down a Mont Vernon storm drain “out of ignorance,” said Fire Chief Kevin Pomeroy. Town and state officials responded to the area on Pinkham Avenue.