Thumbing the files

Thursday, January 21, 2010

By Cabinet Staff

From the files of The Cabinet Jan. 20-27

100 years ago, 1910

The paper gave a historical perspective of the Milford Camera Club’s first 14 years and said, in a sub-headline, that it “has grown steadily in numbers and importance.”

The Cabinet announcd it had added an East Milford correspondent, Mario Broggini.

In Milford, Miss Bessie Joslyn and Miss Lilian Billings were the “successful contestants in the book reading contest at the Baptist Bible School.”

In Ware, Mass., a directors meeting at the Ware Savings Bank was broken up when a doe crashed through the window, leaped over several desks and drove the clerks and customers out into the street. The doe was badly cut, The Cabinet reported.

In Merrimack, the paper said, “A Brookline lady visitor left John French’s this week,” but then said, “Will French and family have been at his father’s John French’s.”

In New York City, the paper reported, “Eva Bonacci, 6, died of alcoholism. An autopsy showed that death resulted from drinking a pint of wine, which she smuggled away after attending a wedding ceremony with her parents.”

In Brookline, Victor Maxwell had been seriously ill “with gripped pneumonia at the home of Mr. And Mrs. Will Boutelle.” But he was improving.

In South Lyndeborough news, Mr. And Mrs. James Putnam started on a visiting tour last Saturday forenoon to spend about 10 days in Boston and suburban towns.

In Mont Vernon, the paper’s correspondent wrote, “Did you ever think that on or near our Main Street there are twenty-three widows who live some part of each year and own or control property interests. No wonder our town is peaceful and quiet.”

75 years ago, 1935

Joseph Chevalier, 40, of Amherst, was killed when his car collided with a train during a storm and on slippery roads. The Cabinet reported, “Too late he applied the brakes. His car slid into the side of the train and was completely demolished.”

In Milford, W.F. Grogan took charge of the meat department of the local A&P. Although he lived in Lowell, Mass., the Cabinet reported he would “move his family here soon.”

In Merrimack, the paper reported, “Albert Bishop is better of his bronchial trouble and is working again at the tannery.”

In Brookline, “Master Orville Fessenden returned to his studies at the Fessenden School in West Newton on Sunday. His brother, Paul, returned with him and will enter school there.”

In Mont Vernon, Mrs. Frank Reagan returned home after spending a week with her mother.

Malcolm D. Clark, of Amherst, “motored to Boston Tuesday for a visit to the Auto Show.”

James Saraceno announced he would open a barber shop on Mont Vernon Street “in response to many requests.” He had been employed at Louis’ Barbershop in Milford.

In Milford, it was reported that Philip Richardson, of Dearborn Street, “chopped his left thumb at the base of the nail while splitting kindling at his home.” The paper said he was holding a piece of wood in one hand while chopping with the other. Dr. Fletcher dressed the wound.

In Perham Corner, C.J. Batchelder “lost a horse recently.”

In Wilton, local contractor William E. Hickey was remodeling the Blue Goose restaurant, which was recently purchased by Mrs. Alicia Roberts.

50 years ago, 1960

Phyllis Brown, of Amherst, was elected first vice president of the state Federated Women’s Republican Clubs.

L. Paul King was named chairman of Milford’s Heart Fund Drive.

The Cabinet’s Lyndeborough correspondent, Mrs. Ray P. Bishop, reported that Mr. and Ms. Charles Bishop, of Quincy, Mass., and Lyndeborough, recently spent a few days at their summer home, “The Parsonage.” She also reported that Richard Fulgoni of Johnson Corner, “who broke his leg last November, now has the cast off and is getting around very well with the aid of a cane.”

Fred Forbes was named Wilton’s Democratic chairman.

Wilton’s annual Sno-Ball featured Gov. and Mrs. Wesley Powell as among the Sno-Ball Queen judges.

The Wilton Library announced the addition of three “significant” books to its collection: “The Trouble With the Irish” by Leonard Wibberly, “Exodus” by Leon Uris and “The Family Quarrel” by Elswyth Thane.

25 years ago, 1985

The Bug Shop, a car repair shop on South Street owned by Robert Thompson, was destroyed by a fire.

Milford Fire Chief Cominic Calvetti retired from the department at age 70.

In Amherst, Barbara Landry was named the town’s first administrative assistant.

A study committee recommended that space at the Wadleigh Memorial Library be tripled from 3,800 square feet to 12,000.