Thumbing the files

Thursday, February 11, 2010

100 years ago

1910: From Milford, we reported that Ernest Parker was working as spare brakeman out of Nashua and had made several trips to Portland and that Mrs. Rodney Howard would celebrate her 85th birthday on Feb. 11. “Mrs. Howard is in very good health and remarkably active for her age.”

Also in Milford, Miss Alice C. Gray, who for 35 years was a teacher in Milford schools, was granted a leave of absence from her duties to take “a well earned vacation for rest and recuperation.” The brief story said “it is the sincere hope of everybody that in the autumn, she will be back at her desk, refreshed in mind and body.” (Editor’s query: Any idea of Miss Gray ever came back?) In Mont Vernon, “a little brown glove mitten has been hung in the store to be claimed.” Also from Mont Vernon, Miss Harriet McCrillis of Boston and Mr. Curtis Boutelle of Pittsfield have been at the Bellevue for a few days.

An Amherst man had his fur coat stolen while at work. “A pretty mean trick this kind of weather.” John Boutwell of South Lyndeborough was in Nashua on Feb. 3.

On Feb. 7 in South Lyndeborough it was 12 below zero.

In news from Perham Corner, we reported that Miss Florence Baldwin called at Mr. L.H. Baldwin’s on Sunday afternoon.

And again from our East Milford correspondent: La New Westerly Granite Co. a comprato ia caldaia dal Sig. C. Johnson che teneva nella vecchia fabrica di cottone; onde unpiazarno un altra nella sua cava di granito. (Perhaps someone could ask former Milford Selectman Rosario “Sarooch” Ricciardi to translate this for us.)

In Wilton, the morning freight got stuck in a huge drift near the old Putnam mill and the morning train was stalled in the station for over an hour while George Stearns with the passenger engine went up and pulled down the freight train and then went up and pulled out the freight engine.

Also in Wilton, the Rev. J.H. Robbins of the N.H. Anti Saloon League of Concord preached at the Baptist Church in Wilton Center.

75 years ago

1935: Walter Duval of Wilton purchased the Albert Peacock cottage on Highland Avenue in Milford and planned to make his home there with his family. Mr. Peacock was planning to move into Fred Powers’ house on the same street.

Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Miller of Amherst, whose farm was damaged by fire a week ago, moved to E.L. Kittredge’s house in Milford with Mr. And Mrs. Phillip Kittredge. About 15 milking cows from the Amherst farm were brought to the Spaulding farm.

Miss Rose Aveni attended the Dartmouth Carnival. Miss Virginia Stickney was also a Hanover guest over the weekend.

From Mont Vernon, the news that the Rev. H.P. Peck, who was too ill to attend his wife’s funeral the previous week, was feeling better. He expected to return to his Mont Vernon home in the spring.

In Lyndeborough, Miss Georgia Miller was found dead at her home by Mrs. Perley Richardson, who walked down to make a little call. She was sitting in her rocking chair. Probably she suffered a heart attack.

At the Hillside Farm on Manchester Road in Amherst, Orson H. Bragdon was cutting ice 27 inches thick.

Also in Amherst, Clarence J. Thomas was cutting ice at Honey Pot Pond when he stepped over the edge into open water. Fortunately there was someone there to pull him out.

In Wilton, Draper Brothers received a new Chevrolet truck and car from the factory.

For the 131st year, the Lafayette Artillery company, of which Guy M. Holt of Wilton and Lyndeboro was captain, was planning to hold its annual celebration in Citizens’ Hall, South Lyndeborough, Feb. 22.

50 years ago

1960: Milford High School took action to cut down the number of student-driven cars at the school, requiring written permission and special MHS stickers on the cars.

Mr. and Mrs. William Malo Jr., bought the old Harvell place on Chestnut Hill in Amherst from Mr. and Mrs. Paul Pierce.

Sally Lindabury and Daphne Lathrop were the new patrol leaders from the Amherst Girl Scouts.

From South Lyndeborough came the news that Robert Mackintosh suffered a badly smashed finger while putting in a new pipe in the artesian well at the Guy Reynolds place.

And in Lyndeborough school news supplied by Patricia Quinn and Louis Meier came this: Terry Dawson, Robert Elliott and Joyce Gallant have not been absent for the first half of school.

Doris Calvetti was appointed Milford School District clerk to fill the unexpired term of Mrs. Elonise Rea Lutes, who recently moved to Chicago.

25 years ago

1985: The state House of Representatives passed a bill sponsored by state Rep. Howard Mason of Wilton that officially made Memorial Day observances the fourth Monday in May, rather than on May 30. It passed 231-138. (Editor’s note: We’d love your opinion on this.)

Milford Police Chief Steven Sexton told the Budget Committee that he wanted to add two officers to his department, which would bring the total to 14.

Suzanne Russell of Manchester was named Young Careerist by the Milford Area Business and Professional Women’s Club.

The Pine Hill Waldorf School eighth grade was holding a pancake breakfast to raise money for their trip to England.