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THumbing the Files for Dec. 12

100 years ago, 1913

Milford was planning its annual Christmas carol singing on the Oval but if the weather was bad, it would be in Town Hall.

Milford High School’s boys’ basketball team beat Peterborough, 22-15.

Fred W. Sawyer of Milford was elected one of the vice presidents of the newly formed Hillsboro County Republican Club. Charles S. Emerson of Milford was elected secretary.

Lincoln Wint, explorer, lecturer and author was to speak in Milford on “The Conquest of the Arctic.” He explored vast unknown regions, blazed the trail over which the U.S. mail route was established in the Arctic, and founded public schools near the North Pole.

Milford police were busy chasing boys off the ice on Railroad Pond. Police Chief Goodwin intended to let no boys try their new skates until the ice was thick enough to prevent another drowning such as the one that cost a boy his life a year before.

Sheriff Ramsey and County Solicitor Sullivan of Manchester were in Wilton on their way to Lyndeborough to investigate a fight at the Richards farm. It seems that the two oldest brothers got into some sort of an argument and the neighbors complained.

70 years ago, 1943

Ellen Farwell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grover Farwell of Brookline, and a graduate of Milford High School, was promoted from seaman first class to aviation machinist’s mate third class in the Navy. She was stationed at the Naval Air Station in New Orleans.

David O’Connell, Jr., 15, of Amherst, used his spare hours in vegetable garden projects so effectively during the summer that he was named one of two New Hampshire champions in the National Junior Vegetable Growers’ Association production and marketing contest. He would receive a $25 war bond.

Master Sgt. Richard Piper was home on furlough in Milford. He had been stationed in South America and took part in North African battles. He was with a medical unit and did considerable flying to evacuate wounded soldiers.

Aido Richelli, of Milford, a Navy carpenter’s mate first class, was transferred from Camp Perry, Va., to Camp Holiday, Gulfport, Miss.

Striking at both ends of the Nazis’ winter line in southern Italy, the Allies made deep penetrations in their drive to Rome. To avoid giving up any billeting or other facilities, the Germans dynamited towns in the Allies’ path.

A mysterious light in a long vacant house in South Lyndeborough was explained when neighbors went in to investigate. It was concluded that electricity had been turned on in the wrong place.

50 years ago, 1963

Twenty-two men signed up for an adult physical fitness class at Milford High School. A fee of $4 was being charged for the eight classes that were to include calisthenics, volleyball, basketball, and some gymnastics.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Hallett reported seeing a part-albino deer in Wilton Center Mr. Hallett said the doe was “white from the middle of its body to its back.”

Bill Hopkins was president of the Amherst Ski Club, entering its fifth year. It had set up a ski town on Ben’s Hill.

Milford High School’s boys’ basketball team defeated Sanborn Seminary, 77-45, but lost to Exeter, 80-48.

Fire destroyed the former Clarence Goss place on Lyndeboro Road in Wilton, killing eight dogs. The home was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Vern C. Stowell who had left the home in the afternoon to go to their home in Portsmouth for the night.

The Town Hall Theatre in Wilton was showing “The Show Down” with Audie Murphy and Kathleen Crowley.

25 years ago, 1987

The Milford School Board was to meet with the Mont Vernon board in an effort to convince that town to stay with Milford rather than join Amherst in a school district.

A month before auditions for the 36th annual Amherst PTA play, the production was in trouble, because it had no director, no producer, and no production assistants and was in danger of not going on.

Marion Jacques Dube was retiring as assistant superintendent of schools in Milford.

Mont Vernon called a special school district meeting to authorize a cooperative high school study committee.

The Town Hall Theatre in Wilton was showing “Crossing Delancy” and “Mystic Pizza.”

The access bridge and rear entrance to the Wilton Public and Gregg Free Library opened.

Unitarians in Wilton celebrated the 225th anniversary of their church in Wilton Center.

Tina Griffiths scored 51 points, a record for her school, as Hollis High defeated Thayer, 62-39 in basketball.