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Milford swimming pools have history of summer fun

EDITOR’S NOTE: Because many of our bound volumes containing old copies of The Cabinet either are missing or in such bad shape as to be unusable, we sometimes have to change how we deliver the old news to you. Recently, we were doing 1914, but the July to December book is unavailable for that year. So, instead, we start with news from the 19th century.

116 years ago, 1898

News of the Spanish American War: Gen. Miles, leading American forces in Cuba, informed the President that unless the city of Santiago surrendered immediately, a general advance would be made by land and sea and the city taken by force. He said the city was surrounded and escape of the Spanish army was impossible.

Mr. Sargent of Amherst reported that frost was visible in his vegetable garden.

A writer for The Cabinet wondered, regarding Cuba, “With the prospect of Spanish possessions to come under the control of the United States, will it not be necessary to encourage the acquirement of that language, or strive to replace it as early as possible with the English? It is probable that the latter proposition will predominate.”

Sgt. Barry of the 1st U.S. Infantry, brother of Mrs. George O’Brien of Milford, was wounded in Santiago, Cuba. So was Maj. Sumner H. Lincoln of the 10th U.S. Infantry, brother of Mrs. Abby Lincoln of Wilton.

Miss Hannah Hickey of Wilton broke a needle off in her hand. Dr. Higgins opened the hand and found the point near the bone. Miss Hickey stood the operation with courage.

66 years ago, 1948

Mrs. Mary Luongo and her son, Joseph, 13, of Milford, were on their way to Italy, traveling on the Vulcania that sailed from New York.

Mrs. Charles Hayward of Milford was seeking a “middle-aged woman” to help with general housework.

The cost of a home delivered quart of milk went up to 22.5 cents.

Thirty-five members of the Mont Vernon Couples Club enjoyed a weenie roast, swimming and games at Silver Lake in Hollis.

The state Teachers Association came out against scheduling competitive high school athletics on Sundays, contending, in part, that such scheduling “arouses the suspicion that the size of the gate receipts outweighs other considerations.”

Gen. Daniel Needham of Boston was at his summer home, the Red Mill, in West Wilton.

The Town Hall Theatre in Wilton was showing “Out of the Past” with Robert Mitchum.

50 years ago, 1964

Congressman James Cleveland was planning to present a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol to the Lyndeborough Village Improvement Society.

Construction began on Milford’s new municipal swimming pool at Keyes Field.

Commenting on the increasing value of homes in Amherst, editor William B. Rotch wrote, “Amherst works hard to make itself attractive and progressive. It cultivates the charm of a colonial village. It enforces a zoning ordinance intended to keep out the eyesores that plague neighboring towns … People are willing to pay premium prices for the privilege of living in Amherst.”

The Milford American Legion baseball team beat Nashua, 7-1. It was Nashua’s first loss of the season.

Imogene Coca was starring in “A Rainy Day in Newark” at the Lake Whalom Playhouse in Fitchburg, Mass.

25 years ago, 1989

Mr. Donut opened on Elm Street in Milford. Jim Starke was the manager.

Vivian Barry was named Citizen of the Year by the Milford/Amherst Chamber of Commerce, the first to receive the group’s honor.

Scott Newbert of Amherst was among 13 area students honored at the Outstanding Business Students Awards Breakfast sponsored by the Northwest Planning Associates.

Don Draper and Earl Watts were named grand marshals for Wilton’s Old Home Days parade, marking the 250th anniversary of the town’s first permanent settlement.

Milford’s police and fire departments were planning a softball game to benefit the town’s Bicentennial Committee. Town Administrator Lee Mayhew predicted that “the fire department has the ability to hose the police department.”