116 years ago, 1898

John A. Malmburg, of Milford, serving on the U.S. Vulcan off the Cuban coast, wrote to the Cabinet about a sea battle in the Spanish-American War and said that the U.S. battleship Oregon “finished the (Spanish) Vizcaya with one shot, a 13-inch shell … The captain was in tears when he surrendered his sword.”

The Rev. O.D. Thomas, an evangelist from Brockton, Mass., preached in Mont Vernon.

J.M. Laws’ Reliable Shoe Store in Milford was offering ladies’ black or tan oxfords at 99 cents a pair.

In Milford, George Fessenden, son of E.A. Fessenden, was confined to his home for the past week or two.

Topics of discussion at the mothers’ meeting of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union at the Congregational chapel in Wilton included “Which is stronger, environment or heredity?” and “What have the schools a right to expect from the mothers, and what have the mothers a right to expect from the schools?”

66 years ago, 1948

Herbert Fairbanks, of Milford, stumped the experts on the radio show “Twenty Questions” on a nationwide hookup and won a Ronson table lighter and tray. His subject was Daniel Boone’s rifle, and it was the job of the experts to guess it, given only the information that it was composed of mineral and vegetable matter.

More than 1,000 people from 20 states received information at Milford’s Union Square tourist booth during a recent week. One car came from Oregon.

In an advertisement, Milford Home Furnishing published a list of recordings on the week’s Hit Parade. The included “Woody Woodpecker” by Kay Kyser and “Put ‘em in a Box, Tie’ em with a Ribbon” by the King Cole trio.

Albert and Roger McLean, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Albert McLean, of Wilton, were working for a week in central Kansas for the owner of 200 acres of wheat.

50 years ago, 1964

Firefighters from seven towns fought a barn fire in South Lyndeborough at the farm of Charles O’Hara. The barn was destroyed as was the el of the
seven-room house.

The Latchis Theatre in Milford was showing “Law of the Lawless” with Dale Robertson, Yvonne De Carlo, and “William Bendix.” The second feature was “Son of Captain Blood” with Sean Flynn.

St. Patrick Church in Milford was preparing for its annual lawn party and parade with a ham and bean supper. It was advertising bingo with nightly door prizes, the grand prize being $250.

Children participating in the morning program at Goss Park in Wilton were thinking of names to submit to the “Pig Calling” contest. The “pig” was made out of papier mache.

25 years ago, 1989

Milford firefighters and police officers continued to practice for their softball game, the proceeds from which would benefit the bicentennial committee. The Department of Public Works said it would challenge the winner.

Aug. 1 was set as the day that all Milford residents and businesses would start full-scale recycling and everyone would be required to separate trash for collection.

The Milford Planning Board approved a plan for the first phase of an 18-hole golf course on Elm Street.

Mont Vernon Planning Board Chairman Linda Foster contended that the Board of Selectmen was not doing an adequate job in enforcing regulations on home businesses.

Donald Murphy, of Milford, was named principal of the four elementary schools in the Mascenic School District.