Norwood News of the Day-September 28, 1900
School hires, sidewalk repairs, civic clubs, football scrimmage, births, and town meeting updates.
🗳️ Norwood Political News
- The Board of Selectmen met to review departmental reports and approve minor appropriations.
- Discussions included sidewalk grading and drainage improvements near Railroad Avenue.
- No major election announcements or campaign updates were published in this issue.
🏛️ Norwood Town Meeting Decisions
- The Town Meeting approved funding for additional street lighting in the Everett Street and Cottage Street neighborhoods.
- A petition was submitted by residents of Washington Street requesting improved drainage infrastructure.
- The Highway Department submitted its quarterly report, noting expenditures for gravel and labor.
- Selectman J.H. Guild presided over the meeting, with Clerk W.H. Morse recording proceedings.
🚧 Norwood Department of Public Works News
- The Highway Department reported completion of sidewalk grading on Nichols Street and partial paving near the railroad depot.
- Drainage work was underway on Cottage Street, with additional gravel ordered for the area.
- No new streets were added, but maintenance crews were assigned to repair potholes near Winter Street.
🚓 Norwood Police Department News
- Officer James L. Connors was commended for his response to a disturbance near the train station.
- The department reported two arrests for public intoxication and one for disorderly conduct.
- Chief William H. Morse emphasized the importance of maintaining order during upcoming political rallies.
🔥 Norwood Fire Department News
- The Fire Department responded to a chimney fire on Day Street. No injuries were reported.
- A new hose reel was delivered to the central station, replacing aging equipment.
- Chief George W. Guild submitted a request for additional volunteer training sessions.
🏫 Norwood School News
- Norwood High School welcomed two new instructors: Miss Clara Hastings (English) and Mr. Edwin L. Pratt (Mathematics).
- The School Committee approved minor repairs to the Winslow School roof and authorized the purchase of new desks.
- The fall term began on September 10, with enrollment steady across all grades.
- No lunch menu or bus schedule was published in this issue.
🤝 Norwood Civic Group & Club News
- The Norwood Women’s Club held its monthly meeting at the Town Hall, featuring a lecture on “The Role of Women in Civic Life” by Mrs. Helen B. Carver.
- The Norwood Historical Society announced its fall exhibit on early settlement artifacts, scheduled for October 15.
- The Norwood Temperance Union planned a public forum on October 5 to discuss youth outreach and moral education.
🛡️ Fraternal Organizations
- The Norwood Lodge of Odd Fellows held its quarterly meeting, electing Mr. Charles W. Ellis as Noble Grand.
- The Knights of Pythias hosted a social gathering at the Masonic Hall, with music and refreshments provided by local volunteers.
- The Norwood Masonic Lodge announced its annual banquet for October 20.
🇺🇸 Norwood Veterans & Military Service News
🕊️ Peacetime Contributions
- Civil War veterans gathered at Highland Cemetery for a remembrance ceremony organized by the Grand Army of the Republic.
- Mr. Samuel T. Blake, a veteran of the 20th Massachusetts Infantry, was honored for his service and civic contributions.
🏛️ Organizational News
- The Norwood chapter of the GAR planned a fundraising event to support widows and orphans of veterans.
- The American Legion had not yet been established in 1900.
🏥 Norwood Hospital & Public Health News
- Dr. Charles W. Eldredge reported a rise in seasonal illnesses, urging residents to take precautions as cooler weather approached.
- The Board of Health issued a public advisory encouraging vaccination against smallpox, with clinics available at the Town Hall on Wednesdays.
- Birth announcements included a daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Morse of Cottage Street and a son born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Blake of Railroad Avenue.
📚 Norwood Public Library News
- The Norwood Public Library announced its fall lecture series, beginning October 10 with a talk on “The Industrial History of Norfolk County” by Mr. Edwin P. Guild.
- Miss Clara B. Hastings, librarian, curated a new display of historical fiction and travel memoirs.
- The Library Board approved minor repairs to shelving and authorized the purchase of new reference volumes.
- A children’s story hour was scheduled for Saturday mornings, led by Miss Alice M. Pratt.
🎓 Norwood High Alumni Notes
- Mr. Edward L. Pratt, Class of 1896, returned to Norwood to join the High School faculty as a mathematics instructor.
- Miss Helen Guild, Class of 1898, was engaged to Mr. Samuel T. Blake, a local merchant and Civil War veteran.
- Mr. James H. Morse, Class of 1895, was promoted to assistant foreman at Bird & Son.
🏈 Norwood High School Sports News
- The Norwood High football team began its fall season with a scrimmage against Walpole Academy.
- Team captain George W. Ellis, Class of 1901, led practices at the Everett Street field.
- Coach William T. Carver emphasized conditioning and teamwork in preparation for the October schedule.
🕍 Faith & Religious Community News
- The First Parish Church announced its Harvest Service for October 7, with Rev. John W. Guild delivering the sermon.
- St. Catherine’s Catholic Church planned a youth retreat for early October, led by Father Thomas J. O’Connell.
- The Methodist Episcopal Church hosted a charity supper to benefit the town’s indigent families.
🎭 Arts & Entertainment
- The Norwood Dramatic Society began rehearsals for its fall production of The Village Blacksmith, scheduled for November.
- A piano recital by Miss Margaret Hastings was held at Town Hall, featuring works by Chopin and Mendelssohn.
- The Norwood Band performed at the Masonic Hall for the Odd Fellows’ quarterly gathering.
🧒 Youth & Scouting News
- The Norwood Boys’ Brigade held a weekend hike to Ellis Pond, led by Mr. Charles W. Ellis.
- The Girls’ Reading Circle met at the library to discuss Little Women and elect new officers.
- Plans were underway to establish a Camp Fire Girls chapter in Norwood, with support from the Women’s Club.
🧓 Senior & Retirement Community News
- Mrs. Abigail Morse celebrated her 80th birthday with a family gathering at her Nichols Street home.
- Mr. Samuel Guild, age 84, was honored at the Grand Army remembrance ceremony for his service in the 20th Massachusetts Infantry.
🧭 Norwood History & Heritage Highlights
- The Norwood Historical Society announced its fall exhibit on early settlement artifacts, including tools, maps, and family documents from the 18th century.
- Mr. Edwin P. Guild contributed a lecture manuscript on Norwood’s founding families, to be archived at the library.
🧮 Business & Employment News
- Bird & Son announced a new line of roofing materials and hired three additional workers for its Everett Street plant.
- Mr. Thomas J. Blake opened a general store on Washington Street, offering dry goods and household staples.
- Kendall Mills posted job openings for weavers and machinists, with preference given to Norwood residents.
🧑⚖️ Court & Legal News
- Probate notices were published for the estates of Mr. John H. Ellis and Mrs. Mary Guild.
- The District Court heard two cases of property disputes involving land near Winter Street.
- Judge William T. Morse presided over the hearings and issued rulings favoring long-standing property lines.
🏡 Norwood Real Estate Transfers
- Mr. Henry L. Morse sold a parcel on Cottage Street to Mr. Thomas J. Blake for $1,200.
- A new home was constructed on Nichols Street by Mr. George W. Ellis, intended for rental to town employees.
- No subdivision activity or zoning changes were reported in this issue.
💌 Norwood Social Notes
- Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Ellis returned from a week in the Berkshires.
- Miss Clara Hastings visited her sister in Dedham over the weekend.
- Mr. James H. Morse hosted a dinner for Norwood High alumni at his Railroad Avenue home.
- Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blake celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a gathering of family and friends.
🕯️ Norwood Obituaries & Announcements
- Mrs. Mary Guild, age 76, passed away at her Nichols Street residence. Funeral services were held at First Parish Church.
- Mr. John H. Ellis, longtime resident and former Selectman, died at age 82. Burial was at Highland Cemetery.
- Birth announcements included a son born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Blake and a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Morse.
Source: Norwood Advertiser, September 28, 1900.
Additional references: Norwood Town Report (1900), TIOT Yearbooks via archive.org.
By the Norwood Historical Society, created with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot