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.
Text and images may have been edited, colorized, or digitally restored with the assistance of AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini. All content is reviewed for accuracy and historical integrity before publication by the Norwood Historical Society
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