An Old Norwood Newspaper of Much Interest to the Antiquary.
We have received a copy of what was, perhaps, the earliest venture in the newspaper line ever put forth in Norwood. Though of much the same character as the concert and church fair programmes and political and class organs which spring up at the present day and divide the advertising with legitimate newspapers, it was in newspaper form and bore the suggestive title of “The South Dedham News.” The copy we have in hand was issued March 13, 1856, and is therefore just forty-six years old. It was issued at Hartshorn’s ball and sold at six cents a copy. It was issued by a ladies charitable society and abounds in wit, humor and local hits.
The issue we are now examining, and which was loaned us by Edgar L. Bigelow, was Volume I., No. 1. It states that South Dedham’s population was at that time 1173, and divides this population ns follows: “Males, 675; females, 498; foreigners, 174.’’ The editor, whoever he or she was, naively says: “We require 171 females to be imported to our parish to make our sexes equal; and any good stock may safely locate here, as there is a liberal supply of worthy young men in our market.”
A free advertisement is inserted for the Norfolk County railroad and a great deal of sport is made of that old-time institution. According to the train arrangements declared by this reliable authority, “Trains leave South Dedham at 7.30 and 10 a.m., arriving in Boston during the day. Trains leave Boston at 2.45 and 6 p.m., arriving at South Dedham during the night, unless it snows, then they stop at Nutes for refreshments.”
Among curios in the paid “ads” is an omnibus notice of a conveyance which carried passengers to and from the Baptist church in West Dedham. Among the advertisers is to be found the name of only one man now living, Joseph Roby, then a blacksmith.
Among names of those dead and gone, but familiar to many of the present generation are those of George Winslow & Sons, tanners, E. F. Talbot, carpets, D. S. Fogg, M. D., Otis Morse, Joseph Engley, Joseph Day, Josiah Tisdale, Lyman Smith, Willard Everett & Co., Gay & Bigelow, Richard D. Hartshorn, Charles E. Morse, Oliver Morse, Morse & Webb, Fuller & Colburn, Pullen & King, Baker & Co., expressmen, and others.
Washington Street was then known as Centre Street; South Dedham Centre Station was what is now known as Norwood, and the present Norwood Central Station was Everett’s. The whole paper presents to the thoughtful a pleasant and attractive picture of old times.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Advertiser)