This Day in Norwood History-Talk Of The Town-August 5, 1904

These news items were the talk of the town on August 5, 1904

Mr. Guy D. Smith of Johnstown, N.Y., is visiting his friend, R. Russell Williamson, Highland St.

Mr. and Mrs. Ira Fisher returned on Tuesday from a trip to New Hampshire.

Royilen Barrett, who started for the Klondike last January, has again been heard from. The good news has come that he has reached San Francisco.

Cornelius Callahan, recently graduated from Williams College, will .probably enter the Harvard law school next month.

Arrangements for the St. Catherine’s parish picnic have progressed in a manner beyond the expectations of all, and the picnic promises to be the most successful the parish has ever had. All the committees have done earnest, conscientious work and a royal good time is assured. The picnic is held tomorrow in Fahy’s Grove.

Cornelius Callahan spent last week with relatives in Fitchburg. He was to run in a contest under the auspices of Fitchburg A. A., but the race was postponed on account of rain.

Miss Eva Hutchins of the Post Office force, will spend her vacation at Cottage City.

G. Edward Fairbanks is considerably better and out of doors, though still very weak.

The Misses Loathe of Vernon Street, have been entertaining Miss Grace Hopkins of Cambridge.

Alphonso Gallagher and Louis Scherer will spend their annual vacation in Plymouth.

Richard Oldham, formerly station agent at Norwood, but now’ of Southbridge, Conn., was in town last Sunday.

The proprietors of the Norwood Press are following the good advice given by this paper last week and are setting a good example to the other people in town by trimming the young shade trees on their beautiful lawns.

Mrs. John B. Ripley and Mrs. Raymond Lord, both of Stoughton, spent a few hours last Tuesday with the former’s aunt, Mrs. Josiah Tisdale.

Patrick Roach, who has been enjoying a two months’ trip through England, Scotland, and Wales, returned this week, having found what he sought — good health.

George M. Corbett has returned from a very pleasant sojourn at the Mecca of Norwood people, Southport, Me.

The Norwood band gave one of its excellent concerts at Lake Massapoag last Wednesday evening. Hereafter if stormy on Thursday evenings, the concerts will bo given on Friday evenings.

Theresa Oldham is spending an extended vacation in Concord.

Miss May Crowley of Boston is the guest of Daniel E. Callahan.

Miss F. P. Thompson returned this week from a brief outing in New Hampshire.

Miss Jessie Stewart, employed at Berwick & Smith’s, is taking a two weeks’ vacation.

William Crowley and Jeremiah Donovan enjoyed a sail down the harbor Wednesday afternoon.

Lightning struck in several different places in town last Saturday. There were no serious injuries to individuals, but there was considerable damage to dwellings. It was one of the most severe and in results one of the most serious storms that has visited Norwood in a long time. The electric portion of it was of brief duration, but the thunderclaps were as loud, rapid and terrible as a bombardment from Dewey’s guns. The electric cars were delayed by mud and sand on the tracks more than by the lightning, and it will probably cost the road several hundred dollars to repair damages.
Rev. and Mrs. W. B. Eddy have left town for the Rangeley region, Maine.

Miss Ethel Rogers returned from visiting friends in Pepperell last Saturday.

Mr. Appleyard, general master car builder of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., and Mr. Smith, muter mechanic, visited the car shops Wednesday.

Our thanks are due the Rea Bros, for a donation of delicious early apples.

The house and barn belonging to Geo. IT. Smith on Walpole Street was sold at public auction on Tuesday to Mr. Lunney and John Gillooly, the former taking the house, the latter the barn, both of which will be removed at once.

Charles M. Thompson, the worthy scribe of the Advertiser, is spending a few days among the Berkshire hills.

Francis O. Winslow is booked at Poland Springs, Maine.

Edgar L. Bigelow is with his family at his cottage on the shores of the Webster lake with a long name, where he remains during the month of August.

Mrs. J. M. Foster and daughter Ethel left town Thursday for a visit to relatives in Maine.

The storm bursts of recent days have very much disturbed the gravel lately spread near the approach to Winslow’s station.

The improvements at the corner of Guild and Cross streets are completed, and the locality is very much improved thereby.

The stores in the Hamlin building have a very tempting look, and it would be a very strange thing if they are not snapped up by some of our tradesmen who would like to improve their facilities for doing business.

I. T. Snow and family spent Wednesday in town, the guests of their many friends.

The fire alarm system was not in working order during the electric storm last Saturday. At the moment several houses were struck in the vicinity of box 20, no response came when the lever was pulled. The box number, however, was struck at Smith’s tannery. Little time was lost in calling out the fire department, but as there was no fire promptness counted for nothing in the case. The houses of Edward Rooney on School Street and John Coughlan on Munroe Street sustained the most damage of any of the several houses that were struck during the storm. None took fire.

When insuring your property why not have it protected against lightning, as well as against fire? It will be no additional cost. We have recently paid several losses caused by lightning. If you desire to insure your property, but cannot find time to call upon us, drop us a line and we will call on you. Thomas E. Clary Insurance Co., Poet Office Block, Norwood.

The new double house that is being built by Melvin Smith in the roar of Na-hatan street, is fast nearing completion.

F. M. Douglass is building a now house on Wheelock Avenue for Mr. Brigham, an employee of the car shops.

Mrs. Magnus Thompson is very ill with typhoid fever at her home on Hillside Avenue.

Miss Mary Thorne of Charlestown is visiting Miss Etta Rogers of Maple Street.

Mrs. Julia B. Halo of Nahatan Street is entertaining company from out of town this week.

Mrs. Banks of Maple Street entertained friends from Woburn last week.

Edson D. Smith and family are at Nantucket for a two weeks’ vacation.

Lyman W. Smith of Canton, Me., has been in town recently.

Mr. Michael O’Donnell and Miss Mary Curran were married on Thursday evening of last week, by Rev. James B. Troy. Mr. and Mrs, O’Donnell will reside on Railroad Avenue.

The annual national convention of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America will be held in Boston next week. The Norwood branch of the organization will turn out in full force Wednesday evening and join in the grand torchlight parade. Joseph McManus, John Parker and Joseph Curran have been honored by being appointed as aids.

Rev. J. B. Troy and Mr. Thomas H. Gilling were Norwood representatives at the annual reunion and festival of the old residents and schoolboys of Fort Hill, Boston, held last Saturday at Apollo garden, Roxbury. Rev. Fr. Troy was orator of the occasion and his remarks were greatly enjoyed.

The ball game at St. Catherine’s picnic tomorrow will be between the St. Catherine’s T. A. and L. S. and the Walpoles. The latter have beaten the temperance boys once this season, but will have to hustle to do it tomorrow.

Miss Augusta M. Johnson paid a visit to her sister, Miss Dell C. Johnson, at No. Scituate Beach, this week.

John M. Mutch has gone to Gloucester for a short visit.

Frederick Peary has gone to Southport, for his annual vacation.

Bernard Rhodes has accepted a position at A. Malagodi’s fruit store.

Elmer H. Baker commences his vacation next Monday.

Mrs. Ernest \V. Ellis is ill at her home on Walpole street.

Herbert D. Fisher of Hasting’s grocery starts on his vacation Saturday.

W. A. Williamson and family returned from their vacation Monday.

John Curran has accepted the position he formerly occupied at Fleming’s bindery.

Letter carrier James Reardon resumed work on his route on Thursday, after his annual vacation.

Miss Sadie Corbett was the guest of Mrs. F. A. Taylor of Medfield last Saturday.

Frank H. Farnsworth has purchased a new trotter and will undoubtedly be among the faster ones this winter.

Selectman and Mrs. Fred L. Fisher will leave here on August 21, for a trip to California.

Dwight D. Metcalf and family have returned from a two weeks’ outing at Revere Beach,

Selectman Fred L. Fisher and family, returned last Monday from their summer outing at North Scituate.

Master Warren Day of Chapel Street is passing his vacation at Marblehead, in an endeavor to become a finished yachtsman.

Miss Nora Taylor of Buffalo, N. Y. is making a short trip through the New England states and paid a visit this week to her brother George Taylor of Norwood.

George H. Morrill, Sr., and Richard Walsh returned the first of the week from a trip to Canada, bringing with them three horses that Mr. Morrill has purchased for family use.

At the open-air concert next Wednesday evening, the Norwood Brass band will play for their first number, ‘‘Always Forward,” the march which was dedicated to our fellow townsman, J. S. Cushing.

The poles that are being put up by the Old Colony Street railway company at the new turnout .on Washington Street, are very unsightly and if they are to remain permanently, will be a great detriment to the beauty of the street. It seems strange that the selectmen did not insist on iron posts such as are found on city street railways now being put in.

Last Monday morning William Swett of Nahatan Street, was brought before Judge Grover in the district court, charged with assault on Mrs. Mary Mitchell. Mrs. Mitchell claimed that young Swett threatened to shoot her and went into the house and brought out a revolver. Swett admitted bringing the revolver from the house but denied pointing it at Mrs. Mitchell. He said he was only protecting himself and that Mrs. Mitchell threw a large stone at him. After hearing his story Judge Grover discharged Swett.

This week a number of trees were removed opposite the Norwood House and at present work is being rushed to clear up the mess made by the straight-ning of the street railway tracks. The street is being graded and paved, and when completed will undoubtedly add to the appearance of Norwood Square. The poles on which the trolley wire is hung will be removed and poles placed on both sides of the street. The trolley wire will then be hung from guy wires through the centre.

Miss Lillian King of this town was on board one of the cars which was in the collision at Westboro on the Boston and Worcester road last Monday. Miss King was accompanied by Miss Nellie King, a relative, and they were returning from Webster when the accident occurred. Fortunately they escaped with a few slight injuries. Miss King is a sister of Harry King, the well-known news dealer.

Bernard Corbett is substituting as letter carrier for W. L. Bacon during the latter’s absence.

Superintendent of streets, Fred H. Hartshorne, will be a guest at the Norwood House during his wife’s vacation outing.

The work on the new geographies for which E. Fleming & Co. have the contract, has necessitated considerable extra help and made business lively.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith of Whitman are visiting their daughter Mrs. Oliver McLeod. Mr. Smith has been seriously ill the past two weeks.

Miss Emma Page of Plimpton Avenue will leave the early part of next week for a few weeks’ vacation in New Hampshire.

The local division A. O. H. will compete with the Dedham division iu athletic sports at the field of the latter, on labor day.

The International Car Workers union of Readville and Norwood will hold their annual picnic at Rocky Point tomorrow (Saturday). About five hundred members will attend and they will be conveyed in special cars furnished by the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R.

Selectman R. E. Oldham denies all the stories about a woman having applied for the job of chief of police, but says there was one funny application lately. A man applied, who sent his horoscope as made out by an astrologer, describing his character and destiny as foreshadowed by the stars. He evidently thought this horoscope a very good substitute for a letter of rec-ommendaion.

(Originally published in the Norwood Advertiser and Review)