This Day in Norwood History-Talk Of The Town-February 25, 1899

These news items were the talk of the town on February 25, 1899

Geo. E. Metcalf was called to Millis last Sunday on account of the serious illness of his sister, Mrs. Sarah Wiley. On Wednesday he received the news of her death. The funeral was held Thursday in Millis.

A number of the employees of J. S. Cushing & Co. were obliged to work all! day Wednesday on account of the rush. Work is now coming in at the rate of fifteen books a week.

M. J. Higgins, formerly of this town, but now of Charlestown, was visiting in town Wednesday.

J. J. Slavin had an ill turn the latter part of last week and his condition was considered critical. He is somewhat better at the present writing.

The Westwood Base Ball Club is preparing for a second popular dance to be Held in Baker’s Hall, Westwood.

Hose Co.. No. 1 celebrated Washington’s birthday by flying a handsome new flag from the engine house tower,

A large crowd took advantage of the good weather Wednesday and spent the day fishing on Flax Pond. They had extra good luck.

Geo. J. Nichols of Dorchester spent Washington’s birthday with friends in town.

While walking along a street in Roslindale last week, Sam Brown of the Norwood Press, found a pocketbook containing a large sum of money. A few days later he found the owner, who proved to be a relative of Admiral Dewey, Mr. Brown refused the proffered reward.

St. Catherine’s Court, M. C. O. F., is making arrangements for the annual ball, which will take place early in April.

Officer Cleary has recovered from the grippe and is at work again.

Seven men and seven young ladies have been added this week to J. S. Cushing & Co.’s force, which is now the largest he has had since coming here.

Henry Litchfield has recovered from grippe and is again at work.

G. L. Ellis and family spent the 22d with relatives in Stoughton.

Waldo H. Bigelow is planning a business trip abroad, and will be absent several weeks. He expects to sail the last of this month or early next month. While in the West recently he negotiated the purchase for bis firm,—Weston & Bigelow of Boston,—of a large tract of walnut timber land, said to be the finest lot of standing timber of this kind in the West. Mills will be erected and the timber sawed and prepared for export.

On the evening of March 9 Mr. J. S. Cushing will give a practical talk on the subject of book-making before the St. Catherine’s Reading Circle, in Temperance Hall.

In the coming observance of St. Patrick’s Day there will be, as usual, a lecture and an entertainment. The latter will be given March 17, by children under the direction of Mrs. Gillooly. The lecture will be given on the following Sunday evening by Rev. Dr. Supple of Cambridge, a learned divine, who was educated In Rome and spent some five years there. Ills subject-will be “Rome the Treasure House of the Ages.”

Station Agent C. A. McQueen of Norwood is becoming noted as a man of courage, coolness and presence of mind. We understand there have been several occasions in which he has saved the lives of people crossing the double track in front of the station.

Five young lady teachers of the Norwood school—Miss Ferry, Gates, Train, White and Shepard gave a very pleasant invitation party in Odd Fellows’ hall last Wednesday evening. Dancing and cards wore enjoyed from 8 o’clock to 12. Mr. C. C. Durgin of U. C. Harvey & Co., Boston furnished music for dancing. Some 25 couple were in attendance, including several people from Dedham and a number of friends of the givers of tho party from various places. All who attended pronounced tho affair a great success.

C. E. Smeltzer’s horse became frightened by the hens or some other cause, but Thursday morning, while standing in his own yard, and ran away. The animal terminated his mad career in the meadow back of Village Hall block and was caught by Bernard Rhoads. No serious damage was done.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred N. J. Foss are the parents of a baby girl born last Tuesday.

J, S, Cushing & Co’s department of the Norwood Press has had to put on extra help this week, and some work was done on Wednesday, though the business office was kept closed.

Washington’s birthday passed off without much incident. The stores and most of the barber shops were kept open a good portion of the forenoon but closed in the afternoon. The post office was open for the reception and delivery of mails at certain hours, as is usual on holidays. Most of the larger business establishments in town were closed most of the day. The had walking prevented much of the usual holiday traveling to and from town.

William H. Samler of Railroad Avenue has been confined to his bed for six days, through being badly chilled in getting home through the snow drifts, Monday night of the big storm, but is now on the road to recovery.

The T. E. Clary Insurance Company has settled the loss of the Lewis Batting Co., Walpole, amounting to $10,400. The company will erect a new and handsome factory.

At the Congregational chapel next Wednesday evening Dr. James Rosedale will give his celebrated lecture on the ‘‘Comicalities and Reilitiesof Oriental Life.” Boston pastors speak enthusiastically of this entertainment. Admission 15 cts.; including supper (at 6.45) 25c.

If all the exercises by our school children on the observance of Washington’s Birthday were as successfully carried out as in the second grade of the Guild school, and we presume they were Norwood may be congratulated on the efficiency of her teachers.

St. Catherine’s T. A. and L. S. held an amusing mock trial last evening, with John Gillooly as judge, and 0. M. Callahan and J. McManus as attorneys. W. H. Hobson was convicted of stealing a rooster.

An unfinished house near Dean street was totally destroyed by fire last night.

Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Holton and daughter, of Hardwick, Vt., are visiting Adolphus Holton.

Miss Adella G. Simmons, the efficient operator at the telephone exchange, is at work again after three weeks illness.

Married at the residence of the officiating clergymen, Rev. Wm. B. Eddy, on Wednesday evening, Feb. 22, Mr. Lewmon G. Marston and Miss Hulda M Erickson, both of Norwood. Mr. and Mrs, Marston will continue to reside in Norwood.

ASA M. SAVELS

Asa M. Savels, one of the oldest men in town, died at his home on Vernon Street on Tuesday hist, at the age of 83 years, 10 months and 8 days. He died of paralysis, caused by the rupture of a blood vessel of the head while shoveling snow just after the big storm.

Mr. Savels was born in Mount Vernon N. H., and his mother belonged to the old Gay family to which some of Norwood’s best citizens belong. He came here first in 1855, and remained until 1870, when he removed to Chelsea, but returned here in 1884, residing here ever since.

In various periods of his life he had followed three trades,—cabinet maker, brass founder, and paper hanger. For some five years past he has not engaged in active business pursuits, but has always kept busy about his home. A man of independent character, he was very outspoken and aggressive, but much respected for his honesty and integrity of purpose and character. A kind and faithful husband and father, he leaves a widow, one daughter, Mrs. II. B. Baker, and a granddaughter, Miss Clara Capen, beside other sincere mourners.

Mr. Savels was one of the earliest and most constant friends of the Norwood Baptist parish, helping to support the movement long before he became a member of the church. He was also a member of Orient Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and took great interest in Masonry, although in recent years he was only able to attend the annual Ladies’ Night festivities.
The funeral services were held under the auspices of Orient Lodge from the late residence of the deceased, yesterday afternoon, with Rev. Geo. W. Nead as officiating clergyman.

The members of the Universalist Sunday school were given a very pleasant Washington’s birthday social in the chapel Wednesday evening, between the hours of 7 and 9. All the Sunday school pupils of 7 years of age, and over, were included. The committee in charge consisted of Mrs. B. F. White, Mrs. A. H. Ray, Miss. Grace Train, Miss Martha Rich, Mrs. Gertrude Bigelow and Miss W, B. Eddy.

Many friends of Miss Amy Isal el Gay, formerly a resident of Norwood, and for some years up to last June a teacher in the Primary department of the Balch School, will be interested in learning of her marriage which took place at the of. her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Gay in Peabody, Mass., on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The groom was Mr. Ralph Thomas Jackon, The happy couple will be at home to their friends, after a short wedding tour after April 2, at No. 43 Sheridan St., Jamaica Plain.

The W. R. C. held a sewing circle at. the home of Mrs. H. E. Dttpee, last Tuesday afternoon.

The Margaret Fay will case came up for hearing in the Supremo court last Tuesday. James R. Murphy and John J, Geary, Esq., of Norwood appeared for the respondent and James E. Cotter and C.J. Darling for the contestants.

Mr. John Steadman, formerly of Norwood, recently of Dedham, died last Sunday morning of heart failure. His death Was very sudden as he died while attending to his stable work. He leaves a wife and three daughters to mourn his loss. The funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. Geo W. Nead, assisted by Rev. Mr. Seabury, Tuesday afternoon, at.2.30. The remains will be taken to St. John’s, N. B.

The March number of the New England Magazine will contain an article by N. L. Sheldon., Esq , on Early Scientific and Military Education in the United States. It contains some interesting reminiscences of Admiral Dewey’s cadetship.

Business of much importance will be transacted at the next regular meeting of Norwood Lodge, A. O. U. W. and all members are urged to attend.