This Day in Norwood History-Talk Of The Town-May 23, 1896

These news items were the talk of the town on May 23, 1896

Californian Olives at Partridge’s. The best Teas at Partridge’s.

Even the horses shy at the new helmets of the Norwood police.

Only one more month and the public schools will close for the summer vacation.

Marshall Fairbanks and family will probably leave town next week for Weymouth.

Partridge’s Imperial Brand of Coffee wins when others fail. Try it and you will buy it.

A delicious flavor, satisfying and sustaining; a pure coffee, the Victor Brand, sold by Wm. Fisher.

Have you tried the Plymouth Entire Wheat Flour? A 5 lb package for 20 cts. Sold by Wm. Fisher.

Tiot Lodge, I. O. 0. F. will work the initiatory degree on two candidates at their hall next Wednesday.

There will be a special calendar prepared for the G. A. R. service tomorrow evening in the Congregational church.

It is rumored that a young employee of the car shops is soon to lead to the altar a fair and charming maiden of the town.

Master David O’Malley, who fell and broke his collar bone last week, has so far recovered as to be able to attend school.

Francis Tinker is again confined to his bed seriously ill. He is in a very weak condition and fears are entertained for his recovery.

A very handsome sign has been put up over Clark’s Pharmacy. The work was done by E. F. Roby.

Joy came to the House and home of our grocery merchant, Walter J. Partridge last Thursday morning in the advent of a young son-in-heir.

The members of Geo. K. Bird Post and the ladies of the Relief Corps will attend the service tomorrow evening in the Congregational church.

Have you patronized the Night Lunch?

The Norwood Brass Band will begin its series of open-air concerts on Thursday next at Prospect Park.

The boys who deface and scribble in the hymn books of the various churches in town are being watched, and if detected will be made an example of.

At the teachers’ meeting next Tuesday afternoon, after the transaction of preliminary business, there will be a discussion on “Teaching Pupils to Think.”

The following Norwood gentlemen have joined the L. A. W.: W. A. Readel, Albert Silber, Dr. C. S. Gould, W. L. Baker, Harry A .Turner and C. G. Rosenblad.

As we go to press the matter of closing the stores on Memorial Day is unsettled. It is probable, however, that the custom observed in previous years will prevail.

As is customary in the observance of Memorial Day, the public schools will be visited by members of the local Post next Friday. Commander Rogers will make the detail.

All bicycle riders wishing to avail themselves of the privileges of membership in the L. A. W., on May 30th, at Cambridge, can obtain membership tickets from A. T. Harriett, local consul for the League.

The Norwood Stars will contest in a friendly game of baseball with the newly organized club of Y. M. C. A. members, on the Everett school grounds this Saturday morning. There will be lots of fun and excitement, as the clubs are pretty evenly matched.

On Friday of last week little Mary Brennan, the eight-year-old daughter of Edward and Mary Brennan, died at the home of her parents, from enlargement of the liver. The funeral was held on Saturday and the body placed in the receiving tomb to wait later interment.

Mrs. Mary Hewitt, the newly appointed Deputy, visited Neponset Lodge. N.E.O.P., Thursday evening, and witnessed the initiatory degree worked by the alternate degree staff. She commended the work done and altogether made a favorable impression upon the members.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dean gave a social party at their residence on Dean Street, Friday evening of last week, which was well attended by friends from Norwood and adjoining towns. Whist, dancing and music was indulged in until a late hour when the happy party dispersed.

Geo. K. Bird Post will observe Memorial Day with the usual exercises in Village Hall,and the decoration of the graves at the old and Highland cemeteries. Rev. Mark B. Taylor of Canton will deliver the oration. He is a gentleman whose eloquence has often stilted the heart, and lie will he heard at his best on this occasion.

The completion of the novel at the last meeting of the Literary Club was very satisfactorily and creditably accomplished by Miss C. T. Wheelock, who disposed of all previous authors in good

shape, much to the merriment of the Club. This meeting was particularly interesting, and the members are feeling sorry that the season is almost at an end.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur L. Ide, Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Nelson, and the Misses Edna and Mary Coburn visited Progressive Rebekah Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F., at Hyde Park on Wednesday evening to witness the conferring of the Rebekah degree upon Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Hasty of this town, A most pleasant evening was spent among the members of Progressive Lodge.

W. T. Whedon’s house was struck by lightning during the storm on Tuesday. No serious damage was done other than the ripping of a few shingles on the roof. It was fortunate, however, that the electric fluid deleviated in its pathway, for Mrs. Whedon was in the room below the spot where the lightning struck. She was somewhat scared by the sudden Hash, but hardly knew that the spot struck was so near.

There will be a special meeting of Geo. K. Bird Post this Saturday evening at 8 o’clock, to make final arrangements for the exercises to be held in observance of Memorial Day. À report will be given by the seventeen comrades who recently went to Canton to see the last “muster in service.” It is hoped that overy comrade of the Post will be present.

Officer Rhoades got in his work on a vender of the luscious strawberry last Wednesday morning. He inspected his stock of berries, and the consequence was that a whole bucketful of the fruit was condemned as unsalable. It was hard on the fruit vender, but a salutary lesson, and in the interests of the consumers who often have to eat the fruit of disappointment given them by these itinerant fruit peddlers.

C. B. Paddleford, better known as “Bennie,” for many years a citizen of Norwood, and formerly employed by F. E. Everett, is suffering from a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism at the homo of Mr. Creighton Colburn, West Dedham. His many friends hope for a speedy recovery. He is under the care of Dr. Dodge, and is carefully attended by the brothers of the several lodges to which lie belongs.

For genuine sport an amateur ball nine can discount a professional team out of its boots. Last Saturday morning the Everett school ground was the scene of an exciting game of baseball, when the Stars and Juniors struggled for supremacy on the diamond. It was a return match. The Stars, however, continue to shine as the victors, for the score at the end of the game was 10 to 1 in their favor. The Juniors tried hard, but could not find the ball, and as usual the umpire came in for his share of abuse, escaping with his life when the game terminated. The Juniors were so thoroughly beaten that the club has gone to pieces and disbanded.

Work on the new library building is being rapidly pushed forward, and Mr. Morrill holies that by August the building will be well enough advanced for work to commence on the interior. The granite is from a quarry at Norridgewock, Maine, about twenty miles from Augusta. It is a clear stone, free from rust, and will retain its native lustre, remaining clear and bright. The basement, or lower foundation is built of large granite blocks from Milford. It is expected that the completed building will be ready for occupancy before the end of the present year. The building will be a handsome one, well-appointed in every way, and an ornament to the town.

Draper’s Orchestra of this town furnished the music at the Fair of the Walpole Brass Band on Friday evening. Boy Fairbanks gave an excellent cornet solo, and Anthony O’Malley rendered a flute solo, both of which were acceptably received by the audience.

The scholars of the public schools are getting ready for the Flower Show which will take place early in July. The seeds for the plants have been supplied by Messrs Rea Brothers of the Norwood Nurseries. There will be prizes awarded for the best specimens of plants grown and flowers obtained by the children from the seeds distributed.

The many friends of Mrs. Sara E. Upton were much pained to hear of her sudden death, which was reported on Friday of last week. Mrs. Upton was a former resident of Norwood, having resided here some eighteen years or more. About two years ago the family removed to Orient Heights, and last month they went to Newfield, Maine, where Mrs. Upton died May 14th, from the effects of a paralytic shock. She had suffered from nervous prostration for some time. She was a member of Neponsct Lodge, N. E. O. P., of this town. The husband survives her and a son and married daughter are left to mourn the loss of a loving mother.

The remains of Leonard Lowell were brought here and interred in the old cemetery on Wednesday. The deceased was a former resident of the town, and a conductor on the N. Y. & N. E. R. R. Of late years he has resided in Woonsocket, R. I., where he held a position on the street railway. He married Frances Gay, daughter of Dr. Jarvis Gay, of this town. Mr. Lowell’s death occurred on Saturday, the 16th, inst. Four members of Franklin Lodge, A.O.U.W., accompanied the body from Woonsocket. The deceased was 60 years of age. He was a member of Smith Post, G. A. R., .and served in Co. E, 9th Maine Infantry. His wife survives him.

The Literary Club will hold its annual reception in the chapel of the Congregational church next Thursday evening to which invitations presentable at the door have already been issued. President and Mrs. F. O. Winslow with the speaker of the evening Rev. A. A. Berle of Brighton will receive from 7.30 to S.00 o’clock at which hour the lecture will occur. Rev. Mr. Borle has taken for his subject, “Literary Habits and Selection.” Mrs. Grace C. Brown of Dedham will render a couple of solos, an orchestra under the direction of Mr. B. Colburn will play during the reception. The club expects this to be one of the most attractive receptions ever held under its auspices.

About forty friends and members of the Methodist church met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Beck on Washington Street last Wednesday evening to enjoy the delights and pleasures of a church social. The gathering was composed of a great many young folk, with enough of the older ones to temper the festivities and games. A splendid time was enjoyed by all amid games, music and reading. Miss Pettay rendered several selections with grace and feeling. Mr. Fred Murdoch played the harmonica to the delight of all present, and a bountiful supply of ice cream, cakes and cocoa came at the end of the evening’s pleasure to show the appreciation of the host and hostess toward the select company gathered beneath their roof. The proceeds of the social went toward the church funds.

The Victor Co/Tco is the kind that suits.

“I’ll meet you in the lunch cart,” is the latest about town.

How welcome was the blessed rain on Tuesday. Nature’s watering cart cannot be duplicated.

The members of Bclfanco Commandcry U.O.G.C. visited Needham Commandery last Monday evening and were royally received.

The owner of the stores in the Conger b ock building will illuminate their Places of business with Chinese lanterns on Tuesday and Wednesday evening during the holding of the May Festival.

A number of Norwood young folks will attend the dance to be given by the A. O. U. W. in Lower Odd Fellows’ Hall Alassapoag Block, Canton, next Wednesday evening.

J.W.Conger will open his new stock of suits and shoes in his new store about the first of next month. The store is being fitted up. A private office will be put m the rear of the store.

All bicycle riders wishing to avail themselves of the privileges of membership in the L. A. W., on May 30th, at Cambridge, can obtain membership tickets from A. T. Harriett, local consul for the League.

The Norwood Stars will contest in a friendly game of baseball with the newly organized club of Y. M. C. A. members, on the Everett school grounds this Saturday morning. There will be lots of fun and excitement, as the clubs arc pretty evenly matched.

On Friday of last week little Mary Brennan, the eight-year-old daughter of Edward and Mary Brennan, died at the home of her parents, from enlargement of the liver. The funeral was held on Saturday and the body placed in the receiving tomb to wait later interment.

H. W. Barrett has opened a bicycle shop in the building rear of Mrs. Bucknam’s cottage on Washington Street He has several makes of wheels in stock, but the “Rambler” is the leader. Those quarters will be the rendezvous for the wheelmen in town.

Last Sunday evening members of the fire department turned out in full force to attend divine worship at the Baptist church. The service was of an interesting character and the pastor spoke upon subjects relative to the work of firemen as protectors of our homes.

Fred Murdoch has accepted a position w,th Messrs. Sawyer A Reed, grocers and provision dealers of Somerville. He leaves town on the last of the month to enter upon his new duties. Mr. Murdoch is a young man of sterling qualities and will be much missed among his large circle of friends, all of whom wish him enlarged prosperity in his new field of labor.

There will be a barrel of fun at the Mock Court Trial on Tuesday evening next in Village Hall when a prominent citizen will be tried for the purloining of a fine Plymouth Rock rooster. Don’t fail to attend If you want a good laugh. The Judge, Jury, and Witnesses will be composed of well-known townsmen. It is expected that a well-known and respected clergyman will be accused of the theft. Tickets, with reserved scats, for sale at Thompson’s Drug store.

The transformation of an old street car into a handsome night lunch cart ins been accomplished by C. A. Hubbard the enterprising butter man of this town. It is truly a very useful and neighborly institution. It locates itself on Wasiungton street near the Y. M. C. A Rooms, and opens for business every evening from seven o’clock until midnight. Mr. Hubbard did the work himself in fitting up the interior of the car and dispenses tea, coffee, sandwiches, pies, doughnuts, cigars, ice-cream; in fact all the regulation bill-of-fare found in a first-class night lunch cart. It is an excellent thing and deserves added momentum to push tt along.

A dead horse can draw a large crowd of sight-seers. On Monday morning last the horse of fruit huckster, hailing from Franklin or thereabouts yielded up the ghost and laid down weary of life. The animal had been too far having boon to Boston in the morning and reached as far as this town on its return. The horse was put in the field adjoining Morgan’s livery stable during dinner time when it was taken with a stoppage and died shortly after. The removal of the body was undertaken by Lawrence Tisdaio. This was witnessed by a large number of people, and proved an interesting scene. Its final resting place was a matter for conjecture, but there is no doubt it was well looked after.

The Norwood Bicycle Club.

The organization of a local bicycle club is a step in the right direction. With the large number of riders in town there should exist no reason why such a club should not prove a great success. In union there is strength. Each town and city has its local club, made up in part of members of the L.A.W.. and the strength of this organization, in its agitation for bettering and improving the roads of the state, must lead to good results. There is work for a local club to do apart from the social or business side of its character, and the members of this club can assist in improving the condition of the roads and in upholding and furthering the true spirit of sport among the townspeople. We are glad that such an organization has come amongst us, and we trust it is here to stay. The encouragement of all forms of legitimate sport that inculcate the lessons of physical development and help in making true manhood, is a part of every citizen’s work, and should receive the attention it deserves. Here’s success to the Norwood Bicycle Club.

Our Local Band.

Next week our townspeople will be favored by hearing the popular airs of the day played by our local band at Prospect Park. The series of open-air concerts begins on Thursday evening, and it is safe to predict that should the weather prove fine there will be a large attendance. The popularity of our band has increased, and its fame is not confined to our own borders. The residents of Dedham, West Dedham, Walpole, and East Walpole will be pleased to hear that the concerts are to begin, for these good folk are fond of good music, and the delightful strains of melody such as our band creates, always draws them. Norwood has reason to feel proud of its band, and to rejoice in its success. It is due to the townspeople to help patronize and support such a creditable local organization as the band has proved itself to be. Under the able and efficient leadership of Bernard F. Colburn, who has given his time and talent to this work. The band has made great progress, so that today its record stands high among similar organizations throughout the state.

Memorial Day Observance.

It is sincerely hoped by members of the local Post and by others who respect and revere the memory of the honored dead, that our townspeople, especially the younger portion of them, will endeavor to observe the day in a fitting manner, and as far as possible abstain from taking part in sports or games during the exercises of the morning. It is customary for all good, law-abiding citizens to pay their respect to the soldier dead, and to this end, we ask our good people to take notice of the request which, coming from department headquarters of the G. A. R., is worthy of attention. That one day in the year should be set apart sacred to the noble deeds and heroic valor of those who perished in the fight for country, is creditable to the nation, and shows that every heart beats true to the glory and honor that the great conflict brought. It is in the local observance of the day by each town and city, aye, by each home and fireside, that its hallowed memories can be made effective, and amid the peace of the present, our hearts can go out in sorrow for the sleeping comrades who lie in the silent city of the dead.

The superintendent of the schools is very anxious that the parents observe the standing of the children in the schools as indicated on the monthly deportment cards. These cards indicate pretty clearly the pupil’s chance for promotion. It is hoped that the parents will promptly sign these cards when presented by the children, and return them to the teachers in order to promote mutual cooperation and assist the work of the teacher in educating the children entrusted to their care. These report cards have worked to good advantage, but the hearty co-operation of the parents is necessary to make it what the superintendent desires it should be,— a means of bringing the parents into closer connection with the school and its work.

IMPORTANT TOWN MEETING.

The Watering: of the Streets and the Question of a Public Park Settled.

The town meeting called for Wednesday evening in Village Hall drew out a large attendance of citizens. Hon. W.E. Locke was conspicuous by his absence, and not being found in town the business of the meeting had to go forward without his guiding hand. Several nominations for moderator were made, but the gentlemen declined, until the chairman of the selectmen, F. A. Fales, was nominated; and elected.

There were only a few articles on the warrant, but they were items of interest to every taxpayer and provoked much discussion.

Article 2, Foundry Street as laid out by the selectmen, was accepted, and a sum of $450 was appropriated to build the same and pay land damage. This is a very important improvement and will make this street equal in width to that portion built by the railroad in the completion of the grade crossing at Norwood Central.

Article 3 brought out considerable discussion, as it is a matter of importance to the townspeople at large. H. B. Baker, who always has an eye open to the saving of money for this town, moved that Chapter 186 of the Acts of the Legislature for the year 1895 be accepted by the town, and that one-half the expense of watering the streets be borne by the abutters and one-half borne by the town.

It was moved in amendment that the whole expense be borne by the abutters. and after much debating pro and con the amendment passed, 48 to 33.

The matter of appropriation then came up and much talk was indulged in until the moderator set things right by explaining that it was necessary to appropriate a certain sum so that the work could be gone on with. On reconsideration of the previous motion, it was finally voted to appropriate $600 for the purpose of watering the streets. This vote passed, 47 yeas, 5 nays.

Article 4 furnished a theme which brought out some sharpshooting and the mettle of the oratorical citizens was stirred up quite lively. On the question of purchasing the Hoyle land, so-called, for a public park, there was some diversity of opinion, but the sense of those present seemed to favor it. The report and recommendation of the Park Commissioners that the land be bought at a sum of $8500 set the ball in motion, and several well-known citizens expressed themselves upon the subject. Messrs. J. A. Hartshorn, J. M. Folan, M. H. Howard, H. M. Plimpton, E. J. Sliattuck, J. C.Lane and others spoke quite eloquently in favor of the town accepting and purchasing this lot. It was the opinion of some that the price set by the commissioners was somewhat high, but after the subject was thoroughly exhausted the recommendation of the commissioners was accepted, and in addition it was voted to not only appropriate $8500, but also $625 for the Douglass lot, so called, and $875 for the Fisher lot, making in all $10,000, which amount was to be expended under the direction of the park commissioners. It was also voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $200 to pay interest on the loan of $10,000. The voting was in most cases almost unanimous. Thus the question of a park for the town is settled, and very wisely, too.

Under Article 5 $800 was appropriated to widen and extend Day Street as laid out.

(Originally published in the Norwood Advertiser and Review)