This Day in Norwood History-Talk Of The Town-May 5, 1899

These news items were the talk of the town on May 5, 1899

Col. Curtis Guild, Jr., who will speak in the Universalist church next Wednesday evening, was on the staff of Maj. Gen. Fltzbugh Lee in the late war, and is now a prominent candidate for the Republican nomination of Lieutenant Governor.

Ground was broken for the new L. W. Bigelow’s. Sons’ building, under the direction of Contractor McCarthy, of Walpole, last Monday. Under the plans now contemplated the building will be not more than two stories in height, though another story may be added. The upper floor will be finished into offices. At first it was thought that there might be a hall in the building, but this has not yet been fully decided on.

A new house is being built on Cross street by Thomas Kanaly on land purchased from George H. Bateman. F. M. Douglass is the builder.

A wood fire which broke out last Saturday on land back of the residence of James Berwick, burned over some ten acres of woodland belonging to Mrs. Francis Doane, the Winslow heirs, the Gay heirs and others.

Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Howard of Chisholm, Me., are visiting friends in Norwood and the vicinity. They were former residents of this town and East Walpole, and Mr. Howard was for a number of years in the employ of Hollingsworth & Vose of the latter place. He now holds a good position in the mills of the International Paper Co., of Chisholm.

Go to the Baptist Vestry to the entertainment Thursday evening, May 11. Mr. Hunt will give selections on the graphophone and there will be other enjoyable
festivities.

Mrs. James M. Folan has returned from a week’s visit to her old home in Needham.

F. M. Douglass is contractor for a new dwelling house on Hoyle Street, which will be occupied by Daniel Kennefick.

Mrs. Thos. Gilling returned Monday from Boston, where she lias been undergoing treatment. It is hoped that Norwood air will soon restore her to perfect health.

“The History of the Sword” will be the subject of the address by Col. Curtis Guild, Jr., at the Universalist church next Wednesday evening, 8 o’clock.

Dr. F. M. Cragin has sold a parcel of land on the old Albert Morse estate to a Hyde Park gentleman.

Harry A. Hunt, recently of Norwood, has passed a successful examination as inspector of telephones for the Telegraph and Telephone Company.

Mrs. J. A. Lane of Boston is spending the week with Mrs. Geo. S. Winslow.

Mr. and Mrs. F. O. Winslow and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. F. Willett left for New York today and sail tomorrow from that port for England. Mr. and Mrs. Willett expect to be back by the middle of June, while Mr. and Mrs. Winslow will be gone a year or more, visiting Russia, Norway, Sweden, and other countries, before returning. May a successful and safe journey be theirs.

Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Allen went to New York City last Monday to attend the wedding of Miss Johnson, an intimate friend, in New Jersey.

A large gathering of the Literary Club met with President and Mrs. F. O. Winslow on Monday night to enjoy a delightful program and to wish the host and hostess bon voyage for their year’s absence abroad. Quotations worn on spring flowers. An interesting sketch of Russia was given by Mrs. Walter Berwick, while Mr. Berwick treated of Russian literature. After refreshments the second hour on Home Affairs, in charge of Mr. E. D. Smith, presented the following: Mormonism in the light of recent events, by Wm. Williamson; Mr. Geo. F. Willett gave a very interesting description of Mr. Arthur Allen’s patent to do away with the “make-ready” in printing. Miss Bascomb read several interesting selections. The next meeting wilL.be with Mrs. E. L. Bigelow on May 15th.

Col. Curtis Guild, Jr., will be a guest at the supper to be given at the Universalist church next Wednesday evening, 7.45 o’clock.

Edward Hunt of the Press is erecting a new house on Hoyle Street.

Warren F. Taylor, the champion long-distance bicyclist of this state, is arranging a century run, and a large number of local cyclists will participate.

John McGuire of Canton has gone to work for Robert Rogers.

Conductor Matthews of Cross Street has been on the sick list this week.

Oscar MacQueen has recovered from his recent illness and has returned to work.

Hollenbeck, the barber in Conger block, left town last Monday and has located in Boston.

Mrs. Fred Murdock of Somerville has been visiting relatives in town.

Martin Scherer has a new bicycle.

C. E. Smeltzer is about building a new house on Prospect Avenue.

Edward Albee has resigned his position at the Red Front grocery and is succeeded by Bert Rice, formerly employed at the People’s Market.

Ellis E. Smith, who formerly resided here, was in town last Sunday.

W. J. Murphy of Boston was visiting his father last Sunday.

Percy Wiswall, who has been working at Winslow’s tannery, has left town.

A number of Norwood cyclists will attend the road race at Randolph tomorrow.

Samuel Reed is building a house on Prospect Avenue.

Albert Clay has purchased a new horse.

Two carriages and five bicycles were demoralized on the willow road last Monday evening, the result of license in Canton.

Mr. Webber of the Sanitary department, has moved his family to the Sullivan estate on Winter street, which he has recently purchased.

John Nugent has a new horse.

William Braye is the proud owner of a new bike.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Nourse of Boston were in town last Sunday.

A. W. Corbett of Hyde Park has opened a bicycle store.in Hamlin block.

Mr. Tibler of, J- S. Cushing Co.’s force, has accepted a position in Boston.

John Donovan of the Press has been on the sick list this week.

Dr. and Mrs.L. H. Plimpton will sail for Europe soon.

Business is rushing at Plimpton’s bindery and more girls are being added to the force.

The iron foundry run by D. W. Dowd went out of existence this week.

St. Catherine’s T. A. and L. Society will put a strong baseball team in the field this year, and will probably make use of Prospect Park in place of the old Norwoods. The club will be composed entirely of Norwood players, and will make things interesting for lovers of the sport.

Charles Britton, who has been employed here for the past two years, by Adams Express Co., has been in Hyde Park for a fortnight, but returns to his old position here next Monday.

The electric car which leaves East Walpole at noon collided with the back of a cracker wagon near H. C. Babcock’s Red Front grocery, Wednesday, smashing considerable glass in the sides of the car and badly frightening the passengers. There is no blame attaching to either the motorman or the conductor.

Daniel Eckhardt, an employee of Winslow’s tannery, who has resided in Norwood for a number of years, died on Tuesday last, after a week’s illness with pneumonia. Deceased was a popular young man and a much-esteemed member of the Norwood Turnverein. His age was 30 years, 0 months, and 8 days. He leaves a wife and three children. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon and were conducted by Rev. C. F. Weeden. Members of the Turnverein attended in a body, and many fellow employees of the deceased were also present. The expressions of respect and grief were very general and sincere.

Dewey day was observed with a display of flags, the displays made by P. B. Thompson, James M. Folan, the Norwood Furniture Co., H. R. Ellis and S. D. Dean being most conspicuous.

George M. Lepper sold a good many damaged wheels taken out of the recent fire to Norwood small boys for half a dollar apiece, and the youngsters have been more happy over their purchases than have parents and guardians who have been made rather weary with the rattle of the dislocated cycles.

Teachers and pupils were greatly pleased with last week’s minstrel show by the Junior class of the High school, and it is the opinion of some who attended that, taking it for all in all, it was about the best local minstrel show that has been given in Norwood for many years. None of the jokes were offensive, and many of the local hits were decidedly original and clever. That it was a decidedly creditable effort of the young people and that great praise is due to Misses Clark and Niles and Messrs. Alden and Rich for their able efforts, everyone admits. The High school has shown its ability to give a first-class entertainment in this line, and coming efforts by our young people in the same direction will be enthusiastically received.

The lawns and flower beds of St. Catherine’s church grounds, with their cross and circles of tulips, hyacinths, etc., never presented a more beautiful and attractive appearance than just at present.

Several of the gypsy moth commission people have been visiting Norwood this week and distributing some of their literature here.

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Metcalf are the happy parents of a baby daughter.

Selectman George H. Bateman has resumed the milk business in Norwood.

Samuel Drown Peck, father of Mrs. Charles L., Aldrich and grandfather of Mrs. Arthur Bateman, died at the home of his daughter on Washington Street on Tuesday last…. The deceased was a machinist by trade and a native of Rhode Island. His age was 82 years, 2 months, and 15 days. The cause of death was paralysis. Funeral services were held yesterday from the house of Chas. L. Aldrich. The remains will be taken to Uxbridge for interment.

Walter Beaumont, who has been a resident of Norwood for about a year past, and who is the father of several well-known Norwood residents, died suddenly of heart failure at his home on Washington Street, last Wednesday evening. He had been engaged in outdoor spring work about his place, and his sudden death was probably caused by becoming heated and fatigued. He was 68 yrs., 5 mos. and 10 days old. He was a cloth finisher by trade, but retired from active pursuits several years ago. He leaves a wife, three sons, and two daughters. He was a native of England. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon from his late residence.

Three new houses are to be built on the new street on the Bacon estate, the property now owned by Hosford, Billings & Paine of Boston.

George W. Wesley, formerly a popular foreman in the machinists’ department of the car shops, has lately been promoted to the position of assistant superintendent by his present employers, the Henry K. Worthington Pumping Engine Co., of Brooklyn, N. Y.

At the close of the routine work last evening the members of Neponset Lodge, No. 9, N. E. O. I, enjoyed a social and musicale, which included a fine collation.

The houses of F. A. Morrill, Dr. L. H. Plimpton, W. T. Whedon and Dr. L. F. Bigelow are being dressed in new coats of paint.

(Originally published in the Norwood Advertiser and Review)