This Day in Norwood History-Talk Of The Town-September 1, 1905

These news items were the talk of the town on September 15, 1905

Boulter-Jonah.

Miss Catherine E. Jonah and Arte–mas B. Boulter of Walpole, were united in marriage last Monday evening, at 8 o’clock, by Rev. W. R. Vaughan, at his residence on Nichols Street. The affair was a very quiet one. as Mr. Boulter has just returned from the west where he has been for some months. The bridesmaid was Miss Jennie Hammond and the best man was Kenneth MacLellan. After the ceremony there was a reception at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Jonah, of Washington Street, Walpole, to which many friends were invited. Many beautiful and useful presents were received by the happy couple. They left on Tuesday, for a trip to Prince Edward’s Island, their former home.

Former Norwood Man Drowned.

Martin McDonough, of 545 East 5th Street, South Boston, was drowned near Governor’s Island, last Sunday morning. Mr. McDonough was very well known in this town, he having been employed by C. B. Horgan some time ago, during which time he attended the social events of the town. He was well liked by all who knew him and is survived by a wife and six-month-old baby. The unfortunate young man was one of a party of six in a dory, going to their camp on Governor’s Island, when the boat capsized. The rest of the party were rescued by John J. Gleason and Miss Bell, who were near at the time, but McDonough sank before they reached him.

Mr. Editor:
“The week of opening school is a very important one to fathers and mothers and particularly to the children themselves. No event is so universally known and none so generally realized ’as the one which calls our youth to the school-room. In preparation every household is in commotion, and every merchant is on his “taps” to replace the wearing apparel that has been used up during vacation.”

Such was the opinion of an intelligent old gentleman who, in spite of his years, still lives in the present and sees that modern improvements beat, by several laps, the old fashioned way of doing things.

“Things are different now from what they were when I attended school in the old Brick,” he continued. “We did not have the comforts and adornments which characterize the .schoolroom of today,—better by far than most of the children get at home. We purchased our own books and in every village there was a book store, whose proprietor welcomed the opening of school as no other tradesman did, because his profits were large, sales lively, and he could turn his capital quickly. We did not particularly like to go to school, but it seems to me that children nowadays really enjoy the forty weeks they are under discipline of teachers. They are certainly more interested in their work than I used to be. This fact may be accounted for in several ways, one being a very radical change in the system of teaching which interests the child and make him master of elementary knowledge almost before he is aware of it. We have a superintendent these days who is trained in the new methods, keeps in touch with teachers under him and sees that teachers are capable and doing their work well. Besides, he looks after the paraphnalia of the school room, keeping the same well supplied with books, maps, paper, pencils and ink. He also lectures to the teachers occasionally to enable them to have a better understanding of their work. But I find it is about as difficult to secure a good superintendent as it is a good teacher, and when you get a good superintendent or a good teacher it is difficult to keep them, for the reason that higher salaries are offered elsewhere and being ambitious in a mercenary sense they cannot resist a better offer, ¡and who blames them? I notice that the schools which stand the highest are those whose superintendent has been retained in that particular town for a long term of years. The towns with the best governed schools are those which do not often change school committees or superintendents. Time was, when the school committee ruled the superintendent, but now I believe the superintendent rules the school committee in so far as the practical workings of the schools are concerned, and why should he not? He is supposed to be an expert in the art of teaching, while men and women who constitute the school board are not, although they may be good business ¡men, lawyers, mechanics, and house-keepers. I must confess that I am not quite satisfied with results obtained in our schools. The grades, up to the ninth, are preparatory stops to the High school and I am told these grades are receiving every attention possible to make them thorough. A boy or girl who gets through these grades has got all the education he or she requires to get along well in life—much more than some of us got years ago, after going through the High school. Our schools seem to be all right up to this point, but ought we not to expect a little higher standard from the High school, considering the splendid equipment it has in teachers and apparatus? I want to see the high school turn out boys and girls who can pass examinations for admittance to any college in the land. It is doing it in some instances where the scholar is especially bright and works hard, but a large percentage of those who try for Harvard or Tech. fail. I have noticed that all High schools have this failing. It is not for me to say what the matter is, because I do not know. I may be wrong in criticizing the High school at all. For I am aware that they are doing something besides fitting young men and women for college. Scores of its graduates have taken either the English, Scientific or Commercial course, intending to stop right there. They have gotten out of the school all they expected, and those students are satisfied, but what about those who are seeking the higher education ?

“Well, sir, I find I am going deeper into the school question than was my intention at the outset of my talk. I really intended only to express some sentiments, appropriate to the opening of the schools, but now, you see I have lost my chance, for the band is playing the last number on the program, which is the signal to break away. Good night.”

LOQUAX.

Mrs. Rose M. Welsh.

Mrs. Rose Mary Welsh, wife of William P. Welsh, died suddenly at her home on Nahatan Street, Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the age of 47 years. Deceased was a native of New York City but had resided here since childhood. Her father was Henry Heyman, who formerly lived on Railroad Avenue near the Norwood station. She is survived by her husband and six children. Funeral services were held at St. Catherine’s church Thursday morning and were attended by a large number of relatives and friends. The interment was at Highland Cemetery.

George A. Smith of Railroad avenue, has returned from Hull, where he was employed in a grocery store. He will take a special course in the High school this fall.

Patrick Barrett has returned from Chicago, III., where he has been tending a convention of the electric moulders.

Four new monotype machines have arrived at the Norwood Press and being placed in position. When work is completed it will make eight machines which have recently been installed.

Miss Blanche Ross has returned from her trip to Gardner.

Donald G. Barr, assistant foreman at the Norwood Press, has returned from his annual vacation.

Rev. Arthur Howe Pingree returned from the Russ Island Camp last Saturday evening.

UNCLAIMED LETTERS.
Unclaimed Letters for the week cd ing Aug. 25, 1905.
Mrs. Lucy M. Phelps, 5-10 Washington St.
Mr J. Manning,
Mr. Harry McKendrick,
Mr. J.C. Morris,
Mr. F. Wiktor Nybuin
Mr. Juss T.Perry,
Joseph N. Trainor, 18 Day St.
F. A. FALES,
Postmaster

(Originally published in the Norwood Advertiser and Review)