This Day in Norwood History-Talk Of The Town-September 16, 1904

These news items were the talk of the town on September 16, 1904

A Frightful Accident.

Miss Ethel Murphy had her hair caught between two cogs, in a point folder at the Fleming bindery on Friday morning of last week. The machinery was at once stopped and Miss Murphy rescued as soon as possible from her perilous position. The accident was a particularly frightful one to look upon. The young lady’s injuries appear to be much more serious than was at first reported. Some of her hair was literally torn from her head. There was a severe injury to the scalp and it has been feared that the brain is affected.

Big School Attendance.

Superintendent Hobbs has kindly furnished us some interesting statistics of school attendance as taken on opening day in the several school buildings:

This total attendance we believe is the largest ever recorded in Norwood schools on the first day of the fall term.
Interesting Lecture.

There was quite a large audience to hear the lecture given by George W. Nead at the Swedish Baptist church last Saturday evening. The lecture was given without the views and close attention was held by the speaker throughout the lecture. The subject was the ‘‘History of our Bible.” Rev. Mr. Nead spoke also ill the same pulpit last Sunday evening on the subject “Man’s First Duty.” Ho will preach in the same place next Sunday evening at 7 o’clock. All are invited.

Collided With An Auto.

While Thomas Balfour was driving home from Cambridge last Saturday dragging home a new wagon for Balfour A Blackwood, he encountered, in Islington, a number of automobiles. Mr. Balfour and George Odenwalder were seated in a democrat wagon and had just avoided one “horseless carriage,” when another machine quite unexpectedly came dashing into them. The democrat wagon was badly smashed and Balfour was badly injured in the leg. Odenwalder escaped injury. It is claimed that the automobile had no lights and did not stop after the accident occurred.

Remembered

Tiot Lodge, 1. 0. O. F. has presented to Winslow Faunce, who for some 12 or 14 years, was the recording secretary of the lodge, a very handsome gold watch charm and Odd Fellows jewel. From the charm is pendent a Maltese cross in the center of which is engraved a book of records over which is placed a quill. On the four sides of the cross are the emblems of the order. Mr. Faunce was compelled to resign his office some time ago owing to the fact that his business duties led him to change his residence to Hartford, Conn.

A Heavy Rain

After a very long spell of dry weather, the weather conditions became unsettled this week with some showers. On last Wednesday night came the heaviest cloud bursts of rain ever known here. During the night the downpours sounded like successive claps of thunder. It is estimated that between midnight and 7 o’clock this morning at least three inches of rain fell. People on arising yesterday morning would not have been surprised to see rivers Rowing in the streets. It was not quite so bad as that, but the streets had been badly flooded. The gutters were demoralized and in places deep gullies were washed out on the side of the road, and sand and gravel washed onto lawns and Pont yards. Near the watering trough in front of Folan’s shoe store there was a perfect lake of water. The road near the first high bridge was so covered with sand and gravel as to be for some time practically impassible. The service on all three of the electric railways was badly crippled by washouts of sand and gravel and flooded tracks till about 8.30 yesterday morning. At that hour the first car from Canton came through. The Old Colony had had cars passing between East Walpole and Norwood by 7 o’clock but the service was demoralized and it was impossible to run cars on the usual time till about 8.30 o’clock. Of the three the Norfolk A Bristol seems to have had the best luck. The wind which had blown fiercely during the night died down in the morning hours and the rain had considerably abated in fierceness. By 9 o’clock the sun came out for a time though the weather continued unsettled.

Tabard Inn Library.

People who have been subscribers to the Tabard Inn Library are informed that their subscriptions still bold and that they can continue to use the library without additional cost beyond the five-cent fees for exchanging books. P.B. Thompson now has the library in his exclusive charge, but books can be exchanged at other agencies, and the rule, once a member always a member, holds good. Mr. Thompson is not making an especially paying investment of the library, but feels that he is doing a good deal for the pleasure and intellectual culture of the people in maintaining it.

A Deserved Tribute.

Appropriate resolutions of respect were lately presented to Henry A. Stone by Nahatan tribe, I. O. R. N. Mr. Stone lately resigned the position of chief of records of the tribe, a position which he has held with honor and efficiency for twelve years. His resignation was compelled by sickness in his family.

Sudden Death.

Frank W. Jordan, a well-known local barber was discovered on a lounge by his wife and daughter last Monday morning in an unconscious condition. Attempts to awaken him failed and death had evidently ensued during the night. A view of the remains was taken by Dr. Hodgdon of Dedham. Death probably came from convulsions and heart trouble. The deceased had not been in the best of health for some years. He was a native of Maine but a camo hero from Philadelphia some eleven years ago. For some seven or eight years he had conducted a popular barber shop on Railroad Avenue. He was a man of very bright and inventive mind but like most inventors, his ideas did not bring him in much pecuniary profit. He could turn his band to a number of skillful trades and originated several useful inventions. A widow and several children survive him. Funeral services last Tuesday afternoon were conducted by Rev. George W. Nead. A goodly number of friends wore present to testify their sympathy with the bereaved family. There were beautiful and appropriate floral tributes. Interment was at Highland Cemetery.

Improvements In Masconic Hall

The great improvements which Orient lodge, A. F. and A. M. is now making in Masonic Hall, are beginning to assume shape, though it will be several weeks before they are fully completed. The lodge is to put in a very handsome new carpet, new gas fixtures with a new switchboard, and has already had a great deal of work done in neat and artistic frescoing, including a painted curtain which is a marvel of beauty and realism. Some 80 globes and fixtures for incandescent electric lights have also been put in around the ceiling. There are those who believe that the town will adopt an electric, lighting system before many years are over, and the lodge may conclude to wait till this introduction of the new system before using the electric light fixtures. The chandelier in the centre of the ceiling is to ultimately come out. The new fixtures are set about the sides of the hall. The hall will be so changed when the arrangements are completed, that members may be a little in doubt where they are at, when they first enter it. The new organ will, however, be the great feature of the improved hall. It is a Cole organ, a ten-step, two-manual pipe organ, with 61 notes from c. c. to c. 4. It is a full pipe organ with combined arrangements for swell organ and great organ effects. It is set in a walnut case with a gold front. The inside of the console is of mahogany. The organ has a stop diapason of 8 feet treble, a stop diapason of 8 feet bass, a flute of 4 feet, an aeoline of 8 feet and a Geigoen diapason of 8 feet. The great organ has a gemshorn of 4 feet, an 8 top diapason of 8 feet bass, a melodía of 8 feet, an open diapason of 8 feet, and, on pedal organ, a 6 foot Bourdon. The couplers swell to pedal, the great to pedal, the swell to great. The organ is provided with a swell fold shoe and is a 30-note pedal. The organ is blown with a practically noiseless, self-regulating water motor and the arrangement is singularly perfect. The cost of the organ will be between §1,200 and §1,500. There are a number of other improvements which will be made in the hall and probably only a portion of these will be made at the present time. The sum of §3,000 will be expended on the improvement.

WILLIAMSON-STREETER

Robert Russell Williamson of Norwood was married on Wednesday evening last to Miss Sarah Alice Streeter of Johnstown, N. Y., the ceremony taking place at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. George A. Streeter of North Melcher Street in the city above named, Mr. Willliainson was formerly a resident of Johnstown and the wedding is the sequel to an attachment of many years’ standing. A number of prominent Norwood young people went out to Johnstown to attend the wedding. The affair was preceded by a number of auto-nuptial events which are noted elsewhere. The wedding itself was carried out in fine style and with admirable taste. The house was beautifully and elaborately decorated. A canopied way from curb to veranda, gave shelter from the falling rain. Festoons of green were everywhere relieved by pink and white. The balustrade, mantles, arches, and doorways were banked with palms and ferns and every conceivable spot had its quota of vines and flowers. The bride’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Streeter, and the groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Williamson of Norwood, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Williamson, received the guests.

The bridal party entered from the hallway. As they passed through the parlors, the ushers, Lawrence W. Huse, Charles E. Stowart and Harry F. Allen, all of Norwood, and Dr. George L. Streeter, the bride’s brother, opened the aisle of white ribbon. The groom was attended by Henry W. Stone of Norwood. The bridesmaids were Miss Effa H. Spencer of Gloversville. N. Y., Miss Marion Williamson of Norwood, sister of the groom, Miss Grace Cook of Canajoharie, N.Y. and Miss Ruth Nellis of Johnstown. Each of the bridesmaids wore a pink flowered organdie and carried shower bouquets of sweet peas. The maid of honor was Miss Lucy Burr of Bangor, Me. She was gowned in white organ-din over pink silk and carried maiden hair fern. The bride’s presents to her attendants were gold cuff pins. The gown of the bride was white crepe do Paris, trimmed with duchess lace. She wore a veil of tulle and orange blossoms, and the groom’s present, a pearl brooch. Her bouquet was bride’s roses and lilies of the valley. The ceremony was performed in the bay window of the back parlor, by Rev. Charles McKenzie, the bride and groom each giving a ring. Congratulations followed the ceremony, and after the dinner had been served by Wright, the bridal party being seated in the dining room. The largo veranda afforded opportunities for delightful promenades, and the residence of Mr. W. C. Hackney, adjoining, was utilized by the gentlemen who smoked. The treasure chamber contained many costly and beautiful gifts. There was a complete set of silver, and another of china, there was cut glass, pictures, bronzes, linen, a French clock, artistic glassware, rugs and money. Shortly before midnight Mr. and Mrs. Williamson loft on a wedding tour that will cover several weeks, in the course of which they will spend some time at Lake Mohun in the Catskills. They will be at home at Norwood, on November 5th and 12th. Mrs. Wiliamson is the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Streeter. She is a graduate of Vassar College and has many friends. Mr. Williamson is head clerk and one of the principal business managers for the firm of T. O. Metcalf & Co., Boston. Ho is a very popular young man in Norwood and a leader in social movements and organizations among the young people of the town. There were two hundred guests present at the wedding. Many friends here and in New York state will extend congratulations to the bride and groom.

McDONOUGH-FLAHERTY.

Miss Norn Flaherty of Dedham and Patrick McDonough of Norwood were married Wednesday afternoon at 5 o’clock in Dedham by Rev. Fr. Fleming of that town. Miss Elizabeth Flaherty, sister of the bride was bridesmaid and Walter McDonough, brother of the groom was host man. The happy couple held a reception and wedding supper at their now Norwood home on Nahatan Street Wednesday evening. Wedding presents were numerous, beautiful and valuable. There was a large attendance from out of town. After a short wedding trip to Newport the happy couple will reside in one of the Edward Fay houses on Nahatan Street.

Before the Wedding

In connection with the Williamson-Streeter wedding this week Miss Ruth Nellis of Johnstown entertained the bridal party with an antenuptial reception, Monday evening. Progressive hearts was the game of the evening. The prospective bride, Miss Streeter, won first ladies’ prize, and Henry Stone of Norwood, best man won the first gentleman’s prize. A lino collation was served. The rooms of the Nellis’ residence were beautifully decorated. On Tuesday evening the night before the wedding, the bridal party were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Pimdie at Hillabrand’s hotel, Sammonsville N. Y. where a delightful chicken supper was served in true New York state style. The party numbered sixteen and the whole outing including the drive home over an old plank and will long be remembered.

Mrs. Watson Sentenced.

Mrs. Mary Watson of Norwood came before Judge Sherman of the Norfolk Superior Court for sentence last Wednesday. Mrs. Watson resided for a time on the old George H. Morrill’s place, which she rented from an out-of-town cooperative bank. While a resident at the place mentioned, she was arrested for illegal liquor selling, was tried in Dedham for a the alleged offense, and acquitted. While the evidence against her had apparently some weak points, her own testimony got her into trouble. She swore so positively that she had never bought or received any liquor which she could keep for sale from any expressman or other person, that the police looked the matter up, and, it is said, established beyond question that her statements were utterly false. They accordingly procured her indictment for perjury. Hearing that the officers of the law were again on her trail, Mrs. Watson made a hurried departure from Norwood. Some months after, she was arrested in Lynn on the charge of perjury committed at Norwood, Dec. 11, 1903. A few days ago she plead guilty to the offense charged, and was sentenced to six months imprisonment in Dedham jail. When the sentence was pronounced, Mrs. Watson’s daughter, Mrs. Mary Lado, of Heath Street, Roxbury, who was in the courtroom, fell back fainting.

(Originally published in the Norwood Advertiser and Review)