Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1930, when Mickey Mouse’s pet dog, Pluto, was introduced and first appeared as a bloodhound in the cartoon “The Chain Gang.”
Speaking of famous cartoon characters, the caricature of a Jazz-age flapper, Betty Boop, also made her debut. A loaf of bread cost nine cents, the Chicago Crime Commission declared Al Capone as “Public Enemy Number 1” and the first transparent sticky tape, which later became known as Scotch Tape, was invented.
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Monday, Dec. 15, 1930
Prohibition Men Here
ANSONIA – A squad of federal prohibition men made another visit to Ansonia Saturday afternoon and in company with members of the local police force, descended upon five establishments in various parts of the city. In only a couple of places, it is said, was liquor found, but all of the prohibitors were reported to have received notice to appear before the United States commissioner in New Haven. The federal agents, it is said, have had undercover men working here for some time.
$2,000 Merchandise Is Loot In Howard & Barber Store Break
DERBY – Merchandise consisting of fur coats, ladies’ silk stockings and other dry goods, valued at $2,000, comprised the loot taken from the Howard and Barber company’s store late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
It was apparent from the manner in which the job was carried out that it was the work of an experienced gang.
More Gifts At Strand
SEYMOUR – Three more people will share in the gift giving days of the Seymour merchants, as a ton of coal, bushel of potatoes and 100 pounds of sugar were given at the Strand Theater.
It was the second award, and there was a large audience in attendance to learn who the recipients would be.
Much Demand For Liniment
SEYMOUR – Seymour druggists report that since the old-fashioned dance recently held at the Oxford Grange hall, local residents have purchased more bottles of liniment and alcohol rub than in previous years. This has caused the younger generation of the town to wonder whether it is because the elders by the rather strenuous dancing on that evening have become muscle bound or because they are lubricating their joints in preparation for the old-fashioned dance to be held at the hall on New Year’s Eve.
15 Freight Cars Derailed Near Boy Scout Camp
SHELTON – Fifteen cars of a freight train moving from Danbury to New Haven over the Berkshire division were derailed Saturday afternoon at a point in the flats near Camp Irving, the Boys Scout’s camp on Lake Housatonic. The cars ripped up more than 150 feet of rail as they left the tracks. Several of the cars toppled over and blocked traffic on the north line for several hours.
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1930
Teachers’ League Has $250 For Needy
ANSONIA – The Ansonia Teachers’ League held its December meeting last evening at Pine High School. Joseph Kiely reported on the success of theleague’s fund for the aid of the needy at Christmas, informing the teachers that $250 had been raised and will be used to purchase shoes for needy children.
Six Above Zero At the Coldest Spot In Derby
DERBY – Last night was by all odds the coldest of the season in Derby. The coldest spot during the early hours of this morning was the boat house on the Housatonic River, where a temperature of six above zero was reported.
Wins Ton Of Coal, Then Gives It Away
SEYMOUR – Being declared the winner of a ton of coal Saturday night at the Strand Theater in the gift giving days of the Seymour merchants, Arthur R. Osgood decided to share his good fortune with others. Having already secured his winters’ supply of coal, Mr. Osgood, when he was told that he had the coupon entitling him to the coal, said he would have the coal divided in half ton lots, and that these would be delivered to two worthy families.
Widow Of Civil War Vet Succumbs
SHELTON – Mrs. Josephine Osborne, 87, widow of Charles O. Morgan, a Civil War veteran, died yesterday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John E. C. Ledger, of Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, with whom she made her home. She is survived by another daughter, Mrs. William Brooks, of Shelton, three sons, John O. and William E. Morgan, of Whitman, Mass. and Charles C Morgan of this city and 27 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1930
Police Mystery
ANSONIA – A “no parking” sign, the property of the Ansonia Police Department, was taken from the city hall recently and Chief of Police John J. Mahoney is conducting an investigation into the mystery of its disappearance. The theft of the parking sign, which being a gift to the department, was highly prized, occurred last week.
Santa Coming to Capitol Theater
ANSONIA – Next Wednesday morning, the annual Christmas “kiddies” party will be held at the Capitol Theater under the joint auspices of the Warner Brothers, the Ansonia Rotary Club, The Ansonia Lions Club and the Ansonia Chamber of Commerce. The youngsters will be given tickets by Miss Mae Gaffney, school nurse. Santa Claus will be there in person and each child will be presented with candy.
Still Alarm
DERBY – The Storm Engine Company fire apparatus responded to a still alarm about 10:30 o’clock this morning, it being a call to a chimney fire located in the Gould armory building on Main Street. With the aid of hand extinguishers, the fire was easily extinguished with very little damage done.
Plenty Of Trees
SEYMOUR – There is an abundance of Christmas trees in town this year. At the present time, there are more of the trees on display on the sidewalks in front of stores on Main, Bank and Broad streets than were ever seen before.
Most of the trees now exhibited have come from the Maine woods and they are supposed to be of the finest for Christmas decorations.
Thursday, Dec. 18, 1930
Repairs Made To The High School Boiler
ANSONIA – Michael H. Scully, local plumber, yesterday repaired the leaking tube in the boiler at the Ansonia High School and the school was well heated when the pupils returned to classes this morning. Because of the leak, there was no session at the school yesterday. Tomorrow’s session will be prolonged to make up the lost work yesterday.
Looks As Though Derby Would Get New Post Office In Spring
DERBY – There are strong indications that construction work on Derby’s long awaited new post office building will begin early next spring. The arrival of Ernest G. Schurig, site agent of the United States Treasury Department and A. B. Shehan, inspector of the property for the post office department, in town yesterday, in connection with the purchase of a site for the new structure, shows that at last there is something definite developing concerning the actual building.
Repaired Door
DERBY – One of the large entrance doors to the Storm Engine Company, which was damaged last week when the apparatus collided with it, is undergoing repairs, the work being done by Riordan and Casey, local contractors.
Strand Theater Has Christmas Tree For Kiddies
SEYMOUR – Those entering the Strand Theater stop to admire the beautifully trimmed Christmas tree displayed in the lobby, its various colored lights and large star are illuminated to the fullest extent. Close inspection makes it plain that the gifts to be given to children on Christmas Day are of a large quantity and value. Children are welcome to inspect the tree and gifts whenever they are in the vicinity of the theater.
Post Office Ready For Holiday Rush
SHELTON – Everything is in readiness for the Christmas rush period at the local post office. The workroom has been put into shape to handle the extra volume of mail. Secondary distribution cases have been set up in order to speed up the handling of Christmas letters and cards.
Friday, Dec. 19, 1930
Pine School Boys Help The Needy
ANSONIA – The boys of the Pine High School celebrated Christmas yesterday by donating supplies for Christmas baskets to be given to needy families. Last year a sum of money was raised, but it was felt that times were too hard to make such a project advisable this Christmas.
Faculty and students responded generously to the plan and the senior committee in charge packed 18 baskets which were delivered by the boys during the afternoon.
Principal Harry E. Neville Granted Leave of Absence
DERBY –Harry E. Neville, principal of Irving School, has requested that he be given a leave of absence for a period of four months beginning in February.
The superintendent explained to the school board that Mr. Neville wishes to complete a course at Boston University so as to obtain a degree of bachelor of science next June.
Pickett’s Pond Unsafe For Skating At Present
DERBY – Officials of the Recreation Camp announced that Pickett’s Pond is unsafe for skating at the present time. There is scarcely two inches of ice there and one section of the pond is open water. It is not regarded as safe for skating until there are four inches of ice on the pond.
Skaters Are Numerous
SEYMOUR – Young people who are lovers of skating are now having a great time, as the sport is said to be at its best at the Paper Mill pond and also at Hoadley’s Pond. Since Monday there have been crowds each evening at the Paper Mill pond, which always furnishes the first skating of the season.
Hoadley’s Pond is also reported to be in good condition. The unusually cold spell during the early part of the week produced a fine quality of ice for skating.