Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back 100 years to 1926. It’s when the vaudeville comedy duo of George Burns and Gracie Allen were married by a justice of the peace; Milton Supman, a.k.a. Soupy Sales, an American comedian, actor and radio-television personality, who became famous for his trademark pie in the face bit, was born and the top 3 baby names were Robert, John and James for boys and Mary, Dorothy and Betty for girls.
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1926
To Face Dark Cloud
ANSONIA – Pinky Silver, the flyweight champion of Connecticut, is all set for his bout Thursday night in Hartford with Dark Cloud, a formidable battler, who has the scalps of many leading scrappers hanging at his belt. Pinky is slated to travel eight rounds with Dark Cloud, the bout being destined to be one chock full of action.
Removing Decorations
DERBY – The merchants along the business section were busy yesterday and today removing the decorations of evergreen and other Christmas decorations from their stores. Many comments were made by many of the patrons concerning the show windows, which were decorated for the occasion.
Sliding Edict
SEYMOUR – First Selectman J.A. Griffith, through his office, issued an ultimatum forbidding children to slide on the town streets. One accident of more than minor nature occurred yesterday because of a youngster sliding in front of a five-ton coal truck of the Gilbert Company, of New Haven, on Franklin Street. The driver, in order to avoid hitting the child, swerved to one side sharply, applying his brakes and crashed into a telephone pole, breaking it off.
If the parents do not keep their children off the streets with their sleds, some child is sure to get hurt and the chances are it will be child’s fault.
Canadian Moose Head
SEYMOUR – A moose head in an open crate on the railway station platform attracted many spectators this morning. It was for B.H. Matthies, who shot the moose on his last trip to his Canadian camp. The head had been mounted by Fred Parke of Bangor, Maine and the
valuation on the shipping tag was $126.
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1926
Essay Competition For High Schools
ANSONIA – Students in the Ansonia High School have been given an opportunity to help themselves financially and at the same time win national honors through an essay contest on the life and work of Benjamin Franklin.
Mrs. Atwell Gives Interesting Talk
DERBY – The third in the very popular series of current events lectures by Mrs. Marion Gaylord Atwell of New York, under the auspices of the Woman’s Club, was given yesterday afternoon before a large and enthusiastic audience in Library Hall. Mrs. Waldo S. Kellogg opened the meeting and called attention to the musical by the Wesleyan Glee Club.
Mrs. Atwell began by referring to the various news accounts of the review of the last year and the past quarter of a century, which was generally agreed to be the most progressive in the history of the world.
Attracting Attention
SEYMOUR – The moose head received by B.H. Matthies yesterday and shot by him a short time ago in Canada, has been placed in the shop window of the Seymour Commerce Co. where it is attracting consideration attention.
Milk Distributors Must Have License
SHELTON – Milk distributors of this city are reminded that all those who produce or offer for sale any form of milk or ice cream are liable to prosecution if they fail to have a milk license. The new licenses are for 1926 and are now at the city clerk’s office. The city clerk reports that there are still a number who have neglected to renew their licenses and that if they are not secured within a few days, they will probably be served with a warrant for their arrest.
Thursday, Jan. 7, 1926
Capitol Theater Is Five Years Old
ANSONIA – Anniversary week at the Capitol Theater is being featured the last three days of the week by seven acts of a vaudeville. The artists who are to appear in the anniversary vaudeville offering arrived in town shortly before noon today and made ready to present an entertainment this afternoon that is expected to fill the theater every afternoon and evening for the rest of the week.
It is five years since the Capitol Theater opened. It is now an institution and one that has gained in popularity.
Local Officers Stage Big Liquor Raid, Aided By Federal Authorities
DERBY – Swooping down upon two alleged hootch joints yesterday afternoon, the Derby Police, assisted by five federal prohibition officers, arrested two men and took possession of a considerable quantity of liquor. The two men were arraigned in court this morning, both being charged with having liquor in their possession with intent to sell. The bonds in each case were fixed at $500, the cases being continued until next Tuesday.
Seymour, Too, Has A Cracked Bell
SEYMOUR – The ringing of the cracked bell, the most historic in American annals, Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA to usher in the new year, which was heard by many radio enthusiasts, brings to mind a bell right here in Seymour, which was also cracked at a memorable occasion. That is the bell of the Congregational Church on Broad Street. This was cracked when being rung following the announcement of the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee to Gen. U.S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, in 1865, the real deciding victory of the Unionists over the Confederates.
Many Went To Big Fire In Shelton
SHELTON – Flames ascending high in the air, accompanied by showers of sparks, were seen following the sounding of the Shelton fire alarm at 7 o’clock Wednesday evening, and attracted a large crowd to Perry Hill to witness the spectacular burning of the big Perry hay barn. Hundreds of automobiles and many on foot journeyed across the bridge from Derby, joining the crowds who were already at the scene of the fire.
Friday, January 8, 1926
Gets Raw Decision
ANSONIA – Pinky Silver, the flyweight champion of this state, who happens to hail from this city, gave Dark Cloud a boxing lesson last night and although he really won, the referee turned in a very unsatisfactory decision by proclaiming Dark Cloud the winner. Fans jeered and booed the verdict, it being quite apparent for everyone in the house that night Pinky had won.
Weather Man Sees Snow On Saturday
DERBY – While this Washington weather bureau says that there will be rain or snow on Saturday in this section, the Derby Neck weather prophet, who has been hitting the mark rather closely for the past week, says that Derby is to have some real winter weather. He predicts that there will be snow tonight and probably more on Saturday and says that the people will want to dig out their shovels, as the sidewalks are expected to be very slippery.
Successful Gridiron Hop
SEYMOUR – The first annual dance of the Riverside football team, held in Georges’ Hall last night, was a great success. The hall was crowded with dancers from all parts of the Valley. Brinkman’s Orchestra was at its best.
Renovations At Plumb Library
SHELTON – Work was begun yesterday at the Plumb Memorial Library where renovations are being made at the charging desk and in the reading room.
Saturday, Jan. 9, 1926
Tailor Shop Fire Started By Iron
ANSONIA – An electric iron left burning in the tailoring establishment of Ernest Soter and located over the Ansonia Public Market is believed to be responsible for the fire which swept through the establishment about 4 o’clock this morning, leaving in its wake damage estimated at over $6,000.
The flames were shooting out through the windows of the Soter establishment when the firemen arrived on the scene in an alarm that sounded from box 43, located at the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue.
Mantle Of White
DERBY – The Derby Neck weather prophet’s reputation is at its best after prophesying the snowstorm today. The weather forecast as predicted by the weather man has come a day earlier, as the snow was to have arrived Sunday. With the coming of the snow, which arrived this morning at 2 o’clock, the employees of the street department were busy clearing the crosswalks and a single-man plow attached to a horse was drawn through the various sections of the Derby green, making passageways for pedestrians.
Finishing Touches Being Put To New Eight Room School Addition
SEYMOUR – The Seymour people at least have something to rejoice over. They are soon to have one of the most complete school systems in the state. There will be no crowded rooms for years to come, no shortage of educational training because of lack of meeting space. Last, but not least, for the first time since committees have been given a certain amount of money with which to construct schools, the committee entrusted with erection of the eight-room addition to the Maple Street School has kept within the appropriation of $80,000.
Stork Makes 216 Calls Here In ‘25
SHELTON – Vital statistics for the year 1925 show that there were 201 births and 113 deaths. Statistics show that there were 216 births in all, with 15 still births. While 90 girls were born and 126 boys were born, the rate is considerably lower than in 1924, when there were 276 living births.