Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go way back to 1898.
President William McKinley signed a joint Congressional resolution demanding Spanish withdrawal from Cuba, marking the U.S. entry into the Spanish-American War. Annie Oakley wrote a letter to President McKinley “offering the government the services of a company of 50 ‘lady sharpshooters’ who would provide their own arms and ammunition should war break out with Spain.”
German company Bayer began selling heroin as a pain reliever and cough suppressant. Consumers were told that the new drug was both safe and effective.
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Wednesday, April 20, 1898
Historical Tree
ANSONIA – When the old state house on the green in New Haven was torn down several years ago, a thrifty young elm tree was found growing in a cleft of the building over the portico. Fred A. Lines, of Mott Street, was present when the little tree was taken out and secured it. From motives of curiosity, he brought it home and planted it in his yard. It thrived and grew up to be quite a tall tree but had become somewhat crooked.
In order to save it and secure a shade for his house in the years to come, Mr. Lines had the tree transplanted. The tree is now growing near the curb surrounding the triangular plot at the junction of Cottage Avenue, Mott and West streets, facing Mr. Lines’ house, and it promises to develop into a strong, handsome tree in time to come.
Another Gun Order
DERBY – The Driggs-Seabury Gun & Ammunition Co. has received another large order from the war department. It is for 100 rapid fire guns, with mounts and ammunition, at a cost of $800,000. This makes a total of government orders amounting to $1,200,000 secured by the company.
Twenty of the new guns will be six-pounders, a size never before used in the army. They will fire thirty aimed shots a minute.
Has Raised The Bell
SEYMOUR – The bell in the tower of the Citizens’ Engine house on Factory Street has at last been raised, Contractor Thomas Sharpe doing the work. At a meeting of the company a few months ago, they decided to appoint a committee to see about having the job done. The matter was reported to Chief Engineer Swan and after he had investigated, he decided that the bell should be raised.
It is now about a foot and a half higher than it was and it is believed that it will give better service.
To Patrol Housatonic
SHELTON – The parties who delight in poaching shad in the Housatonic River are likely to come within the range of a vigilant eye, as Deputy Fish Warden Plumb, of Stratford, who has been notified by the fish commissioners of Hartford to keep a special watch for Saturday night law breakers during the shad season.
The authorities have determined to make an example of persons who set nets in the Housatonic River in violation of the law.
Thursday, April 21, 1898
Fell From Step Ladder
ANSONIA – E. A. Walker suffered a bad fall while at work about his home on Howard Avenue Wednesday, which sprained his hand so severely that it will cause him trouble the next few days. He was descending a step ladder when some portion of it gave way and he was thrown to the ground, striking his left hand on a water pail standing nearby.
The Circus In Town
DERBY – Goodrich’s Circus is in town today and the usual gathering of small boys watched the erection of the tents on the meadows this morning. The show travels by wagon entirely and came here from Bridgeport. This year, it is larger than when here previously and has added another tent and a side show.
An Old Tree Gone
SEYMOUR – The big tree that has stood for years beside the railroad tracks in front of the Canfield building on Main Street, was cut down this morning by the employees of the railroad company, as it is on the site of the new depot.
War News At Library
SHELTON – The reading room of the Plumb Memorial Library is crowded every evening, of late, the demand for daily papers being great. The war news is eagerly read, there being numbers waiting for their turn at the papers continually. The reading room is being more appreciated at this time than ever before, and Shelton people are kept well posted on the all the news of the day.
Friday, April 22, 1898
Clairvoyant “Javotte”
DERBY – The youngest clairvoyant palmist in the world is now located at No. 107 Olivia St., Derby. She will remain for a short time only. She tells the past, present and future, gives names and addresses and locates lost and stolen articles. Come and convince yourself.
Will Observe The Day
SEYMOUR – Copies of Governor Cooke’s proclamations naming next Friday as Arbor Day have been received in town. The children of the Seymour Public Schools have celebrated the day for several years past, and they will make preparations to fittingly observe it this year.
Busy At The Quarry
SHELTON – Up at the quarry of the Housatonic River Trap Rock Co., things are lively just now, as the company is trying to fill out some of their most pressing orders. They are pushing work to the utmost and are crushing stone at a rapid rate. The company has orders which will keep them busy for at least a year with their full capacity.
Saturday, April 23, 1898
McEnerney Now A Druggist
ANSONIA – James A. McEnerney, who for several years had conducted a drug store on Bridge Street, returned from New York City Friday, where he has been attending the New York School of Pharmacy. He passed his examinations, where were in progress during the past week, and received a diploma recognizing him as a competent pharmacist, his standing in the class, which was very large, being high. His studies in this college have kept him away from this city the greater part of the past year and a half, and he will now devote his entire time to his business here.
Javotte To Stay
DERBY – Javotte, the young clairvoyant, has been so successful in Derby that she has about decided to remain here permanently, making this her headquarters from which she will make short trips to neighboring cities. She has built up quite a clientage here, and is giving satisfaction, evidently.
A Tack Fiend At Work
DERBY – Some person, who is too mean to live, has strewn tacks on the road somewhere between here and Seymour, as Leon Dary has discovered to his cost. Two days ago, he rode his bicycle to Seymour and on his return picked up no less than seven tacks. One was in his rear tire, but six had entered his front tire, completely ruining it. The tacks were new and bright and had evidently been bought for the purpose.
Scarlet Fever Care
SEYMOUR – A case of scarlet fever was reported Friday, the sufferer being the child of Thomas Ryan, who resides on Grand Street. Health Officer Benedict took the proper course toward preventing the spread of the disease. There is another child in the family, but it has been removed from the house to that of relatives. The case is very mild.
Master Rolled In Dust
SHELTON – A Stratford fruit dealer caused some amusement on Howe Avenue Friday afternoon. He was leading a horse down the avenue when the animal became restive. The man, getting angry, began to twitch at the horse until finally the rope broke, letting the man fall in the dust, while the horse got free from restraint. The horse galloped down the avenue, turned down Center Street and then regaining the avenue by way of Bridge Street, ran to Farnham’s stables, where it awaited the arrival of its master, who chased it all the way. No damage was done to either horse or human.
Sunday, April 24, 1898
The Evening Sentinel didn’t publish on Sundays
Monday, April 25, 1898
Trouble Awaits These Boys
ANSONIA – The boys in the vicinity of the Biddy Lamb pond, on North State Street, have become a great nuisance to property owners in that section. They enter their yards and break fences and in various other ways annoy the residents. This has been going on for some time and property owners are now determined it shall be stopped.
Took Her To Her Friends
DERBY – Policeman Peter Daley, who was doing duty on the East Side Saturday night, found a Hungarian woman wandering about the streets and not knowing where she was to stay during the night. She came in on the 8:08 train and expected relatives to meet her at the depot, which they failed to do. The officer asked her where she was going and her response was a note she handed to him. The note read “Kindly show this woman to 74 Third Street, Derby.” Officer Daley took her to the address on the paper and left her happy among her friends.
Magnolias In Bloom
DERBY – It is well worth one’s while to take a ride on a west side car to see the magnolias in bloom along the line. At Michael Flaherty’s, there are two large trees on which the blossoms are nearly all out. A little ways above, D.M. Bassett’s trees, which have already won admiration from everybody, are as handsome as they have been in previous seasons and are laden with blossoms. There are two or three smaller trees in the parochial residence of St. Mary’s, which are now in bloom. On Atwater Avenue, there are also a number. In the yards of Mrs. Bedient, J. Newtown Williams and W.H. Williams, there are some fine specimens.
Few Flags Here
SEYMOUR – There are but very few American flags displayed about town, and everyone is asking everyone else why it is. The people have shown their patriotism on all events when Old Glory should be displayed, and all agree that there is no fitter time than now. Some drummers who were in town this morning, who have been in many of the towns in the Valley the past few days, said that nowhere were there less flags displayed than here, and they questioned many of the residents as to the reason.
A Well-Appointed House
SHELTON – The new house of A. Scarpa, built by the Hoyt Bros., is now nearly ready for occupancy, and Mr. Scarpa will move in sometime during this week. This is a model house of its kind with all modern conveniences, including dumb waiters connecting every floor.