Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1930. Chicago Tribune reporter Jake Lingle was shot and killed at the Illinois Central station in front of witnesses, allegedly over a $100,000 gambling debt owed to mobster Al Capone. The top songs were “Happy Days Are Here Again” and “Puttin on the Ritz.”
Fun Fact: William Howard Taft (1857-1930) was the last American president to have any facial hair.
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Monday, June 9, 1930
Circus Attendance Affected By Rain
ANSONIA – If Sparks’ circus ever comes to Ansonia again, it will be received with hearty acclaim by both old and young. The show is one of the best that was exhibited here in years, but the rain affected the attendance, and it is doubtful whether any money was made here.
The attendance in the afternoon was a large one, but in the evening, the rain kept many people away. Those inside the big tent did not mind the rain for the canvas is new and there were no complaints of leaks.
Fishermen Wage War On Worms
DERBY – With the heavy rain that fell during the night, followers of the Waltonian sport were joyous and up early today and engaged in a war on the night crawlers that made their appearance.
Derby has gone piscatorial. Never in the history of the city have so many amateur fishermen been ready and willing to raid the deep blue waters. A grassy lawn hasn’t any more chance of escaping the fishermen than its probably lone night-crawling inhabitant. A ruthless war is now being waged on worms and fish.
Seymour Corps Gets A Prize
SEYMOUR – The Legion Drum, Fife and Bugle corps returned home from the field day held Saturday in Terryville, having been given the prize for the largest number of members in line of any of the corps participating. The Seymour youngsters enjoyed the exercises greatly, although the rain interfered somewhat with the program that had been arranged.
Roaming Dogs
SHELTON – Dog Warden Robert Sykes has issued an order that the residents of Hillside Avenue will have to tie up their dogs. It is against the law for a dog to roam at large, but as a rule, the warden winks at minor infractions. However, the dogs on Hillside Avenue have become so bold that the neighbors are complaining and a wholesale round-up is to be instituted. Dogs found at large will be taken to the city pound where their owners can reclaim them by paying the usual fine and costs for allowing a dog to roam at large.
Tuesday, June 10, 1930
Stevens Installed As Lions President
ANSONIA – At the meeting of the Ansonia Lions Club this noon at Hotel Clark, John J. Stevens, principal of the high school, was installed as president of the club. William Platz, of the Ansonia Business College, was inducted as vice president and Jas V. Conklin, musical supervisor in the schools, as treasurer.
Largest Class To Receive Diplomas
DERBY – The largest class in the history of the Derby High School will be graduated at exercises to be held in the high school auditorium Thursday night. Seventy-one pupils who have successfully achieved the necessary marks will be awarded diplomas, making them graduates of the high school. The class president is Harry Lugg, the valedictorian, Miss Dorothy Beaver and the salutatorian, Hymen Webber.
To Show “Ben Hur”
SEYMOUR – At the community picture show to be given tomorrow evening at the Methodist Episcopal Church, “Ben Hur” is to be the feature picture. The securing of the picture at this time will no doubt be pleasing to many followers of screen pictures as efforts were made at least four tines to get it.
Aldermen Deny Vollaro’s Petition For Hill Street Store
SHELTON – The petition of Anthony Vollaro of Hill Street to erect a store next to his house was denied at a spirited meeting of the Board of Aldermen last evening in the council chambers of the city hall.
Wednesday, June 11, 1930
Ansonia Priest Assigned To Mission Work In South China
ANSONIA – Rev. Charles J. Murphy, who has been assigned to mission work in South China, is spending a portion of his time before he leaves for his field of labor at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Murphy of North State Street.
Father Murphy has a number of speaking engagements and colleges, among them being the Maryknoll Preparatory College near Scranton, PA, which he attended before beginning his studies for the priesthood.
Hard Times Prevented Yearbook Publication
ANSONIA – This year the senior class of the Ansonia High School will not publish a yearbook. Because of the fact that many pupils are hard pressed for money with which to meet expenses attendant upon graduation, and not a few parents are finding it difficult because of the industrial depression, to make ends meet, it was decided that the Class of 1930 would do without a yearbook.
Derby’s Air Marker Will Be Completed Thursday
DERBY – Derby’s new air marker, painted on the roof of the Loomer building Main Street, will be completed Thursday. The job was started Monday by Eugene J. Fitzpatrick, local sign painter, who was authorized to do the work. It is a large sign, the letters being 14 feet high and 8 feet wide with a stroke of 2 and ½ feet. It is 60 feet long and painted yellow. On the other side of the roof is a long arrow, 50 feet in length, painted yellow and pointing north. The sign will be clearly discernible at a height of 2,000 feet and will be a much-needed guide for airmen.
To Open Garage
SEYMOUR – William Fox, who for many years has been employed at Decker’s Garage on Derby Avenue, has decided to go into the business himself. He has opened a repair shop in the rear of the Williams’ service station on the Oxford Road. Mr. Fox has been known for years as a very good mechanic all through the Naugatuck Valley. He is a Seymour man, having been born and raised here except for the time he was in the U.S. Navy during the World War.
Highland Golf Club Grows Fast
SHELTON – The prosperity of the Highland Golf Club, which last year indicated a record year for the club in 1930, continues to grow. The membership of 125 is complete and a large waiting list is now in the hands of the secretary. Twenty-five members have joined since the first of the year.
Thursday, June 12, 1930
Frigidaire Won By Mrs. William Tyther
DERBY – Mrs. William Tyther of Derby Avenue won the Frigidaire, the award of Derby Gas and Electric Company offered in conjunction with the Commodore Hull Theater, and which was awarded in the theater last night. A capacity audience witnessed the event.
To Decorate Graves
DERBY – The graves of the deceased members of Ousatonic Lodge I.O.O.F. will be decorated tonight. Delegations of members will visit Oak Cliff and Riverside cemeteries for that purpose. On Sunday morning, the local lodge will join with Mechanic’s Lodge of Ansonia in holding memorial services in the old Colonial and Elm street cemeteries.
Auxiliary Gives $50
SEYMOUR – The American Legion Auxiliary has contributed the sum of $50 for the fund being raised for the care of Legion Park. The announcement was made known to the ones who are in charge of the arrangements at the park, and they were much pleased. Much interest is being shown by several of the organizations in the work and because of the real enjoyment that the park provides each summer for the youngsters in town, it looks as though the required sum for this year’s work would be forthcoming.
Friday, June 13, 1930
First Gift Night At Capitol Theater
ANSONIA – The first of the Merchants’ Gift nights at the Capitol Theater last evening attracted an audience that filled the playhouse. Over a dozen gifts selected from Ansonia stores were distributed to patrons, the list including a dinner set, porch glider, lawn mower and other things, all well worth possessing.
Overnight Hike
DERBY – The cubs of Troop 3 will take an overnight hike to Camp Irving Saturday leaving at 1:30 o’clock. Those planning to make the trip should take blankets and food sufficient for two meals.
Anthony J. Hope Re-enlists In The Navy
SEYMOUR – Anthony J. Hope, U.S.N. of Rimmon Street, reenlisted in the U.S. Navy yesterday at the Navy recruiting headquarters, New Haven.
Mr. Hope first enlisted in the Navy on June 26, 1924 after completing his training at Newport. He was assigned to duty on the battleship U.S.S. West Virginia. In June of 1926, Hope extended his enlistment for two years and received an honorable discharge on May 15, 1930, after serving nearly six years on the West Virginia.
While on the West Virginia, Hope has qualified as a diver and torpedo man.
Launched Boat
SHELTON – Henry Blackman launched his new 30-foot motorboat “Chum”
last night from Moulthrop’s Landing.