Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1916.
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Thursday, June 1, 1916
Delinquents Paying Up
ANSONIA – The personal tax demands sent out a few days ago by Tax Collector M.J. Cook are bringing results and many delinquents called at the office the collector last night to settle up. The collector kept his office open until late in the evening. Those who have neglected to pay the tax should do so at once, as warrants will shortly be issued for the delinquents.
Mrs. Strakosch’s Will; Famous Singer Left Personal Estate Said To Be Worth About $300,000
DERBY – A New Hartford dispatch contains information concerning the will of Clara Louise Kellog that will interest Derby people. The dispatch says: “The will of Clara Louise Kellog Strakosch was admitted to probate by Judge Frank L. Whitney today. The value of the estate is not indicated but her jewels, which were the gift in many instances of royal personages in Europe, are said to have a value of approximately a quarter of a million dollars.”
The personal estate is said to be worth from $100,000 to $200,000, which goes to Mr. Strakosch.
Tried To Get License
SEYMOUR – A young couple drifted into Seymour this morning and finally found their way to the town clerk’s office, where they made their wants known. They wanted to procure a marriage license, but owing to the fact that both parties were underage, they were obliged to go their way without the license.
Fishing In The Lake
SHELTON – The arrest of several men on Tuesday by Game Warden Charles H. Hall charging them with fishing in the Housatonic River during the season of restriction contains a warning for fishermen which it is best that they should heed before they find themselves in the clutches of the law. The game warden said there have been lots of complaints made about people fishing above the dam and especially on the Shelton side of the river.
Friday, June 2, 1916
Ansonia Opera House
ANSONIA – Lillian Walker, the beautiful leading lady, supported by Donald Hall, L. Rodgers Lytton, William Dunn and Wilfred North, will appear in “Mrs. Dane’s Danger” at the opera house, performing a four-part Vitagraph drama telling the story of Jasper Dicey, a “down and out” broker.
Elks’ June Fair
DERBY – Carpenters and workmen are busy at Page’s lot, putting up tents and building staging to accommodate the many attractions that will make up the carnival which the local lodge of Elks will conduct all next week.
Need Of Danger Signs
SEYMOUR – There are quite a number of curves and turns in roads about town where if automobile danger signs were placed, a number of accidents could be avoided. One place in particular, which is extremely dangerous to autoists, is near the junction of South Main and Pearl streets, as it is just about at the point that the trolley track crosses from one side of South Main Street to the other.
Oiling Of Streets Being Well Done
SHELTON – People are watching with interest the outcome of the oiling that has been done by Street Commissioner Charles H. Cook and the employees of the borough street department. It has not yet been completed but no more will be done until next week when several other thoroughfares will be similarly targeted. The center of interest seems to be Bridge Street and Howe Avenue, the important points in the borough.
Saturday, June 3, 1916
Father Seeks Girl Kidnapped By Brother
ANSONIA – Dissatisfied with the man his father had picked out as a husband for his seventeen-year-old daughter, Michael Panogrotia secured possession of his sister when she landed in New York City from Greece a few days ago and spirited her away. Nicholas Panogrotia, the father, has asked the aid of the New York and Ansonia police in locating the girl. The father is anxious to secure possession of the girl, but cares nothing for the son, who is said to be of legal age. Thus far no trace has been found of the brother and sister.
Grammar School Work
DERBY – Parents and friends of the children in the Irving, Franklin and Hawthorne schools of this city will have an opportunity next week of examining samples of the work that is produced by the pupils of the grades in the lines of arts taught in the grammar school, at an art exhibition which is to be given in Library hall every afternoon and evening of next week.
Seymour Furniture Co. Moves
SEYMOUR – The Seymour Furniture and Stove company, of which A. Konowitz is the proprietor, has taken possession of a portion of the store on Bank Street located in the Bassett block, formerly occupied by the W.L. Ward company. The main floor has been divided into two stores, the west side being occupied by Mr. Konowitz, who carries a full line of furniture, stoves and other useful household articles.
Big Night At Carnival
SEYMOUR – A scene of great activity marked this second night of the firemen’s big carnival which is being conducted on the Pines lot by Citizen’s Engine company, No. 2. Although the crowd was not as large as on opening night, the various booths and concessions were largely patronized.
The vaudeville tent proved to be quite an attraction. The show included comic and acrobatic performances by professional actors from New York who kept the audience amused.
Sunday, June 4, 1916
The Evening Sentinel didn’t publish on Sundays
Monday, June 5, 1916
Shore The Attraction
ANSONIA – The shore attracted a big crowd of Ansonians Sunday. The trolleys were crowded all day, Savin Rock and the Myrtle Beach section of the shore taking the largest number of local people. The crowd at the Rock yesterday is said to have been the biggest of the season thus far.
Elks Carnival
DERBY – A one week carnival will open tonight on Page’s lot off Seymour Avenue when the members of the Derby lodge, B.P.O.E., start off their gala event of the season. For the past few days, the lot has been the scene of bustling preparations, and at last, the many tents and booths are in place.
2,000 At Carnival
SEYMOUR – Saturday proved to be the banner night of the Firemen’s big carnival to date. It is estimated that there were at least two thousand persons on the grounds and adjoining streets. Autos were parked on both sides of the road extending from Broad Street to Derby Avenue. The booths and concessions were well patronized, and the attraction gives promise of being the most successful of any effort held under the auspices of the local firemen.
Tuesday, June 6, 1916
Lightning Strikes House
ANSONIA – During the thunder shower yesterday afternoon, lighting struck the chimney of the house at No. 5 Meadow Street, occupied by Prokop Opika and shattering a roof timber, setting fire to the building. An alarm was sent to Box 78, but the system was hit by lightning, and the Charters Hose company was summoned by telephone. The fire was put out by hand extinguishers. The damage done being under $100. The inmates of the dwelling were affected by the lightning but suffered no injury.
Lightning Burns Umbrella
ANSONIA – While Garrett Dalton was passing along Meadow Street yesterday during the storm, lightning set fire to an umbrella which he was carrying. Due to the electricity transmitted through the handle of the umbrella, Mr. Dalton could not let go of it and the cover burned off while he held it in his hand. Mr. Dalton’s hands were not burned.
Delayed Until Tonight
DERBY – The thunder shower which loomed up so unceremoniously yesterday afternoon drowned out all prospects of beginning the Elks’ six night carnival on Page’s lot last night, and incidentally disappointed hundreds of people who went to the lot in the evening with anticipation of enjoying opening festivities. No doubt many an Elk was tempted to say mean things under his breath after all his work of preparation, the weather stepped in with a death blow to the opening of his schedule.
Sells Auto Business
SEYMOUR – William T. Miles has sold his business of the Seymour Auto company to Roy and Marcus Hurlburt of Cornwall. Mr. Miles has retained the ownership of the building which he has rented to the Seymour Auto company where the Hurlburts will continue to carry on the same line of business formerly conducted by Mr. Miles.
Fell Into Canal
SHELTON – A number of people on Canal Street, and some of the employees of the local plant of the International Silver company were surprised to see a man walk off the canal bank and begin floundering in the water this morning about 8 o’clock. Some of the men in the silver shop rushed to the canal wall without delay and succeeded in catching hold of the man and pulled him out. The fellow disclaimed any intention to commit suicide and seemed to have been under the influence of liquor.