Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1910.

Mark Twain predicted his death in 1909, saying “I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it.” He died in 1910, a day after the comet returned.

The annual Ziegfeld Follies, a vaudeville show known for its stage full of chorus girls, was one of the biggest draws in New York.

William Taft, who was an intramural heavyweight wrestling champion at Yale, was the 27th President of the United States.

Here’s what was happening in our Valley!

Wednesday Oct. 12, 1910

Find Case Of Glanders

ANSONIA – The authorities are investigating a case of glanders on the West Side which was reported to the police a day ago that a horse in that section of the town was afflicted with the disease. It is expected that the animal will be killed and precautions taken to prevent a spread of malady.

Shooting On Sunday

DERBY – If the reports that are heard in this city are true, there is need for activity on the part of the game wardens. It is stated that the game laws are being violated right along, and that especially is the law concerning Sunday shooting broken. Last Sunday, on Derby hill, it is said the sound of guns was heard all day long, showing that someone was out in the woods and fields shooting at something. The residents of the hill say it was game that being shot at, and they want a warden or his deputies to take a trip up that way next Sunday and see what he can find.

Odd Looking Structure

SEYMOUR – People passing through the town along Main Street doubtless wonder what sort of a structure is the one being erected near the upper viaduct. The building certainly looks as if due economy was being exercised there. The sheathing torn from the old freight depot to make the new trolley express station is of all lengths, and, just now, of all colors, and the appearance of the half-completed structure is a curious one and attracts much attention and comment.

Observing Colombus Day

SHELTON – Shelton wore a holiday appearance this morning as the closing of the schools and the Columbus Day parade of the various Italian societies, brought out many people, the streets being thronged with old and young for several hours. Flags were displayed on all the public and private buildings, and the observance of the holiday was more general than ever before.

Thursday, Oct. 13, 1910

Engine Hit Cart

ANSONIA – A coal cart of the A. B.& C. Co. was struck by a freight engine at the Mechanic Street railroad crossing this morning, but fortunately no damage resulted. The engine had deposited a string of freight cars near the wire mill and was heading for Bridge Street when the coal cart came into view. John Clancy, the driver, evidently did not notice the locomotive, which was going slowly.

Heard Schumann-Heink

DERBY – Quite a large number of Derby people went to New Haven on Wednesday night to hear Madame Schumann-Heink, who gave a recital at Woolsey Hall. The recital was a splendid musical affair and was enjoyed very much apparently by the Derby visitors, but the going over on the trolley was not enjoyed. The cars were late on the local and on the New Haven lines in the early evening.

First Frost Of The Season

SEYMOUR – The frost so long expected arrived last night when conditions were right for it and put finishing touches on flowers and fruits which had not been provided extra protection. Ice formed on still water, and there were numerous indications that the freeze-up was a fairly severe one.

Tree Smashed Wagon

SHELTON – As the milk delivery wagon of W.D. Shaw was passing around South End this morning, the driver while passing from house to house in Hillside Avenue, allowed the horses to follow him as usual. For some unexplained reason, however, the horses turned into the driveway of Frank Tucker’s place and drawing the wagon under the limbs of an apple tree, badly broke the top of the vehicle.

Friday, Oct. 14, 1910

Only Burning Rags

ANSONIA – Another case of burning rags caused the Eagles and the Websters to go scurrying to the lower end of the city, short before noon today. The fire originated at the Cohen building in a closet in the rear of the grocery store of Dominica Alfonso, on Main Street. A foreigner hearing the cries of those in the place, rang in the alarm from Box 37. Nathan Cohen threw the burning rags out the rear door and a blaze was averted.

Dust Nuisance Fierce

ANSONIA – Nothing has been done yet to relieve the dust conditions on North Main Street. The section of the street in the rear of the Cowles property, where the sewer trench was made, is covered with dirt accumulated from the excavations and the wind fills the air with dust at the slightest occasion. Complaints of the place have been heard for the last month or more, but no action has been taken by those in authority.

Making Improvements

DERBY – The building which is being altered by The Shelton Company, on Water Street, is rapidly nearing completion and will be ready to be occupied before long. The building is constructed of brick and will make a fine appearance as the front will be finished in stucco work. The building is a four-story structure, and the entire lower floor will be suitable for rental as stores, while the others will be fitted as tenements.

Chisel Shop Pond Full Again

SEYMOUR – People who travel upper Bank Street were glad yesterday to see the chisel shop pond once more filled up. For some time, there has been scarcely any water there, and with a miscellaneous collection of private sewers and drains and a general dumping ground for the refuse of Greenville and the immediate neighborhood, the appearance of the banks has been most unsightly and the odors there from most unlovely, too.

Saturday, Oct. 15, 1910

Willing To Sleep In Trench

ANSONIA – A rotund foreigner, after an evening’s communion with the flowing bowl, while wending his way homeward shortly after midnight last night, wandered from his path and stumbled against the guard rail of the sewer trench on Liberty Street. He offered it a drink from a pint bottle, but leaning forward too heavily, pitched headlong into the pit. He was uninjured and lay there apparently contented with his surroundings. Breaking forth in an unmusical air, he was overheard by a party of passersby, pulled from his subway resting place, placed upon his pins and he continued on his way.   

Connecting With Sewers

DERBY – The sewer work on Cherry and Tenth streets having been completed, the residents of those streets are being notified by order of the Board of Aldermen that it is desirable for them to connect their houses before cold weather sets in. As the residents of these streets have been wanting the sewers for several years, they will undoubtedly quickly make the connections.

Improving Swamp Land

SEYMOUR – A noteworthy improvement is being made in the swamp land on Bank Street near the Beecher shop pond. The tangle of brush that had been allowed to grow as it would for years, has been cut down, and the brush being burned by the present owner of the property. W. B. Swan. Not only is the cutting down of the brush an improvement in the appearance of the neighborhood environment, but will doubtless help to better health conditions, as such a jungle as there was doubtless excellent for the breeding of mosquitoes.

Shelton Vs Meriden

SHELTON – The association football game, at the Lake Housatonic grounds, Sunday, between the local and the Meriden teams should prove a good one. The local team has had rather hard luck thus far in the season, having lost a game in Naugatuck, as the players believe, through the incompetence of the referee, and having the only other game played by them stopped by rain.

Sunday, Oct. 16, 1910

The Evening Sentinel didn’t publish on Sundays

Monday, Oct. 17, 1910

Hotel Dayton Sold

ANSONIA – The deal by which Philip Cohen becomes owner of the Hotel Dayton has been completed and the purchaser has taken formal possession of the property. Extensive alterations and improvements are being planned by Mr. Cohen, who hopes to make the hostelry as famous as it was years ago. If present plans mature, the wooden portion of the hotel will be raised five or six feet and the basement floor brought to the level of the street. A cellar will be built, necessitating new foundations and a storage place of large capacity provided.

The hotel café, office and parlors will be located on the ground floor, and the three upper floors divided into sleeping apartments.

Early Morning Chopping

DERBY –The residents of Derby Avenue are complaining about being kept awake in the early hours of Sunday mornings by the foreigners who select this time to saw and chop wood. This has been going on for some time and some of the residents think the foreigners should be warned to chop their wood at some time other than on the Sabbath morning.

Building Retaining Wall

SEYMOUR – A retaining wall is being built along the south bank of Little River between the James Swan Co.’s chisel shop and the H. A. Matthews Mfg. Co.’s factory. The wall is being built of large stones found in the stream, which is very shallow at that point. The construction of this wall will permit the widening of the factory road at that place.