This week in history!
From the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Ansonia Historical Commission.
Note: the summaries are paraphrased from the original Sentinel articles if parts of the original were unreadable.
Monday, July 15, 1901
Little Miss Rennison Improved
ANSONIA – The recovery of the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Rennison, after her long illness, seems almost like a miracle. The tube has been removed from the incision in the lung cavity, the incision has healed, and the little girl is playing every day out of doors and no one now for a moment would think that for weeks her life was despaired of.
Many On The Streets
DERBY – The streets were crowded Saturday evening, with people walking aimlessly about. It was the first night in which there was not dancing at Lake Housatonic Park, and the people were lost. It was very quiet night, no attractions being in progress, and there was much complaint from those who had no place at the new park last evening.
Phillip Sponheimer’s Birthday
SEYMOUR – Phillip Sponheimer went to drive yesterday. When he returned in the afternoon, he found his home on Bank Street in the possession of about twenty friends who had called to remind him of the fact that time was passing and that his birthday had returned again. They spent the afternoon pleasantly and quietly, leaving Mr. Sponheimer a handsome watch fob by which he might remember the occasion.
Tuesday, July 16, 1901
Sig Sautelle’s Circus
ANSONIA – Many people will be glad to learn that Sig Sautelle’s new big 25 cent circus will exhibit in Ansonia on Wednesday, July 17. Two hundred people and as many horses and ponies comprise the entertainers who will perform, both afternoon and evening.
Brilliant Trolley Car
DERBY – One of the most brilliantly illuminated electric cars ever seen in Derby passed over the Derby tracks last night. It was for the purpose of advertising the picnic to be given by the employees of the Bridgeport Traction Company tomorrow at Avon Park. It attracted much attention, there being a drum corps inside, which kept the air filled with music. The front and back of the car was lighted by many incandescent lights in the shape of a star, while the sides were illuminated by rows of colored lights.
Band Concert This Evening
SEYMOUR – The first band concert of the season will be given this evening from the bandstand on the grounds of the Hotel Windsor. The concert will be held under the auspices of the new proprietors of the hotel and will be followed by dancing in the hall.
Wednesday, July 17, 1901
Hot Place To Work
ANSONIA – One of the hottest places for outdoor work in the city is in the yards of the Farrel Foundry & Machine Co. The large amount of iron, together with the coal in the yards, draws the heat of the sun to such an extent that the temperature will register several more degrees there than it will elsewhere. It was so hot there Tuesday that some of the men employed in the yard gang had to lie off at 10 o’clock a.m., while the entire gang, including the teams, had to be laid off at noon.
Strengthening Pontoon Bridge
DERBY – The pontoon bridge leading from the Sterling Company’s factory to Water Street fell in last night. The trouble was caused by a crowd of boys swimming, who dislodged the middle boat and broke the railing. This morning Foreman McFarland and a number of men spent some time repairing the bridge, putting a new floor and strengthening it, so that now it is better than it was before the break.
Deputies Sent Home
SHELTON – The deputy sheriffs, who have been having a fine time about this place for the past couple of weeks, with nothing to do, only to look pretty, were sent home on Tuesday, being notified that their services were no longer needed. At no time have they had anything to do, the Shelton people having been orderly and at no time making any disturbances.
Thursday, July 18, 1901
Bean Guessing Contest
ANSONIA – In the north show window of the Bristol Drug Company is a jar, about half filled with beans, on exhibition. They are the ordinary little white beans and the object is to guess the number in the jar. Each patronizer of the soda foundation within is entitled to as many guesses as glasses of soda purchased, and the successful one will be given a free trip to the Pan-American.
Injured Eye
ANSONIA – James Sullivan, employed in the wire mill of the A.B.& C. Co., was struck in the eye this morning by a steel chip, making a painful wound. He called at the office of Dr. Peck, who attended to the injured optic.
Stench In The Depot
DERBY – People who have occasion to pass the depot are complaining of the horrible stench in that vicinity. It has been only lately that the smell has been observed and it thought that it comes from some dead animal which has been thrown in the south lot of the depot. It is a nuisance.
Friday, July 19, 1901
New Uniforms
ANSONIA – The Liberty Drum Corps received its new uniforms today. They will wear them for the first time tomorrow when they go to Naugatuck to participate in the field day of the Naugatuck Drum Corps. They will leave on the noon train and give a short street parade. The uniforms are very neat, being a combination of blue and white cloth with black and gold trimmings.
Miss Greeves’ Lawn Party
DERBY – Miss Margaret Greeves gave a lawn party at her home last evening. The spacious lawn was filled with a merry crowd of young people who enjoyed themselves immensely. The lawn was illuminated with Chinese lanterns, and it was the coolest place in Derby Neck. Refreshments consisting of ice cream, cake and other delicacies were partaken of and everything done to make the party a success. It was a late hour when the party was over, and all who attended voted it a fine affair.
Little Sickness In Derby
DERBY – Derby physicians say that there has been a very small amount of sickness for the past month, and just now the town is exceptionally free from disease of any kind. Many people who have had chronic complaints seem to be improving, and notwithstanding the past weather conditions, very few cases of the usual summer diseases have developed. With the thermometer hanging around 92 and 95 degrees in the shade, and the humidity near the precipitation point, it is surprising that there are not more cases of sickness.
