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.
Feb. 6, 1899
A Serious Sunday Fire
ANSONIA — A bakery building burned down on Main Street on Sunday. One of the hardest fires that the volunteer firemen of the city has been called to combat and at the same time one of the most destructive that has occurred in years was that of early Sunday morning when the brick building owned by Charles Durand, just below Beaver Brook, Main Street was totally destroyed. Just before firemen from the Websters arrived they met with an unfortunate accident by which Jeremiah Kingston, foreman of the company, had his left leg fractured in two places after being run over by a jumper (the vehicle carrying equipment).
An Intoxicated Visitor
ANSONIA — There was a lone prisoner in the city court this morning. It was Thomas Burns, arrested by Patrolman Larkin shortly after midnight Saturday. He was found on Maple street intoxicated. the man’s face was almost unrecognizable owing to numerous bruises which he received by falling. In court Burns said he was from Hartford and was on his way to Waterbury when he met a friend in the city and got intoxicated.
Seymour Siftings
SEYMOUR — John Clark is still in a very serious condition while his daughter, Mary, who was apparently recovering from the grip, suffered a relapse and is now very sick again.
Derby Doings
DERBY — William DeMay, Jr. has resigned his position in the machine shop of the Birmingham Iron foundry and gone to Hartford to accept a position.
Feb. 7, 1899
Want Another Poultry Show
SEYMOUR — A meeting of the Seymour Poultry association will be held in the town hall tomorrow evening at 7:30 o’clock. It will be an important meeting and all the poultry fanciers in town who are interested in the project of holding a poultry show in Seymour next winter should attend.
Henry G. Bassett Is Dead
DERBY — To the long list of deaths of aged people of Derby recorded this year is to be added another in the demise of Henry G. Bassett, at his home, 171 Caroline St., Monday evening. Mr. Bassett proved a victim of the very slippery condition of the sidewalks last Friday. On that day he attempted to leave his house and had hardly reached the walk when he lost his footing and fell with considerable force. He was born in North Haven, Conn. Dec. 1, 1830. As a young man he came to Derby in the early fifties and bought out the business of Rodney Smith, a paper box manufacturer.
The People’s Market
DERBY — George C. Wood’s connection with the People’s Market was severed Saturday evening as he new proprietors, Barret & Steinman of Ansonia, have taken full possession.
Going Out Again
DERBY — The Crane Brothers, the well known actors, who have been spending a few weeks here as a guest of Mrs. Osbourne of Derby Avenue, Lew Crane being confined to bed for several days with the grip, from which he has now recovered, will leave on Thursday for Cincinnati.
Feb. 8. 1899
Wise Has Lost ‘Tony’
DERBY — ‘Tony,’ a valuable horse belonging to J.N. Wise, was found dead in his stall at John J. Flynn’s livery, Fifth Street, on Tuesday morning, having died suddenly during the night.
Maj. Osborne Invited An Accepts
DERBY — Major William Osborne, president of the Derby Neck Library association, has been invited to read a paper before the St. Thomas Literary society, at St. Mary’s library, on Tuesday evening Feb. 21. The meeting will be of a patriotic nature, occurring as it does on the eve of Washington’s birthday.
Prostrated By Fright
ANSONIA — Mrs. Richard T. Donnelly is seriously ill at her home on Johnson street. A fire occurred there Sunday afternoon and when she saw the oil heater blaze up she thought her husband’s clothes were on fire. She became unconscious from fright and when consciousness was regained it was seen that she had lost the power of articulation.
New Home For Company D.
ANSONIA — The rooms in Smith’s block, under the rooms of the Welcome Wheel club, are being handsomely fitted up for Company D, Hibernian Rifles, who are to move from their present quarters on Water street just as soon as the new rooms are ready for them.
Feb. 9, 1899
Public Must Get Along With Fewer Conveniences
SEYMOUR — The Selectmen have already got out their pruning knives and are at work hacking off all expenses of the town which can be dispensed with. Perhaps people were wondering why the snow plow did not get out yesterday to conveniently clear the snow from the sidewalks? That is because there is no money to buy these conveniences. The police patrol has also been taken from the streets.
Smith’s Name Gone In
SEYMOUR — The application of Wilbur W. Smith to be appointed postmaster of the town of Seymour has been handed to the president by Representative Perry and Mr. Smith’s appointment will probably reach Seymour within a week.
Sewer Bond Act
DERBY — At Hartford today, Representative Kennedy will introduce an act authorizing the city of Derby to issue bonds. It calls for $50,000 to expand the sewer system.
Update On Mrs. Donnelly
ANSONIA — Mrs. Richard Donnelly is reported somewhat better today and it is believed now she will recover. Wednesday noon the change came and she has continued to grow better since.
