Date: Fri 12-Mar-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: JAN

Quick Words:

Way-Were-Bee

Full Text:

75 Years Ago Life Was Reflected In The Bee

(with cut)

BY JAN HOWARD

In the early days of this century, Newtown remained essentially an

agricultural community. However, change was on its way, brought about by the

advent of electricity, automobiles, industry and population growth.

By the mid 1920s, though Newtown had been discovered by people in New York

City and New York state as an ideal place for a summer home and tourist

business had increased at local inns and tea houses, it still remained a

quiet, rural community.

Some things, however, never change. Seventy-five years ago, in 1924, residents

of Newtown, just as today, enjoyed simple pleasures, such as a supper at the

Newtown Country Club, a concert at a church, or a lecture by a noted speaker.

It was a time when horses could still triumph over the auto, such as in

February 1924 when Dr W.H. Kiernan's car got stuck in a snow bank and Stanley

Blackman hitched up his faithful horse to drive him to his destination.

Even with the advent of electricity, in 1924 ice harvesting was still

important to local residents.

Just as Newtown has changed through the years, so has The Newtown Bee. In

1924, its front pages could feature advertisements and classified ads, with

personal notes about local residents intermingled among them. It was also

centered more on social and cultural events than government news.

News coverage might include stories about increases in school population, such

as in January 1924, a house fire on February 1, or Senator Philo T. Platt

being overcome by gas while starting his car on February 22.

The town and The Newtown Bee have changed and grown through the ensuing years,

but some needs and concerns never change.

The following are some excerpts from The Newtown Bee in January and February

of 1924. Look for additional excerpts from 75 years ago, beginning next week

in "Way We Were."

JANUARY 1924

January 4: There was never a better time enjoyed than at the Newtown Country

Club last Tuesday evening, New Year's night. Most everyone was there to enjoy

the fine supper gotten up by the young ladies. They deserve special praise and

anyone that has Mrs Rodney Shepard, Mrs Sarah B. Mitchell, Mrs Irving S.

Jones, Mrs Frank H. Johnston and Mrs Fanny Beers Edwards plan for their

welfare in the culinary line can grow fat if they choose.

In spite of the icy traveling and rain Monday night, a good sized audience

enjoyed the watch night concert at the Congregational Church. F. Arthur Ekins,

the baritone soloist, was particularly fine.

The editor of The Bee entertained some unexpected and unusual callers, New

Year's morning. He was routed out of bed about 4 am by an automobile party

from Stratford, who had been spending the evening with Edward Scott and family

of Berkshire. They had a rented Ford limousine, which broke down about 4 am

near Mr Smith's residence.

January 11: Arthur W. Reynolds, owner of Currituck Farm, has promised to kill

one of his choice Aberdeen Angus steers for a roast for the Young People's

Institute to be held at the Congregational Church January 18, 19, 20.

Reports from school enumerators in every town in the state except Waterbury

show there are 4,530 more children of school age in the state than a year ago.

Newtown had 586 children in 1923 and 555 in 1922.

January 18: Friends of Mr and Mrs George W. Northrop gave them a surprise

party at their home last Friday evening, the occasion being the 43d

anniversary of their marriage.

The Men's Club held a very interesting meeting at the Parker House Tuesday

night, Rev. J.L. Lasher being host and Dr Thomas H. Young, a noted eye

specialist of the Yale Medical School being the speaker.

Mrs Marion Richardson of West Virginia, a prominent member of the League of

Business and Professional Women, declares that women should learn the truth

about labor conditions in the soft coal fields of the United States. Such

knowledge, she says, will clear up a great deal of slanderous propaganda

against the bituminous industry. Contrary to the general belief, Mrs

Richardson says that miners live in good houses, their children have the best

schools and good roads and other modern conveniences are the rule and not the

exception in the coal fields.

January 25: The Hanover Road was very badly washed in the big rain of last

Wednesday, at a point below E.F. Northrop's and on the hill coming up into

Hanover Avenue. Big gullies were washed across the roads.

The radiator of a truck belonging to the New England Dry Milk Company of

Hawleyville froze up while coming from Bridgeport, Monday night, and the

driver was obliged to leave the truck on Toll Gate Hill.

The thermometer showed a record of two degrees below zero at Hawleyville

Tuesday morning. The thermometer in Taunton Tuesday morning registered at

zero. The ice crop for the dairy men is now in sight.

FEBRUARY 1924

February 1: A house formerly owned by D.B. Parmalee and standing a few rods

south of his present residence caught fire Tuesday afternoon and in a short

time was entirely consumed. The building was owned by the Milford Land

Exchange Company of Bridgeport and had been occupied for a year or more by

William Whaley and his two sons. The youngest boy had just returned from

school, when the fire started from in or near the chimney. A strong wind was

blowing at the time which hastened its destruction. Neighbors who arrived soon

after the alarm was given saved most of Mr Whaley's goods.

Stephen Keane of Gray's Plain harvested his ice crop the first of the week,

Clark Page and son assisting him with the work.

February 8: There's going to be a big fire near the Flag Pole tonight (Friday)

at 7:30. Joseph Olean, distributing manager, will be there and he wants you

and all your neighbors to come and see how quickly and easily it will be

extinguished with Hanks Fire chemical. Gasoline, kerosene, acetylene gas, tar

and wood fires are quickly extinguished with Hanks Fire Powder. Don't fail to

attend this interesting and educational fire-fighting event. Veteran and

volunteer firemen are requested to attend this demonstration.

A grocery whist and dance for the benefit of the Newtown Library will take

place on Saturday evening at the Parker House. Tickets, 50 c. The first one to

correctly name the three managers of the event, Hon Lloyd George, Sir Ransay

McDonald and Samuel Gompers will be presented with a prize.

Owing to other events on February 16 the date of the sophomore entertainment

has been changed to March 1. It will take place at Hawley School at 8 o'clock.

The program is as follows: Piano solo, Marjorie Peale, Monologue, Luella

Sperry, Dance, Kennedy sisters, Vocal solo, Ruth Ekins accompanied by Luella

Sperry, mandolin, Louise Nichols, ukelele, and Margaret McCarthy, piano. Piano

solo, Elizabeth Carlson, Play, Margaret McCarthy, Agnes Houlihan, Helen

Nichols, Sarah Farrell, Alice Carmody.

The neighbors in Taunton rallied, Monday and Tuesday, and assisted Richard

Arndt and Daniel Honan in filling their ice houses, cutting the supply from

Taunton Lake.

February 15: A very pleasant evening was passed at the Newtown Country Club

rooms last Monday evening when the whist was in session. The scores ran higher

than usual and Mrs Frank H. Johnston was the leading lady, with Mrs Charles A.

Peale and Mrs Arthur J. Smith tied for second place. For the gentlemen, O.

Howard Hall and Charles A. Peale took the honors.

On Tuesday evening one of the most interesting meetings of this winter was

held at the Grange rooms with a goodly number present. The following program

was rendered: Song "America," Grange, Original paper, "Abraham Lincoln and

George Washington" two great Americans born in February, their contrasts and

their lessons for us. Rev G. Herbert Ekins. Vocal solo and encore, Lillian

Phillips. Recitation, "The Bell of Atri," Ada M. Blakeman. Reading from

Longfellow "The Happiest Land," Catherine M. Cavanaugh. Surprise number in

charge of Lydia A. Glover was the Virginia Reel.

Selectman J.J. Northrop has purchased a fine new flag for the flag pole in the

Street and it was thrown to the breezes on Lincoln's birthday.

On Saturday evening, February 16, Joe Whalen of Bridgeport and his troupe will

appear at the Town Hall under the auspices of the Virgilius Council, Knights

of Columbus. Mr Whalen has a reputation second to none in amateur theatricals.

The famous Palais Royal orchestra of Bethel will play for dancing.

February 22: Senator Philo T. Platt, who was overcome by gas while starting

his automobile, last Thursday and was found unconscious on the ground outside

the building, where he had fallen, was quite seriously ill for a few days but

is now convalescing and is able to sit up a part of the time.

The Men's Club had one of the finest meetings of the year Tuesday night when

Dr Walter Kiernan was the popular host. In spite of the snow storm, nearly the

whole membership was present. D.R. Zabriskie of Hawleyville, Charles G. Meeker

and O.S. Stoddard were guests of the club. The members were given a rare treat

in the address of Dr Millard Knowlton of the Bureau of Preventable Diseases of

the Connecticut State Department of Health. Dr Knowlton declared that the

finest bit of machinery in the world was the human body and that often we

neglect it. We don't have to have diphtheria nowadays if we carry out the

immunization process.

D.R. Zabriski of Hawleyville on leaving Dr Kiernan's Tuesday night, from the

meeting of the Men's Club, got his auto into the ditch. W.C. Johnson, F.C.

Platt, H.G. Warner and Dr Kiernan worked on his car for an hour, and finally

got it into the road and going.

Dr W.H. Kiernan, while on the way to visit a patient in Taunton, Wednesday

morning, had the pleasure of getting his auto stuck in a snowbank. Poland's

milk truck and C.F. Cavanaugh labored for a half hour in getting him out of

the drift. Then Stanley Blackman hitched up the faithful horse and drove him

to his destination.

February 29: The Jewish Farmers' Association of Newtown and Stepney will have

a meeting on March 16, beginning at 10 o'clock, at the residence of Max

Schimmerman. Editor Stone of the Jewish Farmers' Journal and the secretary, Mr

Kastelevsky, will be present and give addresses.

Charles D. Ferris and son, Charles, were visitors in New Milford, Monday.