This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Neighbor News

A Place in Naugatuck Histor:Editorial From the Newspaper In 1925

These letters, originally published in the Naugatuck Daily News, show a glimpse of what life was like in the Boro in 1925.

In June 1925, the town of Naugatuck was continuing to change and embrace the age of automobiles. Dusty, muddy roads riddled with holes were an ongoing problem. Citizens complained that autos sunk several inches at every turn as they traveled on many of our roads.

Warden Whittemore was about to announce the town would use oil on many of the streets to settle the dust at a cost of $1,700.

There was also nighttime joy rides and “tooting” of auto horns for residents to contend with as more folks began to purchase automobiles.

Find out what's happening in Naugatuckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A new City Manager Charter was the talk of the town with a special election held on June 29th, where citizens voted against it with a record turnout.

Also as you will see, there was this pesky little problem with cats, bringing the biggest response from readers.

Find out what's happening in Naugatuckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Let’s take a look at what some of the outspoken borough residents had on their minds the month of June 1925 as we read some of the editorials posted in the "Letters From Our Readers" section of the Naugatuck Daily News, in their own words of course.

Editorials

Traffic Policeman receives compliment

To The Editor, The News,

Having watched a number of our local traffic officers on duty at the corner of Maple and Main Streets, I want to say a few words in praise of Policeman James Cuddy, who I believe is one of the best traffic men that has ever turned a “Stop” and “Go “ sign in Naugatuck. He never seems to lose his head or his temper and directs traffic in a perfectly safe and sane manner. Never have I heard him utter an insulting word to passing automobiles or speak harshly to pedestrians and that is more than I can say of some men that have performed traffic duty there. Not only does he show good judgment in directing vehicular traffic, but he sees to it that pedestrians are given plenty of opportunity and a reasonable length of time to cross the street.

I think a man who does his work as intelligently, efficiently and satisfactorily as Officer Cuddy does, deserves to be commended. I am sorry to say I cannot speak in similar terms of some other officers for there have been times when I have actually been ashamed of the language used by traffic officers and their displays of temper. In fact, I have often wondered why some men were allowed to do traffic duty at all.

“A Citizen,” Naugatuck, June 1, 1925

Cats howling at night disturb restful sleep - Hard working man registers protest and threatens to do some shooting

To The Editor, The News,

In your valuable paper, please publish for me something about a nuisance in my neighborhood, cats howling at night. Those cats should be kept inside. I work out of town and have to get up early in the morning. Between the cats and the lovers, it’s a perfect nuisance. No sleep, no rest, it seems the noisier a neighborhood is the better some people like it , lovers laughing and so silly in cars and on porches until 2 a.m. Some hour and SOME parents, I suppose the parents are out also, with the daughters, as it’s the style, but the cats must be kept inside or there will be some shooting. I thank you.

From A Hard Working Man, Naugatuck, June 2, 1925

Tooting Auto Horns Used as Alarm clocks

To The Editor of the News,

Many things are likely to get on one's nerves, and especially during the hot weather which is now on the way. If there is one thing more than anything else that ‘gets’ me, it is the noise made by auto horns which are used to call people out at late hours of the night and to awaken them in the early hours of the morning.

Oh, Mr. Editor, believe me, it is something terrible! Near where I live a chap who calls around at a friend’s house at a time of night when he ought to be going to bed instead of starting out for a ride. He persists in calling his friend out by tooting his loud and startling horn. I suppose he is either too lazy to get out of his machine and go up the veranda steps and ring the doorbell, or it may be that he prefers to remain where he can make a quick getaway if necessary, but at any rate, he seems to prefer sounding the horn as though he was testing it. It never fails to awaken me, and it’s so hard to go back to sleep

Now I wouldn't object no matter how early he woke his only “pal” up, but I respectfully and humbly submit that I don’t think he ought to sit out there in his car blowing the horn until I also am awakened. I do not leave any word to be called at that hour and if I wanted to get up so early I wouldn't have anyone come around and disturb the slumbers of everyone else in the neighborhood, just because I didn’t want to buy an alarm clock and preferred to hear the sound of an auto horn.

I write this, Mr Editor, in the hope that the gentleman referred to will read my protest and note how I feel about having my slumbers broken. Perhaps they will discover the hidden suggestion and realize that there is someone else in the world besides themselves. If he does not, I do not know what will happen to me. I know that if this late hour and early hour tooting continues, I am certain to get nervous prostration during the summer in addition to being prostrated by the heat. I fear the worst, and I believe I am beginning to worry already. Thank you for your valuable space.

“Tired and Weary," Naugatuck

Throwing of Rice and Confetti at Weddings

To The Editor, The News,

Now that the season for June weddings has arrived, I wish to enter my protest against the senseless custom of showering newly married couples with rice or confetti. Sometimes the “playful” members of a wedding party are not satisfied with throwing the confetti over the happy couple but persist in forcing it down their backs. Just how all this helps to show good will toward the newlyweds is beyond my comprehension. And there have been times when newly married people have suffered painful injury by grains of rice getting into their ears. A little harmless fun may be excused, perhaps, on such occasions, but why go to extremes? I am not a church janitor but if I were I certainly would not feel very kindly disposed toward those people who make extra work for the janitor by littering the church steps and sidewalks with rice and confetti. Hoping the objectionable practice may be stopped, I remain,

Respectfully Yours,

“Grouchy”

Reader Rises to Defense of Feline Pets and Says That They Keep Town from Needing a Pied Piper

To The Editor, The News,

I have been reading what some people have been saying in your paper about cats being a nuisance, and after reading The News tonight, I decided to write a few words in reply.

Let me tell these people that if we didn't’ have cats this town would soon be overrun with mice and rats, and it wouldn’t be long either.

The cats kill off the mice and rats and if it wasn’t for them we’d have to get rid of these pests in some other way and it would be more expensive, too. I know that cats can sometimes make a lot of noise at night, but so do the fire, whistle and automobiles, and I don’t see where anyone is trying to have the fire alarm stopped and the autos kept off the streets because of the noise they make.

The cats do a great deal of good and they are fine pets, and I think it is wrong for people to be writing against them in The News.

“One Who Owns and Likes a Cat”

Says Oil on Streets Causes Muss and Dirt

To The Editor, The News,

I have read in your paper that our borough officials are going to have oil placed on some of the streets this summer instead of calcium chloride.

Now I for one object to the use of oil. It not only sticks to the wheels of automobiles and is carried into drives and garages but it is certain to be tracked into houses and may ruin many carpets and rugs when brought in on the soles of shoes. I always supposed that calcium chloride was one of the best dust settlers made. I am told that one of the reasons for using oil is that it acts as a binder and thereby saves and improves the road, which the calcium chloride does not do. But admitting that this may be so, I am still of the opinion that calcium is more satisfactory and preferable to oil. I am only one, however, and I suppose our officials will do as they please, but there’s some satisfaction in being able to express my objection to oil through your columns. Thank you for your space, I remain

Yours Truly,

"Householder"

Reader Says Sponsors of New Charter Are Men of Vision, Working for Naugatuck’s Interest

To The Editor, The News,

Communications to your paper are rather frequent of late, nevertheless, I feel impelled to add my cheer and approval of the advocates of the city manager charter for Naugatuck. Their poise is admirable and adds to the esteem in which they are held in this community.

It seemed to me that they are absolutely sincere in their efforts to establish a better form of government than we now have and I was glad to see that they had investigated the situation in Waithal, Ma. It looks as though they have weighed both sides of the question.

I do not believe that the objectors to the new charter think that it will jeopardize our lives, our fortunes and our liberty, else why did they not clamor sooner? I have lived too long to be swayed by scares but I have not lived so long that I am satisfied with things as they are. I want more and better things for myself and my town. I am reminded of Edgar Guest’s poem, a stanza of which I think worth quoting:

The things that haven’t been done before, are the tasks worthwhile today?

Are you one of the flock that follows or are you one that shall lead the way.

Are you one of the timid souls that quail at the jeers of a doubting crew, Or dare you whether you win or fail,

Strike out for a goal that’s new?

I dare to strike out for a goal that’s new, so I shall keep faith with the city manager charter. I glory in the spirit and the vision of the men who had the patience to work out and the courage to propose a city manager charter for Naugatuck.

Good luck to them next Monday!

Signed, Hopeful

Reader claims this are worse noises in the night than cats.

To the Editor, The News,

I was reading in your valued paper tonight, a letter from one who is fond of animals. His sentiments are good. Dumb animals should have a little more kindness shown them. I think so, and have been kind to them all of my life, so far. Have had a good many kinds of pets in my life, some big and some little, and they would all come at my call.

He writes that there are worse noises at night than cats. I for one should say so. I have one noise by my place, and it has been there since spring when the Water Company opened their man holes on Bridge Street and did not put back the cover right. Every auto that goes over one of them makes it rattle. If you heard that all night and all day you would think it worse than cats or dogs. It is right in front of my window and many a night I do not get to sleep until the autos cool down for the night and that is near twelve midnight. Pretty nearly every car goes over it, giving it a good rattle. I am one who never complains, but have thought I would like to many a time about the manhole. Sometimes it is pretty bad, with all the autos going over it.

“One Who Never Complains," June 11, 1925

Cat Got Chicks

To The Editor, The News,

I read a letter in Tuesdays night where a cat lover says that “Tired and Weary” will have to get used to the noise. Now I say he does not. There is a law against disturbing the peace, no matter if it’s a four legged cat or a two legged cat that makes the noise.

I suppose they will say that I will have to get used to having the cats eat my chickens. I saw a cat come front the coop Sunday morning with a baby chick in her mouth and she got away but Sunday night I got away with her. You might shoot a flapper or a bootlegger by mistake in the wee hours of the morning. The lovers don’t make any noise, but there are other individuals who love to make night hideous with their noise. Just call up the police station, there will be a cop sent down to abate the nuisance. They are paid to keep law and order in the borough.

"A Taxpayer", Naugatuck June 11, 1925

Local person suggest to person that whistle is more than accurate

To The Editor, The News,

If “Anxious” will set his time piece by the New Shop whistle he will have no more trouble. I have not depended on that town clock in a good while. And, as “Anxious” says, I think the old town clock is old enough to have a new one. I came to Naugatuck in 1900 and it’s been there ever since.

I have found the New Shop whistle gives the most correct time and always go by it, so if “Anxious” will set his watch by that he will be all right and will not have to worry about time anymore.

“The Right Time,” Naugatuck

Though I will admit some of these letters left me with a "twitch", it is astounding and dare I say refreshing to read such honest letters in this age of political correctness. I hope they give you a giggle or two until next week when we find another place in Naugatuck History.

Editor's Note: Above published letters were originally published in the Naugatuck Daily News.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?