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Community Corner

Naugatuck, 100 Years Ago Today

A step back in time to May 13, 1911, according to articles from the Naugatuck Daily News.

Come join me as we step back in time to May 13, 1911.

On the national level, 1911 brings us to the start of the immigration of agricultural workers from Mexico.

Cities and towns are becoming more dedicated to road building, increasing the use of automobiles across the country.

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Chevrolet officially enters the market and the electric starter replaces the hand crank on vehicles. Life expectancy for a male is 48 years old, 51 for a female. William Taft had been President for 3 years. 

At the Freeman’s meeting last night in Naugatuck, Warden William Neary announced he would resign in light of the cutting of appropriations by $4,909.00 from last year. He did not believe it was possible to improve the town in any way with the money allotted. His administration has been considered the finest to date and this will truly be a loss to all.

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It was decided the mill rate will be raised to 13.25 mills. The meeting went on until 10 o’clock with about 150 present. Many citizens turned out to support road repairs, some of which are taking place now on North Church Street between Millville and Water Street.

Citizens that did not attend the Freeman’s meeting seemed to have showed up at the Gymnastic exhibition held at the high school on Hillside Avenue. The largest crowds ever to assemble in the gym were in attendance.

Sub-freshman boys preformed wand drill while third graders of Central Avenue School gave an exhibition of folk dancing, which was a big hit.

The freshman boys did dumb bell exercises and horse vaulting which was very well received.

The ninth grade and freshman girls did two dances entitled “The Dance of the Birds” and “Weaving the Flax”

Joseph Raytkiewich, Sidney Andrew, and Kenneth Johnson are worthy of special mention, each performing with the grace of a skilled gymnast.

The high school orchestra furnished the music with Miss Breen and Miss Koohler presiding over the piano.

The Daily News reported that two Waterbury youth were arrested by Captain McClean of the Naugatuck Police department and charged with reckless driving.

The officer noticed the men driving up and down Maple Street before 12 o clock last night at a fast gait and cautioned them to stop. They did not heed the warning and drove down South Main Street. Many folks at the corner expected to see the carriage overturned when they crossed the car tracks. They made it over safely however, they still forced the horse to travel at a fast rate of speed and when passing Captain Malone shouted, “Get us now if you can.” At the same time, they whipped the horse and started toward Waterbury.

Captain Malone, wishing to show the offenders he could get them, phoned the Waterbury official to place them under arrest. The youth were found in front of the Buckle Shop on South Main Street after the carriage smashed by going over the trolley tracks. Three of the wheels were broken off the vehicle and the entire carriage was damaged. Captain Malone went to Waterbury on the first car this morning and brought the young men to Naugatuck for trial.

Their case was null upon payment of the cost of court ~ $8.75 each.

Many home improvements are being planned with the warm temperatures of spring upon us.

J.B. Spencer on Bridge Street is offering indoor plumbing, steam and hot water heating, hot air furnace, tin roofing and galvanized gutters. Many homes in town do not have indoor plumbing or sophisticated heating. Electricity is often reserved for public buildings and upper class homes.

J.M. Page is suggesting that you paint your floor around the boarder, giving a nice varnished finish. Place a rug in the middle and you have a splendid look! Home Finishes domestic paint is just 15 cents to 25 cents.

One great improvement to the home every woman in the Borough would be eager to try is the New Perfection Oil Cook Stove. Only the woman who has tried it knows what comfort and relief this stove brings into the kitchen.

Standard Oil Company states in their ad: “It is not only that the New Perfection cooks so well, it saves so much work in other ways. There are no ashes to clean up before going to bed, no fire to bank for the night. Everything is ready for cooking in the morning at a touch of a match.

You are saved from an overheated kitchen, saved from soot and dirt, saved from chopping wood and carrying coal. In the kitchen or laundry; for the lightest or most elaborate meal, you will find the New Perfection oven is the best and most convenient.

Made with one, two, or three burners with long turquoise enameled chimneys.”

The Republican American has warned Trolley car riders of the sudden rush of pleasure seekers traveling to suburban points as they enter the car. The newspaper stated, “It is no less than frightful the way the crowds at the trolley terminals board the cars. Men, woman and children act more like panic-stricken fugitives from a burning building than sane pleasure seekers. As soon as the car slows down there is a grand rush for seats. Why even woman and children board the moving cars. Those aboard are hardly allowed time to get off and the pushing and crushing often causes injuries and suffering to those of the crowd that are shoved into dangerous positions,”

All are asked to consider it is better to stand than rush to get a seat while risking the harm of others.

To avoid the trolley car crush, you could stop by B.W. Johnson in Waterbury for the 1911 Brush Runabout. It is now ready for shipment at the price of $450. No road too long, no hill too steep for this small, well-crafted car.

Sports fans are digging up the dirt once more at the ball fields in town. Cub fans were joyful when they won again! The Cubs of South Main Street handed a defeat to the Acorns of Union City at the sand lot on Bridge Street this morning. The score was 14 - 9. The batters for the Cubs were Shea and Dolan and for the Acorns, Anderson and England.

The Junior baseball league of the borough, an organization recently formed, will open season tomorrow. The teams in the league are The Stickers, The Apple View Academy and Independents of Naugatuck and the Twirlers of Beacon Falls. The race ought to be close and exciting as all teams are evenly matched. The games tomorrow will bring together the Stickers and the Twirlers, which will be played in Beacon Falls and Apple View Academy against the Independents at the Bridge Street lot in Union City.

The Daily News offers the following word to sports fans who write letters to the newspaper.

“While The News will gladly publish letters containing challenges or criticisms, this paper will not knowingly be a party to the dirty game of mud-throwing. All challenges and criticisms sent to The News for publication must be written in a clean and business like manner and not a manner that is insulting to the person or persons, for whom they are intended. The sport that is best is that which is the cleanest. Clean sport can never be promoted by stirring up hostility by insulting an opponent. The insult causes a feeling of anger, and not of rivalry and it should be remembered that it is rivalry and not anger that makes the best sport.

We make this statement at this time because we have already begun to receive letters intended for the sporting page but which are so unsportsmanlike that they find a quick resting place in the waste basket.”

The following interesting ads appeared in today’s paper.

It seems we are having a bed bug problem here in the borough. Keroe’s Bed Bug Bitters is touted as the best help you can have for a clean house. It will rid your house of Bed Bugs and water bugs and is easy to apply. For just 25 cents, a bottle it is well worth ridding your home of these creatures.

Mrs. Mary Lester of 44 Arch Street says, “I gladly recommend Doan’s Kidney Pills. The contents of one box, procured at Brennan’s Drug store, corrected the difficulty with the kidney secretions, which had bothered me for some time. Other members of my family who have had long-standing cases of kidney complaint have taken the remedy. Good results have always been received for .50 cents a bottle.”

J.W. Larkin Delivery Service is looking for two or three ladies or gentleman for nice, steady employment, to work in Naugatuck. They can expect to earn form $12 to $20 a week.

Arthur Melbourne of 118 Melbourne Court has pansy plants, geraniums and other bedding plants for sale, also tomatoes, cabbage and pepper plants. Orders are delivered to your home or place of business.

For the cost of $2,500,  you may buy a nice, seven room house on High Street. Furnace and city water Lot 80 x 115

From H.A. Dalby office of Naugatuck Savings Bank.

Dr Earl’s Dental Room believes teeth like riches, take flight, but both can be regained. Crown and Bridgework with their perfect suction plates give all the advantages of your natural teeth including speaking distinctly.

With Memorial Day just a couple weeks away, General George M. Cole has issued the following order for the observance:

“Fifty years ago in April, the call came 'to arms.'”

"Memories of the stirring events that follow that call came thick and fast to the surviving heroes of the war. As they gather on the Memorial Day with appropriate ceremonies and flowers to pay their respect to the illustrious dead. Patriotism and true love of country have broken down the barriers of bitterness and woo, but the thought animates and actuates all, that our bright galaxy of state be united forever."

"May succeeding ages maintain the principles fought for, enjoy the blessing accruing therefrom, and transmit them to future generations improved, unsullied and unimpaired."

"Memorial Day, with its hallowed memories, is to the organized militia, an object lesson and an incentive to the noblest type of loyalty and patriotism."

"As a mark of respect, it is therefore ordered that the national flag be displayed May 30,1911, on all state armories and the solders home at Norton, at half staff from sunrise to midday; at noon the flag will be hoisted to the top of the staff and remain there until sunset. Permission is also granted for organizations to parade under arms on that date."

By order of the Governor George M. Cole

Truer words have not been spoken, that patriotism and true love of country will surely breakdown the barriers of bitterness and woo from our land.

"We can not overestimate the fervent love of liberty, the intelligent courage, and the sum of common sense with which our fathers made the great experiment of self-government.” - James A. Garfield

And so until next week when we visit another place in Naugatuck History, keep your flags flying high.

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