125 Years Ago

The Northfield News

May 14, 1884

3 cents a copy/ $1.50 a year

Geo. H Richmond, editor

Flour is now so cheap that less wheat is likely to be sown in this state than is usual. But because it is so cheap is no reason for lessening the area. The prospects for wheat in the great wheat regions are not as favorable as the first spring reports indicated. The reports, as now made, are the most reliable that can be obtained. It is true that no serious diseases to be found; yet it is better for those who can, to at least, grow their own wheat. It is about as profitable to grow wheat for feed as any grain raised for that purpose. As much feed can be grown upon an acre sowed to wheat in many cases, as upon a acre sowed to oats; and if one has more than he wishes for home use, and it will not sell, it can profitably be fed to stock. For purposes of growth, it is worth much more than corn pound for pound. There is a feeling that it is wasteful to feed wheat to stock, and farmers dislike to do it. This is true only when it is relatively higher than other grain. However this may be, with the average yields about here for the past few years, it is a debatable question if it be not as profitable to grow for any purpose as most other grains. It certainly is advisable to grow enough for family use.

100 Years Ago

The Northfield News

May 11, 1909

3 cents a copy/$1.25 year

Fred N. Whitney, editor

Northfield's liquor license year started off yesterday morning, a week behind the time prescribed by law, owing to the delay in appointing the commissioners. The bar used in former license years was installed Saturday in the south side room of the Northfield House. The temporary quarters of Charles Mack in the Van Orman shoe shop are in charge of Mr. Mack's brother. The house at the corner of Wall and Water streets was vacated by the owner, Richard Kennedy, Saturday and Patrick Starr has taken possession. Mr. Mack and Mr. Starr each hold second class licenses. The hearing before the commissioners, Messrs. Winch, Dillingham and Powers, Thursday evening at Guild hall was largely attended and those who expected "a hot old time" were doomed to disappointment. The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Winch, who also as clerk read the applications and called for objections, but not a single dissenting voice was heard. Even the petition remonstrating against establishing liquor places on the west side of the river did not appear. The meeting was of short duration. The commissioners held an executive session Friday morning and at noon the appointments were announced...While of course with 13 applicants for three possible licenses there was bound to be disappointments, but generally speaking it may be said the action of the commissioners is very satisfactory. Mr. Sanderson, who has conducted the Northfield House the past two years is giving Northfield a good hotel. Mr. Mack is a well known citizen and Mr. Starr has been a resident here for a number of years, is a granite cutter by trade and a citizen of good repute. The prevailing opinion appears to be that the licensees will endeavor to conduct their new business fully within the letter and spirit of the law.

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At the meeting of the Northfield village trustees last evening...John Plunkett was reappointed chief of police at a salary of $60 and J.M. Donahue night police, hours from 6 p.m. to the arrival of 2:45 a.m. train from south, at $50 per month; Walter Ordway was appointed as a special police.

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A word from Mr. Holden. I have made maple sugar in Northfield for about 40 years, and during all that time there has been a general invitation to all classes to visit my sugar camp during the sugar season and whenever possible to furnish all the sugar they could eat. This invitation has been very generally responded to and apparently enjoyed. I have left sugar in all its forms in my sugar house day and night with never a thought that there was a person living mean enough to steal it. Never in the 40 years has my hospitality been abused until the season just passed. Those young men, who clandestinely entered my sugar house and carried off sugar by the ten pound pail, I feel are proper subject for publicity and prosecution. If they would save themselves the trouble and the institution to which they belong from humiliation it may be to their advantage to call on me before I call on them. W.W. HOLDEN

75 Years Ago NEWS AND ADVERTISER May 10, 1934

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

The new bridge at Riverton replaces the old wooden covered bridge built 62 years ago. The work was done by the Barton Construction Co., of Troy, N.Y. At the approach to the bridge on the east side, the highway is being changed. A large hill has been cut away and used for fill and the road, which is some distance east of the old road, will offer a wide curve in contrast to the dangerous and abrupt hill curve there for years. The old bridge served its purpose in the days of the horse drawn vehicles and withstood the ravages of the 1927 flood. This bridge is just another advance in the progress that the State of Vermont is making on its highways.

50 Years Ago NEWS AND ADVERTISER

May 14, 1959

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

What happened to the town of Northfield which used to be a shining example in the Vermont New Hampshire blood program. In last week's drawing, only 81 pints of blood were donated n a five-hour period on a lovely warm spring day.

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The Blue Cross Hospitalization plan serving residents of New Hampshire and Vermont has announced an increase in rates effective July 1. Thomas E. Edney, executive director of the plan, said the increase will average 15.5 per cent for group membership and 8.1 per cent for non-group membership. This is the first increase in membership rates since July 1, 1956, he said. On May 1, membership in Blue Cross in the two states was 408,047.

25 Years Ago

NORTHFIELD NEWS

May 10, 1984

25 cents a copy

Erik Nelson, editor

A female peregrine falcon that was raised and released on Burnt Mountain in Groton State Forest in Marshfield during 1982 is nesting on the 32nd floor of the Montreal Stock Exchange Building, according to James Stewart of the Vermont Fish & Game Department. "The other good news," says Stewart, "is that the nest has four eggs in it...it is not uncommon for peregrines to establish breeding territories in urban environments because of the abundant supply of pigeons which they feed on, and because of a lack of predators, primarily greathorned owls."

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A blast of wintry weather served to discourage both birds and observers two weeks ago, and 16 area hawk watchers came home with tally sheets empty after a morning on Paine Mountain...The five hardy souls who made the early morning tramp up a path from Mill Hill were joined by a group of 10 Webelo Scouts out to qualify for their day hike badges. The scouts climbed from Turkey Hill, and the deep woods trail was still snow covered most of the way, (Associate Biology Professor Bill) Barnard said. Though Barnard chose to draw no general conclusions about the relative wisdom of hawks and humans from the outing, he did note that there were people, but no birds, on the mountain that morning.