125 Years Ago

The Northfield News

July 2, 1884 3 cents a copy/ $1.50 a year

Geo. H Richmond, editor

Our nation is surrounded by perils, said the Rev. Nathan Hubbell, of the Methodist Church Sunday, They tug at its heart and gnaw its vitals. In a government only a century old our national sins are alarming and portentous of disaster. One of the great perils is universal extravagance. Most of our cities and villages and even our churches are in debt because of extravagance. To find a church out of debt is the exception. Pay as you go should be our rule. As individuals we are also in debt as a rule. There is a great yearning among us to appear much richer than we really are...So in this blind struggle we go beyond our means to keep up our appearances. Then trust funds are absorbed and forgeries are traced with the pen; the panics come and the misery. Woe to the nation, which is extravagant, for the poor must share the penalty with the rich, the good with the bad.

We have another great peril in monopoly. It governs our railways, our telegraph and all the great necessaries of life. See how men get up corners in grain and pork and oil. Why they would corner fresh water and air and even salvation if they could...

The tendency to hold life cheaply is a national peril. Look at our crazy steamers and deadly tenements - argument is needless. Death trap factories and concealed weapons surfeit the newspapers with stories of blood...

Infidelity is promoted by Sunday publications and boat travel. They draw the mind away from religion and empty the churches. Ignorant immigration adds to the native evils, and we get a great mass of vice and wretchedness sent to us every year.

To cap the climax of our evils rum lifts its awful head among us...The corporations which manufacture it have money and find it easy to corrupt our legislatures. Rum strikes the roots of our prosperity everywhere. Why, even the President of the nation took the oath of office while drunk. Think of it! The well being of fifty millions of people in the hands of a drunkard!

100 Years Ago

The Northfield News

July 6, 1909

3 cents a copy/$1.25 year

Fred N. Whitney, editor

Charles Herlihy and Richard Stone, each had their left hands badly bruised and burned Monday, from the explosion of fire crackers. Ward Jones face was badly burned with powder and at first it was feared he would lose the sight of one eye, but aside from the pain no serious results are anticipated.

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The 31st annual meeting of the American Library association was held at Bretton Woods, N. H., last week between 600 and 700 members and friends of the association being in attendance... Miss Silverthorn of the Norwich University library and Miss Brown of the Brown Public Library were both in attendance at the meeting.

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The Champlain Tercentenary celebration around Lake Champlain is now on...On Saturday successful celebrations were held in Vergennes and Swanton. On Sunday there was a general observance with religious services appropriate to the Champlain anniversary at all the centers of celebration and generally in churches throughout the state. On Monday there was a celebration appropriate to the Fourth of July in Burlington...Today is French- American day in Burlington with literary exercises in the French language...Thursday, July 8 - Presidential day in Burlington, grand military parade, Marathon race and Indian pageants.

75 Years Ago NEWS AND ADVERTISER

July 5, 1934

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

The Northfield Rotary Club enjoyed a delightful outing in place of their regular meeting last week when 22 members and guests went to Lake Elmore and had dinner at the Golden Glow Lodge. There was music and impromptu talks during the evening, a special feature of the evening being a selection by a quartet composed of H. C. Cady, Levi T. Cross, Henry Davis and Leon Ordway, with Prof A. W. Peach at the piano.

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Porter Adams, president of Norwich university, has received word from Major General Fox Connor, commanding officer of the first corps area, announcing that as a result of the annual inspection by Lieutenant Colonel Arthur E. Wilbourn, U. S. Army, Norwich has received the rating of "excellent." General Connor expressed his pleasure at the high standing of the university, and congratulated Norwich on maintaining the excellence of former years.

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One of the largest crowds seen on the common in Northfield for many years attended the Street Bazaar under the auspices of Sorrell-Maynard Post of the American Legion last week. Parking space was at a premium some distance from Depot square and the hillside near the United church was filled with people...The Northfield Coronet Band gave one of its delightful converts, under the direction of Weldon House. Following the concert dancing was enjoyed by a large number. Messier's orchestra, seated on an elevated platform, furnished music.

50 Years Ago

NEWS AND ADVERTISER

July 2, 1959

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

During the second week of the Playground season, the attendance reached nearly 3,000, with 1500 using the pool in spite of the bad weather. Monday's 90-degree heat brought many more flocking to the cool, refreshing pool water.

25 Years Ago

NORTHFIELD NEWS

July 5, 1984 25 cents a copy, $2 a year

Erik Nelson, editor

Lorraine R. Day, Administrator of the Mayo Memorial Nursing Home in Northfield, was elected President of the Vermont Health Care Association at the June 21st annual meeting in Fairlee, Vermont.

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The Vermont Quilt Festival, New England's largest quilt event and one of the finest in the East, will be held July 20, 21 & 22 on the campus of Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. Governor Richard A. Snelling has proclaimed the third week of July as Vermont Quilt Festival Week.

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Father Joseph Romano arrived in Northfield on schedule and has moved into the Vine Street Rectory along with his German short-haired pointer, Molly. Father Joe comes most recently from St. Johnsbury where he has been pastor for the past year. The Rutland native has also been a Chaplain in the US Navy, having served with a destroyer squadron out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and seen duty off the coast of Vietnam during that war. The Pastor is an amateur "ham" radio operator, having picked up training while aboard ships at sea.