125 Years Ago

The Northfield News

August 6, 1884 3 cents a copy/ $1.50 a year

Geo. H Richmond, editor

The people of Northfield are to be furnished with a rare opportunity for a good time on Friday next, Aug. 8th, in a basket picnic excursion to Highgate (Missisquoi park) over the Central Vermont. A special train leaves here at 7:40 a.m., and returns at 7:15 stopping five hours at the park. The Northfield cornet band accompanies the excursion to furnish music on the way and at the park. The expense for adults is $1.00, for children of twelve and under, 50 cents. The train will run as express, making no stops save to meet and pass trains at stations. Everybody is expected to go and as far as we can hear everybody expects to go.

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The Voltaic Belt Co., of Marshall Mich., offers to send their celebrated Electro Voltaic Belt and other Electric Appliances on trial for thirty days, to men (young and old) afflicted with nervous disability loss of vitality and manhood, and all kindred troubles. Also for rheumatism, neuralgia, paralysis and many other diseases. Complete restoration to health, vigor and manhood guaranteed. No risk is incurred as thirty days trial is allowed. Write them at once for illustrated pamphlet free.

100 Years Ago

The Northfield News

August 10, 1909

3 cents a copy/$1.25 year

Fred N. Whitney, editor

Twenty-four barrels of crude oil arrived yesterday and the oiling of the street in depot square begun this morning. It is being applied with a hand sprinkler. The experiment is being made by the merchants association, the enterprising business men having subscribed liberally to a fund for this purpose. It is believed by many that the dust can be more effectively kept down in this manner at no greater expense that with the water wagon. It will be necessary for pedestrians to keep on the side walks as far as possible for a few days until the oil gets soaked in, as walking on this fresh oil has its disadvantages.

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The Aetna Insurance company of Hartford, Conn, through its local agent A. E. Plastridge has settled with A. E. Case for the insurance on his building and furniture destroyed by fire last week. The total amount, $800, insurance on buildings was paid and also a satisfactory settlement was effected for what furniture was burned. It is understood that Mr. Case contemplates rebuilding at an early date.

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Press comment. Montpelier Argus: "For the benefit of anyone who believed that July was a warm month attention might be called to the report of the Northfield weather man who assured us that it was the coolest average July in the past twenty years."

Vergennes Vermonter: "The editor of the Northfield News has been converted by his wife to the theory that women ought not to be allowed to vote in church meeting, not because they are not well and truly qualified to do so but on the ground that they have all the church work to do now except voting and holding office."

Enosburg Standard: "Swanton has lost its sea serpent. A New York dispatch says the monster has been seen off Cape Hatteras. Probably was offered exemption from taxation, a free site and sundry other inducements."

The Montpelier Argus tells the following story: "A little girl of nine years wanted to see the circus so much Saturday afternoon that she rode down from Northfield on the afternoon mail train without a cent of money. A man and his wife saw her and inquired about her. She gave her name, said she was alone and wanted to see the circus. They took charge of her, as they were coming to Montpelier, and on the way up town the lady stopped at a candy store to buy her some peanuts while her husband made inquiries at the police station. Chief Durkee took charge of the child, found she was a relative of John Sullivan, of Court Street, and turned her over to him, and she went back to Northfield on the evening train. She was a cute little girl and bright and didn't seem to mind her escapade. She had on two dresses, one she said she got from a girl friend so as to disguise herself."

75 Years Ago NEWS AND ADVERTISERAugust

9, 1934 5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

Despite unsettled economic conditions which have affected the enrollment at colleges and universities throughout the country, there was an increase of 50 per cent in the number of students admitted to the freshman class at Norwich University during July, according to figures released by Alleen F. Hedges, registrar. "Although this might be interpreted as an indication of the growing public realization of the value of military-academic training...it is believed that the widespread recognition gradually being given the soundness of the Norwich system has been an important contributing factor in attracting these students to the University."

50 Years Ago NEWS AND ADVERTISERAugust

6, 1959

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

The bigness of it is what makes you catch your breath - big in terms of men, machinery, miles and money... A small-sized mountain is moved a bit her and there. Indomitable looking rock formations are blasted loose and leveled. The contour of the countryside begins to take on a little different shape and appearance. That is what is happening in those area of Vermont where the interstate highway system is being constructed. It is now more than three years since Congress first authorized the vast federal road project, nationally the most mammoth highway construction job in the history of man...State officials have estimated the 320 miles allocated to Vermont will run about $339,000,000 - with Uncle Sam kicking in nearly 90 per cent and the state the remainder.

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The second reunion of older alumni, who went to Northfield High School together in the long ago, was held in the garden of William D. Hassett Thursday afternoon. Upwards of 40 old boys and girls attended.

25 Years Ago

NORTHFIELD NEWS

August 9, 1984 25 cents a copy, $2 a year

Erik Nelson, editor

In recognition of their long service to the Northfield Community, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Goodrich of South Main Street have been chosen Grand Marshals for the 1984 Northfield Labor Day Parade. The Goodrich's history in Northfield began in 1906, when Mr. Goodrich's parents relocated from Montpelier "without the knowledge or consent" of their two year old son. The family owned and operated the telephone company here. The telephone business also became Mr. Goodrich's career.