125 Years Ago

The Northfield News

January 8, 1885 3 cents a copy/ $1.50 a year

Geo. H Richmond, editor

As one looks over the work of the last legislature he cannot fail to be impressed with the profound wisdom of that body as this found expression in some of their enactments. One of the most troublesome questions of all ages has been, what shall be done with the poor? the hopelessly poor, such as through age or misfortune have fallen as a burden upon others? A sort of humane feeling has restrained their friends and others from quietly slipping them out of the world, and so it has come about that many of the aged and infirm have defied all the ordinary calculations regarding length of life. But if, heretofore, paupers have been of little or no use, living or dead, hereafter, if useless in their lives the are to serve a noble purpose when dead. That was a grand conception of some legislative mind to convert paupers into "stiffs." Henceforth there will be no necessity of robbing graveyards in Vermont. The embryo physician will now watch the poor house, and make friends with the overseer of the poor, in order to secure subjects for the dissecting table... A man has no business to be poor and friendless if he wants to lie down whole in his grave. There are some who object to this law, but it certainly possesses advantages. In the first place it will save towns the expense of burying their poor, at least so far as they are taken to promote science. This always seemed like a useless expenditure of money, yet public health seemed to require that they should be buried, and it hardly accords with modern idea that they should be buried like a dog. This expense is now thrown upon the one in whose hands the victims may fall. In the second place it may encourage some to go out of the State to die. This will reduce expense and also the death rate, and make the state appear unusually healthy. In the third place, by investing death with this new terror it may encourage some to make more vigorous efforts to keep off the town. It may be that this law was designed to serve a double purpose, to promote science and to act as a spur in the sides of endeavor. In the fourth place, the interests of science must be promoted if it takes every pauper in the state. It would hardly do to take rich man for some deference must be paid to the feelings of friends. Guinea pigs and rabbits have limitations in respect to the knowledge they furnish, and we must of necessity fall back upon those who are so poor that they have no friends. In view of the passage of this law we shall anticipate great advances in a knowledge of the human system. The Vermont school boy ought, in a little while to be able to tell just how he is put together, and after a little practice to take himself apart and repair, and oil up and readjust his machinery. There is nothing like having the facilities for obtaining knowledge abundant and at hand.

100 Years Ago

The Northfield News

January 4, 1910 3 cents a copy/$1.25 year

Fred N. Whitney, editor

Although two or three propositions have been under consideration the past week between the committees of the Manufacturers' association and the Union all have been rejected and matters are apparently at a standstill. There is however hope expressed on both sides that some satisfactory adjustment may be made this week, but whether there are any definite reasons for such hope is not known as both sides to the controversy appear to be doing very little talking for publication just now. The lumpers, boxers and derrickmen's union in Bethel went out on strike yesterday. They made a demand of nine hours to take effect January 1 and a new bill and the manufacturers not paying any attention to it the men went out.

•

The wire for the completion of the electric lighting for Northfield Falls village arrived yesterday and it will be strung as soon as the weather moderates. Then the Falls village will have plenty of light.

•

The date of the annual Masonic ball has been changed to Thursday evening the 20th. This change was made necessary on account of not being able to secure the orchestra for the date previously set.

75 Years Ago NEWS AND ADVERTISER

January 3, 1935

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor Chevrolet's new lines of cars for 1935 will be on display next week in the salesrooms of Cross Bros. Co. Garage, Chevrolet dealers. The announcement was made today by W. H. Hardin, manager. "Embodying graceful new lines, as well as mechanical refinements resulting in sparking performance, and economy of a high order, the new car promises to be a sensation in the low-priced field," said Mr. Hardin. "They will provide big car performance, comfort, and driving ease at a price which will place it within the reach of millions..."

50 Years Ago NEWS AND ADVERTISERJanuary

7, 1960

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

As will be noted in advertisements on Pages 2 and 3 of this issue of the News, Grand Union's new food store on East Street will open Thursday. The new quarters provide three times the floor space available to the Grand Union in its former location on Depot Street, and many modern merchandizing facilities have been added.

25 Years Ago

NORTHFIELD NEWS

January 3, 1985 25 cents a copy, $2 a year

Erik Nelson, editor

Although 1984 did not fulfill the prophecy George Orwell made in his book of the same title, the year was marked with a certain amount of turmoil. There was of course, a major dose of good happenings to balance the doom and gloom. Among them: championship sports teams, biggest ever Observances weekend, the Quilt Show and others...In January, it was reported that the school budget would be up 54 cents in taxes, despite the cutting of the assistant principle position...Brad Denny proposed changing the name of the Dog River...the suggestion touched off a furor...The Dog has had its day and remains the Dog...The village tax went up six cents, reflecting a 6.4 per cent increase...There was a rash of deer killings...dogs were apparently running the deer down and killing them...There were no more right turns on red at Vine and Maine streets...In March the meningitis outbreak...struck at least seven Northfield youngsters... tragedy struck the Norwich University community...three cadets were killed...in a car accident in Waterbury...The forth victim later died of his injuries...in May a [Norwich University] fire brigade truck overturned, killing three and seriously injuring a fourth. Problems with the dispatching of the Northfield ambulance came to light with the collapse and death, of Russian Studies student Michael John Baum at a university function.