125 Years Ago

The Northfield News

February 5, 1885 3 cents a copy/ $1.50 a year

Geo. H Richmond, editor

Gen. John W. Phelps was found dead in bed at his home in Guilford yesterday morning by one of his neighbors. He was alone in the house, his wife and child being on a visit to her parents in Northfield and the housekeeper having gone to her home in the neighborhood for the night…Gen. Phelps was born in Guilford in May 1813. After graduating from West Point he was brevetted a second lieutenant. He served in the Florida and Mexican wars, promoted to a captaincy for his gallantry in the latter, a position which he declined. He entered the war of the rebellion in 1861 as a colonel of the First Vermont Volunteers and was soon after brevetted brigadier-general. General Phelps was with Gen. Butler in the Department of the Gulf, finally, while stationed at Ship Island, he issued his famous emancipation proclamation to the negroes, for which he was proclaimed an outlaw by the confederate government. His proclamation was unfavorably received by the War Department which led to his resignation…He was the anti-Masonic candidate for President in 1880. He has been for a long time a contributor to the Century and other magazines and newspapers, and was for some time president of the teachers’ association in this state. He was first married two years ago to Mrs. Davis of Northfield, who with a nine months old child survives him.

100 Years Ago

The Northfield News

February 1, 1910 3 cents a copy/$1.25 year

Fred N. Whitney, editor

The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Northfield Telephone company was held at the office of Plumley & Plumley, Saturday evening…The company has had a very prosperous year and now stands on a sound financial basis. The indebtedness of the company has been wiped out and it is now practically free and clear from all encumbrances for the first time since its organization some 15 years ago. The service has been improved by an all night and Sunday service, the wires are in excellent condition and altogether

this local telephone company

in splendid shape. The company now has 219 'phones in use, a net increase of 11 the past year...It has a very satisfactory arrangement with the New England Telephone company, whereby subscribers are able to get connections with all outside points.

•

Miss Florence Holland entertained several members of the snow shoe club, Wednesday evening at her home on the Brook road. The club also enjoyed a several miles tramp Friday evening.

•

Warren G. Kimball came here from East Granville last week and is employed at present as engineer in the Davis mill. Mr. Kimball is boarding at Charles Thompson’s

•

Mr. & Mrs. G. W. Gerry arrived

town, Saturday from Lowell, Mass. They have rooms at Mr. Dutton's and take their meals at Mrs. James Coburn’s. Mr. Gerry

will be employed as superintendent in the Davis mill.

75 Years Ago NEWS AND ADVERTISER

January 31, 1935

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

During the year 1934 there were 66 births registered at the town clerk's office, 31 marriages and 42 deaths.

•

Representative Plumley of Vermont last week in Washington urged the farm administration

give prompt approval to the request of New England dairymen for an increase in the minimum producers' milk price.

50 Years Ago NEWS AND ADVERTISER

February 4, 1960

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

Northfield taxi service has been greatly improved with the addition of a modern communications feature, it was announced this week by Donald Jarvis, proprietor of Don's Cab. A completely new two-way radio service has been added to the cab company in a three-unit arrangement which enables the taxi phone exchange to communicate immediately with its two cabs.

25 Years Ago

NORTHFIELD NEWS

February 7, 1985 25 cents a copy, $2 a year

Erik Nelson, editor

A federal mediator called in to help settle contract negotiations between the village and the Northfield Electric Department has done his job, the village trustees learned Monday night during their regular meeting...Under the terms of the new contract, electric department workers will receive the following: a $75 clothing allowance to pay for special clothing the workers must wear on the job; a five percent pay hike in 1985 and another five percent hike in 1986; an additional week's vacation after 25 years of service; 20 percent cash payment of accumulated sick days over 100 days upon termination or retirement; Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday will be a paid holiday beginning in 1986; the village agrees to follow the state's lineman apprentice program salary schedule; and utilities borrowing workers will pay that worker's salary plus 10 percent. ...Also during Monday's meeting, the trustees set in motion Jack Baroffio's application process. Baroffio wants to operate a junkyard at his service station on North Main Street...The trustees will hold a public hearing on the matter Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal managers office to hear public comment on the issue.

•

Norwich University will host first day of issue ceremonies for the Alden Partridge stamp from 1-3 p.m. on February 12 in Plumley Armory on the University's campus in Northfield. First day issue cancellations will be available for collectors.

•

The use of all-terrain vehicles is permitted on frozen public waters in Vermont with some exceptions. Environmental Conservation Secretary Leonard Wilson recently announced the decision after consulting with the Department of Public Safety Commissioner Charles Bristow and Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Norman Wright. The Legislature last year passed a law designating where all-terrain vehicles could not be used, and the law included frozen public bodies of water. However, the law also gave the Secretary of Environmental Conservation the authority to designate public waters on which ATV's could be used.