Back in the day, people clipped the odd article from newspapers and magazines to tuck them in books and notebooks for reference, to share or just to read later when they had more time. I do the same thing when I am perusing the back issues of the Norwich Bulletin but I just put them on various flash drives to read later. This is my later, but while interesting I don’t always recall why I saved them.

I did my best to not change the names, language, spelling or grammar. The following is as it appeared in the newspaper. Do any of the names sound familiar to you? They might not be mentioned in the national history books but each of them certainly was notable in the history of Norwich, CT.

These are all from the Norwich Bulletin of May 8, 1861.

The Muster Rolls – We have sent to New Haven and Hartford, for complete muster tolls of the three Norwich companies, who have already gone. We have received only the muster roll of Capt. Peale’s company which we publish this morning. The others we hope, will be forthcoming for publication tomorrow.

A Military Company, called Hoplites, has been formed at the Free Academy. They hold daily drills, meaning to be ready in case of emergency, though they will not volunteer at present. Yesterday a flag was presented the company by the young ladies of the school. H.E. Bowers, one of the Academy Zouaves, made the presentation speech. Capt. Bill responded for the company.

$1,500. – Henry Cross, an intelligent colored man, who has enlisted as servant in Captain Peale’s company, came home on business Monday and returns this morning. Some of his friends told him that “If Jeff Davis should catch him he’d hang him.” “No, sir.” said Henry, “Don’t you believe that. Jeff Davis ain’t the man to hang fifteen hundred dollars, nor ‘any other man.’ I’m safe, I’ll bet.”

Norwich First on the Muster Roll. – The Hartford people feel a justifiable and honest pride in having furnished the first volunteer company accepted from Connecticut. We notice another fact in that connection, which gratifies not a little our Norwich pride. The first name on the muster roll of the first company of the first regiment of Connecticut volunteers, is E. Kempton Abbott of Norwich. So a Norwich boy heads the list of privates in the ranks of our First Regiment.

A Patriotic Offer – Col. Anson F. Wier, of Lebanon, has sent word to Gov. Buckingham, that if authority can be granted him, he will enlist a full company of Cavalry from the towns of Lebanon, Columbia, Hebron, and Windham, and if necessary will equip them from his own private means. We hope the patriotic offer will be accepted and that the State will see that the company is fully equipped without expense to Col. Fowler.”

The following is from the May 8, 1851 Norwich Bulletin on a few of the actions taken by the City Council at a recent meeting.

“Report of His Honor, the Mayor, upon the Petition of David Ewen and others respecting Stephen Rathbone’s Lime Kiln in West Chelsea declaring the same a nuisance, recommending its being abated, and authorizing the attorney to prosecute, was read. Report accepted, and resolution adopted.

Voted. Not to rescind the vote passed at a former meeting, respecting permission to Henry Allen to boil Varnish within the limits of the city.

Voted. That the City Attorney be, and he is hereby instructed to prosecute all persons carrying on the business of soap boiling within the city, without license,”

[ Attest, Z R. Robbins, Clerk pro tem]

Thank you for keeping your comments fresh and bubbly folks.

Thank you for reading and sharing my history and Norwich Community blog freely with your family or friends or anyone you think might be interested or in a position to take on some of the suggested projects. Don’t hesitate to contact me for further information. I am happy to pass along anything I can. Together we can make a difference. Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs

Do you like mysteries? Would you help solve one? Not a murder or a theft mystery. A location mystery.

The background.

In April 2021 the Robert O. Fletcher Post #4 of the American Legion on Laurel Hill in Norwich, CT closed and the property was sold. But who was Robert O. Fletcher?

Robert O. Fletcher was a popular Norwich, CT native. He had graduated Falls School and the Norwich Free Academy Class of 1912. A good student, prominent, popular and athletic. He was Captain of the baseball team and a football player. Drawn to office work his first job was in the office of Hopkins & Allen Arms Company and then to the Norwich Bulletin as the sports editor until he joined the Army in July 1917.

Fletcher was company clerk when he became the third Norwich son to die in the Great War.

In June 1919 is when our mystery begins. According to an article in the Norwich Bulletin on June 23, 1919 A purple beech tree was planted in memorial of Robert O. Fletcher, 56^th Artillery, U.S.A., as part of an impressive Bulletin Day at Ludlow in North Stonington, the country place of William H. Oat, secretary and manager of the company.

“After brief exercises round the tree, forty of those who had known and loved Sergeant Fletcher in their association with him as a member of the Bulletin staff, passed round the tree each throwing in a shovelful of earth. Manager Oat concluded the exercises by hanging on the tree a copper plate which bore this inscription:

In memory

of

Sergeant Major Robert O. Fletcher

of

The 56^th Artillery

Killed at

Chere Chatrauve, France

August 15, 1918

As the men gathered in a circle around the tree the exercises were opened with the reading of a touching tribute to Sergeant written by A. Walton Pearson, editor of the Bulletin, at whose suggestion the tree had been planted. Then was read by Charles F. Whitney, city editor, a poem entitled, A Tree, by Joyce Kilmer, a New York newspaper man, who made the supreme sacrifice also somewhere in France. Charles D. Noyes, president of the Bulletin Company closed this part of the exercises with a tender tribute to the newspaper soldier comrade.”

So in 2021 the mystery is 1. Where was the actual location of the tree? 2. Is it or one of its off spring still living today? 3. What happened to the copper plate? Is it still in place on the tree after 100 years? Was it melted down? Is it safely in a box in someones attic or basement? 4. Have local stories or legends been built around the copper plate? Can you help answer any of these questions?

If you can help please contact Richard R. Russ of American Legion Post 4 or Beryl Fishbone, berylfishbone@yahoo.com.

Thank you for reading and sharing my history and Norwich Community blog freely with your family or friends or anyone you think might be interested or in a position to take on some of the suggested projects. Don't hesitate to contact me for further information. I am happy to pass along anything I can. Together we can make a difference. Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs

Norwich, CT could really do well by looking into its past for its future. For example, and let me give credit to the July 28, 1908 Norwich Bulletin for photo and article that I am going to quote extensively.

The article was accompanied by a drawing of the inside and outside of the expected trolleys that ran not just locally but to Westerly RI as well. Norwich planned for their building and arrival. If we had similar “trolleys” available. Just look alikes to the old trolleys Norwich might see an increase in visitor traffic just for the experience of riding such a vehicle. Middletown, RI has a fleet of trolley buses they use spring thru fall for event and tourist traffic and park very visibly thru the winter.

The trolleys are great fun just to ride, attend events and take from location to location.

The 1908 article was very specific stating . “Two summer coaches for the Norwich-Westerly Road promised for this morning – will be running next week.”

“On Friday night, two of the summer cars on the Norwich-Westerly trolley road were due in Willimantic and the officials of the road were promised that they would be delivered to the company this morning. The cars have come from High Point, N.C., and because of clearances, they have been a long time on the road. The cars will be brought here on a special and switched off at Fort Point, and immediately taken to the car barn near Hallville. The trucks for the cars are all ready to receive the bodies and the wiring is also completed so that very little work is necessary to get them into motion.”

The car barn is not completed as yet as the trusses have only arrived this week for the roof. As soon as they are in place the work will be rushed along on that building, but it is not anticipated that it will be required especially now.

There is every reason to believe that the cars will be running over the line in the coming week and then it will be but a short time before the company has the railroad commissioners approve the roadbed and cars run between here and Hallville.

Besides the two summer cars due here today, there are two more on the road of the same type. Besides these there will be two combination passenger and smoking cars. These will be delivered later and it is intended that they will be used with the summer cars if desired, running two cars at a trip.

The cars are each 41 feet long and with full vestibules [defined as a semi-circular and widened passageway between cars.] All the cars are closed as the time which will be made will not allow of open cars, the danger of falling off being too great. There will be four 65-horsepower motors on each car and the distance between here and Westerly about 20 miles, will be made in an hour, although it is claimed it can be done in 45 minutes.

The appearance of the cars is shown by the accompanying cut, and an outline of the baggage and smoking combination cars are also shown. In the combination cars will be toilets. The cars are expensive ones and more elaborate than any others seen in the vicinity. They are up to date in every particular, with cross seats and fitted up in railroad coach style.”

It is a shame that in 2021 in Southeastern CT we no longer have public transportation that can run us quickly, quietly and efficiently to places like Westerly, RI, Hartford, CT, New Haven, CT, Middletown, CT or even quite honestly across Norwich without transfers and greater time being needed than if the distance were being walked.

Thank you for reading and sharing my history and Norwich Community blog freely with your family or friends or anyone you think might be interested or in a position to take on some of the suggested projects. Don't hesitate to contact me for further information. I am happy to pass along anything I can. Together we can make a difference. Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs

The weather outside is gorgeous. The vaccinations are working. The history tours of Norwich will be starting soon. But have you had a tour in Thamesville? Probably not because, well, its not an area of Norwich, CT that many are acquainted with. Yes. Thamesville is yet another tiny little village within the boundaries of Norwich. How many little areas can one small city have? Lots over the years and the names and boundaries do change over time. Thamesville has lost most of its independent identity now and few reading this blog will even know where it is located.

(If you have ever wondered why Norwich, CT has so many fire stations in so many, unique places, this may provide an individual answer. )

But on July 24, 1905 everyone for miles knew its exact location. No, I was not there and will be quoting from a very long article, three columns, from the the July 25, 1905 Norwich Bulletin titled, “The Damaged Silk Mill at Thamesville.”

“With a moaning sound that could be heard for fully half a mile and a concussion that violently shook the buildings in the southern portion of the city, the boiler of the Norwich Silk Company exploded Monday morning at about 7 o’clock, with fatal results to Joseph E. Hopkins, the engineer, and injuring several other employees of the company. The establishment commenced work for the day at 6:30, and everything seemed to be going in routine order until the accident occurred.

As soon as the explosion occurred an alarm of the fire was run in, and a telephone message was sent to police headquarters stating that there had been a serious accident at the silk mill, and that undoubtedly several were killed and many injured. Sergeant Twomey, who was at the desk, ordered out the ambulance and sent telephone calls around the city for physicians to hurry to the scene of the disaster.

Dr. D.G. Harris was the first to arrive upon the scene, and directed his attntion to the relief of Engineer Hopkins, who was found near the door, conscious, but suffering terrible agony from his burns. Drs. Cassidy and Harriman arrived soon after, and directed their attentions to the relief of the other sufferers.

The firemen of the Independence Hose company and the West Side chemical cart, who now carry bandages and remedies suitable for first aid to the injured, rendered timely assistance to the sufferers pending the arrival of the physicians. Mr. Hopkins was removed to the ambulance and the driver hastened at top speed for the Backus Hospital, but his efforts and medical skill were in vain, as the sufferer expired before the hospital was reached, and the remains were taken in charge by Charles A. Gager, Jr. and removed to his undertaking rooms on Franklin Street. Death was undoubtedly caused by his burns and scalds and the inhaling of flames and steam, as no bones were fractured.

Miss Nellie Cummings had one of her ears cut and was badly frightened but was not seriously injured. She was removed to her home on Geer Avenue, where it will take her several days to recover from the shock.

The building was set on fire by the coals from the firebox being scattered about the floor and sides of the main building, but the flames were quickly extinguished by the firemen upon their arrival, and although a part of the building is slightly charred, the damage from that source is small. The establishment presents a desolate picture today, fragments of the engine and fixtures are scattered around the grounds, and speak silently of the terrible force given by the escaping steam. In the interior of the building is the boiler lying in the southeast portion of the building, with a gaping hole in the roof above it, and broken matchers , winders and other machinery of the silk winding industry lying on all sides. Pieces of the iron base and firebox of the instrument of destruction are scattered around on the floor and imbedded in the . of the building. Fire Chief Stanton found the safety valve over two hundred feet from the engine room.

A large sized hole was made in the North end of the building by a flying piece of the firebox, which was entirely shattered. By the door of the engine room is a spooling machine that was entirely wrecked by the shower of iron and coals that were sent through the door and the length of the main room. The engineer was seen a few minutes before the disaster sitting in front of the door of the firebox and must have received nearly the whole of the stream of fire that was hurled out of the door of the furnace when the boiler started on its ascent.

Five minutes before the explosion Charles Gager, who has been employed at the plant since it was started, made a trip through the mill, and at that time Mr. Hopkins was sitting in a chair in front of the boiler. When the explosion occurred the room was filled with smoke and steam, mixed with the pieces of iron which were hurled through the door of the engine room. Mr. Gager, who was engaged at work on some of the machinery, was thrown to the floor by the shock and was stunned for a moment, but upon comprehending what had happened escaped through one of the windows.

There were 23 persons in the building at the time of the accident and how it happened that more were not seriously hurt is little short of miraculous. Mr. Gager although receiving several slight burns and bruises, was not seriously hurt and is able to be around. He was one of the first to find and render aid to the unfortunate engineer.

The employees of nearby factories, who do not start work until 7 o’clock, witnessed the accident and were on hand to assist in the care of the injured. George A. Smith, general manager of the company, was near at hand when the accident occurred and took charge of the care of the injured The plant where the accident occurred is located at the end of shipping street in Thamesville, with a front on the [river] Thames. The plant was formerly owned by the National Economizer company and consists of a main building, an engine room and an office and storeroom. The cause of the explosion will probably never be known, as the only one who knew about the condition of the boiler was the deceased engineer and it can hardly be credited to be any fault of his.

It was an upright boiler 54×53 and weighed in the neighborhood of two tons. When examined after the explosion it was found that several of the stay bolts in the bottom had given way, allowing the lower part to blow out, giving a downward pressure to the escaping steam and causing the weighty piece of metal to go up instead of in the rotary manner, as it would have done if the break had been in the side. Manager George A. Smith, of the company stated, when seen by a Bulletin reporter Monday afternoon, that he was unable to determine where the fault lay, as the boiler was only ten years old and had never given any trouble before. It was inspected last March by State Boiler Inspector Jeremiah Sullivan of Norwich, and found to be in a safe condition. He had subjected it to a cold water test with a pressure of 135 pounds, which is the most severe test a boiler can be given. He had made a most careful examination, taking over two hours with the work, and had given permission to carry 85 pounds of steam. The boiler was a 35 horsepower and was built by Thomas Drummond of New London. Mr. Sullivan is considered to be an expert in his profession, and this is the first accident that has occurred to boilers inspected by him during his term of service, which has covered twelve years. Mr. Smith stated that the engine has been injured, but not ruined, and that he should take steps to put the plant in running order immediately as he had all the orders booked that he could handle for some time to come. The mill has been running for only about three months, but have had all the orders that they were able to handle.

Inspector Sullivan visited the scene of the disaster a short time after the accident and found that the first break was at a point near one of the legs. The pressure and expanding was too much for the other leg, and it gave way under the double strain.

The scene of the accident was visited by Coroner Brown late Monday morning for an official investigation, and the superintendent, S. A. Gager, who was in the mill at the time the explosion took place, but escaped injury, was questioned. From the examination of various employees and officials of the company, the coroner learned very little to explain the cause of the disaster, as there had been no trouble with the boiler before this, and up to the time of the explosion everything seemed to be running all right and the machine was running at its usual speed. As Mr. Hopkins, had full charge of the machinery, he was the only one that knew how it was working previous to and during Monday morning.

The remains of Mr. Hopkins were viewed at the hospital by Medical Examiner Paddock and Coroner Brown, but as yet the coroner has given no official verdict.

The scene of the accident and the damaged buildings were visited by large crowds of people Monday, and many of them carried away pieces of iron splinters as souvenirs.

Joseph E. Hopkins, was a native of Woonsocket, RI where he was born June 25, 1832. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Twenty-first Massachusetts volunteers, serving bravely three years, and was honorably discharged. When the war was over Mr. Hopkins emigrated to Canada, where he was married in St Johns, P.Q. Later moving to Waterloo. Nine years ago he moved his family to Norwich. Mr. Hopkins was a man of many trades, among them that of an engineer. He was identified with several organizations among them the Master Builders Association, General Burnside Council, No. 83, O.U.A.M. And Sedgewick Post, No. 1, G.A.R. In the latter organization he held the office of officer of the day.

Mr. Hopkins is survived by his wife and a son, William H. Hopkins, who lives at 117 Franklin Street. Mr. Hopkins was a man of the highest character and one who in the course of a long and useful life had endeared himself to a wide circle of friends.”

Thank you readers for indulging me with this lengthy blog. I think its important to name as many names as I possibly can when I write about the history of Norwich, CT. These are the names and the places that should be talked about and discussed. The every day people who went about their daily lives with little recognition but whose memory is the very building block of who we are today as a city.

Thank you for reading and sharing my history and Norwich Community blog freely with your family or friends or anyone you think might be interested or in a position to take on some of the suggested projects. Don't hesitate to contact me for further information. I am happy to pass along anything I can. Together we can make a difference. Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs

In September of 1905 the question of whether all cities and towns of Connecticut should share a uniform charter was posed by editors of the Hartford Times newspaper to the mayors of representative cities and towns of Connecticut. According to an article in the September 13,1905 Norwich Bulletin the letter of inquiry also asked whether authority an responsibility should be concentrated or diffused; whether the city legislature should be a one-chambered institution or a bicameral body; whether the municipal commissions should be single-headed or plural-headed; and whether a large measure of home rule should be conferred on the cities.

To be honest as I read through some of the published replies, I only cared about and read with interest, only the reply from Charles F. Thayer, Mayor of Norwich, CT.

The reply of Mayor Thayer was, I am in receipt of your favor, asking my opinion relative to a uniform charter for the cities of Connecticut.

Although not informed officially, the newspapers have published the fact that his excellency the governor has honored me with a position on the commission of which you are also named as a member, which has for its object the consideration of this subject.

My first impression is that to give public expression to my views on the subject, which I must hereafter consider officially, would be regarded as premature and fairly subject me to criticism.

I am glad that we are to have an opportunity to exchange views at close range upon a subject of so great importance to the state.

With high esteem, I am your obedient servant,

Charles F. Thatcher.

Norwich, Conn.

Did you know that Mayor Thatcher was head of such a commission? Did you know that such a commission even existed? What do you know about the lives, times and performances of the political leaders of Norwich, CT? In the City Council Chamber are some of the surviving portraits of some of the Mayors but wouldn’t it be nice if there was a book, even a loose-leaf notebook with a photo of the portrait and a bit of a history of the individual? Every project needs to start somewhere. Is there a historian in Norwich, CT willing to take on a single 50 year period to research the Mayors and their actions? I am not forgetting the years when Norwich, Conn had different political leadership. Those years also need to be documented. Are you willing to be the one to take a look at those times and shed some light on them? Being a historian is not just about reading books written by others, being a historian is validating the lives of others that have an impact on the lives of others.

Thank you for reading and sharing my history and Norwich Community blog freely with your family or friends or anyone you think might be interested or in a position to take on some of the suggested projects. Don't hesitate to contact me for further information. I am happy to pass along anything I can. Together we can make a difference. Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs

In Norwich, CT there are a number of people interested in the wreckage’s of the old mills located throughout the city. Many recite the same old, tired, and usually incorrect tales that they read in some book whose author just re-told, in a more exciting way, a tale they heard. Fact checking is not big in Norwich, CT history.

Let’s all face it. Fact checking takes a tremendous amount of time and is boring. For example I suffered through the reading of a single paragraph article from the March 3, 1902 Norwich Bulletin for an eternity. Not really, but you know what I mean.

I do not know who wrote the article. I am presuming that it was a staff writer of the Bulletin at the time. I did not recognize any of the names mentioned but perhaps you do? Maybe they were a relative? If they were, here is an opportunity to know more about them as individuals and not just a birth and death date from their tomb stone.

So while I can not do more to substantiate the information of the article, I present it to you as it was presented to the public then.

“The Otrobando Mill will be opened for work this Monday morning by the Shewville company for the purpose of filling orders unable to be supplied by the output of the latter mill. In engaging help those living in the vicinity of the mill have had a preference, and will continue to have it, though it is probable a few families may move here from Shewville, and occupy some of the many vacant mill tenements on Sturtevant street. The cloth to be manufactured is thibet for men’s wear, the yarn for the same being at present spun in the Shewville mill. Later it is possible ladies’ cloth may be made here. The former manager, Walter G. Hitchon, is in charge, and with James Fraser, and John Shea, who has had charge of the premises during the long period of inaction, has been busy during the past week getting the mill ready for operation. Heavy golf suiting was the last material manufactured here.”

Thank you for reading and sharing my history and Norwich Community blog freely with your family or friends or anyone you think might be interested or in a position to take on some of the suggested projects. Don't hesitate to contact me for further information. I am happy to pass along anything I can. Together we can make a difference. Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs

Have you ever wanted to give a gift to cheer someone on as they set off on a new adventure? I have a friend who is just beginning the gardening of her home. I thought about a gift certificate to a garden place but then what would be appropriate? I thought about giving her a plant but would it fit in with her garden projects? What tools in specific did she need? Maybe a plant book? How about a complete set of “Rosemary & Thyme?”

That was when I happened upon a little notebook titled, “In My Garden. ” It really is perfect. It is a pocket sized spiral notebook maybe 3×5 with each page titled Gardening Season: Winter/Spring/Summer Fall

Date:

Weather Conditions:

Garden Preparation:

What I planted:

Maintenance:

Visitors to my garden (animals, insects, birds):

Notes:

There is enough room to write just a little bit of information. Certainly not a thesis. I might find a spot towards the top just to make a note if its the North Fence Line Garden or the South Fence Line Garden, or part sun, full sun, dappled sun. I have had the experience of the amount of sun to an area change when a neighbor took a tree down and certain plants objected to the changes in the amount of sunlight they received.

My friend will receive this wonderful little “In My Garden” book but I am going to create my own version of the pages for a three-leaf binder. Where I am thinking of also having a crude, hand-drawn by me, sketch of the yard and the placement of the current plants I know the names of. All in hopes that the next person in my home will appreciate the flowers and the greenery around it.

Thank you for reading and sharing my history and Norwich Community blog freely with your family or friends or anyone you think might be interested or in a position to take on some of the suggested projects. Don't hesitate to contact me for further information. I am happy to pass along anything I can. Together we can make a difference. Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs

Two articles in the March 7, 1898 Norwich Bulletin put a smirk to my lips and a shake of disbelief to my head. It seems that as humans we are repeating, and repeating and repeating the same things but not paying heed to any lessons of them or even remembering them.

The first article was “A strange item comes from Moscow concerning a very wealthy Russian who seems to be crazed upon the music of “Riggoletto.” According to the story, he proposes, at a cost of $6,000 to construct a tiny theater where Verdi’s opera can be played by marionettes, and he hopes to induce various eminent artists to sing the vocal parts onto a phonograph so that they can be reproduced every night for his private amusement.” What a grand time this fellow could have today with You-tube and Netflix!

It has long been noted that women’s liberation in Colorado was ahead of its time but I wonder how many know this? “A woman notary public in Denver, Col., was married recently, and the question arose as to what name she should sign in her official capacity. The matter was referred to the attorney general of the state, and he has furnished an opinion that there is no authority of law for women in Colorado to drop their maiden names in the event of marriage. She must therefore sign all documents as before marriage, because there is no authority for a change of names at marriage or any other time.” Now I am wondering if that is still true today.

Thank you for reading and sharing my history and Norwich Community blog freely with your family or friends or anyone you think might be interested or in a position to take on some of the suggested projects. Don’t hesitate to contact me for further information. I am happy to pass along anything I can. Together we can make a difference. Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs

Here is a Ponemah Mills story as reported in the March 27, 1902 Norwich Bulletin. [The names and information has not been changed in any way by me.]

Joseph Gobell, of Norwich, Conn., has brought suit against the Ponemah Mills of this city re a concern running a mill at Norwich, for $25,000 damages for injuries he sustained through the alleged negligence of the defendant corporation, for which he worked, says the Providence Journal. He says that there is in the Norwich mill an elevator shaft running from the ground to the top floor. Mr. Gobell is a fireman. About 7 o’clock on the evening of February 21, 1901, he says, he was instructed to empty certain pails of water, and as he proceeded about the task he fell down the elevator shaft, which, he contends, was insufficiently guarded and without warning of danger. His collar bone, right shoulder and several ribs were broken, he says, and he sustained other severe injuries.

In the same issue of the Norwich Bulletin was the story of a very romantic marriage. The story was the announcement of the marriage of Miss Ethel Saterlee, now of Denver, Col., and Mr. William C. Bennett, of the same city. The marriage came as a surprise to her friends in Norwich.

Miss Satterlee became acquainted with Mr. Bennett upon her arrival in Denver last fall, where she soon formed a large circle of friends and became a member of the Tuesday Musical Club and the choir of St John’s Cathedral.

The announcement of her engagement to Mr. Bennett had not been formally made when the marriage took place, although plans had been made for a fall wedding. Events were in precipitated by the appointment of Mr. Bennett to the managership of the Montana Department of the Northwestern Life and Savings company.

Arrangements for a hasty wedding were made on the night of Mr. Bennett’s departure on a preliminary business trip, and the ceremony was performed at 10 o’clock the next morning at the home of the bride’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. Dwight Satterlee of Detroit Street, Dean Hart officiating. Miss Satterlee was gowned in blue chiffon over taffeta, and carried a large bunch of Jacqueminot roses. A luncheon was served, and the young people left on their wedding journey.

Miss Satterlee, it will be remembered, resided in town with her family for about a year, living in the house formerly occupied by the late George Martin, on Williams Street. During her stay in town she was a student at the Norwich Art School, and sang with acceptance at a number of entertainments.

Thank you for reading and sharing my history and Norwich Community blog freely with your family or friends or anyone you think might be interested or in a position to take on some of the suggested projects. Don't hesitate to contact me for further information. I am happy to pass along anything I can. Together we can make a difference. Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs

It was with great delight that I read in the July 25, 1902 edition of the Norwich Bulletin a listing of the Norwich Business Houses. That “serves as a directory of the leading Financial, Professional, Manufacturing, Wholesale and Retail firms. It is published daily for the benefit of traveling salesmen, strangers and the public generally.” Norwich, CT then was a busy place but when a closer look is taken to compare the types of the businesses then, to what would be the businesses now be?

Three bakeries are listed L.H. Brunelle , 20 Fairmount St, made fine bread and supplied all the grocers,

A Shapiro, 10 Thames St, baked white and rye bread.

Star Bakery, Taftville, Was the best and cheapest place to purchase bread, pies and cakes.

Bicycle Repairing. D.K. Hubbard, 230 Franklin St Repaired bicycles, sewing machines, lawn mowers. Fitted keys and locks and sharpened knives and shears.

Blacksmiths. Wm. Blackburn, 15 Myers Alley. Blacksmithing and machine forging.

E.C. Gay, Town Street. Horseshoer and general blacksmith. Repairing promptly done.

Boots and Shoes. L. Markoff & Co. 159 West Main. Markdown sale of Footwear. Prices are low.

Carriage Builders. Geo. W. Harris., 354 West Main St. Has on hand a few new business wagons to sell at low, low prices.

A.R. Keables, Norwich Town. Carriage and Wagon Painting. General repairing on wood and iron work.

Carriage Painters George P. Adaris, Town Street. Carriage painter. “Give me a trial order.”

Cigar Manufacturers. J. E. Conant. 11 Franklin Street.

The New Market., 715 Boswell Ave., Choice of ales, wines, liquors, and cigars always on hand. On line of electric cars. Telephone 204-5.

Florists. Miss R.L. Spencer, 24 Elizabeth Street, Fragrant white roses, very fine, large stock, also cut flowers at right prices.

Horseshoeing. HC Lane, 17 Chestnut Street The shoeing of lame and interferier (sp) horses a specialty.

JD Pfeiffer, 208 West Main St, Scientific horseshoeing a specialty. Horses called for and returned if desired. Tel call 3-3.

MW Sterry, Norwich Town Green. Practical horseshoeing at short notice. All work guaranteed.

Junk Dealer. Norwich Bottle and Junk Corporation, 44 Forest Street. Dealers in scrap iron, metal, rubbers, rags, bottles, etc. Drop us a postal and team will call.

The Max Gordon & Son Corp. Willow St. Dealers in paper stock, woolen rags, rubbers, old metal, etc. Highest prices paid. Telephone connection.

Livery Stables. John B Stoddard, 127 Franklin St. Livery, Boarding and Feed Stable. Horse-clipping with Gillette power clipper. Telephone 175-5

Markets. Falls Market, 50 Sherman St. Choice beef, Mutton, Lamb and veal, canned goods, vegetables. JB Alofsin, Prop.

Strange how this day was not full of the tailors and the seamstresses that I expected to see but perhaps this day was about transportation and taking care of the horses and clothing was on another day.

Thank you for reading and sharing my history and Norwich Community blog freely with your family or friends or anyone you think might be interested or in a position to take on some of the suggested projects. Don’t hesitate to contact me for further information. I am happy to pass along anything I can. Together we can make a difference. Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs