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.”

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