Today In Brattleboro History

Historic events for May 5

1832 Voters Ask Selectboard for Old Records

Voters instruct selectmen to prepare a transcript of old records of Brattleboro

1871 Chestnut Sidewalk at Crosby Block

The walk in front of Crosby block, just completed, is of chestnut plank, firmly laid and protected by a curbing of granite.

1871 Asylum Bell Given to Fire Department

Dr. W.H. Rockwell, Jr., has presented the fire department with a 300 pound alarm bell, which was formerly used at the asylum in that capacity, and is to be placed upon the tower of the new engine house on Elliot Street in a few days.

1893 Demented Man on Common

A demented man named Bennett, from Winchester, NH, attracted the attention of residents in the vicinity of the Common by his strange actions Saturday. He would divest himself of part of his clothing, perform gymnastic feats, smite the trees, put back his clothing, and repeat the operation. Officer McClure finally took charge of him and he was cared for until his friends came for him.

1893 Help Wanted – Tobacco Men

Help Wanted: Four men who understand raising tobacco, one man to drive horses and one to drive oxen. - Chas. Miner, Brattleboro.

1843 Fitchburg Railroad Begun

The contracts for the first 27 miles of the Fitchburg Railroad have been taken at much below the estimated rates. They are to be completed by the first of December; and the whole road, it is expected, will be finished in 1844.

1848 Telegraph Line Proposed

It is proposed to create a company by stock association, to contract a Telegraph from Springfield through Northampton, Greenfield and Brattleboro to Bellows Falls and Rutland, and either by the same or another company to extend it from Bellows Falls by way of Keene and Fitchburg to Worcester. Estimated cost of the line: $16,000.

1855 Listers Taking Appeals At Tavern

The Listers of Brattleboro will meet at the Holland’s Tavern in the West village, on Tuesday afternoon, 18th inst., to hear appeals from those who desire any alterations in their taxes. Those seeking a reduction will do well to attend.

1860 High School Trip To Wantastiquet Summit

A trip to the summit of Wantastiquet by Mr. Bacon of the High School, his pupils and their friends, accompanied by The Band, was rendered exceedingly pleasant by the delightful weather of this year. There were no snow drifts to interrupt their progress; on the other hand flowers in profusion beguiled their way. The arbutus, hepatica, saxifrage, and adder's-tongue are now found to be in abundance.

1876 Horses Looking For Water Fountain

The horses begin to look with longing eyes toward that drinking fountain at the corner of Main and High streets.

1876 Scissors’ Grinder Appears

The scissors’-grinder has already made his spring visit, and we wait in daily expectation of the appearance of the hand-organ man, the harp and violin, and the performing bears.

1876 J. Estey & Co. Show Centennial Organs

The cottage organs made by Messrs. J Estey & Co., for exhibition at the Centennial, were submitted to public inspection at their store-room, Friday afternoon, just previous to being shipped to Philadelphia. These sample organs are ten in number, including one church and nine parlor instruments.

1882 Railroad Ties Catch Fire

A lot of old railroad ties on the river bank near the rear of Main street took fire, Wednesday, from cinders thrown from a locomotive, endangering Main street buildings, and one of the steam fire engines had to be called out to suppress it.

1882 May Day Picnics, and Fire

The schools were not in session on May day and the weather was warm enough so that there were several picnic parties among the children. A fire was started on the mountain, as usual, presenting a beautiful scene in the evening, but doing no serious damage.

1899 Brattleboro’s Mayors

W.H. Vinton was chosen as Mayor, replacing S.B. Emerson.

1899 Runaway Boy Returned

Chief-of-Police Hall went to Greenfield, Mass., Wednesday to return a runaway boy to his uncle. The boy said his only object in running away was to secure work. While in Brattleboro he slept in freight cars and in the buildings near the depot.

1899 Esteyville’s Band Stand As Kindling

The people of Esteyville would like to know by what authority Geo. E. Bishop, or any other individual has to tear the band stand down, and remove it and the seats from the park, and make kindling wood of the same.

1899 Change in Cream Gatherers

H. J. Clark succeeds J. M. Quaide as cream gatherer on the Brattleboro and Green River routes.

1899 Seats For Sousa On Sale Soon

Reserved seat tickets for Sousa and his band at the Auditorium Thursday afternoon, May 11, will go on sale at the news store Monday evening, May 8.

1916 Cars Changing Roadbuilding

The whole idea of road building is undergoing a change because of the strain put upon the roads by the heavy cars, especially when chains are used on the tires.