A Glimpse Of Newtown At The Turn Of The Last Century

By Jan Howard

A perusal of issues of The Newtown Bee from the early months of 1899 give a reader a glimpse into what life was like for the residents of this town at that time and what information was important to them.

The newspapers of the late 1800s were very different from today, with emphasis placed on tidbits of information about local residents, their comings and goings, occupations, and daily concerns. The following are some snippets of information about Newtown and its residents that have been gleaned from issues of The Newtown Bee for the first four months of 1899.

January 13

 There was a battle royal in the piggery of George W. Northrop the other day. Two boars got together and cut each other badly. Three men with bars finally managed to separate them.

The Palestine School is having an extended vacation on account of the illness of the teacher, Mrs Henry Pratt of Hattertown.

E.D. Camp picked a dandelion in full bloom on January 5, and residents of Taunton think the backbone of winter is broken.

February 24

The “club” – which some think ought to be “clubbed” out of existence long ago – isn’t as well attended as usual. Do the attendants sniff the threatened prosecution?

March 3

 M.A. Todd’s horse was dangerously sick last week with colic, requiring the attendance of Dr Todd of New Milford. The animal is now on the mend.

Fresh eggs are more scarce in Danbury today than they have been in a long time. One of the largest dealers in eggs in the city said this afternoon that there was hardly a real fresh country egg in the city today. The hens, which are apparently taking their spring vacation, have chosen the most inopportune time, the first part of Lent.

Herbert Lake shot a fine fox last week, and old hunters are coming around for points.

William Parker of Obtuse is the owner of a parrot, which is said to be nearly 100 years old.

Andrew C. Moore lost a valuable horse Saturday, the result of a kick from another horse.

Matthew McMahon of The Glen is doing considerable trapping this winter. He has already captured 32 skunks, 24 muskrats, seven coons, nine mink and three red foxes. He’s a hustler.

March 10

While chopping in the woods, Reuben Lane was knocked almost senseless by a large limb striking him on the head. His good looking face was badly lacerated.

Anyone who has tasted the raised doughnuts Mrs Ira Wildman makes can not help but praise them. They are fine!

Newtown Agricultural Society will hold their first races on Decoration Day, May 30.

March 17

Ferris Mead, Chester Northrop and John Elliott are assisting George Northrop at Ronald’s Castle.

Hawleyville now supports two blacksmith shops, three wagon repair shops, two coal yards, two feed stores, one lumber yard, one furniture store, one grocery store, one meat market, one saloon and one chapel. Evidently the inhabitants of this lonely little place are not going to let moss grow on their backs just yet. There might be added the saw mill, grist and cider mill of A.L. Hawley.

Edward Pillsbury expects as soon as the roads get settled to move to Shelton, where he has a new house all ready to be occupied.

March 24

 Dr Richardson of Sandy Hook has made several successful operations for rupture on parties in New Milford and vicinity recently.

A flying freight car made a wreck of itself at Hawleyville last week Friday. The brakes did not hold and it splintered the immense timbers erected to stop the cars at the end of the side track and jumped onto the platform.

Automatic chewing gum machines have been placed in all the station buildings, near the ticket offices on the Berkshire and Danbury divisions. For an investment of a cent, a small boy can now gratify his taste for gum.

April 7

George W. Northrop of Palestine has been greatly bothered lately by dogs prowling about his place, and if the dogs are not kept at home, Mr Northrop says he will not answer for the consequences.

H.H. Peck is renewing the shingles on his house, which were laid just 70 years ago. Not many roofs have done better service than this. The shingles were of cypress, and hand-made.

The historic Brick building on the Street, is losing its identity. The exterior red color is giving way to a modern tint of lighter hue.

April 21

It is said that the wedding bells will soon chime forth at Hawleyville, two popular railroad men being the intended parties. Those who expect to remember them with presents are hoping the weddings will come on different dates.

Anyone having a complete file of The Bee for 1898 is asked to communicate with Box 7, Newtown, stating price desired.

April 28

There was a close call from a serious conflagration at the Congregational Church on Sunday. A fire had been built in the lower room, recently renovated. In some way the stovepipe fell over, and the ceiling was badly scorched and smoked up as a result. It was discovered by Carleton Hubbell as the Sunday school session was about to begin.

The Eagan brothers shot quite a prize the other day in a bird called the Kellow bird. It is a curiosity. The same day they also killed three foxes and a crow. They are good marksmen.