100 years ago — May 1909

100 years ago — May 1909

C.J. Olson of Canaan holds the record as a crow catcher. Recently his attention was attracted by a commotion in the direction of the woods back of his boarding place. Several crows were engaged in a free fight. Taking his gun, Mr. Olson thought he would settle the dispute and started after the “scrappers.� They were so intent on their own business that they paid no attention to their pursuer until he was within close range for target practice. Although the crowd dispersed as he drew near, there still remained the two “star actors� so completely mixed up with each other that it was only necessary to reach down with one hand and pick them up. Mr. Olson has the two birds in confinement and says he expects to tame them.

Nellie O’Brien, a Cornwall Hollow miss, whipped the streams in that place a few days ago for three hours and was awarded with a catch of 30 trout, all of good size.

James Kennelly of Norfolk has a hen hawk at his home that measures forty-one inches from tip to tip of wings. The bird was captured by John Shantry in Colebrook after it had chewed the head off a six-pound hen.

LIME ROCK — J. Brasie is driving Borden’s ice wagon.

SALISBURY —  C.F. Wanger has been engaged in looking after the plumbing at M.D. Wells’ residence. A new cement sidewalk is being constructed in front of William Kane’s residence on Bostwick Hill. This will be a great improvement which pedestrians will appreciate.

50 years ago — May 1959

This week the litigation started last December against Lime Rock Park’s race track was concluded with a decision handed down by Judge Shea. In effect, the decision is a compromise between the two widely opposing points of view. By it, track operations will be limited but not enjoined. Lime Rock will still have its races, but there will be no Sunday activity at the track.

CANAAN — Although workmen were busy finishing details in various rooms and halls of the new Town Hall, the Town records, furniture, and the vault door were moved last week to the new building adjacent to the North Canaan Elementary School.

Tuesday’s high winds and torrential rain and hail did considerable damage in Salisbury, especially to the House of Herbs and nearby Rand property. Here the twister uprooted trees, devastated an orchard and damaged the roof of the house.

Power was off in the village for about an hour and traffic on Route 44 was threatened by flying branches, broken glass, shingles, and the almost impenetrable curtain of rain and hail. The freak twister, accompanied by a full scale electrical storm, broke about 5 p.m. and was short lived. The damage left in its wake, however, was formidable.

SHARON — Mrs. F.O. Knock dined at the home of Mrs. Maud Whitford on Sunday.

To the Editor:

Somebody shotgunned my six-year-old gray tomcat this weekend.

He limped into the yard today, bleeding from a number of holes, and went to sleep without telling me who shot him or why.

I can make some guesses, though. Perhaps it was some mother who feared the effects of the biology course in Regional High School. Though he’s not taken the course, he understands those things without textbooks. Or, maybe, somebody mistook him for a Jaguar -- his purr is not muffled and when the wind is right it might sound like a sports car. Then again, perhaps somebody thought they could emulate Dave Brazee and get a big wildcat, because the old fellow (my cat) is big — he’s very well fed. But he’s lazy.

Whoever it was, and whyever they shot him, I should like only to have them know: They can’t shoot very well. He’s still very much alive and, after limping around for a few days, can be expected to be back in his old haunts.

But if he bothers you that much, why don’t you call me up and tell me about it? I’d be happy to see to it that he doesn’t cost you the price of another shotgun shell.

Very sincerely, Edward L. Gates, Lime Rock HEmlock 5-9174.

25 years ago — May 1984

John Swanson was the lucky winner recently of a $100 prize from Larmore’s Drywall in Canaan for catching the winning bass. Art and Carol Larmore recently opened an outlet for dry-wall business in Canaan. They are also selling fishing rods and equipment, guns and ammunition at their Railroad Street shop, and eventually hope to expand into other sports and camping equipment.

CANAAN — Becton-Dickinson workers’ worst fears were confirmed last week when the plant had its second layoff in six months. Bonnie Moro, human resources officer, said last week that about 30 more workers have been laid off, bringing the total two reductions to about 70 persons.

LAKEVILLE — Calvin McCormick was accorded the Rotary Club’s highest honor last weekend by being designated a Paul Harris Fellow. It was the second time in 10 days that the distinction had been conferred on a member of the Salisbury Rotary Club.