Jim Bridgman

200 Years Ago

  • Mr. Hurd, the engineer, explored last week a route for a canal from this place to Brattleborough. He ascertained, we understand, that the country is in the main highly favorable to the purpose, and that there are no formidable obstacles to encounter. The locks will all be ascending, and the whole line may be fed by West River at Brattleborough. The amount of lockage will not be large.
  • Notice! My wife Frances, having eloped from my bed and board, I therefore forbid all persons harboring or trusting her on my account, for I will pay no debts of her contracting after this date. — Rufus Pomroy, Northampton.

100 Years Ago

  • Alexander the Great, noted canine screen actor, has been engaged by the management of the Three County Agricultural Society to appear on the vaudeville stage at the Driving Park at three afternoon and two evening performances during the Three County Fair this week. The airplane in which the dog travels will take up passengers in the afternoons.
  • The two Carlson sisters, who weigh 1,062 pounds, will be visitors to Northampton this week in connection with the motion picture, “Greater than Barnum’s,” which will be shown at the Plaza theater. The sisters are not abashed by their immensity, and in the wintertime they appear in Ringling Brothers’ circus in New York.

50 Years Ago

  • Health services at the University of Massachusetts will be investigated by the Hampshire-Franklin District Atty. John Callahan. A group of former students and the president of the Graduate Student Senate charged the center with alleged financial wrongdoing and criminal misconduct. The charges include alleged financial conflict of interest, favoritism in hiring and promotions, lack of competitive bidding, and authorization of “abusive overtime pay.”
  • The Great Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America has announced the appointment of John E. Fitzpatrick Jr. as associate district executive. Fitzpatrick, a Greenfield resident, will serve the Franklin and Hampshire County areas, working with the Cub Scout and explorer programs.