Series looks at Hopedale in 1920s

By Dan Malloy, Special contributor 

Many of the kinds of stories that appeared in local newspapers a century ago would rarely be published now. Improvements in medicine, technology, and everyday life have changed what papers print these days. The following items are from the Milford Daily News in 1926.

Before antibiotics became available, what would now be a minor matter could be deadly: 

•  Mrs. Lucy (Noble) Peters, wife of Rev. Richard Peters, formerly of this town, died suddenly of blood poisoning, which developed from a sliver in her thumb.

•  In a 12-inning game at Medway Saturday the Hopedale High School nine defeated Medway 5 to 4 and captured the Tri-county league championship with 12 consecutive victories.

•  At the high school graduation last Thursday for the class of 20 seniors, Principal W.A. Dennett presented the diplomas. Chester Goodnow gave an essay. Pearl Sneiderman was the winner of the Sons of the American Revolution medal.

Ringing in false fire alarms was a common prank years ago, especially on the Fourth of July: 

•  During the holiday two false fire alarms were sounded from Box 64 in Spindleville, Saturday, and from Box 39 on Dutcher Street Extension on Sunday night.

•  The annual “night before” celebration in conjunction with tomorrow’s field day of the Draper employees will attract a large number of visitors tonight. The parade will start from the Union Church at 7 p.m., led by a drum corps, and at the close, five prizes for decorated doll carriages, three for floats and three for costumes and bicycles will be awarded. A moving picture will be shown on a screen on the rear of the main office building.

Dan Malloy is the founder of www.hope1842.com, a website devoted to the history of Hopedale.