100 Years Ago March 4, 1910
A change in location of one of the town's important businesses is announced this week through the lease by O.P. Chase of the store in the Arco Building on Main Street. Mr. Chase will occupy the entire store except the corner used by the Western Union, and will thus secure a very effective room for his long-standing news stand business. The rear entrance will provide for heavy bundle and horse-team work.
An illuminated sign has been placed on the front of the Musgrove building in Elm Square, which reads, I.O.O.F. Hall Lodge 230. IOOF stands for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The fragrant cluster of pear blossoms, the first of the season, which were brought into the Townsman office on Monday from the estate of Peter D. Smith, was a pleasant reminder that the winter is almost over and spring is coming.
75 Years Ago March 1, 1935
Only one close contest is promised for the annual town election on Monday, that being between Frank H. Hardy, chairman of the board of selectmen, and J. Everett Collins, School Committeeman, for the three-year term as selectman and assessor.
The Andover Historical Society and a large number of friends shook off a half century on the holiday eve when a diversified program entitled "An Evening in the Eighties" was presented as the principal feature of the annual Washington party. The November clubhouse was crowded to its capacity.
Mrs. Mary G. Robertson and daughter Alice of 6 Avon Street were overcome by smoke and excitement last Saturday morning as the result of a cellar fire, which caused about $300 damage. Mrs. Roberson was taken unconscious to the home of Alexander Waldie nearby.
50 Years Ago March 3, 1960
A carefully laid trap by Andover police paid off last Sunday night when they arrested a man accused of leaving a series of indecent letters in and around the railroad station. Sgt. Robert Deyermond testified that after several complaints Officer William Tammany drew up an answer to one of the letters, which was left where the defendant could find it. Then the spot was watched between 7-8'oclock Sunday evening. Sgt. Deyermond drove by the railroad station and saw the accused man sitting in a car on Essex street. Deyermond parked his own vehicle where he could watch him without being seen. The trap closed around the man when Officer Tammany arrived at the station hidden in his car, which was driven by a young woman. Within two minutes, the man had driven alongside the woman and was met by the officer. He was unable to explain why he wrote the letters and left them where they could be found.
Edward A. Romeo of Summer street, former manager of a local inn, has purchased Fieldstone's restaurant on South Main Street, which is re-opening today.
Despite the presence of three candidates for selectmen and others for School Committee, the campaign seems to have failed to catch the public imagination to any degree. Political observers agreed that 50% of 8,914 eligible voters can be expected Monday at the polls. Most of the so-called experts feel that the outcome of the election depends not so much on the wide popularity of any of the candidates as on the strength of their political organization to seek out voters and take them to polling places. Candidates for Selectmen—Russell Doyle, Frank Michel, Donald Thompson, Robert McIntyre, Joseph Serio and Robert Zollner.
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