From 1865: Middletown News

The following article is from about 145 years ago, published on December 20, 1865 in the Hartford Courant. The byline was “From our Regular Correspondent.” “Carte de visites” are mentioned as a possible Christmas present. These were 2 ⅛ by 3 ½ inch photos (albumin prints) mounted on a thicker card. They were very popular during the Civil War (an example is to the right).
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At the adjourned city school district meetng held last evening at the Town Hall, the secretary of the board, Dr. Burke, read a report of the joint committee appointed to confer with the Hon. B. Douglas, in regard to exchange of lots for the William street school, stating that the exchange could be made, and recommending the building of a new school house on the new site. A district meeting has been called for next Tuesday evening, to take such measures as may be necessary for the erection of a suitable building; to authorize the board of education to make the exchange of lots, and to lay a tax for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the same.

I trust none of the readers of your paper here will forget the Coker concert to be given on Thursday evening of next week. Coker is one of the most wonderful of singers, and this will be the only opportunity ever given the Middletown people to hear him. He will be assisted by some of the best talent in the country. Let us give him a full house.

The Glass Blowers opened at McDonough Hall last evening.

A society meeting of the South Congregational church was held at their lecture-room last evening. The committee appointed to raise funds for building a new church, reported progress. Between $15,000 and $20,000 has been already subscribed, and there is no doubt of the success of the project.

People are busy selecting their Christmas presents. Among those who offer the greatest and best varieties, I would mention in dry goods, James H. Bunce and T.F. Mitchell; books and statoinery [sic] , Bradley & Treadwell and E. Rockwell; toys, confectionary, etc., C.E. Putnam and T.D. Marvin; toilet articles, perfumery, etc., L.C. Vinal, H. Woodward, and Collins & Pelton; clothing, D.R. Benham; gentlemen’s furnishing goods, Ward & Rutty, S. Stearns & Sons; pianos, A. Putnam and M.T. Landfear; carte de visites, Burrows & Bundy; jewelry, watches, etc., H.D. Hall and John D. Smith; crockery and glassware, E.&F. Chafee and Wm. A. Hedges; furniture, E.F. Sheldon; taxes, Cornelius Braineril, Leverett Dimock and Michael Conlan--and those who want to do their friends a kindness can accomplish their purpose by paying their tax bill to either of these gentlemen.

A daughter of Mr. Nelson E. Mack, aged about seven years, was so badly burned on Friday last by her clothes taking fire from a stove, that she died Sunday morning, after suffering intense agony. Her clothes were burned entirely off.

The Middlesex County National Bank, and First National Bank, have each declared dividends, the former 5 and the latter 4 per cent., payable Jan. 3d.

Rev. Francis Vinton, D.D., will deliver a lecture at McDonough Hall on Thursday evening, Dec. 21st, before the Young Men’s Christian Association. Dr. Vinton is one of the ablest speakers in the country. A full house should greet him.

CIVIS.