Excerpts from the Hamptons Union, July 15, 1899

Volume I - No. 5

Miscellaneous Notices

[Only some are reprinted below. Click here for critera for inclusion]

We are requested by Commander Lane of Perkins post, G.A.R., that the spiking of the guns in front of the Grand Army hall before the 4th was by order of the post officials, to whom the guns belong and not by order of the selectmen, as incorrectly stated in the Union recently.

Some of the finest fruit that is ever seen in town has been on sale at Batcheller's market this week. His fruits, like his meats are of the first grade and always fresh.

F.N. Benden is having a good trade at his bowling alley since he opened July 4th. He has a model place, well fitted up and conducts it in an orderly manner.

Mr. Oliver A. Brown, a native of Hampton, and for years past a summer resident, died at his residence on Main street suddenly on Thursday afternoon [July 13, 1899] from neuralgia of the heart. So suddenly was the fatal stroke that only 15 minutes previous Mr. Brown was at dinner in apparently his usual health. Mr. Brown had reached very nearly the four score mark, having been born on Aug. 17, 1819 [actually October 11, 1819]. He was the son of Moses Brown, and as a boy lived upon the old Brown homestead. He learned the carpenter trade and was most prosperous. He settled in East Boston after his marriage in 1858 to Miss Maria Clark of Landaff and later resided in Reading. Each summer he has been in the habit of returning to the home of his nativity and spending several months here. Two children were born, both of whom with their mother survive the deceased, Oliver Newton, born in East Boston, and Annie Clark. They have the sympathy of all in their bereavement, doubly severe because of its suddenness.

Allen Hinds and William George of Amesbury have entered the employ of the E.H. & A. St. Railroad Co, as motormen.

F.M. Crosby at the Leonia is having a fine new English drag made by G.W. Osgood to seat 12.

We hear very little said at present about a fire department service in Hampton. Yet there is need enough for it. There is no necessity of waiting until a water system is supplied, for, though there may be some talk about such a system nothing definite is arranged, and fires never wait for a town to prepare against it. There ought to be enough enterprise among our young men to organize at least a volunteer brigade to be suitably equipped with buckets, ladders, axes and such tools which the town would doubtless furnish if there was a trained body of men to use them, and such a brigade is of very great service in some cases even without street mains for a water supply. Are we to first learn the lesson from experience that so many towns had to learn at tremendous cost before they would act for protection from fire?

Many couples were present at the dance in the pavilion at Hampton beach, Wednesday night. The floor in the dance hall is of birch and as smooth as glass, in fact one of the best for dancing to be found, and with rapid transportation to and from the beach to all points and with good music furnished these dances are becoming popular.

Frank P. Towle has been having his residence painted by A.K. Blake, one of the best painters in town.

Forrest Purrinton, formerly with the Exeter Gazette, is now one of the office force of the Union.

The hay crop is much better than the recent discouraging drought led many to predict it would be.

Monday the steam shovel, which has been located in the gravel pit one half mile east of the depot since last April, was taken to a new bank which the company is opening at Scarboro, Me., near Portland. Road Master French ordered the shovel shut down the Saturday before July 4th, and during the time until last Saturday Engineer Stone with Mrs. Stone have been at their home in Salem. Mrs. Stone returned to Hampton on Saturday and will join her husband at Portland later.

List of Hampton businesses with ads in this issue

  • The Franklin House hotel
  • Marston's Railway Waiting Station
  • Bowling Alleys, billiard and pool room on Boar's Head Bluff. F.N. Benden, Mgr.
  • John H. Page, dealer in fancy fish and clams, North Beach Road.
  • Hampton Carriage and Smith Shop, N.J. Norton blacksmith
  • C.A. Johnson, house and sign painter
  • Edward B. Towle, dealer in dry and fancing goods
  • John S. Gilman, watches, clocks, jewelry, spectacles, etc.
  • E.G. Cole & Co., General Merchandise, Post Office Block
  • D.O. Leavitt, dealer in pure drugs and medicines, Shaw Block
  • T.N. Chase, Department store, Shaw Block
  • George Collum, dealer in tinware, stoves, furnaces, etc., Main Street
  • The Boston Store, glassware sale, Odd Fellows Block
  • J.A. Lane & Co., dealers in dry goods, groceries, etc.
  • Mrs. Ellen I. Brown, clairvoyant
  • Abbott Norris, insurance agent
  • C.M. Dearborn, agent for Victor bicycles
  • Dr. Ward, office and residence nearly opposite Town Hall
  • Irving W. Marston, hair dresser, cigars, tobacco
  • Wesley Dearborn, carpenter and builder
  • Batchelder's food market
  • John W. Locke's Hampton Beach Store
  • George H. Elkins, manufacturer of harnesses
  • The Hamptons Union, job printing, book publishing, poster work, Shaw Building
  • The M.W. Brown pianos
  • Wheelmen's Retreat, bicycle repairing, C.L. Garland, North Beach