Middlesex County Newspaper Abstracts

The Concord Enterprise, 17 April 1912

Among the passengers on the Titanic was Mrs. J. Murray Brown, widow of the late J. Murray Brown, and mother of Mrs. George S. Keyes of Concord.
Mrs. Brown went to England in the early part of March, accompanied by her sisters, Mrs. E. D. Appleton and Mrs. Robert Cornell, both of New York city. They were called abroad by the illness of their sister, Lady Lilly Drummond, the wife of the late Sir Charles Drummond. Lady Drummond, it will be remembered, died shortly after.
Immediately on learning of the terrible disaster two sons of Mrs. Brown, Murray Brown of Acton and his brother from Boxboro left, one for New York and the other for Halifax, so as to meet their mother at whichever port she landed.
According to the printed lists, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Appleton were rescued and are passengers on the Carpathia. No record, however, is there of Mrs. Cornell, who is the widow of Judge Cornell of New York. Mrs. Brown, who as stated above was the widow of the late J. Murray Brown of the publishing house of Little, Brown & Co., was a resident of Belmont and had a summer home in East Acton. She was a frequent visitor in Concord.
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The Belmont Tribune, 20 April 1912

AROUND AND ABOUT TOWN
BELMONT.
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   The W. W. Edgar Co., florists, are having extensive improvements made on the inside of a number of their greenhouses.
   Mr. F. Logan of Trapelo road, Waverly is building a work shop on the land in the rear of his house.
   The Wednesday night dances, held by Mr. J. Hennessy, and E. Morse, will be discontinued until further notice.
   Mrs. Henry Douglass of Trapelo road, Waverly, who has been suffering from an attack of bronchial pneumonia during the last two weeks it is hoped is now on the road to recovery.
   The many friends of Mr. Reginald Parks, are glad to know that he is nearly recovered from his recent illness.
   Mr. Charles Melanson is in the employ of his father during the Easter vacation.
   A team owned by Mr. A. L. Banks got stuck in the mud last Saturday morning thus delaying the delivery of milk for several hours.
   Mr. Earnest Alger of White street, has returned from a three weeks' vacation in Vermont.
   The many friends of Mrs. J. M. Broun [Brown] are thankful to hear of her safe arrival from her trip abroad.
   On Monday last Master J. Hayden of Waverly was accidently shot with an air rifle. Although the wound is not serious, the little fellow has suffered intense pain.
   Mr. Connors of Thayer avenue, Waverly, is very seriously ill and his recovery is doubtful.
   Mr. P. Nice of Harrington street, Waverly, has returned from a tour in the South.
   Mr. T. Melanson has installed an engine in the motor boat built by him during the winter months, and the boat is now ready to be launched at his summer residence at Nahant.
   Miss Vivian Taft of Framingham Normal School, spent the week end with her friend Miss Helena Adams of Waverly.
   Extensive improvements are being made on the Kellogg estate during the last week.
   Town Clerk Chas. Houlahan although improved somewhat in health, is still confined to his bed.
Submitted by dja

Lexington Minute-man, 20 April 1912

Ocean Tragedy.
On her maiden trip, and sailing from England to New York, the largest steamship in the world, a marvel of construction and speed, costing more than ten million dollars, encountered an iceberg when nearing the American shore, dashed against the immovable bulk, and in about four hours sank out of sight in water two miles deep. So perished the great floating palace named the “Titanic,” crowded with passengers, many of them of great wealth and high social standing, for this first trip of the new White Star liner evidently appealed to these people so accustomed to all the elegance of life. Hundreds of millions of dollars was in the control of men of world-wide fame who went down with the ship, but these lives were not more precious than hundreds of others who shared their fate, or the officers and men on the ship who were true to duty under the most trying conditions.
Among the passengers were A. W. Newell, of 20 Percy road, Lexington, and two of his daughters, Misses Madeline and Marjorie. Mr. Newell is president of the Fourth National Bank of Boston, and is well known and widely acquainted in business circles throughout the city. He is also prominent in Lexington, where he is one of the leading citizens, and where his daughters have been prominent in society and musical circles.
Mr. Newell, with the two young women, was just returning from a three months' trip abroad. While across the water he had spent the greater part of his time along the Mediterranean sea, having visited at one time the Holy Land, which he had cherished a desire to see, and having traveled down the Nile into the quaint towns of Egypt. His time on Continental Europe was limited to a few days. Mr. Newell was expected back at the bank to-day (Friday) at the latest. Naturally his associate officers were deeply concerned for his safety. We at Lexington have had the deepest concern for the safety of all three and sincerest sympathy for Mrs. Newell and the second daughter, Miss Alice, who remained at the Lexington home with her mother while her two sisters and father were traveling. Miss Madeline Newell is a graduate of Smith College, 1903, and Miss Marjorie is a most accomplished violinist.
Mrs. Newell and her daughter, Miss Alice Newell, went over to New York on Saturday of last week, to meet her husband and other two daughters on the arrival of the “Titanic” in New York, the steamer being expected on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. They were staying at the Hotel Manhattan when the terrifying news of the tragedy was received.
All telegrams from the steamship “Carpathia,” that arrived at the scene of the disaster in time to pick up the boats launched from the “Titanic,” gave the names of the Misses Newell as among the 868 rescued. Without doubt the 1312 others, that constituted passengers, officers and crew, went down with the wreck and Mr. Newell doubtless perished with the rest who chivalrously gave precedence in filling the life boats to women and children. These, with men to man them, filled all the boats this floating palace was provided with. Their capacity was but little over one-third of the number on board the wrecked vessel, and yet was four more than was required by law. This terrible disaster is likely to bring about a readjustment of England's laws to conform to those of this country which require boats sufficient to provide for the full carrying capacity of each steam vessel.
Submitted by dja

The Concord Enterprise, 24 April 1912

Mrs. J. Murray Brown, who upon her return from New York, where she was taken to the home of her sister, wife of Judge Cornell, upon the arrival of the Carpathia, came to Concord and went to the home of her daughter, Mrs. George S. Keyes. She is now at the home of her son, J. Murray Brown, in East Acton.
Mrs. Keyes on Monday stated to an Enterprise reporter, that her mother seemed to have recovered somewhat from the terrible shock, but was still very tired and her pale face told of the sufferings which she had undergone.
Mrs. Brown was one of the last women to leave the Titanic, leaving in the last boat. The story of her experiences has appeared in several of the Boston papers, given, not by herself, as would be understood by the reports, but by either her son, J. Murray Brown, or by her son-in-law, George S. Keyes, both of whom met her in New York. Mrs. Brown herself, has not seen the reporters, it being deemed advisable that she in her naturally nervous state, was in no condition to be interviewed.
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The Arlington Advocate, 27 April 1912

Mrs. J. Murray Brown, formerly of Belmont, who, with her two sisters escaped from the wrecked Titanic, is well known to some of our readers. Her sons used to be quite prominent in Arlington society. Mrs. Brown has furnished some of the most clear and consecutive accounts which the newspapers have published in relation to this unprecedented sea disaster. Her husband was of the well known book publishing firm of Little, Brown & Co., of Boston. Of late years she has had her home at the Tudor, Boston, in the winter, but has a country home at Acton. Her maiden name was Caroline L. Lamson.
Submitted by dja

Lexington Minute-man, 27 April 1912

Memorial Service.
   The afflicted family of Arthur W. Newell, the president of the Fourth National Bank, Boston, arrived at their residence on Percy road, Lexington, on Friday evening of last week, leaving New York on the one o'clock limited and being met at the Back bay station by their auto. The Misses Madeline and Marjory, who went through the terrible experience of the wreck of the “Titanic,” bore up bravely for the sake of their mother and the second daughter of the family, Miss Alice, both of whom had been undergoing the strain for nearly a week in New York, awaiting their arrival. The three daughters have shown the example of the splendid courage set them by their father in face of disaster and death. Mrs. Newell, although a delicate woman, bore up in a remarkable manner until joined by her rescued daughters, but since her arrival at her Lexington home has been completely prostrated. That it should be otherwise would be beyond reason to expect, for Mr. Newell was a man peculiarly dear and beloved by his family, which has always been one of those exceptionally attached to each other, and this tragic break in the family circle is a grief too poignant for us to adequately express.
   Mr. Newell and family have been prominently connected with the Hancock Cong. church, since making their home in Lexington. It was fitting, therefore, that the union memorial service in his memory should take place at this church as it did, on last Sabbath evening, when the largest congregation in the history of the church was present, including representatives of all the other churches of the town, as well as a delegation of Mr. Newell's associates at the Fourth National Bank. It was a solemn and impressive service, yet touched that higher spiritual thought, making it so illuminating and inspiring that Christ's words,—“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it ; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it,”—rang out with a new and significant meaning.
   The devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. Samuel Knowles, of the Baptist church, Rev. J. M. Wilson, of the Unitarian church, and Rev. Mr. Chrichton, of the Episcopal church. An appreciation of Mr. Newell and his character, and estimate of his ability and worth, was prepared by Mr. F. R. Galloupe, a business associate and a neighbor, and was tenderly and bountifully expressed. It was a testimony that any one might well be proud of, and one which, perhaps, but few can truly merit. It was read by Dr. Martin, who concluded the evening's exercises by an address which summed up the solemn and sublime lesson of the hour, with its beautiful thoughts of heroism, Christian love and faith. It was indeed a momentous service. The volume of song which was wafted upward by the great concourse of people was itself most uplifting, the closing hymn being, “Nearer, my God, to Thee,” so freighted with meaning and pathoss [sic] to be almost heartbreaking. Mr. Edw. P. Merriam acted as the precentor.
   Arthur W. Newell was born in Chelsea, Mass., Jan. 30th, 1854. He married Miss Mary E. Greeley, of the same city, Oct. 11, 1877. There are three daughters of this union, —Madeline, Alice and Marjory. His parents are deceased and he has neither brothers or sisters. The family came to Lexington to reside in 1888. Mr. Newell built and occupied the large estate on Lincoln road, later known as “Lindenhurst,” which he sold some years ago to Mr. James Davis, deceased. Soon after disposing of this estate, Mr. Newell built a handsome modern house on Percy road, which they have occupied while in Lexington, but have spent the summers at Clifton, on the North Shore. Mr. Newell was cashier of the Fourth National Bank some years prior to his appointment as president, and under his administration, in this capacity, the bank has enjoyed great prosperity and grown in influence in financial circles. He was treasurer of Lexington Savings Bank for the year 1888-'89.
Brief News Items.
   Ex-Mayor Green of Boston is seriously ill at a Boston Hospital. His old age is a factor against recovery.
   Salmon fishing in Maine opened on Tuesday in Sebago Lake, Me. It is unusually late for the water to be freed of ice.
   Justin McCarthy, noted novelist, journalist Parliamentary leader, aged 82 years, died April 25, at his home at Folkston, England
   The second man, John Strosnider, implicated in the looting of the Cambridge bank through G. N. Coleman, has been captured. His pal is now serving his sentence in prison.
   Attorney John L. Lee of Va., has arrived in Boston to help save murderer Richeson from suffering the extreme penalty of the law. We wonder on what possible grounds he can build a plea for mercy.
   A cyclone swept portions of Illinois and Indiana on Sunday, leaving 66 dead, 157 injured and immense values in buildings and other property destroyed. At least one hundred families are homeless in consequence.
   On Monday the Grand Jury of Essex Co. returned an indictment against William A. Dorr of Stockton, Cal., charging him with the murder of George E. Marsh at Lynn. On the indictment extradition papers will be issued.
   The Governor's offical [sic] reception to members of the Legislature and Military Departments of the State Government, and to representatives in Boston of foreign Nations, was held at the State House on Monday evening. Gov. and Mrs. Foss received 2,000 guests in the Hall of Flags.
Marriages.
CHAMPNEY—RICHARDSON—In Arlington, April 24th, by Rev. Nathan E. Wood, D.D., Mr. Charles S. Champney of Dorchester and Miss Lillian Hill Richardson of Belmont.
SHEPHERD—MARTIN—In Arlington, April 16, by Rev. W. L. Clark, Edwin D. Shepherd, of Washington, D.C., and Florence M. Martin, of Arlington.
MARSHALL—WETHERBEE—In Bedford, April 24, by Rev. G. E. Martin, D.D., of Lexington, Ralph H. Marshall, of Lexington, and Lois Madalyn Wetherbee, of Bedford.
Deaths.
BRALEY— In Arlington, April 16th, Ellen M., widow of George Braley, aged 76 yrs., 6 mos.
GUETHING— In Arlington, April 19th, Charles T. Guething, aged 61 yrs., 5 mos.
HINCHCLIFFE— In Arlington, April 23, John B. Hinchcliffe, aged 41 yrs., 5 mos.
Submitted by dja
1912 Newspaper Abstracts
Middlesex County Massachusetts

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