Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1910-03-05

Although the waters hereabouts were
never noted for the raising of oysters,
stu the time was when the oyster IN
duStry was of considerable importance
in New London. A large forge of men
were employed in opening and handling
the bivalves and the opened product
shipped in large quantities from TINS
city. In those days there were oyster
houses where the palatable product or
the sea was served in every known
style and fresh from the shell. NOW
there is practically but one place
where oysters are served on the half
shell, and that place is a fish market
with an oyster bar on the side. There
was an oyster depot i'm the Holt build
ing that stood at the foot of State
street which Dick Morris bought for a
site for the present railway station just
twenty-five years ago, and nearly all
OF the first floor of that large three
story brick building was devoted TO the
wholesale trade. At the wharf in the
rear there arrived almost daily in the
season vessels of considerable size di-
rect from Crisfield, Maryland and
from Virginia, with fun cargoes of
oysters, some even carrying deck loads.
These oysters kept large force OF
men plying oyster knives and oysters
minus the shell were shipped by ex-
press all over New England. So the
oyster business can be classed among
New Iondon's lost industries.
An idea of the immensely of the in
dustry can be judged from the fact
Aiidl lIltIe were SflellS enough lOI use
in the repair and building of the public
streets, the shells to be had for the
carting. These shells were simply
spread in the road, and the teams did
the rest. There was no steam or other
road roller to crush the oysters or pack
them solidly in place. 1t required con
siderable time TO get the oyster road
into shape, but when this was effected
the roads were superior to the present
macadam roads. At one time Pequot
avenue for its whole length from How
ard street to the lighthouse. the then
terminal, was an oyster shell road and
was easily the best constructed road in
the state-a self-built road, the shells
being pulverized and packed by con-
slant use of light and heavy teamtnR.
Now there are not oyster shells
enough in New London to supply tho
henhouses within the city limits, and
most of the oysters received for local
consumption come to New London In
tubs all opened just as they are re-
ceiVed in the most remote inland places
in the state. 1t is strange. but true,
just the same, that what is said of the
shelfish is applicable to most other
kinds of food fish. the only advantage
being that live cod, blackfish and sea
bass can be had alive from the water,
but not always. BY far the greater
amount of fish consumed in New Lon
don is received here by freight or ex-
press from fish centers in New HorlS
or Boston, and is in the same condi-
tion as is received in places remote
from the salt water
The time was when hundreds of men
and vessels We're employed in the fish,
cries from this port and a. familiar
sight was a forest of maSts OF fishing
smacks along the waterfront, most Of
their catches being landed in New
London, and fresh, fish was the rule
rather than the exception. Now there
is not a fishing smack hailing from the
port of New London, so the fishery
business can be catalogued as another
lost industry to New London.
The winter session of New London's
free evening school came to a close
the present week with a record of sue
cess. There We're awards of prizes a [
the closing, which included an address
of advice for the future by Charles Il.
Jennings. superintendent of schools.
Just forty-two years ago, through the
philanthropy of the late Henry p. Ha-
ven, there was a free evening school
established in New London. the first
in the state, and continued for four
winters at the expense of Mr.. Haven.
Then the school was provided for by
the city and came under the direction
of the board of school visitors and is
now a permanent institution as re-
quired by state statute.
At that first evening school there
were bearded pupils as well as young
fellows, and the youngest pupil at that
first session is now crowding his seth
year. The man whose tombstone says
he was the first to enlist from New
London in the war of the rebellion was
a pupil, another was a minister, anc
among the number was a railroad en-
gineer, a blacksmith. a naiimaker, and
men of other trades. besides clerks and
boys who were employed and unable
to attend the day schools. They all
realized the necessity of education and
were therefore jealous students. AT
the first session Edward r. Jennings,
principal of the Bartlett High school,
was in charge. and his son, the present
Charles 3. Jennings, was an assistant.
The sessions were held in the old Bart
lett school building, now st. Nary
convent, and graduates of that school
assisted in the teaching as volunteers,
which resulted in nearly every pupil