During the past two weeks, additions have been made to the following previously existing pages on hope1842.com.   The
    Wilmarths and the Water Cure House (Two pages of The Water-Cure Journal published in 1851.)     Deaths   

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    As a result of trouble with the belts at the Draper Co. plant on several occasions recently, the doors leading to the belt room have
    been securely padlocked as the belts have evidently been tampered with. Milford Gazette, January 20, 1911.

    Fifteen special policemen, all of whom are employed at the Draper plant, were appointed by the selectmen, Monday, in an effort to
    discover the author of the vandalism which has been committed at the plant recently. Milford Gazette, January 20, 1911.

    The two articles above were in the same paper, but the Gazette was a weekly. The second item was likely reported to the paper a
    day or two after the first one.

    The work of suppression and extermination of Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths is carried on by this Department under instructions of
    the Selectmen as heretofore. Park Department, 1912

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                                                                  Opinions on Separation, Part 2

    The proposal to separate Hopedale from Milford began in 1885 and came to a conclusion in April 1886. Here are editorials from
    three Massachusetts newspapers, giving opinions on the wisdom (or lack of it) of the idea.

    The Marblehead Messenger says that another effort to dismember that town is to be made the coming winter, and according to
    the Milford Journal, the same danger threatens that place. In each case a vigorous defense of the integrity of the town's territory
    will be made, and we sincerely hope it may be effective. With but few exceptions, the active projectors of these schemes for
    division are actuated by pure selfishness - a desire to shirk the responsibilities - pecuniary, especially - of the community in
    which they dwell, and which are but an equitable offset to the advantages which accompany them. To this spirit they would readily
    sacrifice the historic associations, the social relations, and the industrial interests on the towns where they locate, holding them
    all subordinate to their own private ends. It is well for the people to be awake to this fact, and to oppose, by every legitimate
    means, all attempts of this nature that can show no broader grounds than this. Lynn Transcript

    The town of Milford is "rent in twain," or rather threatens to be divided by the proposed secession of a part of the town known as
    Hopedale, whose citizens want to form a separate town. It is a question to our minds as to the advisability and wisdom of the
    many schemes which are now being put forward for the formation of new towns by simply taking from and oft-times crippling the
    old towns. In the case mentioned, as we understand it, the new town would seriously embarrass Milford; to whom she owes the
    most of her advantages and increase. It ought to require strong arguments in its favor to convince the Legislature that it is a wise
    movement - Stoughton Sentinel

    It is not to be wondered at that the citizens of Hopedale wish to be set off from the town of Milford. In 1884 the taxes were so
    assessed that the tax paid in the Milford part of the town was $8.66 for each inhabitant, while in the Hopedale lpart it was $20.04
    for each person, or $100 to each voter. The people of Hopedale find that their 200 voters must ask 1800 voters, each having
    equal lpower with themselves, for what they want, and the favor may be granted or refused, but if they were an independent town
    they could take what they wanted as a matter of their own right, and do what they thought best with their means. The course taken
    by the Milford Times, one of the bitterest opponents of the division of the town, must be very exasperating to the men of Hopedale.
    The leading men of that place are the subjects of low and scurrilous attacks by that sheet, not only because they desire a division
    of the town, but also because they are opposed to free rum and are in favor of the Grand Army in their controversy with Father
    Cuddihy, whose foolish crusade is well known outside of Milford. The Memorial Hall in Milford also troubles the organ of the
    opposition of the town division. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in the State, whether architecture, its finish, or its
    convenience is concerned. It has its tablets inscribed with the names of all the Milford volunteers; also rooms for the town library,
    a fine hall for the Grand Army Post and other convenient rooms. Its cost will be $22,000. It stands in the most thickly settled part of
    Milford, at least a mile and a half from  the center of Hopedale, which willingly pays one-fifth of its cost from one-tenth part of the
    inhabitants of the town. And the Drapers of Hopedale are abused in a most indecent manner by this sheet because of their
    influence in favor of this soldier's memorial, which in the classic language of the Times, "is the biggest Jumbo Milford ever had
    on its hands," and again it says, "It is the feeling amongst other people besides Rev. Father Cuddihy, that as the town has
    saddled herself with such a gigantic monstrosity, the least that should be done would be to utilize it, so as to pay interest on the
    money that has been expended on it."

    It is very evident to an outsider that some of the opponents of the new town of Hopedale are not acting with common sense or
    common decency - Worcester Spy

    Father Cuddihy is known in Milford history as the priest who built Saint Mary's Church, and also the Irish tower at Saint Mary's
    Cemetery. Around the time of the separation of Hopedale from Milford, however, he was involved in a couple of controversies.
    One was his removal of flags at Saint Mary's Cemetery that had been put on the graves of veterans by the Civil War veterans'
    organization, the Grand Army of the Republic. The other was in opposition to the building of Memorial Hall. George and William F.
    Draper had been among the most prominent of the promoters of the building as a memorial to Civil War veterans. Thanks to
    Milford historians Robin Philbin and Lyn Lovell for information on Father Cuddihy.

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