The surprizing Account of those Spectres called VAMPYRES Jan 21, 1765
These Vampyres are supposed to be the bodies of deceased persons animated by evil spirits, which come out of the graves in the night time, such the blood of many of the living, and thereby destroy them. Such a notion will probably, be look'd upon as fabulous: but is related and maintained by authors of great authority...

Extract of a Letter from London, dated April 25 Jun 26, 1775
A steady friend to America, called upon me this afternoon to acquaint me with the following interlligence communicated to him by ------------ this day, which you may rely upon as fact. Said, that Administration, on Friday received advices from General Gage to the 18th of March, wherein he acknowledges receipt of the King's orders to apprehend Messrs. Hancock, Cushing, Adams, &c. and tend them over to England to be tried...
 

A way for Bonaparte to dispose of his surplus revenue Oct 9, 1811
An article which appeared in the CharlestonTimes, July 22, and was copied into our paper, August 7, says—"By the accounts furnished by John Smith Esq. the present American Charge des affairs in London, the American property unjust seized by Bonaparte under the Berlin and Milan decrees, amounts to thirty-seven million dollars." As this estimate has not been, to our knowledge, denied or controverted, we have a right to presume that even the friends of the French Emperor admit it to be correct...

AMERICAN SHIPPING Jun 30, 1812
A great portion of the American shipping is now at sea, or in the foreign ports exposed to capture. It is next to impossible to estimate the number—But they amount to many hundreds and some of the immensely valuable. Why were they not permitted to return home before war was declared! Why interdicted! We have information that at one island in the West Indies there were no less than 150 sail on the 7th June...

DICKENS IN HARTFORD Nov 14, 1842
The following extract from Dickens' American Notes, embraces what he says about Hartford: We went on next morning, still by rail road, to Springfield. From that place to Hartford, whither we were bound, is a distance of only five-and-twenty miles, but at that time of t he year, the roads were so bad that the journey would probably have occupied ten or twelve hours. Fortunately, however, the winter, having been usually mild, the Connecticut River was "open," or in other words, not frozen. The captain of a small steamboat was going to make his first trip for the season that day, (the second February trip, I believe, within the memory of man) and only waited for us to go on board...

Gen. Jackson Dec 30,1842
An attempt it seems is to be made, to induce Gen. Jackson to attend, and preside over the loco foco National Convention—for the purpose probably of securing the moral effect of his influence, in favor of Mr. Van Buren. His age and informities render it almost certain, that such an effort would prove fatal to him—but what cares Van Buren for this? He would probably think it "glory enough" for the old General to die in such a cause.

A City in Morning PROCLAMATION BY THE MAYOR, Apr 17, 1865
Hartford mourns as never before. The death of Abraham Lincoln has entered deep into the hearts of the people, and households are made as ... as if a dearly loved father had gone to his grave from their midst. The news of the terrific calamity reached here at here about half past ten o'clock Friday night, or half an hour after its occurrence. Details seen after arrived, and...

Improvements on Fairfield Avenue Aug 31, 1868
Mr. O.H. Easton has purchased about twenty acres of land on the west side of Fairfield avenue, nearly opposite the fine residence of Mr. George A. Fairfield, and has already commenced the construction of a handsome and imposing cottage residence, after the Italian villa pattern, for his own use. Mr. Easton fronts some three hundred feet on the avenue, and his purchase includes some of the finest land in that section, a portion of which is covered by a thrifty young orchard...

CHARTER OAK PARK A Great Improvement Projected Jul 21, 1871
We have before alluded to the purchase of a large tract of land, just out of this city, and the plan of several gentlemen to establish a public park, to be used for agricultural fairs, and the varied purposes and amusements to which such a park can be devoted. Messrs. Burdett Loomis II, W. Conklin, Charles Beach and C.M. Pond have purchased one hundred and forty-five acres of land two and one-half miles from the depot in this city...

DISASTROUS FIRE. THE COLT WILLOW WORKS BURNED. Loss About $75,000. Insurance on Building and Machinery $15,000. Greatest Loss on Stock–Insurance Small–60 Hands Thrown Out of Employment Jan 1, 1873
The factory of the Colt's willow ware manufacturing company on the South Meadows was discovered to be on fire a few minutes after eleven o'clock last night...

Trips to the Sea by Steamboat Jul 16, 1879
The steamer Granite State will leave this city Saturday afternoon next at 5:30 o'clock for Block Island, stopping at the river landings and at New London on the way. Sunday will be spent at Block Island, giving passengers an excellent opportunity to enjoy unadulterated sea air for a day. Returning the boat will reach Hartford early Monday morning. The fare is only $1.25 for the round trip...

The Reception to General Grant Oct 14, 1880
Preparing to Welcome the Great Soldier THE COMMITTEE COMING FROM BOSTON ARRIVAL AT HARTFORD LINE OF MARCH AFTER THE PARADE THE DECORATIONS TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PUBLIC VARIOUS MATTERS COMMITTEE MEETING THE MORNING MAKE IT A HOLIDAY

The Memorial Arch: Dedicated in the Presence of Thousands Sep 18, 1886
ANOTHER OLD SOLDIERS' DAY A great parade of Thousands of Veterans THE CEREMONIES AND THE ADDRESSES The Monument Dedicated to the Soldiers and Sailors of Hartford

WITH THE HORSES Good Sleighing and Racing on Washington Street, Notes Trotting Association Meeting Jan 16, 1900
There was good racing and plenty of it over on Washington street yesterday afternoon. The snow that fell Sunday afternoon was sufficient to make the sleighing excellent, and early in the afternoon the horses began to gather in large numbers. By 4 o'clock there was a large crowd of onlookers ...

ZION STREET SHOCKED Blast at the Quarry Does Considerable Damage and Causes Alarm Jun 5, 1903
A blast at the stone quarry Wednesday afternoon caused considerable alarm to the residents of Zion street and also did much damage. It is customary to let off a blast at 5 o'clock and the usual precautions against accident were taken...

SCHOOL GARDENS' YOUNG FARMERS Real Gardens with Real Crops to Harvest Enthusiasm of Boys and Girls Aug 15, 1906
Boys and girls carrying mysterious looking packages done up in old newspapers, in paper bags, pails or basket can be seen every forenoon of the week coming out of the Wethersfield avenue entrance to Colt Park...

BEST FLYING SEEN IN HARTFORD. FLIGHTS, RACES, THRILLS, AT CHARTER OAK Aviators Turpin and Brindley Make Five Fine Flights DARING DIPS AND A RACE BETWEEN THE PLANES May 31, 1911
A crowd of 5,000 or more was present yesterday afternoon at the second and more successful day of the aviation meet at Charter Oak Park. Fine aviation weather marked the day. Two excellent exhibition flights by Aviators J. Clifford Turpin and Oscar A. Brindley, with a race between ...

HALF OF NEEDED ICE HARVESTED THUS FAR Weather Conditions Interfere With Gathering of Crop, Feb 28, 1913
Varied reports come from the harvesters of ice, the most cheerful assurance being from the Trout Brook the Company, which confidently predicts an ample supply to meet the needs of Hartford people in the "good old summer time." They normally houses about 30,000 tons and...

CAMPAIGN IS ON TO MAKE HARTFORD "CITY BEAUTIFUL" Clean-Up Work Starts With Rush--Teams Collect 234 Loads CITIZENS TAKING LIVELY INTEREST Boy Scouts, Landlords, Tenants, All Working for Civic Betterment Apr 13, 1915
Hartford has the clean-up fever. The epidemic has become general throughout the city and it will not run its course until April 24 when the official prevention and clean-up period will end. Even those who have been prominent in working up the campaign were surprised at the evidences...

MAKING MUNITIONS OF WAR HERE FOR EUROPEAN NATIONS Millions of Dollars' Worth of Contracts Held By Hartford Factories--Plants Being Guarded Night and Day May 21, 1915
Munitions of war, thousands of dollars' worth every week, are being turned out in Hartford factories for the warring nations of Europe. In half a dozen closely-guarded plants, where watch is kept night and day to prevent disaster ...

OLD TIME CIRCUS DAYS IN HARTFORD First Show Came in 1795 and Was Here a Week MANY REMEMBER BARNUM'S JUMBO Dan Rice, Most Famous Clown, Also Played Here Jun 6, 1916
Hartford's circus history is unique and interesting, dating back to 1795, when Rickett's Equestrian Circus gave performances on August 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, on the lot where the steamboat dock is today...

FIREMEN KNIT FOR RED CROSS Seven Men at Engine House No. 5 Make Sweaters USE SPARE TIME FOR WAR WORK Company No. 3 Also Starts Clicking Bone Needles Hartford Firemen Doing Bit As Knitters Dec 22, 1917
"How yuh coming' on with that pearlin', Jim?" was the query of one Hartford fireman to another as they were both knitting sweaters for the Red Cross yesterday. Together with the youngest Knitter and the oldest knitter of Middletown. Wethersfield and other proud and patriotic...

DAY CELEBRATION IS GREATEST IN HISTORY OF CITY OF HARTFORD Citizens Awakened by Whistle Blasts Flock to Center of City and Make Day One of Riotous Promenading--Traffic Completely Tied Up on Main Street--Automobiles Gaily Bedecked in National Colors Carry Kaiser Effigies--All Kinds of Noise Created Nov 12, 1918
With joy unrestrained, 150,000 citizens of Hartford yesterday celebrated the dawn of world peace in an outburst of enthusiasm such as the city has never before seen and probably will never see again...

TO GREET DE VALERA ON ARRIVAL TODAY No Hitch In Reception Plans On Account of Protest. COUNTER ACTION BY SERVICE MEN. Number of Ex-Soldiers Not In Accord With Mr. Shipman's Attitude. Jan 3, 1920
In the face of aprotest by Former Corporation Counsel Arthur L. Shipman and others associated with him against the official recognition of Eamonn De Valera as the "president of the Irish Republic" by Mayor Richard J. Kinsella ...

100,000 GREET LINDBERGH ON 1ST LEG OF U. S. TOUR Flies from New York to Hartford, Conn. Jul 21, 1927
To acquaint the people of the United States with aviation and to urge more and larger airports are the purposes of the country-wide tour of Col. Charles A. Lindbergh as expressed by him here this afternoon, speaking to 25,000 persons at Brainard field where...

River Boat Makes Last Trip Today. Steamer 'Hartford's' Final Run of Season May Mark Ending of Service to New York, 107-Years-Old Tradition Doomed–Competition of Railroads and Trucks Too Heavy For Line Oct 31, 1931
The operation of steamboats on the Connecticut River may come to an end when the river steamer "Hartford" gets away on its scheduled run downstream this afternoon.

HARTFORD PARADE VIEWED BY 400,000; March of 15,000 Is a Climax to Celebration of Tercentenary of Connecticut. October 13, 1935
With every section of Connecticut offering an outstanding contribution of allegory or personnel, 400,000 spectators viewed 15,000 marchers in a two-mile parade here today marking the climax of the celebration of the State's 300th birthday...

'Hindenburg' Greeted By Big Crowds. Traffic and business Halted As Giant Dirigible Sails Over City, 45 Minutes Late Oct 10, 1936
For ten minutes Friday morning, Hartford stood still and collectively craned its neck to watch the "Hindenburg," the largest airship that has ever flown, pass over the city. Schools recessed and offices closed temporarily to permit pupils and employees to watch the spectacle. Traffic virtually came to a standstill as the great dirigible flew from the south end to the north of Hartford above Main Street...

Stalk Public Enemy Of Adolescent Youth May 8, 1938
A "detective laboratory" with all the latest disease-sleuthing equpment has been set up in Hartford's Municipal Building to stalk the chief public enemy of older boys and girls. Three times more young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years die of tuberculosis than of all the acute communicable diseases put together...

15 Tobacco Warehouses Open Here. About 4000 Workers Start Sorting, Sizing and Packing Valley-Grown Leaf Crop Nov 5, 1940
Two weeks later than usual because of the tardiness of the season's best growing weather this year, doors of the 15 tobacco warehouses in and about Hartford were opened Monday morning to the thousands of workers who will be sorting, sizing and packing Connecticut-grown...

Colt Guns in Technicolor Apr 3, 1950
Hartford again scores a "first," as Warner Brothers brings the world premiere of its Technicolor production "Colt .45" to the Strand Theater, May 3. This is the first world premiere of a western motion picture in an eastern city ...

Pope Park Fireworks Draw 80,000. Fourth Otherwise Tranquil In City Bands Play, Churches Hold Services to Mark Independence Jul 5, 1954
The Hartford sky blazed a spectacular farewell to the Fourth of July above Pope Park Sunday night as more than 80,000 persons gathered on the park's lawns to watch the fireworks display...

Relocation Payments Set For East Side Residents Oct 30, 1956
The Federal government has authorized relocation payments of $100 to every East Side family or individual who will be displaced by the proposed Front-Market Street Redevelopment Project...

Annual Christmas Carol Sing Draws Thousands Downtown Dec 18, 1959
In the crisp wintry air with a silken moon shining above, an estimated 15,000 persons gathered Thursday evening for the 24th annual Christmas Carol sing sponsored by the Hartford Times...

Huge Hartford Crowd Gives Kennedy a Rousing Welcome Nov 8, 1960
Sen. John F. Kennedy, Democratic presidential nominee, was given a wildly enthusiastic reception Monday afternoon in Hartford, a traditional Democratic stronghold. The size of the crowd, variously estimated by police and city officials between 70,000 and 100,000 was hailed by Democratic leaders as more indication that Connecticut's eight electoral votes will go to Sen. Kennedy in today's balloting. In his speech from the Hartford Times portico...

A Death of Elms Nov 3, 1968
Hartford without elm trees? Ah, woe is us! Yet this is the melancholy prediction of City Forester Charles Meli. In another 10 years, he says, there probably will not be one elm left in our midst. The reason, of course, has been and is the Dutch elm disease. Because of this plague, 2,500 elms here have had to be cut down during the last decade...

President Stumps in City at Fundraiser; Limousine Hit; Ford Uninjured Oct 15, 1975
President Ford escaped injury Tuesday night when his armored limousine was struck on the right side by another car as Ford left Hartford...

Bronze Statue Rests on Lawn Jul 8, 1976
After many years atop the former Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) building on Broad Street, and many more in storage, a 16-foot-high bronze statue has found a temporary home nestled among the shrubs on the front lawn at 1240 Asylum Ave. The statue, built in 1914, depicting a Russian woman holding a shield, with a man, woman and child surrounding her...

Tunnel Below Church Approved Over Protests Mar 9, 1977
The Greater Hartford Flood Commission Tuesday said it will build a tunnel for the auxiliary Park River conduit under the Church of the Good Shepherd, 155 Wyllys St., despite the church's opposition...

IRA Member Starts Renewed Fast Today Mar 1, 1981
BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP)—Bobby Sands, 26-year-old Irish Republican Army member, will refuse breakfast today at the Maze prison here, kicking off another fast-to-the-death hunger strike for polical status, the IRA's political wing, Sinn Fein, said Saturday ...

Hartford Considers Vacating City Hall for High-Rise May 31, 1984
The city of Hartford is conidering moving out of City Hall, an elegant architectural landmark, and into a 15-story office tower that a Greenwich developer has proposed building one block away. City officials are negotiating with developer Anthony F. Cutaia to lease his planned high-rise at Sheldon and Prospect streets, consolidating municipal offices now scattered in eight locations around the city...

A New Charter Oak Bridge Opens Today With Six Lanes Aug 8, 1991
Cars will cross the original Charter Oak Bridge for the last time this morning, as the Hartford transportation landmark closes and shifts its traffic to a wider, sturdier namesake just a short distance south.The four-lane bridge, an arching blue expanse over the Connecticut River since 1942, will be blocked after rush hour, and cars and trucks will start streaming across the new, six-lane Charter Oak Bridge after a 2 p.m. opening ceremony...

UPDATE COMPUTER WITH A CD DRIVE Jan 5, 1995
The nicest thing you can do for your computer is get a compact disc drive. More than half of the new programs coming out -- Mac or IBM -- are on CD. Older programs also are being stacked -- three, four and more -- onto a single CD that is then sold at a bargain price. It's sort of like remaindered books...

IRISH CROSSED ETHNIC DIVIDE IN 19TH CENTURY March 16, 1997
In 1972, when Hartford again began to host a St. Patrick's Day parade, the spirited event marked the restoration of a venerable city tradition dating back to March 1852. That was the year of Hartford's first St. Patrick's Day parade. During the 1820s, there was but one known Irish family living in Hartford. The first large contingent of Irish immigrants arrived to dig a canal at Enfield Falls in 1827. They numbered 400 men from the Irish counties of Cork and Galway. By 1852 -- the year of the premier St. Patrick's Day parade -- the city's Irish population had swelled to more than 2,300...