This Week in Marblehead History: 1974

Every week, Marblehead Patch digs through the Marblehead Messenger microfilm archives at Abbot Public Library to find out what was happening on this week in local history.

On this week in 1974:

Herman the Skunk Saved from Strangulation: Mrs. John A. Matheson, of 72 Pond St., started several years ago putting bread and milk in a saucer on the back porch of her home for any animal that wanted a nightly snack. Pretty soon it became a popular gathering place at dusk for raccoons and skunks. Last April Matheson started feeding a skunk she named "Herman Jr." after a skunk she named "Herman" and fed for two years. About two weeks ago, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Simpson, of Little Harbor Way, found little Herman with an empty jar of Crosse and Blackwell applesauce on his head and called the police, who assisted with the removal of the jar.

Local Man's Lucky Haul: Biff Martin, owner of Martin Fish Market on Ferry Lane, recently posed with a 12-and-one-half-pound lobster that he trapped off of Bakers Island. It fell a little short of the biggest he ever caught - a 16 pounder. Martin says it's just an old wive's tale that meat in the big ones is tough.

New Fire Department Pumper Ordered: Selectmen signed the contract for Fire Chief Edward F. Creighton's new fire pumper on Sept. 26. Creighton said that he had re-advertised for the pumper, sending specifications to six different manufacturers.

Bogus Money Ring Hits Marblehead: At least one counterfeit $100 bill turned up in Marblehead last week. Mrs. Marcella Francis, teller at the National Grand Bank, said that another teller, Charles Ball, discovered the bogus bill in the Spirit of '76 restaurant's Monday night till. She said she's seen a lot of counterfeit bills, but noted this one was the best she's ever seen.

Old Boat Launching Rails Soon to Be Only Memory: No more slip for launching ships down at the State Street Landing, says Town Engineer George E. Clark. Clark said that since the Marblehead Transportation Co., Ferry Lane, has a new boom for boat launching, it no longer needs the small inlet between the landing comfort station and Driftwood Restaurant. The town owns half of the sandy parcel.

Foreign Correspondent: Foreign Correspondent, an Alfred Hitchcock thriller, will be shown at the Abbot Public Library at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Local Students Advised on Fire Safety: Coffin School students were recently given grim fire facts of life from firefighter Charles F. Maurais when he demonstrated the resuscitator and gave out some tips on fire safety. They were also given a bit of fun when Bureau of Fire Prevention head Capt. Emerson E. Glass let Ned Daly try on a fireman's rubber coat for size. The fire pumper and crew visited the Turner Road playground Monday morning as part of a new Junior Fire Marshall Program.

Preschooler Story-Hour at Abbot Public Library: Listening intently at a recently preschool story hour at Abbot Public Library were Jennifer Fletcher and Rebecca Sherman, both of Marblehead. The story hour has become increasingly popular in recent months.

---

Were you a Marblehead resident in 1974? Do you recognize any of these names, dates or locations? Let us know in the comments section below.