Stony Brook Stories

I found two "human interest" stories from the early 20th century that featured Stony Brook - one sad, and one happy. I had no idea that there were cows munching grass along Hyde Park Ave. as late as 1909.

Boston Globe July 28, 1909

Mary Ann Is Dead

Found Standing in Brook Off Hyde Park Av.

Only a Cow, but Children Cried Over the Loss of Their Pet.

Mary Ann is dead
.
Her death was sudden and was by accident, yesterday, in the pasture, where she had roped about for 10 years.

Mary Ann was found in a standing position in the mud of Stony brook, 50 feet from Hyde Park av. Mounted officer Buckley and William DeWhite, the ticket agent of the Mr Hope station, noticed the cow standing in the water for some time. Others on passing electrics commented on the fact that the animal was there a long time, but it was remarked that Mary Ann was down there to cross the brook to get on the other side, but she had stopped to enjoy a foot bath.

Finally, mounted officer Buckley tied his horse to a post and going down through the pasture toward the brook, called to the cow by her name, but there was no response. It took him but a moment to discover that the cow was dead.

The animal had been poison and during its great thirst went to Stony brook to drink, dying as it stood in the mud.

A few days ago the trees along Hyde Park av, particularly the few in the pasture, were sprayed by a gang of men, but before this was done signs were posted warning owners of animals of the danger.

As usual, Mary Ann was put into the pasture yesterday, but was tied up to a log which was inserted into the ground with enough rope to permit a reasonable range for feed. But the cow broke away, or some one loosened the rope and the animal ate of the poisoned food.

Mary Ann belonged to Thomas Welch of 56 Bourne st. Mt Hope, and some of the little boys and girls cried when the body of their pet was carted away. They said that it wouldn't have been half so bad is one of the other cows had died, instead of dear Mary Ann.

Boston Globe June 6, 1918

Seek Medal For Five Year Old

Marian Milne of Roslindale Saved Boy from Drowning in Stony Brook - Little Mother to All the Children on Her Street

Little 5-year-old Marian Milne of 55 Archdale road, Roslindale is held by every resident on the street to be a heroine. Attempts are being made by neighbors to secure for her a medal from the Carnegie Fund or from the Massachusetts Humane Society.

Recently, while playing near her home, Marian heard cries coming from the direction of Stony Brook, which runs at the end of the street. She had seen little John Early, 3 1/2 years old, go toward the brook some time before, so she raced to the bank of the stream just in time to get hold of John's hand and drag him from the water.

Other children who heard the cries had run to the Early boy's home to tell his mother that John was in trouble, but Marian took the whole affair into her own tiny but capable hands and proceeded to make the rescue herself.

"She is a real heroine" says Mrs Early, the mother of the boy who was rescued, "and I hope she will get the medal. My child would have undoubtedly been drowned if she had not gone to his assistance and I want everything done for her that is possible."

Marian says that she heard the cries of John and she was afraid that one of the water rats might take his leg off, so she ran to his assistance. When she saw him up to his waist in the water, hanging on to the grass on the bank, she just took hold of his hand and pulled him out of the brook.

Marian is a little mother to all of the children of the street and nothing delights her so much as to have the responsibility of looking after her playmates. She is the oldest child on the street that does not go to school, as her age makes her just under the limit for admittance. She was bitterly disappointed that she was not allowed to attend school last Fall and has studies at home all the year in preparation for her entrance.