Trigger-happy watchman, derby-hatted pant thief, the sad case of Patrick Finn, and “improper” Holliston horses.

July 8, 1881 – Three pistol shots were fired Tuesday night in the vicinity of the straw shop.  It is feared that Watchman Sullivan was intimidated.  Later – “It was the cats.”

March 3, 1882 – Mr. Charles Deeds was last week sent to the House of Correction for abusing his family, all resulting from a difference of opinion over a game of cards.

June 2, 1882 – About 12:30 o’clock Wednesday night Sam Carr, grocer, was awakened and, by the light of the moon, saw a short fellow dressed in dark clothes and a derby hat in the act of taking his pants and vest.  He sprang out of bed and the fellow ran down the front stairs with Mr. Carr in hot pursuit, but the front door having been previously left wide open, the burglar escaped; during the melee the burglar attempted to shoot Mr. Carr but the pistol fortunately missed fire. 

August 25, 1882 – The sensation of the past week has been the finding of the dead body of Patrick Finn in the water closet of W. C. Kieley’s saloon, about 9 o’clock last Friday evening, he having, as supposed, been there some six hours, when discovered. .  He had been married 23 years and was the father of sixteen children, fourteen of whom are now living.  He was a member of Post 6 G.A.R., serving in Co. I, First Regiment Mass. Heavy Artillery, during the war.

 We understand the testimony to be that when Mrs. Finn first looked for her husband the bartender was notified of the fact, and he told Mr. Finn, who was asleep in the chair and in attempting to get up, fell out of the chair, and was afterwards assisted to the water-closet so he would be out of sight, and that he remained there until found dead. The cause of the death of Patrick Finn reads, “Pressure on the spinal cord.”

And lastly:

September 8, 1882 – According to the Milford Journal, Holliston horses have recently been conducting themselves in a very improper manner while away from home.