Byline: Gary Ledoux

Posts by Gary Ledoux

Yester-Heroes: First NPD Line-of-Duty Death: Patrolman James Roach, after ‘duel with a bandit’

read more…: Yester-Heroes: First NPD Line-of-Duty Death: Patrolman James Roach, after ‘duel with a bandit’

At that moment, Roche figured he had disabled Kelley. He turned his back to the prone man for a brief second to sound his police whistle signaling for assistance. While Roche’s back was to Kelley, Kelley gathered the strength to fire from beneath the lilac bushes; five bullets finding their mark. Roche collapsed, paralyzed. 

Yester-Heroes: Parades, musters, and a new engine house

read more…: Yester-Heroes: Parades, musters, and a new engine house

On September 2, 1893, a huge fireman’s muster was held in Milford, NH, featuring fire apparatus and personnel from Nashua, Milford, Goffstown, Pepperell, MA, Groton, MA, and Ayer, MA.  Non-competing firefighters attended from as far away as Lowell, MA.  The festivities were started with a huge parade through Milford where “the houses were finely decorated.” 

Yester-Heroes: Nashua Police in the mid-1920s and the end of the Main Street Bridge

read more…: Yester-Heroes: Nashua Police in the mid-1920s and the end of the Main Street Bridge

On December 11, 1924 the Main St. bridge, which was then constructed of wood, burned in a spectacular fire crippling Nashua’s north/south traffic. The bridge burned all the way through, collapsing into the river sending what was described as a “fountain of sparks hundreds of feet into the air.”

Yester-Heroes: Who’s The Boss? 

read more…: Yester-Heroes: Who’s The Boss? 

Being aware of the simmering political stew of having two Fire Chiefs, and the standoff between Whitney and Mayor Burke, a large crowd gathered to see what would happen.  An article in the Nashua Telegraph stated, “Such a scene has not been witnessed in this city for many years since the days of intense rivalry between the old volunteer companies.”

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Header photo by Dan Splaine – www.dansplainephotography.com