— A Southwick Time Machine Original Mystery   Edward S. Root married Mary J. Blanchard on February 23, 1898. The couple later settled at 39 King Street in Westfield, Massachusetts. Edward was a whipmaker who also moonlighted as a well-known dance promoter for many of the city's major balls. Mary was prominent in Western Massachusetts fraternal circles, active in the Daughters of Rebekah and holding several positions within the order. With no children, she was free to travel, entertain friends, and attend gatherings.   Mrs. Mary Jane Root   In early May 1920, Mary, a member of Eastern Star Rebekah Lodge, was appointed marshal of the Massachusetts assembly, then in session in Boston. She remained socially engaged through most of that summer. On July 15, members of the Past Noble Grands' Club of Eastern Star Rebekah Lodge surprised her with a party at her home; she entertained them with a lawn party.  Mary observed her birthday on July 18, and about a week later ...

  Content Note: This account concerns events from the more recent past and includes subject matter that may be distressing to some readers.    — A Southwick Time Machine Reader-Requested Courtroom Controversy   On July 7, 1983, Ralph Ward Rice Jr. of Southwick, Massachusetts, appeared before Judge George Cregan Keady Jr. in Hampden County Superior Court in Springfield to answer charges of incest and rape of a child by force. The charges reportedly involved Rice's then-12-year-old daughter. Judge George Cregan Keady Jr. According to prosecutors, the crimes occurred between June 21 and September 7, 1981. An investigation by the Hampden County District Attorney's Office eventually led to grand jury indictments against Rice in March 1983. He was arrested and charged with two counts each of incest and rape of a child by force. By 1982, the Commonwealth had removed Rice's six children, five daughters and one son, from their “trailer park home” on Hillside Road in Southwic...

   — A Southwick Time Machine Oddity   On July 13, 1821, a fire of unknown origin broke out at a powder works in Southwick, Massachusetts. Inside the sifting mill was 21-year-old Julius Lee, the only person in the building at the time. Julius Lee was born in Southwick in 1800. He was the son of Campbell Lee, who owned the powder works with Messrs. Booth & Co. of Westfield and Colonel Enos Foote of Southwick. The sifting mill exploded first. Within seconds, the pounding mill, located about ten rods away, also exploded. The blast was reportedly heard and felt 10 to 12 miles away. Although severely injured, Julius did not die immediately. He survived for about an hour, but his injuries were so extensive that no account of the accident could be obtained from him. When his body was examined, some of his bones were found to be broken. He was blackened by the smoke of the powder but was otherwise not greatly disfigured or bruised. Julius Lee was buried in Southwick Cemetery....