A Look Back: March 16

200 Years Ago

■We are happy to learn that Messrs. Cogswell and Bancroft have purchased the whole of Round Hill, with a view to establish their seminary on a permanent and extensive footing. We are not able to state from personal observation the actual success thus far of their system of education, but a step so important and decisive evinces a resolution and confidence which augur well for their undertaking.

■Ran away from the subscriber on the 13th inst., an indented apprentice at the cabinet making business, by the name of Henry A. Edwards, 19 years of age. All persons are hereby forbid harboring or trusting him on penalty of the law. — Horace Barns, Northampton.

100 Years Ago

■Declaring that he had “the time of his life,” Philip Gleason of Bright Avenue last night returned from a trip to Washington, where he was entertained by President and Mrs. Coolidge at the White House and received, as Phil put it, “a royal welcome.” Mr. Gleason was at the White House three times on Thursday and spoke with the president for two hours.

■An excellent picture of Thomas Jefferson has been purchased by the city property committee and now stands on Mayor Woodhouse’s desk in city hall. The picture is a fine likeness of the great statesman and is a copy of a painting made at the time when he was President.

50 Years Ago

■Hiring practices of the Northampton School Department will be re-evaluated. Charging that the committee has a poor public image because it has often hired relatives of its own members in the past, new School Committee member Paul D. Bixby proposed the school committee conduct initial screening of all department applicants and “have access to all applications.”

■Becket developer Robert Hamilton is expected to complete today the purchase of 435 acres of land for possible development in Chesterfield, Williamsburg and Westhampton. In mid-January Hamilton took the three communities by surprise when he sent copies of rough plans for a 280-unit housing development called “Skyview” to the boards of selectmen.