Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 14.

[p. 3] might have been seen tethered by a long rope or chain on the vacant land between Boston Avenue and the river. Our own experience was, doubtless, like that of others, and as more houses were built the family cow (and pig as well) was crowded out.

Now nobody sees the quart measures of those days. After a time the practice of leaving each customer's supply in a small can came in vogue, and this is superseded by the glass bottles, with dealer's name, and of duly prescribed size, all according to law.

The Mr. Hadley who preceded J. E. Ober may have succeeded Mr. Milliken. Mr. Ober sold out to Lockhart & Munsey; and there was T. H. Nourse, who also came from the ‘Foot of the Rocks’; also a Mr. Hobbs. These were the advance guard of the present army of local milkmen.

In Mr. Wait's reminiscences, which follow, there is ample opportunity to read between the lines by comparison with present-day methods, remembering that the first railroad train passed through Medford only ten years before his ‘driving milk wagon,’ and that the men he mentions relied mostly on their Boston customers' patronage. From it may be formed some idea of the strenuous life of a hardy set of men of two generations past.