100 Years Ago January 1919: In and About The Haddams
selected from the pages of The Evening Press and lightly annotated by Sally Haase
Killingworth, Jan. 3, 1919: Rev. G.B. Gilbert was down to Emmanuel church at the Christmas social where there were over forty people from Rockland, Killingworth Center, and Chestnut Hill district attended. Over $30 was given to the Red Cross and also a sum was sent to the Armenian children.
There was a chopping bee at the Congregational church Tuesday. Several cords of wood were cut, sawed and split. The ladies met at the parsonage and did some cleaning.
Higganum, Jan. 3, 1919: The Red Cross knitters are asked to lay aside their knitting needles for the present as the supply of garment for the troops is sufficient. All yarn and finished articles should be returned to their branch.
Higganum, Jan. 6, 1919: William O’Connor, who has seen duty overseas, is expected home today. Mr. O’Connor was wounded on October 10th.
Moodus, Jan. 7, 1919: Of late it has been discovered that cottages at Lake Basham have been entered and ransacked and articles left in a promiscuous manner. Later it was found to be the work of amateurs.
Haddam, Jan. 7, 1919: The vital statistics of Haddam for the year 1918 are as follows: Births, 37; marriages, 11; deaths, 33. There were no marriages in either of the “brides months,” June and October, which is quite unusual.
Haddam, Jan. 8, 1919: Major and Mrs. Joseph Kitchell were in town yesterday to attend to the sale of White Birch Farm. They are moving their furniture [as Major Kitchell has been summoned to Washington to work on the demobilization for the war department.]
Haddam, Jan. 9 & 10, 1919: The people of the this place are pleased to know that we have a doctor in town, as there has been much need of one on account of the large amount of sickness. Though we have been without a local physician for some time, the records show that 16 doctors have rendered medical assistance to the families of the town during the past year. Dr. Taylor is a physician and surgeon.
Higganum, Jan. 13, 1919: A large number of young people are enjoying the skating on the reservoir, which is excellent.
A letter has been received by the relatives of Michael, from overseas, stating that he is well.
Middletown, Jan. 15, 1919: The steamer Middletown made her last trip down the river for the season last night, arriving there hours late having great difficulty in breaking a passage through the ice. It was escorted down river by the tug boat Sachem, on account of the mass of ice that accumulated while unloading.
A. Brazos & Sons intended to ship 40 army horses here, which they bought, but were unable to get them on board. Instead they were able to ship them to New Haven and then will drive them up from there.
Hartford, Jan. 18, 1919: Radical changes in the automobile laws of the state were recommended by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Among them: Authority to arrest drivers for violation of any law relating to carrying of lights on the highway. A law making a standard system of drivers’ signals. A law limiting the width of load to be carried upon any motor vehicle and projecting beyond the vehicle. A law distinctly limiting the time during which a car with foreign license may be operated within the limits of the state. And, a law requiring applications for registrations of all classes to be made under oath.
Higganum, Jan. 21, 1919: Mrs. Ida Modehn has just received a letter from her son Godfrey saying he is in Germany and is situated comfortably, staying in a house there and sleeping in a real bed.
Higganum, Jan. 25, 1919: A new service flag was purchased some time ago to remember the boys that were members of the Higganum Grange. There are five: George Cross, John Scory, Lafayette Gladwin, Vernon Rich and Charles Church.
New Haven, Jan. 27, 1919: The first demonstration resulting from unemployment occurred in this city when about 200 persons out of work marched through the central streets to city hall, carrying placards labeled, “We want work.” The burden of their complaint was that many of them had been discharged for refusal to work for reduced wages and that at some shops where they applied for employment women were being retained on men’s jobs.
Boston, Jan. 27, 1919: Bolshevism and socialism are being taught to “infant student” in three schools of a new Boston institution. These institutions founded by Miss Rascha Starobin now have an enrollment of more than 200 students. A sample recitation is:
Hig-ley, hig-ley-de,
Boss Grab-it-all is free
To rob us of our labors,
Jack and Jill and me.
Hig-ley, hig-ley-de,
The boss he’ll no longer be,
For we will take all that we make,
Jack and Jill and me
Bridgeport, Jan. 28, 1919: Blood, fire and dynamite are threatened in a circular received by mail by many residents here and it is believed throughout New England. From the “American anarchist.” The circular reads: “The senile fossils ruling the United States see red. Smelling their destruction they have decided to check the storm by passing deportation laws affecting all foreign radicals. We, the American anarchist, do not protest, for it is futile to waste any energy on feeble-minded creatures led by His Majesty Phonograph Wilson. Do not think that only foreigners are anarchists. We are a great number right here at home.” [Phonograph Wilson refers to a traveling Edison phonograph addressing American Indian tribes and speaking of the relationship of the American Indians and the federal government.]
100 years ago, much has changed and, then again, nothing has changed.
