Selected from the pages of The Middletown Press and lightly annotated by Sally Haase
Middletown, Mar. 2, 1920: The four wood alcohol whiskey vendors arraigned here on a manslaughter charge for causing the death of 13 who drank the poison the day after last Christmas were sentenced in superior court today. Nathan Salsberg, the former brew master who mixed the fatal drinks, was given the longest sentence of eight to 12 years. The others were given lesser sentences. The four were the only ones of the wood alcohol conspirators to be arrested in this city. [Link to Dec. 1919 article]
Paris, Mar. 5, 1920: “The world’s greatest and bloodiest war will be fought between armies of men and women,” was the prediction made today by Edouard Pontie, well known French writer and bitter opponent of woman suffrage. “The army of amazons will have superior numbers over the army of men,” continues Pontie. “Woman are eager to revenge the long ages of submission to man and it is possible they may conquer. I believe that the only way for men to forestall this struggle is by legalizing polygamy thus reducing the numbers of unmarried women. …As the world population increases competition for bread will become more bitter between those wearing trousers and those wearing skirts. Then will come the frightful war wherein women… will use all their force… to overcome men.”
East Haddam, Mar. 8, 1920: The 600 tons of coal received at Christmas time, by W.C. Reynolds, has about all been sold and unless the river opens to navigation soon, it will be necessary to have coal shipped by rail.
Raymond Wind has taken the agency for the Saturday Evening Post, but is unable to get enough copies to supply the demand.
From a Middletown Press Ad, Mar. 13, 1920: Connecticut’s Last Chance: “The 34th state, West Virginia, has ratified the federal suffrage amendment. Washington and Delaware are holding special sessions on March 22nd and will undoubtedly ratify. This will complete the thirty-six states necessary to give full enfranchisement to the women of the United States. …Unless Connecticut ratifies the amendment before these states act, her women will owe the enfranchisement to the men of other states. No belated act on the part of our Governor will change this central act. …One chance remains to get Connecticut into the line of progress. If Governor Holcomb will call the Legislature together before Washington and Delaware ratify …we can redeem our reputation. Shall Connecticut Travel Forever In The Ox-Cart? [Adv paid for by the president of the Connecticut Woman Suffrage Association.]
Killingworth, Mar. 17, 1920: Private Ernest J. Malcarne returned to his troop at Fort Myers, Virginia, after spending a furlough at his home here. Mrs. Josephine Malcarne has recently received a handsome certificate from the French government in honor of her son, Private Camillo M. Malcarne, who died at Camp Merritt, New Jersey.
Middletown, Mar. 23, 1920: Lynn Wilson, of Bridgeport, addressed a representative audience last evening on the subject, “What the Democratic Party Offers the Women Voters.” He upheld the progressive principles of his party, and the honesty of its members in having advocated equal suffrage for many years. He referred humorously to the sudden conversion of the republican party in this state when they first realized that since 34 states had ratified the 19th Amendment, final ratification was only a matter of time, and, therefore, “safety first” demanded their devotion to the cause.
Haddam, Mar. 23, 1920: The very unusual and wonderful display in the sky last evening was watched with much interest. Not for many years has there has been such a brilliant exhibition of the Aurora Borealis.
Middletown, Mar. 24, 1920: This morning Town Clerk Hurd received copies of the Fast Day proclamation of Governor Holcomb. The governor appoints Good Friday, April 2, as a time for “public fasting and prayer.” The proclamation closes with, “I therefore name Friday, April the second, a day of public fasting and prayer in the hope that the citizens of this Commonwealth will then unite in humble craving for themselves and for all whom may be put in authority as much as may be of wisdom to plumb the depths of God’s purposes and strength to arrive for the goal of His desire.”
Old Saybrook, Mar. 26, 1920: The tug Sachem, with two barges passed through the bridges and started through the ice in the channel in great shape. A big flow of ice had come down with the tides and out on the sound. There is more or less congestion between Haddam and Middletown. Yet, this end is all cleared up.
Hartford, Mar. 31, 1920: Governor Holcomb has definitely decided that he will not call a special session of the legislation to act on the suffrage amendment. The governor will not send a formal reply to the members of the men’s republican suffrage committee, who presented to him a copy of the resolution adopted by the state republican convention. He is taking the stand that no reply is necessary since his decision is unchanged.
100 years ago, much has changed and, then again, nothing has changed.
Image from the Middletown Press
