100 Years Ago October 1919
In and About The Haddams
Selected from the pages of The Middletown Press and lightly annotated by Sally Haase
East Haddam, Oct. 3, 1919: Contributions to the History of East Haddam: 1) East Haddam has a “public” library. 2) Her natives don’t read [and] the Poles can’t. 3) East Haddam maintains “Theological Seminary for Poultry.” ….12) East Haddam has a great future behind her. 12) “Klu Klux Klans” are not permitted so “ye towne’s historie” will continue as inscribed by – Guy Hedlund. ”Town Historian.” Adv. [Quotes by Guy Hedlund, who was born in Portland and was a newspaper man, activist and actor in silent films.]
Moodus, Oct. 7, 1919: The cornerstone of the new public library was laid Saturday, October 4th. Among the items deposited in the cornerstone were: a picture of Hon. A.E. Purple, the donor of the library; lists of the East Haddam soldiers and sailors in the World War, list of survivors of the Civil war, full war records of East Haddam Civil war soldiers and sailors, and coins issued in 1919.
Haddam, Oct. 7, 1919: Sheriff Bert G. Thompson was elected first selectman at the town election here yesterday. The republicans made a clean sweep of the other offices also.
Higganum, Oct. 7 & 8, 1919: The Russell Companies truck of Middletown will convey the 6th Regiment Band to Welcome Home Day for the boys in the service. Townspeople are decorating homes and their cars for parade. The celebration will begin by the ringing of bells and blowing of whistles all over town. At Field Park, lunch will be served to the boys. Townspeople will bring their basket lunches and cups for free coffee.
Haddam Neck, Oct. 7, 1919: Thanks are due Mr. Kruger and the Christian Endeavor Society for the new lighting system which has recently been installed in the Congregational Church and is proving very satisfactory.
John Karlson has recently purchased a six horse power Fairbanks engine and is busy filling his silo.
A power boat will be at the Cyprian Brainerd dock to carry free of charge all who wish to attend the Welcome Home Celebration. Many of our people who have never visited Field Park will be delighted with this charming spot.
Killingworth, Oct. 8, 1919: The following are the town officers elected a the town meeting on Monday: Selectman, Joseph Adametz, Jr.,R; Tracy Perkins, R; Raymond A Griswold, D; Town Clerk, Charles H. Chittenden, D. Town Treasurer, Lowell D. Parmalee, R. Collector of Taxes, Sidney D. Kelsey, R.
East Haddam, Oct. 9, 1919: Few sportsmen were in the brush after game yesterday as the foliage is yet too dense.
Expressman Geo. D. Beebe is out with his wagons newly painted, making a decided improvement in their appearance.
Haddam, Oct. 10, 1919: Haddam’s welcome to her returned service men will be heralded tomorrow at 10:30. The of march will be from Main street to the Methodist church to Porter’s corner to Candlewood Hill road to D.H. Scovil company bridge, turn to right and continue on by Whitney Porter’s Home to Killingworth pike, turn right to Carlson’s corner, left on High street to Main street, turn right on through Haddam, Shailerville, Tylerville, turn left on East Haddam road, cross R.M. Tyler’s field [and back] to the Field Park entrance in Haddam. Cars will be parked along Main street, Haddam. Horses may be hitched around the court house and in sheds of the church. Haddam, Oct. 13, 1919: Great Welcome to War Heroes! And such a welcome; the boys never felt more delighted after capturing a German trench than did they with the warm “Put her there” that came from every citizen as a glad hand was extended to them. First in line was the 6th Regiment Band followed by the Boys in uniform and the veterans of the Civil and the Spanish American Men. Three floats were followed by citizens in autos tastily decorated. [Speeches, lunch and athletic games followed at Field Park.] In the evening a dance was given in the Hall where a very large crowd assembled.
Middletown, Oct. 13, 1919: The only flag that will float from the staff on the municipal building while he is janitor will be the American flag according to Verner Turning. When the Italian residents of the city were celebrating Columbus Day, they wished to have the Italian flag raised from the flag staff during the ceremonies. Mr. Turning recalled that there was a rule or law or something like that which forbade any flag save the American flag to take the breeze from the city building. “You can tell the world that the American flag is good enough for the janitor of the city building,” he said.
Higganum, Oct. 16, 1919: Mrs. Fred Kelsey, who has been ill with typhoid fever, is now able to sit up a number of hours each day. Mrs. Abbey Usher, who has been seriously ill with typhoid fever, is now able to sit up for a short time each day.
Essex, Oct. 20, 1919: Four fifty gallons of witch-hazel were stolen from the warehouse of E.E. Dickinson & Co. sometime Friday night. A big motor truck was used in getting away with the valuable fluid. Each barrel weighed 500 pounds that were rolled into the truck. It is believed by the police that the thieves expect to use the witch-hazel for intoxicating purposes as witch-hazel contains a percentage of alcohol.
Old Saybrook, Oct. 22, 1919: Mrs. Wilmer Brown of Brooklyn, N.Y. was arrested in Branford yesterday following a thirty-mile automobile chase by Deputy Sheriff Calvin Fairbanks. Mrs. Brown speed her machine over the Saybrook bridge without stopping to pay the necessary toll charge of 45 cents. When caught, Mrs. Brown explained that she had a sick woman in the car with her and could not stop. She was allowed to go with the understanding that she report to the police station in New Haven. This she did not do and was captured at Bridgeport.
Moodus, Oct. 23, 1919: Strangers that visit this quite little village are heard to remark concerning the scenery and beautiful surroundings and inquire as to the industry of the place, which is largely cotton mills, with the last water power for running the same there is in the state. The employees are mostly Polish people and noted for their industry. Many of them own their own homes, either built or purchased and remodeled, which is a credit to the town they live in.
100 years ago, much has changed and, then again, nothing has changed.
Thanks for doing this; as usual, a good, interesting read.
I look forward to this feature. The best read from any newspaper. Thank you so much.