100 Years Ago: Sept. 1919, Local News

100 Years Ago September 1919

In and About The Haddams

Selected from the pages of The Middletown Press and lightly annotated by Sally Haase

Killingworth, Sept. 3, 1919: During the thunder storm of Saturday evening, lightning struck a barn on what was formerly known as the Gaston Phelps place and burned it; also the chicken house. There was no stock in the barn, but there was grain and about five tons of hay. The barn was insured.

Haddam, Sept. 4, 1919: Pay Up Or Go To Jail. The peace of some thirty  probationers who have thus far failed to pay their fines was rudely shattered when it was announced in the city court that those who had not lived up to their agreement to settle with the probation officer would be brought into court and sent down to help Sheriff Bert Thomas harvest his crops. Two delinquent fine payers were brought before the court to explain their cases. The first one, fined $9.50 in November 1918, neglected the opportunity to pay up. The courts gave him just one more chance or, as the court said, take a trip in a Hudson Super Six to Haddam and board with the Sheriff for a period in the Haddam county jail.  The next one was placed on probation last March and ordered to pay $14.50 has also failed to settle. He was also given the choice of showing some money or having lodging in Haddam thrust upon him. He said he would settle.

Killingworth, Sept. 5, 1919: The exhibit given by the Killingworth Girls’ club showed the excellent work done by the members. Judged by a committee of three ladies, Mrs. Lovell Parmelee, Mrs. Arthur Parmelee, and Mrs. S. Griswold, some of the winners were: rye bread, first prize to Martha Burker; wheat bread, first prize, to Lena Malacarne; second, Ida Fruend; and third, Helen Schezel.

Haddam, Sept. 8, 1919: Irwin Parmelee has gone to Flint, Mich., where he has secured employment in an automobile manufactory.

Middletown, Sept. 10, 1919: State Employment Agent Samuel Willard was besieged with children who sought working certificates. Twenty youngsters were crowded into the office, some with their parents, but all anxious to go to work and secure some of the “big money” being paid in the local plants. Questioned regarding their children’s future, most of the mothers were indifferent, the main goal was the money that the efforts of the children who are forced to enter shops to the exclusion of schools, would bring. Let the education go. “My boy gotta de money in de shop, bigga pay there,” one mother said.

Moodus, Sept. 11, 1919: The re-building of the arch bridge is processing rapidly. The cement mixer has been removed to Suffield. Elmer Ventres and Edward Bride, who have been employed here, have gone to Suffield to work.

Miss Carrie L. Bowers, presided at the piano for the moving pictures at “The Continental” on Wednesday.

Middletown, Sept. 11, 1919: Commencing yesterday, the single session schedule went into effect at the high school. This allows for one session to be dismissed at 1:15 p.m. In addition there will be two afternoon sessions for delinquent pupils.  It is understood that this does not meet with the approval of the majority of the teaching staff, inasmuch as all the teachers will work practically seven hours when assigned to the afternoon session. The grade school teachers are actually on duty only about four and two thirds hours daily.

Haddam, Sept. 13, 1919:  At the Republican caucus the following candidates for Town officers were nominated: Assessors, Chauncey Dickenson, Myron G. Skinner, and John C. Russell. Board of Relief, Elmer S. Hubbard. Selectmen, Bert G. Thompson, J. Jacob Johnson. Town Clerk, G.A. Dickinson. Town Treasurer, Albert H. Hubbard. Auditor, Leonard J. Selden. Grand Jurors, Geo. C. Russell, Charles B. Northam, Jacob Johnson. Collector of Taxes, John C. Knowles. Constables, John C. Knowles, Robert S Bailey, Frank Porkorny, Wilbert H. Gillette.

Storrs, Sept. 17, 1919:  The Connecticut Agriculture College began its 1919-1920 year with the largest registration ever known at the college. Over 350 students, seventy-five of them girls, were enrolled at the dean’s office and many are on the waiting list because there were no dormitory facilities.

Haddam, Sept. 20, 1919: The “Middletown Press” told its readers that the county jail at Haddam is empty except for necessary keepers and a few prisoners. It is apparent to the county authorities that the jail cannot be closed even though business is dull because there are likely to be prisoners held for trial. In view of the expense of maintenance, the sheriff or the county may welcome the suggestion that a tea-room should be opened in it. The motor traffic past the place is ample enough to suggest the plan might have a fair prospect of success.

Haddam, Sept. 20, 1919: At the caucus of the democratic party of the town, the following candidates were nominated for election:  Assessors, Harvey G. Brainerd, Gaston L. Neff, and Walter Clark; Board of Relief, Whitney S. Porter; Selectman, Frederick Brooks, Francis A. House; Town Clerk, George A. Dickinson; Town Treasurer, Rutherford S. Chalker; Auditor,

Eugene O. Burr; Grand Jurors,  Daniel Brooks, Eugene O. Burr, Robert Brooks; Collector of Taxes, Walter W. Clarke; Constables, William Goff, Walter W. Clarke, William Brainerd, and Robert Bailey.

Hartford, Sept. 23, 1919: The White Plague claims 150,000 lives yearly. Over 1,200,000 men, women and children are its victims. Eight out of ten adults are at some time in their lives infected with the germs. “Medical science has proved that tuberculosis or consumption is both preventable and curable,” said the director of the National Tuberculosis Association. “…women of the country can help by insisting upon proper housekeeping conditions. The cure for tuberculosis lies in nature’s own gifts of sunlight, fresh air, good food and plenty of rest in cheerful surroundings under competent medical supervision.”

Haddam, Sept. 23, 1919: Extending the glad hand to its heroes of the world war the town of Haddam will give to its soldiers and sailors who worked to make the world safe for democracy, a straight-from- the- heart welcome home on October 11^th. The entire town will turn out to yell itself hoarse. The welcome will carry a “glad to see you” in every grasp of the hand, and in every friendly pat on the back.

Middletown, Sept. 25, 1919: Fifteen members of the 24^th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers [in the Civil War], were present at the 47^th reunion of the regiment today.  [Of those present at the roll call of Company A was Daniel W. Priest of Higganum.]

100 years ago, much has changed and, then again, nothing has changed.