100 Years Ago in Suffield

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Selected from the pages of the Windsor Locks Journal and lightly annotated by Town Historian Lester Smith.


April 4

The Suffield Pharmacy was broken into sometime Monday night and articles to the value of about $100 were taken. Entrance was gained by cutting a hole in one of the large plate glass windows in the front of the store and then crawling through and unlocking the front door. The articles taken were things of little bulk and could be easily disposed of – manicure articles, fountain pens, chamois skins, and articles of like nature. . . . About two years ago the same store was entered and about two hundred dollars’ worth of morphine and cocaine was taken but no trace was ever found of the burglars.

A meeting of the Suffield Fish and Game Association was held in Union hall Thursday evening with about fifty members present. C. O. Keinbusch of New York and Suffield gave a very interesting talk on salmon fishing in New Brunswick. . . . The talk was illustrated with about one hundred lantern slides made from pictures taken on the trip.

Nearly a week of winter weather, following spring-like weather, has held up somewhat the contemplated operations of the farmers in preparation for the planting season. One morning the thermometer registered 14 degrees above zero.

A number of sales of tobacco have been reported the past week, and the prices have been a little better than last month, ranging from 25 to 37 cents per pound.

Frank Orr, who recently sold his farm, sold his personal property and household goods at auction to-day.

April 11

The selectmen have purchased a Union truck for work on the road this summer. . . . The town has also purchased a Haiss loader for use in the speedy loading of the truck. [I think these are the first automotive machines acquired by the Town.]

A good many of the tobacco growers have sowed their seed beds this week in spite of the bad weather, as the seed was sprouted and had to be put into the ground or thrown away.

April 18

The store of George Martinez was entered by burglars some time Tuesday night and goods to the value of about $500 were taken. The booty taken consisted of jewelry, watches and safety razors. Entrance was gained by cutting a piece out of the glass in the front door and reaching through and unlocking it. This was about the same method pursued at the Suffield Pharmacy . . . It is not thought that the job was done by either boys or “bums” as the cigars and cigarettes were not disturbed, nor was any candy or gum taken.

April 25

Suffield’s quota [in the final Liberty Loan campaign for WWI] is $180,000, a large sum, but entirely within the possibilities of the people in the town. It is a matter for pride in knowing that the state committee places high value on the town’s patriotism, and there is not a resident but that will do his utmost to help the town exceed its quota. The loan is in an attractive form with good rate of interest, and the money is needed “to finish the job.”

A Swede, employed at the quarries of the Berlin Trap Rock Company, was arrested Saturday morning by County Game Warden E. Linn Pease of Enfield for illegal fishing with nets and traps in a brook containing game fish which runs near the Quarry [at the end of Phelps Road]. He was placed in the Suffield lock-up and later was released on bonds.

The annual May breakfast under the auspices of the Mapleton Hall Association will be held in Mapleton hall Thursday, May 1, from 10 a. m. to 8 p. m. The usual bill of fare will be served. The Mapleton May breakfast has become one of the institutions of the town and will be appreciated this year from the fact that last year it was omitted, owing to the scarcity and high prices of food.

Mr. and Mrs. Philip Schwartz, who have been in California for the past 18 months, have returned to the east and at present are in Boston. They expect to return to their home here soon [Brookside, at the Boston Neck dam].

Walter Sheldon of the battleship New York has been spending a furlough at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Sheldon, this week.

Brainard Alderman has sold his farm to a Polander, who will take possession soon. 

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