Selected from the pages of the Windsor Locks Journal and lightly annotated by Wendy Taylor of Kent Memorial Library.
June 3
The work of transplanting tobacco is well under way and with the past few days of clear weather the excitement occasioned by the “wildfire” [A plant disease] scare has subsided.
A pile of tobacco, owned by Henry Seymour, caught fire…in one of Mr. Seymour’s tobacco barns and the tobacco was considerably damaged. It is thought that the fire was caused by spontaneous combustion.
The Suffield School track team won the Colgate meet…and will now have permanent possession of the handsome cup which they have won twice before.
June 10
Dorothy L. Kent [was] valedictorian of Suffield School graduating class and the only girl in a class of 20 members.
Mrs. Mary Davis, who lives in a small house on the Hubbard place on South Main street, was arrested by state police…after a raid had disclosed a still and several gallons of mash. She was fined $25 and costs for having liquor in her possession, and the same amount for selling liquor, the entire bill amounting to $80.22.
About three weeks ago the woman’s husband, William Davis, was committed to the Norwich asylum from this place, and it was thought at that time his insanity was caused by drinking moonshine whiskey. Her only defense was that she sold the liquor to buy food for herself and children.
Henry Adams fell from the scaffold of his stock barn…and is confined to his home on Bridge street as a result of the accident. He was rendered unconscious by the fall and when a physician arrived it was found that several ribs were broken and he was considerably shaken up.
Dr. Leon Hilditch of Suffield comes each week to the Center school and gives dental work to pupils who desire it, which is a good opportunity.
Miss Sadie Nicholson was given a kitchen shower at the home of Mrs. Matthew Leahey.
June 17
Notwithstanding the visits to this town of the officers of the motor vehicle department, there is still considerable reckless driving by automobilists through the center of the town and if the traffic continues to increase in the next ten years as it has in the past ten, it will be necessary to have a traffic officer located at the center of the town to give a person the chance to cross the street. Most of the reckless driving is done by people passing through the town, although occasionally a local driver “steps on it” to impress his fellow man.
The souvenir book of the 250th anniversary of this town is on the press and will soon be ready for distribution. The book will not only give a very complete report of the celebration, but will contain much historical matter and is profusely illustrated.
June 24
The state chamber of commerce has presented seven pictures of the late Theodore Roosevelt, containing his last message sent to the American Defense Company. These pictures were presented to the various schools in Suffield yesterday…All the schools held appropriate exercises in honor of the “Great American.”
John Loomis of Mapleton avenue was overcome by the heat…He fell from the dump cart he was driving and the wheels passed over his body. He was picked up and taken into his home and attended by Dr. William E. Caldwell, who found no bones broken.
The new retaining walls near the oil mill bridge [East Street over Stony Brook] have been completed and steps and railings put in for the benefit of the residents of the houses on the north side of the highway.