Selected from the pages of the Windsor Locks Journal and lightly annotated by Wendy Taylor, Kent Memorial Library.
March 2
The monthly meeting of the tobacco growers of the 15th and 16th districts took place in the Town hall Tuesday evening, presided over by George A. Peckham. The first speaker of the evening was Judge Levi P. M. Hickey of East Hartford, who spoke on the benefit of the hail insurance feature that the association is to give the growers this season. B. F. Southwick of the Hartford County farm Bureau spoke on wildfire. He explained that the association had started negotiations for the purchase of Sanders, a powder that is sifted on the hot beds while the plants first sprout. The last speaker was W. F. Whittemore, secretary of the association, who spoke on the loan values of some crops after they had been graded for the market.
March 9
The fishing license bill will come up for a hearing before the joint committee of the House and Senate, at room 66 at the State Capitol next Tuesday afternoon. The passage of this act seems to be the only way that the work of re-stocking lakes and streams in this state can be carried on. The bill should be supported by all good sportsmen. The advantages of the bill are many besides the accrued revenue. It helps to identify the fishermen and the danger of losing the license if convicted of breaking the law regulating fishing. The license will not be required of women or minors under sixteen years of age.
The report comes from a reliable source that Suffield moonshine whiskey has made a reputation in New York city, a visitor to that city from this town being told by a bootlegger that it was the best made in the north. The winter has been a bad one for out-door stills and the production has not been up to the mark for the past few months, but with the event of good weather, the aroma of sour mash and wood smoke will mix with the perfume of the trailing arbutus and the dog-toothed violet.
A number of tobacco sheds in different parts of the town have been crushed this winter by the weight of snow upon their roofs. The snow from the first storm melted into ice and each succeeding storm added to the weight, until the rafters gave way under the heavy load.
Matthew T. Leahey has bought the M. J. Sheldon farm on Sheldon street from Mrs. J. O. Armour. This farm had been in the Sheldon family for over two hundred years.
March 16
At the regular meeting of the Suffield Troop of the Boy Scouts held in the Town hall Wednesday night the boys were treated to an interesting lecture, illustrated by C. W. Walker of this place on different flags of this country. Mr. Walker has in his collection many interesting flags to the number of several hundred.
March 23
Some of the fishermen, who are getting ready for the opening of the trout season, report that there are places where it is possible to dig angle worms and the ice is going out of the brooks. The robins and bluebirds are also here and summer is in sight.
Tax Collector W. W. Pomroy has received the tax books and is ready to receive taxes at his home on North Main street.
March 30
Spring seems rather reluctant about showing itself. The thermometer this (Thursday) morning registering zero before sunrise. Last night a wild west wind, filled with snow and dirt from western New York, made out-door life uncomfortable, a fitting ending for a disagreeable winter.
The center school has been closed this week owing to two cases of scarlet fever which developed in the school. The patients have been quarantined and no spread of the disease is expected.