Selected from the pages of the Windsor Locks Journal and lightly annotated by Wendy Taylor, Kent Memorial Library.
July 3
Judgement in foreclosure has been granted against the property on the corner of Main and Depot [Mountain Road] streets, where a hotel was partly constructed several years ago… It is to be hoped that the property will be sold to some one that will either tear down the building or repair it. As the building now stands it mars the beauty of the town… At present the windows are all broken, the verandas are sagging and there is a general appearance of desolation about the whole property. It would seem that a good hotel in Suffield would pay during the summer, especially when located in such an attractive spot. People nowadays drive 100 miles to get a good dinner and are willing to pay for it if it is better than the ordinary.
The Second Baptist church will be closed during July and August in order that the church may be redecorated and new carpets laid in the auditorium. During these months union services will be held at the First Congregational Church.
The fishermen of this place are considerably disturbed over the new laws in regard to fishermen’s licenses recently passed by the Massachusetts legislature. According to the newspaper reports of the law it will be necessary for a resident of this town to pay something over $15 for the privilege of fishing at Congamond lakes… It will be cheaper for Suffield fishermen to eat lobster.
The baseball diamond at the old trotting park [where McAlister Intermediate School is] has been graded and rolled and is now in excellent shape.
The ladies of the Third Baptist church will hold a sale of refreshments on the church lawn.
July 10
The night before the 4th of July was celebrated as usual with the ringing of the church bells and a big bonfire in the center of town.
July 24
A new silent policeman has been placed at the junction of Main and Depot [Mountain Road] streets for a thirty days’ trial. The signal is of the so-called blinker type and lights intermittently during the day and night. A traffic signal of some kind is necessary on this spot.
The annual clambake of the Suffield Fish and Game Association will be held at Babb’s grove, Congamond.
July 31
The rains this week have helped to boost the crops along and the tobacco growers are much encouraged…
About 100 residents of River Boulevard and vicinity have petitioned the selectmen for a concrete road between the Thompsonville bridge and Donaldson’s corner in Mapleton. An ordinary gravel highway runs through this section and the residents claim that the dust raised by passing automobilist is very annoying.
August 7
George N Remington has reported to officers here that marauders had destroyed a large amount of his best tobacco… The damage is believed to have been done by a crowd of boys who selected the field in which harvesting was to have started tin a few days.
August 14
John Fetko, 19 of Broad brook, and Mary Rague, 17, of this town, arrived with the girl’s parents about 3 o’clock Thursday morning form Worcester, mass., where the young couple had been detained when it was found that they were eloping. They will be married at once according to Deputy Sheriff George L. Greer.
August 21
Merle Whipple is building a bungalow on the West Suffield mountain.