Selected from the pages of the Windsor Locks Journal and lightly annotated by Wendy Taylor, Kent Memorial Library.
June 4
This morning early risers were greeted with the sight of a good white frost. Just how much damage it did to growing crops will not be known for a day or two. One thing to be thankful for, however, is that the snow flurries that were reported in some parts of New York state did not materialize here.
June 11
A large tobacco shed in the Donaldson place in Mapleton, owned by George M. Hendee, was totally destroyed by fire… The flames were fanned by a strong wind which carried for nearly a mile large pieces of burning shingles, depositing them on roofs of houses. The house of Mrs. Albert Clum, about 300 feet away from the Hendee shed, was badly scorched, with damage estimated at about $300. The furniture was carried to safety. The tobacco shed on the L. J. Cook place caught fire several times, but the flames were checked before headway was gained. The damage to this shed was about $200.
The Suffield department sent both trucks, but as the Mapleton water mains are only four inches in diameter, the pumper with two streams used all of the water. A call was sent to the Thompsonville department which quickly responded and rendered great assistance by preventing the flames from spreading to nearby buildings by the use of chemicals.
Many valuable farming tools were lost in the Hendee shed and the entire loss is estimated at $6,000, partially covered by insurance.
Deputy Sheriffs Greer and Risley and Constables Walter Greer and T. B. Cooney raided the home of John Tureck of East street…and were rewarded in finding a large copper still of ten gallons’ capacity in operation and a keg holding ten gallons of “moonshine” that was ready for consumption… A jail sentence of sixty days was suspended, in view of the fact that Tureck has eleven children dependent on him. [prohibition doesn’t end until 1933]
A serious automobile accident occurred…when a car owned by John O’Malley of West Suffield skidded on the West Suffield road, turned over three times and went over a small embankment onto the lawn of Harry Nelson. Miss Marion O’Malley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O’Malley, suffered injuries to her back.
A birthday surprise was given Mrs. Burton Holcomb… at her home… The time was spent in singing, dancing and selections by the local orchestra which also furnished the music for the Charleston.
June 18
An unidentified man’s body was found…in the Connecticut river, east of Hilltop Farm, by two Thompsonville boys, who were walking along the river bank. The body was dressed in a blue shirt, a union suit, dark clue trousers with white pencil stripe, gray socks with black dots, and tan high shoes.
No marks of identity could be found on his clothing. In his pockets were found three handkerchiefs, a small change purse and loose change, aggregating $1.47. Dr. J. A. Coogan of Windsor Locks, acting medical examiner, said the body probably had been in the water two months.
The man was probably between 35 and 40 years of age and had dark brown hair.
June 25
Farmers, especially tobacco growers are elated over the rains…as crops have suffered from drouth. The transplanting of tobacco has been unusually late this year, owing to the cold weather and the work of combating several kinds of worms.
Several large trees, landmarks along the main highway, will probably be removed in the near future because of decayed centers and menacing branches.