A glance in the rearview mirror: November 1921—Sardine luncheons. Fig syrup for bowels. Man serves buddy’s sentence.

by Mary Jo David

The following news excerpts are from November 1921 editions of the Stockbridge Brief-Sun newspaper. These are mostly reproduced in the original, without edits or corrections. Visit the Stockbridge Library to view electronic copies of old local news publications dating back to 1883. 

Armistice Day: Friday, November 11th, Armistice Day, is for reflection. Three years ago our nation was appealing to every American citizen for cooperation in every way possible so the war might be won. The way the people practiced selfdenial and sent supplies of money and men is a well known story. … A service becoming to an occasion of this kind will be held at 10 o’clock Friday morning. The three Pastors will be present and take part.
–11/10/1921

The Kitchen Cabinet—Luncheon Dish: A few cans of sardines on hand will help out in an emergency. For a quick luncheon dish put a can of sardines into a frying pan and heat until hot, then place on buttered toast. Serve with raw chopped onion for a sauce.  –11/10/1921

Sunday Electric Service: Beginning Sunday, November 27th, the Stockbridge Light & Power Co. will render Sunday service. Owing to the increasing demand for this service we have decided to comply with the wishes of our patrons, and while this service will not cover the expense of running the engines, we feel that it will more than repay us in satisfaction we derive from giving “SERVICE.” (L.J. Kranzfelder) –11/24/1921

MOTHER! Clean Child’s Bowels with California Fig Syrup: Even a sick child loves the “fruity” taste of “California Fig Syrup.” If the little tongue is coated, or if your child is listless, cross, feverish, full of cold, or has colic, give a teaspoonful to cleanse the liver and bowels. In a few hours you can see for yourself how thoroughly it works all the constipation poison, sour bile and waste out of the bowels, and you will have a well, playful child again. –(Ad) all Nov 1921 issues.

LOCAL/PERSONAL—Nov. 3, 1921 edition:

• THIRD ANNUAL Armistice Day Celebration of J.T. Glenn Post at Stockbridge, Friday, Nov. 11th:
  • 1:00 O’clock, Program at Opera House: F.B. McKay, Head of Oratorical Department, Ypsilanti, Main Speaker. Appropriate Music for the Day.
  • 2:30 FOOTBALL GAME—Stockbridge H.S. vs. Leslie H.S.
  • 7:30—MOVING PICTURES—“The Woman in His House” an 8-Reel First National Special.
  • 9:30—DANCE—Music by Peters’ Best 6-piece Orchestra.
• Howell business men are refusing point blank to accept the newly voted “Slow Time” [central standard time] for that city, as voted by the council. The court ran by central standard last week, but most of the business places used eastern standard time.
• Plainfield: Florence Topping was home with grippe for a few days, but was able to take up teaching again Monday.
• Unadilla: Aunt Nancy May had two fingers very badly hurt while opening a window.

LOCAL/PERSONAL—Nov. 10, 1921 edition:

• Claude Mills and John Budd killed a 20 pound coon one night the fore part of this week.
• Holt’s family have been released from quarantine. This clears up the diphtheria in this village.
• E. MUNSELL HARVEST SALE. The object of this sale makes your dollars have more cents. 100 pounds sugar – $5.95.

LOCAL/PERSONAL— Nov. 17, 1921 edition:

• (Supplement) Excerpt from Sheriff‘s Annual Report:

… number of males committed to the jail within the year, 251.

… number of females committed to the jail within the year, 15.

… number of insane persons confined in the jail within the year, 18.

… number of idiotic persons confined in the jail within the year, none.

… number of prisoners confined in the jail within the year who have made their escape, 2.

LOCAL/PERSONAL— Nov.24, 1921 edition:

• A Charitable Act: About thirty of the Odd Fellows held a bee last Wednesday and harvested Henry Herrick’s beets for him. Mr. Herrick was stricken with paralysis in the spring and has been unable to do anything since. There were 18 teams and they soon made short work of the job.
• FOR SALE: Second hand Chinchilla Overcoat, silk lined, nearly new, reason for sale too small for me. Also good double stable blanket, reason for sale, no horse.

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL NEWS

November 3, 1921 edition:

• Why Prices Stay High: Washington, D.C—“Why,” demands an editor out in the corn belt, “does the retailer charge from 35 to 40 cents a pound for pork chops when the hogs cost him only six or seven cents?” … A man in Georgia wants to know why cotton enough to make a tent won’t buy an undershirt. … The department of agriculture is making a study of retail prices of farm products in all American cities. It is going to find out just why these prices are so inordinately high and why the farmer gets such a small share…

November 17, 1921 edition:

Veteran Served Sentence of Man Who Saved His Life: Because his “buddy” saved his life in France, Harry W. Haley, known as general prisoner No. 22102, assumed his name, and is serving a six months’ sentence in the United States disciplinary barracks, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., for desertion, alleged to have been committed by his friend.