A glance in the rearview mirror: October 1921—Washerwoman superstitions. MunichuMunith. Widow full of surprises.

by Mary Jo David

The following news excerpts are from October 1921 editions of the Stockbridge Brief-Sun newspaper. These excerpts are mainly 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.

Signs are Wrong: In nearly every city are seen signs “drive slow” and “go slow” which are incorrect, says Thomas E. Johnson, state superintendent of public instruction. The correct form is “drive slowly” and “go slowly.” … [Mr. Johnson] urges that school children be asked to report all incorrect signs they see. –10/6/1921

Superstitions of the Tub: Universally, washerwomen agree that anyone who washes a sheet on Friday … death will come within a year. … The superstitions are connected with washing on Good Friday… But  it can be made safe by tying two clothes pins together in the form of a cross and letting them float in the tub. If a laundress drops her soap on the left side, she will be asked to a wedding. If one splashes water on her apron she will marry a drunkard… –10/6/1921

How Munith Village Received Its Name: In a recent issue of the Michigan History Magazine is published an unsigned article respecting the origin of the name of the village of Munith…. Several years before the railroad was built, there was a post office established at the residence of Nelson Hoyt…the name Munich, a city situated in the southeastern part of Bavaria, was mentioned, and at the suggestion nof Chas H. Smith the letter “c” was dropped and the letter “t” substituted, therefore making the word Munith. –10/13/1921

Must Attend School: Every child under the age of 17 must attend the public schools this year. The state legislature enacted the James law in 1918, which goes into effect this year, giving the school authorities power to enforce this regulation. The original law called for attendance until 18 years of age, but an amendment…lowered the limit one year. … –10/20/2021

LOCAL & PERSONAL NEWS

October 6, 1921 edition:

• Gregory: This community was greatly shocked in learning of the sudden death of Mrs. M.E. Kuhn last Saturday morning. She was found dead in the store from a stroke of appoplexy.

October 13, 1921 edition:

• Field Day at Plainfield. October 22, 2021. Program: Pot-luck Dinner at Maccabee Hall. Wheelbarrow Race. Relay Race. Three Legged Race. Horse Race. Sack Race. Barrel Race. Tug-of-war—Gregory vs. Plainfield. Fat Man’s Race. Potato Race. Woman’s Race. Broad Jump. Nail Driving Contest for Women. Ball Game at 3:30—Plainfield vs. Unadilla.
• New values in Ladies Union Suits at Dancer’s. Heavy Fleeced Garments at $1.50 and $2.15, in regular sizes. Extra sizes 15 to 20 cents more.
• Last Sunday [later corrected to be Saturday] Phillip Hague secured 155 pounds of honey from cutting a bee tree. The tree had two swarms in it, one in the top and one in the body near the ground.
• It seems that no sooner than the diphtheria cases get cleaned up new cases break out. The fore part of the week June Boyce and Laura Gilliver were taken and the houses placarded.

October 20, 1921 edition:

• Plainfield: Mrs. Homer Wasson picked a mess of string beans from her garden one day last week. Ellen Wasson is also experimenting on seed potatoes—one whole potato planted bringing an increase of seven fine potatoes.
• Derby Neighborhood: While husking corn at George Stitts last week Foster Rowe’s watch fell from his pocket into the shredder going up with the stalks and down into the wagon. When George Stitt picked it up from the wagon it was running and still keeps correct time and came through with hardly a scratch.

October 27, 1921 edition:

• and Mrs. Ed. Applegate were at Warren Wilson’s last week assisting in making sorgum, they made in all, over fifty gallons.
• Madge Placeway, who is attending school at Howell, while experimenting with the class in chemistry last week Tuesday, was very seriously gassed and has been unable to attend school since.

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL NEWS

October 6, 1921 edition:

• French Medals for Yanks—All Americans who served overseas as members of units of the French command during [World War I] are to receive a handsome decoration from the French government, to be known as the French commemorative medal. … It is estimated that from ten to fifteen thousand Americans are entitled to the medal….

October 13, 1921 edition:

• Marital Life One of Surprises: New York. Meyer Mauer’s marital life was just one surprise after another. He told the Supreme Court about it when he asked for an annulment of the match…. When he married Becky Mauer, he says, she represented herself as a widow with one child. Surprise No. 1—another child came to the home, calling his wife “mamma.” Surprise No. 2—Second child came along…“Oh I merely forgot to tell you about this one,” said his wife. … Surprise No. 3—Third child… Surprise 4—Fourth unheralded infant…. Surprise No. 5—“There are two more,” said the missus. … Surprise No. 6—Meyer discovered that Mrs. Mauer had two other living husbands and then he decided to let the Supreme Court put an end to his family surprise party.

October 27, 1921 edition:

• New paper money, with bills of different denominations varying in size and bearing large colored numerals on their face, making it impossible, for instance, to raise a $2 bill to $20 or to a $200 note, is being planned by the Treasury Department and will soon be put into effect.