A Look Back in Time–July
By Diane Rockall
In 1908, 110 years ago, the Stockbridge Brief-Sun served as the area’s local newspaper. In early July of that year Stockbridge First Presbyterian church ordained and installed Rev. P.H. Case as its minister. Two-year-old Hazel Snyder drowned while bathing. W. Marsh of Gregory purchased an automobile. In North Waterloo the Methodist Church held a children’s day service. In Williamsville Robert Moore helped R. Braley with his haying.
During those years the paper gave equal coverage to local, state and national news. Many communities in the area had their own columns.
Later in the month the paper reported on the Democratic National Convention. One week later it was reported that William Jennings Bryan was nominated as presidential candidate with John W. Kern as vice presidential running mate. They were later defeated by William Howard Taft.
Jumping ahead thirty years to 1938 the paper was still the Brief-Sun with continuing coverage of local communities, state and national news. Local 4H winner Patty Jean Sibley won a trip to the State Fair. Stockbridge Schools hired five new teachers for the High School. Ford established a ‘productive project’ near Tecumseh. The local high school band presented four summer concerts.
Nationally President Roosevelt was pushing for the election of liberals. Locally the school playgrounds saw expanded usage. North Waterloo Methodist turned 90 while news from many churches filled an entire page.
In 1988 the Stockbridge Town Crier served as the paper of record. The first paper of the month reported that the School Board had adopted its 1988-89 budget. A week later a local survey found quality education most important. In the same issue the School Board asked for a 31 mill increase. One week later the Board reported that school would reopen with or without the millage increase.
The topic of drought threaded through the weeks, and the newspaper reported a statewide drought had turned the area into a tinderbox. Gov. Blanchard banned all open burning. A few weeks later, a story on how the drought was testing farmers reported on Sommers Farms losing a crop to a field fire. A mistake at a gas pump on Stockbridge Main Street caused a fire that the local fire service put out quickly and averted a crisis.
By 1988 the Church news page had become a directory. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Hannewald celebrated their Golden anniversary. ALLTEL updated its phone service to Munith, and the community recreation program registered all-time high enrollment of 350. Waterloo Farm scheduled a wheat weaving demonstration. The Stockbridge Library reported a space Shortage.
Diane Rockall and her husband moved to Stockbridge 21 years ago. She is a member of the Stockbridge Community News Board and has harbored an interest in Michigan, women’s and local history most of her life.
