Christmas 1913: One hundred years ago Christmas givers were advised that they would no longer be required to lick their stamps when they deposited their parcels for mailing, unless they wished to, for the post office department announced that its postmasters and their clerks would attend to that duty if requested.
The innovation was put into force in the interests of better mail service during the holiday season and was expected to facilitate the movement of the vast crush of mailings that were anticipated.
Ridgefield’s postmaster asked patrons to mark the outside packaging of all Christmas gift parcels with the notation “Do not open until Christmas Day” so that those parcels could be separated from business mail. He also asked customers not to mail squabs, fresh pears and other perishables in Christmas packages because many had arrived at their destinations in less than desirable condition.
The school board decided that the giving of presents by children to their teachers and by the teachers to the children should be discontinued. The board said that the schools, especially those in the outlying districts, were once small informal little gatherings, while it now had more than 450 scholars, so that conditions had naturally changed.
For the 1913 Christmas season the board proposed giving young children a box of candy and an orange to take with them to celebrate at home. The board sought donations for a fund totaling $100 to cover the cost of the candy boxes.
“Shop Local” is not a new concept in Ridgefield. One hundred years ago The Press wrote, “Why Go Out of Town to Do Your Shopping?” The article went on to discuss the goods and services in town that were available for the Christmas season. The Busy B’s, Brundage & Benedict, had a full store of articles suitable for gifts, including lingerie, all kinds of toys, candy, cigars, gloves, hats, and caps. Ye Colonial Shop on Danbury Avenue had many fine antiques and collectibles. The Old Corner Store owned by George G. Knapp had a nice lot of domestic and imported groceries.
There were two excellent livery stables if you wished to take a drive for business or pleasure. If you wished to get anywhere in a hurry, you could hire an automobile and driver from H.E. Bates or Charles E. Scofield.
The Press noted that Morris Gottlieb’s store had a fine line of clothing for men, women and children and, “there is also a large line of — well, articles for ladies’ wear, which modesty forbids us to mention.”
Adams & Keeler’s harness store had whips, robes and blankets.
Francis D. Martin’s jewelry store had watches, fobs, rings, and chains. He was also the local agent for Indian motorcycles, and you could have a top-of-the-line 7 HP special with an electric starter for $325.
The Five, Ten and Twenty-five cent store had “a bewildering array of articles and every one suitable for a present.”
McGlynn & Ryan had a large stock of Christmas novelties, including mechanical toys, and D.N. Robinson’s market at the corner of Main and Depot streets had tender poultry, juicy steaks and roasts.
The 1913 holiday season was marred by one incident: the arrest of Amanda Behnka, an alleged poultry thief, by Constable Taylor. The probable cause hearing was heard by Justice Valden in Town Hall and a large goose and a duck were introduced into evidence. The goose was unsettled at first and objected to her appearance in court until Constable Taylor settled her down on his lap.
Next week, Mr. Belote will look at Christmas 75 years ago.