The Paw Paw River Journal

Burglars in Hartford

 In Hartford there were several clothing stores, but only one where you could actually buy a suit.  That was Manny Oppenheim’s.  Located on the south side of Main Street, it was very close to the Stag Club… the town’s main “den of iniquity.”  It was Manny’s where we went to buy “dress up” clothes.  And his stock was quality, no mistake about it.  It was there I purchased a suit for the junior prom and one of my first dates with the girl who is now my Chief Accountant.   No high school kid would dream of wearing a tux back in those days.

Manny’s store was originally owned by his father, Jake Oppenheim, who came to Hartford in 1880 as an itinerant peddler with a pack on his back.  He established a store on Main Street.  There he prospered and became one of the town’s leading merchants.  His brother, Mark, settled in Dowagiac with a similar business.

In 1909, son Manny took over the store and operated it for many years thereafter.  His wife, Dorothy, was a beautiful woman.  I can remember her walking, walking, all over the neighborhoods of Hartford for exercise.  They had three daughters: Regene, Marilyn, and Lorraine.  My first memory of going in there was with my father.  Manny always called my dad Leo, although his name was Leland and most people addressed him as Lee.

He and Manny talked business while I stood and looked at a beautiful dark haired girl with huge dark eyes.  This was Regene, and she was slightly older than I and a little taller.  I was small and had but little to say to a strange girl.  But I do remember her quietness and beauty.

Manny Oppenheim was the first Hartford merchant to install a burglar alarm. He was always pretty keen on security. In 1930 someone had burglarized his store one night and took a lot of clothes.  There was no solution, no clues, and no retribution.

So he decided to do something about it. He had the store completely wired and an alarm bell installed on the front, high up, where it could not be reached and shut off.  The whole system was disconnected when the front door was unlocked with a special key inserted in a switch lock, and connected again when the door was locked.

Hartford’s night watchman, Edison Harley, helped Manny try the system a couple of times when it was first installed.  Then Manny closed up for the day and went home.  But he forgot to throw the bolts that locked the rear door out onto the alley!  This door was also wired into the system.

It was a soft May night when shortly thereafter night watchman Harley was checking doors of other Main Street businesses to make sure they were locked, as he did every night.  At the corner of West Main and South Maple he came around the Stag Club.  A few men were playing pool and some regulars were sitting at the bar.  Edison started east in the back alley, hoping no drunk would stumble out of the Stag Club’s back door and cause him any problems.

Next was Manny Oppenheim’s back door.  Edison paused… there was a shadow on the door, looked as though it was standing open a little.  He crept closer.  It was open!   Gingerly he pushed it a little.  Then all hell broke loose!  On Main Street Manny’s burglar alarm began to ring.  It was so loud it could be heard for blocks!

Men began tumbling out of the Stag Club… those who could still tumble out.  Soon night watchman Harley had a sufficient posse to go into the store and search for burglars.  But the store was empty.

By now a crowd had gathered on Main Street.  Everyone living in the upstairs apartments had been awakened by the loud bell.  No one knew how to turn it off, so a man was dispatched to awaken Manny and come from his house.  Thus Hartford’s first burglar alarm got a real test.

In later years, people said Manny became obsessed with security and even kept some guns in the store.  Across Main Street, another local man had a sporting goods store.  One day a group of tree trimmers were working in Hartford.   Burly, bearded men, they came in to look at fishing equipment on their noon hour.  In a few minutes, Manny Oppenheim followed them in.  He looked around at all the men, walked over to the owner and said quietly, “Any problems here?  Just give me the signal and I’ll help out.”  And he pulled back his suit coat to reveal a revolver tucked in his waistband!

And thus it was as they were all weaving golden threads into the tapestry of life in our storybook towns along the Paw Paw River.

Coloma Library News

Story Hour

Story Hour meets on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join Miss Amy for a story, craft and song time. Story Hour is a free weekly program for toddlers and preschoolers, it does not require sign-up.

Book Club

The Coloma Library Book Club is meeting on Thursday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m. The title to read before the discussion is “Prague Winter” by Madeleine Albright.  Generally, depending on demand there are titles available for check-out at the front desk.

The book club regularly meets every other Thursday and is always looking for new members. If you are interested in more information please stop in the library or call 269-468-3431.

Library offers new databases

The library now offers two new databases. Links to these databases can be found on the library’s website: www.colomapubliclibrary.net.

Global Road Warrior is a country cultural database that features in-depth information on 175 countries; it is an excellent resource for student projects and a great companion for international travelers.

A to Z: the USA is a database for U.S. information. It gives in-depth information on broad range of topics, and useful for general research, school projects and travel information. Visit the library’s website to check out both of these databases.

St. Pat’s Book Sale and Story Hour

The library will have a book sale from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 11. Do not miss this HUGE sale! The library will remain open during the sale.

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the library will have a special Story Time at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 11. All children are welcome, there is no sign-up or fee for this event. Call the library at 269-468-3431 with any questions.

Rod’s Snack Shack, c. 1948, located across from the Coloma Diary Queen next to Tannery Creek.

North Berrien Historical Museum is always interested in photos, stories or information sharing.  The museum can be contacted at 269-468-3330 or info@northberrienhistory.org.

From the photo collection at the North Berrien Historical Museum

300 Coloma Ave., Coloma, MI

COLOMA

100 years ago – 1917

The Coloma Commercial Club has begun their red-hot campaign to secure a large membership. The yearly fee is $1.00.

In an effort to abolish politics from village affairs, the republican ticket and the citizen’s ticket will be replaced with a non-partisan village ticket.

The mercury was found at 20 degrees below zero. Fruit growers believe the trees, in their hardened condition, will withstand this cold blast.

60 years ago – 1957

Released from Community Hospital were: Mrs. Ralph Reinhardt, Patrick Strong, Homer Umphrey, Douglas Bucher and Henry Klitchman.

Tom Willmeng and Robert Baiers have attained Eagle rank in Boy Scouts. They will attend the National Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge.

An “open house” was held for the new Coloma elementary school. Mrs. Grace Kibler, principal, led the service of dedication. Otto Hingst provided some of the flowers.

Wilbur Fikes, father vice-president, conducted the Pier School Community Club meeting. A benefit party is planned for Feb. 22 at the school and proceeds will be used for kitchen equipment. Mrs. Wilbur Fikes was made chairman of the benefit party.

New at Geisler Motors Inc.: Swept-Wing ‘57 Dodge station wagon. It features the new rear-facing observation lounge.

30 years ago – 1987

Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Arent announce the engagement of their daughter, Angela Joy to Warren Wayne Seabury Jr.

Sara Oderkirk, 17, was crowned Miss Coloma 1987 from among 20 contestants. First runner-up is Cassandra Spaulding. Second runner-up is Susan Olney. Miss Congeniality is Lisa Hinkelman.

The Paw Paw Lake River Ventures, Inc. sent a letter to the governor. They are concerned with the amount of nutrients entering Paw Paw Lake from major county drains.

Coloma Band Boosters will host Las Vegas Nights. Proceeds will go to send the 60 members to competition in Virginia. Admission is $2.00

The Berrien County Easter Seal Society has been granted permission to conduct Lily tag sales in the city and township of Coloma.

HARTFORD

100 years ago – 1917

Finding the office room at the Wm. M. Traver canning factory unlocked last Friday night, thieves or marauders entered the building on North Center Street, kicked the panel out of the door leading from the office to the storage rooms, went through the entire factory and emerged leaving the rear door open. So far as known nothing was taken from the factory, although several thousand cans of fruits and vegetables were in storage there.

An alarm of fire last Friday afternoon called the department to the old K.L.S.&C. depot on North Center Street, where a fire had started in the roof of the structure, presumably from sparks from a passing train. The blaze was extinguished before the fire fighters arrived, and after a hard run through the deep snow they were glad to return to the engine room. The building is used as a warehouse for hay and other commodities.

The home talent play, “A Day on the Lawn,” is to be presented at the opera house on Monday, February 26, under the direction of Bert Reeves and Roy Yeckley. The play is said to be a rollicking musical comedy into which the local stage folk are entering with zeal.

75 years ago – 1942

The Hartford Parent Teachers Association has recently completed arrangements to bring to Hartford the WLS home talent show to be staged at the high school on March 5 – 7 using all local talent from Van Buren County and vicinity. Over 100 local entertainers are expected to take part.

Thursday, tomorrow is the day to which Hartford folks have been looking forward – the occasion is the presentation at the high school of the all-girl operetta, “The Beauty Contest.” The curtain is scheduled for 8:00 o’clock.

The Southwest Hartford Thursday Club met on February 12 with Jennie Carmody for its “Literary Feast” day. Fifteen members and three guests answered to roll call by giving the name of a new novel and its author. A most interesting and instructive book review was given by Beverly Friday and Adaline Richmond on “I Married Adventure” by Osa Johnson. Della Robinson then led the club in two musical numbers.

50 years ago – 1967

Fire caused several thousand dollars worth of damage to the office of the Todd Efting Construction Company north of Hartford early Monday afternoon. The fire appeared to have started near a boiler in the office used to heat water for an adjoining ready-mix concrete plant. No one was at the office or the nearby Efting home when the fire broke out. A passing oil truck driver saw the fire and radioed his office to give the alarm. Hartford firemen extinguished the blaze quickly, but the small one-room office was heavily damaged.

A film produced by Dr. Bob Pierce for World Vision, Inc., “Vietnam Profile,” will be shown at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Hartford Federated Church. This is an 80-minute documentary film showing war-torn Vietnam, portraying the drama of God at work in the midst of war.

Dr. Ronald F. Martin, associate director of the particle accelerator division of Argonne Laboratories, explained blackboard drawings on sub-atomic physics to William Murphey, a Hartford high school senior. Martin addressed the meeting of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Also in attendance were upper-class students in physics, chemistry and trigonometry. Dr. Martin spoke on high energy physics, particle acceleration and laser beams.

WATERVLIET

90 years ago – 1927

Ernest Kinast, the proprietor of the Watervliet Bakery has traded his bakery with Paul Pflujradt for his bakery in Chicago. The new owner, Mr. Pflujradt has had many years’ experience in the baking business and promises to take good care of the people of Watervliet.

About 45 friends and family gathered at the Schoonover home on Feb. 26, 1927 to help celebrate Mrs. Schoonover’s 57th birthday.

Born Feb. 18, 1927 to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Marcellus, a daughter, Etta May. The parents, who are newcomers here, wish to thank the kind hearted women who rendered assistance.

60 years ago – 1957

Watervliet can well be proud of its new champion, Tom Dunham, 18-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. James Dunham, who won the State Golden Gloves title in the Bantam weight division. He is the first boy from this city to win a State Golden Gloves title.

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence VanLoon are the proud parents of their baby girl, Catherine Jeanette, born Feb. 13, 1957 and weighed 9 pounds, 4 ounces.

A 2/c Donald J. Rouse left for Mobile, Alabama, after spending a 12-day leave at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Rouse Sr. Rouse is stationed at the Air Force base in Mobile and recently re-enlisted for six more years of service.

30 years ago – 1987

Shannon Hanks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hanks, Watervliet, is named as WHS’s representative to the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State. Shannon has distinguished herself in her studies and extracurricular activities. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Quiz Bowl team. She is in the Panther Pride Band, is a member of the cheerleading squad and plays on the girls’ softball team.

Todd Bannen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Bannen is named as WHS’s representative to the American Legion Auxiliary Boys State. WHS has sent representatives to Boy’s State since 1945. Todd is a good scholar and has been active in many extracurricular activities. He has participated in musicals, variety shows and MSBOA solo and ensemble festival. He also participated in cross-country, basketball and baseball and is also a member of the Student Council, the Quiz Bowl team, National Honor Society and is president of the junior class.