By Mike Davis

Assistant Govt Director

Bridgton Historic Society

On Might 7, 1909, a stunning story broke in The Information, which horrified the great folks of Bridgton and despatched each mom operating to see her baby house as quickly as the varsity day ended.  

There was a brand new terror on the streets of Bridgton, one which threatened to guide the youth astray and draw sincere women and men right down to wreck.  It was, after all, nothing lower than that cardinal sin – enjoying playing cards on a Sunday. But it surely was not a lot the date which mattered, however quite the precise sport of poker.  These days, right here in Maine, the legal guidelines concerning playing are much less lower and dried than they was; the obvious instance of which being that even in an unlawful sport, the individuals themselves should not those fined, solely the organizer. 

Not so in 1909. Nope, again then the very act of wagering on something in any respect was sufficient to see one introduced earlier than the decide, although right here in Bridgton, we sense the case was extra of a formality than something severe. This story jogs my memory of a sure different courtroom case, from July of 1921, regarding an unlawful Sabbath baseball sport, however that story should wait a number of months. For now, allow us to see what mischief the idle males of Bridgeton have been getting as much as ‘again within the day.’  If I might, I’d wager it’s one of many funniest tales you’ll hear all week.  You received’t inform will you?

“5 younger males of this village, engaged in a quiet little sport of poker within the additional finish of the corn store husking shed Sunday afternoon, have been stunned by a go to from the officers of the regulation, who broke up the sport and ordered the individuals into courtroom. They have been arraigned earlier than Trial Justice Corliss Monday morning on the cost of playing with playing cards. They pleaded responsible and paid a positive of $Four and prices, in every case amounting to $4.66.

Of late a number of complaints have been made to the officers [about] these video games, that are typically carried on Sunday, though any wet day is favorable to the game. The stamping grounds differ. For generally the video games have been performed within the outdated milk manufacturing facility constructing by the facet of the railroad, the place it’s mentioned that at one time over forty have been both collaborating within the sport or have been performing as spectators. Younger boys taking place round that method on a Sunday and listening to voices within the constructing, have investigated and have joined the ranks of spectators.

One younger fellow barely twelve years outdated, got here house from a stroll one Sunday afternoon and informed his mom that he had been watching a crowd of fellows enjoying playing cards down within the outdated milk manufacturing facility constructing.

‘They don’t play it the way in which we play whist both,’ he continued. ‘They decide up their playing cards. A few of ’em swear and throw them down once more, a few of them say ‘give me two extra, then put some cash down on the desk, one other fellow throws down his playing cards after which one other after which any person takes all the cash on the desk and places it into his pocket.’

That child didn’t exit strolling the subsequent Sunday afternoon. These younger fellows who occurred to be caught within the act are however a number of of the various followers of the sport. They only occurred to be unlucky. The restrict was in all probability ten cents and it’s uncertain if 5 {dollars} would have modified arms all day.”

O’ for the peace of an easier time! Give me these olden worries any day. Until subsequent time!