The War Between the Candy Shops - 1900

Despite the conditions they lived in, there was candy for the children. Today a newspaper wouldn't have to describe a particular candy confection one of the candy shops introduces. 

It should be noted that this is a good 8 years before this candy confection is said to have been invented in New Jersey. So maybe the origin story needs to be rewritten.
 
The St Louis Republic 
St. Louis, Missouri 
05 Nov 1900,  Page 7 

CANDY SHOPS CUT PRICES. 
Commercial War Is Agitating Little Jerusalem. 

There is a commercial war on in the neighborhood of Seventh, Carr and Biddle streets. The results, so far, are cheaper confections for the children of Shields School and a complaint to the police. 

 Michael Novack has a candy store at No. 1127 North Seventh Street. Until seven months ago he had a monopoly of the candy business In the neighborhood; his store overflowed with students, bargains and prosperity. But seven months ago Charles Weismann and his wife rented the place at No. 1123 North Seventh street, which is next door to the Shields School, and started in opposition to Novack. 

Weismann's location gave him the advantage; Novack sought to overcome this by cutting the prices on his goods; Weismann met the cut. Novack's next move, so says Mrs. Weismann, was to enter the rival shop with a wife and two brickbats, with which he demolished the new store's showcase. Weismann employed a lawyer. Mr. Novack, Mrs. Weismann says, paid $6 for a new showcase. 

Now, it happens that the greatest of tidbits in that neighborhood is "sunflower seed.' The babies teethe on sunflower seed: the children cry for it. and swains and maidens fill the pauses with sunflower seed when their tongues refuse to lisp. Mr. Novack cut sunflower seed two points. And there was a landslide. 

Mr. Weismann followed, and the children wavered. Then Mrs. Weismann sprung her coup de maitre. She introduced a Russian delicacy which ran through Little Jerusalem and the remains of Kerry Patch like a wild fire uphill. The new thing was candied apples on a stick. The apples were raw, but the candy was red and sticky, and altogether winning. So the children patronized Weismann. But Novack learned the trick and candied apples fell from three for a nickel to a cent apiece and then to two for a penny, which is Novack's price for them. 

Now, as a last resort. Mrs. Weismann has complained to the police that Novack is running a gambling-house. And the policemen smile.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Foreign Pupils at Shields School - 1903

Image
Below I transcribe a news story that provides a brief bio of 7 primary school students who were born in foreign countries. Their pictures also appeared.   The St. Louis Republic 27 Feb 1903, Page 7 ALIEN PUPILS AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS QUICKLY ACQUIRE AMERICAN WAYS By a Republic Photographer. FOREIGN PUPILS AT SHIELDS SCHOOL In the upper row, reading from left to right, are: Frank Sierawski, Bessie Soltz and William Bascino. Lower row: Rosie Capes, Tillie Buchman, Maggie Pillotzero and Fannie Laveritz. Though born in countries where conditions are cramped for those who tread the humbler walks of life, little sons of Russia, Poland, etc., are quickly expanding intellectually amid the broad possibilities of their new American home. This is entertainingly demonstrated among the many alien pupils at St. Louis public schools and particularly at the Shields School. Their bright faces tell the progress these little ones have made in acquiring the first essential to real American citizenshi...
Read more

The Eighth Street Yard - Little Jersualem

Image
My focus is on the residents of Little Jerusalem in 1900. Newspaper stories mentioning The Eighth Street Yard appear frequently between 1890-1895. But the story of The Eighth Street Yard may be connected to the story of Little Jerusalem. What was the Eighth Street Yard?  St. Louis Globe Democrat, November 14, 1892 The Turbulent Eighth Street Yard. The police of the Third District are constantly annoyed by rows between whites and blacks in what is known as the Eighth Street Yard. This yard, which covers nearly a half block, is situate on Eighth street, between Carr and Biddle. Officers McCrea and Kavanaugh, who patrol the vicinity, are constantly suppressing outbreaks between women and their consorts, and not a week passes unmarked by a cutting or shooting in that neighborhood. Arrests are a daily occurrence. St Louis Post Dispatch, January 6, 1895 People who imagine that policemen have nothing to do but stay up twelve hours should spend a night with a blue-coat on a lively down-tow...
Read more