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.

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