Professor Hamilton's Diary: Jan. 26, 1935

He has a rare Saturday off; police ban 'coasting' for a day, and other news

There were no exams or classes on this Saturday. Nevertheless, Professor Hamilton made a trip to Albright College, pulling his daughters along on their sled, to turn in some stencils to be run off as exams the next week. He later ferried daughter Gwennie in the car to and from a birthday party in nearby Shillington. He graded papers, ran some errands, and shoveled the driveway behind the house. The high on Friday had reached only 23, according to the Reading Times, and the low was 6, a record for that date.

The Reading police had banned coasting for the day because of the heavier traffic anticipated as people did theri Saturday shopping amid hazardous snow conditions. The police chief announced that children could resume coasting Sunday from 1 to 10 p.m. and would have police supervision in the popular sledding areas. The picture of a sledding accident is from a stereoview card dating to 1892, being offered on eBay.

News items from that day’s newspaper included the arrest of a farmer whose bootleg liquor had spilled into a creek, sickening cows, and an account of a grisly souvenir being hawked outside the Lindbergh trial. Paid subscribers can read on. Upgrade by clicking below for just $5 a month.