Advertisement for Moxie
Sanford Tribune, Thursday, Feb. 11, 1926
By Lawrence Furbish
Moxie is among the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States, originating around 1876. It was created as a patent medicine and marketed as “Moxie Nerve Food.” It contains gentian root extract and was named Maine’s official soft drink in 2005. President Calvin Coolidge, Red Sox slugger Ted Williams, and author E.B. White favored the beverage. The ad pictured above relates an anecdote from a Boston businessman who was hospitalized with a serious illness during a hot spell. A famous surgeon arrived and performed a serious operation. When done, saying he was “fagged out,” the surgeon asked a nurse for some Moxie. After quaffing his drink, he proclaimed it, “the most refreshing and invigorating beverage I can drink when I am tired and thirsty.”
The Sanford Springvale Public Health Association announced its annual fundraising campaign. In 1925, nurses under the association’s direction handled 525 cases, 302 of which were charitable cases, and made 6,628 visits. Health nurses examined 5,400 children in schools, with underweight children given special attention. They also provided clinics for mothers and babies. Donations could be left with the association’s treasurer, Mr. Earl Glidden, who could be found in the banking rooms of the Sanford Trust Company.
Judge George Goodwin had been very busy in municipal court. Fred Day was charged with assault and battery against his wife. He pleaded not guilty, defaulted on a $2,000 bond, and was sent to the county jail. Two other men were charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime; one was out on bail and the other jailed. Hiram Littlefield of Springvale was charged with illegal possession of intoxicating liquor and maintaining a common nuisance. He was found guilty and sentenced to a month in jail and a fine of $200. The liquor consisted of several barrels of cider in his farmhouse.
Boxing continued to spark interest. Owen Mathews of Springvale and Young Kid Drew of Biddeford fought a sensational six rounds and were now to meet under promoters Pinnell and Patch in Springvale Town Hall for 10 rounds, described as a “double five.” According to the Tribune, fans were eager to “see them mix it up through ten chapters.”
S.B. Emery was offering a four-room furniture outfit for $475.
The E. W. Nelson store had winter weight men’s union suits for $1.
Charles Traction Wood and Coal would deliver dry hard wood for $6 a load.
The Colonial Theater in Springvale was running “Way Down Upon the Swanee River,” one of the year’s best films, with special music.
Lawrence Furbish is president of the Sanford-Springvale Historical Society. The Historical Society Museum in Springvale has many resources regarding Sanford’s history. It is open Saturday, 10 am-2 pm and Friday 10 am-4 pm.
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