Like many towns in the United States, Milford has passed its share of unusual ordinances. Some were met with support of the community while others were not as well received.
On September 15, 1898, the Morning News, reported that B.F.B. Woodall “agitated a reform in Milford” when the city passed an ordinance banning the purchase of cigars, soda water and ice cream on Sunday. Before September 15, 1898, residents could purchase any of those articles but the only store open on Sunday was the drug store. After the ordinance was passed, only drugs could be purchased on Sunday.
“If a man goes into the office of a hotel and asks for a cigar, he is told ‘Very sorry, but we cannot sell on Sunday.’ If he enters a drug store and asks the same question, he is given the same answer,” the news report read. “How is this, he asks and the answer is: “Mr. Woodall has notified us that we must not sell on Sunday.” Whether Mr. Woodall is acting on his own responsibility or whether he is acting for an organization having Sabbath observance in view does not appear to be definitely known, but what is known is that Mr. Woodall has notified people that they must not sell on Sunday or he will prosecute them, and there is a well-defended idea that he will keep his word.”
The article ended stating that Woodall may be acting for the New Century Club. The man at the center of the controversy is B. F. B. Woodall, a well-known farmer and fruit grower, who lived outside of Milford. Woodall was known for attending meetings held to prevent bribery in elections and appeared before the recent legislative committee to investigate discrimination in freight rates, according to the 1898 account.
“Of course, those who have been selling on Sunday do not like the action of Mr. Woodall, and some of them assert that he should leave Milford matters alone because he is not a resident of Milford,” the report said. “Others declare that he is doing great public good. What is thought about the matter does not appear to worry Mr. Woodall. When he hears of a man selling on Sunday, he calls upon him on the following Monday and tells the offender that if he repeats the offense he will be prosecuted and it is not repeated.”
No information could be found as to when this ordinance was lifted.
