NIU's Stevenson Towers in 1967

From the March 1, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1967, 50 Years Ago.

"Bids for construction of Phase II of the Stevenson Towers residence hall at Northern Illinois University will be submitted to the Board of Governors.

"Total proposed budget for the 1,020 residence hall is $5,662,147 for construction cost and architect's fee."

Building NIU One Dorm At a Time.  --Cooter

DAR Going Strong on North Shore-- Part 2: Visiting Injured Spanish-American War Soldiers

The North Shore Daughters of the American revolution (DAR) chapter has 122 members.  It is a lineage society.  To become a member, women must trace their ancestry to those whose participated in or supported the cause of the American Revolution.  Proof has to be in the form of documents.

Specific activities are chosen by each chapter.  For example, the North Shore chapter began visiting injured troops at Fort Sheridan in 1898 during the Spanish-American War.  More recently, it has delivered supplies to the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago.

The national organization's peak membership was during the 1976 American Bicentennial.  There are currently 183,000 members nationally, its highest number in two decades.

--DaCoot

Daughters (DAR) Going Strong on North Shore-- Part 1: A Whole Lot of History

From the June 30, 2016, Chicago Tribune by Mark Lawton.

When the North Shore (of Chicago) chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was incorporated in 1893, Grover Cleveland was about to be inaugurated as president for his second term, the kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in a coup d'etat and the first Ferris wheel was built for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

On April 20, 1893, a dozen women organized the North Shore chapter of the DAR in Highland Park, the second chapter in the state (after one was established in Chicago) and the 130th in the nation.  The national organization had started only a few years earlier on October 11, 1890.

The DAR has a three part mission.  First, it is active and preserving historic homes and marking graves of American revolution veterans.  It also undertakes patriotic activities like supporting U.S. military and veterans.  They also provide educational outreach opportunities.

My mother was a very active member in her Goldsboro, N.C., DAR chapter.

--CootDAR

World War I Phrases Still Used Today-- Part 4: Of Willies and Turtles

TRENCHCOAT--  A waterproof overcoat, belted and usually worn by officers.

U-BOAT--  German submarine.

WILLIE--  A container of corned beef.

CAMOUFLAGE--  To disguise.

TURTLE--  German hand grenade.

CUSHY WOUND--  Not very serious.  Would get the recipient away from the Front lines or even home.

--DaWillie

Supporting the World War I Troops in DeKalb: Huge Welcome Home

From the March 8, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"DeKalb and Sycamore said 'welcome home' to their soldier boys last night in a way that showed the 'fellers' that they meant it.

With a crowd of at least 2,000 filling every nook and cranny of the space 'outside the railing' at the Armory and fully as many were in a futile push for admission at the closed doors and admiration and regard shining from every fan the soldier lads, band and company knew last night what their place in the hearts of DeKalb people is."

Supporting the Troops.  --Cooter

World War I Phrases Still Used Today-- Part 3: Of Rookies and Pill Boxes

ROOKIE--  From the word recruit.

BLIMP--  airship

DOGFIGHT--  air combat

NO MAN'S LAND--  Area between Allied and German trenches.

PILL BOX--  A low structure for a machine gun emplacement.

--CootBlimp

The History of Holiday Park (Ingleside, Illinois)

Last night I attended a presentation on the history of Holiday Park given at the Fox Lake Public Library in Illinois.  The place was packed with a largely older crowd.

Holiday park operated from the 1950s to 1990s and continually grew and evolved until it covered a huge area between US Highway 12 and Illinois Highway 134.  It included Wooster Lake, two ponds, a ski hill, water slide, bar and restaurant with banquet facilities.

Many of the high school kids of Fox Lake worked there while growing up and after the presentation, there was a rather long series of people getting up and talking about their experiences.

it must have been a fun place, judging by the comments.

--Cooter

World War I Phrases Still Used Today-- Part 2: Of Civvies and Red Tape

CIVVIES--  Originally with the British, but adopted by the Americans.  Civilian clothes as opposed to military.

DOG TAG--  World War metal disc worn around the neck for identification.  Now you have to almost show your identification everywhere.  Drivers license, anyone?

DUD--  A shell or bomb that failed to explode.  Now a person who doesn't live up to expectations.

RED TAPE--  British practice of sealing documents with red tape or wax.  Today it means slowing down.

--DaDud

World War I Phrases Still Used Today-- Part 1: Big Bertha and Ace

May 5, 2015, Bulletin  "Historically Speaking:  World War I coined many phrases still in use today" by Richard Curland.

ACE--  pilot who has shot down 5 enemy planes.  Today, it also applies to an expert in any particular endeavor.  An example would be the ace of a pitching staff.

BIG BERTHA--  A German long range cannon.  Today it applies to any particularly large person or object.

CHIEF OF STAFF--  replaced the commanding general of an army.

CHOW--  Referring to food, it originally originated during the Civil War, but received much more common use during WW I.  Hungry soldiers were called chowhounds.

--CootChow

Marengo's Second Interurban Railroad-- Part 3

Dr. Charles Brown of St. Charles was the main promoter of the line and had sucsessfully developed interurban lines elsewhere in northern Illinois.

The line's first car, #711 was ordered in 1910 from McKean Motor Car Company in Omaha, Nebraska, which described its product as "a palace on wheels."

It took six months to complete the line from Genoa to Marengo.  On June 11, 1911, over 800 people attended the celebration of its dedication.

Not sure what happened to their first interurban railroad.

--DaCoot

Marengo's Second Interurban Railroad-- Part 1: Sycamore to Marengo

From the January 6, 2013, Marengo (Illinois) Union Times by Dorothy Otis.

Before the automobile put them out of business, interurban railroads were a popular and affordable way to get around between cities in the Midwest.

Marengo's second interurban began at the Sycamore city limits and followed a portion of the future Illinois Highway 23 north to Genoa then northeast to Marengo.  (This is the way we use when we go to DeKalb these days.)  By 1913, the line has 23 miles of track.

It was used for passengers and hauling light freight.  originally it was intended to use electricity as a power source but costs led to only gas cars ever being used.

--CootUrban

10 New Archaeological Clues About Roman Warfare-- Part 3:

3.  The mystery of the Bar Kokhba Revolt.  Simeon Bar Kokhba, a Jewish leader led a revolt in the Judea Province around 132-136.

2.  The Lost Roman Legion at Liqian, China.  Many villagers have Caucasian features.

1.  Mysterious Roman remains at Ham Hill in England.

--Cooter

10 New Archaeological Clues About Roman Warfare-- Part 2: Of Military Camps and Head-Hunting

5.  There were Roman military camps outside the Empire were along the northern frontier along the Rhine River.  These were fortified camps to protect against Germanic tribes.

4.  Roman head-hunting.  A pile of heads was discovered in the 1980s in London.  They were probably those of executed criminals or gladiator trophies.

--DaCootHead

10 New Archaeological Clues About Roman Warfare-- Part 1: Chemical Warfare and a Naval Battle

March 4, 2015, Listverse by Heather Ramsay.

I am just listing them.  For more information and pictures, go to the site.

10.  First chemical warfare victims ever found in Syria.

9.   Shacked skeletons found at a Roman Necropolis.

8.  Relics of the first naval battle site have been found in the Mediterranean Sea.  Battle of Egadi Islands (also called the Battle of the Aegates) off Sicily which ended the First Punic War with Carthage in early March 241 BC.

7.  The abduction of the Sabine women.  Originally, Romans were mostly men.

6.  The sudden disappearance of the Gateway to Rome (Portus).  Portus was a huge Roman harbor at the mouth of the Tiber River.  It essentially disappeared by the 6th century with the collapse of the empire.  It is believed that it was destroyed on purpose.

--CootRoman

How Did World War I Affect Women's Suffrage?

From the June 2017 Smithsonian Magazine.

ASK SMITHSONIAN

Question: "How did women's service in uniform during World War I help the suffrage movement afterward? "  Lisa Kathleen Graddy, deputy chair and curator of the division of political history at e National Museum of American History Answered:

President Woodrow Wilson was no great friend of women's suffrage before the war.  But he began to change his mind after learning of the harsh treatment of imprisoned pro-vote demonstrators during the war, which included force-feeding of suffragists on a hunger strike.

The service of more than 10,000 women in the Navy and Marines -- plus thousands more on the home front in factories and offices -- gave Wilson a powerful argument as he lobbied for the 19th Amendment.

"We have made partners of the women in this war," he said.  "Shall we admit them only to a partnership of suffering and sacrifice and toil and not to partnership of privilege and right?"

--CootVote

World War I Chronology, February 1918-- Part 2: U.S. Fighter Squadron Arrives

FEBRUARY  18--  The first U.S. fighter squadron, the 95th Aero (Pursuit), arrives in France.

FEBRUARY 23--  U.S. forces reinforce the French in the Chemin des Dames Sector.

FEBRUARY 26-  The first German gas attack launched U.S. troops on the Western Front results in a 95 percent casualty rate.

--Cooter

February 9, 1870: U.S. Weather Bureau

On February 9, 1870, the United States Weather Bureau was established.

What would the Weather Channel do without it.

Of particular interest to me as I have just finished reading "Firestorm in Peshtigo" which took place on October 8, 1871, in Wisconson, just a short time later.  This was the worst fire in U.S. history both in size and scope, but as well as in number of victims.

And, as a weather event, had the Weather Bureau been further along in its development, might it have been able to warn the people to evacuate?

Sadly, it is almost always overlooked because of the Great Chicago Fire which took place on the same day.

--Cooter

More U.S. Flags Than Ever in DeKalb Schools As Tensions Mount in 1917

From the March 8, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Mrs. James Dresser, patriotic instructor in the Women's Relief Corps has an interesting report to make.  She has visited the schools of DeKalb and some outside the city and has found more flags displayed than ever before."

As tensions between the United States and Germany ramp up.

he Women's Relief Corps was an auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans formed after the Civil War.

--DaCoot

U.S. Declares War on Germany in 1917

Some of the headlines from the Roanoke (Va,)  Times April 7,1917.

Congress declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, marking the United States' entry into World War I.

**  United States Accepts Challenge of Germany To Join Great World Strife.

**  After President Wilson Signed Resolution Word Flashed Across the Sea,

**  Congress Convenes on Monday.

**  Order Arrests of Leaders In German Plots.

**  Sixty Alleged Ringleaders Refused Bail and Ho to prison.

**  Thousands Still Kept Under Watch.

**  Warlike Measures Going Forward Briskly To Meet Hostility of Kaiser.

Guess We're All In Now.  --Cooter

February 3, 1924, Death of President Wilson

On February 3, 1924, the 24th president of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, died in Washington, D.C., at the age of 67.

Wilson was the president during World War I.

--daCoot

February 3, 1917: U.S. Breaks Off Diplomatic Relations With Germany Over Torpedoing

On February 3, 1917,the United States broke off diplomatic relations with Germany, the same day an American cargo ship, the SS Housatonic, was sunk by a U-boat off Britain after the crew was allowed to board lifeboats.

Of interest, the Union warship USS Housatonic was sunk by the Confederate submarine Hunley in the Civil War.  This was the first time a submarine had sunk an enemy ship in history.

--Cooter

A Coal Shortage in DeKalb in 1917

From the February 8, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"The coal situation in DeKalb is tighter right now than it has been for some time, especially as to coke and hard coal.  There is a fairly good supply of soft coal but hardly a wagon load or so of the other varieties.

"One local coal merchant informs the Chronicle that he has only a half a ton in his own celler and not a pound of coke in the yard.

"Others are also hard up for coal to supply their customers.  Another manager of a coke concern states that he will be having to use soft coal in his own house furnace within another day."

Of course, coal was the major heating source in homes and businesses back then.

Wonder If the Coal Shortage Was a Result of the War?  --Cooter

Icemaking Back in 1917

From the February 8, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Will Myers and Pete Larson of Cortland are filling the ice house from the Myers pond.

"The ice is about a foot thick."

--CootIce

New Design for the Lincoln Penny Goes Into Circulation Today in 1959

On February 12, 1959, the redesigned Lincoln penny -- with an image of the Lincoln Memorial replacing two ears of wheat on the reverse side -- went into circulation.

--CootAbe

Groundbreaking for the Lincoln Memorial This Date in 1914

On February 12, 1914, groundbreaking for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., took place.  A year later on this date, the cornerstone was laid.

Wonder why this date?

--CootAbe

Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln

On this date, February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president ofnthe United States, was born in a log cabin in Hardin (now LaRue) County, Kentucky.

--CootAbe

World War I Chronology, February 2018: Another U-Boat Sinking of a Troopship

FEBRUARY 1--  U.S. Army Air Service is formed.  By the war's end, there are 45 squadrons with 740 planes and 800 pilots.

FEBRUARY 6--  British troopship Tuscania is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine off Ireland, killing 267 of 2,179 Doughboys aboard of the 32nd Infantry Division.

FEBRUARY 16--  2nd Balloon Co. moves into position on the French Front.  The Balloon Section makes 5,866 ascents in France during the war.

--Cooter

A Carload of Coal for the Less Fortunate in DeKalb in 1916

From the December 28, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1916, 100 Years Ago.

"According to plans that are now formed the carload of coal that has been donated to the Good Fellow cause for distribution among DeKalb's less fortunate people, will be on the track Friday."

Of course, coal was the major way homes were heated back then.

--Cooter

Another Crazy Halloween in Roanoke, Va., in 1941: Merrymakers All Over the Place

From the October 3, 2016, Roanoke (Va.) Times  "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.

"Another Halloween has come and gone.  Gone insofar as the thousands of merrymakers are concerned, but for the business men and car owners, and not-a-few residents, the work of soap or kerosene oil is just beginning."

And They Say Our Youths Are Crazy These Days.  --CootBoo

Wofford College During World War I and the Great Depression

Back in December, little Wofford College beat the reigning National Basketball Champion University of North Carolina in one HUGE upset.  I just wish I had watched it.

But, during World War I it had a Student Army Training Corps and has had a ROTC unit ever since.  Many Wofford alumni and students served during the war.

During the Great Depression many students joined ROTC to help cover expenses.  Many later served in World War II.

--Cooter