Already Had the Spanish Flu and Survived By 1920? No Worry Mon

From the December 2, 2020, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1920. 100 Years Ago.

"If you had the real Spanish flu back in 1918 and 1919, and didn't die of it you won't have it again.

"You can start in the winter with a perfectly light heart and no worry whatsoever as how to treat yourself in the case of a fresh attack, now that the time-honored whiskey and  quinine cure is no longer integrally available."

Prohibition started in January 1920.

It is too bad that these days in 2020 that if you get the virus and survive you only get a temporary immunity from it.

No Whiskey for You.  --Cooter

Coal Restrictions (Because of the Coal Strike) Lifted in 1919, Just in Time for Christmas Shopping

From the December 18, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"Sighs of relief were heard all up and down Lincoln Highway yesterday and last evening.  The coal lid had been lifted and stores were running on regular schedule, lights  were on, and shoppers could shop as early as they wanted to.

"Merchants abided by the coal restrictions last week, although the shortened hours hindered Christmas trade and caused confusion and congestion during the few hours stores  were allowed to be open, but were grateful for the order which came Saturday announcing that all restrictions  were to be lifted Monday."

There was a coal strike going on in the United States.  No wonder the stores were staying open a bit longer as mentioned in the post yesterday.

--CooterCoal

Top Prices Paid for Skins, Hides and Junk in DeKalb in 1919

From the Nov.  27, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

Advertisement in local newspaper.

"WANTED FURS--  Skunks, $2 and $6;  Muskrats, 75c to $3;  Mink, $3 to $7;  also horse hide, beef hides, sheep hides.  And also pay the highest prices for junk.

"Call 1026, Ike Gordon, 232 South 5th, DeKalb, Ill."

Got Junk?  Got Hides?  --CootSkunk

Coal Strike Hits Home in 1919

From the Dec. 4, 2019, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"Lincoln Highway resumed its war-time appearance again last evening, this time doing its bit in the conservation of coal.  All boulevard lights with the exception of corner lights were dark last evening by order of the city administration and folks passed up and down the main street in darkness as they had done during the war.

"But, today the country faces the most critical stage of the coal strike, the small surplus is gradually being consumed  and as the pile decreased, the demand for wages increased, and no arbitration in sight."

Use the Coal for Bad Little Boys and Girls.  --Cooter

Judge Orders Wine Barrels To be Poured Into Kishwaukee River in 1919

From the Nov. 27, 2019, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"Groans from both court attaches and spectators were audible in the county court room on Monday when Judge Pond rendered his decision in the case against an Italian resident of Kirkland, accused of selling intoxication liquor against the law , and who was the first person arrested in DeKalb County under the state search and seizure act.

"The groans came  when the judge ordered two whole barrels of perfectly good wine, seized from the defendant to be pored into the Kishwaukee river."

--CootWiner

Snowball Fight in 1919 Leads to Injury

From the December 18, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago

"The first serious accident due to snowballs occurred yesterday when Dale Chapman, 10-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. H.R. Chapman was quite badly injured.

"The Chapman boy in company with several others was returning home from school when the crowd engaged in a snowball fight.  The young fellows were packing them pretty hard and one hit master Dale when he stood near the thrower.

"Though it is thought that the Chapman boy will recover with proper treatment, the young folks are cautioned about the danger of snowballing."

I'm sure this caused an immediate cessation of hostilities.  Even so, snowballs hurt much less than a direct hit by a dirt clod.

Ouch!!  --DacootDuck

Stores Open Later for Christmas Shopping in 1919

From the December 18, 2019, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"Those who find it inconvenient to shop during the day will now have the opportunity of doing the remainder of their buying in the evenings.

"Beginning yesterday, the stores of the city are open during the early evening hours and folks who are busy during the day will now have an opportunity  to make Christmas purchases."

And to think this wasn't even Black Friday.

--CootBuy

DeKalb To Get an Ice Plant in 1919

From the Nov. 20, 2019, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"That DeKalb will have an ice manufacturing plant of its very own in the very near future is practically an assured fact, according to semi-official advices circulated today.

"The Dixon Artificial Manufacturing Co. is behind the movement to erect a fully equipped and modern plant here as a branch to the main plant at Dixon.  The local plant when completed will no doubt be  modern and up to date in every respect."

No more cutting up that ice in the lakes or ponds during the winter and storing them over the summer.    But spelling the end of the old ice industry.

--CootIce

Of Dogs and Foxes in DeKalb County in 1919

From the March 27, 2019, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1919. 100 Years Ago.

**  "Two families are mourning the deaths of pet dogs, and a third home on Third Street, another dog has been poisoned. :  Residents are nor certain whether the poison was set for the dogs or  whether it was put out to catch pests."

****************************************

**  "A resident of Kingston township brought to the office of the county clerk a pelt of an animal shot by him, and supposed to be a wolf, claiming the $100 bounty.

"The fur was a rich red color and there were earmarks of a fox.  After several of the county seat experts had examined it, it was adjudged a fox pelt and bounty refused."

--CootPelt

A Snow Ball Problem in 1919

From the March 20, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"Recklessness of boys throwing snow balls is causing complaints of pedestrians.  Yesterday a lad threw a snow ball which struck a little baby girl square in the face.

"Today her face is bruised in three places.  Carelessness in throwing snow balls has resulted seriously many times and it seems that boys might be more careful."

No Throwing Snowballs, Lads.  --CootSnow

Elks Club Gets New Bubbler in 1919

From the March 13, 2019, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"The water cooler that has been in use at the Elks club for some time past will soon be a thing of the past.   Today A.W. Marvin and William Bagg have been busy installing  one of the latest  models of sanitary drinking fountains, not ice water but ice cooled, and when completed, the club will be well equipped along this line.

"The bubbler is built on the order of a thermos bottle, and although the water does not come into contact with the ice at any time, it is iced water."

Bubblers, of course, was the name used for drinking fountains back then.

But, You Knew That.  --GreGen

John Willrett Close to Ancestral Home in 1919

From the March 13, 2019, DeKalb County, Illinois MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"John Willrett, son of Gotlieb Willrett is now within 100 miles of his grandfather's home in Germany.

"Only an uncle and an aunt reside there now.  Willrett  who has been in service a year last September is with the 33rd Division, in the headquarters corps."

I'm guessing his ancestral home is somewhere in Germany.

--Cooter

Cleaning That "Bubbler" in 1919

From the January 30, 2019, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"A peculiar incident was noted recently when an elderly woman stepped up to a bubbling fountain, which was a clean as possible to keep it,  and after spending two or three minutes washing the small bowl, quenched her thirst.

"Evidently the woman thought it was necessary to do this before water could be clean, and forgot that bubblers were made for people to use in the most sanitary way, bite the bubble."

You Can't Be Too Careful.  Germs, You Know.   --Cooter

The Drunken Tots in 1919: "Let 'Em Sleep It Off"

From the January 23, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"A local physician had an interesting  telephone call last night from the country, when he was informed that two little children, one of two years, the other not yet four had put away a pint of whiskey, which had been doctored with herbs to make it bitter.

"The little tots after drinking the whiskey became intoxicated and laid about the house on the floor in a stupor.    Finally, when it was found what caused the kids apparent sickness, the parents thought they would be  along all right if they slept it off."

--CootDrunk

Women's Voting Tips in 1919: Beware Hair Parts, Mandates and Hecklers

From the January 9, 2019, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"Now that  women have power to vote, their men folk on the strength of hundreds of years start in the study of politics, are giving them lots of advise.   Among their valuable hints are the following:

"Never vote for a candidate who parts his hair in the middle.  He is obviously unable to take one side or the other.

"If your candidate asks you to give him a mandate, ask him:  "What about a womandate?"

"If you attend a political meeting as a heckler, heckle the speaker the same way as you would your husband.  That will get him all tied up."

Ha Ha.  --CootMam

Ice Cutting in 1919

From the January 23, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"While most people are feeling grateful for the mild weather of the last few days, Frank Carter is bewailing the fact that the mercury did not remain closer to the bottom of the tube, until he gets his ice harvested.

"However, on Carter lake on the south Malta road, the ice is better than ten inches thick and today, Mr. Carter is getting his tools hauled to the spot ready for cutting which will start tomorrow."

--CootIce

The Spanish Flu Seems To Be In Hand Now In 1919

From the January 2, 2019, MidWeek   "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"Once more it looks as though you can sneeze without having people look askance or run away from you.  The health officer today reported only three cases of flu.

"The situation here the last few days seems much relieved.  Weather seems to make no difference.  It may be hot, it may be cold, but fly comes just the same.  However, physicians believe now that they have the matter in hand."

--Cooter

Returning Soldier Starts a Shoe Repair Business

From the March 6, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"Joe Cohn, a returned soldier lad, who was in the service for seven months at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, (my grandfather's base) has recently been mustered out, and has started a shoe repair shop in the little building next to the Nehring Electrical Works on East Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.

"Cohn was a cobbler by trade when he entered the service, and was in business in Earlville, and when mustered out, thought DeKalb looked good to him and is getting his share of the business at this time."

--Cooter

Man Shoots Self While Hunting Pigeons in 1919

From the March 20, 2019, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back,"

1944, 75 Years Ago.

"Jack Cook of Rollo had the misfortune to suffer a painful accident of last week.  He was using a rifle to shoot pigeons and as one dropped, he dashed to get it, forgetting to put the safety release on the rifle, the shot going through his leg.

"Treatment was given at Mendota Hospital and he was returned to his home."

I Can Almost Hear the Pigeons Laughing.  --Cooter

Buying Lower California and Mexican Claims in 1919

From the January 2, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"President Wilson is requested to begin negotiations for the purchase from Mexico of the Peninsula of Lower California in a resolution introduced today by Senator Ashurst of Arizona.

"Ashurst also introduced a resolution directing the war department to investigate claims by American citizens growing out of damage to American property by Mexican bandits since December 1, 1912."

Nothing, Obviously, Ever Came of It.  --Cooter