Showing posts with label 1941. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1941. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Death of Roanoke's Last Confederate Veteran in 1941: James Washington Gwaltney
Fromthe October 3, 2016, Roanoke Rimes (Va.) "Looking Back."
"James Washington Gwaltney, Roanoke's last surviving Confederate veteran and the city's oldest resident died at 4:45 p.m. at his home."
He was 96 years old and lived in Roanoke's Virginia Heights neighborhood. Enlisted at age 16 in Tennessee and fought at Chickamauga. He attended the veteran's reunion at Gettysburg in 1938, the 75th anniversary of that battle.
--CootConfed
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
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
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Looking Back to 1941: Construction of NIU's Science Building
From the October 19, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back.
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Despite some slight delays in the arrival of materials, good progress is being made on the construction of the new science building at the State Teachers College (Northern Illinois University today). All the cement for the first floor has been laid and at the present time there is a delay due to the non-arrival of steel for the framework for the upper stories.
"In the meantime work on the installation of some of the plumbing has started and the basement floor is being graded so that work on the floor can be started."
Another Building for NIU. --Cooter
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Despite some slight delays in the arrival of materials, good progress is being made on the construction of the new science building at the State Teachers College (Northern Illinois University today). All the cement for the first floor has been laid and at the present time there is a delay due to the non-arrival of steel for the framework for the upper stories.
"In the meantime work on the installation of some of the plumbing has started and the basement floor is being graded so that work on the floor can be started."
Another Building for NIU. --Cooter
Looking Back to 1941: Chief Shabbona Painting Comes to DeKalb Public Library
From the October 12, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"The DeKalb Public Library has a new picture of the famous Indian Chief Shabbona, the gift of Claus Collins, DeKalb township supervisor. The picture is of Chief Shabbona and his first wife, Spotka.
"It is understood that the picture is somewhat rare; Mr. Collins has become greatly interested in the famous Indian chief and has engaged in considerable research. It is learned that he has been able to secure much new information about Shabbona, which has resulted in several controversial matters having been solved to great extent."
Probably in regards to the Chief's land claims.
--DaCoot
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"The DeKalb Public Library has a new picture of the famous Indian Chief Shabbona, the gift of Claus Collins, DeKalb township supervisor. The picture is of Chief Shabbona and his first wife, Spotka.
"It is understood that the picture is somewhat rare; Mr. Collins has become greatly interested in the famous Indian chief and has engaged in considerable research. It is learned that he has been able to secure much new information about Shabbona, which has resulted in several controversial matters having been solved to great extent."
Probably in regards to the Chief's land claims.
--DaCoot
Friday, February 24, 2017
Looking Back to 1941: A New Theater for DeKalb
From the October 19, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Plans for the erection of a new motion picture theatre in this city, to be located on North Third Street, are being completed by Fred Anderson of Morris, operator of the DeKalb Egyptian and DeKalb Fargo Theatres.
"It is understood that Mr. Anderson plans to bring an architect to DeKalb next week to go over the site and prepare the plans for the movie house."
I imagine the DeKalb Fargo Theatre was the one in Sycamore. The Egyptian Theatre is in DeKalb and the one planned would have been the DeKalb Theatre.
Pass the Popcorn. --Cooter
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Plans for the erection of a new motion picture theatre in this city, to be located on North Third Street, are being completed by Fred Anderson of Morris, operator of the DeKalb Egyptian and DeKalb Fargo Theatres.
"It is understood that Mr. Anderson plans to bring an architect to DeKalb next week to go over the site and prepare the plans for the movie house."
I imagine the DeKalb Fargo Theatre was the one in Sycamore. The Egyptian Theatre is in DeKalb and the one planned would have been the DeKalb Theatre.
Pass the Popcorn. --Cooter
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Looking Back to 1941: Progress on the DeKalb Garden Street Project
From the August 17, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."
This has to do with roads and the coming of World War II.
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Crews of DeKalb city workmen have been engaged on the Garden Street project during the past few weeks and are rapidly nearing the end of the project on this one street. It is expected that the work will be completed by the end of the week.
"The project was originally opened with WPA help, but when the federal government withdrew all help of this nature the city carried on the work with the aid of day labor. Splendid progress has been reported and it is believed the gutter and curbing details will be completed within a short time, and should make possible the blacktopping operations that are planned."
Of course, the WPA was ramping down at this time as the workmen were needed in the military as war impended.
--Cooter
This has to do with roads and the coming of World War II.
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Crews of DeKalb city workmen have been engaged on the Garden Street project during the past few weeks and are rapidly nearing the end of the project on this one street. It is expected that the work will be completed by the end of the week.
"The project was originally opened with WPA help, but when the federal government withdrew all help of this nature the city carried on the work with the aid of day labor. Splendid progress has been reported and it is believed the gutter and curbing details will be completed within a short time, and should make possible the blacktopping operations that are planned."
Of course, the WPA was ramping down at this time as the workmen were needed in the military as war impended.
--Cooter
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Looking Back to 1941: Heat Wave Strikes
From the August 17, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"The crew cleaning the interior and exterior of the Sycamore city water tower were stopped by the heat yesterday. Early hours were not so bad, but the mid-day sun which bounced its heat waves off the steel on the tower tank was too much for the workmen.
"They had to give up."
A Hot Time In the Old Town Today. --Coothot
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"The crew cleaning the interior and exterior of the Sycamore city water tower were stopped by the heat yesterday. Early hours were not so bad, but the mid-day sun which bounced its heat waves off the steel on the tower tank was too much for the workmen.
"They had to give up."
A Hot Time In the Old Town Today. --Coothot
Friday, February 3, 2017
Looking Back to 1941: A New Barbed Wire in DeKalb
From the September 28, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Henry A. Nelson, president of Central States Industrial Engineering of DeKalb, has been granted a patent on an improved type of barbed wire.
"The barbed wire which Mr. Nelson has perfected has what is described as a reverse twist of the two strands of wire being the center, between two barbs."
They don't call DeKalb the Barbed City for nothing.
It's a Sticking Situation. --Cooter
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Henry A. Nelson, president of Central States Industrial Engineering of DeKalb, has been granted a patent on an improved type of barbed wire.
"The barbed wire which Mr. Nelson has perfected has what is described as a reverse twist of the two strands of wire being the center, between two barbs."
They don't call DeKalb the Barbed City for nothing.
It's a Sticking Situation. --Cooter
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Looking Back to 1941: Cashing In on the 1933 National Banking Moratorium
From the September 28, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"The force of the DeKalb Trust and Savings Bank has been working overtime the past several days preparing the checks which will be delivered to approximately 1,400 persons who waived, by a depositor's agreement, a portion of the amount on deposit at the time of the National Banking Moratorium in 1933.
"These checks, totalling $10,338.82 are now ready for shipping."
Have wa Little Faith. --Cooter
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"The force of the DeKalb Trust and Savings Bank has been working overtime the past several days preparing the checks which will be delivered to approximately 1,400 persons who waived, by a depositor's agreement, a portion of the amount on deposit at the time of the National Banking Moratorium in 1933.
"These checks, totalling $10,338.82 are now ready for shipping."
Have wa Little Faith. --Cooter
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Looking Back to 1941: DeKalb World War I Last Man's Club Buys Hearse
From the August 24, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Although they deny that the vehicle was purchased as originally intended, a group of DeKalb World War veterans (remember, this date before World War I for the U.S.) all of whom are members of the Last Man's Club, recently purchased an old hearse.
"The hearse, of early vintage insofar as automobiles are concerned, was purchased from Emil Johnson of Sycamore."
For the Last Man? ----Cooter
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Although they deny that the vehicle was purchased as originally intended, a group of DeKalb World War veterans (remember, this date before World War I for the U.S.) all of whom are members of the Last Man's Club, recently purchased an old hearse.
"The hearse, of early vintage insofar as automobiles are concerned, was purchased from Emil Johnson of Sycamore."
For the Last Man? ----Cooter
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Looking Back to 1941: A New Bar Comes To Town
From the November 9, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."
"The Bollinger building that once housed a barbershop will soon house a tavern of the tap room style."
--Cooter.
"The Bollinger building that once housed a barbershop will soon house a tavern of the tap room style."
--Cooter.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Looking Back to 1941: Hot for Factory Workers Too
From the August 17, 2016, MidWeek "DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"On account of the high temperature here today the management of the Wurlitzer piano factory closed the plant at noon today.
"Employees were finding it difficult to continue with the regular operations on account of the high temperatures that could not b contained with forced ventilation."
I imagine forced ventilation would refer to fans all those years ago.
What, No Air Conditioning? --Cooter
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"On account of the high temperature here today the management of the Wurlitzer piano factory closed the plant at noon today.
"Employees were finding it difficult to continue with the regular operations on account of the high temperatures that could not b contained with forced ventilation."
I imagine forced ventilation would refer to fans all those years ago.
What, No Air Conditioning? --Cooter
Monday, December 26, 2016
Looking Back to 1941: It's a Milk Thing
From the May 11, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."
"Milk produced by the DeKalb county farmers and sold to the Bowman Dairy Company netted a total of $71,123 in the first quarter of 1941."
Lots of Cows and Dairy Aire Out in DeKalb County, Illinois. --Cooter
"Milk produced by the DeKalb county farmers and sold to the Bowman Dairy Company netted a total of $71,123 in the first quarter of 1941."
Lots of Cows and Dairy Aire Out in DeKalb County, Illinois. --Cooter
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Looking Back to 1941: Farm Gets Electricity!!
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"The George Munch farm in Clare has been improved with electricity during the past week."
Hard to believe it was 1941 and there were still places in Illinois without electricity.
Way to Go, Mr. Munch!! Hard to believe There Were Still Areas in the U.S. Without Electricity in 1941. --Cooter
"The George Munch farm in Clare has been improved with electricity during the past week."
Hard to believe it was 1941 and there were still places in Illinois without electricity.
Way to Go, Mr. Munch!! Hard to believe There Were Still Areas in the U.S. Without Electricity in 1941. --Cooter
Looking Back to 1941: All About Sycamore, Illinois, in 1941
From the March 2, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back.
"Sycamore is 840 feet above sea level and covers 1,000 acres, its assessed valuation is $3,090,228 and there are 12,000 volumes in the Sycamore Public Library. Sycamore received its water from three wells pumping more than 11,700,000 gallons per month.
"There are 1,265 telephones in service, 14 lawyers, seven doctors, six dentists and two osteopaths.
I had to look up osteopaths. They deal with drug-free, non-invasive medicine primarily aimed at treating the musculoskeletal framework of the body.
In Case You Were Wondering. --Cooter
"Sycamore is 840 feet above sea level and covers 1,000 acres, its assessed valuation is $3,090,228 and there are 12,000 volumes in the Sycamore Public Library. Sycamore received its water from three wells pumping more than 11,700,000 gallons per month.
"There are 1,265 telephones in service, 14 lawyers, seven doctors, six dentists and two osteopaths.
I had to look up osteopaths. They deal with drug-free, non-invasive medicine primarily aimed at treating the musculoskeletal framework of the body.
In Case You Were Wondering. --Cooter
Monday, December 19, 2016
Looking Back to 1941: The Wet and Dry in Sycamore Township
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Sycamore Township is almost dry. There is but one tavern left in the township but that is not to be confused with the moisture inside the city limits. Sycamore Township had two taverns until a few weeks ago when one voluntarily closed.
"The Ace of Clubs, a place operated under one title or another and by several different proprietors since repeal has closed its doors. The place was located on Route 23 on the northern edge of Sycamore's city limits.
"Reuben Nelson continues to operate Coast Inn, a tavern located on Route 64 on the west edge of the township."
Wet in Sycamore, Mostly Dry in Sycamore Township. Moisture Inside City Limits. --Cooter
"Sycamore Township is almost dry. There is but one tavern left in the township but that is not to be confused with the moisture inside the city limits. Sycamore Township had two taverns until a few weeks ago when one voluntarily closed.
"The Ace of Clubs, a place operated under one title or another and by several different proprietors since repeal has closed its doors. The place was located on Route 23 on the northern edge of Sycamore's city limits.
"Reuben Nelson continues to operate Coast Inn, a tavern located on Route 64 on the west edge of the township."
Wet in Sycamore, Mostly Dry in Sycamore Township. Moisture Inside City Limits. --Cooter
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Looking Back to 1941: Big Lightning Strike in Sycamore
From the July 6, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Downtown Sycamore gained a slight idea of how one of Hitler's bombs sounds Saturday evening shortly after 5:00 o'clock. Lightning struck a tree in the southeast corner of the courtyard. It is a question whether the bolt killed the tree or not."
The Battle of Britain was going on at the time.
--Cooter
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Downtown Sycamore gained a slight idea of how one of Hitler's bombs sounds Saturday evening shortly after 5:00 o'clock. Lightning struck a tree in the southeast corner of the courtyard. It is a question whether the bolt killed the tree or not."
The Battle of Britain was going on at the time.
--Cooter
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Looking Back to 1941: Old Age Assistance Checks Arriving
From the March 2, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."
"Old age assistance checks were mailed to 607 residents of DeKalb County in February, according to a report by the state welfare department.
"Pension checks sent to the county totaled $13,312."
Was this Social Security?
** "Ralph Ranke, who recently went into the farm implement business with Edward McGirr, has disposed of his blacksmith shop, located on South First Street in DeKalb."
Fewer horses I reckon.
--Cooter
"Old age assistance checks were mailed to 607 residents of DeKalb County in February, according to a report by the state welfare department.
"Pension checks sent to the county totaled $13,312."
Was this Social Security?
** "Ralph Ranke, who recently went into the farm implement business with Edward McGirr, has disposed of his blacksmith shop, located on South First Street in DeKalb."
Fewer horses I reckon.
--Cooter
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Looking Back to 1941 and 1966: Vaccinations , New Woolco and NIU Commencement
From the June 1, 2016, MidWeek "Looking Back."
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"More than 150 rural and city grade school children gathered in the Central Grade School gymnasium to receive vaccinations from the hands of doctors as a preventative measure against small pox."
1966, 50 Years Ago.
"The new Woolco Department Store opened at the Northland Plaza Shopping Center." This was on the DeKalb-Sycamore Road, Il-23, near where the Wal Mart is today. Woolco was the big box discount store of Woolworth's 5 & 10.
** "NIU's 67th Commencement exercises were June 4 and set a new record of 1,820 graduates." I arrived at NIU in 1969.
--Cooter
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"More than 150 rural and city grade school children gathered in the Central Grade School gymnasium to receive vaccinations from the hands of doctors as a preventative measure against small pox."
1966, 50 Years Ago.
"The new Woolco Department Store opened at the Northland Plaza Shopping Center." This was on the DeKalb-Sycamore Road, Il-23, near where the Wal Mart is today. Woolco was the big box discount store of Woolworth's 5 & 10.
** "NIU's 67th Commencement exercises were June 4 and set a new record of 1,820 graduates." I arrived at NIU in 1969.
--Cooter
Monday, December 5, 2016
Looking Back to 1941: Records from the "World War Period"
From the November 2, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce is making an appeal for phonograph records which contain or other vocal recordings of songs which were 'hits' during the World War period. Persons having such recordings and wish to loan them to the chamber for a few days should call Mr. Reynolds, phone 188.
"They are needed in connection with the All-American parade to be held Thursday night, the final night of the Fall Festival."
You've got to love the phone number. The "World War period" referred to would be what we now call World War I. But, there was another war going on and about to draw the U.S. into it.
What, No Downloading? --Cooter
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce is making an appeal for phonograph records which contain or other vocal recordings of songs which were 'hits' during the World War period. Persons having such recordings and wish to loan them to the chamber for a few days should call Mr. Reynolds, phone 188.
"They are needed in connection with the All-American parade to be held Thursday night, the final night of the Fall Festival."
You've got to love the phone number. The "World War period" referred to would be what we now call World War I. But, there was another war going on and about to draw the U.S. into it.
What, No Downloading? --Cooter
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