Cigarettes and Corn in 1944

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

1944, 75 Years Ago.

"Remember way back when City Clerk Bill Wallmark always had a pack of cigarettes on the counter for the convenience of callers?  It is probably now that Bill has an extra smoke  now for anyone if they ask for it, but he has eliminated the 'help yourself' plan."

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"Fairdale neighbors with tractors and corn huskers husked and shelled the crop of corn for Mrs. Eunice White  Monday.  Mr. White had been ill for several weeks and unable to husk his corn before he passed away Wednesday."

Mighty Neighborly in Fairdale.

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Hey, Bud.  Got a Smoke?   --Cooter

A Detasseling Tale, Part 2: Home Front 1943

From the August 1, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"More than 100 theological students were scheduled to arrive in DeKalb late this afternoon or tonight from Chicago and will be employed as corn detasselers by the DeKalb Agricultural Association.

"The young men ranging in age from sixteen to 25 years of age were secured through the cooperation efforts of the Ag Association and the United States Employment agency."

A Corny Thing To Do.  --Cooter

A Tale of Detasseling in DeKalb County in 1968: $1.25 an Hour Pay

From the July 25, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1968, 50 Years Ago.

"A sort of 'children's crusade' will hit the cornfields in DeKalb County the next three weeks as the DeKalb Agricultural Association begins its annual summer corn detasseling campaign.

"The operation employs about 1,00 youngsters age14 and older.  With its 26 plants throughout the nation, the DeKalb Agricultural Association is probably the largest employer of children in the country.

"The youngsters get $1.25 an hour to pass up and down the rows of corn and pull the tassel off selected corn.  Close to 9,000 acres are involved in Waterman and Esmond."

Hot, Hard Work for $1.25.  But a McDonald's Hamburger Cost 15 Cents.  --Cooter

Watch Those Corn Machines in 1942: They'll Get Your Fingers

From the October 27, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Within a few weeks farmers will be making use of modern machines, the mechanical device for picking corn.   The machine not only enables them to accomplish a tremendous amount of work but also turns into almost a meat grinder taking an annual toll of fingers, hands, and even arms.

"Farmers are warned to take a few more seconds time and shut off the power of the machine when it becomes jammed with stalks for husks.  Allowing the machine to run and trying to clear the rollers with a gloved hand may be accomplished once and lead to tragedy the second time.

"Shutting off the power is the safe way to handle a dangerous situation."

--Cooter