Columnist

Racial discrimination, good enough to dig, not to vote

Published by admin on Wed, 09/26/2018 - 9:00am

    I think that there are few other topics these days that are more contentious than that of immigration. And like most other problems of our day, it is not new.
    In 1836 it was the I&M Canal that was the cause of a wave of poor immigrants to flood our County. And like today, they were the victims of discrimination. Those damn dirty Irishmen!
    The I&M Canal was started in 1836 with the goal of linking Lake Michigan to the Illinois river. It ran through thick muddy prairie soil, and hard unyielding limestone.

Judging your fellow man, judges of Braidwood

Published by admin on Wed, 09/26/2018 - 9:00am

    All my gentle readers know that Braidwood was a wild and wooly place. Fueled by alcohol, altercations were the mainstay of the court system. Today we look at those who dealt out justice from behind the bench.
    During the earliest decades of Braidwood's history, a position of Police Magistrate had the authority to not only arrest people, but also to fine them immediately. For most small infractions of the law, the system worked well. I suspect if it was just a case of drunk and disorderly the “perps” slept it out in the calaboose and were sent on their way.

All heat, no light during first governor debate

Published by admin on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 3:33pm

 

The first gubernatorial debate of the 2018 general election was almost all heat and no light. Instead of talking about where they want to take the state, the candidates focused mainly on delivering rehearsed zingers at other people in the race.

The war effort at home, September 1918

Published by admin on Wed, 09/19/2018 - 9:00am

    The last time we talked about World War I we looked at the letters home. Today we look at the home front at the same time. There was rationing, registration for the draft and actually being called to serve. Patriotic fervor was at an all time high. Set the way-back machine for September 1918.
    If you were a young male wanting to evade military service, there was no place to hide. The Wilmington Advocate printed the names of all the men who were eligible.

Speaking in tongues, at least 19 of them

Published by admin on Wed, 09/19/2018 - 9:00am

        In the 1890's the United States experienced the beginning of the great immigration wave from Eastern Europe. Previous waves of immigrants had come mainly from the British Isles, people who could at least speak and understand the King's English.
    And what was happening in the nation as a whole could be found happening in Braidwood.  Let's look at the ingredients in Braidwood's melting pot.

The French Connection cocktail - no connection to the movie, book

Published by admin on Wed, 09/19/2018 - 9:00am

    In 1971, Philip D’Antoni's crime thriller “The French Connection” became an instant classic. The film would eventually win a total of five Academy Awards including best picture and best actor for Gene Hackman's portrayal of Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle.
    The film is on nearly every “all time best” list and holds the distinction of being the first movie with an R rating to win best picture. After a 104-minute thrill ride chasing criminals through the Big Apple, you are going to need a night cap.  

Most normal people practice this ‘wisdom’ in their own lives daily

Published by admin on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 11:39am

    Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign-reset speech last week has been described as “contrite,” a “mea culpa” and even an “apology.”
    It most certainly wasn’t an easy speech to deliver for a man who never publicly admits mistakes. I mean, he claimed last month that his administration did an “excellent job” at the state’s Quincy veterans home, where 14 residents died.
    But there he was, claiming that after four years he’s learned some valuable lessons.

Establishing a rule of law, early Will County courthouses

Published by admin on Wed, 09/12/2018 - 9:00am

    Will County will soon have a new courthouse, it is rising as we speak. It will be the sixth building used for that purpose since Will County came into being. And it has probably been as controversial as all the others which preceded it. But in that building will be a place where the history of the earlier seats of justice will be proudly shown to all who enter.

Women criminals, what to do with them?

Published by admin on Wed, 09/12/2018 - 9:00am

    Women are the flowers of society, being pure of heart, chaste of mind and incapable of intentionally doing wrong. This was, in essence, the prevailing notion of the weaker sex during the 19th century. Of course, it has no basis in fact. Women were fully as capable of committing crimes as men, but with perhaps less opportunity.

Acquire a taste for Scotch

Published by admin on Wed, 09/12/2018 - 9:00am

    Many lovers of Scotch whiskey will tell you that scotch is an “acquired” taste. If scotch is in fact an acquired taste, how does one acquire the taste?
    Fall is the season for holiday parties, family gatherings and many other “scotch worthy” occasions. Are you looking to acquire the taste?
    I figured this week I would offer some tips to ensure that you have a proper introduction to my favorite whiskey.