Time Was

175th anniversary, Wilmington's connection

Published by admin on Tue, 01/10/2023 - 10:15am

One hundred and seventy-five years ago, the Illinois and Michigan Canal opened its locks for business. Its route does not directly go through Wilmington township, but its Wilmington's connections to that great transportation project were many. Let's look at a few.
The I & M Canal was not built without its problems, the greatest of which was the lack of water running through it. Originally, it was to be built deep enough that water from Lake Michigan would flow naturally into it.

From slum to success, James Smith

Published by admin on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 1:27pm

Success in life is not easily defined. Becoming a success takes hard work and perhaps a bit of luck. Let's look at James A. Smith, a man who started out with no future and with a bit of luck found a great one in Braidwood.
James A. Smith was born in New York City about 1860. He was orphaned at a very young age so his true birth date was unknown even to him. He and his brother John were put in the New York Juvenile Home. It was an overcrowded ghastly place. When they were in their teens they were put aboard an Orphan Train and sent west.

January 1923, life speeds up

Published by admin on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 1:16pm

There are some things that are life changing for everyone. Think about the telephone, electricity, computers and cell phones. Is there one I missed? Oh brother, there sure is! It’s the individual freedom granted to everyone who owned an automobile. The coming of the horseless carriage put blacksmith’s, wagon makers, plow makers, railroads, livery stables, hotels and restaurants out of business. But created all new businesses like mechanics, dealerships, and traffic cops. Headlining the news of January 1923 was the automobile.

Grab a straw and share a Scorpion

Published by admin on Mon, 01/02/2023 - 10:09am

Sad news to report right out of the gate in 2023. After a six-decade run of top-notch tiki drinks and atmosphere, Trader Vic's London served its final Mai Tai to close out 2022.
The London location is housed in the London Hilton, which is scheduled to undergo renovation in 2023. The Trader Vic's location is not in the future plans of the hotel. Although Trader Vic is best known for inventing the Mai Tai, he created an entire menu of Polynesian-themed drinks including this week's cocktail, the iconic Scorpion.

New Year's traditions, what brings you luck?

Published by admin on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 12:01pm

Have you made your resolutions yet? Are you buying special foods for the first day of the new year? Have you got your date lined up?
We are all pretty much aware of Christmas traditions, but I think not so aware that the things we all do at New Year's also have a long history.

An American story, William Connor

Published by admin on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 9:44am

The subject in today's column is, in the grand scheme of things, a nobody. Although prosperous in his time, he is little remembered. But his story is one that was typical of the time - that of poor family that comes to the States and makes good, but not without a lot of sorrow and pain.
The biography comes from one published in 1900 as a who's who in Will County, but no author attributed to it. Here is the story of a common man.

Winter meant tough times in the coal field

Published by admin on Mon, 12/19/2022 - 1:50pm

Winter is here, and for most of us it has no more meaning than higher heating bills and shoveling snow. But in the 19th century in Braidwood, the onset of winter meant tough times ahead.
It seems backwards that coal mining would shut down in the winter, since coal was used for heating. But early on that certainly was the case.

A Patriotic Christmas, 1917 and WWI

Published by admin on Mon, 12/19/2022 - 1:31pm

I don't know about you, but Christmas this year seems a little strange. Whether it is the rampant flus that are everywhere, the political climate or the war in Ukraine, it seems different. And Christmas during wartime takes on a special sweet sadness.
My parents met on Christmas Eve, 1944 in Belgium when my father was fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. Every Christmas they would recount how they met on the special day. I will not forget the stories and the emotions that went with them. Today we are going to look at Wilmington during the height of the “war to end all wars.”

Thomas Hennebry, he made a contribution

Published by admin on Tue, 12/13/2022 - 11:11am

No one doubts that mining was the heart and soul of Braidwood. However, there were many who managed to make a living without going down into the shafts, or hauling supports, or driving mules. Thomas Hennebry is our subject this week.
He is a good example of a Civil War veteran who searched for his niche in life. He was born in Ireland in 1845; in 1848 his family immigrated to Du Page County where they took up farming.
Thomas was content with that life until 1862, one year into the War, when he enlisted in the 90th Illinois Voluntary Infantry.

Christmas in the 1900's, the party's over

Published by admin on Mon, 12/12/2022 - 11:27am

The next in our series of Christmas stories should be the 1890's, but that's not possible. You see, as far as we know, not a single Wilmington newspaper has survived from that decade.
I know it sounds unlikely, but it seems to be true. I am sorry about that, because that decade was known as the “party decade” of that century. Christmas during that time was probably an all out affair.