Time Was

To be or not to be, Braidwood incorporation

Published by admin on Tue, 01/26/2021 - 2:37pm

This week we will pick up where we left off, at the town meeting held to discuss the incorporation of Braidwood on June 5, 1871. The views against incorporation can be understood when you take into account that almost all of the miners were here to escape the corrupt governments and petty despots in the country of their origin. Let's listen in to the rest of the meeting. Next up to speak was Dan McLaughlin.

The birth of Braidwood, a rough delivery

Published by admin on Tue, 01/19/2021 - 10:10am

Moving forward with life is sometimes not easy. Many people don’t like change. But as we all know change is in evitable. In this case, the citizens of the unincorporated village called Braidwood did not want to change, but the forward thinkers pushed back. Set the way back machine to June 5, 1871 to witness the discussion.

Electing a President in crisis time, A. Lincoln

Published by admin on Tue, 01/19/2021 - 10:06am

Our nation has been through many times of crisis, wars, epidemics, economic depression and civil unrest. To compare any of them is not really fair, as so many factors weigh in to what could be called the worst of times. But I keep going back to the election of 1860 to see what hope it can offer us today.

Mob tries to overturn the results of the election

Published by admin on Tue, 01/12/2021 - 10:40am

Does this headline make you think you are reading the wrong article? Surely, we are talking about the events of last week. We are not. The idea of overturning results of an election by violence is not new. Today we look at our own backyard.
The following article originally appeared in the Braidwood Journal, and then reprinted in the Wilmington Advocate. The date is April 14, 1876.

A manly diversion, shooting pigeons in the park

Published by admin on Tue, 01/12/2021 - 9:47am

Accuracy with a weapon has always been a trait to be admired. I imagine cavemen had spear throwing contests. Today we go back to 1874 to witness the great Captain Adam H. Bogardus shoot down small helpless birds with deadly accuracy.
Adam H. Bogardus hailed from Elkhart, Illinois. During the Civil War he did two short 100-day stints in the Union Army; his job was sharpshooter. When the war was over, he found that the only skill that he had to make a living with, was his accuracy with a gun.

January 1880, mining and mayhem

Published by admin on Tue, 01/05/2021 - 12:22pm

Normally on the first week of the month I talk about what went on 120 years ago, but I couldn't this time because there are no newspapers from January of 1881, so I went back one year to 1880.
The month began with the announcement that “Sixteen hundred car loads of coal were shipped from here during the six working days ending on Thursday evening. Richard Pope knows how it feels, too. He was badly squeezed in Eureka shaft, No. 1, Tuesday, by stone falling from the face of his room.”

January 1921, a roaring start to the new year

Published by admin on Tue, 01/05/2021 - 11:11am

Today we are looking at this month, 100 years ago. Politics was the number one concern. At that time, many Wilmingtonians were dissatisfied with the Wilmington City Council. One hundred voters of Wilmington signed a petition asking for a special election for the purpose of establishing the commission form of government. The petition was granted.

Greenbacks, black legs, and red faces – politics 1878

Published by admin on Tue, 12/29/2020 - 11:53am

Besides Covid, 2020 will be remembered for its election and its politics, no argument there. The last part of 1878, was also a contentious year. And if there was one thing that was prevalent during those months, it was politics, down and dirty politics at that.

Bringing in the New Year 1879

Published by admin on Tue, 12/29/2020 - 11:45am

There is no doubt that this year’s New Year’s Eve will be the quietest in my life time. At a time when most look forward to what the new year will bring, this year the future is cloudy, and many are fearful that the worst is yet to come. But gentle readers, we must move forward. If history tells us anything, it is that this too shall pass.

Winter In Wilmington in the 1880’s

Published by admin on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 10:46am

As the days get shorter and the air gets colder we prepare by getting the furnace checked, putting up the storm windows, adding antifreeze to the radiator, and getting out the heavy coats and mittens. It also means that we get out the winter toys, such as snowmobiles and skis. In the 1880’s there was a different set of chores and a different set of winter toys.