Time Was

When Wilmington was wild

Published by admin on Tue, 04/14/2020 - 12:53pm

I remember watching old movies about Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. Folks wore plain, primitive clothes, hospitality meant the local tavern, and every one carried a gun. There was a time, when Wilmington was just in her teens, that was exactly like that. Today we look at rare early stories from those times.
Our first story comes from January 1873 Wilmington Advocate, we don't know who the author was.

The Red Menace invades Braidwood, to arms!

Published by admin on Tue, 04/07/2020 - 11:54am

No not a virus, but communists, red flag and all. What could be done? They had taken over Braidwood, the mayor, the clerk — all the offices. Would Wilmington be next? If you are thinking this happened during the communist scare of the 1950s, or perhaps during the early 20th century during the Russian Revolution you would be wrong. Set the way back machine to the 1876 and watch out for the mobs!
It all started with the election of 1876. Miners broke into the polling place and stole the ballot box because they feared the outcome of the election.

The unseen deadly menace, and it wasn't a virus

Published by admin on Tue, 04/07/2020 - 11:52am

I guess the world is full of unseen deadly menaces these days. I have had my fill of them, and I know you feel the same way. We are all at home, safe away from harm. But time was, when staying at home might have been more harmful the helpful. Today we look at a time when making the world greener only made it more poisonous.

Taking the health officials advice, 171 years ago

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 11:13am

Of course, we know that the present pandemic is not the first, and no doubt it will not be the last. The coronavirus is just the present little beastie we need to avoid. In one of the oldest newspapers that exists from this area we find advice about the epidemic of 1849, the little beastie's name was cholera, and it too was a killer.

Damn that dam!

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 11:11am

The last time we talked about the 1883 ice floods that destroyed much of what was in the river and along side of it. This included Dam #3, located where the concrete dam is now. The problems this caused were many.

Fun, frolic and flight — 1885 had it

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 11:59am

Today we are looking at 1885, a year that started out upbeat and positive, but ended with a financial crisis that would result in a decrease in population and a financial downturn for the whole community.
Music Hall was Braidwood's entertainment center. Almost all important balls and soirees were held there, and when possible, the management booked one of the many traveling vaudeville acts so prevalent in those days. Usually these acts would be booked at least a month ahead of time so that posters and ads could be placed around town.

The beginning of the end of the canal boat era

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 11:55am

Before we take our little journey back in time, I wanted to say hello to one of my gentle readers who I met last week. Joey and his father read my column every week and I appreciate their loyalty. Thanks for your support. Now set the way-back machine to 1882 and enjoy the trip.
Wilmington in 1882 was a gay place, especially in the summer. Anyone who was anyone went on a riverboat excursion. Whether the object was a day's fishing, a picnic, or perhaps a dance, the steamboats were kept busy day and night.
Here are a few excerpts from the social news printed in the Advocate.

The early Irish Societies of Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 03/17/2020 - 2:12pm

There are three things necessary to build a canal — a pick, a shovel and an Irishman. An old joke dating back to the Erie Canal. And for the most part they were right.
The Irish were responsible for that canal and later the I & M Canal in Illinois. They were hard workers and knew how to dig. And when the canal was finished they turned to other kinds of digging, digging for coal.

A touch of the Blarney stone, ads of 1880

Published by admin on Tue, 03/17/2020 - 2:12pm

Since St. Paddy's day is this week, I tried to find something about the Irish in Wilmington, but couldn't find much.
The Wilmington Irish, unlike the Braidwood Irish, had been in this country for several decades. They had come in the 1840s, and had assimilated pretty well. And although St. Rose was known for her Irish parishioners, they celebrated the Feast of the Assumption, rather than St. Patrick's Day. But there is one thing that the Irish are known for that was plentiful here, and that was blarney, especially in newspaper advertisements. Let's look at a few.

What we take for granted, the U. S. mail

Published by admin on Tue, 03/10/2020 - 12:43pm

The United States has a long postal history, ask any stamp collector. Today we grumble over the price of stamps or shipping, but otherwise think little of it. Rain or shine the mail person arrives at our door or place of business every day. Was it always so? Let's take a look.