Time Was

    Many of our previous looks at the history of Braidwood took place in the 19th century, when mines were springing up faster than morels and hundreds of people speaking different languages, with different cultures all came together to work in dangerous jobs under difficult conditions.
    But as Braidwood aged, did all of that go away? Did the jobs get safer? Were there less murders? Were workers still organizing unions?
    Set the wayback machine for the beginning of the 20th century and we will try to answer those questions.

    The subject of women has been much bandied about in recent weeks.  Respect for women, equal pay for women, etc., etc.
    Broad statements have been made about the history of working women and women's role in the community. I then started to compare two communities that were somewhat equal in their focus - both mining areas. This is what I have found in my research.

    Today we look a bit east to the unpredictable Kankakee River and the piscatorial tribe (fish) that inhabit her.
    As the industrial age started polluting land, sea and sky during the first decade of the 20th century people started to appreciate the unspoiled, unpolluted places.
    The Kankakee River, both up and downstream from Wilmington, was one such place.  

    Hardy is a word that is usually used to describe early settlers in any part of the country. But in Robert Huston's case, it just doesn't say enough. Let's look at the life of the one-legged sheriff of Will County.
    Robert Huston was born in New York City on Aug. 7, 1844 to Irish immigrants Robert and Elizabeth Huston. His father was a weaver back in Ireland, but in New York he scrambled to make a living. Searching for a better life, the Huston's came west in 1850, settling on a farm near Gardner.