Time Was

Wesley, the Wabash and Aunt Peggy - 1879

Published by admin on Wed, 03/14/2018 - 9:00am

    Today we set the way back machine for 1879, destination Wesley Township. Nothing special happened, but sometimes the small stories tell us more than the great ones do.
    The year had started out on a sour note. Late in December of 1878 a fire had burned a small shack to the ground. Not a great loss, until it was found out that it was all Mrs. Margaret Lamb, better known as Aunt Peggy, had in the world.

Propaganda or patriotism, why did they go to war

Published by admin on Wed, 03/07/2018 - 9:00am

    Recruiting soldiers during war time is not easy, especially as the war wears on.
    Part of the recruitment effort usually involves some sort of patriotic images, on paper during the Civil War, in photos and print during World War I.
    However, in 1918 a new media was to be used for the first time in the recruitment effort, moving pictures.

Sommerville, the right man for changing times

Published by admin on Tue, 03/06/2018 - 12:56pm

    When the 20th century dawned, technology was advancing by leaps and bounds. New inventions such as moving pictures, automobiles and “aeroplanes” were zooming into the headlines. One local man embraced these changes, William E. Sommerville of Coal City.
    Sommerville was born in Scotland in 1870, spending his youth at Glasgow Technical College and at the Clyde shipyards learning the trade of electrician and marine engineer.  

Summer of 1880, a time of sorrow and hope

Published by admin on Wed, 02/28/2018 - 9:00am

    It is impossible to determine which year in Braidwood's history was “the worst” or the “best.” Most are a mix of up's and down's. So today we look at the year 1880 to experience those highs and lows.
    In a town where people were coming in from all parts of the country and world, it would not be unusual to think that they would be bringing with them whatever diseases were afflicting their country of origin. And this was certainly true.  

March 1918, a startling discovery, women in the workplace

Published by admin on Wed, 02/28/2018 - 9:00am

    Being an old equal rights amendment worker, I can tell you that the issue of women's role in the workplace is not a new one. It seems to me that the greatest strides in this area came when society as a whole valued what women could offer.
    In times of war, this issue quickly comes to “the front” (pun intended, of course). We all know of Rosie the Riveter, but she was only following in the footsteps of the previous generation.  

Braidwood's double election, a first for the state

Published by admin on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 9:00am

    Perhaps one of the least known facts about Braidwood is that it was there in 1876 that the State's first “do-over” election was held. Today we explore this somewhat dubious honor.
    April of 1876 was a time of turmoil in Braidwood. Besides the normal issues of pay and strikes at the mines, the town was divided over the city and township elections. There were three parties involved, the Republican Party, the Democratic Party and the Independents.

Garfield sweeps Will County, Republicans rejoice

Published by admin on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 9:00am

    When last we met, we were at the huge Republican demonstration on the Island in October of 1880. One thousand people from out of town were gathered there to hear John A. Logan speak. Logan was to become Republican candidate for Vice-President four years later.

Republicans in Wilmington, or rallying for a winner

Published by admin on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 9:00am

    I suppose you've noticed we're coming up to an election. In fact there is one just a few weeks away and we will have to endure constant politicking for many months to come.
    So, in that spirit, let's look at another election, this one a presidential one, in a two-part series about the 1880 election.
    Our story starts with James Garfield, one of two presidents who are known to have visited Wilmington.
    When a young man, Garfield attended and later became president of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (later named Hiram College) in Hiram, OH.

There's gold in them there hills, or not

Published by admin on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 9:00am

    During Braidwood's early years, it was a city of transients. Miners would come in to work for a season then move on hoping to find greener pastures further west.
    By 1870 the great Wild West was beginning to open up, and in 1874 an event occurred which affected even  Braidwood. Let's go back to 1874 and listen to the call of gold from the Black Hills, SD.

February 1918, things were rough all over

Published by admin on Wed, 02/07/2018 - 9:00am

    One hundred years ago the War to End All Wars was raging in Europe. Our doughboys were on their way to the front. Some had already made it to France, others never made it out of camp being struck down by disease.
    At home commodities were scarce as were jobs and money. Set the way-back machine to February 1918 and watch out for all those dark clouds.
    On Jan. 17, 1918 a new edict came out of Washington, DC. We read about it in the Wilmington Advocate.