"spank myself"

We were informed that last week's news of 1880 had not been published so we post it here today. This is what your ancestors would have read in the local newspapers the week of May 23, 1880.

Spring fever was prevalent that week in Lawrence County, but no fatal cases occurred.  Strawberry and ice cream suppers would soon be appearing it was noted.  The street commissioners were waltzing around presenting people with notice to be at a certain place on a certain date with their shovel.  The wheat crop looked good; but because of the open winter and slight freeze, the ground was hard to pulverize sufficiently to seed corn. (The Bridgeport reporter said the wheat crop would be an entire failure because of the wheat fly.) The reporter said it was hard to realize that a woman is an angel when one sees her pick up a clothesline prop fourteen feet long to drive a two-ounce chicken out of the yard. W Roberts’ store was entered, and two or three suits of clothing and other things disappeared along with the thief or thieves. Young men were advised to get out their croquet sets and see who the champion was. At the trial of Duquoin before Esquire McCleave on a charge of indecent exposure the jury assessed a fine.  The verdict was well merited, according to the editor. No details were forthcoming. Work on the public Well on the courthouse lawn near the main entrance gate was continuing.

The steam flour mill located in the old mill building near the north wagon bridge was to  resume its operations.   It had been some years since Lawrenceville had a steam mill. Charles Teschemacher was an insurance agent for the Phoenix of Brooklyn, Illinois Mutual, and the Hartford of Connecticut Insurance Company.  The reporter noted that Charley was honest and reliable and had been handing out ink blotters advertising these businesses. John Fields formerly of the county had moved to Colorado Springs.

Whitewashing buildings in town was fashionable, but the editor hoped that some of the streets, gutters, and back yards as well as front yards that were in such horribly filthy conditions would be cleaned up before officers of the law had to take action.

Notices were posted by James McCarty, the administrator of the estate of John S McCarty, deceased, and Eliza  Gould and H C Gould were  executors for the Will of Aaron J Gould. Lydia Robinson was suing Ellias Robinson for Divorce. He appeared to have left the state. Oliver Russell was appointed administrator with the Will annexed for the estate of James Russell, deceased.

Bridgeport: Sage and Son were having the dam at their mill repaired. The Halfacre property had a new fence built around it. The milliner shop in town was having the white- washing done by Davis Reed.  Mr. Highfield was moving his sawmill into town on the Bierhaus lot where the pork house was. Ed Abernathy was the telegraph agent in town. R C Jenks, formerly of this county now of East St Louis, was in charge of the East St Louis water works. 

Bicycle racing was in vogue and the boys were determined to ride if they had to mount a wheelbarrow wheel. The Bridgeport band has recently purchased the large ‘bus of Mr. Green of Vincennes. They expected to have an elegant newly shaped bed built and placed on the running gears of the ‘bus. (Some kind of horse drawn wagon I suppose.)

A new store is being built by Mr. Cook, and Jack Klinger is thinking of doing the same at Bird Station. John Wampler of Bond twp. was injured by his runaway team while driving from Flat Rock to his home with a load of lumber. His team became frightened, throwing him off and breaking his leg.  S. Smith of St Francisville left for Colorado. Mr. W C Price of St Francisville had abandoned his flour mill at that place was rebuilding it at Lawrenceville,

Rules for railroad travelers: Passengers can be ejected from the car if they do not offer the exact amount of their fare.  Conductors are not bound to make change.  Passengers who lose their tickets can be ejected unless they purchase a second one. Passengers are bound to observe decorum in the cars.   No person has a right to monopolize more seats than he has paid for, and any article left in the seat while the owner is temporarily absent entitles him to the seat on his return.

Deaths reported:

Died at her residence on Sunday morning last May 16, 1880, Mrs. Newton Benefiel.  The deceased had been sick for about two weeks, and all hopes were given up for her some days before death released her.  She leaves a husband and three motherless children.

Robert Schick, a prominent farmer who lived three miles south of Sumner, died May 5, 1880.

Mr. Aaron Gould, respected citizen of the southeast part of the county, died May 6, aged about 55. He was the father of nine children and never experienced a single death of a member of his family.

Humor in the 1880s

“What would you do if mamma should die”, she pathetically asked her little three-year-old daughter.  “I don’t know”, replied the infant with downcast eyes and melancholy voice. “I suppose I would have to spank myself.”

From the Cunningham Collection