Feeding The Newspaper Beast

Developed in the 17th century, newspapers were literally a newsletter-style periodical that served as information sheets for merchants. Evolving over time, newspapers now represent local, state, federal, and international news pieces. Newspapers have played such a huge part in our society for many centuries and continue to do so. Let’s take a quick look at a few now. Oh and don’t forget your cup of tea!

Girl Scout Headline, Broken Arrow Ledger (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma), March 5, 1959

The Girl Guides of America, who would later change their name to Girl Scouts of America, were formed on March 12, 1912 by Juliette Magill Kinzie “Daisy” Gordon Low (1860-1927) in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. A wonderful fundraising program from the very beginning, however the first official cookie sale didn’t happen until 1934, after many years trying to adopt a viable and lucrative program. So, the next time the Girl Scouts come to your door, buy a couple boxes of Thin Mints and/or Samoas and know that you are helping local girls in your area learn important life lessons.

Cancer Experiment Advertisement, The Leavenworth Echo (Leavenworth, Washington), April 11, 1919

This sounds like an awful experiment, however in 1919, treatment for cancer was not what we have now, for sure. Also, if you had participated in this and the treatment failed, what would you do with your $1000 (about $17,500 in 2023)? If your death warrant was signed, what would you with your $17,500?

Dr. Samuel Ricket Chamlee (sometimes spelled “Chamley”) was born on March 8, 1852 in Monroe County, Tennessee to Adniron Judson and Elizabeth Emeline “Emily” (Thatch) (1833-1914) Chamlee. According to the 1870 U.S. Census, Samuel was working as a blacksmith in Sherrill, Texas County, Missouri. Samuel married Clarissa Elizabeth “Clara” (Houselibe) (1864-1954) on May 30, 1880 in Madison County, Missouri. They had nine children together over the next couple decades. Samuel went to school at Keokuk Medical College, College of Physicians & Surgeons in Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa. He graduated on February 26, 1884. Not much is known about where he practiced in the Midwest, but it is documented that he registered as a physician in California on February 9, 1889. It appears that he held offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco. After living for a short time in San Fran, he primarily lived in L.A. He died of chronic myocarditis on October 27, 1920 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California at the age of 68. He is buried in San Gabriel Cemetery in San Gabriel, Los Angeles County, California.

Woman Killed In Highway Accident, The Klamath News (Klamath Falls, Oregon), September 14, 1927

After figuring out the name discrepancy in the article above, we can now present to you a profile of life. Pearl May Wood was born in May 1883 or 1884 in Turner County, South Dakota to John H. (1836-1921) and Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Flake) (1841-1913) Wood. Pearl married Lorenzo Joseph Jonas (1875-1940) on May 3, 1900 in Battle Creek, Ida County, Iowa. He was the son of Hiram Taylor (1846-1926) and Rosella (Koker) (1846- circa 1900) Jonas. Pearl was primarily a homemaker during her married life and raised five children.

After the accident, Pearl was loaded into an ambulance headed for Chehalis, Lewis County, Washington, but she died before reaching the hospital. She was 43 years old. She was buried in Pilot Butte Cemetery in Bend, Deschutes County, Oregon.

E.W. Coburn Advertisement, The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa), April 1, 1895

Edgar Watson Coburn sold bicycles and sporting supplies the Waterloo, Iowa area for over 30 years. Apparently, his store, E.W. Coburn & Son, was the go to place for all your sporting needs. The store was at 181-3 Bridge Street in Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa. Also, why does the city of Waterloo have so many bridges? Eight of it’s eleven bridges are within one mile of each other. Why?

Hootch So Strong It Tinted Cup, The Buffalo Commercial (Buffalo, New York), June 21, 1922

That sounds awful, right? Then again, have you drank a Coca Cola? That will eat you up. Certainly Mr. Holzendorf wasn’t making Vine-Glo, that’s for sure.

At this point in 1922, Prohibition (AKA the Volstead Act) had been in effect for almost three years. It would go on for another 11 years, ending in 1933. By the late 1930s, it was said that two-fifths of Americans wished to reinstate national Prohibition.

Deserted At The Altar Listing, Bayonne Evening News (Bayonne, New Jersey), October 14, 1922

Let’s go see a movie! The 1922 silent film Deserted At The Alter starred Bessie Love (born Juanita Horton, 1898-1986), Frankie Lee (1911-1970), Tully Marshall (born William Phillips, 1864-1943), William Scott (1893-1967), and Wade Boteler (1888-1943). Adapted to the screen by Grace Miller White (1868-1957) from a play of the same name by Pierce Kingsley, the film was notable for its pretty cutting edge methods of promotion, which included wedding in movie theaters and “Just Married” car rides around town. You don’t see stuff like that anymore.

Hotel Colonnade Advertisement, Carlisle Evening Herald (Carlisle, Pennsylvania), May 14, 1919

Located one block from the Philadelphia City Hall, the Hotel Colonnade stood on the Southwest corner of Chestnut and Fifteenth streets. Not sure what the name of the current building there is, but The Ellington Apartments and a Staples office supply store now occupy that space.

A.B. Loebenstein Advertisement, The Hilo Daily Tribune (Hilo, Hawaii), June 23, 1900

Albert Braun Loebenstein was born on June 18, 1857 in New York, New York County, New York to Moses A. (1826-1906) and Gertrude (1833-1861) Loebenstein. The 1870 U.S. places the Loebenstein family residing in New York City where Moses was working as a musician. Sometime circa 1877, Albert moved to the island of Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands. worked as a surveyor and civil engineer in Hilo, Hawaii County, Hawaii area for about 30 years. Married twice and the father of seven children, Albert died on April 4, 1907 of apoplexy. He is buried at Homelani Memorial Park in Hilo, Hawaii County, Hawaii.

Strip City Formerly Mom’s Place Advertisement, The Los Angeles Mirror (Los Angeles, California, January 9, 1954

Anyone up for some burlesque? Lenny Bruce? Sounds like a good show! “The Ball of Fire”, as Betty Rowland was called, was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1916. Get a load of this: she died in California on April 3, 2022 at the age of 106! Like Lenny Bruce, who died in 1966 at the age of 40, Betty also faced obscenity charges. She prevailed, got out of the burlesque scene and owned a bar in the Santa Monica, California until the 1990s. Only one thing really needs to be said. Good for her. She prevailed against adversity and lived a good long life.

Here we are at the conclusion, my friends. Thank you for joining us on our brief trip back in history. Be safe and remember to love one another.

During our genealogical research, CMS Research & Genealogy comes across many stories that have nothing to do with our current project. We have tons of them and will be sharing them all with you on this blog. All the more reason to come back and visit us again!

November 28, 2023

CMS Research and Genealogy

CMS Research & Genealogy