May Queens and Snug Fortunes

The Robersonian (Lumberton, North Carolina) May 1, 1911

The Robersonian (Lumberton, North Carolina) May 4, 1911

A mere ONE HUNDRED years ago.

The Wilderness of Unfunded Debt

AH!
HURRAH!
Daylight At Last
Now we know
Where we’re at
In the Wilderness
of Unfunded Debts
U.S. — EUROPE
AH!
HURRAH!

The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland) Apr 29, 1926

White Flash – What a Gas

Where’s Elmer?

We’re Only Going to Chicago!

What Power! What Pick-Up!

Look at that Ford V-8 Climb!

Rockyroad to Dublin…Thank goodness for that Chevrolet knee-action!

White Flash lets you sleep in and extra two hours?

Don’t look down…and don’t slip!

For the cheapskates and the men in skirts!

Rolling, rolling, rolling…

Floating Plymouths?

Now’s the time …flash forward…to drill, baby, drill!

Hm…World’s Fair, Coolie…different!

As the crow flies…EASY!

Speaking of Crows….They’re Crowing about it, now!

I see spots.

Oh, a picnic! On Labor Day or Any Day!

Roughin’ it, again!

North, East, South, West—White Flash Plus is the Best!

Signaling for more mileage!

Santa depends on White Flash!

All of the above images are from the New Castle News (PA) – 1934.

And, as if this post isn’t image heavy already, how here is a cool picture of some White Flash gas pumps:

Image from the  Forever Dancing blog.

And, from Wikipedia, a little ARCO history:

The Atlantic Petroleum Storage Company’s heritage dates to 1866; it became part of the Standard Oil trust in 1874, but achieved independence again when Standard Oil was broken up in 1911.

In 1915, Atlantic opens its first gas station on Baum Boulevard in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In 1917, First Richfield Oil Company of California gas station at Slauson and Central Avenues in Los Angeles, California. Richfield Oil Company of California logo is an Eagle trademark.

Atlantic Refining Company is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 1921, Sinclair Oil Company opens first modern service station in Chicago called “Greasing Palace No. 1”. Sinclair gets into trouble with Teapot Dome scandal.

In 1966, Atlantic merges with the Richfield Oil Company of California. The first CEO was Robert Orville Anderson. The new company boasts a new trademark, a blue diamond shape called the ARCO Spark, designed by Bauhaus artist, designer, and architect Herbert Bayer.

I am glad ARCO is still around because they have the cheapest gasoline in my neck of the woods.

The County Fair

Image from the American Gallery website

The County Fair.

The county fair is rife,
And the farmer and his wife
Are there to show the best that they can do;
There are cattle sleek and fat,
Pigs and poultry, and all that,
And of all the grangers take a critic’s view.
There are fruits and vegetables,
Choice preserves with home made labels,
Plants and flowers, floral pieces and boquets;
Patchwork quilts and hand made laces,
Knick-knacks for all sorts of places,
And examples of the latest household craze.
Works of art quite amateurish
There are likewise seen to flourish,
And ceramics also, just as like as not;
But the farmer’s cup of pleasure
Is filled to fullest measure
By the genuine agricultural horse trot.

— ANONYMOUS.

The News (Frederick, Maryland) Oct 12, 1891

Pancho Villa Educates Mexican Youths

Image from the Old Picture website

VILLA EDUCATING MEXICAN YOUTH IN CALIFORNIA SCHOOL.
[ASSOCIATED PRESS TELEGRAM]

San Rafael, Cal., March 30. — Six Mexican youths are being educated at a local military academy at the expense of Francisco Villa, it became known today. They have been studying here since 1913 with $18,000 tuition for three years paid in advance.

The Mexican bandit also spent $6,000 in giving six other youthful proteges a year’s training at another military academy here two years ago.

Colonel Carlos Jaurequi, former fiscal agent for Villa at El Paso, brought the twelve boys here in 1913. The fact that Villa was sending them through school was kept a secret.

The Newark Advocate (Newark, Ohio) Mar 30, 1916

The Giant of the Seas Crippled by an Iceberg

One of the earliest headlines of the Titanic Disaster (with a picture.)

Oakland Tribune – Apr 15, 1912

Map showing location of Titanic disaster.

Syracuse Herald – Apr 16, 1912

Titanic Goes Down – Worst Ocean Disaster in History

Newark Advocate – Apr 16, 1912

*Post title taken from The Daily Northwestern front page, Apr 15th edition.

The Broken Pledge and General Emancipation

Images from the  CivilWarPhotoGallery website

THE OLD UNION WAGON.

BY M.J. STERLOZIER.
{Tune – Wait for the Wagon.}

In Uncle Sam’s Dominion, in Eighteen Sixty one,
The fight between Secession and Union was begun;
The South declared they’d have the ‘rights’ which Uncle Sam denied,
Or in their Secesh Wagon, they’d all take a ride.

CHORUS:
Hurrah for the Wagon — the Old Union Wagon!
We’ll stick to our Wagon and all take a ride!

The makers of OUR wagon were men of solid wit,
They made it out of “Charter Oak” that wouldn’t rot or split,
Its wheels are of material, the strongest and the best,
And two are named the North and South, and two the East and West.

CHORUS — Hurrah for the Wagon, &c.

Our wagon-bed is strong enough for any “revolution” —
In fact, ’tis the “HULL” of the “Old Constitution”
Her coupling’s strong, her axle’s long, and any where you get her,
No monarch’s frown can “back her down” — no traitor can upset her.

CHORUS — Hurrah for the Wagon, &c.

This good old wagon the nations all admired,
Her wheels had run for four score years and never once been “tired.”
Her passengers were happy as along her way she whirled,
For the good old Union Wagon was the glory of the world!

CHORUS — Hurrah for the Wagon, &c.

But when old Abram took command, the South wheel got displeased,
Because the PUBLIC FAT was gone that kept her axle greased;
And when he gathered up the reins and started on his route,
She plunged into secession, and knocked some “feilers” out!

CHORUS — Hurrah for the Wagon, &c.

Now while in the secession mire the wheel was sticking tightly,
Some tory passengers got mad, and cursed the driver slightly;
But Abram “couldn’t see it” — so he didn’t heed their clatter —
“There’s too much BLACK MUD on the wheel,” says he, “that’s what’s the matter.”

CHORUS — Hurrah for the Wagon, &c.

So Abram gave them notice that in Eighteen Sixty-three,
Unless the rebels “dried it up,” he’d set their niggers free;
And then the man that led the van to fight against his nation,
Would drop his gun and home he’d run, to fight against starvation.

CHORUS — Hurrah for the Wagon, &c.

When Abram said he’d free the slaves that furnished their supplies,
It opened Northern traitors’ mouths, and Southern traitors’ eyes!
“The slaves,” said they, “will runaway if you thus rashly free them!”
But Abram guessed, perhaps, they’d best go home and oversee them!

CHORUS — Hurrah for the Wagon, &c.

Around our Union Wagon, with shoulders to the wheel,
A million soldiers rally, with hearts as true as steel;
And of all the Generals, high or low, that help to save the nation,
There’s none that strikes a HARDER blow than GENERAL EMANCIPATION!

CHORUS — Hurrah for the Wagon, &c.

The Athens Messenger (Athens, Ohio) Jan 29, 1863

Another version of the song:

The Good Old Union Wagon (reply to a rebel song entitled Secession Wagon S. Matthews (lyrics at this link)

THE BROKEN PLEDGE.

BY C.V.B.

A rich man at his counting desk stood,
And a poor man stood at the door;
The rich man was in a talkative mood,
and he talked as he had talked before.

He urged the poor man again and again,
To enroll his name and go,
For they want six hundred thousand men —
Yet the poor man answered no.

I cannot leave my children dear,
Nor leave their mother, no!
For who their lonely hearts would cheer,
When to the war I go?

And then I have no gold to give,
To drive their wants away,
Or buy the comforts they should have,
When comes the winter day.

The rich man grasped the poor man’s hand,
And shook it hard and long,
Then urged him for his country stand,
And made his pledges strong.

Go! brave one; go! and you shall find
Your dear ones no excuse.
For all their wants my wealth I’ll bind,
My purse strings shall be loose.

The poor man’s heart was bowed with pain,
A tear stood in his eye,
When he went to his home again,
To bid that home good-bye.

The weary months sped slowly by,
Winter’s chill winds had come
Hungry and cold the children cry,
Round that once happy home.

The mother to the rich man went,
And told her words of woe;
Reminding him ’twas this intent,
To make her husband go.

You promised him your wealth should be,
Free for his children’s use,
That for our wants we sure would see,
Your purse strings should be loose.

The rich man answered:
‘Tis true I told him as you say,
My purse strings should be loose,
And that my purse by night and day,
Was open for your use.

But can’t you see what I’m about,
The dimes go in, but never go out.

‘Twas thus they promised o’er and o’er,
The poor man standing at their door;
And every promise they have given,
They’ve broken in the sight of heaven.
And while the poor their homes defend,
The poor man’s child they’ll not befriend;
They promise good and pay in groans,
and Satan waits to pick their bones.

The Athens Messenger (Athens, Ohio) Mar 19, 1863

Then and Now…Well, Then

xxx

Abiline Reporter News (Texas) Apr 27, 1938

Billings Gazette (Montana) Oct 22, 1933

Shopping with Dolly

Shopping with Dolly.

The air was warm and the clouds were few,
The birds were chirping and hopping;
And everything was pretty and new
When Dolly and I went shopping.
Our money bank was yellow and sweet
With its dandelion dollars,
So we hurried away to Garden street
To look for some cuffs and collars.

For a cap I bought her a great red rose,
I’m certain it gave her pleasure,
And for lady slippers to fit her toes
I was careful to leave her measure;
And I told the spiders to spin some lace
As strong as other folks make it,
and to sew the beads of dew in place,
And then we’d be be glad to take it.

— Eudora S. Bumstead in St. Nicholas.

Daily Nevada State Journal (Reno, Nevada) Jul 12, 1892

Springtime Weather – Birds of a Feather

Image from The Graphics Fairy.

THE BLUEBIRD.

I know the song that the bluebird is singing,
Out in the apple tree where he is swinging,
Brave little fellow! the skies may be dreary —
Nothing cares he while his heart is so cheery.

Hark, how the music leaps out from his throat!
Hark! was there ever so merry a note?
Listen a while, and you’ll hear what he’s saying
Up in the apple tree swinging and swaying.

“Dear little blossoms, down under the snow,
You must be weary of winter, I know;
Hark, while I sing you a message of cheer!
Summer is coming! and springtime is here!

“Little white dewdrops! I pray you arise,
Bright yellow crocus! come open your eyes;
Sweet little violets, hid from the cold,
Put on your mantles of purple and gold;
Daffodils! daffodils! say, do you hear?
Summer is coming! and springtime is here!”

— Kansas City Journal

The Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, Wisconsin) Mar 27, 1901

Image from Flower Fairy Prints

APRIL WEATHER

Oh, hush, my heart, and take thine ease,
For here is April weather!
The daffodils beneath the trees
Are all a-row together.

The thrush is back with his old note;
The scarlet tulip blowing;
And white-ay, white as my love’s throat —
The dogwood boughs are growing.

The lilac is sweet again;
Down every wind that passes
Fly flakes from hedgerow and from lane;
The bees are in the grasses.

And Grief goes out and Joy comes in,
And Care is but a feather;
And every lad his love can win,
For here is April weather.

— Exchange.

The Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, Wisconsin) May 4, 1899

By The Chimney Place

Mister Sparrow, take yo’ time
‘Bout buildin’ o’ yo’ nes’;
Blizzard come an’ blow it
F’um howlin’ eas’ ter wes’!

De mockin’ bird, he try a note,
An’ fin’ it friz up in his throat!

Pile de oak log higher
In de chimbly-place;
Thank de Lawd fer fire
An’ meat enough fer grace!

Wish mockin’ bird could cash his note
An’ buy dis chile a overcoat!

— Frank L. Stanton, in Atlanta Constitution.

Reno Evening Gazette (Reno, Nevada) Dec 27, 1913

THE WEATHER FIEND.

He comes at early sunrise
And knocks upon my door,
And says with glee: “I never
Saw such a morn before.
The mercury’s at zero,
I’m frozen through and through,
And yet I like this weather —
Is it cold enough for you?”

He comes into my office
A smile upon his face,
And tells me of Dakota,
And many an unthawed place,
Where cattle die by thousands,
And men by hundreds do,
And closes up by saying:
“Is it cold enough for you?”

He meets me on the sidewalk
Where the wind the keenest blows,
And stops me with his story
While I freeze my ears and nose,
And asks the same old question,
As I inward fret and stew,
And wish the man in Jericho —
“Is it cold enough for you?”

If ever fortune favors
I’ll be even with him yet —
This weather fiend who bothers
And whom I can’t forget;
I’ll do it in a manner
That will be both neat and trim;
I’ll drive him to distraction,
But I’ll make it hot for him.

— Detroit Journal.

The Daily Northern (Oshkosh, Wisconsin) Mar 5, 1901

WHEN THE FROST IS ON THE PANE.

When the frost is on the window
And the lawn is covered o’er
With a foot of snow where pansies
Spread their petals out before,
Oh, it’s then there is a crispness
In the circumabient air
That compels a man to hustle
When he’s going anywhere —
Makes him wish that he were like a
Duck that calmly takes its head
And tucks it ‘neath a winglet,
As a child is put to bed.

When the man with flowing whiskers
Carries round a lot of ice
Dangling downward from his features,
Some folks claim to think it’s nice —
Claim that they enjoy such weather,
That it’s best to have it so —
That it fills them full of ginger
And that sort of thing, you know;
But I’ve noticed that the people
Who praise up the wintry blasts
For the most part do it only
While the summer season lasts.

— Exchange.

The Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, Wisconsin) Feb 2, 1899

THE GLORIOUS CLIMATE.

Say! but ain’t it gorgeous?
Never see the beat;
Last week arctic weather,
Frozen hands and feet;
This week, sun a-shining’,
Air ez soft ez May,
Feel like goin’ skippin’
with the kids at play!

Say! but life is jolly,
When the weather’s fine;
Spirits like the merc’ry
Racin’ up the line;
Never mind the coal bills,
Slight the plumber’s dun,
When you’re out a baskin’
In this friendly sun!

Say! but ain’t the weather
An’ liver, lots to blame,
Fer feelin’s that we’re blamin’
Our friends fer jes’ the same?
Fer when the sun is shinin’
Somehow the world is bright,
an’ when the liver’s workin’
Whatever is is right!

— Detroit Journal.

The Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, Wisconsin) Feb 21, 1899