100 Years Ago: 1896

(This appeared in Nebraska City Magazine in 1996)

Fall 1896
Items from several Nebraska newspapers

"Last Friday a magnificent oak, three feet in diameter was struck by lightning at Arbor Lodge. It was a favorite tree of Secretary Morton's and he regrets its loss very much." Nebraska City Daily Press, September 1, 1896
"Winter apples are said to be inferior in quality in the southeastern part of the state. They are larger than last year, but most of them are wormy."
Nebraska City schools began the fall term on September 14.
Nebraska City Business College fall classes began September 8.
According to the Daily Press, over 225 Nebraska City people were in attendance at the state fair on September 4.
Nebraska City newspapers devoted a great deal of space to the presidential race between McKinley and Bryan.
The Philadelphia Ledger printed an interview with Paul Jessen, the prosecuting attorney of Nebraska City, in which he predicted that William Jennings Bryan would not carry Nebraska in the upcoming presidential election. (Note: Bryan did carry his home state of Nebraska.)
In the Daily Press on September 4: "The News has commenced its annual expose of 'Dangerous Schemes' and 'Election Frauds' which exist chiefly and solely in its own imaginative mind."
Advertisments

"Thousands have been cured of baldness and other diseases of the scalp. It will cure you. Guaranteed. For sale at Sloan's drug store."
"'Boys will be boys' but you can't afford to lose any of them. Be ready for the green apple season by having DeWitt's Colic & Cholera Cure in the house. H. Schwake"
"Johnson's Drug store has been removed to 910 Central avenue where he will be pleased to meet all his old as well as new customers."
"Omaha and return via Burlington Route for one fare plus 50 cents admission to fair ground. Tickets now on sale good to return on or before September 7th. Trains leave 3:20 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. - R.R. Douglas"
(Unless noted otherwise, the items below are from 1896 issues of The Otoe Chief, a newspaper published in Nebraska City.)

"And it came to pass..."
A Nuisance in the City
Short Local and Personal Items
University to Open Here
"Women Now Wear Tights"
Items from Lorton
Spring Styles 1896





"And it came to pass that in the third month of the year 1896 that the snow fell upon the earth many times and the rain came in abundance, and great was the rejoicing on account thereof: And all the people of the tribe of Holcomb who live in the land of Nebraska were exceedingly glad, and great preparations were made by the husbandmen of the land that when the seed time come they might go forth into the fields and sow. and lo, and behold the people who dwell in the county of Otoe, by the river Missouri, did with one accord go forth into the fields and plant great tracts of the land, and when harvest time came their diligence was abundantly rewarded and the Lord was praised. And so great was the yield from their fields that they sent messengers across the river Missouri and into the land of the Iowans, called prohibition, and besought the people that they might come and help their brethren, the Otoeites, to gather their harvest. And the merchants who dwell in the chief city of the land of the Otoeites, called Nebraska City, were exceedingly glad and went into the far east and did buy many fine goods, and spices, and ointments, that they might sell them to their brethren around the city; for there was much money in the land and the people did spend thereof lavishly."

100 Years Ago: List of Articles


There is a prominent and detestable nuisance in every city of any size, and Nebraska City has her full share, and perhaps somewhat of a surplus. We refer to that crowd of ill-mannered, ignorant and lazy young men, and indeed sometimes old men who are wont to hang around the prominent corners of our business thoroughfares from early morn until the approach of night time. They have no occupation, and indeed are too lazy to work if they had one, and if you was to question one of them he could give you no satisfactory reason for his existence. Their only apparent object in life is to abstain from manual labor - and their brains are entirely too indistinct and scattering to permit of mental labor, absorb sufficient sunshine to insure quiet and peaceful slumber at night time, beg or borrow chewing tobacco and make indecent remarks about passing ladies. They compare favorably with the Conchow apes of South Africa, except that the latter are more recluse in their habits and a trifle more particular about their personal appearance. Yea, verily, these ever present and objectionable characters should be compelled to either "move on" or change their headquarters to the less frequented back streets. It should be made the duty of our police officers to eradicate these very conspicuous nuisances.

100 Years Ago: List of Articles



Short Local and Personal Items

Misses Florence and Fannie Wilson entertained a few friends last Thursday evening at their home, in honor of Miss Louise Doherty of Omaha. It was a pleasant affair and highly enjoyed by all participating.
"Our Boys" is going to be one of the events of the season, and those who fail to secure their reserved seat tickets will have the alternative of standing up in the aisles or remaining at home. The drama will be produced by leading artists in our best society circles, which statement is vindicated by a glance at the following personnel: Misses Mattie Hayward, Georgia Weimer, Mary Wilson, Marie Conner; Messrs. Tony Zimmerer, H.C. Freeman, Harry Rolfe, Oscar Damman, F.W. Hoebel, A.B. Wilson. You will not only spend an enjoyable evening but will be assisting a worthy and commendable enterprise, as the proceeds are to go to the free library fund.
Edward Masom is closing out his stock of meats and will close his market a few days.
The Water and Light Company, through T.L. Watson, have signified their intention to subscribe $100 to the library fund.
Mayor Stallhut has reinstated F. Faunce as chief of police, and Oscar Bruggmann and John McIlreevy will receive commissions as police and street commissioner respectively.
The Gail Comedy Company will present "Only a Farmer's Daughter" at the opera house the latter part of this month.

100 Years Ago: List of Articles

Normal and Business University

We have decided to conduct this school under the above caption, believing this to be a good field for such an institution. Following are some of the courses of study: Preparatory, Teachers, Business, Shorthand, Elocution, Physical Culture, etc. Scholarships from $3.00 to $40.00. We are here to make it win and shall need your patronage.
DISCOUNTS: - Those expecting to attend this fall can secure a good discount by purchasing their scholarships now. School open during the spring and summer.
W.H. Barrett, Pres.,
Nebraska City, Neb.

100 Years Ago: List of Articles
This appeared in April 1896 Nebraska City News and other papers:

WOMEN NOW WEAR TIGHTS
Greater Object-Lesson in Dress Reform Than Bloomers.


"There has been an unprecedented sale in tights this year," says the New York World. "This does not mean that ballet girls are in the increase, but that the bicycle habit is growing enormously among New York women." The head of the big hosiery department of a big New York dry goods store said this, and she illustrated it by showing the variety of styles, colors and qualities in equestrienne and pedestrian tights.
"You mustn't think that women wear tights only on the stage and for outings. They are worn instead of the union undergarments by the best-dressed society women. Thin women may wear them, but fleshy women must. You see, with excellent quality of wool and silk you can get more warmth with less material than in any other style of garment. There is an especially fleshy woman patron of ours for whom we have tights made especially of extra thickness and warmth. She is thereby enabled to dispense with underskirts, and besides gaining more freedom from hampering petticoats, she avoids adding more bulk to her hips, and her chamois-lined skirts hang beautifully. All the best dressmakers advise tights for fleshy women."
"Why tights for bicycling?"
"Well, we sell the equestrian tights for riding, bicycling, skating and all outdoor sports, chiefly on account of warmth, and with short skirts and bloomers because they are better than long hose, which are likely to wrinkle or crease or get unfastened and look loose and untidy and feel uncomfortable, even under leggings. Tights, if they are of good quality, always fit and take away the necessity for those abominations, garters.
"We always have a good sale of equestrians as the skating season comes on. There is such freedom of motion in them. You may laugh, but I think the ballet has been more of an lesson in dress reform than the 'new woman.' You wouldn't think it, but the silk ones are warmer than the wool. Oh, yes! Much more expensive. The cotton and wool tights come as low as $1, but $5 to $15, according to quality, is the average for the silk garments. Black we sell mostly. Yes, some women have them to match their gowns, but it is mostly among stage women that we sell the colored goods. The cashmere goods are very fine and we sell the most of them, though the silk is more durable, and it costs more.
"I can almost tell a woman who wears tights by the way her skirts hang and by her walk. The dressmakers say that tights belong to the era of fine art in dressmaking, for the graceful drapery they make possible--
"Yes, ma'am; $4.50 a pair; warranted fast black." And the fat-and-40 customer took four pairs.

100 Years Ago: List of Articles

Items from Lorton

(From a March, 1896 issue of The Otoe Chief)
J. Ray of Peru is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Robb.
John and Mel Carr of Talmage were in our burg Tuesday.
Farmers in this section of the county have about finished sowing small grain.
R. Whittaker expects to commence work on his new residence in a few days.
Mr. Robinson wan the prize on Monday for making the straightest potato row in town.
Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Whittaker were the recipients of a very enjoyable and pleasant surprise party last Thursday evening. A large number of their friends participated in the happy event and that they enjoyed themselves is an undisputed fact. Those participating were: Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Hines; Messrs. John West, S.A. Whittaker, Sherman Robinson, Chas. Russell, William Hodge, Walter Robb, Lot McCay, John McCuaig, Homer Drake, Julius Boulier, Vesta; Misses Marion Livingston, Median Livingston, Lytha Goodwin, Mary McCuaig, Lillian McCuaig, Annie Russell, Mable Robb, Annie Stinekiller, Lyda Sederwool, Ada Whittaker, Flora Boulier, Vesta.

100 Years Ago: List of Articles





100 Years Ago: List of Articles

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