Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Bicycles

Fulton Journal
May 22, 1885

Many of the young men about town have purchased, or contemplate purchasing, a bicycle. A bicycle is a harmless, seductive looking creature, very large and complacent in front and very small and timid at the rear. It is built a great deal like a thorough-bred bulldog, and possesses the same remarkable staying qualities. In a fair contest it would be a toss-up as to which would come out first-best, a bicycle or a bulldog. A bicycle is a careless, don't care sort of a creature and is not at all worried when everything is upside down. A young man will caress it, and pat it on the neck, and curry it off, and call it pet names, and then get on it--and, in a few minutes later will wonder how in the world the big stone college happened to fall on him, and how long it will take to dig him out. When he comes to, and sees a crowd of young ladies coming down the street, he will lead the bicycle with one hand and patch his pants with the other and go home. Then he will sit down in the woodshed and sadly gaze at the bicycle, and get a twist in his neck trying to see whether the hole in his trousers is larger than the handmade patch which he improvised. When he finds that the hole is bigger than the patch this world will seem to him a dull and dreary illusion full of torn pantaloons, bucking bicycles and derisive maidens.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Reagan Ancestral Chart

Fulton, Illinois
Ronald Reagan’s Ancestral Hometown

GREAT-GRANDPARENTS

Michael O’Regan Catherine Mulcahey
1829-1884 1829-1908
Married in London 1852: Immigrated in 1856
(5 children)
Thomas John William Margaret Mary
1852-1889 1854-1889 1858-1883 1856-1947 1867-1908
(37) (35) (25) (91) (41)
GRANDPARENTS

John Reagan Jennie Cusick
1854-1889 1856-1886
(35) (30)
(4 children)
Catherine William John “Jack” Anna
1879-1901 1880-1925 1883-1941 1885-1903
(22) (45) (58) (18)

PARENTS

“Jack” Reagan Nellie Wilson
1883-1941 1883-1962
(58) (79)
(2 children)
John Neil Ronald Wilson
1909-1996 1911-2004

Proper Education for Girls

Fulton Journal
November 2, 1883

Give your daughters a thorough education. Teach them to cook and prepare the food of the household, Teach them to wash, to iron, to darn stockings to sew on buttons, to make dresses. Teach them to make bread, and that a good kitchen lessens the doctor's account. Teach them that he only lays up money whose expenses are less than his income, and that all grow poor who have to spend more than they receive. Teach them that a calico dress paid for fits better than a silken one unpaid for. Teach them that a healthy face displays greater luster than fifty comsumptive beauties. Teach them to purchase and to see that the account corresponds with the purchase. Teach them good common sense, self-trust, self-help and industry. Teach them that an honest mechanic in his working dress is a better object of esteem than a dozen haughty, finely dressed idlers. Teach them gardening and the pleasures of nature. Teach them, if you can afford it, music , painting, etc., but consider them as secondary objects only. Teach them that a walk is more salutary than a ride in a carriage. Teach them to reject with disdain all appearance, and to use only "yes" and "no" in good earnest. Teach them that happiness of matrimony depends neither on external appearance nor on wealth, but on the man's character.--Ex.

Fulton Opera House Rink

Fulton Journal
May 9, 1883

The Opera House Company has so far completed the new building that an opening was held on Wednesday evening, which was a grand success. Nearly four hundred people were in attendance, and as many as one hundred and fifty persons buckled on the rollers, and there was room for all. Warner's cornet band enlivened the occasion with good music, and all went merry as the wedding bells. The building is 18x100 feet, with a truss roof which leaves the floor clear of posts or columns. The entrance is arranged with two pairs of doors opening outward and on either side are rooms for ticket office, skate room and cloak room, over which is a gallery with seating room for one hundred. The north end has two doors and between them is a stage 14x40 feet, which is the band stand, and is to be fitted with curtains and scenery for theatrical and other performances. The floor, which is the main consideration for roller skating, is of hard wood, substantially made and finished with sand paper, and is pronounced the best yet by travelers and experts. An easy slat seat is built on the east side for convenience of spectators and skaters. Much credit is due John Fritz the contractor, for the prompt and workmanlike manner in which the building was constructed. Several hundred chairs are to be purchased for seats during other entertainments. The Opera House Company is composed of J.W. Broadhead, A.D. Mitchell, Oscar Summers, O. Sprague, George Ward and J.C. Kennedy. The enterprise of these gentlemen in thus giving to our city, a place of permanent and healthful amusement is highly commendable. There is no finer, more graceful and invigorating sport than roller skating. Its popularity promises to be more permanent than even its devotees anticipated. It is an art which offers a great variety of attractions and possibilities for personal skill and enjoyment. Young ladies and gentlemen can meet for the pleasure found in a delightful and innocent exercise. Business and professional men will improve the opportunity for enjoyment, society and noble exercise from which they are so often debarred. The heated ball room and all questionable resorts for amusement will be deserted for the skating rink, where all can meet for a hearty diversion at a trifling cost. There may exist some maudlin sentimentality which is opposed to this amusement, but the larger and better class of our citizens will rejoice that a healthful attractive and unobjectionable form of recreation has now been introduced.

The Excursion

Fulton Journal
June 27, 1884

The excursion on the Josephine to Rock Island Wednesday was a success. About one hundred and fifty were aboard. The barge Billy was taken as far as Port Byron, and was utilized for dancing and roller skating. The Walter family furnished excellent music. The weather was just the right temperature till ten o'clock in the evening, when it became a little chlly for some. At ten o'clock the lunch baskets were opened, their contents spread on the tables, and the picnic dinner enjoyed. The boat arrived at Rock Island at noon, and the party separated. Some went to Davenport, some to the arsenal on Rock Island and about sixty took the motor train to Black Hawk's Watch Tower. The Tower is about four miles from Rock Island. It is 250 feet above the level and to the southeast, south and southwest you can see for many miles. It is a splendid place to camp, rest and recuperate during the summer. The boat left Rock Island at 4:30 o'clock and did not reach Fulton till nearly one o'clock. Credit is due the managers of the excursion. Captain Conger, M.P. Fulton, clerk, as well as all the officers and crew did everything to make the trip pleasant.