This little coin is known as a Civil War Token and many versions of these were struck by many different businesses as a form of specie currency. This came about as a result of a lack of coinage due to the Civil War. Before the war started citizens started to horde not only gold and silver, but copper and nickel as well. This left a serious void of available coins to use in public. In turn, various businesses started to mint their own coinage, most of which were equal to 1 cent, as a means of making change. According to the Civil War Token Society (once again, a reminder that “if it exists – someone is collecting it”) roughly 25 million of these things were in circulation.

This all seemed to work fine and dandy for a bit, but with no bank or Government to back them up, a problem was only a matter of time. That time came about in New York when a streetcar company that had been accepting the tokens minted by a local bar went to the bar to cash them in. The bar owner, Gustavus Lindenmueller, refused to honor them, and the rail company had zero legal recourse.

Soon after Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1864, which ended the private minting of coins along with authorizing the U.S. Mint to create a new style of penny. While this Act made these Civil War tokens essentially worthless, their legacy lives on… Congress noticed how popular these little tokens had been amongst the population, and in turn decided to model the size of their new penny on the tokens.

As for this one (which looks better in person) it was minted in 1863 by the “John Thomas Jr. Coffee & Spices – Premium Mills” and could be “redeemed” at their shop located at Exchange & Dean streets in Albany, NY.

I just recently posted this old funeral bill from 1926 and afterwards I sent it off to my Father who just so happens to be a funeral director. He had some interesting observations that I thought I’d share. (By the way, the funeral home has changed names since then but still exists on that corner and if you turn the camera around you can see the church.) “The cost of the dress, a charge for candles and chairs. This was normal since many of the wakes took place at home and these items were brought to the the house.  Interesting charge for pall bearers gloves. Theses were used one time and placed on top of the casket at burial time.  Usually the quality was very good such as fine cotton. If there were six pall bearers then it worked out at 60 cents a pair.  The palm decorations were probably to surround the casket.  The door spay is an interesting historical item.  A black spray was hung on the outside of the front door much like a Christmas wreath to tell passer-byes that his is a house in mourning.  Significant charges for motor vehicles.  Car ownership was just becoming a “normal” event but not all people/families had one.”

Did you ever wonder how much a funeral cost in the 1920s? Well, no I hadn’t either, but because of this invoice that was stuck between some other papers we now know. As far as Rose, I could only find the most cursory of information. 

Rose Ehemann (nee Christ) was the wife of my Great Grand Uncle Wm. H. Ehemann. This was the same man that was a Chicago Alderman at the beginning of the 20th century, and later held the ridiculously powerful position of County Agent (of which I own both his badge & pistol). So I am related to Rose through her marriage to William. She was born in Wurtzburg, Germany to Killian and Marie (Hellman) in 1879 and came to America in 1890. She married into my family at either 18 or 19 (William was 10 years older) and lived at the Southport address shown on the receipt. Sadly, and for reasons I can’t find, she died at the age of 46. That is really young (even more so as I get older) and I wish I knew what happened to her. Anyway, as far as I was told by my Grandma they never had any children, which is why some of their belongings ended up in my hands. This included her engagement ring which I used when I proposed to my wife. So, even though we technically aren’t related, I do feel an attachment to her. 

I remember playing with these good luck charms when I was a kid. They all have the same front (heads) and it is on the reverse where a small shop would list their business. I don’t know when exactly these were made but we can guess. The latest date given on these pennies is 1957. That would be the rather obvious clue, but there is another one for the taking. The one from Washington D.C. for Executive Pharmacy offers one other hint. The address listed is now occupied by the J. Edgar Hoover FBI building, which broke ground in 1967. So most likely these are from the 1950s or early 1960s.

That was easy. 

Thank you and you are also quite welcome. I’m happy that you enjoy this random collection of stuff.  Frank

With the warm weather upon us, and schools about to let out, the summer vacation time is upon us once again.

The summer vacation really became a part of Americana in the 1950s. The old jingle “See the USA in your Chevrolet” was copyrighted in 1950. This came along with a push from any and all organizations that had something to gain from people getting out there and taking a road trip. Included in this list would be the local Chamber of Commerce, as we see here in this pamphlet for Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

This brochure on one side totes all the benefits of visiting Great Smokey Mountains National Park, while the other side is classic boosterism. This propaganda offers some interesting insight into life 60 years ago. For one, we know thing cost more now than back then. Well this brochure reinforces that with the subtlety of a hammer. Some of the new civic works in Gatlinburg, along with their price tag, include:

New city water system: “three quarters of a million dollars”

New highway construction with a new sewer system: “one and a half million dollars”

New golf country club: $250,000

New civic auditorium: $400,000

The brochure also states that Great Smoky Mountains NP is the most visited of the National Parks, a fact that remains true today. Along with this bit of trivia the brochure also informs the potential visitor that “At all times dress for both men and women is carefree, but in good taste.” The American Legion & Elk’s Club are present “to add to your enjoyment” along with a large list of entertaining activities in and out of the Park, including: motoring, quin-pin bowling, roller skating, candy making, trackless train, and television. 

An old pin from my Grandpa George on this May Day, or what was often referred to as the International Workers’ Day. I know he had his own side business repairing radios, along with his day job at Stewart-Warner (in Chicago), so I would imagine this is why he was a member of the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America.

The UE organized in 1936, and while their charter was rejected by the AFL, it was accepted by the CIO. The Union grew to an impressive membership of well over half a million members after WWII, but soon after split from the CIO. (Apparently this split was caused by some institutionalized racial discrimination on the part of the CIO.) This split caused the CIO to create its own union covering the same types of workers. This new union poached many members from the UE.

This was also during the era of McCarthyism, which seriously attacked the UE. Members were fired, blacklisted, jailed, and their leader even faced possible deportation. Through all of that the union managed to remain and is still a strong force today. Remember the Republic Windows and Doors shop that closed in Chicago right before Christmas in 2008? (The manner in which it closed was in violation of Federal law.) This was the one that then President-elect Obama visited to show his support of the workers that had occupied the building in an old fashioned sitdown strike. Well, that was the UE at work.

Today their numbers are much smaller at roughly 35,000 but as shown above they are still quite active. Their ranks include workers from many varying fields ranging from the people that build locomotives to the Ohio Turnpike employees. The UE is also considered one of the most democratically run unions because of the high input that their members have in the direction and policies of the organization. 

The 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair was commemorating the centennial of the founding of Chicago. While this postcard doesn’t show the entire Fair it does give the viewer a bit of perspective on the enormity of this creation. I remember my Grandma Alice telling me stories about the Fair and how it lifted the spirits of so many that needed lifting because of the Great Depression. As a matter of fact, it was so successful that it was extended into 1934. The success of this fair is probably why she kept so many mementos (a few of which I’ve already posted).

The back of the card states “A view looking south over the World’s Fair Grounds showing the General Exhibits Group in the foreground: also showing Time and Fortune Pavilion, Firestone Exhibit, Paris, Thermometer, etc.” (The thermometer is that large tower in the background on the left.) With all of these buildings (most of which were in the now classic Art Deco style) you would think that at least a few of them remain. Sadly, this isn’t the case. You’d be hard pressed to find any remnants from this event, which is not only sad but also weird considering the size and the fact that the number of visitors that attended was over 40 million! 

The Rainbo Arena was located on N. Clark Street in Chicago where the Rainbo Village condos currently are, right across from St. Boniface Cemetery, which just so happens to be the final resting place for many of my ancestors. This would include my Grandpa George, who kept this old ticket stub. I couldn’t find any information about this particular event, but what I did find is an interesting history about the Rainbo.

It was founded by a WWI veteran of the famous Rainbow Division, hence the name. Originally it was a music venue called the Moulin Rouge Gardens, and was supposedly modeled after the famous French Club. That name didn’t last long and it became the Rainbo Room. Many famous vaudeville acts performed there and supposedly it was the largest nightclub in America during the 1920s. While being dry because of prohibition, ho ho, it was a hangout for various gangsters including John Dillinger.

After the 1920s the club appears to have changed hands a few times. During the 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair it was the French Casino. After that it became a theatre café, and then an arena. In the 1950s it was converted to an ice rink and was even a practice spot for the Blackhawks. In the ‘60s & ‘70s it became a roller rink and also a music hall called the Kinetic Playground. Bands like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin even played there. At some point it became the Rainbo Roller Center, which was the name it had when it finally closed for good in 2003.

But the story doesn’t end there… Soon after it closed demolition began, and soon after that human bones were found buried in the basement. At first it appeared to be just one individual, but then it became more. I couldn’t find a number of how many people they found, but one report had the police removing over 20 bags of human remains. Weirdly, I can’t find any information after that! So yet another mystery. 

As I am sure you are well aware, this is the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Low and behold I actually have something from the family that relates to this… It is a 1^st edition of The Loss of the SS Titanic by Lawrence Beesly.

Mr. Beesly was a survivor of the Titanic, and just 6 weeks after his ordeal he wrote about his experience in what became a very popular book. Now since he was on the Titanic researching information about him was rather simple.

Beesly was 34 years old when he boarded the Titanic on a trip to visit his brother in Toronto. He taught science at Dulwich College, and had recently resigned his position to take this trip. While I can’t find a reason as to why he resigned one could guess that it might have had something to do with his wife passing away just a few years earlier. Anyway, he purchased a 2^nd Class ticket for £13 and was on his way.

As the story goes “Beesley had been in his cabin (D-56) reading when the collision occurred, he only noticed a slight heave of the engines and the regular dancing movement on his mattress seemed to stop. Beesley stopped a steward to ask what had happened but was advised that it was nothing. He went up to A-Deck while the boats were being loaded but then decided to return to his cabin, as he did so he noticed a strange sensation as he descended the stairs, the stairs seemed to be level but his feet did not fall quite where they should. He donned his Norfolk jacket, stuffed some books into his pockets and then headed back to the A-Deck.” (I have to admire the fact that one of his first thoughts was to save some of his books.) The story continues that by this time the ship was listing badly. At some point the deck hands started loading men onto the life boat he was in front of so he followed orders and got on. From the way it reads it doesn’t sound like he had any clue as to the severe shortage of boats.

Beesley made it back home, remarried, and had more children. (One of his sons married Dodie Smith, who was the author of many plays and books including The Hundred and One Dalmatians.) He continued to teach and even played golf in The British Open. He was often cited as a source in regard to the Titanic and was an extra in the film A Night to Remember. He passed away on St. Valentine’s Day in 1967 at the ripe old age of 89.

The book itself is in very good shape. I’ve included the images that appear inside, some of which give some great details of the ship. The book is still easily available both in print format and as a download. There is even a new edition coming out this month with a forward by Nicholas Wade, the science correspondent for the New York Times, who happens to be Beesley’s grandson.

One interesting side note about Beesley is that there are two press photographs taken inside the Titanic’s gymnasium before she launched that have him in the background. That alone would have made him interesting. 

Today is the home opener for the Cubs, and while it is a bit egotistical to re-post your own posts, I still figured this one is worth it. 

Something I should have mentioned last time is that the 1945 World Series is the supposed start of the now infamous Cubs goat curse. A goofy thing that I don’t believe in, though should have been mentioned. Also worth mentioning about 1945 is that Hank Greenberg, one of my all time favorites, played in that series (albeit for the Tigers). He had returned mid summer from military service during The War and helped bring the Tigers to his second World Series. Not only had he volunteered for WWII (he was 28 after Pearl Harbor and had already been released from military service), he also served longer than any other major league player. A great documentary about him, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg, came out a few years back and I highly recommend you check it out. 

familyephemera:

With spring hope springs eternal.  And if you’re a Cubs fan you know that a lot of springs have passed since there has been a World Series at Wrigley Field.  These Cubs World Series tickets most likely belonged to my Grandpa George.  He and his brother in-law, my Uncle Frank, were best pals and would attend sports events together.  So it is a pretty safe assumption that this is how the tickets came into my possession.  I also remember hearing about how my Great Grandparents also enjoyed baseball.  This means my kid is the 5^th generation of my family to catch a game at Wrigley. 

Worth noting on these tickets is (as I often mention) the lack of corporate logos.  Everything looks nicer when it doesn’t have some cheeseball branding campaign spewed across the front.  The other item worth mentioning is the price.  Now math has never been my strong suit but I think it is fair to say that the cost of a World Series ticket has pretty well outpaced the rate of inflation over the years.  I suppose you can add that fact to the list of why that era is now known as baseball’s Golden Age.  

This little pocket knife is a “safety award” that belonged to my Great Uncle John Zabowski. He was a Chief Engineer on ore boats run by the Pittsburgh Steamship Company. Pittsburgh Steamship was started by Andrew Carnegie to service his steel company, and is a perfect example of how he came to control every aspect of his steel creation from the shipping of raw materials (ore from Minnesota in this case) to the final product. In short, he helped develop the business practice that became known as “vertical integration.” In the early 20th Century it was the largest Great Lakes shipping company, so large in fact that it was larger than most US ocean going shipping companies. The company was merged a few times over the years and the name finally disappeared in 1981 when it became part of USS Great Lakes Fleet.

The knife is a great little pocket size, and while looking to be in pretty good shape it does have one serious problem… Sadly it was in the attic of my cousin Gail’s house, in Michigan, which means it was exposed to heavy humidity and has rusted shut. I’ve tried a few times to open it up but to no avail. So if you have an idea on how to get it open, let me know. I’m all ears. 

This silver dollar sized token came from the 1897 meeting of the National Education Association in Milwaukee. (I know that they currently hold annual meetings, but back then I can’t be certain how often they met.) The NEA formed in 1857 and today it is the largest professional employee organization with well over 3 million members. They represent every level of faculty & staff that work in the education field ranging from Pre-K through graduate school, and apparently one of my ancestors was once a member.

This NEA medal has a hole in the top that I believe was added. There was a trend back then of taking tokens like this and then converting them into necklaces. So I believe this is what happened here. Besides that hole, it is in pretty good shape. The details of Milwaukee Bay are still nice and crisp and the Wisconsin State Seal on the flip side is also pretty decent (thought it appears the State Seal has changed a bit since then). I know this came from my Mom’s side of the family, but as to which ancestor owned this I can’t be certain. I do know that this side of my family had a line that lived in Fond du Lac, so maybe that is the side this came from.

I guess I’ve got something to look into. 

I have no clue as to what this old button is about. It was found among some other old pins that I know came from either my German or Irish side of the family. I did some various Google searches and nothing came up that I can relate to this item. I do know that it is from the early part of the 20th Century, and came from Chicago. Maybe it is related to The Great Depression (soup kitchens and the like). Do any of you happen to know what this little button is about?

My cousin Gail recently dropped this off on me, and just in time for a class I was teaching on the Cold War. This is an official Government publication on what to do in case of a nuclear attack. It was printed in November of 1966 and sent to my Uncle John. It was a joint publication between the Department of Defense and the Office of Civil Defense, which was a forerunner of Homeland Security (for those of you too young to remember). 

The book has various things one should do to help survive a nuclear war, ho ho. Things like planting shrubs to lower the amount of fallout affecting your house / shelter. Or other handy tips like items you may want in your shelter. Also, the longest the book mentions you could be in there was two weeks?!? That’s it? And even if it was just two weeks, some of those shelters look a wee bit cozy. Then again, they appear to be just barely underground so most likely the occupants wouldn’t have to worry about it since the initial blast would vaporize them.