Time Was

Wilmington and the War Between the States

Published by admin on Mon, 07/14/2025 - 1:26pm

This begins a new series of columns concerning the effect the Civil War had on Wilmington. Many of us have visited Civil War sites in the South, but have the notion that up here in the North it was business as usual. It wasn't. There are those today who say that a new Civil War is brewing in our country, partly based on race. Before we rush headlong into violence, we need to look back at what happened in this country almost 200 years ago.

Lightning, Storms, and Natural Disasters

Published by admin on Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:55pm

There has been much talk lately about global warming, and the change for the worse in our weather conditions. Others say that there is no such thing, and the bad weather, heat and drought are just a coincidence. Regardless of your stand on the matter, I contend that weather has, in at least one category, has gotten better, at least in this area. That category is destruction of property and life by lightning.

In The Good Old Summer Time

Published by admin on Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:49pm

After surviving the first heat wave of the summer, I got to thinking about summertime in the 19th century, so let's set the scene. Houses for the most part had little insulation; the octagon house excluded. Window screens had not been invented, and without electricity, fans were hung from the ceiling and operated with a pull rope. Garbage pick-up did not exist.

The first two weeks, July 1877, tragedy strikes

Published by admin on Mon, 06/30/2025 - 11:19am

There are times when I feel, real life resembles a tragedy by Shakespeare. July 4th, 1877 in Braidwood is one of those times. The epic armies are about to clash, tensions heighten, and a tragedy brought on by misfortune or alcohol results in death. Act 1 begins with a celebration day in honor of the birth of our country. The curtain comes up and we see the sun shining on a beautiful day.

Fourth of July celebration, not interested thank you

Published by admin on Mon, 06/30/2025 - 11:16am

Today we take a look at the up-coming holiday of 4th of July. The biggest celebration the town has ever given was in 1865 to honor the returned heroes of the Civil War. But that sort of patriotism quickly died away. We present a history of the holiday in the decade following, done Wilmington style.

Spring cleaning? Not too late

Published by admin on Mon, 06/23/2025 - 11:48am

It’s officially Summer. That means that flowers, warm breezes and fun times outdoors are calling. But to my mother, it meant spring house cleaning, no matter that the calendar said summer. I could never figure out why people wanted to ruin a wonderful season with housework. So to spread the doom and gloom, today we clean up 19th century style.

Law and order, or pigs and pokes

Published by admin on Mon, 06/23/2025 - 11:46am

Ask any law enforcement officer, and they will tell you that their job is not all skittles and beer. As many times as not, the arresting officer becomes the target of the person being arrested or the crowd that naturally surrounds the scene. But in the 19th century, this was even more of a problem. To me, it is a wonder that anyone would consent to becoming a constable. Let's look at a few examples from Braidwood's past.

Watch out! There's a flock of them!

Published by admin on Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:00pm

I am probably showing my age, but the above was frequently said by Red Skelton when doing his famous Cauliflower Mc Pug character. And today it is not unusual for us to see Canadian geese by the hundreds in the sky, on the river or on someone's nicely mowed lawn. And that was also a common sight early on in our history. But for a while that sight was missing in this area because of over hunting. Today we look at hunting and laws concerning it.

The role of reading in the miner community

Published by admin on Mon, 06/16/2025 - 11:56am

Our view of early Braidwood is a rough and ready town, full of saloons and fist fights. But that is perhaps only the most obvious activities that took place. Hidden away in a small room many early Braidwoodites were doing something which required peace and quiet. Tip-toe back into the past with us to look at this clandestine activity.
In April of 1876 we read the following in the Joliet Weekly Sun, “And now Braidwood wants a public library and reading room.” Yes, those rough and ready miners wanted a library. They wanted to read, who would have thought it?

What's in your attic? Could it be your roots?

Published by admin on Mon, 06/09/2025 - 2:12pm

Many of us have trunks or boxes, or trash bags filled with old papers and memorabilia from past generations usually in a closet or attic. For families that have lived in the same home as their parents or grandparents this is especially true. We think, “Someday I will go up there and see what is there.” I urge you to do it now. Future generations will probably view it all as junk and pitch it.