Happy Anniversary (Belatedly)

As John Lennon is attributed as saying, "life happens when you are making other plans."  Well, folks, I must have been planning a blue streak last week because I failed to even notice that this blog celebrated its 12th anniversary last Wednesday!  I cannot believe that, nor even believe I've been doing this for that long.  Needless to say, I feel sheepish and even wondered if I should mention it.  But, per my usual habit, I shall post what I do every year, my favorite Menasha postcard and the very first one offered on this blog..

As I have been reminded by my critics, this is a niche business yet my discerning readership appreciates it for what it is.  So let me, once again, offer my great appreciation for your reading my blog over the last twelve years. You've kept me going all this time.  As we continue along in our the thirteenth year, let me emphasize that I DO so value your interest, your questions, and your support for all you do for me.  And that extends to your Facebook posts, private emails, and suggestions for new topics.  THANK YOU!

Renaissance Man

April 30, 1898, Oshkosh Northwestern

The article above is just one of the many things Menasha's renaissance man, Publius V. Lawson, Jr.  was capable of.   In his 67 years, Lawson was labeled many things- attorney, politician, businessman, author, historian, lecturer, inventor, and six term mayor of Menasha. 

Follow this link to get a really good overview of his life at "The Strangest Names in American Political History" blog: https://politicalstrangenames.blogspot.com/2012/05/publius-virgilius-lawson-jr-1853-1920.html

That'll Show "Em!

 April 14, 1904, Menasha Record

Menasha's reputation for toughness shows itself in the confines of Chicago's lawlessness.  That will teach them to fool with small town northeastern Wisconsin boys!  

How It Looks

April 25, 1878, Saturday Evening Press

Now and then some enterprising reporter from another newspaper would tour Menasha and file a report which the city fathers could then use as fodder for touting the commercial aspects of the city.  This is one such story from early on in Menasha's history, as evidenced by the  reporter's tour of the flour mills that we used to have.  Good descriptions of what happened inside the wooden ware and the hub and spoke factory.  

Young Love

 

April 27, 1901, Neenah Times

This had to be the oldest wedding on record at St. John's.  Just imagine, the bride and groom were born in 1827 and 1829 respectively.  Wow!  That's at least 16 to 18 years before the first house was even constructed in what became Menasha and only fifty or so years after the United States declared its independence from Great Britain. Oh, the stories I'm sure those two could tell!  

Earth Day

April 23, 1970, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

With Earth Day being yesterday, I couldn't let it go unnoticed.  This rather ominous photo by an unknown student illustrates the need for protection from pollutants that triggered the very first Earth Day in 1970.  Today, the focus might be more on global warming or in ridding ourselves of reliance on plastics, but back then, with pollution so bad that the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland caught fire, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson spearheaded the Earth Day efforts in the US with teach-ins and peaceful demonstrations.   As evidenced here, students all over the country followed his lead, to include this creative effort at St. Patrick's in Menasha.

A Word to the Wise

 April 27, 1901, Neenah Times

From a neighboring newspaper to the south comes this fair warning to young proper ladies that all is not necessarily as it seems in regards to matters of the heart.  Good advice for any era.