Look Back: Worries of a by-gone era
Historical newspaper excerpts from the Wood County Historical Society
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Bird feathers
The campaign against the slaughtering of birds for ladies hat ornaments is not a very profitable one. If the ladies yield an inch in this fight who can tell where it will stop? If they give up birds they will next be asked to give up feathers; for what can be said in regard to a wing from a bird that may not be said as to the feathers? And if they give up feathers the next demand will be on furs. Some tender-hearted philanthropist will protest against the killing of squirrels, ermines, minks and chinchillas. If they give up furs, gloves will go next, as there will be a chicken-hearted demand to spare the little innocent kid. Silk dresses will be next; imagine the poor silk worms scalded to death. And so it will go. Let the ladies resist. They are right.
The Parkersburg Daily State Journal
Nov. 13, 1886
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Parks
Speaking of parks, where is there a place on the continent that is more suitable for such a purpose than majestic, hoary old Mount Logan, where Fort Boreman is situated? It is not necessary to descant on the beauty or the fitness of the place. A visit there will convince anyone. Even as it is, a bridge across the Little Kanawha river here would afford the people of the city access to a natural park, the like of which cannot be found in the Ohio Valley.
Excerpt from The Parkersburg Daily State Journal
May 13, 1889
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The heat
Deaths from the heat are far more numerous this year than ever before known. As many as 18 in one day are reported from Cincinnati; and the roll at Chicago reaches far greater proportions.
The Parkersburg Sentinel
July 5, 1890
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Insomnia is fearfully on the increase. The rush and excitement of modern life so tax the nervous system that multitudes of people are deprived of good and sufficient sleep, with ruinness consequences to the nerves. Remember, Ayer's Sarsaparilla makes the weak strong.
The Parkersburg Sentinel
May 11, 1894
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County plans detention home on infirmary grounds
Plans for establishment of a detention center for juvenile delinquents in a farm building on the Wood County infirmary property are being formulated by the Wood County court, it was announced yesterday by James J. Omerberg, present of the court.
The court orders pertaining to this project said that it is the opinion of the court that the farm home of the infirmary property could be used for a detention home, and ordered that the home be vacated and necessary steps taken to convert the property into a home for delinquent children.
The county court ordered James McCartney, present occupant of the farm building, to vacate the property on or before April 30.
President Omerberg also reported that he plans to appoint a committee of interested citizens to aid and advise in the planning, operation, management and financing of the juvenile detention home. 'It's everyone's responsibility," he said.
"A juvenile detention home is something that has been talked about for years, but nothing has been done." President Omerberg concluded, "I intend to do something about it."
The Parkersburg News
April 1, 1949
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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical Society. Would you like to help preserve our past for future generations? The society offers informative monthly meetings and an interesting, 20-page quarterly newsletter. Dues are just $20/year. Send to: WCHPS, P.O. Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.