I like to do an article about Christmas for one of my December columns. This year, I will share a little about how the newspapers were different in the late 19th century. I’ll share information with names in them telling of the comings and goings of the Monroe people. I’ve shared several names in previous columns where a few readers learn something about their relatives that they hadn’t previously known. I am hoping that some of you may learn more about your family with the names shared here. Newspapers then had columns of short articles in which were shared both news information and some advertisements; you wouldn’t know until you read it whether it was an advertisement or not. There were no sales fliers and not many advertisements like the one shown here. As always, the wording is interesting.
The following are short articles from Dec. 23, 1885. To make it easier to read, I’ll not use quotation marks as each is an exact replication of the article.
Bert Chandler arrived home from Sioux Falls, Dak., on Saturday. He will eat a Christmas dinner in Monroe.
Christmas Cards and Holiday goods at J. Wood & Cos. Call and see them.
See the Christmas cards, the Albums, fancy Stationery and other fancy gift goods at the Post Office Book Store.
Hark! Hark! Hear the dogs bark the Rabbits are comin’ to town. Treat & Co., groceries pay the market price for rabbits, quails, chickens and other game.
Mr. L. Seltzer has just returned from a six months’ visit to Germany, and visited Monroe friends on his way home. He will get home for Christmas.
Charley Wescott is home from Milwaukee commercial college to spend the holidays.
Miss Jennie Goddard came home yesterday from the State University to spend Christmas.
Prof. Lorain Halbert is spending the holidays with Monroe friends, and eating square meals at home.
Dr. Ann Churchill is home from college to spend the holidays with her family. Will Churchill is expected home from Indiana this week.
A Christmas dinner will be served at the Ludlow House, from 12:30 to 2:30. Secure your tickets at the office in advance. Family parties can secure tables by calling the Hotel office on Wednesday or Thursday. Tickets for dinner 50 cents. G. W. Babcock, Proprietor.
There are a great many poor people in Green County, and there are a few cases of desperately poor people in this city. Some of them will have to be helped through the winter. In the absence of any regular organization for relief, a little friendly inquiry and interest in the right direction by neighborhoods may do much to learn of cases near by, and relieve immediate want. The Christmastide is a good time to begin such a work. Some of the noble and charitable ladies of this city have already done some good work in a quiet way; and it is from them we have been given the facts whereon we make the above suggestions. No one who is deserving and needy should be allowed to suffer for food and clothing in this land of plenty.
The following is from the Sentinel on the following Wednesday, December 30. It will give an idea how the people celebrated and name some more names of people who visited here.
There was a Christmas tree at the Episcopal church on Tuesday evening, and the occasion was a very pleasant one.
Mrs. Daniel Howe had a tree full of presents for her Sunday school class, at her home, on Christmas morning.
Jake Benkert and family took Christmas with grandpa and grandma Patterson. Glad to see Jacob looking well and hearty.
Mrs. Geo. Q. Gardner and Miss Mabel Gardner, of Decorah, Iowa, spent Christmas with Monroe friends, and ate turkey at uncle Silas Gardner’s.
Will Wood, of Milwaukee, found time to cut loose from business and spend Christmas week with the folks at home.
Mr. And Mrs. Hollister and son Fred, of Johnstown, are enjoying the Christmas time at North’s, and renewing old friendships with their Monroe cousins.
A number of individuals, resembling men, decorated Christmas Day in Monroe by drunken rowdyism and thereby disgraced themselves and their mothers. Too many free lunches was the verdict. Some folks are easily overcome with high living.
The following articles are from a column labeled “FROM DAYTON.”
A large crowd from here tripped the light fantastic at Brooklyn Christmas night. As usual a good time was enjoyed by all.
There is a bouncing boy on exhibition at John Fahey’s, call and see the smile on Johnny’s face.
Thomas Welch, of Iowa, is the guest of his brother M. F. Welch.
There was a large crowd in town on Christmas Day.
The dance here Christmas Eve was well attended.
I want to thank all of the readers who have given me feedback about these columns for the past (almost) four years. All of the positive comments help to keep me motivated. I want to wish each of you a fabulous holiday season with many wonderful experiences with family and friends. May 2024 bring you great health and incredible experiences.
— Matt Figi is a Monroe resident and a local historian. His column will appear periodically on Saturdays in the Times. He can be reached at mfigi48@tds.net or at 608-325-6503.
