Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Spring Dance, Civil Rights, & Kleptomania @JacquieRogers #oldwest #newspaper



Spring Dance, Civil Rights, & Kleptomania 


It's no fun when you're snowed in.  Or is it?  The folks in the Owyhees, whether in Idaho Territory, Oregon, or Nevada knew how to have a good time.  Residents of other communities enjoyed hearing about their fun, especially if romance was in the air.  (Remember, everyone knew everyone for a hundred miles around.)  Here's an article from The Owyhee Avalanche issued March 6, 1875:


Editors and reporters had no issue with inserting their own opinions in articles, and sometimes it's the best way for us to truly understand the mindset of the community.  In the next article, mother and daughter are arrested for kleptomania. I can only imagine that Mr. Brown was pretty fed up with his wife and mother-in-law, but he would've had few resources to help with their illness.


Babies were precious in the Old West so the births were always reported in the newspaper.  The Owyhee Avalanche had been in business for ten years, yet here's the first instance of the birth of twins.  Isn't it fun how births were announced in those days?  


National issues affected those out west, and most folks kept themselves well informed.  I find it interesting that all the while the eastern half of the United States wrestled with civil rights issues, those in Idaho Territory didn't have any notion that those rights should be bestowed on the large Chinese population.  And few Euro-descendants anywhere considered rights when it came to Indians.


That's it for this month.  May your saddle never slip!



Hearts of Owyhee
Much Ado About Madams
Much Ado About Marshals
Much Ado About Miners
Much Ado About Mavericks
coming soon:
Much Ado About Mustangs

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15 comments:

  1. Charlie SteelMarch 31, 2015 at 11:20 AM

    Delightful!

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  2. Jacquie RogersMarch 31, 2015 at 11:41 AM

    Thanks, Charlie! I always get a kick out of newspaper articles.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kaye SpencerMarch 31, 2015 at 1:20 PM

    Jacquie,

    I love your old newspaper articles. The birth announcement for the twins reminded me of the birth announcement for one of my nephews. His two older sisters were the "announcers". Notice the incorrect spelling.

    Alyse and Paige would like to announce the birth of a new baby bother (<<<)... (it was prophetic - lol)

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    Replies
    1. Jacquie RogersApril 2, 2015 at 5:25 AM

      Ha! I had a baby bother, too. He turned out better than I thought he would, though.

      Delete
  4. Renaissance WomenMarch 31, 2015 at 7:19 PM

    Jacquie,
    Oh the language and what was considered newsworthy. I love, as you know, these glimpses into the past and the people who are the subject of these gems of reporting. Thank you again. Doris

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    1. Jacquie RogersApril 2, 2015 at 5:26 AM

      You're welcome, Doris. This came in especially handy when I needed to write a newspaper article for my current manuscript.

      Delete
  5. Frank RoderusApril 1, 2015 at 3:17 AM

    I remember some wonderful 'snowed in; days in the Colorado mountains. We would built up the firs and invite the neighbors in to share hot cider or chocolate, then everyone would camp on the floor close to the fireplace. It was great. (Mostly thanks to four-wheel drive and heavy trucks.)

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    1. Jacquie RogersApril 2, 2015 at 5:27 AM

      That sounds like a good time, Frank. Don't think I'd like it so much without modern camping conveniences, though. Maybe in my younger days, but I'm a wimp now.

      Delete
  6. Jerry GuinApril 1, 2015 at 9:50 AM

    Jacquie, I always enjoy these news bits that you dig out.
    I think the occurrences are timeless regardless of the geography of the west.
    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Jacquie RogersApril 2, 2015 at 5:29 AM

      I agree, Jerry. This particular location is an amalgam of everywhere else--Texas and California cattlemen, miners from all over the US and the world. So I think the daily life in Owyhee County wouldn't be atypical at all.

      Delete
  7. Zina Abbott AuthorApril 1, 2015 at 11:26 AM

    I love your little newspaper clips from bygone years. It is so interesting to read about attitudes from the past not to mention the flowery expression of language. Thank you for sharing.

    Robyn Echols writing as Zina Abbott

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    1. Jacquie RogersApril 2, 2015 at 5:31 AM

      Ah, the language. And I love the editorial input, too. They sure didn't shy away from expressing their opinions. The Owyhee Avalanche didn't have an editorial page (it does now), but they didn't need one, either.

      Delete
  8. Cheryl PiersonApril 1, 2015 at 6:51 PM

    I love that article about "Miss Mamie N fell in love at first sight..." LOL Kind of like the Enquirer or something. Newspapers are so interesting. I remember growing up in a small town and how "back then" they posted the honor roll, and included pictures that someone from the newspaper came by and took of us, and of course, the Homecoming king and queen, births, and looonnng descriptions of what the bride and attendants wore for weddings, etc. "What a nice write-up!" my mom used to exclaim. LOL Love these posts of yours!

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    1. Jacquie RogersApril 2, 2015 at 5:32 AM

      Me, too! That was the first thing I zeroed in on. Lots of hanky panky went on at that dance, and of course by the end of the article, they were ready for more. Some things never change.

      Delete
  9. thomasrizzoApril 2, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    What a kick, Jacquie. Love this kind of writing--especially the mention of "Miss Mamie N. fell in love at first sight with a young man. . .and is likely soon to terminate in a wedding." Fascinating choice of words.

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