1895

I have a little "job" transcribing obituaries from an old newspaper in Monroe County, Ohio. Am now in January 1895 and came across these news items that made me think of how things were done before modern conveniences, and chuckle.

"Our ice men last week harvested an excellent quality of ice seven to eight inches in thickness. Although our summer may be hot we are now assured of an abundance of natural ice with which to keep things cooled."

"St. Clairsville people subscribed money to purchase instruments for a brass band, but specified that the musicians must go out of town to practice."

On a more somber note, there are obits in this paper for 3 children of Dr. and Mrs. Pugh - all three died of diptheria within 2 weeks. These were the only children of this couple. I transcribe lots of obits for young people. Common causes of death are typhoid, diptheria, tuberculosis and scarlet fever. The good old days weren't so good.