247 Tempo

Headlines From 100 Years Ago Today

By Ashley Haugen,

1 day ago

One hundred years ago today, the world was an incredibly different place. Let’s step back in time to see what the headlines and advertisements in The Beaver Falls Tribute, the daily newspaper in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, reveal about life at that time.

“Traffic Markings To Help Regulate Beaver Falls Traffic”

Cars had only been around a scant 38 years in 1924, so there was obviously still a bit of a learning curve going on as more and more Americans began driving automobiles. “Marking of parking places and turning points for traffic in Beaver Falls is going rapidly with Willis Alexander at the helm,” the clip reads. “The men worked yesterday with paint and brush. Autoists are cautioned to observe these markings to keep on the right side in turning corners and to park within the space enclosed by white lines.” It was another several decades before people with swank rides began parking ON the white line so as to claim TWO spaces to better protect their car from rogue drivers with sloppy door-opening skills. (Kidding.)

“Potato Club To Meet Next Week”

Well if that’s not front-page news, I don’t know what is. The meeting was called to order at the James Senior farm, where members of the North Sewickley and Fombell Potato clubs gathers for a lecture on potato growing. Mr. Wright of the State College potato department shared the ins and outs of this activity and touched on the topic of diseases and production. For those who couldn’t make the August 9 meeting, a similar discussion was planned for the following Tuesday at the Jacob Young farm in Chippewa Township.

“Baby Carriage Held Subject to Tax”

Let’s get down to brass tax here. If you have a baby and you want them to ride in a carriage, you were facing an added tax for that privilege. Here’s why: “Baby carriages and strollers are construed as upholstered furniture and as such are subject to the tax imposed under the Bedding and Upholstery Act.” The more things change, the more they stay the same.

“Burglar in Lockup With Stunned Head”

When the seemingly wayward Nick Wujnovitch broke into the home of John Zunic, who lived at 449 Beaver Avenue, he was hoping to escape with some valuable items. Instead, he got locked up in the Midland Borough Lockup with a goose egg on his head. As the robber ransacked the house, he woke up the homeowner. “Zunic quietly slipped out of bed and having no other weapons available seized a quart bottle,” the clip reads. After clocking Wujnovitch in the head, the police were summoned and hauled him off to jail. When searched at the police station, cops discovered he’d taken a gold watch and chain, two safety razors, and a fountain pen.

“Wheeling Ovens For Perfect Baking”

And finally, we’d be remiss to not mention the advertisements of the day. There were plenty of ads for fabric and men’s suits. But the one that caught my eye was the one for Wheeling Ovens, which could be procured at Holtzman’s for $3-$6.50. “Full asbestos lined, blue steel polished. Tested and approved by Good Housekeeping.” Well, if it gets the Good Housekeeping stamp of approval — asbestos lining and all — then it must be good!