What was being reported in the Sachem after the Great War
Barbara A. Martindale- For What It's Worth
An issue of the 1919 Sachem, not long after the end of the Great War, reports some of those happenings at the time. Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of that 1914-1918 war also takes us back to some interesting items following the armed conflict in the Feb. 12, 1919 publication.
History tells us about the devastating typhoid fever that was prevalent at the time, taking many lives prematurely. The following report tells how one family was affected.
"Lorne Butler, movie operator at the Cosy Theatre in Caledonia, went to his home in Simcoe a couple of weeks ago, is now laid up with typhoid fever and is in a very serious condition. His sister died from the fever and last week he and his father and brother were taken to the Brantford hospital, all suffering from typhoid."
Tobey of Hamilton was advertising $19.65 suits, an 'on to Florida sale'. His ad also had this to say: "Almost every business establishment has glorified in a service flag, its blue stars denoting the employees who left their positions to battle for the freedom of the world, a red star, here and there telling of the supreme sacrifice. You have been tremendously proud of your service flag, Mr. Employer. Now you have the opportunity to make the people proud of you! Put some white stars in your flag! Each white star signifies one soldier put back in his job! Behold our Wonderful Heroes! They have saved us from unutterable misery and shall ever have our grateful thanks. And then the cheers died away and these heroes were acclaimed, too many of them, are looking for work. Is that the limit of our gratitude? Cheers and thanks are fine, but they never pay the landlord, purchased groceries, nor bought the baby shoes. Give these heroes jobs! This is the one practical way to show Canada's great appreciation."
There were more than a few article headlines about ongoing conflict during the aftermath of the Great War: “From Paris: Must make Hun see position - the Supreme Council discussed terms of the extension of the armistice with Germany. Impose Full Will for Allies - Supreme War Council takes measures today because Huns have been growing cheeky. From Berne: Germans won all claims. From London: A massacre Bolsheviki - four Russian Grand Dukes were shot- together with 172 other prisoners - accused by the Bolshevists of having taken part in the so-called Anglo-French organizations. Three Germans Convicted at Coblenz in military courts for circulating enemy propaganda among American troops in the occupied area of Germany." And there were many more articles with similar messages in this one issue.
Of course, print was smaller in those days and the broadsheet newspaper much larger.
Medicines for all kinds of ailments were reported too: Catarrh for bad colds and Catarrhozone, an inhaler; Zam-Buk for eczema; Uric Acid, a cure for rheumatism; Cuticura Soap and Ointment for pimples; Ferrozone, a perfect food for the blood; Dodd's Kidney Pills for back pain and then there was Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, a cure for headaches, nervousness and organic problems, plus many more 'cures' for various sicknesses.
Three ads took a second glance: The Red Front store owned by A&R Atkinson (located where the Coach House does business today) was advertising men's fur coats and Stanfield's, Turnbull's and Penman's underwear.
Corman & Co., next to the Sachem office (a parkette today), was advertising what you can save on grocery items. And Leith's Corner Store (located where the CIBC bank is situated today) was also advertising groceries, fresh well assorted stock. Someone hadn't edited this ad - 'Christmas Season' appeared in the ad, too.
Not all soldiers had returned home yet. "Mrs. Munro (nee Miss E. Forbes) who was a nurse in the hospitals in France for a long time, returned home Sat. evening and will stay with her parents, Dr. And Mrs. Forbes, until Captain Munro returns."
