I found such a special treasure today, and I couldn't wait to share the wonderful little relics of history, so here is a special January edition.
To celebrate my birthday, my mother and sister went antique shopping with me this morning. I purchased two worn photos, to add to my collection of pictures, and one very special book: The Social Mirror. I was delighted with the find: a social guide printed in St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America in 1888. I have yet to read it - which I am looking forward to - but it was what I found inside the book that excited me. Within the book I found four newspaper clips and a lovely Victorian bookmark. The clips are from the Herald* newspaper in East St. Louis. One is of a gown - perhaps the lady of the house was thinking of creating a dress pattern based on the drawing - two poems, and a wedding announcement.
A lovely blouse - but what a waist! My stomach hurts just to look at it. It's just not natural! This is an example of the ideal beauty of the late Victorian era: tiny waist, round, full face, and the Pouter Pigeon style blouse. On the back of the clip is an article about a certain Mrs. Todd, Hannigan, and his wife:
"...they were soon compelled to break up on account of the rapidly failing health of the husband. The germs of consumption had planted themselves firmly within his system and he could not exterminate them. Finally his condition became such that both he and his wife went to live with Mrs. Todd in her Olive street home. Hannigan rapidly grew worse and finally was compelled to take to his bed and stay there for several months.
"During this time his physician advised him to drink whisky in order that his system might be strengthened. He soon became so addicted to the drink that it became an indispensable part of his daily life. He had a number of hemorrhages and they left him in such a weak condition that a moderate amount of whisky would make him intoxicated. While Hannigan was in this condition he was, according to Mrs. Todd, very disagreeable towards his wife. He recovered from his illness to the extent of being able to leave his bed, but for the last two years he has not been able to work. He still continued to imbibe freely, claiming that was all that kept him alive.
"Hannigan's conduct towards his wife at these periods finally became such that one day, about a year ago, Mrs. Todd sharply reprimanded him. A heated colloquy followed, which resulted in Hannigan's leaving the house. He went to live with his mother at 2615 Olive Street, where he has been ever since.
"Since then Mrs. Todd has moved to 518 North Teresa. Hannigan, she says, has been around a number of times, imploring his wife to live with him once more, but she ..."
And that's where it ends! I almost wish the story had been cut out instead of the dress. :) What an intriguing but very sad story ... it must have been in the gossip column of the newspaper. Imagine the entire city knowing your very private business! Isn't it interesting that Mrs. Todd did not mind being interviewed concerning this delicate, domestic crisis?
Tomorrow I will post another special edition featuring the other newspaper columns and a couple of pictures.
Until then ... goodnight!
~ Katelyn
*For a little more information about the newspaper, you can visit: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn91054211/
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