Our poor rear ends. One of the things that will be remembered when all of this comes to an end will be toilet paper. As the fear of Corona Virus began to strike home, people rushed to stores and hoarded large amounts of TP because when while we can deal with being socially distanced, we cannot deal with having uncomfortable backsides. But I digress...
In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 15, 1917, just 13 days after President Wilson addressed Congress to ask for a declaration of war against Germany, a fire broke out at the Great Western Roundhouse in Clarion. 13 of the 14 stalls in the roundhouse were occupied during the fire and all of the engines were severely damaged.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 15, 1917, just 13 days after President Wilson addressed Congress to ask for a declaration of war against Germany, a fire broke out at the Great Western Roundhouse in Clarion. 13 of the 14 stalls in the roundhouse were occupied during the fire and all of the engines were severely damaged.
As you can see from the article clipping on the left, the editors did not shy away from blaming the blaze on an enemy plot. The article continues to explain what happened and who watched the flames. It continues to explain that an investigation was underway into the cause of the fire. Most interesting to me was, "but it was not long before certain people were under watches possible suspects connected with the execution of the plan which evidently originated from outside sources." Although it looked bleak, we were determined to overcome this and move on as a community. |
It even made the national news!
Hold on... it really didn't happen like that.
As I read this, I thought to myself, "how could I not have known about this?" If this was truly the first war disaster in Iowa, I would have learned about this. So I looked a little more into this. There is one mention of this possibly being an accident in the first edition after the accident. That article is on the left. So I looked at the following edition of the Clipper. There is only a small article explaining that he fire was a mistake. That article is below. |
America has a history of acting hysterically. Rumors spread and mania becomes the norm. Right now it is toilet paper. In other times and other circumstances, the focus may change, but our fear, right or wrong, has and always will be there. In April of 1917, people were afraid of spies. German agents living among us looking sabotage democracy itself to help the German autocrat Kaiser Wilhelm.
World War I started in 1914. The United States did not declare war on Germany until 1917. One reason that it took so long for our nation to involve itself in the Great War is that we were a diverse nation. As a nation of immigrants, the United States had large populations of people that would have supported entering the war on the side of France and Great Britain, and a large population of people that would support entering on the side of Germany and The Austro-Hungarian Empire. When we did declare war in 1917, the propaganda machine and the Committee on Public Information was able to stoke the flames of nationalism to consolidate support for the war and our allies. People of German decent were now seen as threats.
All across the country, things that were German became taboo. Sauerkraut was renamed liberty cabbage. Schools banned the teaching of German in school, and town bands were restricted from playing music by German and Austrian composers. In some states, speaking German on the telephone was made illegal. The Governor of Iowa made the Babel Proclamation in May of 1918. It made English the official language of the State of Iowa among other things. I encourage you to follow the link and read through the actual proclamation.
The following piece was found in the same edition of the Clarion Clipper. It is a local example of the nationalism that developed in the area.
World War I started in 1914. The United States did not declare war on Germany until 1917. One reason that it took so long for our nation to involve itself in the Great War is that we were a diverse nation. As a nation of immigrants, the United States had large populations of people that would have supported entering the war on the side of France and Great Britain, and a large population of people that would support entering on the side of Germany and The Austro-Hungarian Empire. When we did declare war in 1917, the propaganda machine and the Committee on Public Information was able to stoke the flames of nationalism to consolidate support for the war and our allies. People of German decent were now seen as threats.
All across the country, things that were German became taboo. Sauerkraut was renamed liberty cabbage. Schools banned the teaching of German in school, and town bands were restricted from playing music by German and Austrian composers. In some states, speaking German on the telephone was made illegal. The Governor of Iowa made the Babel Proclamation in May of 1918. It made English the official language of the State of Iowa among other things. I encourage you to follow the link and read through the actual proclamation.
The following piece was found in the same edition of the Clarion Clipper. It is a local example of the nationalism that developed in the area.
As this Corona Virus crisis continues, it is important to remember that dealing with rumors and emotions can be difficult. Please remember to be rational and reasoned in our response to fearful things. One of the themes and standards we need to teach our students is the concept of continuity and change. Somethings change and some things stay the same. While we live in a very different world than we did back then, The more things change, the more things stay the same. I hope that you have a great supply of toilet paper, and an even larger supply of rational thought and love for your neighbors. Stay safe and flatten the curve.
Mr. Lantzky
To my students, I miss you dearly and cannot wait to be back in the same classroom with you. I will be starting to post learning materials for you on Google Classroom early next week. I will try to give feedback, and help you learn. Just because we are not giving you a grade, does not mean you cannot learn.
Mr. Lantzky
To my students, I miss you dearly and cannot wait to be back in the same classroom with you. I will be starting to post learning materials for you on Google Classroom early next week. I will try to give feedback, and help you learn. Just because we are not giving you a grade, does not mean you cannot learn.
An answer to a question.
Yesterday, I had a former student ask how long the quarantine lasted in Clarion during the Spanish Flu pandemic. Three weeks. Clarion did quite well compared to some other municipalities in dealing with the Flu due to the quarantine.