Uncover 106 years of Christmas celebrations and advertising in DeWitt County newspapers. Explore the evolving traditions and local history of holiday cheer through newsprint.
With the holidays approaching, I thought I’d set aside the Civil War soldiers’ graves and instead take a look at Christmas as reflected in our DeWitt County newspaper archives. Our earliest newspaper, the DeWitt Courier, dates to 1854. This paper and those succeeding it over the next several decades were quite different in form from the newspaper many of us grew up with. It was a weekly publication, just four pages long. The front page generally listed professional ads (mostly for doctors and lawyers) in the left-hand column. There was always a poem, then usually three or four stories, either humorous or containing a moral lesson. Very rarely was there a news event so momentous that it made front page coverage. Frequently, there would be a “filler” such as this from the 22 Dec 1854 issue:
Page two covered politics on the national, state and local levels, with some commercial ads occupying the right-hand column. On page three, there would be local news, mostly about meetings like the Masons or Odd Fellows with an occasional one-line mention of a marriage, birth or death. Women, if mentioned at all, would be listed as “Mrs. John Doe” rather than by her given name. Commercial ads and legal notices occupied one or two columns on the right, then the fourth page was all ads and legal notices. One such notice was “Estray” which was a system by which one could claim ownership of an animal that wandered onto his property. The property owner would register the animal, most often a horse, with the county clerk and place an estray ad in the paper for three weeks. If no one claimed the animal, then he could assume ownership. Occasionally, the estray ad would be used to advertise an animal that had gone missing and usually offered a reward for its return.
Another article we don’t see in papers today is “Letters,” a lengthy list of names of people who had letters pending pickup at the post office. Door-to-door mail delivery didn’t start in Clinton until 1900. Before that, people had to go pick up their letters at a designated mail drop, which was usually located within or above a store. There were frequently as many as 50 names on that list, sometimes many more. Likewise, train schedules, once a staple, are scarce or non-existent today.
In 1854, there was very little print pertaining to Christmas. Of course, people were celebrating Christmas, and even if it wasn’t commercialized yet, one would think that there would be parties or church programs to write about. The only advertisement I could find referencing the holiday was this small ad from the same paper:
Fast forward 12 years to the next use of Christmas in marketing in the 20 Dec 1866 Clinton Public, which was still a 4- page weekly publication. This ad doesn’t specifically say “Christmas,” but rather the holidays with an extra L! They don’t appear to be selling gifts, but are suggesting area men be properly attired for the “Hollidays.”
In the 23 Dec 1869 issue of the Clinton Public, the R. R. Crang store breaks the ice with a full-fledged Christmas ad, though it stands alone. There is also an article announcing a Christmas dance to be held on December 24th.
By the next year, the flood gates had opened, and there are several ads and articles about Christmas events. Clinton received an 8-inch snowfall a few days before Christmas, and the paper reported that it was perfect for sleighing. This issue also reported the untimely death of 31-year-old Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff, including some details about his life, closer resembling obituaries to come. (Side note: Dr. Shurtleff was the son-in-law of George Gideon, father of the first soldier buried at the Soldiers’ Plot.) This is the most elaborate commercial ad from the 22 Dec 1870 issue of the Clinton Public.
By 1900, the Clinton Public was looking more modern, though it was still a weekly, but had expanded to 12 pages. The front page of the 14 Dec issue is filled with news headlines, all
local. Advertising appears on inner pages, with full-page Christmas ads on pages 2, 4, 6 and 11. Smaller ads are on the rest of the pages, interspersed among the remaining local, regional and national news articles. Birth, marriage and death reporting is still mainly short announcements, but at least two prominent women have complete obituaries using their given names. Their competition, the Clinton Register (yes, Clinton had more than one paper for a period of time) was also a
12-page weekly, but they had just one full-page ad in their 14 Dec issue. Their front page covers world, national and state news with local news on the inner pages. There is a lot of Christmas advertising and even a Christmas story to read. They published one full obituary, that of Mrs. George Spray, but never included her given name. Both papers report neighborhood news, such as who came a-visiting, and discuss the city’s plan to switch from gas to electric street lights. Some ads sport two or three-digit phone numbers and announce plans to stay open late for Christmas shoppers.
The 21 Dec 1900 issue of the Kenney Gazette carried an ad featuring a live Santa to appear at one of its stores. Then between 1906 and 1910, they published a special Christmas issue with great artwork on the front page:
By the time the Clinton Daily Journal and Public went into publication in 1927, the paper was produced six days a week at an average of 6 pages per issue. The front page reported world, national and some local news with a few small commercial advertisements. Birth and marriage announcements and obituaries had more content, and they added a radio programming schedule. December issues carried full-page ads such as these:
As one might imagine, after 1929 and through the 1930’s, during the Great Depression, the tone had changed. Almost every front page was dominated by the nation’s economy and congress’ plans to provide relief. As for content, one could read church, fraternal society, library and school notes. Women’s interest and sports sections were added with comic strips at random intervals. At one time, three movie theaters were in business, advertising admission from 5₵ to 30₵. “With the Sick” and later “Hospital Notes” reported persons who had been admitted or released from Dr. John Warner Hospital, some stating they had undergone a major operation there. Grocery stores dominated commercial advertising, followed by coal suppliers. There were very few ads for big-ticket items, and stores began offering purchases on the installment plan. This Montgomery Ward full-page ad from 15 Dec 1933 offers a radio, vacuum cleaner or washing machine for a small down payment.
New car ads, while few and far between, emphasized economy along with glamour. Used car ads began to appear, too. This new car ad is from 20 Dec 1936:
One interesting Christmas ad suggests gifts of cigarettes or cigars and “Revere” copper products from 20 Dec 1935, 15 years before the opening of the Clinton Revere Copper & Brass factory. (These apparently came from the original Rome, New York plant.)
The front page of the 21 Dec 1940 Clinton Daily Journal and Public was dominated by headlines about the growing war in Europe. The WPA (Works Progress Administration,
established in 1935 as part of President Roosevelt’s “New Deal”) had put many
American men back to work, but the increase in military production proved to
be one of the long-term cures for unemployment.
The building of battle ships, aircraft and munitions, first augmented in support of European allies, went in to maximum production one year later when the U. S. was drawn into WWII. There are articles in this issue about the use of plastic for “modern” gifts and even the Christmas tree, as well as the importance of purchasing Christmas Seals to fight tuberculosis.
Retail ads are still modest and budget-minded, and hair perms are in style.
WWII ended in 1945, and December newspapers reflected a country thankful to have it behind them. Even the discount store ad expressed gratitude rather than marketing. The hospital was listing more and more babies born there rather than at home, but also had to temporarily ban visitors due to a flu epidemic. From the 23 Dec 1945 issue:
By the 1950’s though… advertisements were definitely “merry and bright.” Some featured marketing, while many simply carried a “Merry Christmas” greeting. Here’s an assortment from the weekly Farmer City Journal, 22 Dec 1955:
In December of 1960, the Clinton Daily Journal and Public had, in most respects, evolved into the newspaper format used during the next several decades. The front page was mainly filled with world and national news. Obituaries, anniversary and wedding articles were expanded, sometimes with a picture, and women’s given names were used. There was apparently still a market for coal, but not so many ads appeared as in years past. There was a big ad about the proposed new YMCA with a sketch of the planned building. One could dial 305 on their phone to get the latest weather forecast, and the Clintonia Theater was still advertising movies. One ad showed the bus schedule to Bloomington and Decatur, and TV show schedules were listed. The Midway Tavern announced they were serving a coon supper on Dec. 2nd with all the trimmings. (Too bad we missed that!) Crang Motor Sales listed 15 used cars for sale in the Classified section. The Sports section and “Hospital Notes” were still going strong. As for commercial ads, stores began appearing in print that many current Clinton residents will find familiar. Montgomery Ward was the big advertiser, with two full-page ads and a number of smaller ones over the month. Here is a sampling from December of 1960:
Eventually, Clinton published the only remaining newspaper in DeWitt County. Today we have the Clinton Journal, published weekly, averaging 16 pages. While the Internet has made the future of printed news uncertain, our paper is still an excellent source to keep abreast of current events at the local level. Its front page features reports on the city council and county board as well as activities taking place around town. It publishes obituaries and announces other events submitted from the public. There is an opinion page, a sports page and classified ads page, along with a variety of ads. The HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountabililty) Act of 1996 put an end to “Hospital Notes,” but it was replaced by Law Enforcement notes. (You can’t see who’s in the hospital, but you can see who got a speeding ticket.) You won’t find out what’s on TV tonight, but you can find a weather forecast and work a crossword or word search puzzle. There is also a church directory and a list of elected officials from our area ranging from the local to national level. The Clinton Journal content is also available online to its subscribers. While some people may feel that newspapers are becoming obsolete, they will always provide us with an interesting, even entertaining look at our recent past as long as we preserve them.
Source: DeWitt County newspaper archive on microfilm
Terri Lemmel was born and raised in DeWitt County near Kenney. Upon completing her education at Clinton High School, she lived in Bloomington for several years before returning to Clinton in 1990. Her interest in genealogy was piqued in the mid-90s when she found unidentified obituaries in her late grandmother's scrapbook that family members could not identify. While she initially dabbled in the subject, it wasn't until her retirement in 2018 that she jumped in with both feet. Terri joined the Genealogical Society and has been serving as its President since 2022. Research is a passion of hers, and there are lots of interesting stories to uncover! You can find Terri in the DeWitt County Genealogical Society room at the Vespasian Warner Public Library every Thursday completing research and helping others with their family and local history research.
To learn more about the DeWitt County Genealogical Society, feel free to reach out to them via phone at 217-935-5174, email at dewittcgs@gmail.com, their website, or their Facebook page.
The Vespasian Warner Library, located at 310 N. Quincy St. in Clinton, IL, features an extensive collection of local history and archives. To learn more, visit our Local History Page on the website or stop by in person! We are always excited to showcase our local history resources and discuss DeWitt County's local history.
Until Next Time Library Friends!
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