Published December 28, 2024
By Phil Germann
The weather was mild the week before Christmas in 1912. Stores urged shoppers not to wait until the last minute. Visions of sugar plums danced in the heads of Quincy children as the city’s adults went about their business.
Dick Brothers Brewing Company offered to deliver a case of its pilsner beer to the homes of local residents. Davis Market, 219 North 6th Street, advertised pork chops and sirloin steak at 11 cents a pound. Model Clothing, 122 North 5th Street, offered men’s suits and overcoats for $8.50-$30.00. The Home Loan Co. in the Mercantile Building, offered to help those short of money for Christmas shopping.
Dances were held in the days leading up to Christmas. The Pressmen’s Hayseed Hop filled the Labor Temple, and the Socialist Party held its second dance of the season, also at the Labor Temple. The Irwin Paper Company held a dance December 20 in the new warehouse of the Irwin Paper Company on the southeast corner of 3rd and Maine. All company employees were invited to attend.
The Quincy City Council was busy updating the city code. The council voted to make it a misdemeanor to harbor a howling or barking dog. The number of saloons was limited to 152 until the city’s population reached 50,500, at which time one saloon could be added for each 500 additional residents. Pool halls were required to close by midnight. The council defeated a motion to prohibit the erection of hitching posts in the downtown district.
Accidents between buggies and motorcars were a frequent occurrence. Drivers of the motorized vehicles were criticized for traveling over 20 miles per hour on the city’s streets. Mayor J.F. Garner and Police Chief P.B. Lott met to form a traffic squad to help prevent accidents. Officers were to concentrate where traffic was the heaviest—5th and Hampshire, 5th and Maine, and Hampshire between 7th and 8th.
On Friday, December 20, Christmas programs were held in all of Quincy’s public schools. Quincy High School juniors held a sandwich sale during the noon hour raise money for their class. They realized a substantial sum as they locked the doors of the building to ensure maximum participation.
While December 1912 was a season of joy for many, a dark cloud hung over some. Workers at Quincy’s showcase companies went on strike for better wages and shorter hours. Some factories closed while others employed non-striking workers. Several days before Christmas, police stood guard at Knittel Showcase works, 3rd and Vermont, in anticipation of trouble by striking woodworkers who had maintained a picket line for several days. Apparently, the spirit of Christmas prevailed as no trouble was reported.
Hours for Christmas Day were well-publicized. Grocery stores and meat markets were open until noon. Drug stores, cigar stores, and newsstands were open all day. The Post Office was to be open until 11 a.m., with postage stamps available. Department stores, clothing and haberdashery stores would not be open on Christmas. The 27th Annual Stove-mounters’ and Drillers’ Ball was held on Christmas Eve, with 700 people filling Turner Hall to capacity. Like most days that December, the 25th was fair and mild. Not so wonderful for children who were anxious to try out their new sleds or ice skates, but perfect for adults visiting friends or relatives in the country. The Salvation Army had been successful in its pre-Christmas efforts and supplied dinners to large crowds at its headquarters at 213 North 4th Street.
In the days following Christmas, local merchants reported that practical gifts outsold less practical ones by a ratio of 2½ to 1. Merchants were taken off guard by this circumstance and found themselves stuck with some holiday articles. The announcement of the closing of Bloomer and Michael Packing Company, 705 South Front Street, was widely lamented. The company’s presence was credited with keeping meat prices at a reasonable level in Quincy’s markets. Not sold to Bloomer and Michael was an 815-pound hog raised by an Ursa Township farmer who received $57.85 for the largest hog ever raised in Adams County. As 1912 drew to a close, the Quincy City Council considered lighting street lights only until midnight on moonlit nights and all night long when the moon didn’t illuminate the night skies. It was hoped that several thousand dollars could be saved for the City, whose goal was to pay off the city’s debt by 1916.
The city’s annual report for 1912 showed 1,051 arrests, mostly for intoxication and gambling. There were 49 divorces during 1912, and nearly 700 marriage licenses were issued. December of 1912 ended on a most surprising note with an event which carried over into the New Year. Captain S.W. James of the Salvation Army was serving sandwiches at the unit’s headquarters when the New Year’s bells rang, and a few unimpressive whistles were blown. The din was weak and lacked volume and harmony. The Captain announced to those present that a parade was to start immediately. Blowing a coronet, the Captain marched at the head of his army. A husky soldier with a large drumstick followed the Captain, walloping a large bass drum with every step. Onto Maine Street, the band marched. Windows flew open to “offer New Year’s greetings” to the marching army from those whose sleep had been disturbed. At 7th and Maine streets, the army turned and proceeded towards Hampshire Street, intending to bring the tidings of the New Year. Unfortunately, they were met by police officers Hendricks and Rice, who requested silence. The police were ignored. Officer Hendricks snatched the large drumstick from the drummer. The parade was not allowed to continue. “Take your party to the station, Captain,” one of the officers said.
Raising his coronet to his lips, the Captain sounded a retreat and led the way to the police station on the northeast corner of 3rd and Hampshire, playing as he marched. The Christmas season was over.
Phil Germann is a retired executive director of the Historical Society, having served 19 years. He is a former history teacher, a local historian and speaker, a member of several history-related organizations and a civic volunteer.
Sources:
“Commend City Council.” Quincy Daily Whig, December 11, 1912, 3.
“Labor Notes.” Quincy Daily Whig, December 8, 1912, 15.
“Local Pick-Ups.” Quincy Daily Whig, December 22, 1912, 11.
“Saloons Are To Be Limited To 152.” Quincy Daily Journal, December 5, 1912, 10.
“Salvation Army Is Captured.” Quincy Daily Journal, January 1, 1913, 7.
“To Teach Them How To Drive.” Quincy Daily Whig, December 27, 1912, 2.
Woodworkers State Their Side Of Case.” Quincy Daily Journal, December 3, 1912, 9.
