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Since The Dodgeville Chronicle started celebrating its 150th anniversary last month, one thing has become apparent to me, and that is, things are a lot different today than they were in 1862, but some things are very similar. Every week we scour our old papers to pull out news items for our special anniversary page. It is truly enjoyable to read the old papers and it not only brings smiles to our faces, but can sometimes make you laugh out loud.
One thing is very obvious, 150 years ago the liable laws were non-existent and there was no such thing as political correctness. Editors didn't mince their words. Many editorials referred to elected local officials as crooks, rebel lovers, drunkards and incompetent. I suppose the same could be said about some of today's politicians, but we use nicer words.
It's also interesting to read news from areas in the county that no longer are in existence, such as Cross Plains (Cobb), Hollyhead, Floyd's Station, Jennieton or about the thriving area of Mifflin, which was comparable to Dodgeville and Mineral Point in population.
The old papers also show how hard life was for the people back then. Farming and mining were the industries of the area and both were dangerous. Every week there were items relating to someone being maimed or killed on the farm or in a mine shaft.
It is also shocking to read about the number of children who died at such a young age and it seems people didn't live much past their 60s. Anyone in their 70s or 80s was referred to as "aged" or "spry old age."
In 150 years, machinery and technology have changed the way of life. However, what has not changed are social issues. Domestic abuse, alcohol abuse, suicide and criminal acts were the norm and displayed for everyone to read about. The top crime of the period seemed to have been horse thieving and/or being "under the influence of whiskey in public."
Some obituaries printed could make you cringe too. They described how you died in graphic details, including your last hours or how long you suffered. On a positive, if you had last words as you took your last breath, that was also included in the obit. If you had been known as a person who "liked the drink" that was usually the cause of your death, no matter what you died of.
The temperance and suffrage movements were strong in Iowa County at the time. The paper was very anti-suffrage and the names they called the women who were pushing the issue are comical.
It is very interesting to read about the births, deaths and marriages of people with family names who are still in the Iowa County area. It is truly reading a history of Iowa County and every year more and more information unfolds.
The week we are up to the year 1878. I hope the page is as enjoyable for you to read as it is for us to write.