One hundred years ago Scott County was recovering from the Great War. International affairs, influenza, and global food supplies dominated newspaper headlines, pushing aside the local interest stories that had held the front pages prior to the outbreak of war. New Years 1919 was a chance for people to reflect on the violence of the past year and to envision a future free from war. As we leave 2018 behind, take a moment to explore the fears and dreams of Scott County as published in the new years editions of newspapers from 100 years ago.
Belle Plaine Herald
January 2nd, 1919
The front page new of the Herald was the Great War and the flu. Prominently featured were the obituaries of two Belle Plain citizens, William Gomoll and the young soldier Frank Strandcutter, who had fallen victim to the 1918 flu epidemic. The paper’s featured article was “Some War Experiences”, a tribute to soldiers from Belle Plaine who had fought in the Great War. In local news, the paper praised Belle Plaine for growth in the face of wartime shortages.
Images below are from the Belle Plaine Herald, January 2nd, 1919
Jordan Independant
January 2nd, 1919
The 1918 flu was also featured prominently on the front page of the Jordan Independent, as were wartime recollections. The headlining article was a wartime letter home from a soldier, published in its entirety. Local front- page news highlighted the need for year-round county roads in order to keep communities growing and expand access to goods. Inside the paper, international affairs took the spotlight, with special attention on global food shortages.
Images below are from the Jordan Independent, January 2nd 1919
Shakopee Tribune
January 3rd, 1919
Like the rest of the county papers, the front page of the Tribune featured war news and sad news of county deaths due to flu and a train accident. The Tribune also inserted some levity with a piece on British naval nicknames, and an article on proper floral arrangement in vases- an odd choice for the flower-free month of January. Finally, the front page declared 1918 to be a year of steady progress in Shakopee.
Inside, the Tribune dedicated a full page to the joyous formation of the peace-keeping League of Nations. An article also outlined tensions in Syria, a piece that sadly would not have seemed out of place today.
Images below are from the Shakopee Tribune, January 3rd, 1919
New Prague Times
January 2nd, 1919
New Prague used their front page to pay tribute to many who had lost their lives in the previous year, including many flu victims, in a New Years edition of the regular column entitled “Brief Neighborhood News” Oddly, the column ended by highlighting the purchase of a turkey. The font page also outline the terms of the Great War peace treaty, and urged New Prague residents to join the Red Cross.
International news dominated the inside of the paper, with headlines such as “Russians In Sad Plight”, and “Puerto Rico Requires Food”.
Images below are from the New Prague Times. January 2nd, 1919
Scott County Argus
January 2nd, 1919
The Argus’s headlining New Year story praised Minnesotans for their war efforts, bearing the headline “Food Administration Proud of State Record”. Like most county newspapers of the times, those that lost their lives were honored on the front page of the paper, including the influenza death of Gilbert Vierling. The front page also announced plans to build a reformatory for women in Shakopee.
The Argus was dominated by a timeline of events of 1918, organized into the cheery categories “World War”, “Domestic”, “Necrology” and “Disasters” Recent war news was highlighted with the headlines “Chaos in Russia”. “Why Polish Statehood Should Rise”, and “Martial Law in Polish Streets”.
Images below are from the Scott County Argus, January 2nd, 1919
Written by Rose James, SCHS Program Manager