Fading American Traditions: 5 Disappearing American Classics

ystrdysamerica
-
0

The 20th century established many timeless American staples. For decades, the drive-in and corner store soda counter dominated US pop culture. However, many of these classic establishments have begun to disappear in recent years. From diners to department stores, we’re counting down five fading 20th century American traditions!

Drugstore Soda Fountains

A circa 1960s soda fountain bar in a K&B drugstore.
A circa 1960s soda fountain bar in a K&B drugstore. Reprinted from K&B Drug Stores by John S Epstein, courtesy of the Besthoff Family Collection (pg. 40, Arcadia Publishing, 2011).

Although the modern soda fountain is a staple of fast food joints and mall food courts today, early soda fountains were much more common in your neighborhood corner store. Invented in the early 19th century, soda fountains became integral parts of service counters in drugstores across America, where “soda jerks” would serve carbonated drinks like ice cream sodas or egg creams to patrons.

As soda fountains grew in popularity, they could be found in businesses ranging from pharmacies and department stores to train stations. Soon, soda fountain counters became communal spaces, where many would gather during lunch to socialize with their friends amid the workday. By the 1940s and 50s, the popularity of soda fountains had inspired many business owners to expand their bars into full lunch counters, serving light meals alongside classic soda drinks.

However, the introduction of full self-service drugstores by Walgreens pharmacies began to spell the beginning of the end for many soda counters. By shifting the focus of stores towards a high product turnover and self-service, floor and shelf space for products came at a high premium. As a result, lunch counters and soda fountains were gradually removed from stores, and faded from popular culture. Today, drugstore soda counters can be found in novelty pharmacies, but have virtually disappeared from major chain pharmacies.

Department Stores

A Kauffman’s department store decorated for the holidays. Reprinted from Kauffman’s Department Store by Melanie Linn Gutowski with the Sen. John Heinz History Center (pg. 106, Arcadia Publishing, 2017).

Even though department stores are far from extinction in the US, they have been on a general decline since their height during in the early-to-mid 1900s. The first department stores were started in Britain during the late 18th century, but did not become popular in Britain or the Americas until the late 1800s, nearly a century later.

However, once the stores began to gain traction, they quickly revolutionized the middle-class American shopping experience. In particular, women shoppers found that they could frequent department stores by themselves without risking their reputation as they might have done in days past, opening major doors for retailers and consumers alike. Department stores were soon full of ready-made products for female shoppers: rather than buying bolts of fabric to have turned into clothing by a dressmaker, women could buy a ready-made dress, feeding the growing desire for immediate gratification while shopping.

Department stores continued to build their popularity within American society throughout the early 1900s, and products from stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Lord & Taylor became symbols of the financial achievements of many middle-class families. With the rise of e-commerce in the 21st century, however, traditional department stores have begun to suffer from the effects of online shopping and changing consumer trends. It’s currently predicted that up to one-fifth of American department stores will close by 2023.

Variety Television Shows

The successor of vaudeville, variety shows dominated American television from the 1940s to 1980s. A compilation of several types of acts including musical performances, juggling, sketch comedy, and magic, many variety shows were created throughout the 1950s and 60s to appeal to rural and older populations. Some of these, like The Ed Sullivan Show, became major network television shows for over two decades.

The cast of Our Friend Harry, a Detroit-based 1950s variety TV show. Reprinted from Detroit Television by Tim Kiska and Ed Golick, courtesy of Harry Jarkey (pg. 105, Arcadia Publishing, 2010)

However, by the 1970s, several TV networks had begun what was called the “rural purge,” where shows that appealed to these rural and older demographics were cancelled to make room for shows that might appeal to younger and urban viewers. As a result, many traditional variety shows were cancelled in favor of new shows from younger music artists. Shows like The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour focused primarily on comedy and musical acts, and several singers tried their own hand at variety shows, including Julie Andrews, Dolly Parton, and The Jacksons.

By the 1980s, audience ratings for variety shows had plummeted, in part due to the proliferation of shows that had ruled over TV time slots for decades. Since the 1980s, many networks have avoided airing variety shows. The genre has had a large influence over late-night television, however, where many late-night talk shows still follow the format of a traditional reality show. In addition, shows like NBC’s Saturday Night Live (which first premiered in 1975) have continued to reinvent themselves to find success in the modern era.

Drive-In Movie Theaters

The Galaxy drive-in theatre.
The Galaxy drive-in theatre. Reprinted from Michigan’s Drive-In Theaters  by Harry Skrdla (pg. 29, Arcadia Publishing, 2014).

For many children of the 1950s and 60s, a trip to the drive-in was considered a treat to look forward to. Although they found their popularity during the mid-19th century, drive-in theaters were first introduced in 1932 by a young salesman in New Jersey. Richard Milton Hollingshead, Jr. had been working for his father’s company when he began experimenting with the idea of creating an outdoor movie theater. Using just a white sheet and a 1928 Kodak projector propped on the hood of his family’s car, Hollingshead hosted the first outdoor movie showing in 1932.

After working out a system of elevating cars in successive rows to allow each car to see the movie screen, Hollingshead applied for a US patent, which he was issued in 1933. His first drive-in theater was opened later that year, and featured a showing of the 1932 film Wives Beware. Hollingshead charged .25 per person and .25 per car, for a maximum fee of $1.

Hollingshead’s idea took off in the 50s and 60s, and by 1958 there were 4,063 drive-in theaters in the US. Many theaters offered other amenities as well, such as attendants who could perform vehicle checks, or trays which clipped on to the side of cars for food. By the 1970s, however, the drive-in fad had already begun to fade: home movies and video were and are a fearsome competitor for drive-in’s, and has resulted in many theaters showing primarily exploitation films that attempt to appeal to current trends. This move has not helped the theaters in the modern era, however. As of 2018, only about 330 drive-ins exist nationwide, with more forecasted to close in the coming decade.

Diners

Shore diner in New Hampshire.
Shore diner in New Hampshire. Reprinted from by New Hampshire Diners: Classic Granite State Eateries by Larry Cultrera (pg. 131, The History Press, 2014).

When Walter Scott began selling sandwiches, coffee, and eggs to customers from a horse-drawn wagon in the 1850s, few could predict that his small business venture would grow into a traditional American institution. However, the 17 year old’s idea for a lunch cart soon took off, and by the late 1800s elaborate lunch carts and night lunch carts known as “Nite Owls” were common across New England.

Around this time, horse-drawn streetcars began to become obsolete, in favor of electrically-powered cars. These streetcars were quickly scooped up by would-be restaurant owners at low costs, and converted into food carts. Operating on small budgets, the carts were often not well-maintained, and quickly gained a reputation as “greasy spoons” for their lack of cleanliness. Mobile food carts remained prevalent until 1913, when Jerry Mahoney established the first stationary diner. Soon, stationary diners became a staple of American towns and cities, serving locals and travelers alike.

However, by the 1960s, traditional diners had begun to decline – the advent of fast food and restaurant chains became the restaurant of choice, as an increasing number of potential customers chose the convenience and predictability of chains over the unfamiliar greasy spoon. By the end of the 1960s, there were only 5,000 diners in operation nationwide. This was a sharp decline from the 1910s, when Jerry Mahoney owned 6,000 diners alone. Today, while diners are still prevalent in a number of American cities, they continue to struggle against the expansion of restaurant chains and fast-food competitions.

8 Historic Catholic Churches in the US

ystrdysamerica
-
0

Christianity is the most widely followed religion in the United States, with nearly 75% of American adults professing a Christian faith. Over 68 million of those Christians are devoted Roman Catholics, who gather each Sunday at their local church to celebrate the Sunday Mass. Many of these churches have become historic places during their long history in the Americas, and today, we’re exploring 8 of the most historic Catholic churches in the US.

1) The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis: St. Louis, Missouri

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Reprinted from St. Louis.

Built as a replacement for the previous Cathedral of St. Louis, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis was completed in 1914. The cathedral currently serves as the seat for the archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, but remains best known for its collection of mosaics. With over 41.5 million individual glass tesserae pieces, the cathedral is the largest mosaic collection in the world outside of Russia. These mosaics were first installed in 1912, and finally completed in 1988. While the majority of these depict Biblical scenes, a section of the cathedral’s artwork is dedicated to the life of King Louis IX of France, the church’s namesake.

In addition to its mosaics, the cathedral is also home to a famous crypt, which currently houses three former cardinals, and The Angel of Harmony sculpture, which was installed in 1999. The sculpture, which depicts a winged angel with three children, was meant to be a symbol of racial harmony.

2) San Fernando Cathedral: San Fernando, Texas

The San Fernando Cathedral. Reprinted from San Antonio in Vintage Postcards.

First constructed between 1738 and 1750, the San Fernando Cathedral (sometimes known as the Cathedral of Our lady of Candelaria and Guadalupe) is one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States. First built by settlers from the Canary Islands, the cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria, the patroness of the Islands.

In addition to being the oldest cathedral in Texas, San Fernando Cathedral was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1987, during the first and only papal visit to the state of Texas. This distinction allowed the cathedral to join an elite group of churches which have been visited by popes since 1965. In 2003, the Cathedral underwent a major restoration, which saw a change in the church’s interior, a replacement of its rectory, and the construction of a community centre.

3) Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church: Mobile, Alabama

Founded in 1899, the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church was organized to serve the African-American population of Mobile during the Jim Crow era. It has historically been served by the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who also formed the Most Pure Heart of Mary School in 1901. This school has continued to operate into the present day.

The church is most well-known, however, for its engagement in the Civil Rights Movement. Both priests and nuns alike participated in multiple boycotts and demonstration during the Movement, in a show of support for the African-American community of Mobile. It was also used as a meetinghouse for the Neighborhood Organized Workers group. Today, the church continues to be served by the Josephite brothers, and emphasizes its African-American heritage.

4) Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Washington, D.C.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Reprinted from Catholics in Washington D.C.

Dedicated in 1959, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception holds many distinctions: in addition to being the largest Catholic church in North America, the basilica is also the tallest habitable building in Washington D.C., and the eighth largest religious structure in the world. The construction of the massive cathedral began in 1920, but was only truly finished in 2017. With 70 chapels, multiple mosaics, and a crypt, it is one of the most ornately decorated Catholic sites in the nation.

Although the basilica does not have its own specific parish community, it serves the Catholic University of America and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It also hosts Masses for many organizations. In addition, it houses the world’s largest collection of contemporary ecclesiastical art.

5) Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine: St. Augustine, Florida

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. Reprinted from St. Augustine.

The oldest congregation in the contiguous United States, parish records for the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine date back to 1594. The congregation itself, however, was established in 1565. The first church was built quickly during the 1560s, but was subsequently burned to the ground in 1586 during an attack on the Spanish settlement by the English Sir Francis Drake. A second cathedral was subsequently rebuilt, but this one also burnt down in 1599.

In total, the cathedral has been built four times and remodeled once, only the last build of which used a fireproof material. The current cathedral is built using coquina stone, a type of sedimentary rock that is mainly composed of small bits of seashell. This last build of the cathedral was completed in the 19th century, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Today, the congregation continues to hold regular services.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. Reprinted from St. Augustine Then & Now by Summer Bozeman, courtesy of the Florida Photographic Archives (pg. 12, Arcadia Publishing, 2009).

6) Catedral Metropolitana Basílica de San Juan Bautista: San Juan, Puerto Rico

The oldest cathedral in the United States, Catedral Metropolitana Basílica de San Juan Bautista (or the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist) is located in historic Old San Juan, in Puerto Rico. Originally built in 1521, the cathedral burnt down once, but was built (and has remained standing) since 1540.

Besides its age, the cathedral is known for housing the tomb of Juan Ponce de León, a prominent Spanish explorer, and the founder of the first European settlement on the island. It also contains a well-known shrine to Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago, the first Caribbean-born layperson to beatified by the Catholic Church, and the wax-coated, mummified remains of St. Pius, a first-century martyr. These make the cathedral a major pilgrimage site for those in Puerto Rico and the Americas.

7) Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Boston, Massachusetts

The Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Reprinted from Catholic Boston.

First established by priests of the Most Holy Redeemer (or “Redemptionists”), the Basilica and Shrine of our Lady of Perpetual Help is located in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood. It was originally built in 1870, but was rebuilt into a grander structure beginning in 1874, and dedicated in 1878.

The basilica’s claim to fame, however, came after a replica icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was installed over the altar of the church in 1871. The original 15th century icon depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary, and hails from the Byzantine Empire. After the replica was installed at the basilica, reports of miraculous healing were reported, and attributed to mediation by the Virgin Mary. Her intercessions were widely reported, and hundreds began visiting the icon in the hopes of receiving healing.

Because of these numerous healings, the shrine has performed a weekly blessing of the sick since 1874. The basilica has also hosted a number of large events, including the funeral of Senator Edward Kennedy.

8) St. Patrick’s Cathedral: New York City, New York

St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Reprinted from Manhattan Churches.

One of the other esteemed American churches to receive a papal visit, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the seat of the archbishop for the Archdiocese of New York. It was first constructed in 1858, and dedicated in 1879, after taking a break in construction for the Civil War. Built in a distinctive Neo-Gothic style, the cathedral is considered one of the largest symbols of Catholicism in New York City.

Due to its status in New York City (and indeed to most American Catholics), St. Patrick’s has been visited by four Popes since the mid-20th century: Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. The cathedral is also known for its two pipe organs, and its large collection of stained glass windows. It was most recently renovated between 2012 and 2015.

A Tortured Orphanage: The Story of Marquette’s Holy Family Orphanage

ystrdysamerica
-
0

In Marquette, Michigan, stands the old Holy Family Orphanage. Built in the early 1900s, the orphanage quickly built a reputation not as a safe haven as it was intended, but as a dark and dangerous place for children. Here, author Jennifer Billock tells the story of Holy Family, as featured in her book Ghosts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Looking back, it seems like Holy Family Orphanage in Marquette didn’t have the best of reputations from the start. Frederick Eis, a bishop with the Marquette Catholic Diocese, petitioned for the building’s construction in the early 1900s, when the two other orphanages in the Upper Peninsula had reached capacity. The cost to build it—reaching up toward $120,000—was astronomical for typical expenses when it was erected in 1915. But it soon saw a return on that investment, becoming the region’s biggest orphanage and housing up to two hundred children at once.

That’s where the bad reputation comes in. Originally, Holy Family was meant just to serve white children who either lost their parents or were abandoned by them. That sounds bad enough on its own, but the first residents actually came as overflow from the orphanage in Assinins, which had a sordid past all its own. Eight nuns arrived in Marquette with control of sixty Native American children, all of whom had been ripped from the arms of their parents in Assinins as babies in the continuing effort to assimilate native culture into white mainstream society. Locals today still tell stories of how their parents were stolen from their native families, placed in the orphanage, and then adopted out to white families, never learning of their original heritage or customs until late adulthood.

Before the Holy Family Orphanage became apartments, it languished in disrepair.
Before the Holy Family Orphanage became apartments, it languished in disrepair. Reprinted from Ghost of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula by Jennifer Billock (pg. 66, The History Press, 2018).

And then came the allegations of abuse. When the orphanage was fully up and running, stories would leak out of children suffering at the hands of the nuns. It was a tough life, sure, with days filled by church, class and chores. But underneath the workaday existence was something much more sinister. Former children of the orphanage, once grown and moved out, often refused to speak of their time there, save to say that the nuns were cruel and inflicted unsettling punishments on the children. They heard of other children in the orphanage being beaten to death or left out in the cold Michigan winters.

One story that has been passed around but has only been somewhat proven is of a small girl who went out to play during a snowstorm. The weather quickly took a turn for the worse, and the girl became lost. One of the nuns had to rescue her, but by the time she got to her, the girl had developed pneumonia. She died a few days later. The nuns were still angry about her excursion out during winter and decided to make an example of her. They left the body on display in the lobby. Every child was forced to view the girl to be reminded about what could happen to them were they to disobey and go out in bad weather. Former residents confirmed that the death did indeed take place. The nuns held a funeral for the girl in the basement. None, however, would say whether the body was actually put on display.

Other reports tell of a young boy who suffered a mysterious fate. The general consensus is that he either drowned or was beaten to death, and the nuns tried to cover it up. They reported his death as accidental and stored his body in the basement.

Holy Family’s checkered past means it’s a magnet for ghost hunters and fans of the paranormal. Students from the nearby college would often head out there at night to try and experience something…and they usually did. One woman mentioned sneaking in with friends only to see an empty baby carriage mysteriously roll across the floor with no explanation. Others hear the sounds of children crying from the lobby where the little girl was left for everyone to see. And in the basement, where the boy’s body was hidden, many have reported a glowing green orb encompassing a medical-style table. Locals frequently see lights flitting around inside the building after dark with no terrestrial explanation. In response to one paranormal team’s research findings, a local resident claims to have gone with a medium. They were overcome with a freezing blast of air and a deathly smell that made the medium vomit.

The final orphans left the building in 1967, a group of Cuban refugee children fleeing from Fidel Castro’s regime. In the 1980s, the building was completely abandoned, soon falling victim to a bankrupt owner who lived out of state and didn’t want to sell. But as of late 2017, the orphanage has been purchased and remodeled and is now Grandview Apartments, a modernized building with fifty-six apartments and views of Lake Superior from the top floor. No word yet, though, on if the ghosts of the orphanage are enjoying the new digs too.

​Classic Americana: Iconic Boardwalks of New England

ystrdysamerica
-
0

Explore New England’s stunning rocky coastline, and you’ll find small sandy beaches with paths that lead to bays, boats and boardwalks. These boardwalks function as a playground for both residents and visitors, with scenic piers that extend over the water offering stunning views and local attractions.

New England’s boardwalks are full of delights. Visitors may encounter options ranging from penny arcades and taffy stands to oceanfront dining options and live entertainment. Instead of shoreline entertainment, other boardwalks offer breathtaking views of nearby mountains or Gilded Age homes.

Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Dating to 1863, Old Orchard Beach attracts people from around the country every summer. The beach itself is seven miles long, and the action centers around the 1,825-foot-long pier. A blizzard destroyed the old pier in 1978, and a fourth generation Old Orchard Beach family rebuilt it in 1980.

Just off the boardwalk pier, the Palace Playland offers plenty of entertainment for children and their parents. During the summer season, a fireworks display every Thursday night marks the early start of the weekend.

The only beachfront amusement park in New England, Palace Playland offers many rides, including a traditional carousel, the Cascade Falls Water Flume, bumper cars, and a Ferris wheel that glows merrily at night.

This will be the last year that their beloved roller coaster runs along the shore. During the off-season, the pier is expanding the shoreline experience, including a brand new coaster ride designed in Italy.

Nantasket Beach, Hull, Massachusetts

The coastal town of Hull is a peninsula on the southern edge of Boston Harbor. You can reach Hull by taking a 15-minute ferry ride from the Boston waterfront, and visitors flock there every summer to enjoy Nantasket Beach, a Massachusetts State Park.

Nantasket Beach offers dining, shops, and other attractions along its namesake street. The Paragon Carousel, the last feature of the long-gone Paragon Amusement Park, is open daily all summer. As one of the last 100 “Grand Carousels” left in the United States, the Paragon attracts thousands of tourists and regular visitors each year.

The series of islands that comprise the town connect by wooden boardwalk causeways and sandbars. Visitors can enjoy a walking tour that includes Fort Revere Park, overlooking Boston Harbor. There, you can see historic structures that are the remnants of Revolutionary and late-nineteenth century port defenses.

Just a short walk from the north end of Nantasket Beach, visitors can also explore the Life Saving Museum that celebrates the town’s maritime heritage and honors the lifesavers that help keep the shorelines safe every year.

Winnepesaukee Pier, Laconia, NH

The beautiful waterside town of Laconia, NH, sits beside the largest lake in the state. The current boardwalk dates back to the 1920’s and now runs the entire length of the beach.

There are quaint wooden benches that encourage visitors to sit and enjoy the view of the lake and the dramatic mountains that frame it. Along the way, guests can enjoy local restaurants, arcades, and boat rental shops. Plus, the boardwalk offers five different paths that lead directly to the beach.  

Cliff Walk, Newport, Rhode Island

The mansions of Newport are iconic examples of the Gilded Age during the 1920s and 1930s, when industrial magnates achieved staggering wealth in the new American economy. The Cliff Walk, a National Recreation Trail within a National Historic District, offers stunning views of the architectural marvels that sit regally on top of rugged cliffs with dramatic ocean views.

The path traverses a public right-of-way through private property, passing The Breakers, the Vanderbilt’s summer cottage and Miramar, owned by the Widener family. The walk also wanders through Salve Regina University. Cliff Walk may not offer any amusement parks or seafood shacks, but it offers a dramatic way for people to view these elegant homes.

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

Less than an hour north of Boston, barring any traffic delays, Hampton Beach features a mile-long boardwalk and a wide beach offers plenty of room to swim and have fun in the sun. Ocean Boulevard, which parallels the boardwalk, provides ample opportunities for dining, lodging, arcade games, and waterslides.

The Hampton Beach Casino features entertainment for all ages, although it is very different than a traditional casino. Family-friendly and open to all ages, this casino takes its name and spirit from the Italian and Portuguese word “casino,” which translates into “summer house.”  

Inside the casino, you will find entertainment venues like The Casino Ballroom that features nationally-known performers throughout the summer and fall. There are also amusement arcades and limited gambling for charitable purposes.

The Top 10 Reasons to Raise Chickens

ystrdysamerica
-
0

The Java was imported to the United States in the nineteenth century and became influential in creating American breeds. A recent revival of interest saved this breed from disappearing.If you’re wavering on whether or not to install a chicken coop and some clucking critters in your backyard, check out the list below. You might be able to convince yourself (and your loved ones) with these reasons, compiled by author Christine Heinrichs from her book, How to Raise Chickens.

1. Chickens have become the mascot of the local food movement.

When I started keeping chickens in my backyard, back in the 1980s in San Jose, California—the epicenter of high-tech Silicon Valley—our yard was definitely the exception. Even so, the first thing many visitors said was a wistful, “I always wanted to have chickens.” By 2007, there was enough interest to support a book on the subject: the first edition of How to Raise Chickens. It was still unusual, but people were curious. They wanted to know what was involved. Now it’s 2013, and it seems everyone I talk to either has their own chickens or knows someone who does.

As chickens have become more popular, communities have found ways to make it legal to keep chickens. Most communities find some way to allow chickens in urban and suburban settings.

2. Eggs from backyard chickens are more nutritious.

Scientific studies that compared eggs from hens on pasture to those of battery cage industrial hens established that eggs from chickens fed varied diets and allowed to range outdoors are more nutritious, with twice the vitamin E and better omega-3 fats. Nutritional value is a result of what the hens are eating, which is something you can choose if you raise your own.

3. Eggs from backyard chickens taste better.

Having truly fresh eggs from chickens of your personal acquaintance is one of the reasons people want to keep their own chickens today. Like so many other home-raised products, the flavor really can’t be compared to store-bought.

4. It’s totally fun to gather eggs.

Gathering eggs can feel like found treasure. Every child I’ve ever seen delights in searching egg boxes and gathering eggs.

5. Eggs can succeed where other foods don’t.

One friend’s daughter was going through a particularly picky-eater stage. She refused to eat nearly everything; then she discovered our eggs. That kid made those fresh eggs her mainstay for months, until she outgrew whatever it is that makes kids funny about food.

6. Eggs are good for sharing.

A dozen or fewer hens will provide your family and most of your neighbors with plenty of eggs. Sharing them with neighbors generates enormous good will. One Baltimore breeder maintains congenial relations with his neighbors, even though he keeps a rooster, through his generous gifts of eggs. A sense of humor helps, too.

7. Chickens can provide not just breakfast, but dinner.

The accepted wisdom is that if you consider your birds meat, you will not want to name them. You will likely develop some favorites who will have names and be around for a long time anyway, perhaps even stay on as retirees after they aren’t laying many eggs any more. If you are serious about breeding, however, you will be culling your flock and filling your freezer and pot with chicken tasty enough to spoil your palate for fast-food fried chicken.

8. Chickens are easy.

Chickens are Everyman’s Livestock: a lot easier to keep than cattle or pigs. Remember that small groups do better than one or two, because chickens are highly social and need each other’s companionship. If you do have a singleton, it might try to make friends with the cat. And on that note, remember that chickens are subject to predation and even the most careful caretaker loses some chickens.

9. Chickens are good for kids, seniors, and rookies.

For youngsters, poultry is a more accessible agricultural project than beef or swine. Parents without farm backgrounds are less intimidated by chickens. People with disabilities or physical limitations are often able to manage caring for poultry.

10. You da boss.

Having your own flock of chickens gives you a strong foundation of self-reliance. You have your own steady supply of eggs and meat.

Macabre Mondays: The Tragic Story of Maggie Hume

ystrdysamerica
-
0

This October, we’re talking about some of America’s little-known cold cases. Read on to learn about the murder of Maggie Hume, a nearly 40 year old cold case still awaiting justice!

Where’s Maggie?

At first glance, Maggie Hume was a relatively normal 20 year old girl. Born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, Maggie was a student at Kellogg Community College (KCC), where she had just finished a course to become a medical receptionist. She lived in an apartment in Battle Creek with a roommate, having just recently moved from her parents’ home.

The daughter of a conservative Catholic family, Hume was described as a happy-go-lucky and funny girl, who had many friends. Her family was also well-known in the community – her father, Mike Hume, was the football coach for St. Phillip’s Catholic School, and the family was active in the Catholic community. For all intents and purposes, Maggie and her family were an all-American religious family.

And then, on the morning of August 18, 1982, Maggie went missing.

Maggie Hume in happier times.
Maggie Hume in happier times. Reprinted from The Murder of Maggie Hume: Cold Case in Battle Creek by Blaine Pardoe and Victoria Hester, courtesy of Mary Smock (Landstra) (pg. 4, The History Press, 2014).

Maggie wasn’t the type to miss work unless she was sick – when she didn’t show up to her new job as the office manager for Dr. John Chadwick that morning, people were immediately alarmed. Her boyfriend, Virgil Jay Carter, was called by Maggie’s coworker, and he set out to find her family. After finding her younger brother John Hume at the family home, they went to Maggie’s apartment with a pair of spare keys – but Maggie was nowhere to be found.

Her room, however, looked suspicious: With her phone receiver off the hook, the alarm clock going off, and a bed with no fitted sheet attached, her brother and boyfriend looked even more worriedly for Maggie. Her car keys and glasses (which were necessary for Maggie to even reach the bathroom) were still present in the apartment, and yet it seemed that Maggie had vanished without a trace.

After failing to find Maggie, her roommate Margaret, who had not been home the night prior and had seen no sign of Maggie since returning home, alerted the police. And when the authorities finally reached the girls’ apartment, they also found no sign of the missing girl… Until checking her closet.

Maggie Hume in the closet. Jay Carter had previously looked for her shoes in the closet. He would have seen her legs while looking for the shoes, but mysteriously, he didn’t.
Maggie Hume in the closet. Jay Carter had previously looked for her shoes in the closet. He would have seen her legs while looking for the shoes, but mysteriously, he didn’t. Reprinted from The Murder of Maggie Hume: Cold Case in Battle Creek by Blaine Pardoe and Victoria Hester, courtesy of the FOIA, Battle Creek Police Department (pg. 15, The History Press, 2014).

There, in a Snuggle Sack sleeping bag, and underneath a pink and white checked blanket, laid Maggie Hume. It was quickly determined that Maggie had been murdered, with dark red marks indicating possible strangulation around her neck. And just like that, a missing person’s case had become a murder investigation.

The Boyfriend and the Serial Killer

Very soon into the police department’s investigation, it became apparent that Maggie’s boyfriend, Jay Carter, was a potential suspect. Carter’s actions preceding and after the murder were suspicious at best, and damning at worst – he lacked a solid alibi for the time of Maggie’s murder, and his timeline of his last night with Maggie left several holes in his story. In addition, Jay was the only one who knew that Maggie would be home alone on the night of her murder.

Jay’s behavior only worsened after Maggie had been found. He began to comment on her murder to friends and even Maggie’s family, offering several details that were not given to him by police, including that she had been sexually assaulted, and strangled with a ligature. Carter should have had no way to know Maggie was sexually assaulted or strangled at the time of his statements – especially given that police themselves did not yet have a confirmation of such from an autopsy. Worse still was Maggie’s family and friends reports of Jay: possessive, cold, and sometimes violent, Maggie had been dating Jay out of fear for what he might do if they broke up.

However, building a solid forensic case against Carter proved difficult – he refused to provide DNA to be tested, and admitted to having had sex with Maggie the night of her murder. As a result, his DNA would not prove anything beyond that he had told the truth about sleeping with her. Soon, a year had passed since Maggie’s murder, and the case was beginning to turn cold.

It wasn’t until 1986 that some new life was brought to Maggie’s file: A convicted murderer had admitted responsibility for her death. Michael Ronning was doing time in an Arkansas prison for a previous murder when he confessed to Maggie’s death, along with two other murders in Michigan.

Number 55 Stringham Road in Battle Creek the afternoon Maggie’s body was discovered.
Number 55 Stringham Road in Battle Creek the afternoon Maggie’s body was discovered. Reprinted from The Murder of Maggie Hume: Cold Case in Battle Creek by Blaine Pardoe and Victoria Hester, courtesy of the FOIA, Battle Creek Police Department (pg. 8, The History Press, 2014).

At first, Ronning looked like a viable suspect: He had been living in the apartment directly below Maggie’s at the time of her murder, had no alibi at the time of her death, and was noted for his wild and dangerous behavior. However, Ronning’s confession, like Jay Virgil’s timeline, didn’t add up: He claimed to have first seen Maggie in her window while fishing at a nearby pond, even though it would have been physically impossible to see in Maggie’s window from that locatin. He also claimed to have come in through her window, even though police knew the killer had entered through Maggie’s patio door. Lastly, he claimed to have covered Maggie’s body in clothing from her closet – she was in fact covered with a blanket and sleeping bag.

In total, Ronning made 43 different claims that did not match the physical evidence of Maggie’s case. As a result, he was never prosecuted for Maggie’s crime. However, officials within the Battle Creek Police Department continued to insist on Ronning’s guilt, and the case reached a final standstill.

There have been attempts as recently as the early 2000s to prosecute Jay Carter for Maggie’s murder. But due to Ronning’s previous false confession and extensive news coverage of the case, Carter has never been brought to case for fear of a possible acquittal.

Today, Maggie’s story has been heard far and wide. Featured on shows such as Dateline, in newspapers nationwide, and in cold-case books, Maggie’s memory has lived well beyond her tragically short life. With time, the attention to her case may finally bring Maggie the justice she deserves.

1...567...67Page 6 of 67