Letter to the Editor

Recalling events that shaped 1913

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

To the Editor,

Here is another New Year, 2013. I do wish everyone a nice New Year. I wonder if many people make . . . wonder how people who are superstitious are going to live this year? I have known some people who were so superstitious, they had a very hard time leading a normal life. A black cat would almost send them around the bend.

My son Don copied off the historical events of 1913 from the Internet. There were more nice things that happened in 1913 than terrible things.

There were some terrible floods in Ohio, riots in Mexico killed almost 3,000, Internal Revenue was started. Was that good or terrible? Coal mine explosion in New Mexico, killed almost 300. Also a mine explosion in England killed over 499.

Now to some of the nice things that happened in 1913. Post office begins parcel post deliveries, William Burton invented the process to crack petroleum. What would we do now without gas? How important was that? New York's Grand Central Terminal opened. The first prize was put into boxes of Cracker jack. I have known children to buy Cracker Jack just to find the prize. The zipper was invented.

The first animated cartoon was released, first paved highway from coast to coast was opened. Called Lincoln Highway. Henry Ford started the first assembly line, first drive-up gasoline station opened. First crossword puzzle was printed in the New York World newspaper. Had thirty-two clues. Now this is very important, first brassiere was patented. Remember how years ago the movie theaters would start a serial movie to keep people coming back week after week. That was started in a Chicago movie theater.

Charlie Chaplin started his film career. For $150 a week. That was a huge salary back then. Wasn't it? Wonder what 2013 will bring to the world.

Irma Houts Epps

Poplar Bluff, Mo