Sunday, June 10, 2007

Coffee Shortage After the Civil War

1920

People old enough to remember the Civil War are able to recall the fact that after the close of that conflict it was difficult and often impossible to obtain coffee.

Various substitutes were used, such as parched rye, but one that was commonly utilized in Washington and many other cities was sweet potatoes. The latter were first roasted and allowed to burn somewhat on the outside. Then they were mashed in water and boiled. The water was thus transformed into coffee, by no means so unpalatable as might be imagined.

Sugar in those days cost 25 cents a pound. But the sweet potato coffee required no sugar, and so was an economical drink.


No Need for Interpreter

Squaw Evidently Had Not Always Been One of the Ordinary "Blanket Variety."

We were honeymooning in Arizona. Of course, we had our ever-faithful camera with us. On the principal street corner of a small town I saw an old Indian squaw sitting on the sidewalk with her pottery on exhibition about her. I thought that would be a dandy picture to take back home. My wife and I stopped in front of the squaw, and, knowing an Indian's superstition about being photographed, we hesitated.

Just then the proprietor of the store in front of which she was squatting opened the door and I inquired of him: "Do you think she would object to our taking a snapshot of her?" He said he didn't know, that we might try it, and while we were discussing the situation the squaw spoke up in excellent English and with decided gestures, said, "No, I don't care to have my picture taken." — Exchange.

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