Brittany's Hair Harvest – Country Girls Selling Their Hair

1916

It is at Easter time that the curious "hair harvest" of Brittany is "reaped" by the traveling merchants, who go from village to village buying the beautiful hair for which the Breton belles are famous. This is later destined to be made up into "transformations," "fringes" and other mysterious arrangements with which ladies less abundantly endowed by nature make up their shortcomings in the matter of "woman's crowning glory."

The clients of the hair buyers are chiefly country lasses in the remoter districts, who are only too pleased to sell their tresses in order to obtain a little money to spend at the Easter fairs. The "harvest" however, is said not to be so good as formerly, as with the spread of education and the love of display many girls prefer to keep their hair.— Wide World Magazine

—Stevens Point Daily Journal, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, July 29, 1916, page 3.

The Easter Egg Rolling on the White House Lawn

1906--

The Easter Egg Rolling on the White House Lawn

More than 20,000 children, varied in age and size and color, an aggregate of 100,000 brilliant-hued eggs and perhaps 30,000 adult male spectators -- these are the chief participants in the novel spectacle of the annual egg-rolling carnival which takes place every Easter Monday in the president's big back yard at Washington. There is no frolic anywhere in the United States, and probably none anywhere in the world, like this spring merrymaking on the 80-acre grounds of the presidential mansion.

The monster egg-rolling fete is a heritage which has been handed down from generation to generation of children at the national capital. Just when and how it originated no person seems to know, but tradition declares that this odd juvenile romp originated in a foreign custom, which was altered and elaborated in character after it was transplanted to the city on the Potomac. Years ago the annual egg rolling took place on the grassy slopes that fall away from the United States capitol building, but ere long the scene of the fun was shifted to the grounds of the executive mansion, at the other end of Pennsylvania avenue, and there has remained ever since. Indeed, the youngsters guard this privilege of playing in the president's yard once a year as a sacred right, and when, a few years ago, some official proposed that the custom be abolished there arose a wall of protest that shook the foundations of social and political Washington.

The egg is king of the carnival at the big gathering on the day following Easter, but this great "play time" is not devoted exclusively to the pastimes wherein the colored eggs are an all- important adjunct, for the president's lawn is open to all children, rich and poor alike, and many of the little visitors who have come unprovided with baskets filled with the fragile playthings spend the entire day skipping the rope, playing with dolls, sailing miniature boats in the great fountain basins or indulging in some other diversion dear to the childish heart, and for which exceptional facilities are afforded in the vast playground that is, under ordinary conditions, reserved exclusively for the use of the president's children.

However, as has been said, eggs decorated in many bright colors and employed in any one of a dozen ways constitute the favorite playthings for the occasion. The genuine "egg rolling" -- that is, the bowling of the eggs back and forth on the velvety lawn or down the gentle slopes in which the grounds abound -- has the preference over all other pastimes, particularly among the younger children. The older girls and boys manifest a special penchant for games of "toss and catch," which are likely to seriously deplete the stock of eggs, or for the sport known as egg "picking," which necessitates an even more prodigal use of the delicate souvenirs of the day.

"Picking." It may be explained consists of the striking of two eggs together, each held by a youthful champion confident of the solidity of his egg. The picking continues with gradually increasing force until the shell of one or the other is cracked. When the owner of the egg which has failed to stand the novel test must surrender the damaged egg to his victorious competitor, who goes on his way seeking new worlds to conquer.

--The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, April 15, 1906, page 3 of editorial section.

Easter, The Glory of the Lord is Risen Upon Thee

1906--

EASTER -- festival of the springtime, commemorative of the great event which is the foundation of our religion and upon which is builded our hope of better things -- is the great Christian holiday. The resurrection and its lesson -- these are the keynote of our belief; around them gather our hopes and upon them is firmly established our faith. There is no heart that does not respond to the inspiration of the Easter thought; there is no soul that is not awakened by the lesson that it brings.

Hope and faith -- these are the suggestions of Eastertide. Hope of better things and faith that these things are to be, these are as natural to the human heart as is the song of the bird in the spring sunshine. The faith for which Easier stands is inherent; it "depends upon a sense of it begotten, not upon an argument for it concluded." As the spring sunshine, obscured for a time by lowering clouds, finally bursts forth in renewed splendor, so this faith, weakened perhaps at times by doubts, conquers them at last and finds strengthening power in the passing trials of this life.

And our hope, renewed by this faith, finds proper expression in the jubilant note of Easter, the highest thought of the soul. The Christian church has not invented this festival; the human heart has ordained it in response to the demand born within us for an expression of the reviving hope of eternal life. The austerity of the old Puritans frowned upon this, as upon other church festivals, but it has survived as all ceremonies must endure which have their origin in some deeply rooted necessity of the human nature.

In the awakening of living things from apparent death which takes place at the Easter season, we find the symbol of the eternal life for which we hope and in which we have faith. Our physical being responds to the inspiring call of the springtime and our spirits answer to the call of Easter; we find abundant reason for singing its carols; these songs are the expression of the heart's desire; they are the voicing of our strengthened hope. It is the song which the prophet sang, ages ago: "Arise, shine; for thy light has come, and the glory of the Lord is arisen upon thee."

--The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, April 15, 1906, page 1 of editorial section.

Beautiful Decorations on Easter Eggs

1906--

Easter eggs play an important part in heathen as well as Christian countries. Before the Christian era eggs formed a part of pagan worship and were symbolic of the awakening of nature after the long winter months. After the coming of Christ they were retained as tokens by the early Christians, and though not worshiped in that sense as the heathens did, eggs were used in decorations in the churches when the anniversary of Christ's resurrection was celebrated.

The first Christian church in Egypt adopted the egg of the ostrich as symbolic of faith, and the custom is still observed to this day in the East. Before the high altar, with its six silver lamps, ostrich eggs are suspended in the form of a wreath, one of them without ornamentation and others containing the most exquisite designs.

In the Orient ostrich eggs play an important part as an article of commerce, and the Soudan supplies hundreds for the market. In the spring of the year they are in great demand, and artists are kept busy covering them with beautiful designs. One of these eggs is on exhibition in the museum of art in Detroit, and on its shell are engraved representations of men and animals similar to the recently discovered works of art in the old ruins near Cairo.

In Japan a similar custom prevails, and the eggs of the Australian ostrich are made use of by Japanese artists for representing all the weird imaginings of their versatile minds. Many of them are beautifully painted, but as a rule the natural bluish hue of the egg is retained and the engravings thereon shaded accordingly. Beautiful landscapes are engraved on the shells, as well as portraits and scenes of daily life in Japan.

In the countries bordering on the northern coast of Africa ostrich eggs are also held sacred for purposes of worship, and they are regarded as of great value. They are ornamental in various ways and form a part of church and house decoration.

South America also follows the custom, and in the Argentine Republic every little store in the main street has on exhibition eggs of all colors and designs on the first spring day, as announced by the calendar. One particular design is usually adopted, showing a planter astride of his horse, with a young girl sitting behind him. Another popular design contains on one side a map of the republic, and on the other side two clasped hands, with a liberty cap below and the rising sun above. Small geometrical figures enclose the design. The designs are engraved rather deep, which is considered an art in itself.

This custom is centuries old, and the ornamentation of Easter eggs is regarded as a great work of art in the countries of the East. In fact, the history of the art in those far-off lands really had its birth in the crude designs which embryonic artists first etched on the shells of ostrich eggs. Strange to say, however, the United States has not as yet followed in the footsteps of other nations in this regard, though the day seems not far distant when some of the prettiest designs by the artists of the day will be found on egg shells when Easter comes and will form a part of our home decorations.

--The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, April 15, 1906, page 2 of editorial section.

What Easter Ought to Mean

1920--

What Easter Ought to Mean

Its significance is both sacred and sentimental. From the devotional standpoint it lifts our souls in communion with our better impulses and gives us new incentives for better living with Nature's changing season.

From a sentimental standpoint it enlivens and awakens our pride, our self regard and the esteem with which we seek to impress ourselves in the minds of our fellow men. We manifest that in our new raiment, new spirits, new aspects on life from which we receive our suggestion with Spring's balmy breezes, green trees, the happiness of the birds and the fragrance of the flowers, and rendering to us a fuller appreciation of the joy of living.

"What Easter Ought to Mean" was the subject recently of Rev. Waldorf, D. D., pastor of Cleveland Methodist church, who said in part:

"There is danger that the multitude of Easter eggs and the social customs shall hide the real meanings of the day. Let us have Easter ecstasy -- not something cheaper and lower.

Easter means a new reverence for human life and a new sense of the worth, the dignity and the divinity of the race. We are not creatures of a day. Our origin is not creatures of a day. Our origin is not obscured in myth. Our destiny is not shrouded in mist. All this and more the Resurrection proves. The thinking world has understood this. Most beneficent have been the results. No person would be permitted today to treat a dumb animal today as any Roman slave owner might have treated his slave with impunity before the Resurrection.

"Easter ought to mean to us as individuals a call to a high earthly life. We are immortals. We must live as immortals. To live as immortals we must discard the carnalizing and the low and deal with the spiritualizing and the pure. A soul that is destined to be crowned and throned, and to live perpetually amid the glory and beauty of heaven, must enter upon its high career here and now, and must deal constantly in those things which are morally and spiritually ennobling.

Easter ought to mean an assurance of faith. The Resurrection of Christ is so important that we are not content with a guess. We desire to be sure. Fortunately it is the one historical fact, the one supreme miracle which has been attested with such an array of evidence as to satisfy any honest judicial court of inquiry. The Crucifixion was not done in a corner. It was at Jerusalem and a multitude saw it. They were mostly Christ's enemies. The Roman spear proved that the sufferer was dead, the sealed tomb proved that he was buried. The empty grave proved that he had broken his bonds of death. The six weeks' fellowship after the Resurrection and before his ascension, during which he was seen by dozens, scores and even hundreds, makes assurance doubly sure."

--The Chronicle Telegram, Elyria, Ohio, April 3, 1920, page 5.

Easter in Buenos Aires, A Feast of Flowers

1915--

Easter in Buenos Aires, the capital of the Argentine Republic, is literally a feast of flowers. Nowhere else in the entire world, perhaps, are they seen in such rich and fragrant profusion as there on that greatest of church feasts. The entire city, it seems, sends gifts of flowers to friends and loved ones on Easter morning -- dainty, sweet-smelling violets, both white and purple, lilies of the purest white and gold, camillas, white roses and pomegranate blossoms.

The houses are decorated with wondrous floral displays and the altars in the churches are fairly loaded down with the beautiful blooms. Everyone wears a flower of some sort on Easter day, the women seeming to prefer white violets and the men a rosebud or a boutonniere of choice blooms. Flowers are indeed appropriate reminders of Easter and its message, and in Buenos Aires they are particularly effective.

--The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, April 3, 1915, page 3.

Peg's Easter Eggs

1915--

Peggy was the cutest ever. She was the pet of her home, and there was nothing this little Miss wanted that she did not get. One day she asked for a dog and Papa brought home a tiny poodle. Another time she said she wanted an umbrella, and sure enough, Mother bought her one just large enough to fit over her.

Now Peggy was very fond of her dog and very proud of her umbrella. She never took a walk that Poodle did not go out with her, but alas, the umbrella was not so fortunate. Peggy knew she oughtn't to carry an umbrella when the sun shone, and the sun insisted upon shining all the time.

Peggy had set her heart on going out and buying Mother and Father each an Easter-egg, but Mother was always around, and no opportunity came until the day before Easter Sunday, and then it was raining.

"Hurrah!" said Peggy to herself, "I'm going to the store, and I can carry my new umbrella."

Taking Poodle by the string, she hoisted her umbrella and sallied forth. Her thoughts ran thus, "Thank goodness Mother was out so I could get off without arousing 'spicion,'" even though Peggy was a little girl, she thought in big words.

She reached the shop in which were the precious chocolate eggs. The window was full of them, and Peggy decided on very pretty and fancy ones that graced the center. Down went the umbrella, and into the shop went Peggy and Poodle.

"If you please, I want those awful pretty ones in the window for my Mother and Father," she said, when she became conscious of a lady standing next to her.

She looked up, and there stood her very own Mother.

"Why, Peg, you out on such a day!"

"Yes, Mother, and here is what I came for," and Peggy gave her Mother the pretty egg.

Mother tried to look serious, but how could she scold her darling when the child's intentions were so good and unselfish?

"What have you in that bag?" asked Peggy, as the lady behind the counter handed it across to the little girl's Mother.

"You shall see in good time," smiled Mother, "now come home and don't get yourself wet."

"How can I, with my umbrella over me?" answered the child, and away they went towards home.

The next day Peggy entered the dining room to place Papa's egg on his plate, when there on her own was a big chocolate one with "Peggy" written in white sugar letters across the top.

She climbed on her Mother's knee, to kiss her thanks, and as she did so she whispered, "Now I know what was in the bag."

--The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, April 3, 1915, page 3.

Easter - The Good News in Church This Week

1908--

Easter Sermons in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Universalist Church - "The Easter Alleluia," Rev. W. A. Pratt.

First United Presbyterian Church - "The Glory That Followed the Sufferings of Christ." In the evening service, "Sadness in the Midst of Joy."

Westminster Church - "Like Unto the Son of God," Rev. Geo. W. Bryant.

Bethany Congregational - "The Risen Christ," B. H. Morse, minister.

First Lutheran Church - "Glory of the Empty Tomb."

The other churches, and these as well, have numerous Easter anthems, recitations, hymns, cantatas, and special programs.

Musical selections from around town include, "From the Depths," "Let Mt. Zion Rejoice," "To the Hills I Lift My Eyes," "Mary's Offering," "As Panteth the Hart," "Unfold Ye Portals Everlasting," "Welcome Happy Morning," "See, the Day Is Dawning," "They Have Taken Away My Lord," "Christ Is Risen," and quite a few others.

The First Baptist Church's recitations are "Christ the Lord Is Risen," "What Does Easter Mean to You?," "Easter Bells," "The Light of the Easter Morning," and, by the class of the primary department, "How Daffodils Come Up."

--The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April 18, 1908, page 11.

Easter Frocks, Very Pretty This Spring

1922--

Easter Frocks, Very Pretty This Spring

Something new on Easter Day has been a tradition with femininity for ages. New gloves and a new hat used to be quite enough to fulfill the feminine obligation to springtime on Easter, but now new gloves are taken for granted and a new spring hat is donned with the fur coat before Lent is half over. Easter newness, now, must be something more substantial — a whole frock, no less. If not a new suit. But this year Easter comes late enough to make charming frocks possible (worn perhaps with fur neckpieces) on the spring day of days, and therefore women are more interested than in Easter suits or wraps.

Frocks are so very pretty this spring that it is all but impossible to choose between them. Each model seems more captivating than the last—and as one woman said the other day at an opening: "They all seem so wearable." The wearableness is because most of the styles are conservative, and frock lines this spring are so straight, loose and simple that almost any frock suits almost any figure — provided one picks the proper size. Then, the longer sleeves, and the longer skirts give a dignity that appeals to the woman who does not go in for daring and striking modes.

--The News, Frederick, Maryland, March 29, 1922, page 9, excerpt.

1919 - Easter Clothing Advertisement for Boys

FROM ADVERTISEMENT OF 1919

Capwells, Oakland, California
Clay, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Sts

Easter Styles for Boys
OUR BOYS' SHOP features everything in boys' wearables for Spring.

All-Wool Blue Serge Knicker Suits $10.95 to $17.50
Spic-and-span new models for fine quality suits. Boys like to dress up in blue serge for Easter and these new 1919 models will please. Sizes 6 to 17 years.

Sturdy Mixtures $8.45 to $20
Splendid every-day and school Suits. They will withstand the hard wear that healthy youngsters give their clothes. All made of fabrics of first quality.

Boys' Wash Suits $2.50 to $6.00
Fashioned in clever styles of sturdy galateas, chambrays, linens, twills and devonshire cloth. They come in various striped combinations and solid colors. Ages 3 to 8 years.

Easter Neckwear
BOY'S EASTER NECKTIES in a wonderful assortment of colors and patterns. Four-in-band and Windsor styles. Prices 39c to 75c.

--Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, April 18, 1919, page 5.

1919 - Easter Clothing Advertisement for Girls

FROM ADVERTISEMENT OF 1919

Capwells, Oakland, California
Clay, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Sts

Easter Apparel needs for the Younger Generation can best be filled in CAPWELLS Children's Shop where you can depend upon the best in style, quality and service.

The Call for White Dresses
grows more and more insistent with Easter, Confirmation, Graduation and other important events just 'round the corner. CAPWELLS have answered with hosts of charming lingerie frocks in ever so many becoming styles. Lawns, voiles and nets with dainty laces or softly-colored sashes. 8 to 14-year sizes -- $6.50 to $12.95.

WHITE FROCKS FOR TINY TOTS of 2 to 6 years are priced from $2.50 to $6.95.

Children's Easter Hats
Millinery that radiates style and the fresh charm of Spring. So many styles to choose from that there will be, not one, but several becoming to little daughter. In lovely silk and straw combinations, trimmed with ribbons, flowers and tiny feather fancies. A wide selection of colors. $4.95 to $12.95.

--Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, April 18, 1919, page 5.

1919 - Easter Clothing Advertisement for Men

FROM ADVERTISEMENT OF 1919

Capwells, Oakland, California
Clay, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Sts

Wonderful Selection in Men's Easter Neckwear at 50c and 75c

CHENEY SILK NECKTIES -- The "Slip-Easy" Scarf in an extensive variety of stripes, figures and the new solid colors. Our Men's Shop makes a specialty of neckwear at these two popular prices for men of all ages and tastes. New and distinctive -- as all men want Easter neckwear to be.

Men's New Silk Shirts
Another shipment of handsome silk shirts of the kinds men like best for dress wear. Handsome broadcloth silks of heavy quality and lustrous finish and in the very latest stripe patterns. Comfortably cut and well made -- $6.50 to $9.75.

A Special Easter Purchase!
Men's Silk Fibre Shirts $5.50
Handsome Shirts in delicate stripe patterns of fast colors. Splendid value at a special price.

--Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, April 18, 1919, page 5.

1919 - Easter Clothing Advertisement for Women

FROM ADVERTISEMENT OF 1919

Capwells, Oakland, California
Clay, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Sts.

Easter Suits
Many new models here just in time for Easter. New box and blouse Suits with coats a trifle longer and still showing the vogue of braid trimming and vests. Fashion's favorite Spring shades are all represented -- and the linings are quite a feature. Prices -- $25.00, $28.75 to $100.00

Easter Dresses
A lovely collection of silk and wool frocks in new and charming styles.

SILK DRESSES -- Of taffeta, satin, crepe, meteor, georgette and moire. Models for street, afternoon or dinner wear. Newest coloring and sizes for misses, women and also stout sizes. Prices -- $16.95 to $135.00.

WOOL DRESSES -- Tricotines, poiret twill and wool jersey, some plain, others braided or with stylish vests, silk collars and cuffs.
Sizes for misses and juniors -- $16.95 and up.
Sizes for women -- $25.00 to $95.00.

--Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, April 18, 1919, page 5.

Alleged Arch Swindler Makes Friends With Victims

MAYBRAY MAKES FRIENDS -- MANY BELIEVE IN HIM

Alleged Arch Swindler, Though in Jail, Makes Good Headway Toward Freedom

A lot of people have decided that J. C. Mabray, alleged king of the wrestlers swindling gang, is not the archangel of the devil he was painted when first arrested.

Mabray is still confined in the hospital ward of the county jail, and two of his best friends of late days have been Ham DeFord, chairman of the county board of supervisors, and a nameless man who was swindled by the Mabray gang, it is alleged, at Keokuk.

DeFord is not exactly an easy man to win over by the gift of speech, being of the Abraham Lincoln hardy, rough and ready order, but since a memorable day a couple of months ago, when he spent a forenoon in talk with the alleged swindler, he makes the most of every opportunity to talk with Mabray in jail, or rather, to allow Mabray to talk to him.

A Keokuk man who was the victim of race horse swindlers, believed to belong to the Mabray gang, spent a day in the federal prisoner's cell, and when he came out told the jailers he was convinced Mabray had nothing to do with the swindling game.

"He's too nice a man," he asserverated. "I believe he's on the square."

And he went away with that belief firmly imbedded in his mind.

Another one of Mabray's victims, whose name is not public, is a wealthy banker in a small town near Omaha. He refuses to join in the prosecution of the alleged swindler. He lost $13,000 but he's ashamed of the transaction, and refuses to allow his name to be mixed with it. Federal authorities figure that there are dozens of such victims of the game who are taking the same attitude, too much ashamed of the game by which they were caught to attempt to recover their money.

Ready to Talk

Maybray's most noticeable characteristic is his readiness to talk on any subject, his ready gift of speech, and his seeming innocence of wrong motives. He is so eloquent on many subjects that federal sleuths may he could have made a fortune at any business as readily as he got away with the money of his "Mikes."

--The Des Moines News, Des Moines, Iowa, July 22, 1909, page 3.


From lengthier family news column, looking a hundred years ahead to Good Friday in 2016:

The birthday of Douglas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nelson, was celebrated today, Good Friday. Douglas was born April 21 on Good Friday. This year is the first time April 21 has fallen on Good Friday since his birth. Looking up the dates of the years to come, Mrs. Nelson finds that her son's birthday will not occur again on Good Friday until 2016.

"Bryan to Be in Storm Lake" read a headline in last week's Buena Vista Vidette. Well, guess it's all right. The darn lake ain't much good, anyway, and if the people want to turn it into a pickle factory it's none of our business. -- Estherville Democrat.

--The Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, Minnesota, April 19, 1916, page 15.

Comment: There seems to be a lot of confusion as to when Easter is. I googled it and you basically need a degree in advanced math to figure it out. But finally I found one site that appeared to know when the actual date is. They were right for this year, let's put it that way, and didn't have future Easters in May. Anyway, if they are correct, then Mrs. Nelson had it wrong about 2016. Although, if the sources were as confusing in 1916 as they are now, she no doubt thought she was right. And maybe she was, because it looks like some of the rules about this calculation have changed over time. I'm just glad I don't work for a calendar company as the guy in charge for getting this right on millions of dollars worth of calendars. They look at March, April, and even May and I've got five or six different Easters every year. I'm out of there and the entire Christian world is mad at me.