When Did Presidents Day Sales Start?

Yesterday was Presidents Day (although George Washington's actual birthday is still a few days away) and as usual, there were a few sales with that promotional theme. When did those sales first make their appearance locally, anyway? 

Presidents Day has only been around since the late 1960s, but roughly coincides with George Washington's Birthday. So I looked through vintage Lorain Journals for sales celebrating the birth of the Father of Our Country.

Surprisingly, it seems that the tradition started, in all places, in our nation's capital: Washington, D.C. Here's an article from the Feb. 22, 1954 Lorain Journal about the "fabulous sales," which included TVs and automobiles for 99 cents.

Note how the article mentions shoppers, "many of whom waited patiently throughout the night in front of the stores." One of them is a 57-year old Defense Dept. worker, "intent on getting his second 99 cent typewriter." It doesn't give his name, but we'll find it out in  this article (below), which appeared the following year in the Lorain Journal on Feb. 22, 1955.

There's even a photo of Mr. Raplee in front of the store, courtesy of Getty Images. Unfortunately his face is covered up by the Getty Images watermark!

The caption reads, "Eager Beaver Bargain Hunters Wait for Shop Opening. Washington, D.C.: Shoppers in the nation's capital have their hatchets out today in preparation for the annual Washington's birthday bargain hunt for such bargains as one cent wrist watches and 99 cent typewriters. W. Townsend Raplee, 58 year old Pentagon clerk, right, is the first in line for the third year in a row. He's been parked in front of the store since 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Left to right: R. Andrews; Annie May Layne; Carrie V. Holland and Raplee.

Perhaps the well-publicized sale in the nation's capital caught the attention of other stores, including those in Lorain. By the time of Washington's Birthday 1957, the Downtown Merchants organization flipped its (powdered) wig and went bonkers in its ads. This full page ad appeared in the Lorain Journal on Feb. 21, 1957.

Several full-pages of ads followed, such as the page below. But apparently there wasn't very much clip art with a George Washington theme available – yet.

The theme was repeated the following year in the Journal on Feb. 21, 1958, with more clip art used on the ad pages.

Journal Reporter Interviews George Washington – Feb. 22, 1952

In honor of President's Day, here's a pretty creative little piece that ran in the Lorain Journal back on Feb. 22, 1952. It's a fantasy piece, written by Don Miller, in which he time-travels back to George Washington's time, and interviews him for the paper. 

****

First President Warns People of the U. S., Tells Them He's Here in Spirit to Help Them Keep America Strong

Journal Newsman Operates Time Reversing Machine, Interviews George Washington

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Since this is Feb. 22^nd, Washington’s birthday, Don Miller volunteered to use his own invention, the time reverser, and obtain an interview with the Father of Our Country.)

•••

By Don Miller
DM: Hi, Mr. President. I’m Don Miller from The Lorain Journal. Thought I’d like to interview you for the paper.

GW: Paper? Lorain Journal? Never heard of it, my lad. So you’re a newsman. Well. Well. We’ve got a pretty good one ourselves, name of Franklin, Ben Franklin.

DM: Yes, sir, I’ve heard of him. In fact, we consider him one of the greatest men of the past.

GW: Past? You didn’t understand me, son. He’s still around. By the way, what’s that odd looking thing you have?

DM: Oh, that’s a double-breasted suit – let’s just say it’s a hint of things to come, Mr. Washington.

GW: Hah! Don’t tell me men are going to wear ridiculous looking things like that. They’ll never submit to such an indignity. I’d advise you to change into some breeches and don a periwig.

DM: I don’t have time right now, sir, but I’d like to ask you a couple of questions before I have to leave again. First of all, let me show you this. It’s a copy of The Journal dated Saturday, Feb. 16, 1952. Now, Mr. Washington, you’ll notice this headline. It says, “Lake Road Crash Fatal to Two Men.” Now, that was an automobile accident. What do you think of the automobile death toll?

GW: Automobile? Death toll? I’m sorry, I don’t know what you are talking about.

DM: Oh, a car – automobile – is a new mode of transportation. You could go from here to Ohio in a day’s time or less.

GW: Too dangerous, my boy. It’ll never come into proper usage. Now, I won’t make a flat prediction, but it’s doubtful.

DM: Okay, Mr. Washington. Here’s a picture of a 647-foot ship launched at Lorain that day. What do you think of that ship?

GW: Sir, I don’t know from whence you come or the purpose behind your presence, but I don’t think much of your hoax. No one can build a ship 647 feet long and expect it to sail.

DM: But they did – that is, they will. Let’s skip that ship right now. Here’s another headline about some trouble in Egypt. What do you think of the Egyptian situation?

GW: We have 13 colonies here, just united into one great nation I say that if we are to remain strong and independent, we can’t afford to meddle too much into the affairs of other nations. Don’t mistake my meaning, young man. We must have commerce and trade, but it’s not our business to bother with internal troubles with other countries. That is, unless it threatens our own freedom. Then we should act rapidly but with extreme caution.

DM: Well, sir, how about the Korean trouble the Communists kicked up? What about price controls? Rent controls? Wage controls? How about our national debt of nearly $275,000,000,000?

GW: What? National debt of – HOW MUCH?

DM: Almost $275,000,000,000 speaking in round figures.

GW: Round figures? You’re talking in crazy figures, young man! No country could ever know how much money that is, let alone spend that much. It’s an impossibility!

DM: Well, then, let’s ignore that. How about the next election? You can see here that Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Senator Robert A. Taft, Senator Estes Kefauver, Harold Stassen – are all being mentioned for president.

GW: Journalist – if, as you claim, you come from the year 1952, if you have autos which kill people at the rate of two per day; if you are facing the threat of aggression from countries of which we know little; if your country has a debt that’s inconceivable to my mind or yours; I’ve just one word of advice for you. Don’t go back. Break your little time reversing machine and stay right here. We have freedom, bitterly fought for and won, but precious freedom. Our economy is just beginning to stabilize itself and we’ve just signed a document declaring the equality and freedom of man. 

My one regret has been that I’m now getting up in years and know that perilous times lie ahead for this nation. I know my time is running out and I won’t be here to help with those problems. But from your description of this country in 1952 I can see the need for men of courage, vision, honesty and strength. Stay here if you will, or put duty above yourself and go back to the twentieth century. Warn the people to become, united, to stabilize their currency; and to make certain each man keeps free and has a job. I pity you if you go back, but the choice is yours. I now consign to you the future of the country. Warn the people and tell them I’ll be there in spirit to help them keep America as strong as it is today in its new found freedom!

St. Valentine's Day Massacre Front Page – Feb. 14, 1929

In honor of Valentine's Day – rather than posting some romantic-type nostalgia – I thought it'd be interesting to see how the front page of the Lorain Journal reported the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre. It took place in Chicago 96 years ago today on Feb. 14, 1929.

The lead story noted, "Six employes of a north side cartage company were murdered with sawed off shot guns today and one man was wounded when two automobile loads of bandits raided the garage in which the company had its headquarters.

"Police construed the assassinations as an outgrowth of the Chicago beer war and said it was likely ta some of the men working for the S. M. C. Cartage concern had been engaged in running beer."

The History.com website provides a summary of the event. "The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre shocked the world on February 14, 1929, when Chicago’s North Side erupted in gang violence," it notes. "Gang warfare ruled the streets of Chicago during the late 1920s, as chief gangster Al Capone sought to consolidate control by eliminating his rivals in the illegal trades of bootlegging, gambling and prostitution. 

"This rash of gang violence reached its bloody climax in a garage on the city’s North Side on February 14, 1929, when seven men associated with the Irish gangster George “Bugs” Moran, one of Capone’s longtime enemies, were shot to death by several men dressed as policemen. The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, as it was known, remains an unsolved crime and was never officially linked to Capone, but he was generally considered to have been responsible for the murders."

Here's the link to the whole story.

Wikipedia has a pretty good, detailed account of the murders as well (here), including a gruesome photo of its aftermath, cheerfully provided below for your perusal. 

Elsewhere on the same front page: a busy Valentine's Day at the Lorain County Courthouse, with a full slate of divorces; marriage plans of Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow are kept secret; a 16-year-old Lorain girl runs away; members of Lorain's police force and city officials receive Valentines of "the comical type, with grotesque caricatures and jibing lines of verse"; and a really interesting interview with Theodore W. "Dorcy" Watson, Lorain's "hack driver emeritus," in which he reminisces about the days when he drove a horse carriage. 

Muir's Valentine Ad – Feb. 7, 1945

Valentines Day is tomorrow. Are you still stuck for ideas when it comes to deciding on a special gift for your sweetheart?

Not to worry. The Brady Blog is here with some great ideas, courtesy of Muir's Discount Stores. Our friend the Thrifty Scot (shown above with his Valentine lassie) will make sure the gift suggestions are affordable in these economically challenging times.

Below is the full page ad for Muir's with a Valentine theme that ran in the Lorain Journal on Feb. 7, 1945.

There's quite a selection of personal items, although I've never heard of most of the brands. There are several Barbara Gould products, including face powder and pine bath oil. (To learn the history of the Barbara Gould brand, click here.)

Other gifts for women include Sun Valley Bubble Bath, Fantasia Toilet Water (sounds like a good gift for a dog), and Chen Yu Nail Polish.

Chen Yu Ad circa 1945

For men, there's the obligatory shaving kit (consisting of a mug and lotion) by Champrel. What, no Dopp kit?

Ah yes, there is one – identified here as a zipper kit.

But perhaps you'd like something a little more practical for your sweetie than perfume. A few alternative items in the ad are on eBay right now, so even though the ad is 80 years old, you can still indulge in a 1945 Muir's shopping fantasy.

There's the syrup pitcher with a metal lid. It's not too rusty.

Atlas shoe polish is always appreciated as a gift (although it might seem strange to buy shoe polish without a tall, flightless bird on the can).

And here's a gift for the woman who is tired of sharing her domicile with miserable meeces: a vintage Victor wooden mouse trap.

And if you happen to get outbid, you can always buy a brand new one from Victor with authentic fake cheese. It's lots of fun and really works!

Lincoln's Birthday Edition of the Lorain Journal – Feb. 12, 1925

We'll wrap up LincolnFest® 2025 with a vintage front page of the Lorain Journal commemorating his birthday. Below you see the February 12, 1925 edition – a hundred years ago today.

There's a nice editorial about Lincoln's hardscrabble life, and how hard work led to the fulfillment of his dreams. Accompanying the editorial is Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. It's a fitting tribute to a man that many consider our greatest president.

Elsewhere on the front page from a century ago are many items of interest, including: the announcement that roadside courts in Lorain County (of the speed trap variety with the goal of increasing revenue for a village) were going to be investigated by County Prosecutor D. A. Baird; famed inventor Thomas A. Edison reveals his sleep habits; a tragic mine explosion in Dortmund, Germany results in the death of 131 miners; an update on Floyd Collins, trapped in Sand Cave in Kentucky; a "blue-eyed, golden-haired baby girl" was abandoned on a doorstep in Wellington; and four vagrants are ordered to leave Lorain after they were caught soliciting money from pedestrians on Broadway.

They Saw Lincoln Too

Over the last 15 years, I've done a lot of blog posts on President Abraham Lincoln with a Lorain County connection. 

On this post, we met a Wellington man who owned an 1860 Presidential Campaign Medal from Lincoln's bid for the highest office in the land; and this post featured a Lorainite who compiled a reference book of Lincoln's speeches, letters and papers. And yesterday's post was about a Lorain woman with a land grant document that Lincoln signed that she was putting up for sale.

But more importantly, we also met folks who saw Lincoln – both alive and in death. This post explained how Mrs. Margaret Harvey of Lorain saw him twice – once when Lincoln was passing through Cleveland on the way to his inauguration, and again in that city after his assassination, when he was lying in state on Public Square. And this post included more reminisces by Mrs. Harvey, as well as the story of John J. Gregory, an Amherst man who saw Lincoln speak in Columbus during his campaign for re-election. 

Well, you can add a few more Lorain Countians to this list of those who saw the Great Emancipator.

Here's the first one. The article below, which ran in the Lorain Journal on February 13, 1929, under the heading, "News of Lorain-co and the Vicinity," tells of Arthur E. Smith, a Wellington man who, like Mrs. Harvey, also saw the President on the way to his inauguration.

***

SAW LINCOLN

Arthur E. Smith, one of Wellington's life-long citizens, is one of the few Lorain-co people who saw Abraham Lincoln.

It will be exactly 68 years ago this Friday that old Dr. Smith, honored and respected family physician, took his son, then aged 7 years, to the Union depot, Cleveland, to see Abraham Lincoln, en route to his inauguration at Washington.

Smith can plainly remember how his Dad perched him upon his shoulder as the train came in from the west, and how his father told him to "watch for the tall man as he came from the train."

Smith was very deeply impressed when he saw Lincoln as he was greeted by the reception committee.

When asked how Lincoln looked, Smith replied, "Just like this pictures."

****

This next story has an interesting angle. It ran in the "As Is" column written by Carrie Lee MacPherson and appeared in the Lorain Journal on July 11, 1929. It's about Grandma Snyder of 1319 Sixth Street, and her thoughts as to whether or not Abraham Lincoln and his wife got along. Grandma Snyder sets the record straight with her own eyewitness account.

It's kind of cute and nice that Grandma Snyder took the opportunity to do her best to rebut the kind of unscrupulous gossip about Lincoln that was taking place at that time, and still goes on today.

Lorain Woman Owned a Land Grant Signed by Lincoln – 1929

President Abraham Lincoln's real birthday – February 12th – is only a few days away, so it's a good time to post this. It's the story of a Lorain woman who owned a small piece of history related to our beloved, martyred President: a Land Grant document that he signed shortly after taking office.

Below is the account that ran in the Lorain Times-Herald on March 19, 1929. (Sorry, I don't have the continuation on page 2.)

It notes, "An original land grant signed by Abraham Lincoln and deeding 80 acres of land in Springfield, Ill. is being offered for sale by Mrs. Irene White of Nichols-av.

"Henry Ford to further stock his Dearborn museum with relics of early American days has asked Mrs. White to set a price on the parchment. Pending the sale of the document to the auto magnate, Mrs. White is awaiting word from Washington telling of the real value of the precious "bit of paper."

"Dated April 2, 1861 the land grant is 68 years next month, according to Mrs. White.

"The deed has been in our family for many years," she states. "It has been one of our treasures and now we must sell it."

But why did she need to sell it? The story from the Lorain Journal from the same day provides the touching answer.

The Journal's account notes, "Henry Ford is negotiating for the purchase of a document signed in two places by Abraham Lincoln, which is in the possession of Mrs. Charles White, Nichols-av, city.

"The paper is a deed to 80 acres of land in Springfield, Ill. and was given to Mrs. White by her grandmother, Mrs. Edward Shepherd, Akron, to sell when she was attracted to a story of Ford's collection of Lincoln's effects.

"Mrs. Shepherd, now past 80, has an object in selling the document. Her husband is buried in Litchfield and Mrs. Shepherd would take the proceeds to purchase lot in a Lorain cemetery. She wants to have her husband brought here for burial and, when her time comes, wants to be buried next to him."

I couldn't find a follow-up story on the sale of the document to see if Mrs. Shepherd's wishes came true.

****

If she did sell the land grand document to Henry Ford, I hope Mrs. Shepherd received a good price.

A land grant document also signed by President Lincoln went up for sale on the RR Auction website. It noted, "RR Auction makes history selling history. As a globally recognized source for rare documents, manuscripts, autographs, and historic artifacts, RR has hosted over 600 sales since its inception in 1976. Specialties include presidential autographs, music memorabilia, space artifacts, science and technology hardware, sports cards, and Hollywood costumes. 

"Our current Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction (Jan. 19 – Feb. 7) includes a featured section relating to US Presidents. There are many unique and rare documents, but here is one stand-out: A land grant signed by President Abraham Lincoln.

"The item (Lot 53) is considered “excessively rare” and was signed by President Lincoln on Jan. 2, 1863 – the very day after signing the Emancipation Proclamation into law, ending slavery in the United States. 

 "The rather mundane presidential practice of signing land grants was discontinued in 1833 during Andrew Jackson’s second term, when Congress passed a law authorizing the president to appoint a special secretary to sign them on his behalf. It is therefore incredibly rare to find an authentically signed land grant after that.

"Indeed, this is the only Lincoln-signed land grant we have ever encountered, and our research suggests that no other authentically signed example has appeared at auction. The vast majority of land grants issued during the Lincoln administration were signed by William O. Stoddard, who was specifically appointed for the task on July 15, 1861.

"This Item Sold At Auction For $15,496."