The Christmas lights of long ago
By Sandy Vasko
Well, Thanksgiving is behind us, and that magical time of year is only a few weeks away.
As a kid, my grandmother always took me to Marshall Field’s in downtown Chicago to eat lunch in the Walnut Room and visit Santa Claus. I was enchanted by the store windows and lights everywhere.
Today, we visit downtown Joliet during the Christmas season of 1876. It may not have been as gaudy as Chicago, but try to see it with your 1876 glasses on, and it becomes just as enchanting.
Today’s story was written by a Joliet Sun reporter, and usually he is known for his sensationalistic reporting. But I think he is just telling it like he sees it here:
“It is seldom an attaché of an evening paper is granted time to take a pleasure stroll through the city, and THE SUN is no exception to the rule in keeping busy its writers. Hence, when a reporter does receive permission to leave the perfume of ink, the roar of steam and the clatter of presses he generally makes every moment of his vacation count, and is very apt to take in all the sights. THE SUN reporter is no exception to this rule, as he will endeavor to show.
“Leaving the office last evening, we started on a tramp, without the fear of police and police courts staring us in the face, and had scarcely got well under way when we were attracted by illuminated windows and the pleasant face of C. B. Shouse rearranging the china and gilt beauties there displayed.
“Stepping inside we found a large and attractive display of the handsomest china and gilt goods, silver plated ware, lava smoking sets, cake baskets, toilet sets, cups and saucers, card receivers, dressing room sets, cuspidors, and a lot of fancy dolls, safes, mugs, platters, etc., to say nothing of a world of light contained in an army of handsome lamps. Mr. Shouse kindly gave us permission to examine the goods, which we found all first-class, and the prices very low. Holiday presents in this line are numerous with Mr. Shouse.
“We move around to Jefferson Street, met many of Joliet’s fairest ladies, but remember the injunction not to loiter and waste our vacation, so we judiciously glide away and stop again, dazed by the brilliancy of Gorman’s display in his new centennial store. Looking in one would be troubled to know where to commence in order to get a full view of the greatest stock of goods in the line mentioned ever known in Joliet.
“The store seems divided into two distinct departments, the east side being the first noticed. Here we find French and American confectionery of the finest and purest kinds, sold in fancy boxes and lots and lots to suit; again, the sweet aroma arising from fresh Havana oranges, lemons, Malaga grapes, Catawba grapes, California pears, and other delicacies so rare at this season – indeed, Mr. Gorman has laid the richest gifts of the tropics at the feet of the Joliet people.
“We reluctantly turn from fruits to tempting bottled goods in the line of preserves, fruits and summer vegetables, reminding us that so far as the delicacies of summer are concerned, Gorman makes summer eternal. Stumbling over a large pile of boxes we stop to examine them and find choice table raisins, loos, Muscatelles, in quarter, half and whole boxes, supplemented by rich new dates and figs, to say nothing of wild game of every known species.
“Time grows short and we cross to the west side of the store, and find a select stock of cigars and tobaccos (and pray tell us, what is more acceptable to a gent, as a Christmas gift, than a box of Gorman’s clear Havana cigars?) This department is replete with everything known to the fastidious smoker. Next, we meet an array of fine stationery, including box stationery, the finest in the world, and put up in the most elegant and unique styles; following closely we find books of all kinds, story books, and many publications likely to please young and old. Ink stands, sleds, and “suchlike,” all in picturesque disorder. In the handsome cases we find a large assortment of gents elegant neck wear, playing cards, fancy furnishings, etc., while just beyond is a hill of toilet soap from which arises a delightful perfume.
“Time flies and we must hurry. Gaining the door, and one of the most important points, we find lots of fresh Baltimore oysters, Mr. Gorman being the only man in Joliet who ships direct from Baltimore, and is therefore enabled to sell “Selects” and “Large Standards” at the popular price of twenty-five cents per quart. ($7.50 today).
“Hastily grasping a fragrant Havana we saunter forth to conquer or to die, and as we still live the reader is left to infer that we conquered. This is quite true, as we stepped into Mrs. A. R. Starr’s large establishment, and found a fine line of Holiday attractions, combing almost everything one could well imagine. Toys of the light and fine classes abound, with frames and fancy brackets of every style. In fine toilet and lava sets Mrs. Starr takes pride in her large stock, and justly, too. This establishment desires to be announced as meaning business, and will sell goods very low for cash. Do not fail to call at Mrs. Starr’s before purchasing presents for little and big ones among your friends.
“We had almost forgotten that Mrs. Kinnie’s extensive jewelry establishment was in this vicinity, and was one of the things not to be passed. Here we found first of all always pleasant Mrs. Kinnie presiding over an elegant array of diamonds, cameos, white and pink and black, watches and chains for ladies and gents, rings in plain and brilliant settings, ladies sets in all the precious tones, and incredible gold work, and a dazzling case of finest silver plated are, toilet sets, etc. Mrs. Kinnie’s is one of the most attractive Holiday establishments in the city, and is well worth a visit.”
Well, our time together runs short. We will continue our Christmas walk next time. But before I go, I will answer the questions running through many of your minds. So here is the definition of the items he wrote about. Lava smoking sets and lava dressing sets – cheap pottery glazed to look like lava.
Toilet set – the pottery bowls and pitchers used in washing up. At the time there was no indoor bathrooms. Dressing room set – the brushes, combs, pin holders, pots of lotion needed to deal with elaborate hair-do’s, etc.
Card receiver – dish or stand placed near the door to hold the calling cards left by visitors. Cuspidor – a large vase-like bowl with a wide neck leading to a narrow opening to catch the tobacco spit from those who partook.