Anchorage--The City of Lights and Flowers

 

For the current story I’m writing, I had to research Anchorage, Alaska. I’d done a bit of research for a story last year just as background for a character as a place he was from. But this time I needed to know more about the actual city. I'm not sure where the city's name originated, but I like the motto "Big Wild Life."

park in Chugach Mountains

As many might know from American History, Alaska was occupied by Russian trappers right before it became part of America. What I didn’t learn in high school was about the 5,000 years of native people occupying the land at the end of Cook Inlet. Descendants of those early people still live in Alaska. Cook Inlet is named for the explorer Captain James Cook who in 1778 stumbled upon that waterway while searching for the Northwest Passage—the fabled shorter route to reach the Pacific from Europe instead of going around Asia or South America. After anchoring his ship HMS Resolution, he named the spot Anchor Point near a place called Ship Creek. (A town of that name already existed in south Alaska so it was later changed to Anchorage.) Information gained from natives clued Cook the area was not the desired route, and he continued his search.

In the early 19th century, Russia established several trading posts along Cook Inlet to handle the gathering and transportation of furs. In 1867, America purchased the land from Russia in a deal that is known as Seward’s Folly, named after the Secretary of State William Seward who brokered the deal that gained the land mass for about two cents an acre. Seward was later redeemed when gold was discovered not far from Anchorage, and a stampede of hopefuls traveled north to seek their fortunes.

1915 Anchorage tent city

Without mining or fishing nearby, the town contained only a few white settlers by 1912. The tent city hugged the edge of Cook Inlet because not far away stood the Chugach Mountains. But the 1914 choice of the town as the spot to center railway construction proved the spark to make it grow. With proponents of Prohibition gaining strength, and with the approval of President Woodrow Wilson, the Army platted a townsite a bit south of the tent city on higher ground. An interesting proviso was that anyone who broke the alcohol laws endangered repossession of their land.

In 1923, the Alaska Railroad was complete and connected to a line already established from Seward in the south. The town’s economy centered around the railroad, and the town boasted a film production studio and a baseball team—both feature in my novella. By 1925, the population was about two thousand people. Winters are long and cold. The spring is the muddy season. Summers are short but I’m making sure my characters enjoy it while it lasts.

BLURB for Ruby, Switchboard Sisterhood, book 17

Actress Ruby Moreau yearns to be in the silent movies, but Hollywood is so far away. On the eve of her wedding, she rebels against her Seattle society parents’ urging her to marry the boring son of Father’s business partner. Seeing an ad for a film shot entirely in Alaska, she boards a ship for Anchorage to seek an audition. Upon arrival, she learns the moving picture studio is not currently filming, but the Spruce Telephone Company is always hiring. She becomes a switchboard operator…telling herself this is just temporary until her parents cool down and let her run her own life.

Stevedore Ivan Dragunov works any job he can find on the docks. But his real passion is playing in the Anchorage Baseball League on the weekends. An encounter with an emotive passenger coming off a ship forces him closer to a woman than he’s been since his fiancée sailed back to Russia. When he keeps running into her around town, he becomes intrigued. But what do an actress who wants to see her name in lights and a man devoted to putting his team on the scoreboard have in common?

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I’ve never been to Alaska but visiting there is on my travel wish list. How about you?

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Of Jell-O, Straws, and Cracker Jack

By Sophie Dawson

I’ve been researching the early 1900’s for a book I’m writing. It is set in 1910, an era I’ve never written about before and not done much reading or study of. It’s been fun. Stuck between the Victorian era and, basically, World War I, the Edwardian era, also called the Belle Epoch it was a time of changing from the Industrial Revolution into the modern times that spanned the 20th Century.

Technological development research is always needed for historical writing. You can’t include barbed wire in the 1850’s or removable rifle magazines in the 1880’s. Neither were invented until a later time. Thus my research into what was available and in use by the general public in 1910. Here are some of the fun things I have found out that you’ll find in the book I’m working on. Sorry. I can’t tell the title because it’s part of a Multi-author series I’m involved in, and it’s still secret. BEG (Big Evil Grin)

I have to say, I had no clue Jell-O was invented in 1897. The flavors were strawberry, raspberry, orange and lemon. It wasn’t the first gelatin. The French used gelatin as a source of protein for their troops in the Napoleonic wars in the early 1800’s. In 1902, a major advertising campaign was undertaken and soon Jell-O was a household word.

We know that carbonated soft drinks were invented in the 1880’s. At least I knew that. Ice cream was a sweet treat enjoyed often. BUT, did you know that paper plates were invented in 1904 with cups coming shortly after? I didn’t. Dixie cups were the first in 1906.

Paper straws came about when Marvin C. Stone was drinking a mint julep through a rye grass straw. He didn’t like the grassy taste it gave his bourbon. Taking a pencil, he wound a thin paper strip around it and glued it together. That was in 1888. It wasn’t long before the resourceful man invented a machine to coat the straw in wax so the bourbon wouldn’t dissolve the glue. The bendy straw was invented in 1937 by a devoted father so his young daughter could sip her milkshake from a tall glass. He stuck a screw in the straw, wound dental floss around the grooves, removed both, and the bendy straw was born.

Baseball wouldn’t be the same without the seventh inning stretch singing of Take Me Out To The Ballgame with the iconic line 'Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,' at least in Wriggly Field in Chicago. The sweetened popcorn has been around since 1896. It must have become very popular very fast because the song came out in 1908. The “toy surprise” in every box wasn’t added until 1912. They went through various adaptations until they were replaced by codes to be used to play games on Android devices in 2013.

I’ve included each of these within my book. I think it’s fun to include today’s common items that date back over one hundred years. My favorite was finding out that the first individually wrapped candy was created in 1907 and marketed in 1908. They took the country by storm. My characters find it at the amusement park they went to on the Fourth of July. Tootsie Roll.

A newspaper advertisement from 1918 during World War I

Victorian Americans and Vulgar Language -- by Kristin Holt

by USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Holt

I've polled readers, several times, seeking the reasons they enjoy Sweet Western Historical Romance. Is it the cowboy heroes? Simpler times? Man-against-nature plots? A love of history?

Yes. Yes, and yes.

But one key reason readers report choosing Sweet Western Historical Romance is the clean language in the text of the book.

Surprised? Americans live in a culture that widely tolerates vulgarity. But maybe that's why readers looking for a read without descriptive sensuality also seek reads without language they find offensive.

VICTORIAN AMERICA'S SOCIAL EXPECTATIONS

Jackson County Banner of Brownstown, Indiana on November 7, 1878.

Victorian Americans expected--and often demanded--profanity-free language. This societal norm went well beyond the "not in front of ladies" cliché, which shows up in most Western Historical fiction. Yes, ladies detested vulgarity (and profanity, and even slang) and were trained from youth to not hear what they should not hear (and to not see what they should not see).

"Profanity

"A gentleman should never permit any phrase that approaches to an oath, to escape his lips in the presence of a lady. If any man employs a profane expression in the drawing-room, his pretentions to good-breeding are gone forever. The same reason extends to the society of men advanced in life; and he would be singularly defective in good taste, who should swear before old persons, however irreligious their own habits might be. The cause of profanity being offensive in these cases is that it denotes an entire absence of reverence and respect from the spirit of him who uses it."

~ Decorum, 1879, J.A. Ruth and Co., and Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forums, 1879; Decorum, a Practical Treatise on Etiquette and Dress of the Best American Society, reprinted in 1979 by Westvaco; pp 81-82.

Beyond the finest etiquette sources of the day, common men and women were expected to moderate their language in the same way.

The Eutaw Whig and Observer of Eutaw, Alabama on March 7, 1878.

Sauk Co. Standard of Baraboo, Wisconsin on September 27, 1854.

Was the use of profane language--in front of women and children--so widespread something actually had to be done? Apparently so. The following article appeared in Semi-Weekly Standard of Raleigh, North Carolina on March 18, 1857, wherein the writer decreed, "We don't know that the use of profane and vulgar language in our city can grow into more general use than it is at present.--There is no evil practice which is so universally practiced. The boys that play in the streets are as glib with an oath as their elders, from whom they learn it..."

Semi-Weekly Standard of Raleigh, North Carolina on March 18, 1857.

 

Note that this 1857 article (while far from politically correct for today's readers) classifies profane language alongside "Drunkenness, Gaming, and Fornication". That's serious.

If epidemic in proportions, what could possibly be done to extinguish the pernicious evil?

CITIES PASS ORDINANCES

More than a simple matter of good etiquette, Victorians expected proper behavior in public to include clean language. Cities large and small passed ordinances that made public vulgarity a misdemeanor.

Oakland Tribune of Oakland, California on April 23, 1890.

Despite the ordinances, and the wishes of "gentlemen" to be well-respected by others, public profanity remained an issue across the country.

Altoona Tribune of Altoona, Pennsylvania on October 10, 1899.

MEN JAILED OVER VULGAR LANGUAGE

Many Victorian-American newspapers describe situations where men (and sometimes women) were charged with profane or vulgar language. When found guilty, individuals sometimes served jail time and fines ranged from $1.00 to $5.00, and in some instances (a politician), $100.00.

The Montgomery Advertiser of Montgomery, Alabama on January 9, 1894.

Threats of fines and jail time did little to dissuade those with a penchant for language.

Salina Daily Republican-Journal of Salina, Kansas on June 18, 1897.

Public parks were patrolled by policemen. I've written other blog posts, such as Courting in Public Parks, that illustrate how vigilant most policemen were in ensuring people didn't break the law or disturb the peaceable.

The San Francisco Call of San Francisco, CA on March 5, 1898, part 1 of 3.

The San Francisco Call of San Francisco, CA on March 5, 1898, Part 2 of 3.

The San Francisco Call of San Francisco, CA on March 5, 1898, Part 2 of 3.

One newspaper columnist (note the lack of attributing writers' names in the era) claimed that the crack-down in public only caused an increase of foul language in private.

Wyandotte Gazette of Kansas City, Kansas on September 17, 1875.

 

SUGGESTED SOLUTION, GENTLEMAN TO GENTLEMAN

Altoona Tribune of Altoona, PA on October 10, 1899. Part 1 of 5.

Altoona Tribune of Altoona, PA on October 10, 1899. Part 2 of 5.

Altoona Tribune of Altoona, PA on October 10, 1899. Part 3 of 5.

Altoona Tribune of Altoona, PA on October 10, 1899. Part 4 of 5.

Altoona Tribune of Altoona, PA on October 10, 1899. Part 5 of 5.

BASEBALL LEAGUE STEPS UP TO THE PLATE

Kansas City Journal of Kansas City, Missouri on March 2, 1898.

Baseball, the All-American Sport, was well-established by 1898. The determination by the National Baseball League to ensure the game remained family-friendly and culturally enjoyable by all, led them to adopt, by unanimous vote, the "suppression of rowdyism and vulgarity at ball games" [sic]. The purpose was well-intended: "...to the end that the game may retain its high position as respectable and worthy of the confidence and support of the refined and cultured classes of American citizenship."

The "Heroic Method" went so far as to fire ball players who broke the rules...after a fair hearing. The "Tribunal of Three" took such accusations most seriously.

The Public Ledger of Maysville, Kentucky on March 2, 1898, part 1 of 2.

The Public Ledger of Maysville, Kentucky on March 2, 1898, part 2 of 2.

 

PAST AND PRESENT

Today's students hear the entire spectrum of language in schools, popular music, online, gaming, and among peers in every setting. Today, we'd laugh an ordinance to prevent profane and vulgar language out of court. That might be the difference between our Victorian ancestors and us. They said no. They raised the expectations and fought against the habit and behavior.

Many twenty-first century parents and individuals expect better from themselves and their children (or youth in general). I sat in a business meeting once, years ago, where a woman asked the company owner to refrain from obscenities while she was present.

I'm not sure I'd have the guts.

I do have the guts to revise my currently published books (now that I better understand the true-to-history Victorian viewpoint about cursing, even mildly) to remove what I've hitherto seen as very mild language. Ultimately, my 19th century characters wouldn't have let the mildest of vulgarity into their speech (or thoughts). Their mothers taught them better. They're good men, honorable, and determined to treat the women in their lives (mother, sister, aunties, sisters-in-law, and sweethearts) with utmost respect.

My first full-length novel, The Menace Takes a Bride, will see the greatest revision. Garth Wakefield has a heart of gold--with every right to be furious at his father, Luke (the villain). I allowed Garth's fury to show in his language. I've learned my lesson. The September 2017 version, complete with a brand new cover, will be 100% free of questionable language. Watch for this spiffy update, inside and out, to be available on my website and Amazon in September 2017.

My mother will be so proud. True story: Mother insisted, "Ladies don't talk that way" (anytime my language was questionable.) And she meant it.

VULGARITY AND PROFANITY IN FICTION

Returning to where we began, with "language" in fiction (particularly Sweet Western Historical  Romance), we know most fans of this niche within historical romance choose it for many reasons, including the absence of offensive (to them) language.

Authors work hard to eliminate dialogue and narrative that selective readers will likely find offensive, as an author's livelihood depends upon gaining readers who want to buy their next book, as well as finish the one they're currently reading.

What do you think about this subject?

Are you surprised to learn that "foul language" was frowned upon so much in Victorian America (beyond the rote, "Excuse me, ma'am.")?

Please scroll down and reply. I'd sincerely like to have a discussion about cursing, 'language', swearing, profanity, vulgarity--or the absence thereof--in the books you love to read.

You're invited to visit my website, particularly About Kristin for links to my various hangouts on the web. Find lots more about my books on my Books page.

Copyright © 2017 Kristin Holt LC

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Yes, that is me with my husband and sister-in-law. They are die hard Cubs fans and on our vacation a couple of weeks ago, we went to Turner Field in Atlanta, GA, and watched the Cubs win against the Braves. Go Cubbies.

So, what does this have to do with history? Well, I got to thinking just how long has the USA had baseball? After all, baseball along with apple pie are American signatures.

What I found, baseball has been around a lot longer than I thought. The first mention is way back in 1791  - and that was in an ordinance that banned the game from being played 80 yards from the meeting house. Apparently some people just didn't know how to have fun.

No one is really sure who invented the game, but the first team to play under baseball rules was the New York Knickerbockers in 1845. This was more a social club for the higher class. Even though that club disbanded, their rules were kept.

Union Prisoners at Salisbury North Carolina engage in a game of baseball.

Baseball was popular during the civil war. After the war, soldiers carried the love of the game with them across the growing country. So it's likely they played in their spare time and maybe got ranchers and cowboys into the game.

And by the way, one of the early clubs was the Chicago White Stockings and they won the championship in 1870. Today, that team is the Chicago Cubs. Go Cubs - maybe this is the year to win again.

We all go through tough times. So did baseball, in a sense. From 1909-1919, baseball had such stellar pichers, Cy Young being one of them, that home runs were rare. But a rule change - the pitcher can't tamper with the ball, and the introduction of certain player named, Babe Ruth, ended the Dead-Ball Era of baseball in 1919..

And what would a baseball story be without the song "Take me out to the ball game."The song is a 1908 Tin Pan Alley song written by  Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer. Story goes Jack was riding a subway and saw a sign that said "Baseball Today." And 108 years later we are still singing the chorus during the seventh inning stretch.

So this summer, go ahead. Go to the ball game. Have some peanuts and crackerjacks and enjoy the great American past time.

Go Cubs!
~~
On the book front ~ I have a new one coming out Monday - Treasured Love -it's a contemporary  but a fun one about hidden treasure and of course romance.

** AND I'm working on Bride And Prejudice #8 in the Mail Order Brides of Hickory Stick  Series. I'm hoping to get it out in July.

Keep cool and enjoy the summer.