In 1909, the Hudson Morning Republican ran a series called "Men We Know." Every week, the newspaper featured a drawing of a prominent Hudsonian (all men, of course) accompanied by a four-line rhyme. The subjects of drawings were not identified, but hints to their identities could be found in the drawings. There were fifty-two drawings in the series, one for each week of the year. Below is an example from the "Men We Know" series.
The rhyme accompanying the drawing reads:
He leaves this bride and groom to settle for themselves
Whether one chair will not do for two.
And he has the goods wherewith to furnish all their house,
If they'll cut out that bill and coo.
A clue to the subject's identity is on the spine of the tome lying atop the armoire:
If people were unable to figure out the subjects of the "Men We Know" series, a volume called "Just for Fun" reproduced all the drawings and identified them. This is the drawing of William Gray as it appears in "Just for Fun."
Recently, Frank Meyers donated a set of "Men We Know" clippings from the Hudson Morning Republican and a copy of "Just for Fun" to the History Room at the Hudson Area Library.
The material can be viewed at the History Room by appointment. To request an appointment, contact history@hudsonarealibrary.org.
COPYRIGHT 2024 CAROLE OSTERINK
Stair may still be using the original freight elevator from the Gray's furniture store days - they were a few years ago when I worked there.
ReplyDeleteIt was scary and thrilling, with a wood floor, wood gate and not much else. Operated manually with thick ropes and an ancient electric assist machine at the top floor, some employees refused to step into it, though it is probably safer and more reliable than any modern replacement could be. Not many of those around anymore.