128 years ago
During the 1890s, comic Valentines became popular. They were inexpensive paper cards with insulting and vulgar verses accompanied by crude caricatures. The cards were sent to people whom you disliked or wanted to tease. They became cheap, anonymous ways to express grudges or mean-spirited humor.
The sender needed to be careful about mailing the cards. Many of the verses and graphics were obscene, which was illegal to send through the mail.
Charles Johnson of Huron received such a comic Valentine from his father-in-law, Joseph Delveaux, of Pierre in February 1898. Johnson filed a complaint with the marshal, who had Delveaux arrested and sent to Sioux Falls for trial. Delveaux was not alone, however. The Dakota Huronite article also mentioned two other men who were arrested at the same time for the same crime.
95 years ago
From about 1929 to 1931, a group of fifty young men formed a dance club called the Owls Club. The club hosted eight dances during the winter months at the Huron Country Club. Local bands were hired to provide music, light refreshments were served, and the dress code was informal. Since attendance was exclusive to club members and their dates, many young people wanted to join. The club capped its membership at seventy members. The final event was a masquerade ball held on February 14, 1931, where everyone was required to wear a costume. For reasons that remain unclear, the Owls Club seems to have disbanded after 1931. There are no further mentions of the group in the newspaper beyond that year.
Huron businesses offered a variety of Valentine’s Day gifts in 1931. Sherman & Moe advertised “Sweets for Your Valentine” buy her a smart modern box of Whitman’s fine candies. Service Shoe Shop sold modern shoes and hosiery. Their Valentine’s Day ad encouraged customers to remember “her” with a gift of dainty, sheer, lovely hose by Phoenix Hosiery. Finally, ladies, do not forget to give yourself a Valentine. Choose freedom from your heaviest burden- weekly laundry. Model Steam Laundry would pick up your laundry and wash your clothes.
53 years ago
Gertrude Lampe, who served as the women’s editor of the Daily Plainsman from 1957 to 1978, shared recipes for fluffy Valentine’s Day desserts. In 1973, she featured two delightful options: Creamy Apple Mold and Orange Angel Dessert.
The Creamy Apple Mold was made by mixing sour cream, eggs, and apple sauce, which was poured into a mold, and then baked. The Orange Angel Dessert consisted of orange juice poured over a split angel food cake and topped with a frosting made from sour cream, powdered sugar, and more orange juice. Both desserts were quick and easy to prepare, and guaranteed to impress all your Valentine’s Day party guests.
Historical Happenings was written by Jennifer Littlefield, Reference Librarian at the Huron Public Library. The information was taken from past editions of the Huron Daily Plainsman. For more information about Huron’s history, visit the library or search the library’s digital archive.
Leave a Reply