WHITESIDE COUNTY T R I V I A Things You "Need" to Know ? The facts surrounding the founding of several of the towns in Whiteside county are of more than passing interest. The village of Coleta was first called Crum’s store because in 1854 John T. Crum and Henry Mason operated a general store in an old log house. When the village was laid out it was proposed to call the town Clayton, but it was found there was already a Clayton in Illinois and Miss Nora Porter suggested calling it Coleta. Penrose, the center of Jordan township, was first called John’s Corners because H. L. John opened a general store there in 1874. The name of Ustick was given that village in honor of Henry Ustick, who settled there in 1845. Most of the people did not like the name and petitioned the county commissioners to change the name to Hemlo. This was refused and they then petitioned the state legislature. The legislature also refused to make the change and the name stuck. Morrison was platted in 1855 and Round Grove was started when the railroad passed through Morrison. The village of Como was platted in 1838. It derived its name from the fact that the expanse of river just above the town resembled Lake Como in Italy. The village of Galt was platted in 1855 upon land which was formerly owned by John Galt. The town was named in his honor. Emerson was first known as Empire. Later it was found that there was already an Empire in the state and the name was changed. Dr. August Smith built the first home in Lyndon in 1836. At one time Lyndon was one of the most prosperous towns in the county. There were located there the Lyndon Hydraulic Manufacturing company, the Paper Manufacturing mill, the Victoria Flouring mill, the Farmers Cooperative Manufacturing company, all of which have disappeared. Fenton derived its name from James Fenton, the first settler in the township. Mrs. M.C. Lukens once had over 20,000 apple trees and 200,000 evergreens under cultivation in Rock Falls. In Beadle County, South Dakota there is a "Whiteside Township". Named for Whiteside County, Illinois which was the former home of several of township’s pioneers. First settler was M. Ferrin who raised the first crop. Among others Smith, Wells, Nance, Hurless, Joyce, Mahaffey and Lemuel Hixon. Mrs. Hixon and her daughter, Anna, now live at 63 5th S. W. At first the Hixon's had to walk one-quarter of a mile to get a drink of water. Their house was only 10x12, but still there was room to shelter many a weary traveler. During one blizzard they were hosts to nine people. THE YEAR WAS 1907 Contributed by Larry Reynolds The average life expectancy in the U.S. Was 47 years old. Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. Had a bathtub. Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone. A three-minute call from Denver to New York City Cost eleven dollars. There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S. , and only 144 miles of paved roads. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph. Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more Heavily populated than California With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st Most populous State in the Union . The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower ! The average wage in the U.S. Was 22 Cents per hour. The average U.S. Worker made between $200 and $400 per year . A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, A dentist made $2,500 per year, A veterinarian $1,500 per year, And a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year. More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. Took place at HOME. Ninety percent of all U.S. Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which Were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard." Sugar cost four cents a pound. Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen. Coffee was fifteen cents a pound. Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo. Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from Entering into their country for any reason. Five leading causes of death in the U.S. Were: 1. Pneumonia and influenza 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet. The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30!!!! Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented yet. There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day. Two out of every 10 U.S. Adults couldn't read or write. Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over The counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health." There were about 230 reported Murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A.