Life in America was very different in 1914. Not only was there no TV, cell phones and the like, there also were none of the other things that we have come to think of as common and ordinary.
In those days most roads were dirt. While there were cars, not everyone could afford one. A trip to Europe required passage aboard a cruise liner.
Sports seems to have been an important pastime during those days. The first U.S. motorcycle race was held in Dodge City, Kansas, and was 300 miles in length.
Wimbledon tennis winner for the men was Norman Brookes, who beat A. Wilding. For the women, it was Dorothea Chamber over E. Larcombe.
Interesting tidbit, in baseball, as of July 5, 1914, the Boston Braves were 15 games back in the National League, but went to win the World Series.
Also in baseball, Baltimore Orioles owner Jack Dunn offered Babe Ruth, Ernie Shore and Ben Egan for $10,000 to Connie Mack, who refused, pleading poverty. Speaking of Babe Ruth, he was purchased by the Boston Red Sox and debuted as a pitcher, beating Cleveland 4-3.
In 1914, Woodrow Wilson was president of the United States. There were rumbles of discontent in Europe. For instance Germany offered Austria war aid to fight Russia in Serbia. Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia. Austria declared war on Serbia following the assassination of Austrian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand, beginning World War 1.
On July 10, 1914, my aunt Gertrude was born in Milwaukee. She was the fourth of eight children born to Paul and Anna, who immigrated to America from Germany while they were children.
Aunt Gertie always says she doesn’t know how she got that old. Even though she is 100 years old, she is not content to sit and do nothing. She remains active in her church, helping with mission quilting and folding bulletins.
She celebrated her 100th birthday with a pizza party. Why not? There was also other food that her friends at church helped with. As a special request from Aunt Gertie, there was an endless supply of ice cream, with all the toppings that anyone could desire.
Aunt Gertie did get a shock from her doctor a few days before her birthday. The doctor’s office had called and said he wanted to see her. She asked if there was anything to be worried about, and they said no, but still, she stopped in there earlier than he expected. He had a little party planned, complete with cake, but when she came early, the cake wasn’t there. Still, she felt honored.
What a joy it was for me to share the day with her. There wasn’t much time to visit with her and her two younger sisters, but it was great to walk around the room and get reacquainted with my cousins, many of whom I hadn’t seen in years.
These past 100 years have seen changes beyond what anyone could have dreamed. Aunt Gertie has seen them all, and is still smiling and enjoying life.
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