History of America 1901

Teddy Roosevelt sworn in as President. New York. Sept. 14, 1901
Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office here this afternoon, becoming the youngest president in American history. At 42, he succeeds 58 year-old William McKinley, who died at 2.15 am of an infection in a wound inflicted eight days ago by an anarchist, Leon Czolgosz. Roosevelt, the hero of the Spanish-American War and former Governor of New York, immediately promised to “continue unbroken the policy of President McKinley.” he set aside September 19 as funeral day. Czolgosz will be indicted tomorrow with a trial and sentencing reported likely within two weeks.

Rockefeller’s worth put at £200 million.
New York 1901.
Though a recent audit places the assets of John D. Rockefeller at $200 million, the world’s richest man has mad many times more than that. Following his own dictum “A man should make all he can and give it away,” the founder of the mighty Standard Oil trust has donated untold millions, including great sums to the University of Chicago and to the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, founded this year. But Rockefeller has also espoused the survival of the fittest, as a result have led many Americans to fear him.

Government busts one railroad trust. Washington March 10, 1902
In a drive to revitalise the Sherman Antitrust Act, Attorney General Philander Knox has filed suit against J. Pierpoint Morgan’s Northern Securities firm. A holding company of sorts, the corporation controls the Northern Pacific, Great Northern and Burlington Railroads. It was set up in November as a gentlemanly resolution of a power struggle between Morgan, J.J. Hill and associates, and Edward Harriman. Morgan is said to be irate over Knox “that country lawyer,” letting the case go to court. On a Feb. 23 visit to the White House, he reportedly told President Roosevelt, “If we have done anything wrong, send your man to my man and they can fix things up.” Roosevelt, a man of clear-cut convictions, merely told him “That can’t be done.”

Helen Keller’s “The Story of my Life”. Boston 1902
Miracles happen daily in the life of Helen Keller. The 22 year-old native of Alabama, now a student at Radcliffe, lost her sight and hearing at the age of 19 months, yet, under the guidance of Miss Anne Sullivan, her teacher, she learned to read, write and, amazingly, speak. Miss Keller relates these triumphs in The Story of My Life. A high point occurs when Sullivan places the hand of her 7 year-old pupil under the spout of a pump. “As the cool stream rushed over one hand,” Miss Keller recalls, “my teacher spelled into the other the word... water the mystery of language was revealed to me.”

Henry Ford sells first Model A, for $850. Detroit, Mich. July 23, 1903.
Renowned for the success of his speedy “999” racer in the Detroit challenge Cup auto race, Henry Ford formed a new company this year to produce the gasoline-powered “family horse” as he calls it. Today, his Ford Motor Company sold the first of these vehicles, called the Model A, for £850 to a Detroit physician.
Ford’s philosophy is simply to build “more cars, better and cheaper.” With financial backing mostly from local financier, Alexander Malcolmson, the company set up shop here on Mack Avenue. Ford hired 10 workers at $1.50 a day and bought parts for 650 vehicles. The Model A, which was designed last year by Ford himself and Chief Engineer C.H. Wills, features a two cylinder, eight-horsepower engine that can push it to 30 mph.

Motor Car is first to cross continent. N. Y. July 1903
For the first time since its invention an automobile has crossed the continent. H. Nelson Jackson, a physician from Burlington, Vermont, arrived here today after a coast-to-coast odyssey that began on May 23. He was accompanied by his chauffeur-companion Sewall K. Crocker. Making the trip in a two-cylinder Winton, they were motivated by a $50 bet the doctor made that he could complete the grind.

Boston upsets Pittsburgh, 5 games to 3, in first World Series. Boston Oct. 13 1903.
The war of words between the National and American Leagues finally spilled over into the baseball field. The pennant winners of the two leagues met for a post-season showdown - though without league supervision - and Boston’s American walked off today with an upset victory over the vaunted Pittsburgh Nationals.

U.S. Recognises Republic of Panama. Washington Nov. 6, 1903.
Barely three days after the outbreak of a revolt against Colombian rule, the United States today recognised Panama as an independent state. The action comes as no surprise since it has been an open secret that the uprising, which was largely engineered by Philippe Bunau-Varilla and other officer of the Panama Canal Company in conjunction with local dissidents, had the full backing of President Roosevelt. Indeed it was the arrival of the cruiser Nashville in Panamanian waters, sent by the President ostensibly to protect “free and uninterrupted transit across the isthmus” that gave the signal for the outbreak of the revolt, just as it was the presence of the Nashville and other American warships that prevented the Colombians from suppressing it.

Wright Bros. Take to the air. North. Carolina Dec. 17, 1903
Almost everywhere claims of motor-driven flight have aroused scepticism, especially since the spectacular failures that sent the Samuel Langley Aerodrome machine plunging into the Potomac River on two occasions this year. But the flights of Orville and Wlbur Wright today were seen by five witnesses, mostly from a nearby life-saving station.

Also a photographer caught the Flyer just as it was leaving the ground. Those who witnessed the tests said the Wright Brothers, who have been building and flying their own gliders since 1900, hauled their 605 pound gasoline-powered Flyer up the sandy Kill Devil Hill near kitty Hawk this morning, and launched it four times into a freezing wind of about 20 miles an hour.
The brothers tossed a coin to determine which one would be the first to fly. The 32-year-old Orville won and climbed aboard the winged machine, dressed in his usual white starched shirt and necktie. A lightweight 13 horsepower engine then came spluttering into life, setting the machines two wooden propellors whirring noisily with bicycle chains. 36 year-old Wilbur running alongside carrying a stopwatch, the Flyer accelerated down a 60 foot track. Finally, it took off at 10.35 on a flight lasting 12 seconds over a distance of 120 feet.

Ice cream cones: iced tea at World’s Fair.
St. Louis, 1904.
The World’s Fair has proved to Americans that not every new invention has to be the result of long, difficult trial and error. Sweltering heat appears to be very much the mother of invention here. Take for instance, concessionaire Richard Blechynden, whose hot had not been selling well. He though tit might help if he put ice in his tea and, sure enough, sales took off, making iced tea one of the hits of the fair. Three ice cream vendors (of the 50 stationed at the fair) now claim to have come up with the idea for edible ice cream holders made from waffle pastry. A Syrian immigrant, Earnest A. Hamwi says that he first rolled a Persian pastry called zalabia into a cone shape holder when a colleague ran out of ice cream dishes.

Steerage fare slashed; America affordable to all. New York May 23, 1904.
The great Atlantic Ocean, once an endless sea of perils for the explorers of Renaissance Europe, has become a highway to heaven - bountiful America. A drastic cut in steerage rates goes into effect today that will allow Europeans to board a steamship with $10 in their pocket and arrive in Ellis Island less than a month later. If a decent job awaits them, they will earn the price of their passage in a week.
The new fare schedule is a result of European rivalries . Britain, Germany, Italy and France, vying for control of the seas, offer large subsidies to steamship lines. Hoping that volume will help control the routes, Inman, Cunard and the other big firms pass the savings on to passengers and use their grants to build monster ships. Inman’s 11,000 ton City of Paris liner, queen of the seas since 1888, will be deposed by Cunard’s 19,000 ton Caronia this year. Quarters are still cramped, but steam has mercifully cut travel time and regular schedules eliminate prolonged stopovers.

Roosevelt elected to his own full term. Washington Nov. 9 1904
President Theodore Roosevelt won in his own right today. Nearly complete returns show the “Rough Rider” who succeeded to the White House on the assassination of President McKinley has been elected to a full term. When the Roosevelt victory became certain, the President issued a statement saying that he was “deeply sensible of the honour done me by the American people in thus expressing their confidence in what I have done and have tried to do.” Promising a “square deal” for all if elected, Roosevelt ran a campaign notable for the absence of William Bryan who lost the Democratic nomination.

Negroes in six cities boycott “Jim Crow”. Georgia, Fall 1904.
This has been a turbulent year for whites and Negroes alike. With rioting, burnings and lynchings, whites are increasingly turning to “Jim Crow” (segregationist) laws to isolate themselves from the Negro community. Kentucky has officially segregated both its public and private schools, In response, Negroes have become increasingly militant in combating this form of second-class citizenship. During this past year, Negro leaders have conducted protests against Jim Crow laws by boycotting segregated street-cars in Atlanta, Augusta, Colombia, New Orleans, Mobile and Houston.

Americans get taste of pizza in Little Italy. New York. 1905.
Visitors to New York’s colourful neighbourhood of Little Italy have become accustomed to sampling exotic specialities such as spaghetti and lasagne, and now a Spring Street restaurateur named Genaro Lombardi has started to feature a new food item known as pizza. This flat yeast bread baked with oozing, melted cheese called mozzarella and tomatoes is served in wedge like slices that may be eaten with knife and fork or with the fingers.

Scot wins U.S. Open for the fourth time. Pittsfield. Mass. 1905.
Willie Anderson, a dour uncommunicative Scot who is considered the mystery man of golf, has astounded followers of the sport by winning the United States Open championship for the fourth time. He made it three in a row with a smashing victory over Alex Smith to take it this year. Anderson had beaten Smith in the 1901 Open final, taking the play-off by a stroke. He went on to win again in 1902 beating David Brown. In 1903 he astounded all by outplaying Gil Nicholls with a score of 303.

Du Bois movement urges racial equality. Ontario July 13, 1905
Responding to W.E.B. Du Bois’s call for “organised determination and aggressive action” 29 Negroes from 14 states met today to formulate principles for the radical wing of the civil rights movement. Dr. Du Bios, a Harvard- educated sociologist and a reluctant entrant into politics, tells his race to “refuse to kiss the hand that smites us.” The new “Niagara Movement” formalises a split between DuBios and educator Booker T. Washington. Washington who runs a vocational school in Tuskegee, Alabama, says Negroes must stake a place in the industrial economy, and only then pursue political rights.

Put another nickel in the nickelodeon. United States 1905
All across the land, in cities and small towns, storefronts are painted and embellished with colourful posters. A screen plus several rows of straight chairs and a piano are moved in to a makeshift theatre, an old storeroom or as new motion picture theatre. The usual offerings are the 10-minute features, mainly vaudeville acts, but some film scenes as well, where larger-than-life images float across the screen followed by an “illustrated song,” sung by a soloist. And its is all for a nickel, hence the name “nickelodeons.” It would seem that the “flickers” have established a firm hold on the affections of the urban working class. The cheap amusements appeal to the vast immigrant populations of new York, Chicago and Philadelphia. Pittsburgh has also put up its first nickelodeon.

An Francisco ravaged by earthquake. Apr. 18, 1906
Day had not yet dawned when at 5.13 a.m., deep thunder rumbled from the earth’s bowels. Then San Francisco shook like a maple leaf. Its highways cracked and split; the wharves warped and creaked; steel structures swayed, and many buildings split from cornice to foundation. There were six consecutive shocks, the third, at 8.45 a.m., bringing the worst destruction.

Six hours of mortal dread and nameless terror ensued as the city was tossed upon seismic waves in the most disastrous earthquake in the history of the American West Coast.
Now confusion hand helpless horror reign as countless dead lie in the morgues or under fallen walls. Some 1,000 lives are feared lost. Raging fires add to the disaster. This afternoon 4 thieves were shot for looting. Military units with orders to shoot looters on sight are allied with the police to keep things under control. Thousands of panicked citizens are trying to leave the city, which looks as if the foot of a giant had crushed an anthill.

Amid quake ruins, Caruso in pyjamas. Apr. 18, 1906.
The Metropolitan Opera Company, with Madame Sembrich and Signor Caruso, performed a spirited Carmen at the San Francisoc Opera House just hours before the quake hit. Minutes after the first shock, the famed Enrico Caruso sat, clad in pyjamas, on his valise in the middle of the street outside the Palace Hotel this morning. Personal effects and costumes were lost but no one in the company was hurt. The catastrophe completely destroyed the Opera House.

Crime of Passion: Architect is gunned down by jealous husband. New York, June 25, 1906.
The prominent architect Stanford White was brutally murdered tonight. White, a partner in McKim, Mead & White, was sitting in the Madison Square Garden Roof Theatre, when a gun man came from behind and shot him in the head three times. The alleged murderer has been identified as the millionaire Harry K. Thaw. According to rumours whispered in society, the 53 year-old White had been having an illicit love affair with haw’s wife, Evelyn Nisbet, whom he helped put on the stage through his influence in the theatre. Thaw had long suspected his wife of carrying-on with White, who boasted of his passion for the lovely Miss Nisbet. A brilliant architect and specialist in interior design, White created the furnishings for James Gordon Bennet’s yacht as well as the covers of major magazines. His architectural work includes Washington Arch and the Century Club.

Pass made legal to cut football deaths. New York Jan 12, 1906.
Alarmed by the sharp rise in the number of deaths and injuries in college football, representatives of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association have carried out a series of rule changes, including the legalisation of the forward pass. In the past, where massed plays were brute strength and great weight were determining factors, led to crippling injuries as ell as fatalities , so much so that many college presidents have either banned the sport or threatened to do so. President Roosevelt said that the game must be made safer.

Influx of unskilled labour causing concern. Washington Feb. 26, 1907.
In response to a public outcry over the flood of new ‘immigrants’ from Southern and Eastern urope, Congress has allotted $600,000 to form a presidential forum on immigration. Labour groups have been the most vocal advocates of immigration reform. The foreign born, make up 14 % of the nation’s population, yet they provide half the labour force. And only 15% have experience in industry. “Cheap and ignorant labour takes our jobs and cuts our wages” complains American President of Labour, Samuel Gompers.

“A. Mutt” appears six days a week.
San Francisco Nov. 15 1907
Under the title Mr A. Mutt Starts In to Play the Races, The San Francisco Chronicle today began a daring experiment. From now on, Bud Fisher’s comic strip adventures of “A Mutt” will appear both daily and on Saturdays. This unprecedented step is a bid to boost circulation in the wake of the success of other popular strips such as The Katzenjasmmer Kids in The New York Journal.

Oklahoma becomes 46th State of the Union. Oklahoma City Nov. 16 1907.
The Indian Territory and the Oklahoma Territory were formally merged today and admitted to the Union as the state of Oklahoma. As a territory, Oklahoma has been enjoying a healthy economy and with its steadily increasing population since the first massive influx of migrants during the “boomer-Sooner” days of 1889. Although Oklahoma is predominantly rural and agricultural, the bustling, modern town of Tulsa boasts a population of more than 24,000 while the state capital now is the home for over 50,000 people.

Nothing sucks it up like a Hoover. Cleveland Ohio, 1907
A light portable vacuum cleaner is being marketed by the Hoover Suction-Sweeper Company here. Designed by James Spangler, the machine uses an electric motor to run a fan that sucks up dirt into a disposable dust bag. Spangler has sold his patent to the Hoover Company.

Milwaukee has first inter-urban electric train. Wisconsin Oct. 28 1907.
America’s first inter-urban train powered by electricity began service today between Milwaukee and Cedarburg, Wisconsin, marking another milestone in railroad electrification. The Pennsylvania and New York Central Railroads are leaders in electrification of their commuter lines, and New York City’s elevated lines, which started with steam-engines, have shifted completely to electricity , cleaner and more efficient.

Singer Building sets record: 47 stories. New York City. 1908.
Construction has been completed on New York’s tallest skyscraper, the Singer Building. With a record 47 stories, it towers to a height of 612 feet at the corner of Broadway and John Street, with a distinctive tapering spire designed by its architect, Earnest Flagg. The building is a tribute to the heights made possible by modern construction methods . It is not expected to retain its record for long, however. Plans for a 50 story building have already been drawn up, and Frank Woolworth is said to be considering construction of a 60-story skyscraper on a site in the City Hall area.

Commission is formed to save nation’s natural resources. Washington June 8, 1908.
President Roosevelt today announced the establishment of a National Conservation Commission. Regarding the fate of the nation’s endangered natural treasures the President said “We intend to use these resources, but to so use them as to conserve them.” The Wall Street Journal has described the mission of the Commission as“ a radical new departure in government.” 41 states have pledged to create their own conservation commissions

Country life: American farmers thriving. Washington Aug. 10, 1908.
President Roosevelt today announced the creation of the federal Country Life Commission. Its mission is to take a comprehensive look at American rural life as it exists today. While the Commissions report has not yet been published, indications are strong that its conclusions are optimistic.
For example the average prices of farm products have increased allmost 50% since 1900. During the same period, the average value of farm land has increased substantially, while the value of the average farm has risen from $5471 to $6444

Ford builds the Model T. Michigan Oct. 1, 1908.
“I will build a motor car for the multitudes,” Henry Ford has said. Today, his vision took a step towards reality, when the Ford Motor Company announced the arrival of its new Mode T,. a lightweight car with advanced features that will sell for £850. The newest Ford will not win any awards for grace, but it boasts qualities not found in any automobile. Constructed from a tough vanadium steel alloy, the Model T is built to last.

Johnson takes boxing title in 14 rounds. Sydney, Australia Dec. 26, 1908.
Jack Johnson finally caught up with Tommy Burns, flattened him in the 14th round and became the first Negro fighter to win the heavyweight championship of the world today. The self-styled “L’il Arthur” with the bullet head and gold-toothed grin had been challenging Burns ever since the Aussie won the title two years earlier. Burns finally agreed to take what he knew would be a terrible beating in exchange for the lion’s share of the purse. Johnson was battering Burns so badly that the police finally stepped in to halt the mayhem. Johnson is also a great defensive fighter and has tremendous strength in his 6-foot frame. Burns, on the other hand was, at 5‘7“, the smallest heavyweight champion ever.

Taft and Republicans sweep to victory. Washington Nov. 3, 1908
Republicans are singing sweet songs of success tonight as they waltz William Howard Taft of Ohio into the White House. Taft’s victory over William Jennings Bryan coupled with the G.O.P’s retention of both houses of Congress reflect the nation’s satisfaction with the progressivism of Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy chose Taft as his successor.

U.S. Bans Opium to curb addiction. Washington 1909.
In a bow against the international trade in Opium, Congress has voted to ban importation of the drug except for medical use. The action has been anticipated since passage of a law banning the opium trade in the Philippines two years ago. Despite American measures, trading in opium flourishes around the world. The Empress Dowager of China is trying to institute a ban in her country, but the drug is still widely available there. It is smuggled in quantities from India to most countries in Asia and Europe.

Peary gets to North Pole. Apr. 6, 1909.
After more than a month on the ice, Robert Edwin Peary reportedly reached the North Pole today. At 10 a.m., Peary ordered what was left of his expedition to halt on on the “roof of the world,” 90 degrees north latitude. He had achieved his lifelong goal, to stand where all points on the compass were south. But this accomplishment has not been without sacrifice . The expedition left in March 1 with 6 Americans, 17 Eskimos, 19 sleds and 133 dogs. Today there was only one American beside Peary. Only 4 Eskimos remain most being sent back but one died

Innovative Wright builds the Robie House. Chicago 1909.
Frank lloyd Wright’s new Robie House is being acclaimed as the finest achievement of the brilliant young architect. Built on the south side of Chicago for the Robie family, the structure ids the latest in Wright’s “prairie house” style, featuring strong horizontal lines that create a sculptural effect. Critics particularly admire the way in which Wright has made maximum use of a small lot, putting the heating and other services on the ground floor and living quarters on the two floors above.

National aviation industry is “taking off”. New York, December 1909.
About three dozen aeronauts, from Florida to Nova Scotia to France, are taking to the skies in powered machines. And, as spectacular records are set almost monthly, a few look to a lucrative new industry centred around aeroplanes.

Population: 92 million; less than half have high school diplomas. Washington 1910.
The U.S. population now stands at 91.9 million according to the newly released 1910 census. Of these people almost 50 million live in rural areas while some 42 million are urban dwellers. The farm population is put at 32 million. Of the total U.S. Population, 8.7% have immigrated to America in the last decade. In the peak year of 1907, more than 1,285,000 arrived. Over two thirds of these immigrants made the journey on tickets prepaid by friends, relatives or businesses in the U.S.

Ballerina Pavlova makes N.Y. Debut. Feb. 28.
Ballet enthusiasts here were treated to the graceful and inspired dancing of the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova tonight. The 28-year-old Pavlova made her first American appearance at the Metropolitan Opera. Pavlova entered the Imperial Ballet School in 1895, when she was 10. She subsequently became a prima ballerina of the Marinsky Theatre to which the school was attached. Her elegant and skilful dancing have taken her all over the world.

Jack Johnson knocks out Jim Jeffries. Reno, Nevada July 4, 1910.
Jack Johnson , the Negro heavyweight champion, knocked out Jim Jeffries today in the 15th round of a bout that set off a chain reaction of race riots across the country. Eight Negroes were reported killed in the aftermath of a bout that some had thought might provide “the great white hope.” But Jeffries, who was overweight and out of shape, conceded after the fight “I couldn’t come back.” Johnson was not in top form either, but he did not have to be against a foe who had come out of a five year retirement because he needed the cash. Ion a New Orleans trolley-car, a Negro who jeering exulted over the Johnson victory was fatally slashed by a white man.

Louis Bleriot’s English channel hop notwithstanding, Orville and Wilbur Wright are still hailed by the world’s press as the “kings of the air.” Orville recovered from a crash that killed a passenger last year, dazzled the army at fort Myers, Virginia, on July 20, when he set a duration record of one hour 20 minutes. Thousands gasped while his plane Flyer swooped in figure eight's 300 feet overhead. Wilbur meanwhile, electrified al New York on October 4. A Flyer fitted with a red canoe in case of a water landing, Wilbur flew up the Hudson for 33 minutes.