Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
There was obviously something in the air in the spring of 1940 when this special Dayton Days magazine was published by the Dayton Chronicle. The bold "!WAR!" headline may have seemed tongue-in-cheek at the time, looking back from the vantage point of 80 years. This 16-page magazine, on loan from reader Herb Bowen, was full of ads and newsy pieces about the volunteers of Columbia County, the horses, and other pithy shorts about race weekend in Dayton.
"The Group Whose Hobby Was The Hobbies" included, front row-on hobby horses-left to right: Elsie Cadman, Gloria Sanders, Marian Blessinger, Lois Logan, Patty Blessinger and Lois Ault. Standing behind are Bob McGee, "Gus" Hansen, Ingie Israel, Bill Lyman, Den Price and Johnnie Watson.
Check out some of the prices in the 1940 grocery ad.
Long-time Chronicle reader Herb Bowen brought in a treasure recently-a 16-page magazine geared toward the Dayton Days horse races, published by the Dayton Chronicle in 1940 with the front-page ad for Lindon "Shelloney" Barnett trumpeting "!WAR!"
Of course, with the United States' entry into World War II unknown at the time and some 19 months off, the ad-tongue in cheek-refers to the revolutionary characteristics of "New Tracrol Lubricant," sold by Shell Oil Agent Barnett to local farmers.
On the cover ad, Joe Grote, George Balding and Bill Carlton, all satisfied customers of Barnett's, spout hyperbole about the new lubricant. Frank Kessler Jr. of Waitsburg attests to "Lindy's" product, saying "Ordinary greases can't hold a candle to it."
Inside, advertisers enthusiastically supported the races, urging people to get their car washed for Dayton Days at Steve's Shell, or their head fixed up at Alyce Beauty Shop with the Machineless Permanent Wave, priced from $2.50 to the "Zotoz New Machineless Permanent Wave for $10.00."
Hamilton Hardware was promoting its new, advanced Philco refrigerator with a free gift with purchase-a $30 Philco Kitchen Radio with Built-In Clock!
"T N T", which stands for Texaco 'N Talbott, promoted its Texaco products and "Certified Rest Rooms." Need to call? Phone 78.
In the center section, Edwards grocery store was urging Dayton housewives to check out their bargains. Get "Rinso" for 20¢, a quart of mayo for 39¢ or a 25-lb bag of sugar for $1.42.
Inside, the center section was two pages promoting women's wear at The New Moon. The double truck features hosiery and dresses so the lasses will look their best for Dayton Days, and entices shoppers to hit the Semi-Annual Sale.
Other businesses long gone from our 2020 vantage point, but perhaps remembered by some, include Taylor's Shoe Hospital, Columbia Café (24-hour service), Gamble's, Broughton National Bank, Bake Rite Bakery and Leonard-Roe Agency, Hotel Dayton, Columbia National Bank and Blue Mountain Canneries, Inc., packers of "Green Giant Brand Peas" and "Niblets Brand Green Asparagus."
Harvester Supply Co. advertised its Family Harvest All-Crop Harvester, just $545 (F.O.B. Factory).
And, last but not least, Carden's Drive-In at East Main, a "Clean Cool Place to Meet Your Friends."
The editorial matter puts Dayton in its best light, crowing about the City Park as one of the "community's achievements."
"Dayton has one of the best hospitals west of the Mississippi," the paragraphs about Dayton proclaimed. "With the knowledge you will be well cared for, come to Dayton for Dayton Days; come here for your shopping; or by coming here in physical distress, our no less "good" doctors and nurses will inspire new hope."
Another short is entitled: Cowboy and Athlete. It reads: Slip into Dayton's post office at most any quiet time and you'll find one fellow among the crew who'll make you welcome if you wish to talk of football, baseball, race horses or exhibiting Hereford cattle. Those have been his main interests in life since he scared his mother by crawling from under her watchful eye and getting too chummy with the legs of a touchy cayuse. This fellow will admit his name is Clyde Weatherford and he is one of the original Dayton Days board of directors.
"LOVES HIS HOSS" tells about N.J. Carder of Albuquerque, New Mexico, here for Dayton Days, is in love with his horse, Keiffer Bill, and it seems certain the horse is in love with Carder. Carder sits around in the stall, leaning against Keiffer Bill's legs and the animal seems to enjoy it. K B got his name by reversing the name of one of Carder's neighbors.
