Macy's Union Square to Close -- February 29, 2024

Macy's announced that its Union Square store is going to close in about one year. This has caused a furor in San Francisco. Many are blaming Mayor London Breed, even though Macy's announced at the same time that it is closing 149 other stores. This will be tough on neighborhood businesses.  

My mother always shopped at the Emporium, but my wife spent many happy hours at Macy's. 

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- February 29, 2024

cdc.gov

Covid-19 trends seem to be going down. On the other hand, nearly everyone I know has some kind of a nasty virus. 

Israel has paused before attacking the southernmost part of Gaza. People all over the world are calling for a ceasefire or evacuation of civilians. A US Airman immolated himself in front of the Israeli Embassy. The US and other countries have started to airdrop humanitarian supplies in Gaza. 

moveon.org

Congress is still delaying aid to Ukraine, which is running short on ammunition. The Republican Pary appears to be beholden to Putin. 24-February-2024 marked two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. 

Spring training has started. Brandon Crawford has signed with the Cardinals. 

Trump lost a real estate fraud case and was ordered to pay $355 million. 

A bee flew into the computer lab today. The first graders wigged out. 

Terry's Terrific Wallop Thrills Giants' Observers -- February 28, 2024

Buffalo Courier, 29-February-1924

Spring training games have started. In 1924, Bill Terry made his spring training debut with the New York Giants. He played first base for the team from 1923 until 1936. He managed the Giants from 1932 to 1941. He entered the Hall of Fame in 1954. He hit .401 in 1930, becoming the last National League player to hit .400. "Robins" was another name for the Brooklyn Dodgers. 

Terry's Terrific Wallop 

Thrills Giants' Observers

New York, Feb. 28 -- William Terry, $50,000 first baseman bought from Toledo, joined the Giants at Sarasota yesterday and astonished observers by cracking out the longest home run seen in Florida in ages, according to enthusiastic reports reaching here. Terry hit .311 and made fifteen home runs for the Mud Hens last season.

Frank Frisch, regarded as a candidate for the "most valuable man" honors this season, will leave today for the camp. Other veterans are slated to depart Monday.

New from Clearwater, Fla., where the Robins are tuning up, has Manager Robinson worrying about his catchers. Zach Taylor of last year's squad is a holdout, and the purchase prices of Mike Gonzales from St. Paul is being held up. President Ebbets refused to comment on the rumor that Same Bohne of the Reds was to be traded to Brooklyn. 

Yankee officials have served notice on holdouts that the club has made its final offers, Sam Jones, Bob Shawkey, Herb Pennock, Wally Pipp, Aaron Ward, Bob Meusel and Whitey Witt have not yet signed. 

Happy International Polar Bear Day, 2024 -- February 27, 2024

Carmichael wishes everyone a happy International Polar Bear Day. 

Please do what you can to slow the loss of sea ice.

moveon.org

Canal Street During Mardi Gras -- February 26, 2024

Canal Street During Mardi Gras, New Orleans, La.

New Cat #116 -- February 25, 2024

I took the photo on 22-February-2024.

Coulter -- French Bark Jaques -- February 24, 2024

San Francisco Call, 24-April-1903

William A Coulter did many maritime drawings for the San Francisco Call. Click on the image to see a larger version.

BARK WHICH ARRIVED

YESTERDAY FROM HAMBURG

WITH CARGO OF CEMENT.

Big Shipment of Cement.

The French bark Jaques, which arrived yesterday from Hamburg, brought 13,021 casks of cement. She was 130 days on the voyage, having been favored by friendly winds almost all the way from the Old World.

Albert Bierstadt -- The Trappers Camp -- February 23, 2024

artgallery.yale.edu

Albert Biersdadt painted "The Trappers Camp" in 1861. I like the red glow of the campfire.

Happy Birthday, George Washington -- February 22, 2024

James Flexner was right when he called George Washingon the Indispensable Man.

Black Cat Magazine February 1899 -- February 21, 2024

philsp.com

The Black Cat Magazine was launched in Boston in 1895. It published short stories and was known for printing stories by new writers. The cover is decorated for Saint Valentine's Day. Note the ad at the bottom for Clipper Bevel Gears for bicyclists. This tells you the magazine aimed for a young audience.

Take a Kodak with You -- February 20, 2024

Grand Forks Gazette, 01-February-1924

I have my grandfather's Kodak 1-A, which looks much like the one in this ad. I don't have the rubber bulb. I took it to the branch of Adolph Gasser's store on Geary and discussed it with an old clerk. He said they could probably cut some film for it, but he wasn't sure the bellows were light tight. I might pursue that again one day. 

Happy Presidents' Day, 2024 -- February 19, 2024

listal.com

Happy Presidents' Day, everyone.

William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States, the first from the Whig Party and the first to die in office. After a successful career in the military and in politics, the Whig Party chose him to run for president. They had good success with running war heroes, but both of the men who won the presidency died in office. Harrison died one month after his inauguration, so he didn't get much done.

Time Magazine -- Bernard Baruch -- February 18, 2024

Time, February 18, 1924

Bernard Baruch​was a banker and statesman who carried much influence during the Great Depression and borth World Wars. He was a US representative at the Paris Peace Conference. I alwaays liked his name.

Putin Murdered Navalny -- February 17, 2024

listal.com

Alexei Navalny, opponent of Vladamir Putin, mysteriously died in prison. Everyone in the world believes that Putin murdered Navalny.

Real, Genuine PEPSI-COLA is Back Again -- February 17, 2023

Winston-Salem Journal, 14-June-1923

I found a bunch of tiny Pepsi ads in Winston-Salem newspapers from 100 years ago this month.

Coca-Cola -- An Ice-Cold Beverage That Makes You Happy to be Thirsty -- February 16, 2024

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 01-February-1924

In this ad, Coca-Cola bottlers in Hawaii included a beach scene and an outrigger canoe. 

Your Radio Chart For the Week -- February 15, 2024

San Francisco Examiner, 10-February-1924

A chart giving radio broadcast schedules from across the United States. I wish I could have had something like this when I was a kid. Of course, it would have been a lot bigger. 

Ash Wednesday -- February 14, 2024

Today is Ash Wednesday.

New Orleans Mardi Gras -- February 13, 2024

Paducah News-Democrat, 12-February-1924

Happy Mardi Gras, everyone. One hundred years ago, the Illinois Central Railroad invited people in Paducah, Kentucky to visit New Orleans for the Mardi Gras season.

"The Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a pageant of unrivaled beauty and splendor, the result of carefully organized artistic effort that begins many months before the event. There are several days of magnificent parades, brilliant balls and a final day when masked throngs frolic in the streets and give the carnival its cosmopolitan and democratic character."

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and Saint Valentine's Day, so we are celebrating Valentine's Day today. 

Happy Birthday, President Lincoln, 2024 -- February 12, 2024

poisonous_rose

Today is Abraham Lincoln's 215th birthday. My favorite president.

"YES! HE REALLY DID SAY THIS. We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the Courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who would pervert the Constitution. -- Abraham Lincoln"

Stop Lynching! -- February 11, 2024

Omaha Monitor, 29-February-1922

It is nice to know that good people were trying to stop lynching. The mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, James C Dahlman spoke on the subject at the Pilgrim Baptist Church. 

from the Omaha Monitor, 07-March:1922: MAYOR DAHLMAN SPEAKS

AT PILGRIM BAPTIST

CHURCH MASS MEETING

Chief Executive Unqualifiedly Favors

Passage of Dyer Anti-Lynching

Bill -- Meeting in Interest

of Drive

Pilgrim- Baptist church, Twenty-fifth and Hamilton street, Rev. W. M. Franklin, pastor, was filled Sunday afternoon for the mass meeting held under the auspices of the Omaha Branch of the N. A. A. C. P. It was in charge of the Anti-Lynching Fund Committee. Attorney John Adams was master of ceremonies. Mayor Dahlman delivered the address which was an unqualified defense of the Dyer Anti-Lynching bill. The Mayor said that he was not strong on the centralization of power and believed in the localization of authority in state government, but when it came to the protection of life and liberty, guaranteed to every citizen in the constitution, and states failed in this duty, the strong arm of the federal government should intervene. States had shown themselves impotent in suppressing mob violence and for that reason it had become apparent to many that such a measure as that proposed was the need of the hour. He had gone on record as favoring the bill.

Musical numbers were furnished by Rufus Long, Mrs. B. S. Brown, and the Rev. Russel Taylor. Mr. Taylor sang "Omaha" the words and music of which he had composed, the audience joining heartily in the chorus.

Mr. Adams made a strong appeal for contributions to the anti-lynching fund which resulted in cash contributions totaling $44.00 and a pledge of $10.

The President called attention to the ordinance passed several years ago forbidding the showing of films, etc., which had a tendency to embitter race relations and stated that "The Birth of a Nation" was showing at a local theatre. Mayor Dahlman read a letter which he had written the management.

The Year of the Tiger -- February 10, 2024

listal.com

Today is the beginning of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Dragon.

In 1898, Kenneth Grahame published a short story called "The Reluctant Dragon." A young boy meets a dragon who lives nearby. He learns that the dragon is intelligent and kind, but when the people of the town learn about the dragon, they want to kill him. They send for Saint George, who is well known for killing dragons. The boy introduces the dragon to Saint George and the knight, and the knight and the dragon decide to stage a fight and then tell the people of the town that the dragon is defeated and will be well-behaved.

In 1941, Disney released a feature film called The Reluctant Dragon. During this time, they did not make fully animated feature films because of budget constraints, but they made several movies that combined animation and live action. My hero Robert Benchley received a tour of the studio and learned how animation works. One of the animated sections is the story of "The Reluctant Dragon."

Wayne Kramer, Chita Rivera. Hinton Battle, Don Murray and Carl Weathers, RIP -- February 9, 2024

listal.com

Wayne Kramer, lead guitarist of MC5, has died. MC5 wasn't like anything else in their period. Kick out the jams... 

MC5 - Kick out the jams

listal.com

Chita Rivera died. She did everything.  

CHITA as Velma "All That Jazz" CHICAGO 10th

listal.com

Hinton Battle died. Too young.

Take The "A" Train - Phyllis Hyman and Hinton Battle

listal.com

Actor Don Murrary died. 

listal.com

listal.com

Carl Weathers, who played professional football before he became an actor, has died.

listal.com

Comic Book -- Comic Cavalcade -- February 8, 2024

coverbrowser.com

I don't usually mention football in this blog, but the 49ers are going to play Kansas City in the Super Bowl, so here is the issue 8 of Comic Cavalcade. We see a football game played by the Golden Age Flash, Wonder Woman and the Golden Age Green Lantern. 

Pulp -- All-American Football Magazine -- February 7, 2024

listal.com

I don't usually mention football in this blog, but the 49ers are going to play Kansas City in the Super Bowl, so here is the Fall 1940 issue of All-American Football Magazine.

For Sale Cheap, Highly Educated Mare Mule -- February 6, 2024

New York Clipper, 28-February-1903

I wish I could see her act. I wonder who bought her. 

Toonerville Trolley -- If the Car Jumps the Track -- February 5, 2024

Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, 03-February-1924

I love Fontaine Fox's The Toonerville Trolley That Meets All the Trains.

Nowata Daily Star, 24-February-1924

Almost any small or out-of-the-way streetcar operation could be called a Toonerville Trolley.

TOONERVILLE TROLLEY 

SCENE OF WEDDING

Chico, Cal., Feb. 23 -- Harry H Scott, street car motorman, wanted to get married yesterday but he could not leave his car. 

He made an appointment with Judge Clyde Thomas to meet him at the end of the line to tie the knot. Judge Thomas was delayed and Scott could not wait. He took his fiancé and started back on his

run.

Enroute he picked up Justice of the peace J L Barnes and carried him and the girl, Miss Mary 

Partridge, to the other end of the line, where the marriage ceremony was performed. 

The happy pair spent the first day of their honeymoon riding back and forth. 
 

Washington Times, 30-June-1918

He's My Sista and She's My Brudda -- February 4, 2023

Washington Times, 05-February-1924

I love George Herriman's Krazy Kat. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Washington Times, 30-June-1918

Woodrow Wilson is Dead -- February 3, 2023

Perth Amboy Evening News, 03-January-1924

100 years ago today, on 03-February-2024, former president Woodrow Wilson died. 

WAR PRESIDENT 

GIVES LIFE FOR COUNTRY

WOODROW WILSON IS DEAD;

FIGHT LOST, DIES PEACEFULLY

Comes When Vitality No Longer Could Retard Breakdown

Sustained When Ex-President Fought for League of Nations;

Country Mourns Loss nf Statesman Who Won World Honors

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-- (By The Associated Press) -- Former President Wilson died today at 11:15 A.M.

Fatigued and worn by the battle with death which began before he left the White House in 1921 the War President of two terms -- eight of the most momentous years in the history of the world -- closed his eye and slipped peacefully away.

The end came when vitality no longer could retard the steady dissolution which set in with the stroke of paralysis that laid Mr. Wilson low on his return from the western speaking trip in 1919 in which he declared he was glad to give his life for the League of Nations if that would make it a success.

The cause of death as officially announced was general aertio sclerosis and haemopligia.

The general sclerosis had been progressively hardening Mr. Wilson’s arteries since he was first stricken in 1919. The haemopligia, which refered to the paralytic condition of his left side, manifested itself principally in his left arm and leg.

A digestive disorder which developed last Monday hastened death by a new and vicious attack on the waning vitality of the former President. He took a sudden turn for the worse Thursday night and his physicians found that thereafter it was only a question of how long they would be able to prolong life.

The passing of the former President was announced in the following statement issued by his physician and friend, Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson:

"Mr. Wilson died at 11:15 this morning.

"His heart action became feebler and feebler and the heart muscles were so fatigued that it refused to act any longer. The end came peacefully."

"The remote causes of death lie in his ill health which began more than four years ago, namely, artereo sclerosis with hemiplegia. The immediate cause of death was exhaustion following a digestive disturbance which began in the early part of last week, but did not reach an acute stage until the early morning hours of February 1.

Mrs. Wilson, his daughter, Margaret and Dr. Grayson only were in the death chamber at the end. Dr. Grayson, restraining tears with obvious difficulty, gave the formal announcement to waiting newspaper men. Worn with the strain, his voice was barely audible when he said that the former President’s last moments had been peaceful.

First word of the seriousness of Mr. Wilson’s condition was given by Dr. Grayson Friday morning after he had spent Thursday night at the bedside. He called in at once 2 other physicians and members of the family were summoned by telegraph.

During all of Friday, yesterday and last night, and early today, he lingered on the verge of eternity. He slept fitfully and toward the last refused nourishment, but before extreme weakness overtook him he talked with those about him, and told Dr. Grayson he was "ready to go." Step by step he lost ground and his physicians knew that the end was but a question of time.

As the news of his death spread throughout the city and was flashed around the world, messages of sympathy poured in a great flood-tide to the widow who so long had kept him in her tender care.

One of the first to send a message of condolence was President Coolidge who on Friday when the serious nature of the illness became known conveyd to Mrs. WiSon the hope of himself and Mrs. Coolidge that the former President would recover.

President and Mrs. Coolidge were at church when announcement was made of Mr. Wilson's death. They drove to the Wilson home immediately after the services were over and left cards. They were the first of any in official life to call.

Happy Groundhog Day 2023 -- February 2, 2023

www.listal.com

Happy Groundhog Day, everyone.

February, 2024 Version of the Cable Car Home Page -- February 1, 2024

I just put the February 2024 version of my Cable Car Home Page on the server:
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/

It includes some new items:

1. Picture of the Month: A postcard view of the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway shows both the Mount Pisgah and Mount Jefferson inclined planes.
2. On the Cable Cars in Pennsylvania page: A ten year update about the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway, one of America's oldest railroads and one of the inspirations for the roller coaster. Includes information about other gravity rail operations.
3. On the Decorated Cable Cars page: A list of cable cars decorated for Christmas, Kwanzaa and Pistahan 2023.
4. On the Miscellany page: "American Inclined Plane Railways," by Samuel Diescher, Cassier's Magazine, June, 1897.)
5. On the Sutter Street Railway page: An item about the SSR receiving its boiler water from the ocean and sending the used water to the nearby Lurline Baths.
6. Added News item about disruptions caused by a cable car getting stuck on a turntable

Ten years ago this month (February, 2014):

1. Picture of the Month: A postcard view of the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway. "Mount Jefferson plane."
2. On the Pennsylvania page: A new article about the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway, one of America's oldest railroads and one of the inspirations for the roller coaster. Includes information about other gravity rail operations.
3. On the Who page: Added a profile from the Street Railway Journal about Howard C Holmes, who worked on the Powell Street lines in San Francisco, and lines in Oakland, Spokane, and Seattle
4. On the Cable Car Businesses page, an announcement of the closing of Joe's Cable Car Restaurant. Also a News item.
5. Added News item about cable cars being pulled from the streets because of a 49ers championship game
6. On the Horse Car Home Page: Celebrating the Year of the Horse Speedy
7. Added Other Transit and Railway Sites link to American Railroad History by Margarita Hakobyan.

Twenty years ago this month (February, 2004):

1. Picture of the Month: Last day of the Jones Street Shuttle
2. Add newspaper articles about the last days of the California Street Cable Railroad's Jones Street Shuttle and updated the Cal Cable page
3. Updated my article about the 2003 Cable Car Bell Ringing Invitational with information from its organizer, Nick Tomizawa
4. Add information about the retirement of old car 28 and the rollout of new car 28 to the roster page
5. Add a photo of the former powerhouse and information about the discovery of a turntable base to the Consolidated Piedmont Cable Company article on the Other California Cities page

Coming in March, 2024: On the Cable Cars in Pennsylvania page: A new article about the Allegheny Portage Railroad, the first railroad to cross the Alleghenys, using inclined planes.

150 Years Ago This Month (February, 1874): Feb 01 - San Francisco's Clay Street Hill Cable Railroad carried 76,500 passengers.

The Cable Car Home Page now has a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CableCarHomePage/

The Cable Car Home Page also has an Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/cable_car_guy/

Joe Thompson
The Cable Car Home Page (updated 01-February-2024)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/
San Francisco Bay Ferryboats (updated 31-January-2020)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ferry/
Park Trains and Tourist Trains (updated 31-December-2023)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ptrain/
The Pneumatic Rolling-Sphere Carrier Delusion (updated spasmodically)
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com
The Big V Riot Squad (updated obsessively)
http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/