1906. Wrigley Gum introduced Spearmint as a national brand. An animated cartoon film was produced. Lee de Forest invented the three-element vacuum tube. Dunwoody and Pickard built a crystal-and-cat's-whisker radio. Roald Amundsen determined the position of the magnetic North Pole. A major earthquake did extensive damage in San Francisco. The public uproar about foul conditions in meatpacking plants led to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act; Chicago's Oscar Mayer was one of first meatpackers to receive a Federal Meat Inspection stamp that year. At Bethlehem, Mr. Toenies was obliged to resign from active duty in the teaching profession on October 9th on account of impaired health. Mr. Schaefer was requested to take charge of the advanced grades, while Mr. Studt served in the lower grades till July, 1907.
1907. Financial panic and Depression started in America. Bell and Howell developed a film projection system. Chicago's Douglas rail line was extended to Cicero Avenue; the Englewood and Ravenswood rail lines were opened. On August 10, Essanay Movie Studios opened on West Argyle Street, with Charlie Chaplin as its brightest star, lasting until 1917 when moviemaking shifted to California. Mr. Studt was succeeded at Bethlehem School by Miss Witte who served the school till 1910. During the night of April 26th the school-house was almost totally destroyed by fire during that night. The loss was estimated at about $2,300. The members of the church voters' assembly resolved to rebuild the school at once. By September of the same year the school had been reconstructed and reopened on schedule for students.
1908. In the U. S., Smith introduced true color motion pictures. A "Gentleman's Agreement" restricted the immigration of Japanese laborers into U.S. The Federal Council of Churches was established. The Chicago elevated rail system was extended to Howard Street and Evanston. The African-American Frinch family begins Frinches Pantry on Evanston Avenue (now Broadway) in Chicago. It was the first integrated restaurant in Chicago. The Blackstone Hotel was built in Chicago. At Bethlehem, Teacher Toenies, whose health was much improved, was given a peaceful dismissal from the congregation so that he might accept a call to a Christian Day School in Chicago.
1909. William Howard Taft became President. Radio distress signal saved 1,700 lives after ships collide. First radio broadcast talk was about women's suffrage. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded. The Frederick C. Robie House was completed; designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for a bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer, it culminated the development of the Prairie School of Architecture. The Commercial Club of Chicago issued Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett's Plan of Chicago which proposed the Michigan Avenue Bridge, the double-decked Wacker Drive, Union Station and new lakefront parkland. At the Bethlehem annual meeting it was reported that the congregational debt had now been reduced to $2950. Regulations were adopted for the visitation of the sick. Mixed Choir was directed by Mr. Robert List.
1910. Sweden's Elkstrom invented "flying spot" camera light beam. Stravinsky composed "The Firebird." Chicago's Douglas rail line was extended to Laramie Avenue in Chicago. 14,000 motor vehicles were registered in Chicago, compared to 58,000 horse-drawn vehicles. The first law requiring pasteurization of milk passed in Chicago. The population of Evanston 24,978. The First Church of God was founded in Evanston. After twenty years of faithful service at Bethlehem, the Rev. Matthius accepted a call extended to him by a congregation in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pastor C. F. W. Meyer of Baltimore, Md., was called to take charge of the Evanston congregation. He accepted the call and was installed into office on October 9th. A call was extended to Mr. C. E. Kasten of Granite City, Illinois, to take charge of the primary grades of the Bethlehem School. He consented to accept the call and was inducted into this position at the church on October 26th. The "Harmonia Mixed Choir" was formed under his direction and would remain so until 1943.
Questions, comments, etc. are welcome.
Send them to Marilyn
Gardner at MFGardner@aol.com