From quirky ads to strange hobbies to thoughts on the importance of beauty, the following is a sampling of some goings-on in Easton through the years:
Need an Undertaker … or New Furniture?
In September 1890, R.H.T. Councell announced his services as “Undertaker and Furniture Dealer” (in that order) on Goldsborough Street in Easton. In the ad, found in The Easton Star, he proceeded to share all of the surplus items he had in stock — all, thankfully, pertaining to the interior decorating side of the business: “Wall Paper and Borders in abundance. A fine line of Carpets and Floor Mattings, which I am selling cheap.”
The Importance of Beauty
In March 1937, Jean Cosden of Easton attended a beauty convention in New York City. She shared her thoughts pertaining to beauty of the day with The Easton Star-Democrat: “Jean Cosden … says that the present day beauty science of keeping women young and attractive will accomplish more to keep the average husband home at the fireside than all the modern conveniences. Not even the radio, telephone or television are as important as the services of the beauty culture industry, which industry is now the third largest in the United States.”
An Unusual Art Medium
A peach seed and a pocket knife is all W.L. Hull needed to make art. Hull, an industrial arts teacher at Easton High School, carved animals and objects out of peach seeds. His collection was on display at the Talbot County Free Library in January 1937. “There are thirty-two different species, including monkeys, rats, rabbits, squirrels, bears, pigs, elephants, buffaloes, besides baskets, jars, etc.
Photo: Easton’s Washington Street in December 1936.
Pickering, E.H. “Historic American Buildings Survey E.H. Pickering, Photographer December 1936 – Washington Street (Brick Row Houses), Opposite Courthouse, Easton, Talbot County, MD.” Photograph, Historic American Building Survey. From Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (HABS MD,21-EATO,7–2; http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/md0757.photos.084761p/ accessed March 26, 2016)
Sources: The Easton Star, September 30, 1890; The Easton Star-Democrat, January 22, 1937 & March 12, 1937
Bygone Maryland 