Evening star., 1944-12-31
By Alexander R. George,

Associated PresS Stau WrueT
Forty-fve years ago-at midnight of
December 81, 1899-hundreds of Ameri-
can communities celebrated the dawn
of the goth century year ahead of time.
Thousands believed January l, 1900,
was the beginning of the new century.
Many were unaware that 1900 was the
last year of the 100 years comprising
the 18th century and that the Goth
would not begin until January 1. 1901.
Others scoffed at the dictum of time
authorities and joined in the jubilation.
There was midnight firing of old Civil
War cannon and pistols, blowing OF
steam whistles, ringing of church bells,
drinking of toasts, the singing of Aud
Lang Syne,' Darling, I Am Growing
Old and After the Ball Is Over
The year rolled around. More and
more householders boasted about their
new electric lights, more horse-and-
buggy runaways were caused by those
devilish gasoline snorters." Americans
cheered the plucky fight of the little
Boer republic against the British lion;
wondered when our boys fighting Agui-
naldo's rebels would come home from
the Philippines.
Official Greeting
Came 1901 and the official debut of
the long-awaited goth century. One
hundred thousand persons massed in
City Hall place, New York, roared
midnight greeting to the new century
listened to Sousa's Band and watched
a display of red, white and blue electric
lights. Manhattanites went ga-ga over
the welter of flames from 40 monster
lyddite bombs"
Nickel Beer
All over the country, from Bangor to
BiSbee and from Tallahassee to Takoma,
folks made century welcoming whoopee
Men in their Sunday black suits, stiff
bosomed shirts with long. detachable
cuffs and adams-apple jabbing collars,
let go with barber-shop harmony. They
oiled up their vocal cords with huge
scent beakers of beer or pre- prohibition
whisky at Is cents for a shot three
fingers high.
Fudge Parties
Ladies in 1oor-sweeping skirts, COW
ering a series of petticoats and high,
buttoned shoes, served great bowls of
oyster stew at century midnight sup
pers. Young men of Theatrical
promise recited The Charge of the
Light Brigade" and The Face on the
Barroom Floor" Boys and girls at
fudge parties danced to waltz music
from Edison monographs.
Unlimited Wealth
Prominent citizens predicted century
of unlimited wealth and progress, a
lifting of the burdens of the poor, ano
a growing brotherhood of nations.
Queen Victoria had knighted American
Inventor Hiram Maxim for develop
ment of rapid firing guns while con.
gressmen, at mass meetings, aSsailed
England for warning on the Boers)
Horseless Carriases
The electrical age was we'll under way
but most homes still were lighted by
gas or kerosene lamps and telephone
was a symbol Of affluence. Nobody hae
heard of Hollywood or radio program!
or vacuum cleaners or vitamins There
were 1000 "horseless carriages" in thu
United States, but a bale of hay Wa!
much more familiar product in cities
than a gallon of gasoline.
And Electric Belts
DR.. Ellie Metchinikoff was reported
as saying man may live $50 years.
A newspaper headline referring to hin
said: Paris scientist in sight Of serum
to keep death at bay" Medical quack'
cry fiourished on the popular interes
In electricity. Large advertisements pic
tured men wearing "health-rejuvenat
ing" electric belts.
Many . rundown" middle-aged citi