Linda’s Monday Morning Moaning’s
Today I want to talk about something that has given me reason for thought since working on my research material when writing the ‘Macomb Township’ Arcadia book. In Waldenburg on the north west corner of 22 Mile and Romeo Plank Road, there still stands the Dopp Building with a cap stone that says 1909. But here I will go back a bit.
On this same corner was the general store owned by Peters and Kruth that unfortunately would burn in a fire in 1907. Robert Dopp bought the land and in 1908 construction began on a new store of brick.
Robert Dopp put the word out that men were needed for the building of the building, and as per the usual community, there would be many local men that would want to help with this project. During construction on one particular day, a photograph was taken of the men while they were resting, and the group very willing obliged the photographer with their posing. Along with this happy group, someone added a sign, ‘Local Option Enforced’, which drew my attention. After researching the saying, I found it very interesting.
‘Local Option Enforced’ has to do with alcohol, and was first used during the temperance movement, as a means to bring about prohibition gradually. Citizens in a community could hold a local option election and they had the option of deciding to legalize or prohibit the sale and use of alcohol within their community.
I found in my research that this was a mainly German Lutheran area, working harm, farming and family always come first. When harvesting time came, everyone gathered to help one another and get the job done faster. When it was accomplished all gathered for food and drink, and time to celebrate.
My curiosity got the better of me in what these gentlemen where trying to tell us with their sign in the photograph? Were they telling us that they were for prohibition? Doesn’t really seem likely, as when they were able to they could very well ‘cut lose’ and enjoy the German beer that was available. Or were they telling us they were trying to bring it to the attention of who ever was to see the photograph that this was what people were trying to bring into the community? Not sure I will be able to find out the correct answer to this question. But does make one wonder.
On the ‘wee note’ till next week.
Thank you to Shelley Steir Henshaw for her all her help with the ‘Macomb Township’ book when working of the Waldenburg chapter for the images used here today.
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Linda Osborne Cynowa 