This week’s Backward Glance begins with an entertaining story of a local man’s endeavor to make it home after a night of drinking in the 1870s, then moves on to a story about an increase in Social Security benefit claims in the Johnson County area in the 1960s.
Source: The Daily News (Warrensburg)
Date: Thursday Aug. 3, 1876
Title: Imagination and Intoxicating Drink
There is a great deal of enjoyment in the possession of a good imagination. It gives the poor man riches, etc. Intoxicating drinks are great promoters of the imagination. We saw a poor fellow, yesterday, come in with a load of wood. He was a sorry and a dilapidated object. He was badly in need of the proceeds of his wood. He sold it. Then he thought it would be so nice to get a stiff horn of whisky. He got it- several of ‘em.
Then he wanted to go home, so he mounted his wagon, leaving the team still unhitched. Then came his “Whoa, gee up,” etc., as he (in imagination) drove home, over the ups and downs of a Johnson County road. It was a fearfully stormy passage; he thought he had arrived home. And calling loudly for Sally to come and take care of the team, he lolled over and fell asleep.
A few hours afterward, a neighbor, finding him fast asleep opposite the News office, hitched up his team and took him home, in reality.
Source: The Holden Progress
Date: Wednesday Aug. 8,1962
Title: increase in Social Security Benefits Claims
Old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits are becoming increasingly important to Johnson County, Thomas F. Nash, District Manager of the Social Security Administration, reported today. Over 2,621 residents receive $154,381 each month. While these social security benefits are intended for basic security, they help business in the community generally. Most of the money is spent immediately for food, clothing, and other necessities.
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