In 1904, Zeigler Mine No. 1 produced the first coal mined in Franklin County, Illinois.
At that time, the City of Zeigler was a tough mining camp, rather than a progressive small city.
The question often asked by historians is, what was life like in the United States during that era?
Allow me to share some interesting facts with you:
The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years, generally less for miners.
Only 14 percent of the homes in U.S. had a bath tub.
Eight percent of all homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S. and only 144 miles of paved road for the cars to drive upon. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
California was only the 21st-most populated state in the Union.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents an hour and the average worker made between $200 and $400 per year. Those earning the greatest salary were accountants at $2,000, dentist $2,500, veterinarian $1,500 to $4,000 and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. were at home.
Ninety percent of all doctors had no college education and in rural areas of the nation medical attention was provided by one of the older women of the neighborhood.
Sugar cost four cents a pound, eggs were 14 cents a dozen, and coffee was 15 cents per pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks as shampoo.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was 30.
The leading causes of death were:
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Diarrhea
Heart disease
Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska had not been admitted to the Union.
Aren’t these facts amazing? Haven’t times changed?
submitted by Dr. Allan Patton
8/2005
Many of the pictures on this site are located on books
and CD's located on the Zeigler's Memorabilia page
Thanks to those who have contributed
pictures and memorabilia that is viewed on this site.
