1920 was a leap year. It was the 20th year of the century and the 1st year of the Roaring Twenties. A lot of things happened in 1920. But then, a lot of things happen every year.
220 – 1920, A Year of Change
Pettis County
219 – You’re in the Liquor Business?
We think of Prohibition beginning in 1919 (18th Amendment ratified) or 1920 (Enforcement began), but it began years earlier.
What did the Rileys think? What were they going to do? How about the Pensa brothers in St. Louis?
Continue reading218 – Fruits of Their Labor, But…
It’s 1916. The Riley children were coming of age, with weddings, jobs, and school. Will and Josie Riley were enjoying the fruits of their labor. Will was age 53, Josie was 47.
217 – Weddings, Jobs, Draft, School
It’s 1916. Let’s check in on each of the Riley children. Then we’ll see what Will and Josie are up to.
216 – A Fine Farm and A New House
Sedalia’s growth slowed in the first decade of the 1900s, up slightly to 17,800. It was still a railroad center, but the new-fangled automobile was beginning to make itself known.
215 – Will Buys the Business
Sedalia’s population growth had slowed in the last decade, but it reached 16,000 in 1905.
It was a cosmopolitan town, with streetcars, electric lighting, and two telephone companies.
The Missouri State Fair began in 1901 and has been held in August every year since.
Anything you needed could be found for sale in downtown Sedalia.
Continue reading214 – A New Century
January 1, 1900, rang in a new year and a new century.
Josie and Will Riley were in their forties. They had a lovely home and three children. They had a telephone, and perhaps electric lights.
William Riley celebrated his 18th year working for E.G. Cassidy.
It seemed like a long time ago and a world away when Josie Pensa arrived from Italy with her family forty-one years ago. And Will had been born on his family’s Missouri farm during the Civil War.
Continue reading213 – Will and Josie Get Together
It’s 1891. We’ve met Will Riley’s family. Josie Pensa is spending a lot of time in Sedalia. They’re an item.
They want to get married.
Continue reading212 – Eat, Drink, and Prosper
It’s 1890. Sedalia remained a railroad hub, although the cattle trailhead had moved on.
There were still seedy joints and houses of ill-repute, but they were now localized along West Main Street. Downtown Sedalia was safe and respectable.
Continue reading211 – Births, Marriages, and Deaths
The Civil War was over. John Riley had been ordered to active service for a short time, perhaps even multiple times. But for the most part, he was home. And busy.
Family Nibbles 