What Was it Really Like in the ‘Good-Ol’ Days?’

To the Editor: 
If you lived in America in the 1900’s, the population was 76 million whose life expectancy was 45 years, and more than likely you would have been born at home. Only 4 percent of the population lived to be 65, and there was no need for Social Security since it didn’t come about until 1936. 
The leading cause of death was pneumonia, influenza, tuberculosis, and diarrhea, followed by heart disease and strokes. Cancer and Alzheimer’s had yet to be diagnosed.
Local drug stores were not governed or regulated by any agencies but they did a booming business in sales of exotic medicines such as marijuana, heroin, and opium which was sold over the counter. Heroin the most expensive (and medically the least effective) was cited as “Heroin, a perfect guardian of health” because it cleansed the mind and regulated the stomach and bowels.
What about the medical profession – almost nonexistent? Ninety percent of the doctors had no college education and they attended medical schools which were condemned by the government and press as substandard, but little was done to improve them.
Only 6 percent of Americans graduated from high school and only 20 percent of adults could read or write. The average wage was 22 cents per hour and accountants made $2,000 per year, dentists earned $2,500, and a good mechanical engineer earned $5,000.
Factory workers and coal miners (including children) worked 12–16 hours a day and made $2. Most workers struggled to survive and 45 percent of immigrants returned to their native countries – so much for the roads being “paved in gold.”
However, contrary to today’s popular sociological beliefs, low income and lack of education did not equate to high-crime rate. There were only 230 homicides in 1900 – in the entire country. South Jersey records nearly that many each year.
There were only 150 miles of paved roads in the entire country but progress was soon to be found when the gas combustible engine in the automobile, airplane, as well as in our “great white fleet” became the norm for transportation. Skyscrapers with the newest inventions, elevators, and steel expansion bridges opened up a whole new world. Don’t forget what harnessing the power of electricity brought into homes and businesses.
The first 10 years of the 20th century brought about a new, exciting future as the result of unlimited resources, improved education and a newly improved mindset of the people and progressivism in politics. Happy days were right around the corner!