Laudanum was a common use for a wide variety of pains, both real and imagined. This derivative of opium was often used for illness, particularly for any form of diarrhea. Even though it made the patient more corfortable, physicians did not recognize its addictive characteristics. One could order 4 oz. of Laudanum out of the 1897 Sears & Roebuck catalogue for $.29 or a dozen bottles for $3.00. Check out the first chapter of “The Late Sooner” at AWOCbooks.com
When Lucy was four months pregnant, she contracted German Measles. This can result in growth retardation, cataracts, rashes, deafness, and congenital heart and organ defects. In today’s society, abortion would have been an expected “cure.” The connection between German Measles and birth defects were not discovered until 1941. If little Nora had been aborted, thirty-seven people would not be alive today and seventeen mates would have different spouses. Check out the first chapter of “The Late Sooner” at AWOCbooks.com
When settlers wanted to get married, pastors were few and far between. In Sanford’s case, he speaks in his diary of calling a “presiding elder” to perform the wedding serivce. The presiding elder was an elder in the Methodist church who oversaw churches in a certain district. This term continued until 1939 when three Methodist denominations joined and the title became “district superintendent.” Check out the first chapter of “The Late Sooner” at AWOCbooks.com