Spanish-American War Store Displays
Soon after the United States declared war on Spain in 1898, Wacoans showed their patriotic spirit in a number of creative ways. Some downtown merchants decorated store windows with war-related displays that served both to announce the owners' patriotism and attract customers. Here are accounts of two such decorated windows from May 1898.
Waco Times-Herald
May 12, 1898
A NAVY PICTURE
Goldstein & Migel Have a Very Attractive Window
In the west window of Goldstein & Migel is one of the most real pictures seen in Waco for many years. It is a representation of the Spanish fort and Morro castle, fortifications at Havana harbor, the harbor being also protected by Spanish warships supposed to be the Pedro and Alphonso.
Approaching these fortifications is the American battleship Texas, being manned with miniature "middys," and the big threatening guns all in position inspires a feeling of pity for the poor Dons, until one "remembers the Maine," and then turns around a buys a badge, which has become very popular with the boys, bearing the inscription "To h--l with Spain."
The Texas is operated by an unseen power, and kept in motion, making the representation of sea waves most realistic. The genius who originated this idea deserves much credit, and we will place the responsibility upon Harry Caldwell until we are better informed.
DEADLY MISSILES
A Display Which Attracts the Attention of Pedestrians
Anyone interested in the kind of weapons used in our navy -- and of course all Americans are -- will be much interested in a display in the Eikel-Breustedt company's east window. It contains samples of the cartridges used in our rapid-firing guns, which has a capacity or twenty shots per minutes, embracing one, three and six-pounders. These cartridges are manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms company, and as their agents in Waco, the Eikel-Breustedt company have these samples in exhibition.
The ball of the cartridge is of most wonderful construction. The shell of the six-pounder throws the ball a distance of about five miles and will penetrate a four-inch armored ship, and when it has made its way into the hull, the ball, which contains gun cotton and a cap, explodes by concussion and plays sad havoc with that portion of the vessel.
These cartridges are facsimilies of the ammunition used by [American Admiral] Dewey's rapid-fire guns in his glorious victory in Manila bay. This display is attracting much attention.
Another article that same day praises the Goldstein & Migel window:
Again Goldstein & Migel have a big show window, which was crowded all day long and late in the night by the curious. This window is a scene of the United States navy in Havana waters before Morro castle. The scene is made natural by a huge canvas in the back upon which is painted the land scene, and with mechanical devices several ships are sailing the waters, one of which in the foreground is the Brooklyn, magestically riding the waves and as the sea surges the Brooklyn rolls upon the waves with her guns ready for action, and her "jackies" in right ready to do battle.
Waco Times-Herald
May 12, 1898
A NAVY PICTURE
Goldstein & Migel Have a Very Attractive Window
In the west window of Goldstein & Migel is one of the most real pictures seen in Waco for many years. It is a representation of the Spanish fort and Morro castle, fortifications at Havana harbor, the harbor being also protected by Spanish warships supposed to be the Pedro and Alphonso.
Approaching these fortifications is the American battleship Texas, being manned with miniature "middys," and the big threatening guns all in position inspires a feeling of pity for the poor Dons, until one "remembers the Maine," and then turns around a buys a badge, which has become very popular with the boys, bearing the inscription "To h--l with Spain."
The Texas is operated by an unseen power, and kept in motion, making the representation of sea waves most realistic. The genius who originated this idea deserves much credit, and we will place the responsibility upon Harry Caldwell until we are better informed.
DEADLY MISSILES
A Display Which Attracts the Attention of Pedestrians
Anyone interested in the kind of weapons used in our navy -- and of course all Americans are -- will be much interested in a display in the Eikel-Breustedt company's east window. It contains samples of the cartridges used in our rapid-firing guns, which has a capacity or twenty shots per minutes, embracing one, three and six-pounders. These cartridges are manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms company, and as their agents in Waco, the Eikel-Breustedt company have these samples in exhibition.
The ball of the cartridge is of most wonderful construction. The shell of the six-pounder throws the ball a distance of about five miles and will penetrate a four-inch armored ship, and when it has made its way into the hull, the ball, which contains gun cotton and a cap, explodes by concussion and plays sad havoc with that portion of the vessel.
These cartridges are facsimilies of the ammunition used by [American Admiral] Dewey's rapid-fire guns in his glorious victory in Manila bay. This display is attracting much attention.
Another article that same day praises the Goldstein & Migel window:
Again Goldstein & Migel have a big show window, which was crowded all day long and late in the night by the curious. This window is a scene of the United States navy in Havana waters before Morro castle. The scene is made natural by a huge canvas in the back upon which is painted the land scene, and with mechanical devices several ships are sailing the waters, one of which in the foreground is the Brooklyn, magestically riding the waves and as the sea surges the Brooklyn rolls upon the waves with her guns ready for action, and her "jackies" in right ready to do battle.
posted by Muley at 5:02 AM
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