Good for what ails you

Who knew that in the late 1940’s, the demand for a modern elixir called Hadacol bordered on mania? Manufactured by Louisiana politician Dudley LeBlanc, the tonic contained vitamins, minerals, honey, and 12% alcohol (same as wine). Thanks to Mr. LeBlanc’s road shows, promotion, and maybe the alcohol, Hadacol gained the reputation of being “good for what ails you”. Locally, sales were brisk. Meals Drug store would order 12 cases (of 24 bottles) at a time and would sell out in less than 2 weeks. A crossroads store near Springville was named Hadacol City due to the hoopla. Pictured below is a vintage Hadacol bottle (full) from the period. Source – Beverly Meals Wood. Submitted by Ray Harding.

Oxygen Conveniently Available Early in Henry County

Who knew that Henry County Medical Center was one of the first hospitals in the country to have oxygen directly available to all beds? Who knew?...Becky Hedges

Coal Oil and Kerosene as Home Remedies

Who knew that our ancestors considered coal oil a remedy for skin abrasions, bites, or cuts? Any time any of us got hurt at his home, my grandfather would reach for the bottle of coal oil to apply to the wound. Apparently the same curative powers were attributed to kerosene. It is my impression that very early lamp fuel had actually been coal oil (made from coal or shale), but it was soon replaced by kerosene, a distillate of crude oil; the old timers continued to call it coal oil. Who knew?...Ray Harding.

Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic

Who knew that druggist Edwin Grove concocted Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic in 1878 and used his wealth to build the state’s first privately endowed public high school in Paris (pop. 9,763), referred to as “the school that came out of a bottle.” Source: Tennessee Trivia & Tidbits, part of AmericanProfile.

Dr. Edwin Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic

Who knew that Dr. Edwin Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic sold more bottles than Coca-Cola in 1900? Who knew? (Source- Heritage Center)