Klaus-peter gabelein there are still two daily newspapers in herzogenaurach, which can usually be found in the mailbox in the early morning. For many readers, this is the usual everyday life and I am honest: as long as I can remember, the "blattla, as it is sometimes pejoratively referred to, a beloved morning lecture.
For 110 years, there has been a regularly published daily newspaper in herzogenaurach. Only in times of war or crisis did we have to do without it. Since 1909, housewives have been able to find out about special offers and receive the latest news on a regular basis. One learned of weddings and deaths, of births and anniversaries, of deaths and accidents. The daily newspaper used to offer a serialized novel and in the weekend supplement there were and still are knob corners and the like.
The 2. January 1909
In this issue (no. 1 from saturday, 2. January 1909), a kind of leading article praises "the fact that this newspaper … Already 10 years to the demand of the welfare of herzogenaurach and (the) surroundings has appeared . And that … This has always shown herzogenaurach to be connected with the world of auben …" further it is said that by the advertising of our business world the latter (had) to register a rough turnover.
Looking back, the most important events since 1898 are listed. So the first issue of the daily newspaper in november 1898 was still called "auracher volksbote" and the subscription cost quarterly 1,25 mark. The readers learned that in august 1899 there was a fire in the niederndorf community center and that in august of the same year the foundation stone was laid for the construction of the orphanage (liebfrauenhaus).
In 1900, the readers were informed that 2825 people lived in the city. In the years up to 1908 there are repeated reports of fires (especially in the shoe factories) and floods. One learned monthly how many oxen, cows, cattle, calves, even how many pigs, goats and sheep were slaughtered here. And finally one could read that the pilgrimages to gobweinstein and dettelbach will be made with the accompaniment of the local clergy and by special train and that for the pilgrimage to altotting a special train will be used.
16 choirs sang into the new year
In 1909, the population enjoyed the new year’s singing at 16 (!), local cattle were slaughtered throughout the city, and the decision of the magistrate (city council) to hold this spectacle "in order to increase foreign traffic" was buried to be held annually in the future. But, how could it be otherwise: at the turn of the year 1908/09, there was also arger. Thus, "despite the most stringent control also "dirty new year cards" in circulation. The cards in question were of an objectionable nature "so that many a child’s soul is poisoned at the sight of such pictures".
The newspaper pointed out that according to §184 of the german criminal code, a prison sentence of up to six months and an additional fine of 650 marks could be imposed for violating the sense of shame of persons under 16 years of age.
And finally, in the past, a lot of mischief was played on new year’s eve or new year’s night: in the new year’s issue of monday, 6. January 1909, it is reported that franz welker, innkeeper of the railroad inn, had eight rough window panes shot in during the night.
However, what most readers of the "herzogenauracher tagblatt" at the end of the year 1908/09, the weather report was even more touching: "instead of the hoped-for snow, the holidays have brought us a cold one of 16 degrees, which made everything freeze."