Historic Hood River
Paine’s Celery Compound
Notes
Paine’s Celery Compound was a popular patent medicine of the 19th century. This 1897 ad from the Hood River Glacier features a celebrity athlete endorsement, which it seems is not as recent and innovation as I thought.
James Michael was a Welsh cycling champion. This ad appeared in newspapers across the country along with a lengthy article extolling the virtues of Paine’s Celery Compound. Paine’s ingredients were probably safer than most medicines of the era: celery seed, red cinchona, orange peel, coriander seed, lemon peel, hydrochloric acid, glycerine, simple syrup, water and alcohol. They insisted the alcohol was only present in small amounts.
Paines may not be around anymore, but I have long been a fan of Dr. Brown’s Celery Tonic from the same era. Before you cringe, try it with a pastrami sandwich.
Charlott
Don’t we all know that it was the alcohol that did any good, if there was any good coming from all these numerous remedies. This makes me think of the Baldwin sisters on "The Walton’s" with their recipe……………wonder what it was actually suppose to do. Just a laugh for the day on a beautiful Hood River fall morning………
Kenn
Where’s your helmet, Michael?
L.E.
What an educational morning!!
I had no idea people were already racing bicycles in the 1890’s. I thought they were just learning to ride the new invention.
And….I have never heard of a drink made from celery. I must have missed that in the Seinfeld episode.
Thanks Arthur for a fun and educational morning.
Dan
I’d it works pretty good. Look at the size of his front chain ring!
Buzz
And what are the ingredients of "Dr. Brown’s Celery Tonic?
L.E.
Alcohol.
Dan
or maybe small amounts of cocaine
nels
But the hydrochloric acid would stop me in my tracks, unless the glycerine was
supposed to speed it through before much damage could be done.
Kenn
The large front sprocket and small rear one would make starting without a push or hill impossible. The races must have been similar to a car race where all are moving before arriving at the starting gate. A modern 21 speed bike is almost impossible to start in high gear and this picture shows a much more severe gear ratio.
Horse man
Maybe he had a downhill start.!
John
yeah where is his helmet.