Easter Greetings from Cuba City

It's hard to say for sure what momentous occasion this photograph has captured, but these children are likely waiting for an Easter gift promised as part of an advertising campaign by Cuba City business Donohoo Splinter & Co.

Mention of one such campaign was printed in the Cuba City News and later published in Platteville's Grant County Witness on April 25, 1900: 

"About 100 children under 12 years of age assembled in front of Donohoo, Splinter & Co.'s store Saturday morning and patiently awaited for the hour of 10 o'clock to arrive when they would each receive an easter egg, as advertised by this popular firm. It was a great sight and a convincing argument as to the merits of advertising."

The date written on both the front and the back of this postcard--May 13, 1910--does not correspond with the Easter holiday, of course, so it is unclear whether the photograph was taken that year or hails from an earlier Easter giveaway. 

1910 is an important year in the history of this particular business, however, and the note on the back of the card (image below) may be connected to a transfer of ownership. In the spring of 1910, a new entity--The Cuba City Cooperative Company--was formed to take over from J. C. Donohoo and T. F. Splinter. It is unclear how the Conlons, who are also mentioned, are connected to this business, but the list of names includes R. F. Conlon, a Cuba City contractor and the founder of Conlon Construction in Dubuque.

The Donohoo Splinter & Co. building still stands in Cuba City and is now home to Antiques & Salvage at 217 South Main Street.