Woman’s newspaper dating ad from 1888 goes viral as she seeks a husband to support her
DATING is a minefield with some people very specific about what they’re looking for in a partner.
And it seems not a lot has changed over the years, with a lonely hearts advert from 1888 going viral after it resurfaced online.
The singleton, from Texas, placed an ad in her local paper looking for a prospective husband.
But the unnamed woman had a strict criteria her partner needed to meet - including making a good salary.
She cuts straight to the chase and says she doesn’t want to work, so she needs a husband to support her, and he also can't be a big drinker or love tobacco.
The ad says: “Wanted - a husband - must not chew tobacco, drink whisky or swear; must be in business and willing to take care of a girl who doesn’t like to work.”
It adds where she’s from, listing: “Address ‘Annik B’, care spectator, Dodd city, Texas.”
The advert was shared on after someone stumbled across the more than a century-old newspaper.
They captioned the image: “A newspaper want ad from 1888 in East Texas.”
[Must be] willing to take care of a girl who doesn’t like to work
Single woman
The upfront ad attracted numerous comments from people, who claimed the woman sounded like someone after their own heart.
One person wrote: “This is 1888, what is the problem? She's not asking for much.”
Another agreed with the singleton, saying: “To be fair, chewing tobacco is foul.”
A third commented: “I mean... I could have written that myself.”
And after doing a quick Google, someone else pointed out: “Dodd City, Texas currently has a population of 392. Pickings are still slim.”
While someone else added: “I don’t think you realize the limitations on women in those days. They weren’t allowed to keep their wages, couldn’t vote, own property or enter into contracts, just to name a few.
“Marriage was the only option for many women.”
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