In this year’s Humor Issue, we return to Billy Borne’s cartoons. Though his work was published in The Asheville Citizen for over 20 years, our focus is on 1921. As his illustrations exhibit, the Roaring 20s did not actually kick off with a bang but rather an economic recession-turned-depression. By the end of 1921, however, things picked up, and the party officially began. (Until another depression crashed its fun in 1929.)
Yet despite these early economic woes, Borne’s cartoons illustrate how Western North Carolina had big, progressive aspirations throughout the year — from environmental cleanup to education reform.
Published Jan. 3, 1921
Published Jan. 22, 1921
Published Jan. 26, 1921
Published March 5, 1921
Published April 5, 1921
Published March 6, 1921
Published May 15, 1921
Published June 4, 1921
Published Sept. 2, 1921
Published Oct. 10, 1921
Published Oct. 15, 1921
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About Thomas Calder
Thomas Calder received his MFA in Fiction from the University of Houston's Creative Writing Program. His writing has appeared in Gulf Coast, the Miracle Monocle, Juked and elsewhere. His debut novel, The Wind Under the Door, is now available.
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The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.