Asheville Archives: Billy Borne’s 1921 cartoons

Published Jan. 1, 1921

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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