Marathon Era of Dancing and Endurance Contests
By Elmo Scott Watson III, the piece surveys a decade of American endurance feats from dance marathons to flagpole sitting, pogoing into 1920s culture. It traces early stunts from Sallie Rope’s bizarre 1910 self-feeding list to Shipwreck Kelly’s pole sit and later feats across cities, noting youth records and quirky championships that defined a lively era.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Elmo Scott Watson III
Mars
Sallie Rope
Negress
Kansas City
John Hinsin
New York City
Val Menges
Dan Henderson
Jonesboro
C. S. Carter
Groton
W. P. G. Meyers
Alma Cummings
Brok
California
Viola Pompey
Horace Dunn
Los Angeles
Ocean Park
Kelly
Newark
N. J
Bill Williams
Hondo
Texas
Pikes Peak
L. A. Rose
Rule
Galveston
New York
H. P. Williams
Champaign
H. B. Schmidt
Baltimore
Avon W. Foreman
Willie Wentworth
Simeon Stylites
Belle Plaine
Iowz
James Parks
Mother's Endorsement for California Fig Syrup
John’s Mother praises the trusted California Fig Syrup as a gentle quick purgative for bilious, headachy children. The ad cites over fifty years of physician endorsement, a mother’s testimonial from Omaha, and a guarantee to seek the genuine product labeled California.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
California
Joseph W. Hill
Bedford Ave
Omaha
Nebraska
John
Wounded Indian Brave Makes Quick Recovery
A playful mock battle among local youths ends in comic injuries. One boy pretends to be shot and then returns to action after claiming a hospital visit, while others continue the pretend war with taunts and dramatic flair.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Warpath
Story of English humor vs American wit told by Phelps
William Lyon Phelps recounts a tale he says President Wilson told. Americans debated whether English humor differs from theirs. An American challenged an English observer with a notably funny American story. The Englishman replied he already laughed at it last year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William Lyon Phelps
Wilson
Kansas City Star
Overcharged Maurice and the grape arbor groan
A father and son trio travels to the country to repair lights with batteries. After returning home in the early morning the boy Maurice groans in distress. He jokes that his overcharged appetite for grapes led to the discomfort.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Maurice
Russ Ball Blue Tonic Valued for Chickens
Advertisers promote Russ Ball Blue as an effective tonic for poultry. A large package is available at groceries and advances in stores, signaling broad consumer use for feeding stock and improving health.
Gog-Office buildings rise without inside window sills
In St. Louis the Globe Democrat questions Magog-And about new office structures lacking interior window sills. The piece probes construction norms and seeks clarification on the unusual design choice.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Louis Globe Democrat
Also Mentioned on This Page
Maryland
Gurea
Farris
Calif
Lindy
Rich Budelier
South Main Street
Kurex CO
Pennyn
San Francisco
B. P. Barber
Mill Valley
Ford Auto Agency
Arizona
Hiway
Central Investment
W. Pico
Jack Engstrom
Corning, Iowa
Plymouth Rocks
H. E. Scholl
Anaheim St
Long Beach
Hotel Roosevelt
Janae
Eddy
Wiltshire
Stockton
Union
Baker Ae Branklyn
Smit Ee
Bath
Biola Hotels
Los Angele
Hope St
ST. Francis
Union Square
Jas. H. McCabe
Hotel
Alexandria
P. T. A. Assoc
Alexandria Hotel CO
E.C. Eppley
Charles B. Hamiliton
Barton's
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!