Impudence and heroism in the Union Army life lessons
George F. Williams surveys Civil War era soldier nicknames and incidents. He contrasts Federal humor with grave battlefield discipline, describes teamster roles amid mud and mayhem, and recalls rescues of wounded under fire as both sides honor bravery amid brutal combat.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kearney
Mexico
Phil
Butler
Kilpatrick
Custer
Northern Virginia
General Lee
Bob Lee
Little Mahone
Early
Jackson
Grant
Knowlig Grant
Vicksburg
Appo- Mwtalox
McClellan
Yorktown
George
von Moltke
Ural
John Bull's Womankind Flirting Across Cultures
The piece compares flirting and courtship across England France Spain and other locales. It notes English openness vs French reserve, defines sweethearting, and contrasts customs while quoting views on love, duty, and public decency. The tone treats flirtation as a cross-cultural social ritual.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
France
Gerolstein
England
Dad
Fraver
Tietle
Spain
Mystery of the Summer Girl in July Wonders
A nostalgic feature traces the annual arrival of the “summer girl” each July, a dainty, radiant figure in white or pale pastels who appears at social events before fading with the first frost. The piece muses on her elusive origin and return, forecasting her next appearance next July.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Orleans Times-Democrat
Mother Hubbards
Weather Bureau
Rocky Mountains
Sue
Boreas
One of the Ways of Texas Northerns
An old Texan explains norther descriptions in a humorous tale to a stranger. He recalls fishing on a warm afternoon when a sudden dark cloud and lightning precede a norther that freezes the lake instantly, trapping jumping fish on the surface.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
Nike
He Took Her for a Dummy in a Pittsburgh Street Moment
A woman with a waxlike complexion waited at a Federal Street dry goods store entrance when a young man and two companions returned. He joked about her being a gummy and slapped her in the cheek, prompting her fierce gaze and his retreat as the others followed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pittsburg
Federal Street
Allegheny
Luis
How to Live Forever and the Quacks Behind It
This excerpt surveys historic schemes to prolong life from ancient Egypt and Greece to Paracelsus and Mesmer. It notes the rise of alchemists and charlatans, the elixir myths, astrology and amulets, and early experiments in transfusion, ending by promising a look at more worthy theories.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chambers’ Journal
Bacon
Hippocrates
Paracelsus
Erasmus
Europe
Leonard Thurneysser
Marsilius Ficinus
Pansa
Leipsic
Saturn
Count de St. Germain
France
Mesmer
Franklin
Mesme R
Joseph Balsamo
Count de Caglostro
Cagliostro
Cardinal da Roban
Germain
Balsamo
The Hardening School and Longevity Theories
The piece critiques historical methods for prolonging life. It references the hardening school of cold baths and strenuous exercise, the sleep-based longevity theory, and the Kosterucians and Rosicrucians. It argues that neglecting overall health and exercise undermines any single longevity method and champions moderation and open-air activity as the proper path to longevity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Franklin
Kosterucians
Fiudd
Hufeland
Anecdotes of Actors in Rain and Bath Lore
Elliptical tales from Paris and London theatres recount actors in wet chorus scenes and the peculiar Bath inkling. Dorval recalls ladders and drenched choristers while Farren at Brighton recalls a shrimp joke. Rosambeau’s starving family breakfast gag ends with a boy offered as payment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Vaudeville
Place de la Bourse
Mile
Voila
Mme. Dorval
Searron
Roman Comique
Tam
Farren
Brighton
Buckstone
Nicholas Flam
Shrimp
Reiled
Vining
Fisaroni
Paris
Rosambeau
Papa
Mournful Letter Adds Shadow to Past Legislation Run
A Denver reader details an 1884 letter stolen from Visscher’s desk urging reform and recounts a Wyoming legislative bid. The note wryly mentions a harp, courtship by authorities, and the author’s fear of public taunts and health setbacks. The writer signs as BILL NY Cyclonist, reflecting on past campaigns and a blunted memory of a risky pursuit.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sttpson
Wis
Visson
New Jerusalem
Denver
Wyoming
Ihougwat
Remetues
Sam
Lam
Bill NY
Romance of Eugenie and Napoleon Ball Meeting Tale
A Pittsburgh Despatch account recalls a ball at the Elysee where Mile Eugenie met her future husband. Louis Napoleon and the Duke of La Moskowa escaped crowds to a conservatory corner, Eugenie tying her hair when a waltz caused it to fall. This quiet moment allegedly sparked her ascent to a prominent role.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Eugenie
Napoleon
Pittsburg
the Elysee
Louis Napoleon
Duke of
Riding on the Rail A Brooklyn Eagle Sketch on Conductor Kings
A Brooklyn Eagle essay extols railway conductors as diligent guardians of lives and property while recounting tales of spotters and a legendary test of authority. It recalls Captain Ayres creating the bellrope signal, notes famed conductors like Willlin Coulter, and offers colorful reminiscences of Grant, Ingersoll, Wilde, and others encountered on early American trains.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brooklyn Eagle
Otter
Erie Railway
New York & Erie Railroad
Captain Ayres
Ayres
Hatmmill
Turner's
Hammil
Hiummil
United States
Willlin Coulter
New York
Philadelphia
South Carolina
New York City
Newcastle & Freinchtown Road
Idol of the Dudes and a West Born Actress
A New York Sun report recalls a popular young actress labeled the idol among the dudes. After a successful show she fled the Star Theatre backstage and raced through Union Square, finally sharing an oyster with a friend before returning home. She remembers a life of theater, Delmonico’s, and no time for romance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cets
New York Sun
Jim
Gomne
Fourteenth Street
Fifth Avenue
Union Square
Sixth Avenue
New York
Ime
Delmonico’s
Fido and the London Lap Dog Fashion Shift
A London Punch tale humorously recalls dog fanciers mocked by changing lap dog fashions. A tough critic mocks King Charles spaniels and other breeds, then highlights a lazy pug obsession. A vignettes shows a hungry Fido cured by a humorous, practical trick using shaved meat and carrot can shavings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Charles-es-es
Indies
Arkins
Fido
Burdette in Brooklyn Eagle Scene Voice Mockery
Fragment from a Brooklyn Eagle scene describes a door conversation with an inaudible speaker behind a closed door and a comic exchange about turning around and dressing a child. The text shifts to a Louisville Courier-Journal anecdote about General Banks during the Red River campaign and his delayed, dramatic order to repel the enemy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Burdette
Brooklyn Eagle
Teother
Louisville Courier-Journal
General Banks
Red River
Banks
Nearsighted Irishman proposes duel stance and simultaneous firing
In Manchester Courier a humorous note recalls an Irishman who, about to duel, insists they stand six paces apart and fire at once. The anecdote compares his idea to Sheridan’s joke about chalking a fat man’s figure on a thin man, arguing any hit outside the mark is wasted.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Amon Leamsters
Stubben
Manchester Courier
Sheridan
Bric a Brac. Saved by a Bonnet in Indianapolis Journal
A collage of verse and prose snippets from varied sources including Tootsy-Wootsies and Lorraine's Reason. The item blends light poetry, jokes, and satirical lines, referencing Emma C Dowd, November Century, New York Dial, and Harper's Bazar in a playful, magazine‑style montage reflecting mid Victorian humor and sentiment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lorraine
Emma C. Dowd
St. Nicholas
Also Mentioned on This Page
George F. Williams
General Grant
Army of the Potomac
Mac
Meade
Four-eyed
Burnside
Rhode Island
Hooker
Joe
Popve
John
Sigel
Dutchy
Hancock
Gettysburg
Longstreat
Humphrey
Pennsylvania
Crawford
Logan
Lilue Phil
Sherman
Thomas
Alexander McDowell McCook
McCook
Fifth Corps
Sykes
Syksey
Halleck
Old Brains
Rosecrans
Rosey
Lew Wallace
Battefields
John Bull
Max O'Rell
Mystery OF
Cagilostro
Cornaro
Louis XIV
Dennis
Riva
Francis Bacon
Charles Hervey
William
Denver Opinion
Visscher
Conkling
Blaine
Roscoe Conkling
Conkbhit
Hin
Woal
Chicago
Woo
Carly
Herbert Spencer
Bob Ingersoll
Ingersoll
America
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wide
Russia
Germany
Mr. ’Arkins
Home Life In
George Birdseye
Indianapolis Journal
Arkansaw
Puck
Maud
Merciless
Medway
Elaine Goodale
Mick
Harper’s Bazar
Mick Mulvaney
Mr. Hooley
Chicago News
Cynice
Lady Biglove
Cynic
Sir Gynic
Lewiston Journal
College Street
Harper's Bazar
Heidelberger Journal
Hulda
Adolphus
Yale Courant
Booby
L’envol
Prince
Cincinnati Enquirer
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