17 Dec 1879
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 18 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Branford Gleaner
Location
Branford, Connecticut, United States of America
Date
Dec 17, 1879
Page
1
In a snowbound dugout a family endures hunger and cold as Christmas nears. Mother’s steady faith sustains the children while a neighbor’s stinginess clashes with a miraculous Santa Claus moment and a Christmas bounty that follows with a hopeful future.
Charles Francis Adams Jr argues in Notes on Railroad Accidents that rail travel is far safer than common belief. Massachusetts data show 1,165 annual railroad deaths over many years versus 2,587 in accidental causes at home, with trespassers making up over a third of railroad injuries. He notes drift from drunk pedestrians and recommends broken-stone ballast as a remedy, adopted by Pennsylvania Railroad.
During a session of the saeeI pa convention in Boston the bishop of Luisiana, impressed by a candid boy who admits he cusses, asks him to fetch a bundle for eight dollars and a half dollar tip. The boy returns with the bundle and a receipted bill for 850 dollars, saying he expected the bishop would fix the rest, and the bishop agrees the act proves enduring confidence.
A noted astronomer in Kansas describes a mysterious object approaching Earth, with the tale set around a key date in mid spring. The account emphasizes its location near the central United States and hints at significant impact or observation.
The season progresses with light amusements kept clear of coughs and discomfort. Dr Boy 3 See Syrup is advertised at 25 cents per bottle for relief and aid.
A Edinburgh lodger recounts a winter dream of John Fleming drowning while skating on Conspappie Loch. The next day a real John Fleming died skating elsewhere, suggesting coincidence. The piece notes dreams sometimes inspire real work, citing Campbell’s Lochiel's Warning as another example.
At the New York American Institute dairy fair F B Thurber president of the Dairy Association shared global cow counts: United States about 13 million versus Germany 8.96 million France 4.51 million and Britain 3.71 million. He warned butter quality limits exports and urged American dairymen to boost butter quality and cheese variety for foreign markets.
A Dubuque wife devised and tested a method to discipline a moderately intoxicated husband. She greeted him with a smile, offered brandy, poured a drink, and after he consumed it she tied him to a bedpost and whipped him with a rawhide until he was “as tender as a beefsteak,” according to the Telegraph.
Iowa passes a law relaxing taxes for five years on every acre planted with forest trees. Over 75,000 acres of fruit on forest trees have been planted and 200,000 dollars in taxes have been shifted. Chicago completes the largest grain elevator with 1,800,000 bushels capacity, and the accompanying railcar logistics stretch to 280 miles.
The year 1880 is chosen to mark the 500th anniversary of Wyckliffe's English Bible translation with emphasis on the New Testament publication. The complete Bible would appear later that day, but Wyckliffe's version is noted as the first full English Bible.
German statisticians estimate total capital invested in railroad construction since Stephenson at seventy five milliards of francs roughly 15 billion dollars. The amount equates to about fifteen dollars for every person on Earth, a figure worthy of jubilee celebration rather than a battlefield anniversary.
A Boston dispatch reports a grim year for Gloucester fishermen with thirteen vessels lost, 143 men drowned, 56 widows, 150 fatherless children, and total year losses of 30 vessels and 240 lives. Two vessels remain missing, and fears they will never be heard from, continuing a long toll since 1830 totaling 2118 men and 405 vessels valued at 1,696,399 dollars.
A Cincinnati society promoting marriage ran a large picnic and anniversary attended by thousands. Participants complain the group dissolved after misusing $2,000 raised for weddings. One groom received only $25 and doctors bills were rejected. Lead rings were found to replace gold gifts.
The article explains dry heat burns and moist heat scalds with treatment guidance. It covers minor burns treated by cold water and glycerine or lard, blister care, poultices, and, for extensive damage, signs of nervous shock and death risk. It prescribes hot baths, gum arabic dressings, collodion and sweet oil, or dry flour, and warns against drawing liniments.
Poem meditating on Christmas Eve prayers and memories. The speaker recalls loss and seeks peace and divine salvation as night falls and family warmth surrounds the fire. Elaine Goodale is attributed.
A collection of curiosities and brief notes from 19th century papers. Items include oddities in advertising a 400 pound ice block with fish and fruit, jokes about courtship, international military courtesy after maneuvers, coal production comparisons, a London theater scene, an Indiana boy crushed by a toy, and a Tuscarawas Ohio case of a two year old whose legs hardened like stone.
The article depicts a dentist as a tormentor in a chilling courtroom-style piece. A victim endures sharp and dull instruments as a surgeon smiles, provoking a savage reaction. It concludes with the verdict justifiable homicide by the patient.
The Repertoire General of Bureau Veritas reports a global decline in sailing tonnage from 14,218,072 to 14,103,605. Britain leads with 5,684,128 sailing tons and 3,542 sea-going steamers, totaling 8,139,703 of the world’s 18,125,474 tons, about half under the British flag. Canada ranks fourth among nations behind Great Britain, United States, Norway.
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