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!
This newspaper page contains 23 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Brimfield Gazette
Location
Brimfield, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Dec 18, 1878
Page
3
A survey of how calendars have begun the year across nations and eras. It covers Gregorian reform, historical and civil year systems, and how dates varied by country from England to New England. Also notes leap year rules and upcoming eclipses in 1870 and 1879.
The text explains how to compute day and night lengths using twelve added hours to the sun's position and subtracting the hour of wetting, with references to apparent and celestial time. It discusses astronomical days, civil days, months, and years, noting variations in month length and a year described in ancient timekeeping terms.
A fire in Macon Mississippi destroyed fifty one and all contents valued at two hundred thousand dollars. The report also notes civil war turmoil in Breathitt county Kentucky with violence and arrests suppressed, and death of Hon. Effingham Lawrence of New Orleans. Other items cover Cuba labor unrest, Afghan diplomacy, and a UK parliamentary vote.
A violent rain storm on the tenth swelled rivers to unusual heights and destroyed property across the region. Bridges and culverts were washed away while several trains are reported with loss of life. Bank failures and business bankruptcies followed in Gloversville Saratoga and St Louis. A deadly sequence of crimes and disasters, including murders in Nebraska and Texas, highlights a period of unrest and calamity.
A Washington correspondent reports that five Southern Congressmen say the President hinted fondness for the South and a lively interest in its prosperity while asserting he must address constitutional duties. Hon. W D Kelley predicts opposition to measures that threaten special payments and notes the ongoing bond scheme debate. Prince, a Democrat, wins Boston mayoralty by 1106 votes. A February Washington meeting of National Greenback Congress members aims to align views and plan action.
The joint commission has completed its plan for army reorganization and reports a bill to Congress. Key points limit the army to 9,000 excluding signal corps. artillery merged with Ordnance under the Quartermaster. staff abolished and swapped with line officers. new regulations and education for cavalry. promotions curtailed until staffing reduces. General and Lieutenant General offices end with current incumbents.
Look out for counterfeit goods and a broad grain supply across the United States and Canada. Visible stocks include wheat 14,200,000 bushels, corn 8,990,000, oats 2,450,000, rye 1,900,000, barley 5,117,000. The cotton crop of 1878 is summarized in round figures.
Official statistics report 5,852 immigrants arriving in New York in November, with 3,604 males and 2,248 females. The Agriculture Department tallies U.S. wheat output at 425,000,000 bushels for the current year. Also noted is the death of Henry Wells in Scotland and a Chicago merchants excursion set to begin January 1 to Mexico, with a stop in New Orleans and voyage to Vera Cruz before returning via Galveston.
The 45th Congress notes House and Senate actions on elections and financial policy. Discussions cover a presidential vote counting method, Indian inter treaties, postal reforms, and a push to regulate currency with a trade dollar. Debates include enforcement of electoral rights and amendments to fortify national finance oversight.
After debate the bill was read third time and passed with 3 ayes and 20 nays, adjourned to Monday. A resolution to investigate US Supervisor of Elections J J Davenport in New York was adopted without objection, widened to include registration days. Shelley from Railways and Canals reported a bill authorizing the Washington Cincinnati and St Louis Railroad to build a narrow gauge line from the tile-water to Mt Louis and Chicago, recommitted.
A stranger medical oddity in New York details a 21 year old man child born 1857, described as an overgrown infant with measles in infancy, limited growth, and a small stature yet large head. The piece notes his education failed to progress and cites skin, language, and mobility traits. It references school discipline anecdotes and a Windy City lodging accident with a hotel cook.
A New York man walking with a boy on dixtanes encountered a woman claiming the boy was hers. After a brief dispute and police involvement, the man’s wife produced their child, revealing a remarkable resemblance. The father surrendered and took his boy home.
An Indianapolis Journal critique describes a powerful Washington lobby as a dangerous force seeking to exploit political turnover and easing congressmen’s failures with champagne and favors. It condemns the group as a scandal and a national stench despite their influence.
London Grover notes a folk calculation that a fowl yearly egg output equals about six pounds for a three pound hen, implying hens lay roughly twice their body weight in eggs. He cites average egg weight of seventeen eggs as about two and a fifth pounds.
The North now holds about 9,900,000 cotton spindles and the South about 600,000, totaling roughly 10,500,000 spindles in the United States. In 1876 about 68,000,000 spindles were used in cotton manufacture worldwide, with roughly 10,000,000 in the United States and 40,000,000 in Great Britain. The German Emperor is expected to resume his sovereign duties soon, amid debates on the balance of power between himself and the Crown Príncipe.
A festive piece blends Christmas home canticles with practical winter floriculture advice. It covers Chinese evergreen tips, halyotropes, daphne, crocus care, and wintering routines, and includes a child friendly Santa Claus reflection and carrier appreciation amid early 20th century domestic lifestyle.
A garbled page lists a recipe for a pudding and thickening tips, along with scattered household hints. It mentions beating eggs, butter, and milk to form a mixture for cake, plus advice on hair care and cleaning methods. The text includes instructions for carpet care, eye strength remedies, and policing sheet uses, with many OCR errors.
A boiler explosion at Teese Bros Owl Works near Uniontown Pa killed six men and injured seven others. Engineers and workers were on the roof when steam burst through the roof forcing a valve shut and tearing the boiler to pieces. Names named include Richard Evans J J Miller Daniel McGarvey John Money Joseph Wayone Morgan McGall and John Dougherty was seriously hurt. Gold price fluctuations and market notes follow in the column.
The 1880 census draws attention for Congress apportionment after decades of Northwest population growth. Gen Walker, Superintendent, urges ending the 1850 enumeration method as outdated and favors appointing able census supervisors and field workers under 1860 provisions with Interior Secretary power for appointments.
A brief note mentions A and Leela Barber, a barber operating in St Louis, with vague details about a local matter requiring clarification or further reporting. The fragment suggests questions about status, location, or regulatory action affecting the business.
A New York Sun overview of a Massachusetts study notes 161,801 men over 20 died between 1843 and 1877, with farmers reaching about 65 years on average. Trades vary widely with judges and gentlemen living longest, while brigades such as telegraphers and certain indoor workers die younger, and female workers average around 89 years, led by nurses at 62 and domestic workers around 45.
The article traces the corset from its Italian origin through its adoption in France by Catherine de Medici and courtly usage under Mary Stuart and Diana Poitiers. It notes ironly stiff designs, health drawbacks, and gradual reforms under Louis XIV, the Directory, Empire, and eventual revival after the fall of the empire, ending with a return to the corset as waistlines reappeared.
A local woman sent for the Chief alleging a problematic situation involving her husband and another person. The fragment hints at a domestic dispute or accusation but provides limited detail about parties, actions, or outcomes due to poor OCR readability.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.