Friday Superstitions and Modern Skepticism Across Time
A historical reflection contrasts old sea superstition about Friday with modern views. It cites a Massachusetts captain who proved the day’s alleged danger unfounded by a Friday shipbuilding sequence. The piece notes rising steam era skepticism and includes aphorisms and advertisements from Harper's Young People.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jack
Massachusetts
Republic
West Indies
Trully
Harper
Ely's Cream Balm Praise From Chicago User
Oscar Ostrum of 45 Warren Ave Chicago Ill attests to the balm's strong relief for chronic catarrh and claims it has even cured longtime symptoms after half a year of use. He notes many acquaintances also report excellent results.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ely
Oscar Ostrum
Warren Ave
Chicago
Ill
Monarch of the railroad guild and the laurel crown
A verse by Evelyn Travers in Western Rural depicts a loyal prince who serves a railroad guild monarch as a farmer feeds him. Despite brown bands, his finished work earns him a laurel crown.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Evelyn Travers
Escapade of Malcolm MacDonald in Lava Bed Rescue
In Albuquerque a daring kidnap tale unfolds as Malcolm MacDonald leads friends into lava beds to free Col Blecker’s daughter Helen. They smother a campfire to move unseen, retrieve Helen, and escape by boat as robbers surrender after a gunbattle. Heroes return to fanfare in the city.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Albuquerque
Nmm
Col. Blecker
Helen
Malcolm MacDonald
Crater of
Lavages
MacDonaall
MacDonald
Nelen
Col Bleeker
J. A. Bolles
Boston Globe
Sentences Passed by the Judge
A short quotation from Kathrine Grosjean cited by Judge reflects on life and social conduct. It explores themes of vulgarity ridicule kindness and the idea that money enables happiness more than guarantees it.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kathrine Grosjean
Chicago Security at World Fair Sparks Hilarious Quip
Satirical dialogue contrasts Chicago’s crime record with safeguards for visitors. A Chicago Man privately predicts robbers will vanish once the fair opens, shifting crimes to hotel protection. The quip mocks fear and finance in press chatter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Texas
Joke Exchange Shows Wealth Dreams Between Parents
A brief quip from Harper's Young People has Wallie bragging about a gold mine owned by his father and Polly replying that her mother owns a check-book and spends freely, highlighting playful family rivalries over wealth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wallie
Polly
Harper's
He Was One
Dialogue snippet shows a tense exchange with Trotter denying uncertainty and asserting truth about a person named Cholly.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cholly
Trotter
Exchange of Confidences
Comic exchange about money and spending appears as a witty dialogue between Mrs. Gofrequent and Mrs. Flyabout. The brief jest centers on a husband who refuses to give any money, captured in a single-panel style line from a Chicago Tribune page.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Flyabout
Chicago Tribune
Lottery of Marriage Law Quoth Woman in Demorest
A Demorest's Magazine quote frames marriage as a lottery devised by law with women as the prize recipients. The dialogue presents a witty, gendered critique of matrimonial norms.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Demorest
Why the hotel was named Columbus
A Detroit Free Press item notes a businessman named his hotel Columbus to feature a new Columbian stamp on the sign. The anecdote highlights the marketing gimmick and stamp novelty of the era.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Columbus
Detroit Free Press
A Growing Pleasure Mustache Banter
A Brooklyn Life quip plays on growing mustaches as a playful exchange between a man and woman. The running gag centers on the speaker's pride in his facial hair and the partner's amused reactions.
Tea Time Pause in Chicago Tribune Bond
George asks if he is early and Laura replies they have just had tea and it should come after the Tribune. The exchange captures a domestic moment tied to the newspaper schedule and a small domestic rhythm.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George
Laura
Chicago Tribune
Lincoln
Balzac
Carlyle
Columbus
Socrates
Hooker
Scribner's Magazine
Match Spoiled by Old Man’s Cold Water Prank
A short quip notes a match spoiled when an old man doused the scene with cold water. The line appears in Harpers Bazaar as a humorous aside about tempering enthusiasm.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harper’s Bazar
Not Entirely Hopeless Wealthy Town Farmer Joins Church
A narration centers on a wealthy town farmer newly joined to the church and puzzled by life’s profits. He questions the value of aiding a poor wayfarer while losing nine hundred dollars in cash his mare and a shotgun. The piece hints that experience matters.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Catlin
Yale College
The Star Spangled Banner Origin Story
In 1814 Baltimore noblemen plotted to capture British soldiers but were thwarted when the British freed their captives and detained Dr Beans. A Baltimore girl appealed to Admiral Cockburn via Mr Francis Key, who later witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry and penned the Star Spangled Banner as dawn broke on the flag flying over the fort.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baltimore
North Point
Toether
Upper Marlborough
Darance
Dr. Beans
England
Francis Key
Fort McHenry
Harper's
New Year Reflections On Duty And Kindness
A collection of aphorisms and verse about the new year emphasizing duty, generosity, and resilience. It contrasts hopeful visions with the inevitability of trouble, urging readers to share joy, plant good deeds, and accept divine timing for life’s shadows. The piece closes with maxims on aging, deceit, and perception.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harper's Bazar
Hood's Sarsaparilla Promises Health Cleanliness
An advertisement asserts Hood's Sarsaparilla as a purifier that expels scrofula and other impurities from the body. It urges immediate use as a personal cleanliness measure through free soap and water.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hood
Hood's Pills Earn High Praise for Easy Efficient Action
Advert says Hood's Pills receive highest praise for easy effective relief. Sold by all druggists at 25 cents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hood
Books as Furniture and Home Comforts Echoed
A broad survey extols books as furniture value and aesthetic. It praises shelving choices, warm woods, and decorative color from books to convey refinement, with scenes of rural homes and practical tips. It also touches on domestic fatigue and a critique of overwork, urging rest and targeted happiness.
Exhausted mother caring for family on stairs and errands
A tired mother recounts constant demands as she sits in a narrow city home with four stairways. Friends note her fatigue from tending others and managing household tasks while juggling children and a husband’s worries.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mary
Theodore
Harper's Bazar
Washington and His Mother Meet at Fredericksburg
After Yorktown Washington visits his mother at Fredericksburg on his return from the campaign. The scene recalls May 1775 to autumn 1781 with Mrs. Washington calm yet joyful as she greets her son returning from years of danger and duty.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Horace Walpole
Duchess of Queensborough
Mr. Walpole
Waverly Magazine
Washington
Yorktown
Cornwallis
Philadelphia
Fredericksburg
Mount Vernon
Mr. Curtis
France
America
Eld
George
Great minds see Spiritual power over material force
The quotation asserts that true greatness lies in spiritual influence, with thoughts shaping the world. It argues that talent remains valuable only as it reflects veracity, not merely performance, implying that authentic insight commands respect and reward.
Also Mentioned on This Page
The
Bristol Phenix
Hope Street
Wilbour, Jackson & CO
Ealers
New York
Boston
Weybosset Street
Providence
R. I
JosHua Wilbour
Benjamin A. Jackbon
Rhode Island
Westminster Street
Capital
Amos C. Barstow
Christopher Lippitt
Royal Club
Robert H.J. Goddard Gee
W.R. Matteson
Samuel S. Sprazue
William D. Ily
Rovert J. Gammel
William Kinney
William B. Wooden
Renoand Kazard
Bkalward J. Pesree
Horatio N Caumybot
Rovert Knight
John W Pauteison
Herbert J. Wells Toon C Pegrim
Leman
Gell
Busene
WoMoon
Gordon King
Herbert J. Wells
Samuel R Dorerance
Posilent
Edward S. Clarh
Providence, R
Bec
Ant Bo
Geetangele Trusees
Tee
Jane
Eélaten
Walaias Cea
James M Kimball
Providrce
George L. Littlefield Tewet
Joshua Wilbock
Albert L. Calder
Provice
Sterns Hutchins
City Savings Bank
Providence, R. I
John S. Palmer
Henry C. Hee Saye Ie E. ON
D. Russell Brow
Dutee Wilcox
J.W. Crocker
Jeffrey Davis
Geo. W. B. Bourn
George K. C
Joseph A.starkweather
John H. Cady
Wm. G. Nightingale
Thomas J. Hill
James C. Church
Ranston
Sheldon & Binney
Westminster St
Providence, R.1
Omanuel H. Sheldon, JR
W. Binney
Sanford & Muuro
Qustomors
Saia
Samuel C. Essterbrooke
W. Easterbbrooks
News Point
Tandard
G. W. Easterrooks
Ayer
Raua
Henry James
Wc.shires CO
GROUP
ENE
Apeea
Everth
Deicios
Earth
Arvid
Wall Street
Cano
MacDonaald
Cubbage
Snooper
Boston Gazette
Brooklyn
Mabel
Kee-El-Wahwe
Kee-El-Wahwe, ‘the One Who Knows
Secrets
Cave of Bones
Theocrtug
Leavening Powe
U.S
Royal Worcester
Lowestoft
Black and Besant
Hardy
Jickens
Scott
Rolfe
Horsterds
Rumford Chemical Works
Fou Anyanere
Pera
ROR Det CO
Spruce St
Willie
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!