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 18 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Bristol Phoenix
Location
Bristol, Rhode Island, United States of America
Date
May 12, 1883
Page
1
A man loses composure and clumsily wrecks papers, ink, and attire when a map upsets an inkstand. He flails for the bottle, smears surfaces, and discovers the ink has drained away unseen. The piece notes such chaos happens every time and invites readers to test the claim.
A young Austin boy wished to swim. His father reminded him this morning he complained of stomach pain. The boy replied that he could swim on his back, illustrating his confidence in approaching the water despite discomfort.
An advertisement touts a durable open face watch with a dust and moisture proof case and airtight bezel. A testimonial from Vatnosta Georgia dated July 20, 1882 reports a stem rust issue after submersion but notes overall reliability and recommends the watch for railroad and mill workers.
An elderly bell ringer Jasper recalls past reigns as Lily De Vere pleads at curfew. Lily defies Cromwell to save her lover Richard Temple, swinging the bell with injuries to herself. Cromwell’s party halts as Lily’s plea brings Richard’s life. Jasper dies at dawn beside his late wife.
An 1881 letter from Crinton Iowa recounts a farmer finding a lost watch after three months underwater with minimal damage, used to argue a dust proof stem winding case. The ad voice urges readers to buy the Perfectly Dust-Proof Stem Winding Watch Case from First-Class Jewelers.
The product VEGETINE is described as a blend of roots, barks and herbs. It is said to be very pleasant to take and appealing to children.
An advertisement page touts Wells Health Renewer and Carter's Liver Bitters with boasts of cures and clever quips. Ely's Cream Balm for catarrh claims fragrance and relief, citing a testimonial from R W Merrill of Grand Rapids.
A Bristol Rhode Island town tale recounts a former detective's night on a haunted case. He describes breaking into a miser's house, finding two corpses, and fleeing as ghostly sounds and bloodstains sparked a police investigation. Four suspects were later arrested amid graveyard thefts.
A collection of maxims on friendship, virtue, opportunity, and living well. Highlights include “An hour of pain is as long as a day of pleasure” and “No persons are more empty than those who are full of themselves,” ending with a Cicero line on living slowly and wisely.
A reflective aphorism notes that true courage comes from admitting we are poor in spirit, which robs poverty of its sting and exposes inner strength.
The Worcester Spy reports Central Congregational church asking the Worcester Aldermen to withhold licenses for intoxicating liquors in their district for the coming year. They argue licensed saloons harm workers, families, and morals and urge authorities to prevent on premise drinking and suppress illegal sales. They invoke Mill and warn that licensing fuels ruin.
A nursery man from New York State recalls two sons, Jem and Joe. Jem heeded a quick opportunity, bought land in Colorado, built a home, and grew wealthy. Joe stayed in hardship, bought a small plot, and remained poor, showing the power of initiative and prompt action in shaping destiny.
The Norwich Bulletin reports a large edible frog in an aquarium ate nearby turtles. Investigators opened the frog to find one turtle inside, later released the survivor named Jonah. The discovery showed the frog can digest turtle shells as well as meat.
A comic exchange follows a newlywed couple where the wife sings about being one. The husband retorts he has just paid $75 for machinery bills and many of her bills, noting that financially they are not one but half a dozen shares.
The 1888 Rhode Island act adds annual armorer pay of 100 dollars for each independent chartered military organization, payable in January after approval. It also reimburses heating and lighting costs for armories when ordered by the Commander in Chief and repeals inconsistent provisions. The act takes effect immediately.
A historical bill outlines notices for oyster lease applications, extended appeal deadlines, and new leasing areas in Narragansett and Mount Hope Bays. It also repeals restrictions on oyster sale timing and sets penalties for violations. The long legal text ends with a regional rail dining-house essay contrasting Southern eating-houses and a humorous pie tale.
The text outlines a 1883 amendment to the Public Statutes Section 17 prohibiting minors from receiving intoxicating liquors with fines and imprisonment, plus requirements for license premises to allow outside view, and a provision for conviction notices to clerks. It includes a closing note certifying the act and a moral anecdote about a German father and son in a car.
The line recalls a late night scene with a girl and a tense fear of discovery as an old man might rush downstairs at any moment. The mood centers on suspense and intimate risk in a single, vivid moment.
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.