Acrostics and Anagrams in Ancient Riddle Traditions
A survey of acrostics and anagrams across ancient cultures. From Hebrew psalms and Gothic abecedarians to Greek riddles, Biblical proverbs, and Arabic texts, the piece traces origins, uses, and notable examples including Homer and James I plays on letters and meanings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gimel
Sheba
Solomon
Greece
James I
England
Arthur
Charles James Stuart
Pilate
Where the Lady Was Going
An official recalls a Boston ticket office incident where a nervous elderly woman laid a quarter on the counter without saying her destination. When asked where she was headed she replied in a tremulous voice that she was going to the doctor, leaving the agent to inquire further.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England
Boston
Look It Up My Boy Look It Up Punchline
A professor rebukes a student for failing a simple question. The student answers that he would tell pupils to look it up if asked, echoing the professor’s own habit and exposing a circular teaching moment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jones
Proposer Hopes For Answer From Ethel At Ten
In London Tit Bits a playful exchange sees Charles ask Ethel to marry him. She hesitates and he quips that if she does not answer by ten he will seek Mabel Hicks for news.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ethel
Charles
Mabel Hicks
London
Simple Living as a Life Sport, Thoreau Thought
A Thoreau quotation argues that sustaining oneself is a pastime, not a hardship, if one lives simply and wisely. It links peaceful, frugal living to the way of simpler nations and contrasts it with modern excess.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Thoreau
Garb for a Surgeon Before an Operation
A brief quip from the Minneapolis Tribune on proper attire for surgeons preceding surgery. The line contrasts a cutaway coat with implied formal dress, followed by a Confucius quote about self-belief and capability.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Minneapolis Tribune
Rogers on Stand in Missouri Oil Inquiry
Henry H. Rogers vice president of Standard Oil testified in Missouri probe led by Attorney General Hadley. He denied stock in Indiana company, and said he has no detailed knowledge of Missouri oil sales or control by others. named A Moffatt as president of Standard Oil Company of Indiana.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Standard Oil Company
New York
Henry H. Rogers
Standard Oi Company
Hadley
Missouri
Standard Oil Company of
Indiana
Republic Ol Company
Waters Pierce Oil Company
New Jersey
Mr. Rogers
Waters-Pierce
Republic Oil Company
Waters-Pierce Company
B. W. Vanburen
John D. Archibald
H. M. Tilford
Continental Oil Company
Standard Oil Company of Indiana
Texas Railroads Boost Earnings in Seven Months
The Texas Railroad Commission reports seven months ending January 31, 1906 show freight earnings of 31,427,183 up 6.71 percent from 1905, gross earnings of 44,773,636 rising to 4,425,178 with a 5.92 percent increase, operating expenses at 33,527,353 up 7.41 percent, and income from operation at 13,897,825 up 2.50 percent. The overall operation income rises about 400,000 versus the prior seven months.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austin
Railroad Commission
Texas
Blanket Primary Sparks Texas Legislature Split
Austin March 24 lawmakers from both branches crowded into the city. About fifty members were present at noon as a solrt session looms if the governor does not submit new subjects. South Texas members oppose the blanket primary while north Texas members favor it. Several members met with the governor and urged additional propositions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austin
South Texas
North Texas
Murder at Beaumont rice mill during night shift
T D Overton twenty five is shot and killed by A Mold sixty a night watchman at the Beaumont rice mill. Mold says Overton insulted him and returned with a revolver. Overton who lived in Virginia died from three gunshot wounds.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Beaumont
T. D. Overton
Beaumont Rice Mill
A. Mold
Mold
Overton
Virginia
Counterfeit Buffalo Ten Dollar Bills Surface in Fort Worth
Fort Worth reports a flood of counterfeit ten dollar bills of the Buffalo type. The fakes closely mimic stamp and engraving but use thicker heavier paper and lack silk. they show a thin center and heavy ends, resembling what coin experts call broken bills.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fort Worth
Wisconsin Sails for Shanghai to Join American Fleet
The battleship Wisconsin departed for Shanghai to reinforce the American fleet there after rush orders issued by Rear Admiral Train.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Manila
Wisconsin
Shanghai
Train
Teazel: Nature’s tool for cloth finishing and fulling
A St Nicholas excerpt explains teazel use in fulling cloth to raise nap and soften fibers. The spiked heads pull and abrade the surface as a wheel brushes fabric, breaking and reweaving threads to create a velvety finish. The plant’s durable yet elastic spikes resist tearing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Nicholas
Oddities and curious animal details from a naturalist
A collection of strange facts about animals and insects. Bees avoid light stores, a moth wears a fur jacket while a butterfly does not, and a squirrel may descend head first. Leaves attract dew but boards and stones do not.
Whittier’s Whims Inspiring Boston Punning Echoes
A London Chronicle note claims John Greenleaf Whittier originated the name pun game that mocked people. It cites Whittier’s 1871 poem How Mary Grew aimed at anti slavery lecturer Mary Grew in Boston with stanzas ending in puns.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Greenleaf Whittier
Mary Grew
Boston
Whittier
Mary
St Louis City Independent From St Louis County
The city of St. Louis stands as an independent municipality with its own courts jail grand jury and county-like functions. Since 1876 it has been separated from St Louis County, with Clayton serving as the county courthouse town a few miles west.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Louis
St. Louis County
Clayton
The Jersey Cow Milk Producer and Longevity
The Jersey cow is a small animal with a small maintenance ration and a large share of food going to profit. It is a persistent milker, often a perpetual milker, not dry more than six to eight weeks per year. Five years cover profitable work, with usefulness lasting to age fifteen and profitability continuing into eighteen to twenty one years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jersey
Aren’t you afraid a horse will run away with somebody
Broncho Bob quips that in Crimson Gulch a horse running away with a man is fearsome, but a man running away with a horse is the real danger. The Washington Star records the wry frontier banter about equine mischief.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Priend
Broncho Bob
Crimson Gulch
Washington Star
Spat Sparks Sharp Exchange Cited in Detroit Tribune
A husband asserts his blunt stance during a quarrel while his wife urges him to feel shame, as reported in the Detroit Tribune. The exchange highlights domestic tension captured in the era's public record.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Detroit Tribune
Nine Causes In Suit By Mutual Life Against McCurdys
New York March 24 The Mutual Life Insurance Company has filed eight actions against former president Richard A McCurdy his son R H McCurdy and Charles H Raymond Co The first complaint targets McCurdy alleging waste of large sums and unfaithfulness with damages asked at 3 126 000 The suit seeks 292 500 for alleged unlawful political contributions since 1885 and a 225 000 salary increase claimed without authority The eighth action concerns Louis A Thebau son in law of McCurdy and his ties to Raymond Co.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Mutual Life Insurance Company
Richard A. McCurdy
R. H. McCurdy
Charles H. Raymond & Co
McCurdy
Armstrong Committee
Seventh Cause
Committee On Expenditures
Armrong
Louis A. Thebau
Raymond & Co
Young Women's Christian Association Holds State Convention
The state convention of the YWCA met at the university in Austin on March 24 with many delegates. Officers elected include President Miss Robert Lavender of the University of Texas, First Vice President Miss Lewis of Fort Worth University, Second Vice President Miss Hattie Waitten of the Girl's College of Industrial Arts at Denton, and Secretary Miss Edna Mays of Daniel Baker College at Brownwood.
Two Gainesville youths held on dead body interference charge
Gainesville Texas March 24 two young men from the Callesburg area were arrested on a charge of interfering with a dead body. Each posted $500 bond for appearance in county court.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gainesville
Tex
Callesburg
Buffalo gnats torment farmers in Big Sandy area
Farmers and mill men in Big Sandy Texas report the appearance of Buffalo gnats. Druggists report strong sales of preparations to kill or prevent gnats from harming work stock. No deaths from the pests have been recorded to date.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Big Sandy
Tex
Senator Bailey Delayed Funeral Greeting at Crystal Springs
Crystal Springs Mississippi March 24 Senator Bailey arrived one day late to attend his father's funeral Farmers for miles lined the train and many citizens welcomed him with sympathy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Crystal Springs
Miss
Bailey
Miles
American Savings Bank and Trust of Shreveport Organized
Shreveport reports the American Savings Bank and Trust Company is organized with $500,000 authorized capital. It will start with $100,000 subscribed and paid, and a $50,000 surplus.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shreveport
American Savings Bank and Trust Company of
Severe Electric Storm Hits Muskogee Streetcars
Muskogee reports an electric storm on Friday afternoon that smashed a generator and knocked the street railway out of commission for two or three days. Lightning also struck a house causing substantial damage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Muskogee
Parker Denies Third Term Talk In Presidential Dialogue
Hon. Alton B Parker states no statement or interview ever suggested May or McClellan for the presidency. He notes a Maine man’s report of a third term discussion is ungrounded and that he respects the president’s stated reluctance to seek another public office.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Maine
South
Birmingham
Jackson
McClellan
Mount Holly hangings of Rufus Johnson and George Small
Rufus Johnson and George Small, both African American, were hanged in Mount Holly New Jersey for the January 18 murder and assault of Miss Florence W Allison. The crime occurred in a barn near Moorestown with a brutal struggle and a neck-binding strap from a horse blanket. Johnson confessed. Small proclaimed innocence on the gallows. Rewards totaling 1500 dollars had been offered. Johnson had been captured in Baltimore and testified at Small's trial after a reprieve.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mount Holly
N. J
Rufus Johnson
George Small
Florence W. Allison
Moorestown
Bessie Walker
Miss Allison
Baltimore
Johnson
Small
Pennsylvania Monument Dedication At Vicksburg
In Vicksburg Mississippi on March 24 about 500 Pennsylvania veterans led by Governor Pennybacker joined Mississippi troops led by Governor Vardaman for a quiet yet impressive dedication of the Pennsylvania monument on the Vicksburg battlefield. A parade formed shortly before noon and marched toward the monument.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Vicksburg
Miss
North
Pennsylvania
Pennypacker
Mississippi
Vardaman
Editor Alexis Souverin jailed after failed appeal
St. Petersburg report says Alexis Souverin editor of the Russ was arrested after Emperor Nicholas rejected his appeal of a one year fortress confinement for printing a seditious proclamation and the workmen's council manifesto declaring civil war on the proletariat.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Souverin
The
Russ
Nicholas
Workmen's Council
Also Mentioned on This Page
Psalmist
Confucius
Commission
Nature
London Chronicle
Texas Association
New Bank For
Bere
Parker
Presidency
Alton B. Parker
Veterans of Civil War Dedicate Monument of
St. Petersburg
Alexis
Co. F. Andrews
Jenkins’ Drug Stor Kryan
Burt Norwid
A. L. Mondrick, M. D
James’ Drug Store
Bryan
W. H. Lawrence
J.W. Batts
Taliaferro
Court House
Brazos County
H. K. White
La&gnrr
San Antonio
FOR
D. J. Paige
Railroad
Sherman
Will Mala
Tucker’s Livery Stable
Y. W. Dyhrr
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!