Random Bits From a Distant Era of News
A collage of short items notes European views on German interviews and British nerves, Lord Roberts seeking a 1,000,000 man army, a St. Louis bridegroom incident with a judge, Sir Theodore Martin’s 92nd birthday, a Cologne powder firm balking at Roumania orders, Rockefeller’s $150,000 Richmond College gift, a Norwegian patent agreement to extract zinc from low grade ore, and early metal recovery yields.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cologne
Roumania
Balkan States
Man Could Live Forever, Says Longevity Student
Mrs. Charles Brodie Patterson declares that it is possible for a man to live forever. She asserts not only for one man but for all men, who cannot remember this earth’s limits, and concludes that humanity must progress to give others a chance below.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charles Brodie Patterson
National issues mix housing, divorce, and work policy
The piece notes New York seeks a 3500 foot building height cap while Boston and Washington set lower limits. It argues for a uniform national divorce law, warns against state-by-state variation, and contrasts federal action with local restrictions. It cites Powderly on bread-line workers and promotes Orlando F. Lewis and employment stations as practical reforms.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Boston
Washington
Peer calls for car confiscation to curb speeders
A British peer urges temporary seizure of speeding cars as punitive legislation. The Baltimore American finds fines inadequate, noting rising accidents and disregard for life. The piece argues current penalties fail to deter speed maniacs and motor expenses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baltimore
Wireless telephone dreams and Wright prize chase described
A brief montage of early wireless telephone plans for Washington Navy Yard, questions on sound travel, and Wilbur Wright seeking a $15,000 French aeroplane prize amid French aristocracy satire. The chatter widens to court intrigues over American heiresses and incumbrances, reflecting press tone of era.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Navy Department
Washington
Wilbur “Wright
Dogs and memory in man and beast debate
A Boston Herald report summarizes M. Camille Flammarion view that dogs suffer grief and despair, even choose self harm similar to humans. Maeterlinck and other observers note dogs possess souls, memory, and affection, with examples of dogs dying from sorrow or on their own. The piece discusses whether dogs share human-like mental suffering. It also mentions a Pennsylvania State College of Agriculture educational train tour promoting alfalfa, dairy, and livestock practices for farmers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
M. Camille
Flammarion
M. N
Tor Bug
M. Flantmarion
Boston Herald
Maeterlinck
Crier
State College of Agriculture
Pennsylvania
Five Platinum Group Metals and World Supply Control
The text notes rhodium Osmium Iridium Palladium and Ruthenium as the platinum group metals with rhodium resisting acids and used for crucibles Osmium the heaviest metal Iridium a hard metal used for gold pen points and explains these metals are rare by products of platinum refining with world supply controlled by a London firm It also covers the Dante reference to painting the town red and cites Francesca and Paola and a note on German Zeppelins and potential war advantages balanced against rival inventors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Dante
Virgil
Francesca
Paola
Fragmented social warnings mix humor and fear
An editorial style summary cites marriage and divorce statistics as grim, urges a return to simple living and wholesome work, and mocks sensational claims about cancer from garden worms and vegetables. It notes urban migration and seasonal escapes, comments on Nero, football safety, and a Metchnikoff quote, concluding with an anticaloric quip about the potato bug.
From Blind Men and Perception to Bridges and Stamps
A collage of short notes covers epistemology with the six blind men parable and the limits of observation, then shifts to Emperor William elevating his daughter-in-law, a Hartford stone bridge claim, upcoming stamp designs, Houdon Washington portrait revival, and a New Jersey rabbit mystery involving a dog and a speeding car.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William
Connecticut River
Hartford
Carisburcke
Moldau
Prague
Waterloo
Thames
London
New Jersey
Shadow of Assassination Haunts Russian Czars Family
The report of the anarchistic attack upon the dowager empress of Russia shows how the shadow of assassination lingers near the czar’s family. Among all crowns, his bears the heaviest burden with no respite from terror.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Russia
Odd Theory on Umpires and Roadway Humps Surfaces
A strange theory suggests that a game like baseball was aided by discovering 16 skeletons in one of the structures, thought to be umpires whose calls supposedly influenced outcomes. In Chicago suburb crossings, speed control by raising sidewalks created four humps, elevating the crossing above road level to slow traffic.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Crossinga
Chicago
Lord Roberts Sees Threat of German Invasion of England
Reported fears that the German army may invade England amid concerns over hunger and hardship among the British population. The dialogue questions why German forces would target a land facing food shortages and social strain.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lord Roberts
England
Kaiser Wilhelm Visit Message Promises Open Reception
A fragment notes that Kaiser Wilhelm can visit the United States with assurance of a grand reception and full freedom to talk as he pleases, signaling an informal diplomatic invitation and the host nation’s willingness to accommodate.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kaiser Wilhelm
United States
The Kicker and the Other Fellow in Union Rhetoric
An opinion piece extols the "kicker" who speaks out in meetings against wrong, contrasting him with the silent "cur." It traces a lineage from biblical prophets to American reformers like Washington and Henry, praising fearless critique of tyranny and corrupt combines while urging farmers and readers to embrace bold, ongoing kicking against social and economic evils.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Butte
Jonah
Ninevah
John the Baptist
Daniel
Nathan
Paul
John Hurt
Martin Luther
Melanchton
George Washington
Patrick Henry
Atlantic Ocean
Solomon
New York Exchange
Unclear excerpt on labor aggression and worker stance
Fragmentary text argues eight month pig weight, criticizes unrest under Labor Aggression, urges recognition of brawn and brains, labels workers as unorganized and self-sufficient.
The Farmers Union praised for protecting farmers
A Tyler Telegram excerpt extols the Farmers Union as a loyal, wise, and selfless body working for farmer protection and advancement. It defends its price support actions on cotton, notes the limited failures, and predicts the union may endure or fade like past movements while already earning a place as a key economic factor in agricultural progress.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Farmers’ Union
Farmers' Union
Solomons
South
Grange
Alliance
Tyler
Farmers' Union Creed Promotes Unity on Cotton Prices
The National Farmers Union urges firm resolve among members to support price levels and resist selling cotton below a set price. It argues that coordinated action by Southern farmers could lift cotton to 15 cents or more in under two months, but requires stronger unity to push for higher or lower targets while avoiding offers below the agreed price.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Farmers’ Unions
South
Judgment Returns to Earth as Labor Fights Trusts
Labor leaders claim a new method to empower workers against wealthy trust magnates. The public clash centers on organized labor teaching self protection tactics, unsettling powerful industrial interests.
Texas Honey Output Records Highest In Nation
Texas leads the nation in honey production with output exceeding one hundred million pounds last year, far ahead of California which produced about 3.6 million pounds. The report highlights Texas’ beekeeping industry and seasonal yields across counties, signaling strong agricultural activity statewide.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
Union
California
California Sheep Dip Figures Highlight Livestock Dips
A rough clipping notes 3,000,000 sheep in California with up to 2,500,000 dipped to prevent scab. It mentions Sidney Kidman, the Australian cattleman, owning large tracts of land and vast cattle and horse herds.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
State
California
Sidney Kidman
Cattleman
Australia
oWis
Peruna Testimonies Praise Coughs and Colds Cure
Testimonial letters from Mrs. Hall Chase and Mrs. A L Wetzel endorse Peruna for coughs and colds as effective. They describe regained senses and relief after using Peruna medicine from The Peruna Drug Mfg Co of Columbus Ohio. A free Peruna Almanac for 1909 is offered through druggists.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Columbia
Joseph Hall Chase
Tenth’St
Washington, D. C
A. L. Wetzel
Ohio St
Terra Hante
Ind
Peruna Drug Mfg. Co
Columbua
Ohio
Kind Lady Questions Beggar About Work Efforts
A dialogue shows a beggar telling a kindly woman that he recently found work for two of his family members, but neither accepted the jobs, illustrating street life and delayed employment in the era.
Electricity Origins and Amber Etymology
The term electricity derives from the Greek word for amber. Theophrastus described it in 321 B C and Pliny in 70 A D noting amber’s attraction of straw and dry leaves. Dr Gilbert of Colchester, physician to Queen Elizabeth, is seen as a founder of science for repeating ancient observations and applying philosophical methods.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Theophrastus
Pliny
Gilbert
Colchester
Queen Elizabeth
Thankful He Isn't Rich Croaker in the Family Wealth Line
The Atlanta Constitution notes Adam Croaker revels in family luck and the Croaker line, tracing wealth through generations. It claims no one in the family has held aristocratic titles despite a history of affluence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Adam Croaker
Croaker
Atlanta Constitution
Senator Beveridge teases a windy stump speaker
Senator Beveridge mocked a long winded stump speaker saying his idea of an orator is a man who can keep speaking after he has said all he has to say. The remark highlights his wit about oratory and public speech.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Beveridge
It's Different Now My Child's Silent Struggle
A mourner recalls a toddler who has yet to speak, contrasting with a parent who once found speech delayed yet later spoke. The exchange hints at grief, parental hope, and a long road of development behind a family facing a child’s unique silence.
Then and Now Complete Recovery from Coffea ills
A Louisville mother recounts her daughter's near nervous collapse from coffee and tea. After changing to Postum and Grape-Nuts, the daughter gradually recovered, now thriving with five healthy children and active in charities and clubs. The letter promotes Postum as a health aid and credits it with the turnaround.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Louisville
Postum
Postum Co
Battle Creek
Mich
Wellville
Jettert
Also Mentioned on This Page
Huffman & Cain
Omnicoras
Cornel
Alebaty
Germany
Hammerstein
Emperor William
St. Louis
Feg
Sir Theodore Martin
Bryntsilfo
Llangollen
Rockefeller
Richmond College
Richmond
Norway
Dr. de Laval
Brincelinga
Amcerican Heirénes
Ter
New York World
Finpene
Europe
Nero
Badas
Seditia
Prof
Metchnikoff
Saxe
Sebat
Technical World Magazine
Meyer
Franklin
Operative
Union of America
the Farmers’ Union
Joseph Haut Chase
Menrn ‘St
Washington, D.t