Wise Judges and Fascinating Strangers From Odd Tales
A collection of brief anecdotes on self restraint in rulers and the curious tale of a Worcester traveler befriending a European stranger named Ferguson who proved to be a former inmate of Charlestown prison. The pieces note legal thoughts on dogs and liability, quoting Lord Coleridge on the idea that every dog is entitled to one bite or worry.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Persia
Bagdad
Hadoo
Aboo Yusuph
Jene
Atiow
Worcester
Worcester Gazette
Europe
Ferguson
Colonel Russell
Charlestown
Lord Coleridge
Racial Barbs and a Sea Snake Feature Headline
A lively clash between a Swede and an Irishman in public spills over into jokes about ancestry and pedigrees. The piece then shifts to a scientific account of sea snakes in the Philippines and Malay archipelago, noting venom potency, behavior, and encounters with fishermen and researchers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Paul Globo
Stern Discipline and Obedience in Army Training
A Detroit retiree recalls lessons of obedience in the army learned during two wars. He describes the beginner’s loss of personal authority, the demand for unquestioning discipline, and a drillmaster’s harsh methods that forge the soldier into a compliant, capable fighter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Detroit
Mexico
Mike
Detroit Free Press
Ways of the blue crab observed at New York Aquarium
The New York Sun describes blue crabs in aquarium tanks, noting their swimming on the bottom, large claws for forward thrust, and ability to change direction or rise with the water’s current. Crabs move sideways when frightened yet can advance straight when at rest, walking on stones and displaying lively, dignified behavior.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Aquarium
Joos
Thuy
New York Sun
Early tea and coffee cups spread across Europe and Asia
The piece traces the introduction of tea and coffee cups in Europe from 1615 to 1662, notes Oriental porcelain use without stems, and mentions China’s teacups for tea and chocolate. It discusses porcelain imports in the sixteenth century, counterfeit risks, and a vast US land area statistic, ending with a remark on bayages longevity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Constantinople
Europe
Paris
London
Germany
China
United States
Spanish Grandees and the Endemic Disease of Vanity
An English writer derides Spanish vanity and antiquity, tracing noble lineages to Phoenician, Roman, and Carthaginian roots. The piece extols the Basques as the peninsula's original population while noting centuries of conquests and mixed blood shaping modern Spain. It references Pacheco lineage near Cartaya, Hannibal’s Barca, and Gothic influences, presenting a sweeping, biased portrait.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ant
Spain
Europe
Pacheco
Cartota
Cartaya
Andalusia
Cressay
Italy
Ximena
Cartain
Cavox
Pavicans
Cicero
Cartola
Cadiz
Pacheco Pedigres
Vaio
Pachecos
Jast
Hannibal
Barca
Bardak
Garcing
Pones
Cane
Ponting
Canius
Martinl
Gotha
Raul
Luminescent fungi and prehistoric curiosities in late 19th century lore
A collage of notes touches on a German naturalist Horr and night watchmen observing glow under fungi in a bullow tree, then shifts to marine predators, typhoons in the Philippines, and Odor science. It includes anecdotes on luminescence after rain, a 50 ton whale producing 146 horsepower, and studies of human and family scents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Horr
Munger
What the Matter Was Two Chair Mambera Visit
A Philadelphia Times anecdote recounts a minister noting his eyes turning black then twinkling during a sermon as he glimpsed behind the church screen two choir members discreetly playing cards. The moment sparked restrained amusement in the minister and church.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Glanes Chol
Philadelphia Times
Extra Billy Smith and his drill master tactics
A Kansas City Journal account discusses Extra Billy Smith the former Virginia governor and his controversial drilling methods. It describes his nicknames, large wartime contracts, and the “Extra Billy’s Tactics” manual guiding troops with stern commands and bayonet drills amid a chaotic training scene.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Extra My
Billy Smith
Virginia
Nickmank
Post Office Department
Williams
Lincoln
Thurman
Jerry Rusk
Crawford
Jonkina
Dean
Xtra
Billy
Extra Billy
Perattion
Jane
Kansans
A German Revolution Trick Impresses Yankee Ingenuity
A German-American recounts a 1848 incident where prisoners were disarmed by removing suspenders buttons and belts before a forced march. With hands thus tied, the escape risk was minimized and the march proceeded, showcasing resourceful tactics in hostile territory as described in the New York Tribune account.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York Tribune
Superfotality and manners in 18th century notes
An eclectic fragment critiques Chester Bald and Meckoning on superficial polish and social grace, citing a letter to Philip Stanhope about advantages of manners and physical bearing. It interleaves a tale of Mexican fruit peddlers and a light jab at a cheerful woman’s gold front teeth, reflecting terse 19th century newspaper humor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chester Bald
Cheaterfeld
Philip Stanhope
Gentleman's Magazine
Superstitions Of Warships And Ship Launches Revealed
An antiquated study outlines maritime beliefs and practices from hoodoos and silver coins to christening ceremonies. It notes sailors’ fear of bad omens, the ritual breaking of a champagne bottle, and legends about ghosts and saints guiding ships to safety, with references to Davy Jones and Foster Green.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Steol
Sanday
Engl
Chile
Davy Jonex
Francisco
Toons to Food and Poisonous Allegations Reach Public
A murky note describes alleged toxic substances in food products and warnings about dangerous bow contents. The report mentions a French physician claiming proof of immunity to a period of disease and references to compounds tied to a supposed 'whip'. The piece signals public concern and requests precaution amid unclear sources.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Columbus
America
Jon
Pialiter
Honauras
Philippines
Rudolph Weber
Princeton University
Sumatra
Weber
Hey
R. P. Witfield
American Museum of Natural History
Zoological Gardens
London Pardins
Madrid
A. Bothe
Ibarra
Pero
Peter
Peterson
Pittsburg
Bill
Yonkers
Mr. Willikinn
Cleveland
Hood
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!