California's first clearing house in 1864 Russian ball tale
The Los Angeles Times recounts a San Francisco 1864 Russian fleet ball as an informal clearing process. Hats and coats were mislaid then recovered through a newspaper notice, illustrating a non financial clearing house concept. The incident involved state and municipal officers, consuls, and military guests in a grand harbor celebration.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Francisco
California
Calfornia
Bankers’ Clearing House
Los Angeles ‘Times
When Age Troubles Women
A marriage license clerk notes women often misstate age on certificates to appear younger. He cites letters from women debating truth about age, including a case in Australia where a wife lied about age leading to a divorce.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Australia
New York Press
The Earliest Money and Barter Systems
The earliest money likely consisted of shells or bark strips. Skins appear as an early exchange medium. Sheep, oxen and other cattle served as value measures. With farming, farm products were sometimes used as currency.
Evolution of Currency from Tobacco to Metal Money
A historical note traces early use of tobacco in Virginia as currency and explains how iron, followed by silver and gold, emerged as widely accepted money among civilized and semi civilized societies. The shift marks a move from commodity barter to standardized metal coinage and currency.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cary Viennal Times
Virginia
New York American
Thimbles Origin and Ear Anatomy Noted in 17th Century Texts
The piece traces thimble origins from thumb bells to modern forms with materials like iron brass gold and pearl. It also describes the stapes the smallest human bone, likened to a lenticular lens and located in the ear drum. An anecdote recalls a ferry incident ending with a bystander’s quip amid rescue.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
China
England
Also Mentioned on This Page
Camden
Trchman
Pat
Philadelphia Ledger
Whatley
Ward
Dothan
Consett
Howe
Ani
MAR, Taylor & Riley
Econ
Grorcts
Fis
Don Ce
of Crrts
Daisy
B. C
Ohn B. Stetson
Columbia Styles
M. Cherry
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!