The Soft Snap Charlatan and His Letter Trick
A Youth's Companion excerpt recounts a con man in Constantinople who sits by a ground window to spin letters for women. He asks for husbands' names and uses staged drafts to extract payments. The tale highlights a familiar scam where letters seem from a loved one while the querents realize it too late.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Constantinople
Asia
Magazina
Wlaa
Effendi
Almnoon
Almoon
Effendt
World’s First Steam Ferry by John Stevens in 1811
The article recounts John Stevens pioneering use of steam propulsion on the Hudson River, noting his 1799 start with steam study, 1798 boat, 1804 two-screw propeller design, and the Phoenix’s sea voyage around to the Delaware. It highlights early steam engine innovations, the first condens ing double acting engine, and the widespread adoption of the screw propeller concept.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Stevens
Hoboken
New York
Hudson River
Amerlea
Phoenix
Fulton
Delaware
Old Roman Plumbers in Modern Revival
Ancient Rome had extensive water pipes and public baths supplied by elaborate systems. Pillars carried pipes along main streets delivering water to homes on both sides. After the fall of Rome and the loss of plumbing arts, the craft was revived in recent years with modern improvements.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rome
Wind Driven Dynamos from 19th Century Practice
An account relayed to Yagenloren by Mr AO Vogt describes wind power used to drive a dynamo. A 100 foot diameter mule with 3 980 square feet area produced 290 horsepower at 24 feet per second. Power transfer used cogwheels as rope and chain gearing failed. Main shaft speed 1244 rpm increased to 1500 rpm for the dynamo.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Yagenloren
AO. Vogt
Scientific American
Be Ready for Advancement in the Workplace
The piece urges workers to rise beyond narrow tasks, seek broader understanding, and pursue better methods to improve production. It cautions that without preparation for tomorrow, they will lag as others advance. The text frames preparation as the open sesame to advancement.
Braganza Castle's Medieval Majesty Revered in Portugal
In Bragança, Portugal, the royal castle towers over the frontier city once center to the Portuguese crown since 1442. The fortress, partly ruined yet well preserved, sits on a moat surrounded keep reached by a drawbridge, evoking crusaders and princesses in its stone halls.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Trazon’ Montes
Portugal
Braganza
Alphonso de Portugal
Braganga A Atill
Spain
Vitis de Ferra
Oporto
Portuual
Alfonso Henrique
Great Day In Child's Life Theodora Roosevelt Hero to Children
Theodora Roosevelt, famed for friendships among men, was beloved by children who adored him. A Syracuse visit during Barnes libel trial drew a six year old to see him ride by. The boy sat on Roosevelt's knee hearing tales of the West Indians and grizzlies, and reportedly grew an inch taller after the encounter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Theodora Roosevelt
Syracuse
Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Stone in butter trick baffles a Tennessee merchant
A village grocer finds a farmer woman padlocks a three pound stone inside a butter roll each month. She trades 20 pounds of butter for 20 pounds of sugar, unaware of prices. The merchant removes the stone, returns it in the sugar sack, and the cycles repeat, leaving both sides unsure who is cheated. The note is from Nashville Tennessee.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nashville
Rotherhithe Old Saxon Town Heritage and Name Origins
The article traces Rotherhithe’s Saxon origins and etymology from Red Rose Haven signboards to the older Redriff name used in Pepys era. It notes the likely mix of Redhra mariner haven roots and the town’s historic sea trade prominence with figures like Sir John Lnake of La Hogue.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rotherhithe
Red Rose Haven
Sir John Lnake
la Hogue
Thames
Pepys
The Pork Barrel Origin and Political Plums
An exploration of the phrase pork barrel tracing its roots to farmers storing salted meat for winter. It explains how legislators allocate funds for post office improvements and river harbor work to secure district contracts and labor for constituents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congress
Illyria area notes and local events in Ohio paper
A string of local items lists visits and hospitality across homes in Illyria and nearby areas. Mentions include Lena Wenger staying with Alfred Wenger, Ruth Schneider speaking, and many residents hosting guests such as the Klingmans, Yearous, and Ch ap mans. Also notes a cow injury, a hospital operation for Private Harry Reichart, a telephone operator resignation, and postwar postal rate remarks. Roy Wall arrives back from France, and two new service log names are added for stars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jerome “Xearous
Freak
Hunsberger
Hisse Yearous
Cecil Klingman
Elgin
Hilda
Ray
Klingman
Andrew
Arthur
Delbert
Chapman
C. M.king
Jona Chapman
Albert Dennler
Harold
G. EK. Medberry
Walter Rothlisberger
John Probert
Volga
Bert
Thomas Benson
Decorah
Waldez Collage
Fort Riley
Kansas
Soldier's letter from France and a prayer for home
In a letter from Bonnet France dated February 6 1919 Private Louie Benson writes of missing his wife and family and sharing small joys like candy. He describes snow in France, drills, machine gun school, and hopes to return home soon. The piece includes his soldiers prayer and a brief note on war news and a local item about a fallen corporal and Red Cross graves photos.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gladys
France
Charlie
Johnson
Co. M
Co. L
Charley Slavy
Julius Johnson
Halverson
New York Herald
Rose
Louie
Louie B. Benson
Inf
American Red Cross
Red Cross
Washington
United States
Ust
War Trade Board
Also Mentioned on This Page
Charlatan
Borlbe
Baty Dupes
Graganza
Wii
State of Ohio
Toledo
Lucas County
Frank J. Cheney
A. D
A.W. Gleason
Hall
F. J. Cheney
Bert Allen
Knudtson
Minnesota
Blas. Benson
Frank Kohls
Forest Moore
West Union
Wyman Trude
H. B. Grether
Harry Becker
Gon Joseph
Clermont
C. F. Becker
Warren Harrington
John Halverson
Roy Wall
C.D. Chapman
Coast Artillery
Joeph Baumgartner
Ole Brockhustra
Elgin-Gander Road
Lron
F. R. Berg
Samuel Mosby
Houg
Prop
Pillman
Packard
Postville
Cor=poral Brandt
Brandt
W. F. Brandt
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!