Sable Island Legends and a Halifax Ring Tale
The article recounts Sable Island off Nova Scotia, its shifting sands and wreck history, and the grisly tale of a bleeding forefinger ring. It notes Captain Torrens and Lady Copeland, the ring found in Halifax shops, and the ghostly legend linked to the Amelia wreck.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sable Island
Nova Scotia
Halifax
Cape Canso
Gustav Kobbe
Ainslee
Cabot
Crofton Hall
John McLeod
Hell's'sand
Halifax Harbor
Totter
Sable
Amelia
Wasykady Copeland
Torrens
Captain Torrens
Labrador
Lady Copeland
McSwatters Plans South Trip for Health
In a terse exchange cited by the Syracuse Herald, McSwatters expresses surprise and intention to travel south for health reasons, while Mec Swatters questions how health could deteriorate so far.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mc&Swatters
McSwitters
Mec Swatters
Syracuse Herald
Pet superstition causes odd turn on train
A New York Sun item recounts a woman on an elevated train who, delaying to dispel her hoodoo, blocks the door and must ride to the next station after stubbornly refusing to use the exit she entered. Her case reflects a light city superstition observed by commuters on the west side line.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Side
Twenty-third Street
New York Sun
Courage of Hawks Show Incredible Hunting Feats
A hawk in its first season captured 32 rabbits 3 hares and 2 magpies, then in the next year 210 rabbits 2 leverets 11 partridges 4 magpies and 2 squirrels. Goshawks fearlessly pursue rabbits and birds, charging hedges and rocks. Captain Bland’s hawk chased a hare twice rolled, then escaped into sheep. another hunted a rabbit from a quarry hole.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bland
Draycott
Stoke-on-Trent
London Spectator
How Helena Won The Capital Of Montana
The Kansas City Journal recalls Helena winning the Montana capital after a contest among Helena Anaconda Butte City Bozeman Great Falls Deer Lodge and Boulder in 1892. W A Clark backed Helena and used a bold bet of 5000 to secure the result without cost to him.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Helena
Montana
Victor Smith
Anaconda
Butte City
Bozeman
Great Falls
Deer Lodge
Boulder
W. A. Clark
Marcus Daly
Clark
Kansas City Journal
R D Blackmore Objects to Ad Claims on His Books
The author R D Blackmore refused to tolerate advertisements printed on his books. A cheap edition of Lorna Doone carried a bold boast for Blank's cocoa on the back cover. He replied with a sharp letter to the publisher and ended with a witty remark that he has long drunk chocolate and knows Blank's cocoa is the worst.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
R. D. Blackmore
Senator Sorghum Details Legislator's Funds
In a Washington Star excerpt, Senator Sorghum explains that he guided a legislator to the legislature by influence. The legislator did not introduce bills. Sorghum says he supplied a book of signed checks to manage the money.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senator Sorghum
Washington Star
Man Praises Silent Grace On Slippery Walkway
A Somerville Journal item notes a man who recovers from a fall on a slick sidewalk without glancing to gauge reactions can boast of his savior fake and self control.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Somerville Journal
The Train Spotter and Her Hidden Railway Work
A demure Oakland visitor known as Miss Waller travels San Francisco private rooms and trains for months to aid large railways. She works as a spotter or detective, earning up to 2500 to 3000 dollars yearly in a field with high risk, low public regard, and strong rewards for success.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Oakland
San Francisco
Miss Waller
Chicago
Missouri River
Mississippi River
Atlantic
Kansas City
St. Louis
St. Paul
San Francisco Chronicle
A Relapse Scene Prompts Billing Joke in Bulletin
A Philadelphia Bulletin quip features a patient recalling nerve treatment and a later medical bill prompting a relapse joke. The exchange highlights humor about medical care costs and patient experience.
Burglars fear the small dog more than alarms says prisoner
A jailed burglar told a reporter that a tiny barking terrier terrifies criminals more than any alarm or big dog. He dismisses St Bernards and large watchdogs while insisting quick escape is the only option when little dogs close in. The remark appears in the New York Mail and Express.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Bernards
Fido
New York Mail and Express
Gun toting valet in Houston society tale
Colonel Jack Chinn brought his slave turned valet Sam to Texas. In Houston Sam asked to borrow Chinns ivory handled six shooter claiming he would return head up or die. The servant, armed in a way to move among Houston Afro American circles, warned of the morgue if he failed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jack Chinn
Texas
Sam
Chinn
States
Houston
Darky
Massa Jack
Society Head
Colonel Chinn
Dallas News
Comte de Brienne Advises Against Beating Servants
In Cornhill Magazine a tale quotes the Comte de Brienne recounting an incident with his valet. After a grave fault the valet later threatened him with a razor during shaving. The ecomte paid 100 louis and dismissed the servant. He warns young masters that lives are at the mercy of servants and pegs the lesson to mercy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Comte de Brienne
M. le Comte
Ecomte
Louis
Cornhill Magazine
Dorothys in England fund beds by name
The London children's hospital asked every child named Dorothy in England to contribute a shilling for a bed named Dorothy. The fund raised enough to establish a dozen beds, illustrating thousands of Dorothys in England.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
Dorothy
Children’s Hospital
London
Atchison Globe
Free Sermon Ground Sparks Quiet Mock
In a Philadelphia Press mock item a deacon says Jerkins slept through the collection after the sermon, suggesting the sermon was very free and humorous.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jerkins
Deacon
Philadelphia
Ancestry Claim Echoes in Curious Exchange
In a brief Chicago Times Herald quip a man claims to trace his lineage through nine generations while a woman asks who else could do so. He tilts his head as if confounded by the moment, pondering his present state and sudden reach.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Times- Herald
A Lunatic Imitation at Bon Marche Catches Thief
Paris report tells how a private detective nabbed a man at Bon Marche for store theft while another adept thief, a stout gentleman, was later found to be the actual expert. The arrested man is a recently discharged lunatic whose mimicry led to mistaken arrest. The real thief fled narrative with fury.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paris
Bon Marche
Glass bulb bombs in a burglar raid stun neighborhood
A South Side business man recounts using incandescent bulbs as improvised explosive devices against a burglar at 5 am. He grabbed a dozen bulbs from a dining room table and hurled them, causing explosive cracks and a neighborhood-wide ruckus as 16 candles power incandescents shattered and glass flew across furniture. An electrician explains the noise comes from air rushing into a vacuum.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South Side
New Orleans Times-Democrat
Penny Prices Through Time In An Army Blue Memory
A Washington Star reminiscence recalls 1863 Virginia days when a five cent piece seemed small. An army captain befriended a local boy and later received back the silver half dime the boy kept in his pink palm saying it won’t buy enough.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Virginia
Washington Star
Ruskin’s Generosity and Frugal Living Example
The article recalls John Ruskin’s lavish philanthropy and strict personal budget. It notes his income from writing reached $30,000 yearly, yet he lived on under a tenth of that amount. He reportedly believed a gentleman could live on five dollars daily, or else deserve to die.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bensen
Bunsen
John Ruskin
A Way Out of It
A West Side pastor rebukes misbehaving children at a dinner as a 4 year old questions the minister’s business. Chicago News reports a humorous exchange reflecting family life and social roles in city life.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Side
Xelfie
Chicago News
Ant Engineers Demonstrate Ant Trail on Fly Paper
A Mount Airy florist reports ants invading seed boxes and a bone trap, washed in water and reused. He then placed the bone on fly paper to lure ants, who built a dry sand path to reach it, marching in pairs as they crossed the paper.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mount Airy
Philadelphia Record
Hummers of Organ Blowers
An Irish blower at a church organ fails to produce wind despite repeated signals. The organist discovers the blower clinging to the bellows handle, blowing with boots and coat off to “hold on better” as choristers shout. The tale recalls an old sailor blower who removed almost all clothing to keep a grip.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Erin
Longman’s
Bridegroom’s reaction to a joke at table
A dialogue scene features Bridegroom and Bride’s Little Brother debating a prank. The boy asks if the hook hurt when she “fished” for him, prompting the Bride’s Mother to interrupt. The exchange hints at a tense family dinner moment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bride
Johnny
Sis
Las
Effect of Her Singing on the Listening Crowd
The doting husband praises his wife's voice calling it a note of pathos that can draw fear from the hardest. He recalls how her singing before a large audience leaves no dry eye in the room and says even a simple moment makes him weep.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Grim Sable Island
National Theater
San Jose
Costa Rica
France
Italy
Philadelphia Bulletin
Ruskin
Harter
Launder& Harsh Mfg. CO
Wabash, Ind
W. A. Warwick
Savings Bank
M. S. Dougherty