Swindling Schemes Target Treasury With Faux Heirs
The Washington Post reports that unscrupulous agents operate from many regions, claiming large European and American money is on deposit for heirs. Notable cases include De Haven heirs, Robert Morris estate, Durkee, and Anneke Jans heirs allegedly seeking millions. Impostors sell bonds to fund their schemes, promising about ten dollars per thousand if successful, while the Treasury cannot act against them.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Treasury Det
Treasury Department
Europe
America
de Haven
United States
Robert Morris
Durkee
Department
Anneke Jans
Holland
Washington Post
Offenbach's Rhine reception turns sour for vanity
Offenbach on a Rhine steamer with the Duke of Nassau witnessed a cheering crowd and band as he bowed from the rail. A harsh note followed when the duke's adjutant demanded the bowing composer move aside for his highness.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Offenbach
Rhine
Ajong
Duke of Nassau
Why Beauty Dims With Women’s Rising Education
In this excerpt from Pearson's Magazine the author argues that women's beauty has thrived on ignorance and education will erode it. He suggests women’s pursuit of equality and intellectual growth will lead to losing beauty, predicting that civilized races will become ugly over time.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pearson's Magazine
Great Southern Cross Pearl Cross Found in Western Australia
The Great Southern Cross, a nine pearl cross found in Western Australia in 1884 by Clarke, was buried to honor a heavenly miracle, later unearthed and sold for 1000 dollars. It has since changed hands and is valued around 50,000 dollars, drawing attention at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in England as possibly the only natural cross ever found.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Western Australia
Clarke
England
Cannibals and Pork in New Hebrides
The article notes pigs have made life safer on the New Hebrides as cannibals prefer roast pork to human flesh. It suggests increasing pig populations may end cannibal feasts except on rare ceremonial occasions or when entertaining a foreign king.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New
Hebrides
Plumber Joke Sparks Editor’s Rejection Scraps Note
A comic about a plumber with normal bills is dismissed as not a joke and a lie by the editor. The writer returns with a larger charge tale, but the editor again calls it not a joke, noting flaws from experience.
Have you noticed any difference since she joined the church
A quoted exchange from Harper's Bazar shows a husband noting his wife’s changed behavior after conversion. He says she now asks him to wait an hour instead of a minute, reflecting a shift in priorities and routines following her church involvement.
A Man to Let Alone
A Detroit Free Press gag line about a new bookkeeper who replies with 200 words after two, illustrating a verbose humor style.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bim
Detroit Free Press
Lightning Rod Debate in Jericho Schoolhouse Funding
A town meeting in Jericho debates installing a lightning rod on the schoolhouse. The lightninged man offers two rods for $40, later lowering to $38, arguing the schoolhouse is an empire of knowledge and a bulwark of liberty. Local voices warn of taxation and risk, while others urge cautious spending and dodge or bust.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
C. B. Lewis
Jericho
Evenin
Deacon Spooner
Silas Lapham
Silas
United States
Enos Williams
Enos
Emporium of Education
Lightnin Rod Debate At Pan American Exposition
A rural debate scene features a deacon, Moses Forbush, and others discussing a lightning rod for a schoolhouse. The exchange covers safety, education, progress, and a vote on installing the rod, ending with a neutral stance and a joke about a burned building.
Talismans and Beliefs Among Chinese and Shans in Yunnan
The author describes widespread charms in Yunnan among Chinese and Shans. Amulets include a dragon's nest said to protect a house from fire and a female deer's horn claimed to enable long walks. The tale notes a painful tattooing method for invulnerability and notes personal negotiations for a talisman.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
China
Yunnan
First National Convention Held by Anti Masonic Party in 1831
The Anti Masonic party held the first national convention in Baltimore in September 1831 with delegates from all states, nominating a president and vice president and adopting a platform. It notes the Democrats held their first national convention in Baltimore May 1822 with 312 delegates and a vice presidential contest.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Anti-Masonic Party
Baltimore
Harrison
Washington
Henry Clay
New York Sun
Why the Judge Paid the Bill in a Political Medicine Tale
The Philadelphia Medical Journal recounts a case where a physician treated a seriously ill child in a crowded city home at election time. The mother blamed herself for her family’s sins and curses, then confessed that fraudulent voters were registered at their address. The magistrate faced pressure for political favors, the child recovered, and the magistrate paid the bill.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia Medical Journal
New York
Two Romeos in London Stir Dramatic Rivalry
Joe Jefferson recalls David Garrick and Spranger Barry each playing Romeo on consecutive nights at Covent Garden and Drury Lane. The town split over which approach was superior as Mrs. Siddons reflects on the balcony scene and each actor’s temperament.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joe Jefferson
David Garrick
Spranger Barry
Romeo
London
Barry
Drury Lane
Garrick
Covent Garden
Mrs. Siddons
Voyage of Rocksworthy From Gibraltar to Diamonds
Mr Rocksworthy recounts his travels leaving Gibraltar to Australia then to South Africa’s diamond mines where he claims to have made his fortune. Miss Cryn kle responds with a blush and pledges to follow him to the world’s end.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gibraltar
Australia
South Africa
Miss Crynkle
Mr. Rocksworthy
Chicago Tribune
Exposition Darling or Disaster At Paris 1900
An Exposition letter argues that despite low ticket prices the Paris 1900 fair draws large crowds averaging about 200000 daily, with Sundays near 500000. It notes costly attractions appeal to a more educated public and praises France’s women and actors while critiquing garish displays on Bastille Day. It recounts a late-night Paris reception featuring Mounet Sully and Coquelin cadet at the Petit Luxembourg.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Norway
Finland
France
Paris
America
Washington
Lafayette
Mounet Sully
Coquelin
Senate
Petit Luxembourg
M. Fallers
Musique Et Comedie
Coquelin Cadet
Overindulgence In Coffee Irks Nervous System and Stomach
The article warns that excessive coffee intake irritates the cerebrospinal system and stomach, can mimic alcohol-related distress, and may cause delirium tremens-like symptoms. It cites a foreign journal noting a man who drank a quarter pound of coffee for two cups, experiencing vertigo and tremors two hours later.
The Hat and the Title
A compact note on how an English gentleman is defined by dress and address. It cites the silk hat as a symbol of status and explains that esquire is a self assumed label signifying social distance rather than real rank. The piece notes few Englishmen are legally entitled to esquire.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West End
London
Comical Red Tape Tales From a Government Department
The London Standard notes amusing misfilings in a major department with items labeled under odd headings such as guano and straw under virtualing and a hairbrush listed under clothing while a tooth brush goes to fuel. An excise officer repeats a dog’s death in a return after being told to recheck.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Excise
Dog
London Standard
Empress Frederick Spoiled But Hopes to Merit Title
A childhood incident reveals Empress Frederick, eldest daughter of Queen Victoria, arguing she is not a little lady but a princess. The queen rebuked a sailor and urged the girl to thank him while expressing confidence she would earn the title in time.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Frederick
Victoria
Doctors' guessing contest ends in fees despite wrong answers
In a Philadelphia Press item, McJigger and Dr. Downs each win $50 in a guessing contest but three doctors tied for correctness yet all guessed wrong, as they were summoned for a patient consultation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
McJigger
Dr. Downs
Thingumbob
Philadelphia Press
Investigates Case Not Involving Pocketbook Comment
In a case of this kind the lawyer notes several matters to be investigated and asks to look into one thing in particular before taking the case. The client suspects the focus is on his pocketbook.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Indianapolis Sun
Unwritten History Gambit Discussed by The Chicago Post
Giles argues Miles proposes the world is a square as the basis for a bunko claim. The exchange appears in the Chicago Post reflecting a dialogue on deception and philosophy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Giles
Columbus
Miles
Chicago Post
Also Mentioned on This Page
Beauty and Education
Pap Perkins
Moses
George Washington
John Hancock
Thomas Jefferson
Joab Warner
Jim Taylor
Lish
M. Quad
Geographical Journal
Buffalo
Romeos
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!