The Great Desert Double Image Hammada and Sand Plain
The Sahara combines flat sandy plains with rocky Hammada ridges. Winds create dunes up to 1200 to 1400 feet beyond Taggart, while other areas show hard crusted surfaces and sparse oases. French explorer Foureaud notes the dramatic dune heights, illustrating wind power’s impact on desert travel.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sahara
El-Kantara
M. Foureaud
Biskra
Taggart
Popular Science Monthly
Terrific cyclone hits Mertz siding area causing eight deaths
A violent storm near Gary Indiana devastates Mertz siding with hail and high winds. Eight people die including Joseph Hutchinson and his family. a Milwaukee shoemaker's father Albert and farmer Charles Ebal are among the recovered dead. Property loss runs into thousands. Weather wreckage includes torn railroad lines and toppled telegraph poles. Survivors search for missing wife and children.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Minneapolis
the Tribune
Gary
Mertz Siding
Here
Joseph Hutchinson
Carreglum
Blanchardsville
Wis
Albert
Milwaukee
Charles Ebal
Hutchinson
Northwestern Railroad
Wellington and Spanish honor clash in a kneeing tale
The Duke of Wellington recalled a scene with Spanish troops during the Peninsular War. He asked a Spanish general to execute a field movement, only to be told the king and army’s honor required Wellington to petition on his knees. He later joked he cared little for kneeling and insisted the move be carried out anyway.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington Times
Duke of Wellington
Napoleon
Spain
Wellington
Luminosity in Plants and Fungal Glow
The article notes rare cases of flowers and fungi emitting light at night. German naturalist Herr Haggren reports nocturnal luminosity more likely after dark and following rain and sunny days, with July and August yielding the most instances. Occurrences begin after sunset and end before dawn. cause remains unknown.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Herr Haggren
Gladstone and Pennyson Visited Kirkwall Cathedral
The Westminster Gazette recounts Mr. Gladstone and Lord Pennyson visiting St Magnus cathedral in Kirkwall. They required the United Presbyterian minister to guide them, joking that the character was doubtful and even Tennyson could not ensure proper conduct without officials.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Gladstone
Lord Pennyson
Kirkwall
St. Magnus
United Presbyterian
Gladstone
Tennyson
Patrick Campbell
Midlothian
Westminster Gazette
Peddlers Uphold Bananas Price in Mexico
A traveler notes Indian street vendors in Mexico sell bananas at 12 cents per dozen. When offered 24 cents for two dozen, vendors refuse and demand 26 cents. They justify with a rate system where 1 rea equals 12 cents and 8 reals equal a dollar, making the fare for one dozen bananas 12 cents and two dozen 25 cents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mexico
Why She Could Smile
A Cleveland Leader quotation notes Mrs Willikins smiles amid irony about her front teeth valued at 47 dollars. The brief remark highlights social judgment and economic contrast in a sharp, single-line anecdote.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Willikins
Cleveland
Pills Claim Cure for Biliousness by Dr J C Ayer
An advertisement asserts Dr J C Ayer’s Pills prevent and cure biliousness and promote overall health. It markets the remedy as a trusted digestive aid.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J.C. Ayer
Ayer
J. E. Kolb
Shark
Ark
The Barber Who Slashed in the Bush
A tale from Queensland recalls five hunters who hire a tramp barber. After four hours the group is shocked to learn a pursuing six, led by a taller stranger, realize all have freshly shaved. The barber, said to be insane, allegedly killed a man in Unadilla. he is captured after a fight and tied to a horse. He jokes he intended to finish the last man shaved.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Queensland
Unadilla
Cape Times
An Island of Flowers in Scilly Islands
The Scilly archipelago is described as flower islands with most residents devoted to flower cultivation. After shifting from wrecking and early potato farming, competition from Channel Islanders' potato trade pushed locals toward narcissi cultivation, with St. Mary’s dedicating about a quarter of its cultivated land to flowers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Scilly Islands
St. Mary’s
Honeymoon Train to the Blue Mountains
The 5:00 p.m. Sydney to the Blue Mountains train is famed as the Honeymoon Train. The Blue Mountains symbolize cool summer retreats for fashionables and newly married couples, with trains often carrying several couples on board. railway men call it the fish train, named for a driver Herring a fireman Pike and guard Cockle.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sydney
Blue Mountains
Australia
Switzerland
England
London Standard
Cuban Customs on Mourning Practices in Cuba
A Cuban family keeps their house dark for six months after a death. They destroy valuable clothing and hack the coffin before burial to ensure nothing valuable remains in the grave for thieves.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cuba
Parrot Confusion Sparks Household Mystery
A playful exchange alludes to a parrot seen or heard by the family. The Boston Traveler quote hints at a subtle domestic incident involving a minister’s visit and a comical misunderstanding within a household.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
Montauk Point Urged as Ideal Troop Rest Camp
General Frank and Surgeon General Sternberg endorse Montauk Point for a rest and recuperation encampment for Santiago veterans. The site offers rail and water access, fresh water, beaches, and a cooler climate. Long Island Railroad President Baldwin foresees rapid troop transport and a large landing ferrying 10,000 troops on short notice.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Frank
Department of the East
Sternberg
Montauk Point
Santiago
War Department
Long Island
Long Island City
Fort Pond Bay
Sound
New York
Ocean
Block Island Sound
Block Island
Baldwin
Long Island Railroad Company
Long Island Railroad
Captain Kidd
Manila
Money Pond
Wyandance
Montauk
G. F. Sever
G. M. Crosby
Edmund Clark
St. Louis
Chicago
New York World
History of the War With Spain Timeline of Key Events
A compact chronology from April to August detailing major actions of the Spanish American War. It lists presidential orders, squadron movements, battles at Manila and Santiago, naval engagements, landings, sieges, capitulations, and the path to peace including depictions of troop movements and key dates.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Spain
Cuba
Key West
Philippines
Congress
Manila
Cardenas
Winslow
San Juan de Porto Rico
Hampton Roads
Santiago
Cervera
Santiago Harbor
Merrimac
Guantanamo
Tampa
Schley
Dewey
Isla Grande
Camara
Santiago Susrenders
General Shafter
Toral
Santiago de Cuba
War Council
Porto Rico
Geneal Garcia
Shafter
General Miles
Topeka
Fort Nipe
Guanda
Ponce
Madrid
Miles
Close of the national track meet at Indianapolis
The L A W national meet closed with fast racing. McFarland won the mile paced title in a record 1 58 2 5, Kraemer took the amateur mile in 2 04 3 5, Walther won the two mile amateur handicap, and the tandem pro race went to Martin and Mertens. Bald, McFarland and Kimble lead the circuit standings with 129, 114 and 99 points respectively.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Indianapolis
Bald
Cooper
Gardiner
M-Farland
Kraemer
George Walther
Martin
Mertens
McFarland
Becher
Stevens
New York
Ertz
Schofield
Kimble
Freeman
Bombardment of Manzanillo Ceases After Peace Word
Advices to General Shafter say Manzanillo was shelled Friday and Saturday but ceased after he cabled the Spanish commander with a flag of truce to confirm peace. The Spanish replied, and hostilities stopped.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santiago de Cuba
General Shafter
Manzanillo
Shafter
Clock with 95 faces shows time across eighty locations
A clock in St. Petersburg features 95 faces indicating the current time at 80 different places around the world. It also displays earth movements and planetary positions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Petersburg
Abou Yusuph a Wise Judge of Bagdad
A tale from Youth's Companion about Abou Yusuph the wise chief judge of Bagdad under Caliph Hades. He studied a case thoroughly and admitted ignorance when needed, while a boastful courtier pressed for a ruling. The caliph pays him for knowledge, not ignorance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Persia
Bagdad
Caliph Hades
Abou Yusuph
The Fascinating Stranger and Colonel Russell’s Prison Memory
A Worcester man met a striking American in Europe named Ferguson who claimed old ties to Worcester. Colonel E. J. Russell recalled Ferguson as a longtime resident at Charlestown State Prison where he was a quiet, well behaved inmate.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Worcester
Worcester Gazette
Europe
Ferguson
E. J. Russell
Colonel Russell
Charlestown
Lost Opportunity with Paris Master at Auditorium
A Chicago Record tale recounts a young organist who practiced on the big Auditorium organ. An elderly man entered, listened, and after the performer boasted, invited himself to play. He revealed his card as Alexandre Guilmant from Paris, revealing the erstwhile master had quietly been listening all along.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Alexandre Guilmant
Paris
Where to Carry Stamps
A stamp clerk notes varied methods used by businessmen to carry postage. Many keep stamps on their person, in stamp cases, or tucked under a hat band or in pockets. A young man once slid remaining stamps into his watch case after stamping a letter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
General Post Office
New York Sun
Not Always Penny Lessons In London Tit Bits
Uncle James gives Bobby a coin and notes saving pennies will bring shillings. Bobby doubts and replies his father handles the shillings once they come. The scene is set in London in Tit-Bits style.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James
Bobby
London
Also Mentioned on This Page
Great Desert
South Dakota
Island of
Bias Girth
WM. Ayres & Sons
Philadelphia
J. W. Bean, M.D
Fairfield
Iowa
B. N. Gantz, M.D
Fairfield, Iowa
Harrison & Ball’s
Calvin Snook
D. G. Higtey’s Drug Store
W. Fordyce, M.D
Risk & Hufstedier’s
Railroad
Court Street
R. C. Sayers, D.V.M
Gordon’s
E. G. Grove, M.D
Monfort Building
Savings Bank
Frank Fourt
South Side Drug Store
J. B. Monfort
Harris & Cuddy
South Side Square
T. L. James
Over Held & Kerrick’s
E. R. Smith
North Side Park
M. A. McCorp
I. H. Tomlinson
McCoid & Tomlinson
Southeast Corner Park
Jefferson County
H. C. Raney
E. F. Simmons
Raney & Simmons
Bell
Rocery
Northwest Corner Square
Owa
First National Bank
B. 8. McElhinny
John A. Spielman
Frank LiGut
Park
Parsons College
Fairfield, Lowa
Daniel E. Jenkins
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!