Romance of an Old Shipmaster Captures a Cavern of Atlantic Risk
Captain John Willard Russell of Bristol Rhode Island recounts a perilous voyage during the French pressure on American seas in 1796. He describes capture by a French privateer, harsh treatment, loss of clothes and money, and his determination to persevere while seeking further voyage opportunities. The letters reveal a sailor’s resilience amid early American maritime commerce.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Willard Russell
Mariner
Bristol
Rhode Island
Captain Russell
Ralph D. Paine
John Russell
New York
Michigan
Virginia
Republic
Dr Grenfell Fights Hunger-Maddened Dogs on Labrador Ice
Dr Wilfred Grenfell battled a pack of hunger- driven dogs for forty hours on shifting ice off Labrador in ten degree below zero. Captain W Bartlett of the Strathcona relates Grenfell’s escape after storms forced him into freezing waters and a desperate, knife defended drift ice struggle.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Labrador
Wilfred Grenfell
Dr. Grenfell
W. Bartlett
Strathcona
St. John’s
N. F
Captain Bartlett
Peary
Arctic
Battle Harbor
Doctor's perilous Arctic ordeal ends in rescue
A physician trapped on ice breeds warmth from dead dogs and endures severe bites and cold. He ties together dog legs as a signal with part of his shirt atop a pole, and the makeshift flag is seen by George Reid and others at Locke's Cove, Mare Bay, leading to his rescue.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George Reid
Locke's Cove
Mare Bay
Coyote Hunting in Southern California Exploits
The article describes coyotes roaming from foothills at night into towns and backyards, often baiting dogs and escaping at speed. It notes their territorial range across canyons, their wolf-like tail and large ears, and their surprising sprint capabilities requiring swift California dogs or horse and rider to chase or corner them.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
California
Frightened Patient Fooled By Illusion In Surgery
A German surgeon in the Franco Prussian War lances an abscess in a poor man and, to reduce pain, has bystanders hold his hands over his eyes while he completes the operation. The patient, told to prepare, yells that he is being killed as the surgeon says Now. Laughter follows.
Baby narrowly survives express runover in Mayfair Illinois
A two year old girl named Julia Weigle fell onto a Chicago and Northwestern express track while trying to retrieve a Teddy bear. Nine coaches passed over her at about forty miles an hour but she was unharmed. She had wandered toward the tracks to gather dandelions when the incident occurred.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad
Julia Weigle
Mayfair
Ill
Omaha Express
Baby Rescued After Near Tragic Train Incident
In a dramatic event a child narrowly escaped being drawn under a moving train as suction from passing cars pulled her toward the rails. Engine driver James Lewis halted the locomotive four blocks away, rushed back, and found the baby alive between the ties clutching a teddy bear.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Lewis
New York Telegram
New Egg Preservation Method Using Lard
A French journal reports a discovery of preserving eggs by coating them with a thin layer of lard. The fat seals the pores, reduces evaporation, and blocks air contact to keep eggs fresh.
Inflammable Paste Bullets Demonstrated for Aiming Aid
Experiments show a paste on bullets that ignites on discharge, producing smoke to reveal the bullet’s trajectory. Marksmen can observe the stream and adjust aim for subsequent shots.
Illusions of color in ancient iridescent glass
The text explains iridescence in glass produced by heating with fumes from tin, barium, and strontium salts. Red comes from strontia, blue from baryta, and bluish white from tin. Ancient glass relied on partial decay for opacity and iridescence.
Variation in Skin Thickness Across Races
The article notes that skin thickness varies by nation with Central African peoples having about 50 percent thicker skin than Europeans. It highlights that African skin is thickest on the head and back, suggesting sun protection as the reason.
Alkaline Salts Suppress Combustion in Nitro Explosives
M. J. Thovert reported to the French Academy of Sciences on experiments to lower heat from nitro explosives to stop carbon monoxide combustion in mine air. Addition of alkaline salts achieved the desired effect, so detonations treated with them did not inflame surrounding atmospheric gases.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
M. J. Thovert
French Academy of Sciences
Sun’s disk brilliance linked to carbon in solar atmosphere
Reports indicate a thin carbon layer lies in the sun’s lower atmosphere surrounding the globe like a luminous shell. Professor Morton of the Naval Observatory demonstrates carbon presence within a few hundred miles of the surface and explains eruptions disrupt and disperse these constituents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Morton
Naval Observatory
Washington
The English Sparrow as City Nuisance and Survivor
Clifton Johnson recalls the English sparrow's rise from Jersey City in 1866 to urban abundance. He notes sparrows thrived on town grain and horse droppings, faced hunting pressure, and later benefited from hawk predation and reduced food sources. Electric cars also changed urban feeding dynamics.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Burroughs
Jersey City
Washington
Clifton Johnson
Outing Magazine
Telegraph and telephone line poles valued at 1908 total
The total value of telegraph and telephone line poles used in the United States during 1908 was 9 471 171 dollars.
4 & Dishes Of Shellfish To Tempt The Jaded Appetite
A New York Times informed guide to preparing shellfish highlights lobsters clams and scallops as delicious options. It advises selecting lively lobsters, steps to boil and shell, and notes edible parts like green liver and coral used for coloring mayonnaise.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
The
New York Times
Lobster Stuffed Shelled Lobster Dish
Prepare two lobsters and remove meat without breaking shells then chop. Make a thick sauce with cream flour butter egg yolks bread crumbs parsley salt paprika. Mix in lobster meat, stuff shells, top with crumbs and brown. Serve with watercress lemon slices and parsley.
Lobster Cutlets Dainty Luncheon Dish
Prepare lobster mixture as for stuffed lobster and chop the meat very finely. Spread on a platter to cool, then cut into pear shaped cutlets. Dredge in crumbs, dip in egg, crumb again, and fry in hot lard. Serve on a napkin with French peas and olives in white sauce.
Soiled Lobster Recipe Instructions
A historical recipe describes killing a fresh lobster with a knife along the back, removing stomach and intestines, buttering and broiling the meat with the fresh side toward the fire. The claws are cracked and served with melted butter, parsley, and lemon juice.
Household Tips From Old Almanac Keeps Kitchen Clean
Bread dries faster in a jar than a tin vessel. Do not go to bed hungry or eat heartily when tired. Sour yeast works as well as new with soda added before use. Choose heavy grapefruits. Dry fruit is light. Dusting cake tops with flour reduces overflow. Lace curtains last longer with pasted net and thick starch. Onion juice can brighten overcooked dishes without overpowering flavor. Sprinkling rugs with cayenne may deter moths.
Parental Caution Reflected in 19th Century Writ
The excerpt discusses a father’s concerns about his daughter marrying in changing times. It reflects a desire for truth in dialogue and hints at shifting social expectations regarding marriage and financial support. Stinson, Puck mentioned as a source of the dialogue.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
B. Stinson
Puck
Unknown homicide case recounted with courtroom remark
In a courtroom exchange a judge affirms the victim was clubbed to death. Witnesses identify the deceased as belonging to four men, underscoring a violent death and ongoing inquiry.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Smithson
Jonesby
Do you believe in autohypnotism addressed in Baltimore American
A fragment cites the Baltimore American asking if readers believe in autohypnotism and acknowledges belief tied to those owning the blamed items. The note preserves period voice while avoiding sensational phrasing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baltimore American
Tree rings draw a history in a line of growth
The quip notes that a tree gains one ring each year and stores its story without needing to revisit it. Stella and Bella discuss growth and memory using the tree as a metaphor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stella
Bella
New York Sun
Seems to me you look younger than ever
Quote from Life magazine about aging and wisdom. The playful exchange notes that aging brings experience and increasing ability to avoid trouble, implying confidence as years add up.
The Pampered Pets
Hortense calls Mr De Millyans to ask for Fido as Carlo wishes to bark over the telephone in a scene from the Louisville Courier Journal.
Father and Son Exchange Quip From Punch
A brief humorous quote from Punch features a father asking if the son cried after a fall and the son replying that he uttered the same word his father would have used, highlighting a witty family exchange.
Campaign Question Sparks Rural Plow Dialogue
Washington Herald reports a campaign exchange with a farmer who jokes about babies being grown and married, prompting a light moment about forenoon plowing as the candidate seek support. The anecdote illustrates rural attitudes during the campaign.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington Herald
The Utilitarian Father
A dialogue from the Washington Star features a wayward son admitting his father caught him smoking. The father confiscates the cigarettes and "smoked them himself" as a corrective gesture.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington Star
Theatrical Wives and Husbands in Papers
A quoted exchange from Baltimore American shows Mr Henpeck noting that he wishes his wife were a theater star because papers often report that the husbands manage their wives.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Henpeck
J. Henpeck
Baltimore American
Quick Quip About Sunday School Attendance
A humorous Bohemian quote captures a teacher asking who gets the wicked little boys who skip Sunday school. Casey responds that the White Sox get some and the Cubs get the rest, delivering a light, sports‑tinged gibe in regional newspaper voice.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Casey
White Sox
Cubs
Prisoner Says He Is In For A Double Life
A prison visitor asks if he would like to get out and the convict explains he is serving a double life sentence for having two wives waiting outside. The exchange is reported by the Philadelphia Press.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Philadelphia Press
White Blur On His Coat Sparks Concern In Somerville Journal
A woman pleads with Charlie as she notes a white blur on his coat. He reassures her it will brush off, while she sobs and hides her face on his shoulder, the moment captured in the Somerville Journal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charlie
Somerville Journal
Eminent Surgeon Promises Immediate Operation
A nervous young wife pleads for immediate surgery saying expense is no object. The eminent surgeon replies they will operate at once without addressing the patient, reflecting hospital theater tension quoted from Hertzberger's Weekly.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hertzberger's
Also Mentioned on This Page
Charleston
S. C
West Indies
Potomac
Cape Nicholas Mole
Jamaica
Petit Ance
Norfolk
St. Thomas
Houb
Utilitarian
Father
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