Invasion by Cooking Water Mocked by Napoleon
A 1911 reminiscence recounts Napoleon's anger at an American inventor Robert Fulton who claimed a steamboat would let him invade England regardless of wind or tide. Metternich and Bismarck discuss the boast and the later reality of Fulton's steamship on American rivers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert Fulton
Seine
Napoleon
England
Baron Eckenstein
Lse
Germany
Fulton
Blemarck
Potsdam
Breslau
Bismarck
Prince Metternich
Johannisberg
Frankfurt
Rhine
Austria
Metternich
M.livingston
France
Prince Bismarck
E. J. Edwards
Masters Cultivated Their Style by Three US Senators
Three United States senators noted for pure English and strong speech are Orville H. Platt George Frisbie Hoar and John T Morgan Platt recalls his Bible based self taught English and credits no formal cultivation Hoar praises Morgan's flawless extemporaneous style Morgan says he speaks as he thinks and never prepares addresses Morgan and Hoar admire each other’s skill while Platt warns against conscious cultivation of style.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Orville H. Platt
Connecticut
George Frisbie Hoar
Massachusetts
John T. Morgan
Alabama
Senate
Senator Platt
Washington
Litchfield County
Senator Hoar
Mr. Platt
DeQuincey
Hooker
Milton
Morgan
Mr. Hoar
Senator Morgan
Platt
E. J. Edwards
Fields Prophecy on Western Life Shaping American Letters
The interview with James T. Fields recalls his 1879 prediction that Western life would produce the great American fiction. He notes New England fiction fading as Bret Harte and Mark Twain illustrate the West’s rich field, with authors shaped by western experience likely to lead the next era of novels.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James T. Fields
James Thomas Fields
Loneyfellow
Hawthorne
Emerson
Lowell
Holmes
Mr. Fields
Massachusetts
West
Bret Harte
Mark Twein
New England
Sible
Lfe
Alleghany Mountains
Mississippi
E. J. Edwards
Dr. Pierce
Golden
Pilot Wheel From Robert E Lee Now Aboard Nashville
The famed pilot wheel that steered the Robert E Lee during the 1870 Mississippi race to St Louis is mounted on the steamer Nashville sailing the Cumberland. The walnut and cherry wheel, over ten feet in diameter, was recovered from the City of Providence and remains in excellent condition with inlaid spokes and two stays. The anecdote recalls Captain Cannon and a sensational safety valve moment aboard the Lee.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert E. Lee
Natchez
Lee
Mississippi
New Orleans
St. Louis
Nashville
Cumberland
City of
Providence
Robert BE. Lee
Cannon
St. Louis Republic
Bluebeard’s Kitchen Murder Explain Slanders
Vindicated at last the tale explains Bluebeard’s innocence by revealing the kitchen as the scene where the cook killed my previous wives. The passage argues the earlier blame was a slanderous misrepresentation of events.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bluebeard
Widow's Loss Ignites a Grim Family Debate
A terse exchange recalls a grim joke about a grass widow and her late husband, revealing a strained family dynamic as a father explains the meaning of a life and death sacrifice to his son. The dialogue hints at social pressures and the cost of survival in hard times.
The Wise Savage Tale at the World’s Fair
An intrepid explorer tempts a naive native with brass watches after showing their inner workings. The native recalls trading wart clubs for similar items at the St. Louis World’s Fair, noting none ran long. He dismisses the explorer’s offer with a clothes question.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Louis
Abundant Occupation Dims May Queen Custom
The dialogue notes that the old May queen selection has fallen out of favor. Mr. Votewell adds there are many other officers to elect and questions the need to create a dedicated position.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Votewell
Philosophers and toothache fuel odd business philosophy
A dentist recalls a morning encounter with a man who treats pain as a schedule changer. The man argues that multiple aches balance each other, letting him delay today and toil tomorrow amid crowded engagements, a philosophy the dentist notes with bemused doubt.
Remarkable Kidney Stone Removal Reported in 1909 Letter
A Alabama man recounts severe bladder kidney pain lasting a year and a half. After trying Lithia Water and other remedies he used Kilmer Swamp Root, passing gravel in urine and experiencing lasting relief. Notary public verifies his affidavit dated August 1909. Kilmer Co advertises samples and booklets for sale.
What Was She Wearing
A fireman recounts a midnight blaze at the Von Biffers’ house on the avenue. He recalls Miss Von Biffer running free from the flames carrying her niece, wrapping the child in her arms as a bravely reckless rescue.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Von
Grandmother’s request for a modern impressionist sketch
The exchange contrasts an old fashioned tale with a desire for a fresh, impressionist portrait. It frames Grandma urging a story and Granny resisting, preferring subtle character study or a new linguistic approach.
Garfield Tea and Tobacco Tax Ad Peddles Laxative Play
An excerpt shows promotional copy for Garfield Tea a laxative claiming potent effects. It also touts untaxed tobacco for sale by Meriwether Edwards in Clarksville Tennessee with a provocative line about Death loving a shining mark implying an anti tax message.
Saskatoon English-Speaking Agricultural Prosperity Ad
The advertisement extols Saskatoon’s English-speaking farming community and its remarkable soil related prosperity. It urges farmers to visit, share in town breezes, and participate in regional prosperity, inviting inquiries to the Commissioner, Board of Trade, Saskatoon.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Saskatoon
Board of Trade
Saskatchewan
Western Canada
First and Second Choice
A playful exchange about roles, with Uncle Johnny asking if he wants to be an angel while Johnny replies he prefers pursuing a baseball pitching career or a circus clown act, signaling ambition and humor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnny
Also Mentioned on This Page
Sony
Napoleon and
Berlin
O. H. Platt
Hear
de Quincey and
H. W. Spinks
Pats
Wit Kilmer & Co
A. B. Lee
Notary Public
Dr. Kilmer & Co
Binghamton, N. Y
Meriwether & Edwards
Clarksville
Ten
Coca-Cola
Meni
Coca-Cola CO
Em Arrow
Eis Mat Fens Jonson
Woodson
Carter
Harold Achers
Kalb
Breekinz
N.Y
Clearwater Country
Idaho
J C. Rooney
Stltes
Ree Eltzgerald & Co
Box K
Washington, D. O
Northwestern Conservatory
Minneapolis
Shin Genetics
California Fig G Syrup Co
Rome
Gfornia FK Syrup CO
Manitoba
Alberta
Bup
Ottawa
Canada
Janadier
Chas
Pilia
Dilford Elk
Grand Forks
MacLachlan
Watertows
E.T Holmes
Jackson St
Paul
Winn
Geo
Paxton Toilet CO
Boston
Masel
Uns
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!