Tragic Chicago Theater Fire Kills Hundreds at Holiday Matinee
A Dec 30 blaze at Troquoia theater in Chicago kills around 564 to 600 as fire sweeps a matinee. Eyewitness accounts describe fleeing crowds, mothers shielding children, and a rapid death toll with firefighters hastening to help. Victims, many women and children, are found in stairwells and dressing rooms as doctors rush to aid the injured.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Troquoia
Eddie Foy
State Street
Acorea
Mnother
The Luck of Rastus in a Pressed Luck Letter
A barber named Rastus recounts how a mystery letter found in a pressed coat leads to a chain of luck. He explains how Jack Winters supposedly planned to marry Grace, and how a delayed letter yields Grace and Jack money, with Rastus afterward buying out a partner and expanding his shop.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rastus
Jack Wintera
Brazil
Jack Winters
Abe
de Iady
Jack Wintera Ordered de Money To Be ‘Delivered To Me. He Said He Was Mr. Jack
Grace
Mias
Jack
Brasil
New York Times
Man Promised Justice But Fate Overtook Ejectment Case
In a human interest vignette, a district attorney aide recalls serving a three day ejectment notice from Judge Harry Melvin to a poverty struck family in Fruitvale. A dying tenant dies before the deadline, prompting a grim exchange with the landlady who asks where he went. The tale ends with a quip about never meeting again.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alameda County
Harry Melvin
Melvin
Gult
San Francisco
Quaint French Village La Frette Near Paris Quiet and Old Fashioned
A vivid portrait of La Frette France a quiet village near Corneilles to the Seine and Paris. Villagers mingle with tradesmen thrifty and simple while nearby Maisons Lafitte Carriereville and St Germain forest frame the scene. A peasant gifts highlight a tale of marriage fortunes amid rural life.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paris
Hox
la Frette
Cormeilles
Maisons Laffitte
Cartrouville
Iles
St. Germain
Herblay
Seine
Ona
France
Absence of Mind Clergyman’s Odd Communion Reminder
A devout parish clergyman near Chicago amused his congregation with a misworded sermon note. He announced that the Lord would be with them during morning services and the Bishop in the evening, highlighting a humorous slip in the Communion service reminder.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Malles
Chicago
Misprint Reward Claimed for Bible Passage Error
A reader named Mr Sherlock claimed the reward from the British and Foreign Bible Society for finding a misprint in a Bible imprint. The error in Mark 1 from “Hiciples follow Him” was printed as “followed him,” and the society confirmed the discovery.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
British and Foreign Bible Society
Sherlock
Women in Sport Show Skill Equals Men in Precision
The remark notes that when women take up sport they gain nearly as much precision as men. It concedes less practice and weather limits but asserts women can compete fairly with men at the top levels.
Bankruptcy punishment in early English law
In the era of King James I a bankruptcy statute allowed a bankrupt unable to pay debts to be set in the pillory for two hours with one ear nailed to the pillory. The punishment stood until its repeal in 1816.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
Colombia's Commerce In 1897 Trade Volume And US Share
Colombia has not shown figures for years due to ongoing war. In 1897 the total trade reached about $20 million, with roughly a quarter destined for the United States. Exports included coffee, gold and silver ore, hides, tobacco, and drugs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Colombia
United States
Port a Disappointment at Dalnay Harbor
Port Dalnay near Port Arthur built by Russia as an ice free terminal for the Siberian railway cost 17,000,000 rubles. The breakwater freezes over, disappointing efforts similar to Vladivostok. The nearest possible ice free bay remains in question, with Corean territory cited.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dalnay Harbor
Port Arthur
Russia
Vladivostok
Jaim Corean
Poverty and Infant Mortality in Berlin Elite and Poor
A German statistician notes stark infant mortality gaps in Berlin. Among aristocrats only 57 per 1000 children die before age five, while among the poorest classes the death rate rises to 357 per 1000.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Berlin
Tattooing Poison Proves Fatal For Crewe Workman
A Crewe workman died of blood poisoning after a tattoo on his right arm. The sketch of a young woman's head was drawn with copying ink pencil. The accidental infection followed the tattooing, leading to his untimely death.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Callard
Crewe Workman
To Sterilize Water with Tincture of Iodine
Tincture of iodine is valuable for sterilising water. Four drops in a cm rate of water render the water fit for drinking within half an hour.
Three Cardinal Points Blood Health and Happiness
The ad proclaims rich red blood as the key to splendid health and happiness. It lists symptoms of poor circulation such as nervousness fatigue and low energy and promises speedy relief and lasting care through a health program.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Themelven
Chlifren
Godlee
Yluck of
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!