War News Snippets and Social Oddities
A roundup of brief items including England’s sugar tax, a new device answering calls, a train achieving nine miles in six minutes, Aguinaldo reports, a French physician on nervous peoples, lions held by four men, and Czar denial of a bomb proof room. Also notes on a mother arresting a girl for making goo goo eyes, Chicago stove theft, a new rifle, dangers of malarial weapons, newspaper page size cuts, trades unions in Pennsylvania, edition counts of old novels funding missionary work, bicycle riding for women, and a toy gun incident in Columbia leading to a jaw wound.
Back-woods Sociability and a Call to Self-Defense
The piece laments fading rural sociability and recalls old visiting customs among neighbors. It warns of erotic homicidal insanity, noting 35 women butchered after unreciprocated love, urging fathers and brothers to act to protect women, even by killing the threat in advance if needed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Francisco Call
The King and His Dog Tax in Greek Law
The Greek law imposes a yearly dog tax of 12 drachmas per owner with double penalties for late payment. King George examined four dogs in a police registration, owing 48 drachmas and facing a 68 drachma fine for delay. He has now paid 96 drachmas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George
St. James
New Patrolman Quick Arrest Sparks Comment in Baltimore
A Baltimore citizen notes a newly appointed patrolman making an arrest within twenty minutes of starting duty, while a veteran officer jokes that he once slept through his commission as it was handed to him. The exchange appears in the Baltimore American.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baltimore American
Many Use Tobacco Report Suggests Global Habit
A historical note claims one third of the world's residents are habitual tobacco users. The statement reflects early public health concerns about widespread tobacco consumption and its social reach across populations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Earth
Biscuits and a Melody of Love in a Shared Window
A man observing Elsie in a vacant next-door house notes her busy kitchen scene and sings of a budding romance. Elsie, seen by Fairleigh in a blue gingham gown, overhears a luncheon remark from Miss Burns and blushes under the gaze. He later calls, confessing love seen in a single glance and biscuit plate incident.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J Young Fairleigh
Elsie
Robert Fairleigh
Dows
Elwi¢é
Fairleigh
Isabel Burns
Blale
Hilsie
Isabel
Beeky
Ebsie
Bob Fairleigh
Ieabel
Chicago Tribune
Conjuring the Sharks In Persian Gulf diving season
Lippincotts Magazine describes divers in the Persian Gulf relying on shark conjurers to begin the season. Government hires charmers to distract sharks as fleets of eighty to one hundred boats go to sea at midnight. Each boat has two divers, a steersman, and a charmer while shore conjurers perform incantations to shield divers from attacks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Persian Gulf
Lippincott’s Magazine
Original European Language Types and a Coffin Epithet
A philologist notes thirteen supposed original European languages including Greek Latin German Slavonic Welsh Biscayan Irish Albanian Tartarian Illyrian Jasygian Chauvin Finnic. A brakeman calls a coffin a bone dish in a colorful remark.
Avoid the Summer Hotel and the Lessons of Country Life
A fragment from The Ladies Home Journal argues against summer hotels for families. It praises country living, simplicity, sincerity, and freedom from city conventions, urging families to spend vacations in the country to expose children to nature and wholesome living.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Edward
Bor
Home Journal
Prince of Wales in Washington with Harriet Lane
During the 1860 visit to America the Prince of Wales stayed at the Executive Mansion with Mr Buchanan and Miss Lane. He enjoyed fireworks on Lafayette Square and mingled with Lane’s circle of women, showing rare gallantry. They toured a gym, played tenpins, and Harriet outbowled the Prince in a playful contest.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Edward VII
Harriet Lane
Washington
America
Lafayette Square
White House
Mr. Buchanan
Miss Lane
Prince
Mrs. Thompson
Duke of Newcastle
Harriet
How Spring Comes in England and Great Skua in Danger
An English magazine notes spring signs in England with larks, blossoms, and early daffodils. Separately, London Express reports the great skua is endangered, fishermen accused of taking it for bait, with Foula as the last known nesting site and conservation steps planned.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
London Pride
Dieppe
Boulogne
Gravelines
Society For the Protection of Birds
Foula
Scotland
London Express
New York City Called Not The Wickedest City
A Washington Star cartoonish dialogue contrasts New York with smaller towns. Mike and Pete discuss which places are rough, noting towns trap people and push hard labor over mercy or arrest. The exchange highlights urban vs rural hardship themes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mike
Pete
New York
Washington Star
Costly Butterflies and Rothschilds’ Rare Specimen
A Rothschild is said to pay 1000 for a butterfly as part of a vast collection valued at about 500000. The note highlights the high value placed on rare insects and the wealth behind private natural history pursuits.
Refuge Camps In Bad Shape Amid Boer Relief Drive
Rev Von Bruckhul and brother arrive in New York to raise funds for Boer refugees. He cites official reports claiming camps are in horrible condition with high death rates and unfit food. He asserts Boer forces number 15,000 to 17,000, armed with Lee Metford rifles and stockpiled ammunition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New , York
von Bruckhul
South Africa
Gene
von Bruckhulses
Donald P. McKenzie
von Bruckhuisen
Cape Colony
New Mail Boxes Aim to Be Universal Information Hubs
A San Francisco inventor proposes new mail boxes that record weather forecasts for the next day, display world events, show transit times, weigh letters, and provide postage and money order rates. Carriers would post bulletins, update clocks, and use frames for public notices while boxes include a weather rack and automatic mail scale.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Francisco
Commander Bull's Severe Fall From Government Dome
Lieutenant Commander J. H. Bull, head of the hydrographic service at the Pan-American grounds, fell from the dome of the government building in Buffalo and was seriously injured. He was unconscious on arrival of aid and rushed to the emergency hospital. The remainder of the text shifts to unrelated musings on marriage and grooming.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bull
Buffalo
N. Y
J. H. Bull
United States Navy
Hydrographic Service
Pan-American Grounds
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ind
Aguinaldo
Africa
Mamma
Atlantic Ocean
Chicago
Pennsylvania
Redcliffe
Charlotte M. Zonge
Daisy Quain
Southern Cross
Selwyn
New Zealand
Daisy Chain
Auckland
Boston
D of Columbia
Fey Aan
Maoh Nh
Grange
Farmers’ Club
Boor Pretthet