Old River Gamblers Recall Downriver Card Sharps
A reminiscence from the Mississippi river era recounts the 1850s and 1860s gambling scene aboard the Juha Dickey and other boats. Narratives describe expert card tricks, marked decks, and robberies as seasoned gamblers exploited travelers. The tale centers on John Powell, an English renegade who swindled a young university man, culminating in Powell’s death and the Englishman’s ruin.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Juha Dickey
Nateher
Hole
Tostrea
New Orleans
Dremers
Meery
Gemre
Mr. Mark
Billy Peeples
Billy
St. Lewis
John Powell
Tou Ochiltres
Texas
Gulf
Chicago
Henry Clay
Powell
Kentucky Statesman
Eney Powell
Rivee
Tomes
Stapf
Fragmentary note on a film bid and a prisoner massacre
A damaged OCR fragment mentions Marshal Kouit asked about the cost of his best picture and an exchange involving Labsney. It references a monk taken prisoner during Spain's campaign and at least six others killed. details are unclear due to the poor text quality.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marshal Kouit
Chris
Ar Fe
Soul
Spain
Cyclone yarn at Kansas in 1889 told by wartime bachelor
A New York Journal fragment recounts a tall tale of a Kansas cyclone in 1889 told by a wary survivor. The speaker recalls marriage, bakehouse biscuits, and a disaster that buried his wife Sal and toppled the barn, prompting skeptical responses about its truth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mam
Risa
Maine
Chicago
Kansas
Peachstons
Sally Bowen
Sal
Missouri Line
Sam Hill
New York Journal
War Talk and Oddities From Diverse Notes
A garbled column weaves humor, wartime jabs, and curious facts with names and places. It mentions Hank Timerthy’s Maine Avengers, schoolteacher map ideas, an arm injury to Chubby Hayloft, and a desire to strike at Madrid. Also notes the Lillers artesian well, British Isles island count, Maxim explosive claim, and census glimpses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Spain
Pinestump Junction
Hank Timerthy
Maine
Billy Smith
Havanar
Ceta
Hank
Madrid
Ras Jones
Presa
The Silver Lining in Chicago and New Yorker Musings
A Chicagoan asks about the most pleasant discovery during their stay while a New Yorker notes the absence of daily hundred trains. The brief exchange hints at urban contrasts and travel pace across two cities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Yorker
Deily
Remarkable Gigantic Birds Found in Argentina
The Chicago Record reports remains of enormous birds in Argentina, twice the width of an ostrich. It notes rarity of many birds today, including New Zealand’s dinornis races, and mentions a rare apteryx hasselti specimen exhibited in Berlin.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Argentina
New Zealand
Berlin
Mail delays spark demand for postal reform and accountability
A Detroit Free Press reader grills a postman over a lost letter to Buffalo, arguing the mail system is mismanaged by inexperienced staff and criticizing political patronage. The couple angrily appeals to the president, while the husband hastily mails the letter in a burst of temper.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fourth Avenue
Buffalo
Detroit
She Took No Chances in Cabbage Creek Valley Marriage
In the Atlanta Journal story a preacher preparing to marry John Henry and Polly at Cabbage Creek Valley discusses guarding the back window and yard. Sam, Tom, Eli, and Abe are positioned to deter John Henry if he makes a dash, as Polly ensures safety with the guards.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bister Duncan
Cabbage Creek Valley
Sam
Tom
Eli
John Henry
Polly
Abe
Atlanta Journal
Duel with Pills Ended In Poison Claim
An extraordinary duel arose from a love feud where seconds prepared four identical pills. One doctor seconds claimed three pellets would kill instantly, and the men were to swallow pills in turns. The first two attempts caused no effect, and the final moment would decide who faced death first.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Felieu
Chris
Lost Merchants in the Advertising Era
A reflective verse laments vanished merchants and their once thriving shops. It critiques the shift driven by advertising and printer’s ink, asking where the ancient tradesmen and their fortunes have gone as commerce grows restless and competitive.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mackaday
Agreya and Agall Share Quiet Moment Beneath Leaves
In a shaded scene the couple lingered over a gentle exchange. He trembled to take her hand and squeeze her waist as the maid notes Agall must know who sat beside a green youth. The words reveal a subtle courtship in a lush setting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Agall
How She Took It In A Night Fright At Parting
The Chicago News captions a tense moment as a man declares a final glance and exits with resolve while a woman protests her future. The exchange hints at a dramatic rupture and sharp humor about change.
Chicago Cut From the Bums Pisses Man Scoffs At Waste
Fragmentary OCR records show a dialogue line about women wearing dotted veils and eyes being watched, with a man mocking waste and accusing a woman of folly. The garbled text includes phrases about love, fashion, and social perception, reflecting a satirical or misconstrued dialogue from an older Chicago piece.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Watse
Bie
Fadkeon
Professor Wind on a Balloon Rescue and Nerve
A Balloonist named Professor Wind recounts a near disaster after a balloon ballooned out of control. He explains how a moment of presence of mind and ducted rope saved him from a fatal fall, detailing the ascent, ballast loss, and a daring jump to earth with a knife and rope. The tale ends with him reflecting on courage and luck and a reporter seeking a sample of the rope.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wind
Indiana
Auini
Ami 1
Zack
Mystery Fragments Hint at Local Race Bet
Fragmentary OCR note describes a sharp wager of five pounds over who could pour more water into a brick battle. The scene includes a bell and a crowd, with uncertain names and actions, leaving the event details unclear but suggesting a casual local wager and a crowd observation.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Greot
OLD River Gamblers
Slick
Daisy
Goick
Isugland
City
Ney
St. Louie
Poeta
Philadelphia Public Ledger
Fia Frest
Poppernas
London
Ios
Europe
Lillers
France
British Isles
Hadeon Maxim
Penslovers
Berhnstuit
Pittstarg Cioucle-Telegraph
Axi
The
Agreya
Chicago News
Neat Trio
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