Smoky Chimney Tales and Early Postal Anecdotes
A compilation of short items includes a Mrs Polk chimney mystery from a San Francisco note and a Washington Post quip about plumed societies. It also recalls Kansas history with a 1868 Hays City stamp anecdote and a Dublin judge’s biting courtroom line about a butler stealing wine.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Willis Polk
Tiburon
Navy Polk
Willis
Polk
San Francisco News
Dean Monahan
Kansas
Hays City
Monahan
Hays
Q City
Kansas City Journal
A Million Million and the Adam Count
Professor Wagstaff at Gresham College imagines Adam counting a million million at three per second for 6000 years. The thought experiment reinforces that vast numbers fascinate yet baffle human scale and suggests science and religion may coexist, per Bishop Ussher’s 4004 B C creation. A grim Burma tale follows about a murderers’ pool and local guardians who determine guilt by blood red water.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wagstaff
Shakespeare
Gresham College
Adam
Eden
Humanity
Ussher
London Telegraph
Laituk
Burma
Shearpanlai
London
Bismarck and the Pope and Other Fragments
A compilation of archival excerpts notes Eugen Wolf meeting the pope in 1893 and delivering greetings to Prince Bismarck, remarks on the pope’s favor and Windthorst, plus stray jokes and a Tehuelches note about Patagonian height averages and exceptional individuals.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bismarck
Eugen Wolf
Rome
Germany
Prince Bismarck
Friedrichsruh
Holy Father
Windthorst
Sidney Whitman
Harper’s Magazine
Guarding Against Fraud Inducing Holidays to Prevent Embezzlement
A London accountant argues firms now mandate annual holidays for all staff handling books and money to expose embezzlement. He notes thefts are often uncovered when offenders are absent and cites group photographs as a deterrent and identification aid, as reported in Pearson's Weekly.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Pearson’s Weekly
Women and Portraits In Photographic Art
A veteran New Orleans photographer explains why beauty in pictures differs from real charm. He cites Maude Branscombe, once a famed model, noting her public allure contrasted with a quiet, pale reality unseen by many who prized her portrait.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Orleans
Maude Branscombe
United States
Miss Branscombe
New Orleans Times-Democrat
Trading Rat and a Long Signature Tale
The Trading Rat describes a mountain rodent larger than a common rat with gray fur and a red preference, famed for leaving a gift when taking food. His Signature recounts a farmer’s signature delay at a hotel, ending in the lengthy, odd entry Me and Maria, prompting amusement in the lobby.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rocky Mountains
Highlands
Wyoming
Philadelphia Inquirer
Maria
London
Why Bill Was Discomfited
A tale recounts Blizzard Bill confronting a patron at a new residence with intent to drive him away. Three hours later Ginger Jon evaluates Bill and asks about weapons. Bill reveals surprise that the parson was an army chaplain, shading their confrontation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bill
Ginger Jon Ginger
Ginger
Merry Thunder
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Also Mentioned on This Page
Daughters of the American Revolution
Women’s Christian Temperance Union
Secret Society
Washington Post
City OF Mitchell
DrerRier No
Neste Eateee
Ted Eee
Ness
Santralsalsnes
F. Goodykoontz
Treas Nes
Mitchell Township Road Fund
Ney
Perel
Fond Perry Civil Township
Aene
Badger Civil Township
Peer
Eneene Nes
Conan
Reeseenen
Ite
CB. Eeaevaee —Aa Ae
Mitchell Town
Oss
Teske
Ayes Nnae
Oon
Blendon
Saab Tettes
Tee
Manent School Fund
Alil
Institute Fund
Lisbon Township ‘Fund
Lisbon
Seeesee
Eevee
Astin Sedeee
County Fond
Union Civil Township
Bridge Fund
Bal
Vernon Village
Ign
Baker Civil
MT. Vernon
Biance
Institute
Eeeneeerers MT
Aes
Bal CO
la Its
Lance
Tobin Township
Coates Loon
Seeeaee
Poly
Ji ‘An
Seeree
Wees
Mitchell
Beulah
Cora
Marie
Algernon
Patagonia
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!