Floating islands of Wayne county told by a Hill Country correspondent
A Honesdale observer recalls ancient man made “floating islands” formed by submerged log rafts in Wayne county lakes. The drifting isles rise with water level, gather weeds and mold, host trees and birds, and drift on winds with rare accidents. One large White Oak pond island once spun in two opposing breezes, then settled after weathering a momentary gust.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mississippi
Honesdale
Old County
Wayne
Pike County
Pennsylvania
Pike
Delaware and Hudson Canal Company
Ropdout
Wayne County
White Oak Pond
Aldenville
Chicago
Karnak Temple Complex Described as World’s Grand Tomb
The Karnak temple complex is hailed as the most magnificent tomb in the world occupying nine acres, double the size of St. Peter’s in Rome. Its vast spaces showcase colossal columns, grand courts, and long avenues of sphinxes in a poet’s dream setting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Karnak
St. Peter’s
Rome
Carthaginian of Maine and Hamlin's House Victory
The Maine legislature tale centers on Hannibal Hamlin's clash with John Holmes. Hamlin defends his complexion and challenges Holmes's ridicule, prompting applause and a strong retort. Holmes apologizes, and the nickname The Carthaginian of Maine sticks, per the Lewiston Journal account.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hannibal Hamlin
Maine
Hamlin
John Holmes
Holmes
United States Senate
House of Representatives
The First Silk Hat The London Silk Hat Case 1797
An 1797 account details John Hetherington’s breach of the peace charge for wearing a tall shiny silk hat on a public highway in London. The crowd reacted with fainting women and frightened children, and a bystander’s son was hurt as authorities removed him to the lord mayor for review.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
John Hetherington
Crown
Cordwuainer Thomas
Marksmen in Battle and the Robin Call
The article recalls historic marksmen from English archers to Boer and British regimes, contrasting accuracy and ammo use. It cites Marlboro era shots on Lexington, Bunker Hill, and New Orleans, then argues Boers’ precision led to victories. A piece on superstition notes a Warwickshire farmhouse robin as a warning call.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston Herald
France
Lexington Road
Bunker Hill
Pakenham
New Orleans
Cham and Gascon tale of a 60 foot dining hall
Cham the French caricaturist discusses a Gascon brag about his father’s enormous dining hall. The Gascon boasts a roof so high you could not see it, while Cham adds a counterpoint that the hall’s opposite end was 60 feet low so the sole was the only fish served at table.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cham
Envious Inference in Colorado Springs Gazette Snippet
A Northwest India note comments on oats eating harmlessly, while a plant named akana or madar is cited for its acrid milky juice dangerous to humans. The excerpt also reflects a playful description of Mand with cheerful traits and pretty teeth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mand
Colorado Springs Gazette
Northwest
India
The Southern Colonel and the Plunger Doomed by Bluff
A high stake Mississippi river gambling tale pits Colonel Wallace of South Carolina against Pete Welch the eastern plunger in a single hand chess match with $50,000 on the line. Wallace bets slaves as collateral, loses nerve, and ends with about $4,000 while Welch walks away with $80,000 and twenty three slaves sold a month later.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pete Welch
Colonel Wallace
South Carolina
Wallace
Pete
Welch
Not His Style. A riddle on favors from a streetcar
A Boston Transcript joke questions which of two women, an old and a young one, a man would offer his seat to in a crowded streetcar. It implies he would give to neither and invites reflection on politeness versus duty.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Warwickshire
Birmingham
Johnny
Johnny—Guuess
Dad
Boston Transcript
Tricks of Writers. Kipling Quips and Quoted Fragments
A New Orleans reader recalls Kipling’s curious practice of headlined verse fragments in stories and explains readers chased elusive poems. The tale compares Kipling with Scott and Poe and notes the jokes fuel literary illusion. A separate scene shows Throttle’s talking matches that “fight” when tossed.
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A man brags about buying a gown for his daughter despite his wife’s illness and later laments the gown’s flaws He argues his taste and price were wrong and says he did get it The second incident describes a colored sentry challenging a disguised Washington and insisting on the countersign Cambridge is the required word, but the sentinel names Roxbury Medford Charleston in turn until the ruse is exposed
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Post
Washington
Roxbury
Medford
Charleston
Massa Washington
Cambridge
Unfortunate Simile and Safe Exchanges at Court
A street car damages suit features a lawyer comparison to falling snow in court. An opposing lawyer retorts the simile has covered all the ground quickly. The Chicago Tribune recalls a child vaccination baptism exchange.
Asbestos Tales Prove Old Claims Entertain a Listener
In a restaurant debate an elderly man and a younger companion spar over asbestos lore. The elder cites Charlemagne, Benjamin Franklin, and Sir Hans Sloane, claiming ancient and Renaissance uses. A Milan armor experiment and a Royal Society note are shared as proof, while the skeptic balks at a bet.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charlemagne
Asbestus
Benjamin Franklin
England
Bloomsbury
London
Sir Hans Sloane
British Museum
Royal Society
Plot
China
Chinese Tartary
Milan
Italy
Aldini
New York Times
Immigrant Earnings by Nationality Top the Money Brought
The New York Tribune reports averages showing German immigrants contribute $52.50, English $52, French $47.25, Belgian $45, Irish $15, Russian $12.50, and Italian $10. The piece notes Italians may send more money home than others.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York Tribune
Also Mentioned on This Page
Alfred
Lewiston Journal
London Telegraph
Los
Kipling
Mr Kipling
Scott
Edgar Allan Poe
Poe
New Orleans Times-Democrat
Toppington
Throttle
New York
Detroit Free Press
Nel
Chicago Tribune
Standard Oil CO
J. L. Hannett
Ss. D
A. E. Hitchcock
Mitchnell
Mitchell
South Dakota
West Second St. Oo
H. Perry
J. E. Wells
Harker Bro’s
Mitchell, S. D
the Insurance
W. H. Webster
May & Suchy
Merchant Tailors, Mitchell, S. D
America
Montgomery Ward & CO
Michigan Ave
Madison ST
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