Curious, Conflicting 19thCentury News Snippets
A bound Holstein bull killed after a fatal accident and a keeper goring is reported with weight and value notes. Jefferson Davis’s nephew lineage is traced with death and survival details. A Boston spirit medium allegedly used a telephone to conjure voices via hidden wires. A wheat import breakdown in 1884 shows Britain receiving 13,778,980 pounds with the United States delivering 599,607,560 pounds in seven months.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Great Britain
United Sites
India
Russia
Australia
United States
Electric gate opener linked to trains to control access
French railway firms plan an electric gate opener using an electro magnet to hold a gate closed. A passing train breaks the circuit, freeing the catch so the gate opens and the last car passes before the circuit re closes. A bell rings loudly as trains approach.
Notable Texas Preacher Versus Indian Chief Roar
The Kerryville Eye reports Rev Mr Hole of western Texas as a versatile figure who can run horse races beat rivals in footraces jump hurdles sing and end the week with a strong sermon while Howe In The Day is described as a bold Indian chief famed for war and cunning during powwows.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Howe
Mr. Hole
Texas
Kerryville Eye
Whit
Woman Imprisoned by Closet Latch in Schenectady
A Schenectady woman hid in a closet to avoid a visiting neighbor. The door latch trapped her, and she suffocated the confined air for four hours until her husband returned and found her. Doctors warned death would have followed shortly without rescue.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Schenectady
New York
Melon Shrub From Guatemala Grows In Garden
A Los Angeles gentleman imported a three foot evergreen plant from Guatemala known as the melon shrub. It bears a purple and white flower and a four inch long fruit shaped like a rifled cannon shell. The melon has yellow brown skin and cantaloupe colored flesh and the shrub flowers and fruits within four months of planting.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Los Angeles
Cal
Guatemala
Notable veterans and curious local scenes in brief notes
A Syracuse collector with a gilt hat promotes a debt collection scheme while Mat Dillon, veteran general, rises in Indian Army service and Dora Woolsey’s Yale tenure is noted. The text traces Dillon’s campaigns from China to Abyssinia and his royal aid role. Woolsey’s college leadership at Yale is summarized.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Syracuse
Dillon
Lahore
Colin Campbell
Lord Clyde
China
Sikes
Onde
Cawnpore
Sir Hope Grant
Lord Nepier
Magdala
Abyssinia
Ireland
Es-President 463 Years On, Blaine and Logan Electoral Link
The article notes the venerable ex-president nearing 463 years of age this month, with long ties to the college. It surveys agricultural returns in Great Britain and Ireland, showing rises in cattle and sheep, plus grain acreage changes. It mentions drought in Georgia and superstitions among negroes about three teeth and three words, plus two newborns with ominous omens. It also highlights a $1,000,000 cost of the Western Union strike and laments industrial dependence on two employers, Western Union and Baltimore and Ohio.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lee
Blaine
Logan Flector
Grea
Britain
Ireland
Georgia
Henry County
Troupe County
Western Union
Baltimore and Ohio
Toough
Cattle Thieves in Montana Meet Ruthless Justice
The article notes cattle raising as Montanas chief vocation and details violent thefts, lynchings, and the harsh frontier justice. It cites a surge in national and corporate debt, with the United States as the only major nation likely to honor obligations amid global indebtedness.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Montans
Montana
Californias
Oregon
Missouri River
United States
Great Britain
Britain
United States of America
Peculiar Religion Not Recognizable to Others
A quirky observer notes that many people hold a peculiar kind of religion, likening it to a portrait meant to resemble a lover but remain unrecognizable to others. The piece mentions small successes sufficing for small souls.
Postal Affairs Annual Post Office Growth Report
The First Assistant Postmaster General reports 3,414 post offices established, 1,260 discontinued, net up 522. Total offices 50,017 as of June 30, 1884, with 2,323 presidential and 47,604 Postmaster General appointments. Growth spread across regions, Texas highest increase, North Carolina and Pennsylvania notable rises, New Mexico a decrease. Proposals urge free delivery to towns of 10,000 and new post office buildings in cities 20,000+.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cgionert
Postminster-Genen
New England
Middle States
Southern States
Indian Territory
Northwest
Pacific
Texas
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Silimoix
Virginia
Missouri
Dakota
Massachusetta
Maryland
South Carolina
Congress
AD Hazen
Gener
County of Publications
Denod
Alligator slain by Dottie Steck and party near Tucker’s Lake
A ten foot alligator terrorizing Tucker’s Lake in Jefferson County is killed by Dottie L. Steck of Bellwood Pa after tracking the creature with companions. She fires both barrels from close range, the animal collapsing at the bank. the hide remains with Miss Steck.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mittle Rock
Chicago Times
Tucker's Lake
Jefferson County
Dottie L. Steck
Bellwood
Alleghenies
Rumor of tax reform and mood on enforcement in Congress
The Deputy Commissioner predicts a shift from internal revenue taxes to stamp duties on spirits and the abolition of revenue agents. He doubts raids in the South will continue and forecasts beer tax cuts from 90 to 60 cents per gallon. Also notes on towels from Philadelphia and large lumber rafts reaching Cleveland.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rogers
Washington
Congress
South
Agricultural report notes surge in meat and crop values
The Commissioner of Agriculture reports meat values rising from 300 million to billions and crop values climbing, with wheat corn and dairy showing marked gains. Forest destruction alarms persist yet tree planting and lumber controls offer hope amid shifting markets and farm labor needs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Commissioner of Agriculture
United States
Pro
Pacific Coast
Northwest
Chicago
Bureau i Nogg
Congress
Repeal of Tobacco Taxes Faces Prolonged Battle in Congress
Washington dispatch notes President Arthur and Secretary McCulloch likely to push repeal of all tobacco taxes for cigars cigarettes snuff and manufactured tobacco. It cites 1884 internal revenue receipts of about 264 million and outlines four rival moves to cut surplus revenue including pension and education bills a tobacco tax repeal plan and a looming Spanish treaty.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington Dispatch
Chicago Daily Nowak
Arthur
McCulloch
Congress
Internal Revenue
Secretary of the Treasury
Treasury Department
Senate
House
Thompson reports Rail Way Mail Service progress and needs
General Superintendent Thompson submits the annual report on the Railway Mail Service. Highlights include 117 160 miles of route in 1883 with a 6.1 percent increase, 44 000 miles of post office lines, total annual service 12 640 009 miles, and 658 144 220 pieces of mail handled. Casualties totaled 164 with seven clerks killed. Recommendations seek widow or minor child benefits, higher salaries for clerks, and higher appropriations for postal cards and subsidized roads. Fast mail improvements aim for earlier Omaha delivery and same day replies to eastbound mail.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Thompson
Railway Mail Service
Hax
Omaha
Council Bluffs
San Francisco
New York
Attitude of the Senate Toward Cleveland
Reported that Senator Tagalla would vote to confirm Cleveland's appointments. He says nominees should be confirmed unless objections are political. The Democratic Senate gave no objection to Hayes' appointments. Senator Ingills questions the tenure of office act and suggests repeal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tagalla
Cleveland
Senate
Huyes
Ingills
Gen Hancock to retire in February eighteen eighty eight
A fragmented item notes General Hancock will retire in February 1888. It mentions Bartholomew Binns the English Hangena being deposed for involvement with Winans of Baltimore who rents large deer forests in Scotland and killed 150 stags this season.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gen. Hancock
Bartholemew Binns
Mr. Winans
Baltimore
Scotland
Educational highlights from the Bureau of Education report
A new Interior Department volume presents school term lengths by state, noting Maryland 199 days and North Carolina 62. It records 4195 more teachers, rising female participation, and higher salaries. Illinois shows large gains in youth, enrollment, attendance, high schools, and buildings, with decreases in ungraded attendance and schoolhouses. County superintendent pay rises but remains low. Public school income climbs and expenditures rise.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Secretary of the Interior
Bureau of Education
Maryland
Ingea
North Carolina
New England
Middle Atlantic
Central States
District of Columbia
Idaho
South Atlantic
Gulf States
Frontier
Admiral Porter urges navy expansion in two year plan
In his annual report Admiral Porter recommends completing unfinished monitors with heavy rifled guns, funding wheelbarrow projects, starting four new heavy monitors, building twenty torpedo boats over 100 tons at 20 knots, constructing a 4000 ton cruising ironclad, and equipping all ships over 1250 tons with silent torpedo boats and advanced engines to approach unseen.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Admiral Porter
Congress
Dana
Monkeys as pets rise in demand and other notes
A quirky set of items notes that monkeys become popular pets among ladies. Sam Parou, the man who made a famous leap to his death, will receive a monument in Rochester New York. A medical expert links rising rheumatism in New England to cider disuse, noting cider regions show little rheumatism. Mam 8 weighs 46 pounds and is at Chester Park, returning to her old home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sam Parou
Rochester
N. Y
New England
Mam
Chester Park
Normal
Illinois Dee IS Seal and Other 19th Century Items
Complete list of Illinois legislators elected by county canvassing boards. Obituaries note Hosea B. Throop’s death in McHenry County and a wife’s death near Effingham blamed on heart disease. New church bells arrive in Lincoln. polar boars gifted to Lincoln Park. Insurance note ruling limits lien claims on a house. Chicago meat license inequities spark outcry. St Andrews Society aids Scots, officers named for the year. George W. Stoutenburgh dies by suicide in Lakeside. Prohibition vote total estimated at 15 008.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lincoln
George Kooster
Effingham
Heart Disena
Lincoln Park
Chicago
Newfoundland
Vanderbilt Reeds
St. Andrew's Society of
Sinois
Shermont Houe
Yes
William Wallace
A. M. Thomson
A. T. Hodge
William M. Dale
Robertson
George Littlejol
William Inglis
Cameron
Thomas Dougall
Mackay
Gebn Raffen
George W. Stoutenburgh
Lord, Stoutenburgh_& Co
Valo Druggist
Also Mentioned on This Page
Review-Dispatch
Moline, Illinois
Jefffrson Davis
Boston
Woolsey
Corporation
Yale College
Yale
Princeton
Postal Affairs
Arkansas
the Internal Revenue
Philadelphia
Lake Superior
Lowest
Oxford
England
Gruman
Commissioner Lpring
Mailway Mail Service
Neelite Leborche
Eufanda
Ala
Eprror Henpriky
Livingston (Montana
Denver
the Navy
Mar Bers
Clinois
Winois Affairs
Hosea B. Throop
McHenry County
Wdgefield
Kansas City
Alton
Oglesby
Hamilton
J.R. Price & Son
Williamsville
Sangamon County
United States District Court
J. M. Saree
W. BE. Manon
B. Kelly
D -Go
Bumner
Deroly
Hamulton
OH Hvana
B. Shumway
Ilham
Wheeler
Koraman
Ik LB Ray
Jae
Merritt
LD Adam
Orendorff
Hayder
WH. McNa
T. L. Organ
A. W .Rergyres
A. Ainsworth
Hens Heiter
L. B. Kennedy
Fe Rogers
Iron Parker
Jamon Molle
Matiged
Nh. Wear
Jharper
B. Be Hnney
A. Parker
Hwynes Trumimell
D’ S
Mittig
IL Ney
Hontoll
Mig Gee
F Rullivan
Nonry Thaler
I Strockmiann
Harton
John Humphreys
J. WL. Baker
C. B. Fuller
Henry
D. J
I Pollock
Perry Logsdon
Re Jaw
Ki M
Matues
Lanudon
D. Or Behurian
FL Coltina
I Os Kontanis
D. F
Taylor
Sairel
Mileham
A. I
Krown
Brauketridge
I Dy
Hunter
M. Winslow
J. I PG
Barry
MN A.C. Oldenburg
Rna T C Chapman
Johny O Mhion
Maesey
Jd Sohleatnvor
Byron Mative Oh
Abhruitald
George Cantlo
Greenlear
McDonald
Cronkrite
Haney
A. Banettaa
Kerr
I Mulharen
Ocrdadwell
Hracktendort
Aheyon
John Stewart
Hood
O'Donnel
Htevena
Ho Htaanen
Lai A. Gray
Boz
Jones Tonty
Joman
W. I. Priouwtt
D. Kerce
le Hamilton
Morgan Mt
M. F
Oani Cc
Moore
P Marr Mipball
Milton Sharp
Whittemore
Goodnow
Anna
Varnell
Andrew Walch
Dieckman
A. G. Goodapood
TF Pranty
A. Hogardian
Froyd Brown
Aes Sears
Sbkeavington
C. TL Ingalls
David ‘Frextor
Sogan
Jane Bhan
C. Johnson
Twahamith
TU Muster
Mi Buchanan
Wattercott
J R. Campball
D. Hamuel Vatrick
Dr. James
Sharp
Regancasas Democrata
Benetrae
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!