December 17 in History and Astronomy Observations
On this day in history notable births and deaths are noted including Deborah Sampson born 1760 in Clinton Massachusetts and Beethoven with 1770s- and Bolivar de Pointe events. The astronomical note lists sunset 4 30 rise 7 15 length of day eight hours moonrise 1 64 am 4 am and Mercury at aphelion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Deborah Sampson
Clinton
Mass
Ludwig von Beethoven
Bolivar (Simon
Bolivar Y ~Pointe
John Greenleaf Whittier
New England
Bun
Mercury
Aphelion
Three months to prepare for record fleet welcome
A garbled line notes three months to ready for a fleet welcome with laps and a crowd. It mentions President Lord Alexis making a sprinting record and dodging a dusky lady’s rong pin, but details are unclear.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lord Alexis
Tariff Revision Sparks Silent Push for Protection
A reader notes that the strongest advocates for tariff changes may be individuals seeking protectionist measures rather than outright tariff removal, suggesting economic motives behind the stance.
Unrealistic forecasts and a reform plan in debate
The piece satirically notes high eur rates and rapid drops harming cargo, mentions a telescope resolving a Mars mystery, and reports a secret London committee proposal to abolish hereditary peers and reduce the House of Lords to two elective seats while retaining powers, warning the shift may keep old-fashioned inertia.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tels
Fords
The Lineup on Suffrage Debate Emerges
Active suffragists expect organized opposition to mobilize on the national stage. Both sides claim to seek the unfranchised sex’s good, with honest differences and a call for fair, good natured debate and mutual respect amid a potential middle ground.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
National Forum
Foley's Hooey and Taz Cough Remedy Merits Noted
The brief note extols Foley's Hooey and Taz as effective for coughs and colds. It mentions no explicit endorsements or sources and relies on a casual promotional tone.
Dainty Scale Measures Fly Soul On Tiny Open Air Device
California jeweler J L Liedler weighs a living fly against its dead body and finds a consistent twenty three degrees difference on a watch dial scale. The instrument, inside a watch case, uses a delicate spring and balance to read the weight of the pencil mark and the fly’s soul, with one degree equal to 1/4,000,000 ounce.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
California
J. L. Liedler
Liedler
Popular Mechanics
Six Indians and Duluth river drive noted in paper joke
Willam Hanney a Duluth cruiser and timber man recounts a story of Indians and publicity. During a St. Croix drive near Taylor's Falls six Indian drivers aided the jam break. Hanney joked he would put their names in the paper, prompting one to reply that six Indians were dead in print but not seen in the paper.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Willam Hanney
Duluth
Hanley
St. Croix
Taylor's Falls
Anny
Duluth News-Tribune
Outcasts In Kaffir Kraals Reported In Cape Colony Districts
In Zoutpansberg and Transkei areas white settlers live on Kaffir lands and borders. Degraded whites squat on native chiefs grounds, many of British descent. Laws and order have vanished, risking murder or rebellion if natives rise.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kaffir Kraals
Zoutpansberg
Transkei
Cape Colony
Johannesburg Progressive Monthly
Five Brothers Share Half-Century Pews at Mich Church
Five Dewey brothers, A F Dewey George Dewey I B Dewey F S Dewey and J W Dewey, occupy the same pew at St Michael's Cambridge Junction Michigan for the fiftieth anniversary of the church dedication. The church, organized in 1840, has records kept by Francis Dewey and his son John W Dewey, the current clerk.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Michael's Church
Cambridge Junction
Mich
A. F. Dewey
George Dewey
Dewey
J. W. Dewey
Francis §. Dewey
John W. Dewey
Visible Music by Acoustic Oscillograph Demonstrated
Mr Bowron is said to have devised a method to show a visible representation of music. A tiny oscillating mirror reflects light, bouncing between a rotating mirror and a screen to display a rhythmic curve that varies with the audience’s listening. The device is called an acoustic oscillograph.
Francis Galton Reflects on Early Surgery and Patient Cries
Francis Galton, now eighty six, recalls studying surgery before chloroform and describes the Birmingham hospital scene. He notes the distinctive cries of patients, each operation drawing a different sound, yet these cries seemed detached from the operation as focus fixed on the procedure.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis Galton
Birmingham Hospital
London Graphic
Grayson Attacks Commons Members with White Shirts Claim
Victor Grayson levels a dramatic charge at members of the house of commons alleging they wear large white shirts to hide emptiness behind their foreheads. The Westminster Gazette reports the sensational accusation as both surprising and serious.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Victor Grayson
House of Commons
Westminster Gazette
Hicks and Wicks Secret Deal Mentioned by Wife
Dialogue reveals Hicks chides Wicks for mentioning a private deal to his wife. Wicks defends secrecy, claiming he did not reveal the confidential arrangement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hicks
Wicks
Boston Transcript
Wash Day Dinner Pleases No One
A reader notes the scene where a man growls about the wash day dinner and would have preferred a different taste. The reflection underscores dissatisfaction with the meal and household tasks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Succes
Girl's life threatened ahead of trial in Elmwood
Mary Littlefield fourteen year old principal witness against seven Elmwood merchants charged with crimes against young girls faces a death threat to force her to stay away from the January trial. The letter was sent to postal authorities. Indicted men range from thirty five to fifty and are described as prominent.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Elmwood
Mary Littlefield
Girs
Officers of Civic Association Elected in National Civic Federation
New York December 17 officers were unanimously elected at the National Civic Federation meeting. Seth Low was named president with vice presidents Samuel Gompers Nahum J Bachelder Ellison A Smyth and Benjamin Ide Wheeler. Isaac M Seligman was treasurer and Ralph P Faulkner statistician. The banquet following sessions featured President-elect Taft speaking.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
National Civic Federation
Seth Low
Samuel Gompers
Nahum J. Bachelder
Ellison A. Smyth
Benjamin Ide Wheeler
Isaac M Seligman
Ralph P. Faulkner
Taft
Julius Caesar of London and English estate history
The text outlines Julius Caesar the chemist in London who left an Eng land estate valued at 6875 dollars. It traces his ancestor Caesar Adelmare, an Italian doctor to Queen Mary, who paid him 500 dollars, and granted naturalization. The Italian doctor's son became Sir Julius Caesar, a prominent physician, with many descendants also noted as doctors and surgeons.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Julius Caesar
England
London
Caesar Adelmare
Queen Mary
Sir Julius Caesar
Lady on the Metropolitan Railway Refuses Help
A humorous anecdote from Success Magazine recalls a stout lady riding the Metropolitan line who must reverse to exit at each stop. She asks a gentleman for assistance and explains porters repeatedly push her back into the carriage as they misread her exit.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Metropolitan Railway
London
Success Magazine
Eclipsed Rivalry Sparks Family Fashion Jibe
In Chicago News the exchange centers on Gunner Fogg who praises his wife by noting she makes his neckties and knitted red mittens. Guyer and Harker compare affections with playful boasts about domestic gifts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gunner—Fogg
Guyer
Harker
Gunner
Chicago News
Prodigal Son Visits Old Folks in Witty Exchange
A humorous line suggests a son returning home to his parents with a quip about not being mistaken for the fatted calf. The banter frames a family reunion moment with playful reference to biblical imagery.
Bridal Path Not High Road to Heaven
A facetious stranger jokes as a workman lays a carpet from the church door to the curb. The worker answers that the path is simply a bridal path, not a heavenly route.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harper's Weekly
Ball Attire Sparks Witty Exchange Between De Flashleighs
In a humorous exchange from the society column, Mrs. De Flashleigh jokes about wearing all her diamonds to a charity ball while Mr. De Plashleigh remarks he will not help carry them if they tire her. The dialogue reflects high society banter of the era.
Friend of His Proves Penrith Kind Despite Rivalry
A Cleveland Leader excerpt shows a speaker praising Penrith after recounting an incident where Penrith attempted a cheat but failed. The exchange reveals respect born from integrity under pressure, highlighting Penrith’s reputation for fair play.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Penrith
Cleveland
Market Quotations From Indianapolis Wheat and Livestock Prices
Prevailing prices for grain and livestock across major markets. Indianapolis quotes show wheat No 2 red around 1.04 to 1.01, corn about 58 to 61 cents, oats near 50 to 52 cents, and varying cattle hogs sheep and lamb prices. Receipts listed with volumes. overall trend notes lower prices due to limited competition. Regional quotes also report Chicago Cincinnati and New York figures with cattle hogs and lambs ranges and Toledo futures noted.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Indianapolia
Chicago
New York
Kemps Balsam claims cure for coughs and bronchitis
A historical advertisement touts Kemp's Balsam as a universal cough remedy that can stop any cough and cure early bronchitis grip asthma and consumption. It emphasizes the product contains no alcohol opium morphine or narcotics and warns against other medicines.
Nine days of wanderings mark Mexico's Christmas Eve customs
The article describes Mexico's nine day Christmas Eve observance known as the nine days wanderings. Families host shelters, dine, and parade through homes ending with the pinata ritual and gift scramble as children wear costumes. It contrasts with U.S. trees and notes regional practices and religious overtones.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mexico
Joseph
Jesus
Originality Needed in Revival of Old Style Architecture
The author argues that reviving old building styles without new invention yields only copies. Painters study by copying masters, but merely copying pictures cannot advance an artist’s reputation. True progress requires original work and new achievement in architecture.
Medical Experts Disagree Over Cause of Aller Cothrell’s Death
Fort Wayne Indiana December 17 at the C W Bunn trial state experts testified that pressure on the throat caused Aller Cothrell’s death, with defense disputing the conclusion. The article discusses catarrh as a constitutional disease and promotes Rail's Catarrh Cure from F J Cheney Co urging readers to seek testimonials and a $100 reward for failed cases.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fort Wayne
Ind
C. W. Bunn
Aller Cothrell
Rail
F. J. Cheney & Co
Toledo
Ohio
Allen's Foot-Ease Advertisement Line with Free Sample
An early 20th century advertisement promotes Allen's Foot-Ease powder to ease pinching shoes and breaking in new footwear. It claims availability everywhere with a 25 cent sample offer and lists Allen S. Olmsted in Le Roy, N Y. Do not accept substitutes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Allen
New Shore
Olmsted
le Roy
Serbs Foster National Spirit Amid Balkans Upheaval
Interest in Milton's Chalfont cottage and the Balkans crisis stirs Serbians at home and abroad. The movement seeks to restore Serb kingdom’s former power, with women adopting the nationalist zeal and organizing to support the cause.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Muton
Chalfont St. Giles
Balkans
Kingdom of
Servia
Bulgaria
Herzegovina
Bosnia
Ugliness of French Villas and a Sailor's Tale
A miscellany notes the ugliness of French villas blamed on purses shaping chateau like homes. It humorously recalls shops selling chateau imagery and a cheeky cheese anecdote. Then a Westminster Gazette excerpt recounts Juan Sebastian del Cano completing Magellan's circumnavigation after Magellan’s death, with Magellan's plan and Del Cano’s command.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Juan Sebastian del Cano
Fernando Magellan
Magellan
Philippines
del Cano
Vittoria
Cook
New York American
The New Baby Telegram Joke
A religious young woman sends Isaiah ix 6 as a birth announcement for her first child. The friend misreads it as naming the baby Isaiah, noting the message implies a healthy nine pounds six ounces.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Margaret
Isaiah
Foley's Kidney Remedy Publicized as Effective Cure
Advertisement extols Foley's Kidney Remedy for kidney and bladder issues. Claims include correcting irregularities, rebuilding worn tissues, and restoring vitality. Endorsed by O. D. Knvefal and presented as the most effective medical solution available.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Foley
Steek
O. D. Knvefal
Also Mentioned on This Page
Pearl Street
Jas Thnune Company Publishers
Gen. Jasper Packard
New Albany
United States
Evening Tribune
Alease
Umes
Official City Paper
Mars
Earth
Visible Music
Officers of Civic Association
Cincinnati
East Buffgo
Elysee Palace
M. Faure
Sime. Steinhell
Swiss Alps
Mme. Steinhell
Paris
France
Milton
America
British Academy
A. W. Ward
Frederick Bridge
Westminster Abbey
George Meredith
Church of
St. Mary-le-Bow
Cheapside
Sipon
Burlington
Chalfont
Giles
Samson Agoufstes
Wiliam Peel
League of Death
Mme. Steinheil
Artis
Dreyfus
Grove
F. J. Wheney
Ime Sen Prienag
Rodin
Newr
Iways
What Is
Castoria
Gar
the Tribune
the Tribune Company Printers Publishers Binders
Duveney & Co
Parker
Reising
Paul Reising Brewing Co
East Fifth Street
Weakt Agrec
GEO. S. Graf
Beth
LES L. Jewett Menry
Jewett Lawyers
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