Hair and Beard Through History and Scornful Laws
A reflective essay surveys how hair and beard choices fueled fashions, quarrels, and legal strictures across eras and cultures. It traces ancient and medieval attitudes from Roman shaving to Frankish royal hair, notes clerical bans, court refusals, and examples of social prejudice, concluding with a biographical vignette of George FP. Goff and his troubled life ending in delirium tremens.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Judas
Dionysius
Archbishop Tait
Knight Bruce
George FP. Goff
A. M
The Story of Poe's Unhappy Life
A boyhood tale of Edgar Allan Poe, orphaned by both parents and adopted by Mr. Allan. He longs for maternal love, finds it briefly with a kind neighbor, then mourns after her death. He writes Lenore and the Raven, hinting Poe might have been a good man had love endured.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Poe
Mr. Allan
Edgar
Lenore
How to Select a Boy by Observation and Character
A gentleman advertises for a boy and chooses one with evident daily virtues. He notes the boy’s cleanliness, courtesy, orderliness, thoughtfulness, and restraint. The friend learns that “letters of recommendation” are best replaced by ten minutes of careful observation, for true success rests on character and duties faithfully fulfilled.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Christian Union
Warming Rooms Across Nations in Warmth and Wares
A Vienna correspondent compares heating methods in England France Austria and Russia. He notes England relies on open fires, France uses stoves, Austria uses tall stoves with side warming, and Russia uses multi flue stoves to reduce heat loss. He describes a large six foot high white earthenware stove in his location that warms a room for most of a day from a single pound of coal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Vienna
England
France
Austria
Russia
Herald of Health
The Frugal German Teacher and the Bathing Brewer
A Texas Siftings joke depicts a malnourished German schoolmaster reflecting on his meager pay. A beer brewer bathes nearby and asks why he cannot join, prompting the quip that bathing would exhaust his limited earnings, as his appetite after bathing would consume half a month’s wages.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas Siftings
How to Open Letters In Spain A Dark Post Office Trick
The Waif notes a Spanish practice of opening letters without detection. Experts use a sharp knife to slit envelopes and reseal with liquid cement, leaving the missive appearing untouched. This method avoids steam and hot wires, maintaining the envelope’s original look.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Spain
Nervousness and Selfishness in Household Advice
A Minneapolis Homemaker column suggests nervousness is often selfishness in disguise. It argues many cases arise from the patient wanting her own way and recover once satisfied, noting genuine illness can resemble temporary insanity but is usually self-inflicted by brooding over minor wrongs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Minneapolis
Why Jews Live so Long
The New England Medical Monthly notes the proverbially long Jewish lifespans and credits stringent health laws. It cites Mosaic dietary rules as limiting unfit foods, reducing blood and kidney disorders, and advocates temperate meat use and Warner's safe cure for kidney strength. It also mentions sparing alcohol, good digestion, and Sabbath observance as health factors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England Medical Monthly
Pickard
Warner
How They Dress in Java Native Sarveng Explained
A Missouri Republican reader describes Java attire worn by women. The sarvend or sarveng skirt is about four yards wide and tied with a sash, folded in front. Patterns vary by district with Batavian, Samarang, and Solo styles seen. Battick weaving yields the finest designs and prices range from one to sixty guilders.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Java
Missouri Republican
Proposals in Utah Revealed in Aunt Eliza Tale
In Salt Lake a lively talk recounts Brigham Young receiving many offers including a claim that Aunt Eliza proposed to him. Mrs. McAllister notes a tradition of women proposing in a leap year setting, with a playful dispute over whether he would have married without being asked.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Salt Lake
Papa
Brigham Young
Aun Eliza
San Francisco
Alta-California
Maryland endorses Red Star Cough Cure at 25 cents
Maryland legislators back the new Red Star Cough Cure for its lack of morphia or opium and its claimed cure all. Price set at 25 cents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Maryland
Pure Food in England A shock to pessimists
Islington public inspectors tested 113 samples under the food and drugs act and found none adulterated. The Pall Mall Gazette questions the comfort this gives and notes most items are manufactured outside Islington, implying external adulteration risks. The public should weigh the surprise against broader honesty in food.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Inslington
Islington
London
Pall Mall Gazette
A Valuable Medieval Treatise Almanac Release
The 1986 edition of Hostetter's Almanac, a Medical Annual, is available free at druggists and country dealers across the United States and beyond. It has been issued yearly for over 25 years, offering health advice, light reading, a calendar, and astronomical data, with a large anticipated print run. Propriety Hostetter & Co., Pittsburgh, Pa, will mail a copy for two cents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sterling Medical Annual
Hostetter’s Almanac
United States
Mexico
Western Hemisphere
Hostetter
Hostetter & Co
Pittsburgh
R.H. McDonald Drug Co
Washington St
In the Depths and Old Mt Desert Marriage Tale
A Brooklyn Eagle quote opens with a farmer and a wary buyer debating apple quality. A separate 1780 Mt Desert self marriage contract shows Nicholas Thomas and Lucy Somes pledging love and obedience in the absence of a minister. Also a note for a medical pamphlet sold for ten cents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nicholas Thomas
Lucy Somes
Mt. Desert
Athlophoros Promoted As Cure For Neuralgia Rheumatism
An advertisement recounts claims that Athlophoros cures neuralgia in women from tight hairpins and notes dramatic improvements in rheumatism. Statements quote J B Mallette and James D Gibbin praising the remedy after trying many treatments. The text urges purchase through Athlophoros Co. or via a druggist in New York.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J. B. Mallette
Mallette & Raymond Manufacturing Company
South Canal Street
Chicago
Walnut House
Greencastle
Ind
James D. Gibbin
Dearborn Street
Ill
Beaver Dam
Wis
Athlophoros
Atulophobos Co
Wall Street
New York
J. 8. Howell
Hoopeston
The Woods Are Full of Tham and the Lade Claude Verdi Leslie
The Brooklyn Times recounts a tale where Claude Verdi Leslie recalls Charley Philbrick’s heroic rescue of Lulu Jarby from drowning at Greenwood Lake. A playful scene follows as a young woman tests his resolve about falling overboard, prompting his comic, self deprecating reply before he hurries home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Claude Verdi Leslie
Leslie
Charley Philbrick
Lulu Jarby
Greenwood Lake
Brooklyn Times
Reed's Piano Factory Brings New Pianos to Chicago
The upper floors of Reed's Temple of Music on State Street have become a piano factory. Two pianos finished last week are praised as the best toned and finished in the city. Reed & Sons pianos gain a strong reputation for durability.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Reed
Temple of Music
State Street
Chicago
Reed & Sons
Jfames A. Prerary
France
Jame Ton
I A. Perry
Riverview Stock Farm
S’ilming
Rescued from Death by Lung Balsam
A Somerville man, William J. Coughlin, recounts a 1876 lung hemorrhage and a later hospital stay for a hole in the lung. After using Dr William Hall's Balsam for the Lungs he improved, recovering after years of illness, with lodging details at the Gault House in Chicago. Hoyt & Gates, proprietors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William J. Coughlin
Somerville
Mase
Biya
William Hall
Geult
Gault House
Chicago
Clinton and
Madison Streets
Union Depot
Hoyt & Gates
Dream Balm and Other Remedies Featured in Ad
A historic advertisement touts Ely's Dream Balm for catarrh and hay fever with claims of instant relief and cures, plus Ely Cream Balm for catarrh and testimonials from users. It markets pure cod liver oil from Caswell, Hazard & Co. and Athlophoros for rheumatism and neuralgia, alongside Juniper Tsa BoP for skin issues.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ely
Ely Bros
Owego
N. Y
Caswell, Hazanv & Co
New York
Dr Pierce cures and tonics praised in odd ad copy
A collage of advertisements extols Dr. Pierce products for consumption and female ailments. Claims of Golden Medical Discovery as a cure in early consumption and Favorite Prescription for women appear alongside boosterish praise for Wyn and Bronders bitters and unrelated quips.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dr. Pierce
Mizma
Pope
Voltagal Genius of Electricity Pamphlet Promotion
The Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railway announces a 60 page pamphlet titled Voltagal Genius of Electricity or Ned Benson's Adventures and Talk with One of the Genii. It is a sequel to Watt Stephens and will be mailed for 10 cents in stamps to applicants.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway
Voltagal
Ned Benson
Rock Island
Boys and Girls of America
Chicago, Rock Island & Pawitie Railway
Also Mentioned on This Page
Utah
Pure Food
Depths
R. J. Burdette
Brooklyn Eagle
World's Dispensary Medical Association
Main St
Buffalo, N. Y
Reed’s Piano Factory
J. A. Alcorn
Agent
Eaton
Colo
As 4 & Co
Chicago Tribune
Tus
WisseGan Brirers
Orleans
Lyon
Isaac Thompson
Az Rita
Charles A
Emetica
Poison
Bylts, Leslee
Baltimore
CHATS
Vogeler
Naltimore
Salzer
la Crosse
Win
Tata
Mravu Ale
L. Pond
M.D
Amori
KaneCo
IR. Foote
Lexington Ay
Moe Hin
Boor
J. C. Wowman
Jefferson
Wisconsin
R. R.S
A. P. Laory
Washington, D.C
Eay
P.O
the National Co
Dex Sr
Canal St
Apay County
Standard Silverware Co
Reaton
Mass
En Bay Lanais
Taylor
All Drugs
Wista
Walter A. Taylor
Atlanta
John A. Salzer
Valentine Bros
Janenville
Wie
Sete
Chicago A Kepeta
Magruder
Ingersoll
C.h.jones
Clark St
Til
Ita
Wits
B. H. Douglass & Sons
Sime
Ieee
H. G. Root
Pearl St
New Yeo
O.N.U
J. N. Harris & CO. (Limited
Cincinnati
Ohio
Novelty Wheel Co
Boston
Gyles
Merrill & Co
Maine
Crown Mra. Co
Vine St
Cin
Ony
America
New Orleans
Royal Society of England
Galbraith Bros
Janesville
Syracuse, N. Y
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!