The Modern Soldier of Fortune and the Tramp Threat
A late 19th century reflection portrays the rambler as a roaming “soldier of fortune” driven by idleness and wanderlust. It contrasts vigilant farmers defending property with roving tramps who beg, steal, and drift between camps, detailing their routes, camps, and speech, and noting a rise in such wanderers alongside social change.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Elmanacs
Hfe
Apostles of Progress
Speskin Uv de Loan
New York
Lake Shore
Pete
Dem Vanderbilt
Pittsburg Phil
Anon
Milwaukee
Peripatetica
Mwto
Hebor
Lux
Kuigota
Experience In Cor Judge WL. Pointer of Ores and a Near Death Event
A fragment describes a man declared dead and later revived after an apparent near fall in a coffin. The narrative details his awakening, fear, and brief recovery, noting a dramatic moment when a finger moved and he sat upright before tiring again. It also mentions a new device that shines shoes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stending
Fatal Quarrel of a Snake and Booster Friend
A long odd tale recounts a pike county man disputing with the New York Sun editor over a pet blacksnake that befriended a chicken. The pair grew close, the snake fed the chicken, and the chicken crowed triggering the snake to attack. the chicken killed the snake but the chicken died as the snake choked on the head. The piece then notes relics of Lafitte the buccaneer and copper cannon fragments found at Virginia Point.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Chicago
Odin
Chicaco
Deiver Simkes
Arkansaw City
Texas
Mississippi
Galveston
Pike County
New York Sun
Woble
Boetart
Oeck
Lafitte
Galveston Bay
Ues
Virginia Point
Santa Fe de
Bogota
EIC
Galveston Island
Lantte
Ixland
Lowisiana
Lund
Bowie
Autobiography and oddities of Danville man weighs 907 pounds
A fragmentary, era journalism style piece recounts John Hanson Craig of Danville Indiana claiming a present weight of 907 pounds at age 37 with detailed old time measurements and body dimensions plus a note on a swindle involving a pawnbroker in Minneapolis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Han
John Hanson Craig
Danville
Ind
New York City
Fragmentary memoir passage on a fall and near drowning
The narrator recalls a fall where all life passing before their eyes is not experienced. They describe many moments of tumbling through air and the relief of waking in water, noting none of the dramatic outcomes they feared occurred. The text reflects a long, disorienting descent and a survival moment.
The Younger Brothers and Northfield Robbery Recalled
The celebrated Younger brothers gained fame for the Northfield bank raid on September 7, 1873. Jim Younger recalls Pinkerton and detective Bly in San Francisco and describes views on detectives, capture, and prison life. Cole and Bob Younger remained in captivity after the raid, while Jesse and the others escaped. The narrative reflects on notoriety, imprisonment, and lingering legends of the era.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Northfeld
Minnesota
Strinstar
Northfield
Wich
Jim Younser
Cole
Bob
Jesse James
Cole Eets
Perar
Jim Younger
Allan Pinkerton
San Francisco
Kim
Yankee Bly
Louisville
Market Street
Mr. Younger
Missouri
Torpan
America
Pinkerton
Palace Hotel
Weiter
Bly
Companion
New York
Chicago
Madeira
Minn
Amy
The Starvation Game in Clever Confidence Dodge
Chicago residents recount a fin de siecle con game in the Palmer House lobby where a hungry man feigns illness to lure pity. A physician declares chronic starvation, a donor provides a dollar for a beefsteak, and the crowd laughs as the man scrambles to escape with the aid of the plotters.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dodge
Chicago
Chicago Tribune. Commis
Artistic burglar who targeted elites in quiet city life
A Philadelphia Press excerpt profiles Frank Davis alias Sinclair Sintab Johnson a professional burglar. He explains meticulous planning a private income and a belief his crimes served leisure rather than money. He hunted affluent targets noting weddings receptions and financial men, serving time in Joliet Philadelphia and Sing Sing. The piece also mentions a sect in Russia praising self destruction and a Kansan prairie schooner train motto about the Cherokee Strip.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Frank Davis
Sinclair
Sintab
Johnson
Russia
Saicides
Rasa
M. Soucaelifi
Philadelphia Press
Misdirected Enterprise Stopper Wilson Reveals Robbery Tale
A long report details Wilson a Missouri Pacific express train robbery near Kirkwood and Pacific. He claims the haul was small just 3500 in silver and 200 in paper money after a dramatic escape. He describes the train hands’ compliance and his surrender to authorities while lamenting his pawned mortgage and family.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wilson
St. Louis
Wilez
Lang
Kirkwood
Pacific
Freman
Theentlemen
Hamilton
Finch
Lebanon
Wilson Amcess Linly
Express Company
Asis
Irish village at World's Fair portrays crafts and lore
A detailed depiction of Ireland’s domestic industries shown to visitors at the World’s Fair. The Irish village spans a 25 000 square yard quad and features Mackross cloisters a Blarney castle replica and a central Irish cross. Visitors will see lace making weaving spinning carriage wood carving and wrought iron work among other crafts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ireland
Mackross
Blarney Castle
Also Mentioned on This Page
Soldiers OF Fortune
Galle
Mo Beudder
Seattle
Boca
Paris
Denver
Hero
Escansha
Sere Bum
Guly
Duluth
Eveland
Cleveland
Bethel
Lakesite
Ko~ Gata
Se Yu
Philadelphia
Bete
Adere
Benjamin Dow
Lima
Andy Shutes
Robin
Agein Lund
Agna
Minneapolis
Pameshapy
Vidocqs
Getz
Holliday
Masser
Palmer House
Suedery
Clerk Cunningham
Lim
Bure
West Virginia
Laiways
Davis
Tatentio
Sing Sing
Cherokee Strip
Kansas
Germany
Philadelphia Ledger
Plymouth County
United States
Wslmesley
Sliss
Wes
Bait
Robi
Little Paul
Little Paul Clancey
India
Michigan
Alt. Stewart
Africa
Chinatown
Jenriell
Oregon
Carvec
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!