Rain-Making Balloon Prank Ends Six Years Later
A college duo in a small town stage a midnight balloon explosion to imitate rain. The 10 foot balloon, filled with two parts hydrogen to one part oxygen, detonates above Old Gripus’s barn causing a fire that the town attributes to lightning. The pair conceal the incident for years, later settling debts to the owner and the Phoenix Company, ending six years after the Fourth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Texas
Chum
Jarvis
Chemistry Hall
Jarve
Gripus
Gripe
Hawaii
Jack
Phoenix Company
Gripes
A Noble Boy On Independence Day
On a bright Fourth of July morning Mr. Jones meets Master George Pillgarlie who jokes about firecrackers. The boy answers with a brave, cheerful wit noting they are no fun when too stiff to jump. Published in the Kansas City Independent.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Jones
George Pillgarlie
Kansas City Independent
Fourth of July origins traced to fireworks makers
Chicago Daily News notes that the idea behind Independence Day originated with fireworks makers who popularized the celebration with display and public enthusiasm.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tommy
Chicago Daily News
Southern Gleanings Short Items of Interest
Gus Adams jailed at Jackson for killing Bud Sylvan. Thomas Marshall of New Orleans died in Washington D C. Alabama Bar association met in Montgomery. Angelo of New Orleans attempted suicide in Biloxi. Tupelo contracts for water works and sewerage. John Allen hanged at Sumner for murder of Isaiah Paine. Wool consigned 15400 pounds sold at Ocean Springs for 20 cents. Meridian Trust Banking Co organized in Meridian with 250000 capital. Comptroller authorizes First National Bank Canton to begin business. John Neill shot fatally by a thief he discovered. President refuses to pardon Banker W C ONeil of Pensacola faces contempt sentence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gus Adams
Bud Sylvan
Jackson
Miss
Thomas Marshall
New Orleans
Washington, D. C
Alabama Bar Association
Montgomery
Angelo
Biloxi
Tupelo
John Allen
Sumner
Isaiah Paine
W. C. O'Neil
Pensacola
Fla
Shooting Affray in Grassey Springs Ends in Double Death
George Mabe and his son Lon attacked Charles Maxey over domestic matters. Maxey was shot twice and then killed George Mabe, then Lon Mabe with George’s pistol. Self defense is claimed for Maxey, whose condition is critical and may be fatal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Grassey Springs
Tenn
George Mabe
Lon Mabe
Charles Maxey
Maxey
Mabe
Mississippi Prohibitionists Seek Legislature Vote on Liquor Amendment
The prohibitionists in Mississippi have sent a circular to all state legislature candidates asking if they will permit voter consideration of a constitutional amendment banning the sale of intoxicating liquors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mississippi
Friends of the Cause
National Liquor Dealers’ Association
Jett and White Jury Fail Mistrial Declared
In Jackson Kentucky the jury could not reach a verdict in the Jett and White trial and a mistrial was entered. The defendants were moved to Lexington jail for safekeeping and Judge Redwine ordered a venue change to Cynthiana Kentucky.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jett and White
Jackson
Lexington
Redwine
Cynthiana
Pace pleads guilty in Alabama circuit court tenfold
In a United States circuit court before Judge Jones J. W. Pace of Tallapoosa county Alabama pleaded guilty to 11 of 12 indictments for pronage and was sentenced to five years in each case.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States Circuit Court
Jones
J. W. Pace
Tallapoosa County
Ala
Pronage
Colored Emigration Association Plans Liberia Ship Charter for 1904
The Colored National Emigration and Commercial association of Montgomery Alabama adopted a resolution favoring chartering ships in 1904 to carry colonies of African Americans to the republic of Liberia.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Colored National Emigration & Commercial Association
Montgomery
Ala
Republic of
Liberia
Grand jury in Mississippi returns 36 indictments
The grand jury of Hinds county Mississippi returned 36 indictments against keepers of illegal liquor and gambling dens in Jackson. It is reported church members are among those indicted.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hinds County
Miss
Jackson
Rice Growers Association Monthly Meeting in Beaumont
The Rice Growers' Association of America held its regular monthly meeting in Beaumont Texas. A committee was appointed to visit St Louis to promote the proposed rice kitchen project.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rice Growers’ Association of America
Beaumont
Tex
St. Louis
Western Kentucky and Tennessee landowners meet in Memphis
A convention of land owners from western Kentucky and Tennessee gathered in Memphis to adopt resolutions protesting the construction of levees along the Mississippi River.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kentucky
Tennessee
Memphis
Mississippi River
Poisoned spring endangers planter’s infant near Oxford
Report from Oxford Mississippi states that African Americans near a plantation owned by Jim Butler poisoned a spring. His infant drank the water and survived after urgent medical intervention. Authorities investigate motive and method as community concerns rise.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Oxford
Miss
Jim Butler
Planing mill boiler explosion kills worker in Lumberton
The boilers of the R. W. Hinton Co. planing mill in Lumberton Miss exploded killing Primus Snow the negro fireman and causing considerable damage to the mill and surrounding properties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
R. W. Hinton Co
Lumberton, Miss
Primus Snow
Wounded Laur el marshal shot by desperado Reid
Chester B. Smith marshal of Laur el Mississippi was shot and dangerously wounded by Caleb Reid a negro desperado. Reid was shot to death by an officer in the ensuing confrontation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chester B. Smith
Laurel, Miss
Caleb Reid
Reid
Crawford wins Townsend prize at Yale for rest oration
George W. Crawford a Birmingham negro receives Yale University Townsend prize for the restoration project. The report notes other regional items including the Tilman murder trial to be held in Lexington South Carolina in September and regional business adjournments and relocations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George W. Crawford
Birmingham
Ala
Yale University
New Haven
Conn
James H. Tilman
N. G. Gonzales
Lexington
S. C
Fatal shooting in Saratoga over craps game
A man was killed in Saratoga, Mississippi, in a fight between two men named Sullivan over a craps game dispute. Police report no further details available.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sullivan
Saratoga
Miss
Barrington Charged With Murder In Bonfils Quarry Case
The body of P. McCann found near a Bonfils quarry in St. Louis County. Lord F. Seymour Barrington is jailed on murder charges after conflicting statements and evidence including bullets matching a 38 caliber pistol, McCann’s watch and diamonds found with Barrington, and eyewitness testimony. Additional arrest of Asa E. Mitchell linked to letters to Mis McCann’s home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Barrington
Bonfils
St. Louis County
St. Louis
P. McCann
St. Charles
F. Seymour Barrington
Isaac W. Campbell
de Hochamont
McCann
Bellairs
Justice Campbell
Union Station
Martha Lang
Clayton
McCann’s Home in Lexington Follows St. Louis Tragedy
James P. McCann, killed in St. Louis, hailed from a prominent Lexington family. His father was a wealthy horse breeder, two sisters reside nearby, and Sunday B. T. Hume left for St. Louis to bring the remains to Lexington. His wife was Miss Callaway of Owensboro. Two weeks earlier he sent sisters pictures of himself, wife, and F. S. Barrington. He was devoted to his wife.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Louis
Barrington
St. Louis County
Clayton
Desmond
McCann
Lexington
James P. McCann
Sunday B. T. Hume
Miss Callaway
Owensboro
F. S. Barrington
Flood cleanup resumes as cross-river service returns
Kansas City Missouri reports street cars again cross the Kansas River after a four week flood interruption. One intercity line operates on a temporary bridge while Armourdale opens and Argentine remains cut off. Six bridges in use two temporary two permanent steel structures. Cleanup in stockyards proceeds with fifteen hundred men and three hundred teams removing mud and debris amid projected costs of fifty thousand dollars for yard repairs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kansas City
Kansas River
Kansas Citys
Armourdale
Salvation Army Dedication of Cleveland Citadel
A new Salvation Army citadel in Cleveland was dedicated giving the city a headquarters for the army’s work. Senator Hanna chaired and praised the army, with Col Myron T Herrick and Gen S B M Young among the guests. The property is valued at $100,000.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cleveland
Salvation Army
Ilanna
Army
Booth Tucker
Senator Hanna
England
Myron T. Herrick
Gen
S. B. M. Young
United States Army
Col. Herrick
Mystery prisoner roost er incident puzzles Mississippi jail
Jailer Morris in Rankin County recalls a prisoner found nursing a large one eyed rooster in his cage. He asked for the bird be killed and cooked but the inmate would not say how he obtained it. The fowl could not fly through bars, and no visitors were present to explain the mystery.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Morris
Rankin County
Wholesale grocer to build Gulfport plant and spur line
A new wholesale grocery company has closed a site deal in Gulfport and will be incorporated soon. The brick three story building will measure 90 by 250 feet. S. H. Floyd and R. L. Simpson are among investors. Gulf & Ship Island Railroad will lay a spur along the building. The First National Bank reports a 50 percent rise in surplus and undivided profits and notes its $250,000 capital stock is fully paid.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gulfport
S. H. Floyd
Laurel
R. L. Simpson
Meridian
Gulf & Ship Island
First National Bank
Counties boast record slate of candidates for primary
The counties display unusually large candidate lists for county offices with Leake leading at ninety six and Calhoon close behind with eighty seven aspirants. In many counties the returns may not be known for two or three days after the primary.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Leake County
Calhoon
Young Neozhoba lawyer granted bail in homicide case
H H Rodgers once convicted of killing T A Byrd in 1901 and sentenced to life in prison had his case reversed and remanded for a new trial by the Supreme Court. Chancellor McCool granted bail in Macon last week set at $15 000 due to Rodgers’ failing health from confinement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
H. H. Rodgers
Neozhoba County
T. A. Byrd
Adam Byrd
Philadelphia
Supreme Court
McCool
Macon
Rodgers
Mississippi Crude Oil Company Charter Planned
The charter of the first oil company organized in Mississippi will be presented to the governor for approval within a few days. It will be known as the Mississippi Crude Oil Company, domiciled at Enter prise, Clarke county, with a capital stock of $30,000. Well drilling experiments are now in progress, and the promoters are confident they will strike oil.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mississippi
Mississippi Crude Oil Company
Enterprise
Clarke County
Attorney General Rules 1 Mill Road Tax Illegal in Oktibbeha
The Oktibbeha county board of supervisors received an AG opinion stating that a 1 mill road tax, without authority from section 11, chapter 119, acts of 1900, is illegal. The board must adopt the contract road law before exercising any related functions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Board of Supervisors
Oktibbeha County
Williams
Death from hydrophobia near Waterford in Marshall County
A large planter Jones Brooks and twelve others were bitten by a dog a month ago near Waterford Marshall County. They received treatment from a mudstone owned by Ben Milam but treatment for Brooks was not applied soon enough. Brooks fell ill with convulsions and died, while others survived.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Waterford
Marshall County
Jones Brooks
Ben Milam
Brooks
Milam
Cornerstone Ceremony for Second District Courthouse
The cornerstone of the Tal Lahatchie county courthouse for the Second district will be laid at Sumner on July 3. Grand Master Thomas of the Masonic fraternity will conduct the ceremony. A large barbecue and political picnic are planned for the same day and all State candidates have been invited.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tallahatchie County
Sumner
Thomas
Masonic Fraternity
Secretary Gordon Requests County Committees Names and Addresses
The State executive committee secretary asks county committee chairmen to send their names and addresses immediately so sample ballots prepared by the special committee can be mailed without delay and avoid confusion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gordon
State Executive Committee
Whitecaps Roil Amite County Amid Race Tensions
Reports say fresh agitation of the negro question sparked renewed unrest in Amite County. Shots were fired into two negro family homes on the Day place last week, seriously wounding an elderly man as authorities investigate the incident.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Amite
Jail lodges Charlie Jones on murder charge
Charlie Jones was lodged in jail last week charged with murdering Richard Russell at Leland a few days since. Russell, a porter on the Valley railroad’s Leland branch, was talking with Jones’ wife when Jones drew a gun and fired the fatal shot after spotting the conversation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charlie Jones
Richard Russell
Leland
Russell
Valley Railroad
Jones
Farmers and Merchants bank opens in Amory
Progress on the Farmers and Merchants bank building at Amory advances toward a September 1 opening. The bank with a $50,000 authorized capital pledges to boost Amory's industrial growth and the surrounding area. The State press also critiques Congress man Humphrey's Port Gibson speech urging Mississippi representation cuts and Fifteenth Amendment repeal, arguing many Southern states have effectively restricted suffrage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Farmers’ and Merchants’ Bank
Amory
Humphrey
Port Gibson
Mississippi
Congress
Judge Terminates July Term of Wilkinson County Court
Judge Jeff Truly has pretermitted the July term of the Wilkinson county Circuit Court due to a very small docket. The action allows farmers more time for crop cultivation and reflects seasonal agricultural needs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jeff Truly
Wilkinson County
Uniform Textbook Law Issue in Gubernatorial Campaign
agitation for a uniform textbook law becomes a key issue in the gubernatorial and legislative races. The last push was in 1900 when the house approved a uniform textbook bill 88 to 23 but the senate defeated it due to the publishers lobby.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Senate
Insurance Commissioner seeks leads on Franklin county arson case
Thus far Insurance Commissioner Cole has not been informed of new developments in the Hamburg incendiary fire which destroyed property valued at $12,000. Franklin county citizens have offered rewards totaling $1,100 for the arrest of the guilty parties. Clues are being traced and it is believed that with diligent work arrests are sure to follow.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cole
Hamburg
Franklin County
Vicksburg Forms Marine Engineers Benevolent Association
A branch in Vicksburg with eighteen charter members forms the Marine Engineers Benevolent Association. Walter T. Booth serves as president and George Moir as secretary. Members will come from Yazoo City Natchez Greenwood and nearby river towns and an exchange will be set up at Vicksburg.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marine Engineers’ Benevolent Association
Vicksburg
Walter T. Booth
George Moir
Yazoo City
Natchez
Greenwood
Beckham Answers Critics About Breathitt County Crisis
Governor Beckham rejects calls for martial law and trials by courts martial in Breathitt county. He defends his handling amid national criticism, insisting he has no right to declare martial law and warns against sensational yellow journalism from northern and eastern papers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Beckham
Kentucky
Kansas Assembly Adjourns After Flood Bill Vote
The Kansas extra legislative session adjourned at 2 PM with over 50 bills passed, mostly allowing counties to restore bridges washed by floods. County funds may aid flood sufferers, while a relief appropriation bill was defeated. Governor Bailey defended his stance noting little destitution locally and relief via local authorities and charities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Topeka
Kas
Kansas
Gov. Bailey
Kansas Valley
Get Rich Quick Scheme Prompts Washington Inquiry
An investigation is ordered by Washington authorities into a New York gold mining concern with foreign ads. For three months the firm has advertised heavily, promising tenfold and larger returns from five dollars. The ad lists managers alleged to hold high public offices, though none of the names are verifiable in U.S. public life.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Washington
Ohio
United States Treasury
United States
Secretary of the Treasury
Model Manufacturing City Near Asheville
New York reports Geo. W. Vanderbilt has bought a large tract between Hendersonville and Greenville North Carolina about thirty miles from Asheville. He plans a model manufacturing city with water works electric lighting heat and power ready before settlement begins.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Asheville
N. C
New York
Geo. W. Vanderbilt
Hendersonville
Grevard
South Chicago plant smashes world rail output record
The South Chicago plant of Illinois Steel Co produced 1,894 tons of steel rails in one day, June 27, surpassing the old 1,772 ton mark. Every worker in the rail department received a box of cigars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Illinois Steel Co
George Rowley Returns to Face Authorities in Ontario
In St. Thomas Ontario on June 27 George Rowley former manager of the Elgin Loan Co who had disappeared and caused a suspension has reappeared and surrendered to authorities.
Illinois Warden Declines Atlanta Federal Prison Post
Joliet Illinois June 27 Warden E J Murphy of the Illinois state penitentiary has declined the appointment as warden of the new federal prison at Atlanta Georgia Murphy prefers to remain in Illinois where he was born and raised.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joliet, Ill
E. J. Murphy
Illinois State Penitentiary
Federal
Atlanta
Murphy
Ilinois
American Victim Thornton Murdered Abroad
Brussels dispatch reports the murder of an American named Thornton and his native escort, according to a Central News despatch via Congo mail.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Central News
Brussels
Congo Mail
Thornton
Also Mentioned on This Page
Naif
Negro Desperado
Townsend
Anniston
Alabama Commercial & Industrial Association
Mobile
Bristol
Virginia Tron, Coal & Coke Co
Bradford
Sherif
Marshal Hall
Everett Baity
Olive Hill
Baity
Sheriff White
Frankfort, Ky
Knesro
John P. M'Cann
Asa E. Mitchell
Water of Life” Co
Mermod & Jaccard
South Broadway
Gillaspy
Mrs. McCann
Woodling and
Crimmins
Mitchell
Bryan
Eighth District
Olive Street
Wabash
St. Charles & Western Railway
Bonfils Station
Garden
Lord” Barrington
Frederick Neville Barton
Sir Frederick Suydenham Burgoyne
Brigton
Tunbridge Common
Tunbridge Wells
Dartmoor
America
Celestin Miller Barton
Brooklyn
Sir F. Luvdenham Burgoyne
Margaret Rafferty
Cincinnati
Grace Cochrane
M’cann
Hanna
Mississippi State News
A Geological Survey
Government
Bureau of Geology
Mississippi Builders’ Exchange
First Oil Company
Amory's New Bank
Uniform Text Books
Kansas Assembly
Model Manufacturing City
George Howley
Illinois
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!