Vanderbilt’s nickel plate deal seen as shrewd purchase
Charles C. Clarke recalls how William H. Vanderbilt faced a bid from Jay Gould over the Nickel Plate in 1890. He explains Vanderbilt's hasty decision to buy despite warnings, and Clarke's belief the railroad later proved valuable to the Lake Shore system.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jay Gould
William H. Vanderbilt
Charles C. Clarke
Mr. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Lines
Mr. Clarke
Sam Thomas
Cal Brice
Cal
Vanderbilt
Buffalo
Chicago
Lake Shore
Brice
Thomas
West Shore Railroad
New York Central
New York City
West Shore
Gen. Thomas
Charlie
Mr Vanderbilt
Gould
Wiliam H. Vanderbilt
Hls
E. J. Edwards
Remedy for Odor of Tobacco Smoke
An Englishwoman recommends sealing a room overnight with water and straw to absorb tobacco smoke and ashes. After removing all ashes, close the room, place a pail of water with straw inside, then air the room in the morning to restore usability.
How Yale Aided Hadley in a Million Dollar Fund
In 1910 Arthur Hadley, Yale president, learned a crowd strategy from M C Borden. Six wealthy alums pledged six hundred thousand dollars, unlocking further gifts and bringing Yale's bicentennial alumni fund to one million dollars within days. Vanderbilt Hill and other magnates followed, completing the drive.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
M. C. Dod
Borden
Arthur Twining Hadley
Yale University
Fort
Yale
M. Cod. Borden
Fall River
Mass
United States
Mr. Borden
Frederick W. Vandervilt
Fred
Arthur Hadley
Mr. Vanderbilt
Mr. Hill
Hadley
St Yale
FE Jo Edwards
President McKinley forgave insubordinate official in cabinet meeting
Lyman J. Gage recounts how McKinley showed rare mercy after a subordinate official wrote a disloyal article. Gage sought removal, but the president read the letter, then forgave the author, keeping calm as ministers weighed the case. The anecdote highlights McKinley's tenderness and nobility of mind.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William McKinley
United States
Lyman J. Gage
Treasury
MeKinley
Abraham Lincoln
McKinley
Gage
Treasury Department
Gorse Ore
Mr Gage
Oldest Fruit-Bearing Vine Described in Roanoke Island
A German agricultural paper reports the oldest fruit-bearing grape vine in the New World, planted in 1584 on a Roanoke Island North Carolina farm by a follower of Sir Walter Raleigh. The vine has supposedly borne fruit every year for over three centuries.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New World
Roanoke Island
North Carolina
Walter Raleigh
Whimsical Snore at the Switch Poem From Brakeman
A Santa Fe brakeman sent a light verse to the company publication noting a passenger scene where a hat is removed after a loud snore and a rat is found asleep at the switch. The poem reflects railroad humor and local color of the era.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santa Fe
Fitch
Benefactor of Mankind and the Wheel Invention
A reflective note discusses the wheel invention as a labor saving device, crediting its impact on ancient Egyptians and suggesting the inventor’s identity remains unknown. It posits the device likely amused early people as a toy before practical use.
Fragmented Quote on Kissing and Attitude
A garbled excerpt questions whether kissing is dangerous. It notes that danger depends on cases involving size and attitude of the lads husband.
Breeding Dangers and Inbreeding in Barred Plymouth Rocks
The Barred Plymouth Rocks are noted as a hardy breed but prone to overfattening. Close inbreeding is listed as a major issue, with market breeders rotating sires to maintain hardy stock. Fanciers should limit inbreeding for future generations, as mongrels arise from mixed bloodlines and inbreeding effects may take longer to show. The piece also includes a short anecdote on why a boy misses school, citing family duties and a teacher’s convention.
Making Roost Loose-Proof Coop Stand
Warren Johnson of Cumberland county New Jersey describes a loose‑proof roost platform built from 3 foot boards and 6 inch battens. The design uses a back bolt plate and an upright standard to attach to a floor or cross sill, with a front support and a tilting feature to stay out of the way during the day.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Warren Johnson
Cumberland County
N. J
Poultry Notes on Flock Health and Management
Grit protects, overfat harms. Egg cost about one cent to produce. Tighten henhouse roof before winter. Correct feeding and lice checks aid profits. Most diseases stem from filth. clean drop boards and fumigate with sulfur when needed. Increasing poultry keeps and egg prices rise, but disease prevention remains crucial for success.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
al Bend
Pearl Necklace Debate Between Lovers Overvalued Gems
A whispered exchange shows one speaker praising a pearl necklace as lovely while the other cautions against oversized pearls they fear appear fake. The dialogue captures a tense moment of vanity and social perception between two unnamed speakers.
Dressmaker Paid by Husband After Dead Wife Debt
A joke suggests a widow's 20 000 mark debt led her husband to marry the dressmaker. The quip imagines a moral twist where financial obligation drives marriage and betrayal as a punchline.
Useless Effort Between Mr and Mrs Pester
Dialogue fragment shows a couple arguing over affection while concerns about drinking and a cold cloud their interaction. No clear setting or event is provided.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Pester
Mrs. Pester
Retired Coal Dealer Teases Weight Loss Joke
In a humorous exchange, Dobbins comments that the former coal dealer Bobbing looks thinner since retirement. Bobbing replies that his weight has decreased with less work, delivering a lighthearted quip about aging and occupation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dobbins
Utah Battleship Utah Promises Utah Silver Service
The battleship Utah launched at Camden in 1909, a 610 by 88 foot Dreadnaught class vessel, will be the United States’ largest when commissioned. It will use Parsons turbines, sail at about 21 knots, and carry ten 12 inch guns plus sixteen 5 inch guns with two torpedo tubes. A Utah silver service, funded by state subscriptions, will feature 130 pieces with scenes of Utah’s landscapes and history and cups honoring the 27 counties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Salt Lake City
Utah
Camden
New Jersey
United States
United States Navy
States of the Union
Ctuce
Lucia
Black Rock
Garfield
Also Mentioned on This Page
FSF
Harry Costly
Plymouth Rocks
Jimmy
National Monthly
Plymouth Rock Cockerel
Keeley
South Temple Street
Porter-Walton CO
Gait Lake City
Utah Independent Telephone Company
Central Exchange
State Street
Salt Lake Cay