Economic and Agricultural Notes From an Old Midwest Page
A collage of farm market observations and agricultural tips from Illinois and nearby regions. Topics include heating with cement structures, Whitaker plums in July, state laws on artificial bleaching, dairy and cheese curing advances, crop yields across the Dakotas, irrigation and soil fertility, and guidance on seed corn, fly protection, and barn painting. Contains reflections on farming practices, weather impact, and market signals for crops, livestock, and land investments.
Yearly day marks old mill and dam near water powers
The author notes a tumble down mill and wrecked dam, fields of grass and grain where 40 years ago swimmers and ten pound pickers thrived, and questions the cause of shrinking water supplies. He suggests cultivated land and crops absorb, evap ourate moisture, and argue earth now stores less rain return, inviting discussion of a logical explanation. Fancy market prices for premium farm goods reflect quality incentives.
The Sugar Trap and Sugar Bargain Scam
A damaged fragment describes a sugar based bait used to trap someone, noting a hundred pounds of sugar for a dollar offered with a twenty dollar bill and suggesting a sharper deception behind the scheme.
Courage Fails in Farm Hiring Plot
A farm household schemes to marry off a hired man to share housing and boarding duties, selecting a girl for him to wed. The plan collapses when the man refuses the risk, revealing a mindset suited only to milking cows.
Have a Telephone for the Farm Home Value and Benefit
The article argues for farm home telephone service as a social link and practical asset. It notes that nearby towns and a local exchange enable cheap service when farmers collaborate. A farmer with four market towns as options earned a $30 profit by calling quotations the day hogs were sold, nearly covering installation costs.
Nature mends elm with self repair to upright trunk
A spring wind broke the central leader of an elm, tearing a three inch thick limb ten feet long. Instead of new shoots forming, a large side limb gradually straightened, lifting itself upright by August 15 to become the tree’s central branch.
Our Failing Streams Sign of Diminishing Water
A nationwide report highlights shrinking water in lakes rivers and streams. The piece notes widespread evidence of decreasing water levels across many bodies of water and warns of ongoing dryness affecting communities and ecosystems.
Working Girls and the Value of Early Home Training
A 32 year old country bred girl shows the benefit of practical homekeeping training. The piece argues mothers should teach daughters daily work to build physical strength and moral character, cautioning against overprotecting girls from chores. It denounces incompetence and endorses chores like family washing and ironing as essential drills.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Imother
Lawsuits Filed Over Boy's Death in Rail Accident
Des Moines reports suits totaling 22000 dollars against the Chicago and Northwestern railway. George Cline claims his son, employed by the company, was sent along the track to fetch water and was struck by an engine without warning. Damages seek 2000 for services and 20000 for companionship.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bues
Des Moines
Chicago & Northwestern Railway
George Cline
Scrappy Shake Rag Society Sparks Town Friction
Uncle Bill laments a new social club in Shake Rag, predicting turmoil as the T A Y N society at Shake Bay promises a gossip filled sewing circle. The editor weighs the impact on the quiet settlement and jokes about settling scores and village upheaval as residents await outcomes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Uncle Bill
Bill
T. A. Y. N. Society
Shake Bay
Town talk in old voices and neighborly strife
In rural gossip a heated, humorous scene unfolds about neighbors pushing tensions over a bull lot, social friction at the women's society, and a target named Zeke Whittles while a widow leads her cow. The tale captures local quarrels, moral judgments, and community pressures in a rough, vernacular style.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Zeke
Widder Smith
Zeke and the Widder at Hod Sheldon’s threshing bee
An aged tale describes Zeke rescuing a drowning widow at a mill pond then joking about charging her for saving her life. The widow’s reaction, her later singing, and Zeke’s reputation among local women lead to a village meeting at a threshing bee to discuss the affair.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Zeke
Salvation
Hod Sheldon
Beechers Bibles Tale Recalled At Lecompton Discovery
A lad finds a Sharp rifle in Kaw shallow waters near Lecompton sparking recall of Beecher's Bibles. Early settlers sought arms against pro slavery bands from Missouri. Weapons were shipped disguised as Bibles to evade seizure, with Beecher reportedly saying the rifle is a moral agency in the fight over Kansas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lecompton
Sharp
Boston
New York
Kansas
Missouri
Amos Lawrence
Hartford, Conn
Palmer
Arso
Lawrence
Henry Ward Beecher
New York Post
Buffaloes
Atchison and Stringfellow
Lioness in Central Park Had Ingrowing Toenails Cut
A blind lioness named Alice in the Central Park menagerie underwent removal of six ingrowing toenails after years of suffering. Five keepers and two police helped restrain her as claws were trimmed, easing lameness and torment from the nail-like splinters. The English Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children convicted nearly 3,000 culprits last year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alice
Central Park
New York City
English Society For the Prevention of Cruelty
Good Town for Beggars in Savannah
Savannah News discusses organized charity and beggar activity in the city. It cites persistent beggars on Bull and Broughton streets, transient crews, and merchants giving coins. A Kentucky couple known as “Blind Dave” reportedly thrives, while a one legged man claims daily earnings of about twenty dollars. The piece notes bizarre past cases and ends with the disappearance of the latest beggar.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Savannah
Bull
Broughton
Dave
Lexington
Broughton Street
Congress Street
Pullman
A Small Surprise in Civil War March to Battle
Memphis readers recall a wartime tale in Virginia where Colonel Turney encounters General Stonewall Jackson guiding a Tennessee regiment. Jackson, on foot, taught marching pace and led the advance, flank attack, and rear assault that turned the fight into a rout.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stonewall Jackson
Virginia
Turney
Tennessee Regiment
The Storks in Constantinople
The London Telegraph reports on storks returning to Constantinople each year nesting on Turkish chimneys. The birds are believed to bring luck, and Turks avoid blocking chimneys while they stay. Stork meals include snakes or frogs, the former often fighting to escape as the parent arrives.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Constantinople
London Telegraph
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ethus
Whitaker
Illinois
Supreme Court
Acre
Theiddle
South Land
Minnesota
West
Solomon
Dakotas
Arly
Reauly
Ditor
Edgar Baker
Widder
New York Zoo
Colonel Turne
Memphis
Formine eRe
Ofer Odn
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!