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!
This newspaper page contains 44 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Feb 08, 1891
Page
15
The Dispatch issue details subscription rates and delivery, noting weekly and Sunday editions with 20 pages. It warns carriers and solicits manuscripts, while discussing reciprocity negotiations and Secretary Blaine’s political standing as viewed by Senator Quay.
Positive assurances claim Robert Tey Hamilton survived a drowning and seeks to restart life in New South Wales. An intimate friend cites a letter from Hamilton after his alleged death, fueling sensational reports about a frail New York family and a drastic life change abroad. If alive, his chances of becoming a quiet, legitimate citizen remain uncertain.
A letter discusses defects in present road laws noting no provision for public footpaths and proposing that township road officers be allowed to construct sidewalks where needed near towns and stations. It argues sidewalks benefit public safety and that protections against encroachment are essential. It also touches on regulating driving speeds to prevent hazards on highways.
The author argues for stricter road rules by adopting exemplary damages for reckless driving. He questions penalties that only cover actual damages and discusses practical limits on speed for doctors, farmers, and travelers, stressing the need to balance public safety with personal mobility.
A DisPatCh correspondent argues railroads must lower iron freight rates in Mahoning Shenango valleys. He contends reduced charges would sustain large, steady iron industry traffic and long term railroad profits, warning delay costs prosperity for both railways and industry.
The Dispatch explains that a Democratic caucus in Washington arranged a dinner at Hon. Colonel William Brown's with Grover Cleveland and David Bennett Hill. The caucus instructed Hill to abandon the presidential path and accept a Senate seat, after which he reluctantly agreed. The Dispatch credits Colonel Gill Brown and his bland bluff for arranging the meeting.
Henry Clews offers a novel view in the North American Review that the cause of monetary stringency is the conversion of floating capital into fixed form through home building. He argues merchants, mechanics, clerks and investors are locking up funds by constructing residences, with large yearly totals in major cities. The piece critiques this transfer as a factor squeezing loanable funds and warns policy should curb such building to ease financial pressure.
The article argues that large scale borrowing for construction like railroads creates monetary stringency by locking up floating capital. It contends this has preceded past panics, notes that stringency appeared in areas with little building activity, and questions Clews’s remedies. It warns against speculative bubbles and urges restrained financing and reforms to stabilize the money market.
The Dispatch critiques Pennsylvania lawmakers for blocking progress on roads canal plans and oil and telephone charges. It notes officials acknowledge mud roads but resist funding and tax reforms, while proposals from the Rond Commission and Engineers’ Society face objections from Granger allies. Eastern counties show limited canal interest. Erie backs expansion to Ashtabula, Ohio. Without public pressure and effective advocacy, measures struggle in Harrisburg amid chronic objectors and obstructors.
The report says an extra Congress session will be called after Secretary Blaine nears an international coinage standard. Reciprocity with Mexico may be announced, establishing an American standard to align with governments south of us, ending calls for free coinage of debased silver. Blaine’s department appears busier than Reed’s House.
The Atlantic coast sees a surge of seals threatening Maine salmon fisheries. Fishermen propose a two dollar bounty per head to curb consumption, suggesting a compromise with Canadian seals by allowing freer hunting among Atlantic stocks.
The House has shown itself to be a highly deliberate body in its handling of the free coinage bill, a conclusion likely to be supported by eminent authorities though some may differ.
The article notes Senator Ingalls learning from events and remarks on Republican leaders. It asks whether his past role in party leadership influenced the party's worst defeat yet seen, highlighting his sharp sarcasm about the outcome.
The piece contrasts rioting in Hungary with local verdicts and questions Governor Pattison's constitutional authority to veto a Cameron instructions joint resolution. It cites Judge Biorkle on hiring restrictions during strikes, criticizes Reed wing Republicans, and notes Blaine’s praised presidential qualities while hinting at Cameron’s contumacy and asking if Pennsylvania is a Republican state.
Senator Plums backs a caucus dinner as a harmonizing step. The move aligns with Senator Bill Brown of the New York News praising after dinner harmony as likely very positive.
Mr TAUBENECE, a member of the Illinois Legislature, faces the early test of proving he is not an ex convict of the Ohio penitentiary. He has succeeded after considerable trouble, while other state legislators may fear similar scrutiny over their careers.
A quip suggesting the census overstates Kentucky’s water area at 40 square miles, noting the public may doubt the value of such water measured as a beverage in Kentucky. The remark blends humor about geography and state resources with a tongue in cheek critique of bureaucratic data.
An electric wire that gives a shock to a horse caused it to run away yesterday, an exception to the usual loose wire. Generally when high tension conduits contact a horse they produce a permanent cure of all proclivities for running away.
A Goop settlement proposes buying no more than 100 acres of well located land to save funds for investing in first class buildings, addressing the Poor Farm difficulty with a focus on improved facilities and assets.
The Indiana Legislature and Pennsylvania body consider a bill to wipe out monopolies if passed and enforced, though two critical loopholes exist. A Chicago air ship announcement about arriving around April 1 carries ominous sarcastic significance.
Applications for licenses totaled nearly 2,000 yesterday showing broad ambition to serve the thirsty public with liquid refreshments. Yet officials warn a disappointing harvest of ambitions likely when license lists are published.
A montage of socialites artists and politicians including Dr Maurier modeling for society pics, Andrew Carnegie planning an ocean voyage on the Teutonic, Edison praised by Stanley, Vera Sassulitsch’s health and Swiss retreat, Rose Terry Cooke advising literary breadwinning, and rumors of J S Richardson engagement to Winnie Davis. Archduke Franz Ferdinand heads to Warsaw then St Petersburg. Also notes Kageawa Hippe as a Japanese Louise Michel clone, Roger Buchanan’s rise from poverty to London literary life, Signor Zanardelli’s political stance, and a witty Washington Star anecdote about proofs of affection.
The Philadelphia Inquirer notes free coinage is disposed of for this session as an attempt to rider it onto the sundry civil appropriation bill fails. The House shows free silver supporters are in the minority, with the Coinage Committee also opposing the legislation, signaling no further action.
A Cincinnati Commercial Gazette editorial dismisses cheap labor dishonest money and protection only of farm products as a weak foundation for the Farmers' Alliance to build a national party.
A verse reflecting on distant ships and the bay with sunlit waters and dark shadows near shore. The speaker longs for far off beauty while missing the beauty around, hinting at life’s sorrowful gaze across the water. Florencia Jones Hampton is the credited author.
The defendant was found guilty of murder in the first degree in a court proceeding, with the verdict delivered by the jury after deliberation. The judgment awaits formal sentencing and potential post verdict motions.
Murray's Musings recounts how backers, or angels, fund stage ventures only to back out when profits lag. It cites famous cases from Estelle Clayton to Pauline Hall, and notes how true grit from professional managers tends to turn adversity into success. It also notes Philadelphia customs of paying for cigars and a side tale of operatic librettos sold along Broadway during seasons.
A New York firm Howe & Hummel, led by notable Abe Hummel, is described as a police court focused legal operation with young associates handling minor cases while serving ex criminals. The piece notes a mother’s interest in criminal literature and heredity in shaping views. A separate account praises a New York Water Color Society viewing at the Academy of Design, detailing a harmonious 400 artists gathering and a large submission pool of over 1,700 paintings.
New Yorkers celebrate the rapid transit bill after a prolonged struggle in the State Legislature. Public pressure prevailed over political intrigue, opening the path to a major city necessity. The choice of underground or elevated service remains to be decided, with substantial contractor profits anticipated. Charles T. Murray reports from New York on February 7.
Harper's Bazaar discusses how a child's sense of justice forms character, shaped by unfair punishment and parental treatment. It argues that justice tempered with mercy builds truth, honor, and self-sacrifice, while repeated minutely unfair rights erasure can teach a child to seek power as right.
The New York Continental notes the Jaffa to Jerusalem railroad now open with Philadelphia locomotives. It predicts dramatic shifts in the ancient lands once ruled by David and Solomon, foresees Bedouin and camel trade fading, and reports a Jerusalem real estate boom near the depot with rising prices.
The Pittsburg Baptist Exponent showcases a fresh printing style for religious journalism. It aligns with top periodicals of the day and reflects Pittsburg’s rapid growth and central cultural role as the city pushes to be fashionable and esthetic.
The Indianapolis Journal notes U S bonds command high prices for years as Republican leaders block repudiation or payment in anything but the world’s best money, underscoring confidence in U S currency.
A Philadelphia Press item notes the cold killed two of Sara Hemnhardt's pet reptiles. The piece amusingly wonders how cold can cause these deaths while driving individuals to keep warm with alcohol and inadvertently produce new varieties in homes.
The Helena Montana Journal notes a Timely Suggestion that amid the recent crisis cities should bury telegraph and light wires. It jokes that the ditch should be deep enough to hold political wires too as Oll City Blizzard and Senator Cameron are mentioned in lighthearted fashion.
Nassau N P Feb 7 Congressman James Phelan of Memphia Tenn died in this city on Feb 2 from pulmonary consumption. Remains sail today to New York via Santiago, then to Washington. Phelan arrived with family in November seeking health but climate could not aid his illness. Philip Wentzell Sr died yesterday morning at his son in law Charles Campbell’s Devilliers St residence. He leaves five sons and three daughters. Wentzell Bros brick firm, pioneer Pittsburg dealers. Ex Councilman Martin Frank learns of his father John K Frank’s Lancaster County death aged in his 80s. Funeral Tuesday. Elizabeth Boyer wife of Anthony Boyer of O Hara Township died yesterday at 9 39 am. Funeral from the deceased residence near Sharpsburg to St Mary’s R C Church Sharpsburg at 10 o clock. She was 64.
The piece notes English Radical opposition to royalty amid the Gordon-Cumming baccarat case and laments unequal enforcement of gambling laws. It cites an old statute from Henry VIII banning games to protect archery, illustrating how gaming was framed as a threat to national practice and how enforcement favored the rich.
The tale recalls two minstrel entertainers Brimmer and Morrisey who, unable to pay fares in New Orleans, were aided by a river captain. Once ashore near Cairo, the captain ordered them off. The pair, with wives, sang from the riverbank as they were cast ashore, then ferried onward to Pittsburg after a sharp rebuke from the captain.
A new club named The Bohemian Club of Pittsburg organized last Wednesday evening at Mr. Stevenson's studio. Major E A Montooth elected President, with Ross W Drum as Vice President E J Donnelly as Secretary and H Stevenson as Treasurer.
A doctor recalls a near fatal episode caused by a relatives joke about tiddledywinks and ponders how fate, luck, and choices shape a man’s life. He notes many would be famous or successful if not for bad breaks, hard labor, or vice, yet we must face the facts as they are. The piece closes with reflections on missed possibilities and the limits of what might have been.
John P Parucker of Sharpsburg died yesterday aged 74. The funeral will be at 10 o'clock tomorrow from his residence 17 Fort street. Services follow at 2 20 o'clock in the First German Lutheran Church Sharpsburg.
A Kansas City man observed Mexican women in Chihuahua and Zacatecas using fireflies as jewelry. The insects’ hooked leg shapes form bracelets and hair adornments. The living light, brighter than nocturnal North American fireflies, illuminates surroundings and appeals to both poor and society ladies who collect them for hair decorations.
Marie Petkovic centenarian noted as mother of Luke Petkovic who contributed to local life. Dr. Benjamin H. Preston, former city resident, dies. friends mourn his loss and recall his kindly nature. Ex-Congressman William Godshalk of DorksTownPa and ex-judge John Appleton are listed among prominent figures reported deceased. Ex-Chief Justice John Ferrerett dies suddenly in Buxton ME, aged near century.
A collage of humorous old quotes shows characters mentioning being broke and spending dimes, a jeweler's question, and a family on the road. It includes exchanges about washing, road life, and a struggling author noting three cigars for a quarter.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.