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 39 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Feb 17, 1889
Page
11
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturns a prior ruling by holding that damages for death by accident are not limited by the Constitution. It deems the 1868 act a mere contrast without weight and says repeal lies with the Legislature and Constitution. The piece notes the delay in upholding constitutional provisions.
The piece urges Pittsburg and Allegheny voters to choose capable men for the next council. It argues the coming year will demand decisions on railroad crossings street improvements electric lighting and passenger railway bills affecting taxpayers. It notes most voters can pick a preferred candidate by considering who best serves public interests.
Conservative iron and pig iron manufacturers resist turning their product into a speculative instrument. The piece warns that a government backed warrant scheme could spur a broad boom across markets, using metal certificates as legal tender, until a bubble bursts.
A New York church sexton ousted a stranger from a pew claiming it did not belong to her. The church leaders rebutted, stressing hospitality, while editors note the clash between sacred duties and paid seating. The issue echoes seats in theaters but tests whether churches truly follow Christ’s teachings.
The piece condemns rich churchgoers who deny the poor equal seating and notes a wider gap between professed Christian principles and practice. It contrasts Catholic equal worship with other denominations and cites John McGuire and Prince Rudolf burial disputes as examples. It argues Christianity survives despite such failures and remains a moral light.
Prof Shaler analyzes copper cartel exactions driving new mine searches and rising production. The piece argues such combinations must be blocked by law to prevent restricting transportation, patent control, or field monopolies. It warns conspiracies punish themselves but inflict harm in the meantime.
The public eyes the clash between Edison and Westinghouse electric light firms as an imminent shift from luxury to necessity. The piece warns against monopoly risk, notes high capitalization and profits, and urges fresh entrants to curb price gouging and watering of patents while appealing for consumer protection.
A Buffalo Express critique quotes a text urging denial of symptoms as treatment for colds and notes parallels to monopolistic practices. The piece argues such denial mirrors powerful institutions using legal and political means to restrain competition while posing as benefactors.
A column rail discusses reform fidelity and monopolies, noting railroad combines pressuring watered stocks while denying public burdens. It questions libel laws after a manslaughter charge setback and highlights Akron’s cold night incident and a press freedom ruling. It cites Dover street railway progress under Mrs. Dow, tariff warnings, flour prices, and stock market chatter around a bull move.
Prominent Mr L P Morrow offers Washington house to Garfield Memorial Hospital ladies for charity art exhibit next month before possession. Mrs Harrison’s inauguration dress described with pearl-white brocade and gold embroidery. Delaware State Senate mocked as idle. Official Kappa Sigma badge planned for Miss Davis daughter of Jefferson Davis. London baron praised by omnibus driver for Christmas pheasant gifts to workers. Mrs Harrison’s letters begging for political influence are discarded, not forwarded to her husband.
A satirical column notes umbrellas in high demand yesterday. The narrator admits stealing an umbrella once owned by a friend, now returned, and mentions a friend plotting to trap an umbrella thief with a silver-inset handle bearing a notice on the tablet.
A quirky Sewickley valley reminiscence follows a traveling man who, while suspected by an old lady on a Pennsylvania train, explains a misplaced umbrella theft notice. The piece shifts to Rachel a formidable blue cotton umbrella owner famed for warding off mischief with neighborly battles and a legendary campus of pranks. The column then wanders through anecdotes of Rachel’s life, the trunked memories of her husband’s death on a hand car, and a playful tale about the clever book peddler who met his fiery end at her doorway. The narrator recounts a storm of water and laughter, ending with a humorous note about lime water mistaken for milk in calf feeding.
General Greely informs Congress that a large percentage of Signal Service officers are mentally unfitted for duty. He argues the past year's erratic weather has challenged the intellectual faculties of anyone observing it closely.
A Clerkenwell County Court case exposes the dangers of mutual admiration schemes among Islington public officials. Mr Eliott, backed by friends, hosted a lavish Albion City dinner with wine costs misinterpreted by attendees. The dispute ended in a co-defendant role for Eliott, serving as a warning to similar societies about fair play and expense sharing.
The Sexton of St Thomas Church defends his remarks on wealth and morality citing a reporter interview. He argues Christ would not gain admission without paying for a pew, while rector Rev John Wesley Brown rejects broad judgments and defends the church as hospitable though acknowledging the incident drew criticism.
In Nashville on February 11 a bill was introduced in the Legislature to dispose of the Hermitage property to the Hermitage Ladies Association. The plan would sell the house, tomb, improvements and 290 acres to the association, to beautify and maintain it as a national historic memorial under rules and regulations set by the group.
Colonel David Fleming Houston of Roanoke Virginia dies in Lancaster after a fall at his cousin Robert J Houston's store. He arrived from Indianapolis where he visited President Harrison and had planned to return home later that afternoon. He was a prominent Virginia politician and former railroad executive.
Henry Richter died early yesterday at his Center street residence in Allegheny from Bright's disease of the kidneys. A well known Northside figure, he worked for Lautner Co. hardware merchants on Whio street and was active in Twin City Connell No. 1 and various local organizations through the A P A, including Allegheny Lodge No. MH.
Death for the first time this year entered Post 48 of Allegheny City. Comrade William A Humberstone died last evening at 7 30 aged 70. Comrade Humberstone’s memory is to be honored by Grand men and others expected to join in paying tribute.
List of early milestones including first newspaper, first daily paper in 1702, first iron steamship in 1860, first balloon ascent in 1753, first locomotive use in 1820, and other origins of records such as pen, matches, telescope, watches, and the Hudson steamboat, with various dates and places.
Washington, February 14. The Smalls contest figures in American political drama as a test of party loyalty and justice. The writer argues the Southern Democrats blocked Smalls admission, noting Judge Wilson’s finding of valid election and criticizing party elders for pressuring committees and stifling conscience.
An American woman living in Paris laments American manners she finds crude abroad. She cites street chewing, tobacco spitting, and rude loafers outside hotels as unacceptable, noting the impact on fashionable life in Washington and expressing intent to leave the country.
A forceful speaker denounces tobacco use across regions and questions why temperance reformers ignore smoking and chewing. She argues diet and overeating drive many vices, urging health reforms to start at the source and critique Prohibitionists and moralists for neglecting nutrition and lifestyle roots.
The speaker notes foreign language signs in the capital, explaining terms like pension blan chisserie and charcuterie et pain. He mocks a small hotel sign reading The Pension and quips that the modest establishment should be labeled Pousion Proletaire to reflect its status.
A South American diplomat recounts a great quake shaking a volcano and a family mansion. Amid falling stones and shattered china the heirloom clock, long silent, begins to tick and the bell tolls as the weights wind with the house sway. The event endures in memory of the earthquake.
A short remark notes that Jay Gould is buying real estate and adds a wry line that you cannot water the soil without improving it, framing a conjured sense of investment and progress.
New York Bureau specials report that forty six Crib Club members crowded Harlem Polio Court for a prize fight between Yorkville Basher and Harlem Spider. Police broke up the scene, 51 prisoners were detained, then bailed and later acquitted after asserting the match was only sparring.
In line with Archbishop Corrigan’s request to identify Catholics among pauper dead, the Commissioners of Charities will brand the coffins of Catholics dying in hospitals with a cross. Corrigan criticized a portion of the potter’s field for the lack of identification.
The general partner of C A Wyatt & Co woolen merchants at 23 Church street vanished about ten days ago. Attachments were taken by the sheriff amounting to 14 000 for Rowitzer Co and 13 272 for Stewart Co. Thomas F Ryan was appointed receiver on Henry C Newhall’s application. Newhall, Wyatt’s brother in law and president of California Bank, had invested 50 000 as special capital. Liabilities are estimated near 100 000 with little assets left as creditors seek recovery.
The Supreme Court of the District of Columbia grants a Subpena directed to Colonel W. W. Dudley chief treasurer of the Republican National Committee for examination on the 27th in Washington under an open commission. Enforcement of attendance is possible. Dudley remains active in Washington, making the inquiry a notable prelude to the inauguration.
Two specially ordered carriages built by Studebaker in South Bend arrive in Chicago and proceed to Washington next week. One is a leather landau for the President, the other an extension front brougham for Mr Harrison. Finishes include dark body with black striping, polished trim, silver lamp globes, and green cloth and satin interior. Harness and fittings valued at seven to eight thousand dollars.
Special Telegram from Charterston West Virginia reports Kenna's supporters lose again as President Carr and two Union Labor members back the party candidate Wirt R. Neale on five ballots. Delegate Pord and Carr back R. P. Chew while Kenna and Goff remain at 39 on each ballot. A resolution to extend the session is defeated 60 to 0 in the House and likely to fail in the Senate.
D R Baird owns a calf born near Booie with two perfectly formed heads joined at the neck to form a V. It has four legs, a well-shaped body, and black and white markings including a Star on each head. The rare calf draws crowds from the town to Booie area.
The New York World notes the Empress Frederick may publish memoirs of her late husband, joining a noble line of authors. The work would appear in England to dodge editor Bismarck’s sharp censorship.
Louisville Courier-Journal notes Chicago footpads are foolish and prey on women, urging fight against street crime. It highlights that women often leave handbags on car seats, a pattern officers should heed.
A compact note references the phrase the unkindest cut of all relating to the average wood cut, hinting at a critique or joke about local industry jargon and the odd phrasing in a playful manner.
Last year West Virginia invested 10.1 million dollars in new enterprises. The United States produced 5.75 million pounds of Limburger cheese annually. The Senate reportedly contains zero millionaires. Weekly specie imports totaled 185,802 dollars, including 176,648 in gold and 7,156 in silver. Since April 17, 1888, Treasury purchases reached 190,677,000 dollars in four percent and smaller bonds. Window-gin production and imports estimate 4.2 million boxes for the year ending July 1, 1880. New York Chemical Bank stock sold at 195 a share, par value 100, 2,000 shares total, with bi monthly 25 percent dividends. USGS data show mining value rising from 413 million in 1884 to an estimated 600 million in 1888.
A scatter of curious items from a late 19th century column notes: a Virginia resident visited by Susan, a new style omnibus, a bright yellow green meteor from Highlands New York, odd society clubs in Louisville and Philadelphia, and a Maine farm sister duo. It also mentions Japan's House of Commons electors, a Lexington Georgia clubhouse, a grave-digger’s tale of corpse quake, a comic New York wedding moment, and two ancient breastpins from Spellman Georgia.
A clipped miscellany shows humorous exchanges about propriety and romance with playful wordplay and misheard lines. It includes jokes about etiquette, a Bowery style theater jab, and a poem about a not very kind sleeping car porter reflecting class manners.
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.