How They Work It A System of Bookkeeping On Railways
A humorous 1839-era essay explains how intercity railroads allegedly keep a running debit and credit ledger with newspapers to balance what they call harmless favors. It mocks passes, reveals fictitious accounts between a railroad, the Echo and Volksblatter, and includes a satire on a dog harmed by a train along with scattered opinions on railroading humor and public sentiment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Adams’ Great Apple Trust
inter-State
Spiegelpeter, Eaglesburg, Shukenrag and
Polipus Railroad
Echo and Volksblatter
Squirtie J. Fountain
The
Echo and Volteblotter
Legislature
Felo and
Volkeblotter
Artie Place
Mushrat Valley
Earleville
Speizelpeter
Hagiesburg
Shakenrng
Polypus
Acanard
Lydia E. Pinkham
Speigelpeter
Eaglesburg
Shackrng
Pollerpus
A Cockroach Letter Carrier Aids Prison Break Plot
Indianapolis Journal reports Charles Kine of U S A recounts a cockroach used as a courier between convicts William Rodifer and Starlight Jack at Southern Indiana Penitentiary. The roach carried cipher notes, enabling months of attempted escapes before wardens thwarted the scheme.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Indianapolis
William Rodifer
Jack
Indiana
Rodifer
Brad
Hfer
Sid. C. McCure
Captain Cane
Five Pound Note Found at Sefton Park Church
Congregation of Sefton Park Presbyterian Church in Liverpool amused as Mr. Watson announced a five pound note found after the Sunday collection. He said the owner could claim it by applying to the church officer. A prominent member quipped that disclosure of the pew would have let the crowd judge its intent.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sol Randle
Denis
Hist
William Flucker Surls
Whitten
THE
Dispatch
Buffalo Bill
England
Cody
Wilder West
Erastina
Theodore Roosevelt
New York City
Dakota
Newport
Long Island
Washington
Central Park
West Point
Sefton Park Presbyterian Church
Liverpool
Watson
Amelie Chanler Rides In Ox Cart To Distribute Blankets
Virginia poetess Amelie Rives Chanler drew attention by riding in an ox cart near Castle Hill while giving $200 worth of blankets and warm clothing to the needy this festive season. Observers recall her compassionate act as a turning point toward public charity, contrasting her quiet country life with the simple charity shown.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Virginia
Amelie Rives Chanter
Castle Hill
What the Bewitching Bang is How it is Made and What it Costs
In a Dispatch article E W Bartlett reports on hairwork keepsakes crafted from human hair. A Pennsylvanian dealer explains wigs for warmth and vanity, noting many men wear wigs and that European suppliers like Parisian Pellery dominate hair sources. Intricate pieces include art works and jewelry made entirely from hair, valued up to 75 dollars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Europe
France
Italy
Normandy
E. W. Bartlett
Wig Makers Talk of Topees and False Hair
An interview describes topees or patches covering bald spots, attached with scalp adhesives, and notes wig production steps from head measurement to knotting hair through fine netting. It surveys demand for natural looking wigs, bangs, Grecian knots, and prices from four to six dollars up to seventy five dollars for finer pieces.
Capsule Liquor Aids Quiet Theaters In Boston
A Boston chemist creates gelatine capsules filled with whisky and other liquors to let patrons drink without leaving their seats. The capsules, colored to resemble grapes, dissolve quietly, leaving no taste, and are sold in boxes of twelve. Earlier attempts with rubber capsules failed due to taste.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
New York Graphic
The Glass Pudding Man Banned From the Street
A New York Sun essay notes that evolving window design ends the era of the glass padding man who carried many small panes. Modern glazing uses one or two large sheets, with glaziers measuring and fitting panes, leaving the old rack carriers out of business as panes are replaced with care.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
New York
I Still Refuse to Believe Luck Is Against Me
A veteran recounts surviving shipwrecks, rail accidents, a Gettysburg wound, Libby Prison starvation, shark injury, riots, earthquakes, and more. Despite losing property and facing illness, he stays hopeful, insisting misfortune has not erased his will to persevere.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gettysburg
Libby
Charleston
New York
San Francisco
Arizonia
Jail to be weatherboarded and funded with eight dollar blankets
The city jail will be weatherboarded at a cost of 25 dollars and blankets costing 8 dollars have been procured. Previously the jail offered an uncomfortable and cheerless environment that deterred tramps and rags from Portland and East Portland, but the city pledges to provide more comfortable quarters going forward.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Portland
The Colonel's Cards Chapter I An Introductory Game
A hansom races toward a wharf as a steamer nears departure. Two calm men ride in front while crowd noise and turf money swirl around. The vessel will soon sail down New York Bay to Sandy Hook with a full afternoon load of businessmen and summer visitors headed toward Long Branch.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Point
United States Army
New York Bay
Sandy Hook
Long Branch
Seashore
Odyssey of a New York steamer party in 1888
On a steamer, two men arrive with a young companion and a wary elder. The elder, Colonel Dallas, observes a relaxed but precise group including Jonas Pootle and Mr Knox. The trio exchanges boasts of wear and status, while a family dynamic unfolds among Pootle, his nephew Vic Learoyd, and the poised passengers on deck. The scene blends fashion, manners, and Wall Street talk aboard the ship.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Knickerbocker Knox
Colonel Dallas
Dallas
Wall Street
Winston Dallas
Kansas
Missouri
Knick
Willow
Sanna
Hes Ket
Promptocns
London
Paris
New York
Acwest
Peder
Viston
Long Branch
D. You
Sheeba
Akheslam
Mr. Knox
Mr. Knicker Knox
Mr. Pootle
Mr. Knnox
Knox
Vic
Victor Learoyd
Knoxs
Jonas Pootle and Company
Shea Dei
Pootle
American Bible Society
Colonel
Also Mentioned on This Page
Bill Nye
Congress
Railroad
Basnig
Oues Lalfowing
Eché and
Volkeblatter
Weeks
Bright
Ste Weeks
Squirreltail Echo & Volksblatter
Brut Nrz
Edgar W. Nye
Charles King
West Pointers
Pytchley
Creck
Jack Rabbits
Australia
Grantley Berkeley
Fort Riley
George D. Bayard
Fredericksburg
Berkeley
Horsge Miaselit
Eaddle
Saumur
Saint Cyr
National Academy
Charles Kine
U.S. A
Amelie
Penn Svenue
Seston
Pellery
Albina
Ure
Weekly Courier
Pittsburg
Franklin
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!