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 27 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Sep 21, 1890
Page
7
A narrated gathering recalls rattlesnake legends stretching from Florida to California. A 19 foot serpent tale sparked Indian war dances, with fearsome descriptions of a giant rattler captured, stuffed, and later denied by editors though the tale persisted alongside a California couple’s playhouse encounter with a rattlesnake killed by a mother.
The man from Puoxcsutawney recounts a near surreal chase with a black snake that lunged at him like a rolling wheel. He fled along the road for two wires’ length, constantly glancing back as the reptile pursued until exhaustion. The tale ends with the creature dying and the audience moving on.
In St Louis a sewer cleaner recalls an educated snake used to clear sewers. Zeph Harrison allegedly sold the snake for 200 dollars to aid lost tool fishing. The tale diverges as listeners debate its legitimacy, with several men commenting on the extravagant nature of the tale.
A Mobile colonel recalls a fearsome stump-tailed moccasin seen on a plantation. He describes its venom, stealth, and deadly strikes. An infant narrator recalls his mother loading a pistol, killing the snake and its head near the cradle, leaving a chilling memory of blood and fear.
Unusually large California rattlesnake reported in a valley encounter. Rob Sinkey and Charles Gammill killed a four foot four inch specimen near Nelson's thicket on Cache creek. It measured 3,314 inches in circumference with 11 rattles and 6 buttons. Mrs N W Peat noted in Teeamont Cal.
Miss Mand had a rattlesnake adventure while driving a buggy near home. The wheel ran over the snake, which climbed the wheel and lingered near Maud’s face before she screamed. The mule stirred, the snake fell to the ground, and was later found under hay and killed by men hauling hay nearby.
Henry Bassford driving home from Suisun California kicked a large bullsnake with his cart wheel. The snake flew into his lap, he jumped from the cart and horse panicked, dragging him and bruising him badly. The incident ended with his spaceship missing and a dangerous scare for the driver.
Violinist Paul Keister, known for dance music, faced two rattlesnakes in a Bonoma Mountains canyon while returning from a farmhouse dance. He played the violin to lure them, then struck the snakes and dispatched them. His instrument was damaged. he escaped with his life. The longer snake measured eight feet with ten rattles, the shorter six feet with six rattles.
A mixed heritage Mexican and Indian boy in Winslow, Arizona, showcases an educated tarantula he owns. The spider, housed in a neck-slung wooden box, performs on a small stage to tambourine music, salutes the crowd, and then rests on the boy’s shoulder. The boy says he tamed it young by daily feeding and gradual trick training, claiming it is highly intelligent and loyal only to him while feared by others. The creature, as large as a silver dollar when curled, has two to three inch legs, dense coarse hair, small gleaming eyes, and a remarkable leaping power. The Mogollon Mountains youth is said to own the only tarantula known to have friends with other living beings.
The Dispatch correspondent recalls conversations with W. D. Howells at Saratoga and Lake George on Tolstoy, Kreutzer Sonata, and American literature. It highlights the idea of a world school, Curtin and Latrobe as aging writers, and tales of the Winans brothers, Latrobe, Gould, Rockefeller, and the vast checks in early American industry.
Judge J Gadsden King recalls a cherry pipe stem said to have belonged to Otto von Bismarck from his Frankfort school days. The stem dated back to 1835, about 55 years before, when King’s brother Mitchell C King carried it to America. The pipe bore a cameo likeness of Bismarck and remains a cherished memento.
London Spectator letters recount a striking tale of rooks feeding starving mates. A bird repeatedly shared bread with another in need during harsh weather, then copied a similar account from Wales. The writer notes surprise at the credibility and hopes readers feel compassion for all God’s creatures.
A humorous New York World piece portrays an editor seeking a private secretary to manage difficult visitors. Ricketts, who stammers, stages a witty demonstration showing the challenge of smooth diplomacy and the need for a fluent linguist.
At a British Medical Association session in Birmingham Dr Thomas Barr of Glasgow argued that railway whistles cause widespread hearing loss. He described how high pitch notes can damage vulnerable ears, especially with existing ear disease, and proposed using a lower pitch whistle to reduce harm.
A St Louis Globe-Democrat column notes that a barber can alter perceived intellect by shaping hair from the ears to the crown, making a dull face appear clever. It reflects on vanity, tailoring, and a playful sermon about smoking, women, and wisdom with literary allusions.
George H. Sharpe, a Hamilton builder, recounts his experience with a poplar tree cure for rheumatism. After consulting elderly women, he followed instructions to cut a branch and bring it home, then later found no further rheumatic attacks. He says he does not believe in superstition but credits his experience.
Biographical sketch notes Francis Hupazoli born 1587 in Sardinia died 1702 aged 115. Clergyman turned merchant in Scio, Venetian Consul at Smyrna at 23. Married at 98, four children. He drank water, avoided tobacco and medicine, wrote 22 volumes, and reportedly lived past 113 with changing teeth and meals.
Brigadier General Bengough urges foot care for infantry in Madras per Pall Mall Budget. Two men per company to learn nail trimming blister treatment then relieve guard duties. Company officers to inspect before marches. instruments issued by station staff officer.
Dr. Paul Gibier describes Grandier's Pasteur Institute vaccine work on rabbits aimed at making them consumption proof. The method uses varying strength of tuberculosis virus. treated rabbits resist virulent exposure, while untreated rabbits develop tuberculosis. Researchers hope to apply preventive results to patients with developed disease later.
A physician in the New York Star warns that greenbacks and silver coins spread disease as money passes through diverse hands. He notes money from the rich to the poor, and even those with delicate tastes handle dirty cash. Coins absorb bacteria and fungi, revealed when immersed in water and viewed under a microscope.
The Boston Herald quotes Matthieu Williams on preserves of sugar rich recipes and argues that abolishing alcoholic drinks would follow from natural nausea. The piece hints at reform notions and suggests a broader reflection for reformers across causes.
An elder recalls Hen Jones as a blunt rustic with a remarkable nose. He describes Jones riding downhill with one hand on the horse and the other making odd motions while picking pebbles from a pile and snatching mosquitoes from the end of his nose.
Sister Rose Gertrude reports several patients cured on leper island in a letter. Dr Lutz the governor physician confirms the claim in a press interview. He believes leprosy can be checked and is not contagious. The cured cases show medical control is possible.
London Daily News reports a moonlit climb of Vesuvius by Lord and Lady Dufferin with Lady Haldon and companions. The central crater glowed incandescently as eruptions sent rainbow hues of sulfur smoke, while a gentle breeze cleared toxic gases. Some party members sat near fumaroles before rising, and a lava stream toward Pompeii persisted as dawn lit Naples and the coast.
A front page column discusses Canadian electricity tariffs and reciprocal protection, plus a satirical take on Presidential esteem, with prophecies of a looming catastrophe from Prof Buchanan and debates on capital punishment and preacher life. It folds into playful regional pride for Pittsburg and Western Pennsylvania amid varied topics.
The New York Press profiles a Swedish born, multilingual butler who serves Chauncey M. Depew at the Grand Central depot. His loyalty grows from devoted service during illness, and he periodically starts a personal newspaper before returning to his duties. He idolizes Depew, and Chauncey Depew Jr. is noted at ten years old.
A man carries a box on Chambers Street and drops it. After failing to get help, he asks a doorway resident for a lift. The doorways man refuses citing he is not in the box carrier’s business. The man with the box grins, then shoulders the box again and moves on. There is a humorous note about a plumber next door.
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.