Silver Messenger items lampoon world events and society
A collage of satirical notes and brief items from Silver Messenger in Challis Idaho. It pokes at Kipling, satire on wealth and class, the Sphinx, Italian and Paris news, Vanderbilt grandnephews, Yellowstone automobiles ban, New York women on streetcars, Utica knitting mill fainting, dancing fading, Diaz’s republic, Transvaal fishing society, Derby coal, seven new poisons, and Patti label curiosities. It also mentions Ann Arbor professors, Minnesota court on striking wives, and trolley line openings in Porto Rico.
Tippling in the Country House Parties
The piece argues that lavish house parties fostering drinking among elites have grown common, with both men and women participating. It claims women drinking is fashionable but not a vice, asserts no excesses, and describes the day from golf and breakfasts to dinners with champagne and punch, ending with dancing and cards.
Country house entertaining and open air healthful recreation
The article extols country house hospitality as a tonic for weary souls. Golfers drink Scotch indoors or in the clubhouse, while women attend pre luncheon feasts and rooms, with Russian tea and caviar sandwiches shaping a genteel, convivial scene. Open air riding and long rides calm nerves, leaving guests feeling better and returning to town sober.
Music Praise From Mary at New Church Organ
At the organist’s first church performance, a maid named Mary praised the music saying it was grand. When asked what she liked best, she quipped that the moment the organist came down with both hands and feet at once sounded like a steam roller.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mary
Fragmented humor and idle chatter in a society tale
A rolling dialogue excerpt shows young mischief and social satire as two friends mock a woman who adores men and beans, while phrases about a patron of art and a playful misprint reveal quaint newspaper humor from the era.
True Courage and Daily Bravery Tales
A small, bold act is cited as a greatest courage example as a man with half a dollar openly orders forty cents of food, while a May discussion celebrates the allure of horse racing and fascination among enthusiasts. Louise notes a friend who attends races nearly daily, more absorbed than in fashion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Louise
Painter’s Quick Fix Leaves Woman Smiling in Paint
A lady discovers freshly painted seating spoils her dress, and a patient painter offers to repaint the seat. The humorous exchange plays on casual indifference to the mishap as the decorum remains lighthearted.
Not in the Same Set at a Fashionable Party
A chatty scene unfolds at a stylish child’s party where a young girl explains her parents do not belong to the same social set. The tale evokes moonlit Lake Roland imagery as guests mingle and the conversational tone highlights social divides.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Papa
Mamma
Pipa
Simple Financial Scheme Prompts a One Dollar Loan
A brief exchange shows Borem pressing Merchant to lend a dollar, insisting it will take only a minute, but the merchant declines noting they have no time. The dialogue centers on a small, potentially dubious financial pitch.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Borem
Retirement on board amid health concerns
A retirement on the board is attributed to poor health with denials of any public squabble. The article notes that if a row had occurred, newspapers would have run interviews with other directors expressing cordial appreciation and regret.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pattetill
Patti
Bure
Kept Busy Household Exchange
Dialogue notes a cook labeled Friend handling all house work while a second girl mends items the cook breaks, illustrating a bustling domestic routine through brisk questioning and remarks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bricabrac
Discouraged rider seeks steady progress in lesson
A clumsy man admits defeat after slipping from his horse while a riding master urges him to persist. The exchange, cited by Catholic Standard and Times, reflects common adages about perseverance despite ongoing troubles.
Man Sentenced After Wedding in Early Case
A man was imprisoned for fifteen years shortly after his wedding, a fact discussed in a morning reading. The exchange questions the harshness of sentencing tied to marital status and the law’s reach.
Kate Held Up While Skating Nightly Incident Recounted
In a light exchange Sue recalls Kate being held up by two men last night during skating. Edlth asks if she screamed. Sue says no, she was skating and would have fallen if not impeded. A candid line notes the humorist writes for the funny papers and that his serious style is a misperception.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sue
Kate
Edlth
Calloused Conscience Questions Senator on Hidden Income
A senator admits rumors of earning $100,000 last year through quiet methods. When pressed, he declines to expose or refute the gossip, arguing that the disclosure would hurt his financial credit even if it triggers unpleasant talk.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senator Sorghum
Nnpleasant
Why the Razor Was Dull
A man wonders why his razor has become dull while a boy named Johnnie recalls sharpening it yesterday. The dialogue hints at a simple domestic moment involving a wooden boat crafted with the same tool.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnnie
Dream of Deaf and Dumb Nagesby Note
A short dream vignette featuring Mrs Nagesby who imagines being deaf and dumb and reflects that such dreams feel too good to be true. The fragment hints at personal introspection and a whimsical tone without further context or event.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mrs. Nagesby
Nagesby
If a man is ran down would you advise roosting
A crusty exchange as a doctor reluctantly suggests the remedy of roosting for a man worn down by illness or discomfort. The quip captures a dry, old time humor about mundane health tips.
Not a Bargain Hunter in a Witty Exchange
An impecunious count declares willingness to sacrifice himself for Miss Gotrox who answers she can afford the regular price if she chooses him. The dialogue plays on money and romance with sharp banter.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Miss Gotrox
Lucky Infirmity Dolly Swagger You Have No Right to Kis Me
Dialogue driven fragment shows characters Dolly Swagger and Jack Rushit arguing over a mispronounced name and a perceived slight in a singsong exchange. No clear event or location provided, only partial line readings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dolly Swagger
Holly
Jack Rushit
Trying to Scare Up Customers in Snowy Season
A tongue in cheek note mocks forecasts of twenty nine snowstorms this winter. It jokes that checking the forecast man’s business card would reveal snow shovels on it, implying fear is used to boost business.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Silver Messenger
Sweet, Publisher
Challis
Idaho
Spring Valley
Algovan Dam
Geniua
Humbert
Paris
Commodore Vanderbilt
Russell Sage
Yellowstone Park
New York
President Diaz
Derby
Contax
Ann Arbor
Milwaukee
Minnesota
Supreme Court
Oxford
Cambridge
Harvard
Yale
Princeton
Columbia
Japan
Imperial Mint
Porto Rico
Society of Beans
Fannie Is
Lake Roland
Edith
Grace
Ulster
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!