Bright Bits Nuggets From An Ancient Almanac
A roundup of curiosities and trivia noting Jan sen’s telescope origins in 1590, Gibraltar tunnels, Europe’s meat imports, Ceylon cinnamon acreage, and other assorted facts. It mentions Rembrandt’s supposed miller father, microbes in a teaspoon, global June marriages, and a Beverly Massachusetts police case with fines for slapping a wife.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jansen
Rochester
Europe
Ceylon
Rock of Gibraltar
Union Pacific Railroad
Campania
Rembrandt
Corea
Piccini
Marshal Bessieres
Southern Pacific
Spartacus
Gladiators
Elijah Kellogg
Harpswell
Beverly
Mass
Beverly Police Court
Private Ett er Shops Carry Mail in China
China lacks mass postal services though modern methods exist. Private letter shops handle mail with no stamps, using a chop as the keeper’s sign. Couriers move official dispatches across cities and provinces, sometimes on foot or by horse at relay stations, covering 200 to 250 miles daily in emergencies.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
China
Why Picnics Are Called
An old explanation traces picnics to a 1802 custom where guests contributed food or drink by ticking off items on a shared list. The open air meal thus became known as pick and nick and the picnic as a nineteenth century institution.
The Size of Fashionable Andirons
A trade journal notes the trend toward bright polished brass andirons for country houses in gigantic sizes. Brass andiron heat conducts well and looks honest, with gilded variants used where not for practical use. Black irons suit colonial mantels while old brass finishes fade from fashion.
Oldest Glass Specimen in British Museum Reveals Ancient Craft
The British museum houses the oldest dated pure glass, a little lion head bearing an Egyptian king’s name from the eleventh dynasty. This shows glassmaking existed at least 2000 years before Christ, with skilled artistry evident. Also cited is a promotional excerpt for Hostetter's Stomach Bitters and Brown's Iron Bitters, praising health benefits and tonic uses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
British Museum
Louis Republic
Congress in Session in 24th Day of Joint Proceedings
Senate and House conduct routine business with a focus on the Sherman act repeal and new education department proposals. Notable discussions include a 90 day pension notice rule, a joint finance committee idea, and debates on adjournment for labor day. Walthall urges quick action and signals gold standard concerns.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senate
House
Capitol
Butler
Finance Committee
Gallinger
Committee On Pensions
Allen
Voorhees
Cullom
Peffer
Department of Education
District of Columbia
Secretary of Education
Committee On
Morgan
Stewart
Friends
Joint Select Committee On
Finance
Joint Select Committee
Walthall
America
Mississippi
Turney to Remove Coal Creek Troop Garrison
Tennessee Governor Turney after examining Coal Creek plans to withdraw the state troops after eighteen months. A civil guard of twenty men will replace them, with ten at Big Mountain, aiming to prevent further trouble.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Turney
Tennessee
Coal Creek
Big Mountain
Home Rule Bill Passes Commons and Advances in Lords
A London dispatch reports the House of Commons suspended the 12 o clock rule to complete the third reading of the home rule bill before adjournment. Key speakers included Justin McCarthy John Morley and Chamberlain with Balfour. The division ended 301 to 267 in favor. The Irish cheered while opponents shouted resign. The Lords then began its first reading before adjournment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House of Commons
House of Lords
London
Justin McCarthy
John Morley
Chamberlain
Balfour
Gladstone
Morley
Esch
Money Market Improves as Cash Freely Available
The New York special notes the money market loosening with no premium on cash. Lowell mills resume operations including ingrain, cotton, and print works. Moscow reports mass arrests in a nihilist plot. Pittsburg non union plants start up. San Francisco cargo Colusa valued at about 200000 awaits due payment. Fire hits a crowded New York tenement district with sweat shops. Dr. Hooker resigns from Arkansas asylum. Foster assets and liabilities disclosed. Little Rock free bridge bids rejected. World’s Fair commission clears Mercer and condemns Beesone. Iowa Republicans split from regulars at Des Moines convention.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Ingrain
Lowell Manufacturing Company
Lowell
Mass
Hamilton Mill
Moscow
Russia
Olive Iron and Steel Company
Hainesworth Steel Company
Pittsburg
National Tube Works Company
McKeesport
San Francisco
Cal
Colusa
Kahului
New York City
H. C. Hooker
Arkansas Insane Asylum
Little Rock
State Board of Charitable Institutions
Hooker
Charles Foster
Ohio
Foster & Co.’s Bank
Free Bridge Commissioners
Arkansas River
Chicago
Special Investigating Committee
Mercer
Wyoming
Beesone
Oklahoma
Iowa
Des Moines
Gouthor
Port Royal Aftermath Burials Mount Desolation Grows
A Port Royal report describes rapid floodwaters receding to reveal islands scarred by destruction. Dozens of corpses are found across islands with decomposed remains hindering identification. Burial crews dig shallow graves in mud filled holes as coffins are scarce and multiple bodies share graves.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Port Royal
8. C
Port ‘ Royal
Beaufort
Rail deal in Memphis ties Memphis and Little Rock line
The Memphis and Little Rock railroad was attached to the East Tennessee Virginia and Georgia in Memphis. A Richmond local option win overturned liquor licensing by 142 votes in a 3509 total. Fire destroyed Clark Foundry and Machine Works in Knoxville with $20,000 loss, fully insured.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Memphis
Tong
Memphis & Little Rock
East Tennessee
Virginia
Georgia
Richmond
Clark Foundrysand Machine Works
Knoxville
Tenn
Kansas City
Memphis and
W. I. Cooper
New York
Nashville
Cohen, Collier & Co
S. Mason
al Brunfield
Hart's Creek
Lincoln County
John H. Boyd
Brunfield
American National Bank
Raleigh
N. C
State Liquor Dealers’ Association
Association For
Charlotte
J. J. Pryor
Mechanics’ Bank
John Scharat
Pennsylvania Mutual
Philadelphia
United States of New York
The
Mutual of New York
James A
Iron Trust Organigg Forms In Duluth For Bessemer Ore
An Iron Trust organigg completed in Duluth Minnesota on Tuesday unites the Lake Superior Consolidated Iron Company to dominate nine tenths of U S Bessemer ore production. The group intends to maintain a price standard to bar competition from deeper hard ore mines in older ranges.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iron Trust Organigg
Duluth, Minn
Lake Superior Consolidated Iron Company
America
Stand- Oil Company
Cholera Death Reported in Jersey City Case
A New York special says Jersey City health inspector confirms Martin Crowe died at Jersey City Hospital from cholera. Another suspected case involving Mrs Sho Black remains under investigation for the same disease.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jersey City
New York
Martin Crowe
Jerey City Hospital
Sho
Labor Day Observances Across Cities Highlight Parades and Weather
Labor Day activities marked by large parades and closures from New York to Louisville. In New York 1500 workers marched from Cooper Union to the Battery while Brooklyn and other areas celebrated without incidents. Other cities including Columbia South Carolina and Chattanooga Tennessee reported sizable crowds and festive events with clear skies.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Cooper Union
Eighth Street
Battery
Rooklyn
Washington
Bricklayers’ Association
Bay Ridge
Electricians Assembly
Horseshoers
Bricklayers
Deat
Columbia
8. C
Battalion B
Charlotte
Florence
Florence, 8. C. At Chattanoga
Tenn
Electric Park
Women Rescued From Savannah Wrecked Ship
The tug Paulsen brought the missing passengers of the City of annih safe aboard at Savannah after a day long ordeal. Women looked sunburned and worn but were welcomed with a great crowd on the wharf. Some had been sheltered at Senator Don Cameron’s winter home and by lighthouse keepers on Hunting Island.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Savannah
Annih
Wis
City Exchange
Anu
Habor Island
Hunting Island
Don Cameron
Tng
Eck
Wrecked by a Cyclone Lands Louisiana Town
A severe cyclone struck Lockport Louisiana on Bayou Lafourche around 9 AM Thursday, demolishing homes and stores. Five people died and many were wounded while telegraph and telephone lines were knocked out along rail routes from New Orleans to Texas, with high winds reported in Baton Rouge Amite City and Mississippi City.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Louisiana
Lockport
Bayou Lafourche
Southern Pacific
Bayou Sale
Franklin
New Orleans
Texas
Mobile
Louisville and Nashville
Illinois Central Railroad
Baton Rouge
Amite City
Mississippi City
Gulf Coast
Farmers Urge Extra Session to Pass Stay Law
South Carolina farmers appeal to the governor to call an extra legislature session by September 15 to pass a stay law delaying debt payments due before November 15. They warn bankruptcy, loss of homes, and possible starvation for families if relief is not secured.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South Carolina
Mechanicville Alliance
Congress
Siam Pays Indemnity With French Warship Funds
The Paris Zempsa reports Saigon advised that the French warship Latin arrived with 2,500,000 francs to complete Siam's indemnity payment to France.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Siam
Paris
Zempsa
Saigon
Day by day dispatches report mills reopenings and disasters
The Troy City paper mill resumed after two months pause while Peabody mills in Newburyport started up with 400 workers. Collins mills in Collinsville reopened with all hands. Alabama quarantines changed, Ishpeming mine returns to full time, and White Cottage Ohio suffers a major fire with $70 000 loss. Cholera deaths mount aboard the Etna with Mecca pilgrims.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Troy City
N. Y
Peabody Mills
Newburyport
Mass
Hamilton Fish
Garrison
Collins Mills
Collinsville
Montgomery
State of Alabama
Swansea
Wales
Etna
Mecca
West Point Terminal Company
New York
Lynch
Yourtree
Russellville
Alabama
Arkansas City
Cherokee Outlet
M. J. Bofferding
Bank of Minneapolis
Phil M. Scheig
Kirby
Bofferding
Berlin
Rhine
Rhine Valley
Commercial Cable Company
Wall Street
Brazil
London
Manchester and Sheffield Railway Company
Midland Railway Company
Chicago, Pittsburg
Fort Wayne
Pittsburg
Cincinnati
Chicago and St. Louis
Columbia
D.C
Tillman
United States
Simonton
Swann
South Carolina
The President Returns to Washington From Gray Gables
President Cleveland and family arrived in Washington from Buzzard's Bay Massachusetts in a rain shower. Secretary Thurber led the party to the White House as the president declared the Gray Gables sojourn beneficial and his health excellent. The day began with heavy work as Cleveland met with Private Secretary Thurber to clear a large volume of public business then a cabinet meeting discussed the silver question and treasury conditions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gray Gables
Cleveland
Ruth
Washington
Buzzard’s Bay
Mass
Thurber
White House
Gra. Gables
Smith
Himelf
Parade the Musical Canine Critic of Paris
A French dog named Parade attended daily military parades in front of the Tuileries, joined musicians at dinners, and sat in the orchestra listening to performances. He showed distinct approval for fine passages and disapproval for dull music, as remembered by peers in Youth's Companion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tuileries Palace
Parade
Southport Council Bans Sunday Labor for Machines
The Southport town council, praised for ending Sabbatarian excess, decreed that automatic machines must rest on Sundays. After six days of work, the automatons must ignore coins or face fines or imprisonment, as reported by Exchange.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southport
England
Spanish Courtesy On Arrival And Departure
In Spain a person who sits at a shared table salutes others upon seating and rising. The courtesy is repeated when leaving even if seated in a park or garden nearby.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Spain
Electric Wires and Rain Theory by Professor Wiggins
The Chicago Tribune reports Professor Wiggins argues that telegraph wires drive rainfall patterns by charging the atmosphere. He claims electricity gathers on elevated sphere spots and continents, suggesting buried wires could balance global moisture. He dramatizes America flooded and Europe droughted due to currents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wiggins
America
Europe
Chicago Tribune
Mitigating Circumstance and Patent Remedies Ad Text
A collage of satirical dialogue on domestic dispute and cautions about medicines. It promotes Syrup of Figs from the California Fig Syrup Co as beneficial, warns against mercury tonics, and touts Hall's Catarrh Cure and Beecham's Pills with brief endorsements and caveats.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
California Fig Syrup Co
Hall
F. J. Cheney & Co
Toledo
F. J. Cheney
C O
Beecham
Also Mentioned on This Page
Brown
B. F. Johnson & Co
J. &Co
Owego
Tioga Co
Hood
Burt
E. M
N.Y
Talbert
Seave
Brosius
Pennsylvania
Kyle
Southern
Day
el Paso
Houston
Tex
Gener
Jackson
Miss
Wedny Day
Board of Control
Pri
M. L. Jenkins
Den
Mesars
Board of Convigt
Springner’s
Tennesse
Arkansas
Garfield
Louisville
Albert Hartley
Hudson
S. B. Gardiner
J. E. Barr
Aurora
Boschee
W. Baker
Jn. IC. Jones
Agurial Fulton
Swift Specific Co
Atlanta, Ga
Baxter Court
Warren Street
Harolston Place
Boston
Lynn
Pactorinus
Taunton
Fairhaven
Maas
Eens Mass
Duxbury
Plymouth
Lara
Thomson
Judson L
PB. Green
Fort Payne
Ala
B. F. Johmson
Iith St
BEC EE
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!