Rotten Cotton Gloves Origin of a Slang Phrase
A historical note traces the phrase rotten cotton gloves from a ventriloquist act by John le Hay at Sandringham. The royals and audience laughed at a dirty old man figure, giving rise to the line rotten cotton gloves and its broader use in both Britain and America. Also recounted is a courtroom joke where a judge increases a seven year term to life, then the defendant adheres to the original sentence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fingland
America
John le Hay
Wales
Sandringham
Mr. le Hay
England
Wall Street
Throgmorton Avenue
London
Augusta
Walton
Will power at Monte Carlo roulette lessons in restraint
A Chambers Journal anecdote describes two elderly men, a Scotsman and a Yorkshire man, who bet 20 francs daily at roulette. For four months they stuck to a fixed plan, stopping after each reached a 20 franc gain, never chasing losses, showing remarkable willpower amid the casino’s temptations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Monte Carlo
Yorkshire
Jon
Chambers’ Journal
Family fare and quarrels over wording and wit
A schoolmaster chides his wife on careful speech while quibbling over phrases about Henry Jones. The exchange shifts to a joke about a letter from the wife’s father, and a side remark about Miss Gusher’s remark on her fiancé being versatile and a regular idiot.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Henry Jones
Sunderland
Yerkes Threat and Bank Squeeze Story
The passage outlines Mr. Yerkes facing bank pressure as lenders demanded immediate repayment or harsh terms. He threatened a public statement exposing his debts to trigger a bank run, then state his intent to publish full amounts to force bank failures unless lenders withdrew pressure, eventually extracting a 50,000 concession.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
IV Js
Yerkes
Haykers
Rinehart Moves to Lead Clinton Oklahoma Paper
George F. Rinehart of Iowa becomes editor of a Clinton Oklahoma newspaper after purchasing an interest. A breakfast banquet honored him with Gen. James B. Weaver and William J. Bryan among guests. Bryan praised the name and character of his friend, noting Rinehart as a devoted Democrat.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William J. Bryan
George F. Rinehart
Iowa
Oklahoma
Ringhart
Clinton
Okla
Rinehart
James B
Drayman Beans May Become Millionaire If Real Estate Rumors Prove True
H. H. Beans, known as Beans the Drayman for timely train baggage service in Sheldon since the first drummer, is being investigated after rumors he will inherit vast real estate wealth in New York City. He vows to uphold his reputation for punctual trains while the facts are confirmed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Beans the Drayman
Beans the Millionaire
H. H. Beans
Sheldon
New York City
Ottumwa’s Grand Old Man Augustus H Hamilton
Ottumwa’s greatest contradiction of the Osler theory is Augustus H Hamilton, Ottumwa’s grand old man past 82, who travels with a spring in his step. A retired lawyer and editor, he has been publisher of the Ottumwa Daily Quarier for over 20 years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ottumwa
Augustus H. Hamilton
Hamilton
Quiet rule sparks new Paris club debate
A Yonkers Statesman excerpt notes a Paris club imposes absolute silence on entering members. The exchange mocks the idea, saying it would be unnecessary for a club lacking women to enforce silence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bacon
Paris
Egbert
Yonkers
Found His Chance in Iowa at Ames College Dedication
An onlooker at the Ames state college dedication for the new agricultural building recalls his son Charlie Curtiss and the harsh reactions of neighbors in Illinois in 1864. He recounts deciding to move Charlie west to Story county to pursue education, contrasting past skepticism with his son’s education near Ames.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
State College
Ames
C. F. Curtiss
Agricultural Department
Ilinois
Father Curtiss
Charlie
Story County
Her Choice in a Humorous Misquote Exchange
A fragmented dialogue shows a man asked to serenade a baby at a party. He initially offers to sing then refuses, saying the child should be left to rest, revealing a wry, ambiguous moment about care and etiquette.
A Queer Chinese Nation and A Fulsome Compliment of Flowers
A humorous tale from Mr. Cleveland's southern tour recalls a flirtatious exchange about flowers and flattery. It contrasts with a critical note on Chinese beliefs about foreigners using Chinese eyes in magic, citing an 1870 work describing “sealing the eyes for the western journey” and the supposed extraction of silver from corpses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
China
Europe
Marine Rubber Chewers Navy Sailor Explains Gum Habit
In a New Orleans Times-Democrat item a sailor explains rubber chewing to ease gun headaches. He says chewing rubber steadies nerves during heavy naval firing, claiming the habit helps with shock and prevents pain. The druggist questions the habit as unsafe and odd.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John L
Manila Bay
New Orleans Times-Democrat
Close Quarters For Washington Statue Fund Drive
A late remark recalls a solicitation for a New York statue of President Washington. An elderly, wealthy resident, labeled a title “naor,” was approached for a contribution during those early fundraising days.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
New York City
Naor
Rich man rebukes request for statue of Washington
On learning the visit's aim the wealthy man declares Washington needs no statue and is cherished in his heart. The petitioner is rebuffed as frugal, remarking that if Washington is in the described position he faces a tight spot.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
King and crown words traced through languages and time
The article traces the origin of kingly titles from Hebrew reseh to Punic resech Latin rex Spanish rey and French rd noting German konig forms. It then shifts to a shipboard scene where a captain learns the middy has changed since his day and asks if the foolish relative is sent to sea.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gyning
Reseh
Resech
Rex
Rey
Konig
Koning
London News
Not Misplaced Not to Be Used Except In Case of Wire placard
A Boston Transcript excerpt notes a hotel clerk and manager recount a walling up of the phrase Not to Be Used Except In Case of Wire over a coal bin as college boys sidetracked in a corridor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston Transcript
Gritty Exchange in Dusty Fifty Mile Race
In Chicago News style a gritty scene unfolds with a dare of fifty miles per hour as one character asks if the other is brave while she swallows a pint of dust, replying with grit.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago News
Deserter Hewitt Green Arrested in New York Press
Short note reports Hewitt Green arrested on desertion charges as coverage hints at military law. Mentions names Jewett wife and army in unclear context. Source tone resembles a brief wartime bulletin with terse, bold phrasing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hewitt—Green
Jewett
New York Press
Great Wars From Trifles and the Folly of Kings
A fragmentary reminiscence argues that great wars arise from trifling incidents. It recalls William the Conqueror dying in France after stepping on a hot cinder and compares him to a vaudeville prize monarch, prompting a war sparked by a rival’s taunt. The Washington Star quote adds a wry aside.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William the Conqueror
France
Mantes
Cain
William
Philip of
Wilam
London
Also Mentioned on This Page
Colorado
W. J. McIlveen
Fkistherville
Traine
Estherville
CG. R. J
P. RY
WEAT
Way Freight
Armatrony
Freight Armstrong N Weat Hound
OSAP
Bart Kown Dal
Way
BART
Armstrong
Taving Ili
Hilop
AHO
AM P. Wan
Riveng
Daly
Monany
Plains
Katherville
K.b.sopur
Alten
Alexander Soper
Allen & Alexander
Attorneys At Law Real Estate
Mannset County
Ketherville
Laws
A. H. Nash
Eetherville
Owa
Matherville Ktate Bank
Byron M. Coon
Lowa
Waathugton
Weathowton
Kntglt Bros
New York
Grant Block
D. D
Office
Lobrn Hardware Store
E. W. Bachman
First National Wauk
North Meventh Atrout
Tod Pean
Wilson Phyalican
Omics
Nancolas & Howard
Bariware
P. H. Paulsen
Woon Hlowk General Law Practices
Allen & Elise
Ofice
Ratherville, Iowe
C. G. Quammen
Wallingford, Iowa
A. Staggs
M.D
Sppuintwent
Phoug
Williame
Fedpath-Vawerp Syssem
Champ Clark
Chantauqia
Montenegro
Hug
Melman
Scot
Wide World Magazine
Philadelphis Inquirer
Bryan
Drayman
Esther Folur
Mr. Cleveland
South
Vergil
Senator Sorghum
Washington Star
Howard Graver
K. J. Sondreol
James Haperht Ossiier
Estherville State. Bank
Incorporated Capital
Estherville, Iowa
W. W. Fullam
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!