Strange marvels and wonders from a newsy era encounter
A wide collection of curious tales spans an Ohio eagle captivity, a boy who maps the world from Cadiz, a mysterious three hole horseshoe with rope inside, buried gold coins near Southerland Springs, a London serpent sighting in a MP’s house, heroic deeds for a life saving medal, and odd natural curiosities from frogs to meteor explosions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Potedo
Ohio
Joseph Maynes
Mr. Maynes
Peter Barquin
Ottawa River
Maynes
Ile
Barquin
Cadiz
W. H. Boyles
Edwards
Southerland Springs
Cal
San Antonio
Santa Anna
San Jacinto
London
Loor
Siamese White Elephants and Royal Courts of Honor
The piece recalls Siam's white elephants as symbols of royal favor and public ceremony. It notes lavish rites from capture to transport, including mandarins, tax exemptions, gifts, silk cords, red feather fans, mosquito nets, a special boat, canopies, and a grand royal escort to the capital with land set aside for the animal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Siam
France
E. Carrington
The Size of the Sea Explored in Figures and Comparisons
The piece presents vast-scale measurements of the oceans, detailing Pacific and Atlantic volumes, sphere diameters, and hypothetical sun-reaching pipes. It notes total ocean area about 14.0 million square miles, depth around 12,000 feet, and immense tonnages and gallons, using dramatic imagery to convey scale.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pacific
Niagara
Atlantic
Indian Ocean
Arctic
Antartic
Longman
Spinning Wheels Still Usable in Rural Homes
An excerpt notes spinning wheels remain common in cottages in Cornwall Wales and the Scottish Highlands where the wheel serves as practical furniture alongside everyday tools.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cornwall
Wales
Scotca Highlands
New York Journal
Sandman Tales and Jumbo the Wooden Elephant
The piece blends a bedtime verse about the sandman visiting children with a New York Ledger account of a fire at Coney Island that scorched Jumbo the wooden elephant. The article notes Jumbo’s immobility during the blaze and explains the statue’s age and repaint history.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Coney Island
Jumbo
New York Ledger
Shepherd Dogs Train Royal Protection in South American Flocks
In vast pasture plains with little human presence, sheepdogs roam alone to guard immense flocks. A pup raised among sheep learns loyalty and protective instinct, barking at strangers until the ram leads the herd to defend against intruders. The scene shows a unique, self driven guardian bond between dog and flock.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South America
Great Pasture Plains
Helen Everton Smith
Dolly
Dogs Guarding Flocks Describe Courageous Herding Method
The article recounts a dog acting as the party leader, directing ewes and rams behind their guards. Rams with large horns do the fighting while the dog communicates orders, drives the flock to pasture, and then returns at dusk. The dog hunts diligently if any sheep go missing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Louis Republic
Indians in U S Army Failed Experiment
The Washington Star reports a two year trial of enlisting Indians in the army has failed. Few new enlistments remain as existing troops disband, with about 70 Indians originally and fourteen companies still serving. The plan shifts to an auxiliary branch modeled after the British native troops system in India.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congress
Department
Fort Walla Walla
Fort Reno
India
Washington Star
Chinese stone carvings show intricate fruits and figures
The article describes artisans carving fruit stones into ornaments and buttons, with pieces depicting flowers birds and animals. It notes the craft’s variety from leaf work to raised relief, the use of polishing and oils, and the precise miniature human scenes. Prices range from low to high.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ares
Pata
London
Stammering Cure Promoted As Simple Self Help
A pamphlet advocates home remedies for stammering, recommending slow reading aloud alone, daily practice, and reduced speech tempo. The author notes personal trial and claims gradual improvement after weeks of use.
Queer oils described from natural sources in Dispatch
The Dispatch notes odd claims about oils from animals and insects used for health, taste, and water processing. It cites turtle fat for rheumatism and a rose bug insect yielding oil from its weight, with related uses and cultural notes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
National Museum
Turtie
Also Mentioned on This Page
J. H. Frank
Ligonier
Penn
Loyalhanna Creek
England
Secretary of the Treasury
J. Luke Hunter
Fannin County
Texas
Maine
Kong Kong
China
Planyu Cherisien
Alfonso Carpentieri
Italy
Naples
Ike
Tungora
Kali
Pompton
N. J
Neue Freie Presse
Vienna
Siam’s
White Elephants
the Sandman
Babyland
Staummerine
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!