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It’s all relative…
March 12, 2011 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The following item reflects court costs from 1877, fees which are very much in the distant past. But it’s all relative. While the cost may have outweighed the benefit, sometimes things are still worth fighting for – on matters of principle. This appeared in the “Democratic Watchman” newspaper from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, dated February 16, 1877:
One worth sharing…
March 7, 2011 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
Many newspapers which are located (geographically) close to where an historic event happened tend to have the largest headlines. The “WAR ! ” issue of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reporting the bombing of Pearl Harbor is a good example.
When the Apollo 11 astronauts returned home, all newspapers reported the event. But where would you expect the biggest headline on Neil Armstrong’s return? His hometown: Wapakoneta, Ohio.
The photo shows the huge headline of the “Wapakoneta Daily News” when their favorite son returned home. It is certainly one of the largest headlines of the post-World War II era.
Damaged by kissing…
March 5, 2011 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The following, regarding a young woman in Rochester, New York, appeared in the “Democratic Watchman” newspaper from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, dated February 16, 1877:
Mining town of Gunnison, Colorado…
March 3, 2011 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
Many of the newspapers held in our “Old West” category have a look very similar to most newspapers of the day, but have histories which tell an interesting story of the Old West. The newspapers from these towns offer a window into daily life and are much more interesting when the story of the town is known. From time to time we will provide a glimpse into the past of some of the towns in our Old West inventory.
We offer many issues of the “Gunnison Daily Review” from the early 1880’s. It was named for John W. Gunnison who first explored the area looking for a transcontinental railroad route, even though he only stayed in the town for 3 days of his entire life.
Gunnison first began to boom in the 1870’s along with the rush of mining activity in Colorado. The Ute Indians had been forced out of the area and many ranchers, traders and miners began to move in. Gunnison became the official seat of Gunnison County on May 22, 1877. In 1880 the railroad arrived, welcomed by not only miners but by the ranchers and farmers as well.
Gunnison saw one of the quickest boom and bust cycles ever as the mines and railroads came to town in the 1880s along with all the normal business increases it created. But, by 1883 a mining bust had come to town and half of the population departed. It seems the precious ore veins that were discovered turned out to be shallow and low producing. It was also at this time when the Earps, of Tombstone, and Texas Jack set up camp on the outskirts of Gunnison. Eventually, Wyatt took over a faro game (gambling card game) at a local saloon.
Today Gunnison is the home of some 5500 residents.
(credit: Wikipedia & the Gunnison Chamber of Commerce)
A double palindrome…
February 26, 2011 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
While creating and using palindromes can be fun, the following takes the science to a whole new level. This “super palindrome”, found within the June 8, 1877 issue of “Democratic Watchman” (Bellefonte, PA), appeared on our radar just a few weeks ago. While some believe such word play to be evitative, we are convinced it is our civic duty to bring it to light”:
She prepared for the end…
February 21, 2011 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
Some news reports we discover in our newspapers are so beautifully written that they beg to be share with more than just the collector who buys the issue. This is one. Not only is the report of Martha Washington’s death eloquently presented, it is interesting how she knew her time was coming to an end and was prepared for it.
This report appeared in the “Farmer’s Museum or Literary Gazette” from Walpole, New Hampshire, June 8, 1802:
Contrary to modern science…
February 19, 2011 by TimHughes · 2 Comments
The following appeared in the “Democratic Watchman” of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, in the issue of December 2, 1877:
The first newspapers in North Carolina…
February 14, 2011 by TimHughes · 1 Comment
James Davis was North Carolina’s first printer, having come from Virginia to New Bern in 1749 to print government work. On Aug. 9, 1751 he established the “North Carolina Gazette“, the first 
newspaper in North Carolina, which would continue until 1778. He also created the colony’s second periodical, “North Carolina Magazine, or Universal Intelligencer” on June 8, 1764, it lasting until 1768.
Shortly thereafter on Oct. 17, 1764 Andrew Steuart began in Wilmington the “North Carolina Gazette & Weekly Post-Boy“, and yet another printer, Adam Boyd, began in Wilmington as well the “Cape Fear Mercury” on Oct. 13, 1769. It wasn’t until after the Revolutionary War that newspaper publishing in the colony began to flourish.
Searching for a husband…
February 12, 2011 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The following thought appeared in the “New York Illustrated News” of July 23, 1853. While many newspapers chronicle engagements, marriage, etc., this snippet stood out as a fitting warning to young men with cold feet. I believe the first word should be “Popping” and not “Poping”:
First newspapers in New Mexico…
February 7, 2011 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The first printing press arrived in New Mexico at Santa Fe in 1834 and just one year later the first newspaper was published, a Spanish-language paper titled “El Crepusculo de la Libertad” 
(Dawn of Liberty), beginning on Nov. 29, 1835 but lasting for only four numbers. It was presumed that New Mexican lawyer Lic Antonio Barriero published it to promote his candidacy for the Mexican Congress, and abandoned it after his election.
In 1844 another newspaper was published: “La Verdad” (The Truth) which lasted for over a year. A bi-lingual newspaper, “The Santa Fe Republican” began on Sept. 4, 1847 and two years later on Dec. 1, 1849 the first issue of the “New Mexican” appeared, which exists to this day.