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Topsy the elephant… Thomas Edision vs. Nikola Tesla…
April 18, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Each day at Rare Newspapers brings new discoveries. Today we found an item which is quite historic. In 1903, the battle between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla (and Westinghouse) as to which form of electrical current (DC or AC) was to become the standard, was largely decided – with Edison’s DC current being the loser. Not willing to give up without a fight, Edison attempted to win public and political support by stressing the greater danger of death by electrocution from contact with AC current. In a highly publicized dramatic event, Edison organized and helped supervise the filming and electrocution by AC current of Topsy, a Coney Island circus elephant which had recently killed three men. While the execution was successful, and was overseen by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Edison was highly criticized for the event which did not accomplish his desired goal. The report was found on the front page of the ALLEGHENY COUNTY REPORTER, Wellsville, New York, January 6, 1903. I wonder if the S.P.C.A. would support such an action today?
The Traveler… a sad headline day…
April 16, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I found myself in a period of time that is so familiar to all that unfortunately not much really needs to be written about it. The Tribune, Los Angeles, April 16, 1912, reported the sad headline of “Titanic Sinks; 675 Are Saved 1800 Go Down In Ship, Report” and contains many reports, photos, illustrations, and passenger lists. While I have spent most of my travels looking for the off-the-beaten-path articles/news of the day, some days the main event is so tragic, to look for anything trivial would be inappropriate.
~The Traveler
If at first you don’t succeed…
April 13, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
A post-Civil War issue of the New York Herald, October 2, 1865, had an interesting article regarding a young lady who was determined to elope… and the lengths her parents undertook to retrieve her… on more than one occasion. Perhaps the 3rd time will be the charm. Please enjoy:
The Traveler… the Czar gets married… loose lips…
April 2, 2012 by The Traveler · 1 Comment
Today’s travels took me to The London Gazette of April 5, 1712 where I found the Czar of Mosco (Moscow) has publicly solemnized his wedding with his Empress 
Catherina Alexewna. The wedding had to be deferred for some time by reason his Czarish Majesty’s “making the Campaign the last Summer.” The article provides details of the wedding.
Another article on the front page is of the Suedes (Swedes) making advancement into Pomerania before the Danes could hinder them. Two officers of the Swedish Fleet had been condemned “to have their Heads struck off, for having held a Correspondence with the Danes, and their Father, who was privy to these Actions of his Sons, and did not discover them, is confin’d to a perpetual Imprisonment…” There are times it is just better to keep the lips sealed. Whereas some have been known to sink ships, this is even worse…
~The Traveler
Marriage ceremony etiquette infraction?
March 31, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
I thought the groom was not supposed to “see” the bride on her wedding day until she walked down the isle? The groom apparently had other pressing concerns he felt trumped proper wedding etiquette. His behavior is quite revealing as to his true intentions (New York American, December 18, 1827):
The Traveler… it does what?… make them stop!!!
March 19, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I made a return trip to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, via the Valley Sentinel from March 19, 1912, where I found Frank Coffyn had an aeroplane which was able to not only fly, but swim and crawl! It had also been used to take aerial photographs of the islands and shipping harbors of New York City. With the fitting of aluminum pontoons, it enabled the plane to float on the 
water and power along the ice floes in the Hudson. In researching Mr. Coffyn, I found that Wilbur Wright invited him to Dayton, Ohio, where he began flight instruction in 1910.
Another article is one in which Mr. Bentz had instantly killed Mr. Rozuski out of a fit of jealousy over an engagement. After the shooting, Mr. Bentz threw the revolver away. However, a group of small boys saw him running away… and a 12-year-old, acting as the head of the young “posse”, picked up the revolver and pursued Mr. Bentz for over a mile while firing the remaining bullets at him. Finally, the fatigued Mr. Bentz fell to his knees and begged them for no harm. They turned him over to the police. This almost sounds like a scene from the “Lil’ Rascals”!
~The Traveler
Here… take the shirt off my back…
March 10, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
While preparing to place a newspaper announcing the death of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (USA Today, May 20, 1994), we discovered another unrelated item which provided a bit of comic relief. Please enjoy:
The Traveler… the Vanderbilt’s marry… a sheriff helps to bury…
March 5, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
I traveled to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, by the way of the Valley Sentinel of March 5, 1912, where I found the announcement of the second marriage of Alfred Vanderbilt to Margaret Emerson, former Mrs. Smith McKim. It would be just slightly more than three years later that Mr. Vanderbilt would be among the victims of sinking of the Lusitania.
A sheriff, hearing that an aged-mother was taking in washing at her home to help to defray the funeral cost of her son who was to be hanged, sent her $5.00 to help to her with the expenses. The twist with the story is he is the sheriff that will be hanging her son… how ironic is that.
~The Traveler
Presenting the case for going green militarily…
March 3, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
For those whom are conflicted over their desire to “go green”, but are not ready to pull back on the protection that a well-equipped military provides, perhaps the following invention shown in the February 8, 1896 issue of Scientific American will make a comeback and relieve your distress… as well as the distress of a similar minded buddy…
Human ingenuity… not always successful…
February 25, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
The editors of the June 13, 1885 issue of Scientific American thought the following “invention” was worthy of both an image and supporting text. Interesting to note that the preceding (lengthy) article on the same page was titled, “How the Sewage of Paris is Disposed of”. Perhaps they should have ended this article with the words, “and with this in mind…”. My advance apologies to the distant relatives of this inventor who may still be receiving royalties.