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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.
The Traveler… an honorable military by George Washington… snow-canoeing, where???
February 20, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today’s travels brought me to the Boston Gazette of February 20, 1812 where I found a continuing discussion about Captain Henry Purkitt and his removal from an official position. This lead to the inclusion of his honorable discharge which was signed by “G. Washington” for his seven years and one month of
faithful service. In doing some internet researching, I found that he was one of the youth that was a participant in the Boston Tea Party!
A report of Georgia receiving twelve inches of snow in one day was quite interesting! “…To diversify the amusement, a large canoe was attached to a pair of horses, and with a full complement men, and with colours flying, went with considerable rapidity cruising up an down the streets, affording an excellent representations of a gunboat under way… but like a gun-boat she seemed destined to be unfortunate… we learn that she was upset and every soul on board precipitated into the melting snow and dirt…” There was also mention of snowballs being thrown as well. I guess snow-canoeing never really took off though as it hasn’t made it into the Winter Olympics… yet!
~The Traveler
Perhaps the precursor to the shell game?
February 18, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The following “invention” appeared in the Scientific American dated November 23, 1878. Perhaps the “shell game” was developed to take advantage of the abundance of this unsold product?
Interesting items on the Underground Railroad…
February 11, 2012 by TimHughes · 1 Comment
The “Supplement to the New-York Daily Tribune“, May 11, 1849, has the following at the top of the front page. Note the incredibly strong pro-slavery bias in the first paragraph:
The Traveler… on the rails… one more time…
February 6, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
I traveled today to the Valley Sentinel in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (February 6, 1912) where I encountered an interesting article entitled “Hobos In Convention” which was being presided by “Millionaire Hobo” James Eads How. This intrigued me to see if there was further information about Mr. How. I found that he truly was a 
millionaire who dedicated his life to the homeless and migrant workers, published the Hobo News, organized the International Brotherhood Welfare Association, hobo colleges and hobo conventions.
Another article is of a man who had died at the Homeopathic hospital and then taken to the city morgue. As he was about to be embalmed, he emitted a groan and tried to turn on his side. Every effort was taken to keep him alive, but signs of life faded away again. Now the dispute is going on between the police and the hospital as to when he really died.
~The Traveler
“Bigfoot” in 1831…
February 4, 2012 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
This article appeared in the “New Hampshire Gazette“, Portsmouth, on February 15, 1831. Apparently “bigfoot” legends have been around for many years: