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Not too much has changed in over 60 years…
June 22, 2012 by TimHughes · 1 Comment
This six-point prescription for a longer life appeared on the front page of the “Detroit Free Press” issue of March 17, 1951.
Value of a city wife…
June 15, 2012 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
This article in the “Detroit Free Press” issue of November 8, 1946 needs no further explanation.
Guess he wasn’t thinking…
June 8, 2012 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The January 8, 1902 issue of the “Wellsville Daily Reporter” of New York has an interesting article of a construction worker who apparently wasn’t thinking when he attempted to thaw frozen dynamite (see below).
The Traveler… Ismay on “speed”… war of the roses…
June 4, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
I traveled today to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, by means of The Evening Times dated June 4, 1912. There I found that (J.) Bruce Ismay has been providing justification to the British court of inquiry on the speed possibilities of the Titanic. He was the chairman and managing director of the White Star Line and a survivor of the sinking of the Titanic.
Another front page article is entitled “Says Husband Sent Her Poisoned Roses”. Mrs. Rose Ebeling received poisoned roses from her husband one afternoon, this was after she had filed a bill for divorce against her husband, Fred. The fumes of the poison had overpowered the servant who opened the package. So to quote Shakespeare from Romeo and Juliet “…that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet…”
~The Traveler
Security taken for Kennedy’s visit to Dallas…
May 18, 2012 by TimHughes · 1 Comment
One of the interesting opportunities newspapers present is the ability to read news with hindsight. The early edition of the “Dallas Times-Herald” newspaper of Nov. 22, 1963 (see below), the edition prior to the later edition reporting the assassination, has much coverage of JFK’s visit to Texas and the excitement around his planned visit to Dallas later that day. One ironic headline on the front page reads: “Secret Service Sure All Secure” with the article providing much detail on the security efforts to make for a safe visit to Dallas.
The Titanic… and newspapers…
April 11, 2012 by TimHughes · 2 Comments
Advertisement for the return trip back to London.
Few newspapers in 20th century world history are more desired that those which report the sinking of the Titanic. The combination of the scale of the tragedy, it being the maiden voyage of the world’s largest ship, it claiming to be unsinkable, and the loss of some of the wealthiest & more famous names in America, all combine to make for a desirable event. And add to this the tremendous success of the 1997 movie and interest explodes. We find that interest is piquing once more with the re-release of the successful movie, which begs the question: Just what do collectors desire most in this report?
From comments by collectors and what they pay for the best we have offered through the years, the “best of the best” would include:
* As huge a headline as possible. Type with letters 3 issues tall are more dramatic & displayable than those with letters half an inch tall.
* The words “Titanic” and “Sunk” somewhere within the headline. The more dramatic the headline the better.
* A banner headline–which stretches from edge to edge–rather than a two column headline. For many newspapers that was simply not their format. But banner heads have always been more desired than small headlines.
* Not necessarily first reports. Many reports dated April 15 tended to have sketchy reports, smaller headlines, and inaccurate statements. Several noted that the Titanic was being safely towed into port. Issues dated April 16–when more accurate information was known–tended to be not only more historically correct but more dramatic as well.
* Best condition possible. Those which came from bound volumes tend to be in great condition since they were protected within the volume for 100 years. Never-bound issues tend to suffer from wear and staining.
* Complete issues only. Front pages only might be fine for display but maximum desirability is only for issues with all published pages.
* A graphic. Some newspapers used a pre-existing photo of the Titanic. But of more interest are artists’ renditions of what the sinking may have looked like. Some were very dramatic. The larger the better.
* Famous titles such as the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, etc. tend to have more desirability, but a dramatic presentation will always trump a famous title.
Note: To view a selection of Titanic disaster headlines on Pinterest, go to:
The Titanic Sinks – Historic Newspapers
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
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
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
The Traveler… seeking Governor Wilson… the cats meow…
January 9, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled to January 9, 1912. While reading The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Massachusetts I discovered that not unlike many in 2012, scores of citizens were also looking for the right man to run in opposition of the President in the upcoming presidential election. The headline read “Democrats Turn To Gov. Wilson As Man to Defeat Mr. Taft”, with the subheads, “Decide They Must Nominate Radical to Oppose president, as Conservative, and Thus Avert a Third Party”, “Find Him Popular” and “National Committeemen Surprised to Discover Sentiment Among Rank and File for New Jersey Candidate”. It is interesting to see history playing out many of the same themes over time.
I realize that Christmas has passed, but a small article on “Presents Given To Cats and Dogs” caught my eye. I know that pampering of four-legged friends is very trendy now, but I did not know that it was “cats meow” then as well!
~The Traveler