New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Maury Thompson

Maury Thompson is a freelance writer and documentary film producer from Ticonderoga who specializes in the history of politics, labor organizing and media in New York's North Country.

He previously was a reporter for The Post-Star of Glens Falls for 21 years.

His latest book is The Animated Feather Duster: Slow News Day Tales of the Legendary Facial Hair of Charles Evans Hughes.

Some Anecdotes From Political History

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What Adirondack mammal did President Grover Cleveland chase while fishing with his outdoor guide, “Dave,” at Upper Saranac on June 4th, 1887?

A black bear. “The guide said it was a burned log, but the president thought otherwise, and keeping his eye on the object soon after saw it was a black bear,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on June 7th, 1887. “The two men followed the bear, which was a large one. The race was exciting, and ended by the bear shaking the water from his shaggy sides and disappearing in the depths of the forest.” [Read more…] about Some Anecdotes From Political History

Lighthearted Political Anecdotes From NNY Newspapers

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A New York Times pressman checking a newspaper for defects in 1942Trivia clue: This New York governor showed up too late to play in a November 12th golf game promoted as a friendly match between “is” and “to be.”

Correct response: Gov. Nathan Miller, the Republican incumbent who just weeks before had lost re-election to Democrat Al Smith, who Miller had un-seated two years earlier. [Read more…] about Lighthearted Political Anecdotes From NNY Newspapers

Oyster Season In 19th Century New York

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Black oyster schuckers in Sandy Ground, Staten IslandSeptember 1st was the opening of oyster season on the 19th century dining calendar.

“What the last Thursday of November is to the American turkey gobbler, such is the first day of September to the American oyster. … The autumn brings back the magical ‘r.’” The Post and Gazette of Elizabethtown, in Essex County, reported on September 11th, 1879. [Read more…] about Oyster Season In 19th Century New York

September 1886: When Winter Comes Early

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19th century winter farm scene folk art painting (unidentified creator)Visions of chestnuts roasting on an open fire come December could be squelched if Jack Frost nipped at your nose in September.

“We have good promise of a fine crop of chestnuts. Frost holding off is favorable for large nuts with rich meats,” the Fort Ann correspondent reported in The Granville Sentinel on September 22nd, 1876. [Read more…] about September 1886: When Winter Comes Early

NY Newspaper Anecdotes From Political History

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Caroline Harrisons piano courtesy Benjamin Harrison Presidential SiteTrivia clue: The piano company that First Lady Caroline Harrison, a music teacher, selected for the White House piano in 1889 after an extensive scrutiny of domestic and foreign brands.

Correct response: Who is J & C Fischer of New York City? [Read more…] about NY Newspaper Anecdotes From Political History

August 1884, An Early Frost In Warren County, NY

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A party of guests of the Worden Hotel, Lake GeorgeAugust 1884 opened with a promising outlook for Warren County farmers, but as the month continued the weather would be an up-and-down roller coaster ride.

“The recent rain made vegetation revive so that it looks quite promising,” the Horicon correspondent reported in The Morning Star of Glens Falls on August 1st. [Read more…] about August 1884, An Early Frost In Warren County, NY

1922 World Series Was First To Be Broadcast

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Crowds watch Game 1 of the 1922 World Series at the Polo Grounds on October 4 1922 (Library of Congress)Nationally-syndicated sports writer Grantland Rice penned a parody of a classic nursery rhyme for the opening of the 1922 World Series.

“Sing a song of sixpence, and eke of dollar bills,” he wrote in a poetic ditty, published October 3rd, 1922 in The Post-Star of Glens Falls. “Four and thirty thousand fans, paying for their thrills.” [Read more…] about 1922 World Series Was First To Be Broadcast

July On The Farm In The 19th Century

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Farming in JulyA July 1876 heat wave ripened Washington County garden crops early.

“Peas, summer squash and cucumbers are plenty,” The Granville Sentinel reported on July 21st. “The mercury climbs up every day into the nineties and drops only to seventy or eighty at night.” [Read more…] about July On The Farm In The 19th Century

19th Century Tales Of Cabbage Worms

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Cabbage Worm courtesy James Lindsey at Ecology of CommansterIn Ray Bradbury’s 1952 science fiction story A Sound of Thunder, Eckels, a time-traveling safari hunter accidentally steps on a butterfly during prehistoric times, which triggers a massive change to the eco-system when Eckels returns to 2055 society.

If it’s so that a single action can have consequences centuries later, I wonder about ramifications from the mass extermination of butterflies by a witty, well-meaning, 19th century Hague (on Lake George in Warren County) cabbage farmer. [Read more…] about 19th Century Tales Of Cabbage Worms