History, Natural History & the Arts
Trivia clue: He had an unusual career path from the ice business to lawyer, with a stopover in Congress.
Correct response: Who is Charles Henry Turner?
On December 27th, 1889, The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported that there were 130 new members of Congress, including this member who felt a bit out of place. [Read more…] about Political History & Wit From Northern NY Newspapers
Trivia clue: He was elected Speaker of the House on December 1, 1889.
Correct response: Who was Thomas Brackett Reed, better known as Tom Reed? [Read more…] about Political Anecdotes From Northern New York Newspapers
“Let us talk about turkey,” proclaimed a New York Tribune humor column republished Nov.23, 1888 in The Granville Sentinel. Not Turkey in Europe, nor yet Turkey in Asia. But turkey in America – the esteemed bird that goes so well with cranberry sauce.”
The bald eagle, national bird of the United States, gets prominent attention for months at a time once every four years, when there is a presidential election, but the turkey is heralded every year, the columnist quipped. [Read more…] about Talkin’ Turkey: 19th Century Thanksgiving Newspaper Reports
Trivia clue: He was a New York Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner who acted as “spokesman,” so to speak, for the state’s $1.15 billion environmental bond act in 1972. [Read more…] about Trivia & Editorial Wit From Historic Northern NY Newspapers
This little piggy was not impressed with being invited to the reception.
H.W. Kathan gave a “unique” wedding gift to Anna, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ottis Ellithorp of Conklingville, in Saratoga County: a Sandy Suffolk pig. [Read more…] about Pig Tales From Historic New York Newspapers
Trivia clue: It was a 19th century technology for announcing real-time election results in Glens Falls, NY.
Correct response: What is the stereopticon?
“The Rochester Clothing Company has made arrangements to exhibit the election returns tomorrow night on a canvas in front of their store,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on November 5th, 1888. “As the dispatches are received. W.W. Kennedy will transfer them in brief to his plates and reproduce them upon the canvass by means of his stereopticon.” [Read more…] about Political Anecdotes From Historical NNY Newspapers
The Ticonderoga Sentinel resumed publication on June 4th, 1875 after several weeks of dormancy — a “New Sentinel” printed on a new Fairhaven brand press, sporting a new masthead and laid out in a new format with additional front-page advertising.
Ticonderoga is in Essex County, NY, between the outlet of Lake George and Lake Champlain. [Read more…] about 1875: The Ticonderoga Sentinel Returns
Trivia clue: Known as the Hoosier State, it was a battleground state that turned from blue to red in the 1888 presidential election.
Correct response: What is Indiana? [Read more…] about Political Anecdotes From Historical Newspapers
Trivia clue: He was the vice-presidential running mate of Grover Cleveland in 1888.
Correct response: Who was former U.S. Sen. Allen G. Thurman of California?
“The patriot of Columbus cannot be allowed to wither in retirement,” M.F. Tarpey said, when placing Thurman’s name in nomination, according to June 8th, 1888 report in The Morning Star of Glens Falls. “His fame is not his alone; it is the proud heritage of the American public.” [Read more…] about Political Anecdotes from the Past
Call it the little newspaper that hoped it could.
“What! another paper in Washington County!” publisher George A. Nash wrote in the first issue of The Commercial Advertiser of Sandy Hill, now Hudson Falls, on November 26th, 1879. [Read more…] about The Little Newspaper That Hoped It Could