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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.

1922 World Series Was First To Be Broadcast

July 29, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History, New York City Tagged With: Baseball, Glens Falls, Major League Baseball, Newspapers, Radio History, sports, Sports History, WGY Radio

July On The Farm In The 19th Century

July 21, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, History Tagged With: Chestertown, Glens Falls, Horicon, Lake Luzerne, local farms, Warren County, Washington County, weather

19th Century Tales Of Cabbage Worms

July 17, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, History, Nature Tagged With: Food, gardening, Hague, insects, local farms, nature

Political Anecdotes From Northern NY Newspapers

June 30, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

NYS Governor Thomas E Dewey at the opening of the NYS Thruway on June 25, 1954Trivia clue: It was the seal of the Imperial family and is considered one of two national flowers of Japan.

Correct response: What is the chrysanthemum?

The White House was “profusely ornamented” with chrysanthemums when a delegation of Japanese dignitaries visited, The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on November 15th, 1886. [Read more…] about Political Anecdotes From Northern NY Newspapers

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History Tagged With: Newspapers, Political History

The Optimism of a 19th Century June

June 21, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

19th century rural lifeOn June 3, 1876, it was 92 degrees “in the shade” at Fort Ann, in Washington County.

“The season of picnics, excursions and camp-meetings is at hand,” The Granville Sentinel proclaimed. Six days later the heat gave way to refreshing rain. [Read more…] about The Optimism of a 19th Century June

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Food Tagged With: Agricultural History, local farms, Warren County, Washington County

Ulysses S. Grant’s Summer at Mount McGregor

June 4, 2021 by Maury Thompson 1 Comment

View from scenic overlook, Mount McGregorThe trip to Mount McGregor was set, if the hospice patient had enough strength to make the journey.

“If the present favorable conditions are maintained, General Grant will travel to Mount McGregor Tuesday, June 23rd,” The Morning Star of Glens reported on June 8th, 1885. “President Rutter, of the New York Central and Hudson Railroad, has placed its special car at General Grant’s disposal for the use of the general and his family on the trip. The car will be attached to a morning express train from the Grand Central depot.” [Read more…] about Ulysses S. Grant’s Summer at Mount McGregor

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History Tagged With: Grant Cottage, Mount McGregor, newspaper, Saratoga County, Ulysses S Grant

Henry Burleigh, Benjamin Harrison’s Peacock Feather & Political Reporting

May 26, 2021 by Maury Thompson 1 Comment

 Henry G. BurleighSing along with me to the tune of a familiar nursery rhyme song.

Everywhere that Burleigh went, Burleigh went, Burleigh went – everywhere that Burleigh went the press was sure to follow.

The press followed H.G. Burleigh, a 19th century State Assemblyman, Congressman and political power broker from Whitehall and Ticonderoga, because reporters knew there would always be an entertaining story that more often than not came with a nugget of breaking news. [Read more…] about Henry Burleigh, Benjamin Harrison’s Peacock Feather & Political Reporting

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, History Tagged With: Essex County, Herkimer COunty, Newspapers, Political History, politics, Rensselaer County, Ticonderoga, Troy, Washington County, Whitehall

Some New York Political History Trivia

May 11, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

Florence Harding courtesy Library of CongressTrivia clue: A First Lady who was a member of the Nyack (New York) Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Correct response: Who is Florence Harding? [Read more…] about Some New York Political History Trivia

Filed Under: History Tagged With: newspaper, Political History, politics

Washington County Farmers In Spring, 1876

May 6, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

S. Timmons farm, Walla Walla County, ca. 1892 Photo by F. Fortin, Courtesy UW Special Collections (WAS0304)If April showers bring May flowers, what do May showers bring?

Optimism for a prosperous agricultural season.

“The weather for the past two or three days has been quite warm and spring-like, with frequent showers, and Mother Earth is fast putting on her robe of green,” the Putnam correspondent reported in The Granville Sentinel on May 12th, 1876. “The farmers have nearly finished their sowing, but we have not heard of much planting being done yet. Winter grain is looking finely, and the prospects are good for an abundant harvest.” [Read more…] about Washington County Farmers In Spring, 1876

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, History Tagged With: Agricultural History, local farms, newspaper, Washington County, weather

Humorous Reporting About Historic Politicians

April 27, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

Nathan Miller courtesy Library of CongressTrivia clue: He was reportedly the first New York governor to address contestants of a New York spelling bee.

Correct response: Who is Nathan Miller? On August 19th, 1922, The Post-Star of Glens Falls reported that Miller would speak September 12th at a dinner at the New York State Fair for contestants in the state spelling bee. [Read more…] about Humorous Reporting About Historic Politicians

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, New York City Tagged With: Benjamin Harrison, Newspapers, Political History, politics

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