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Clip of the Week: July 14, 2021
On July 14, 2021 by ElyseAn amusing incident (says the New Zealand Times) occurred in connection with Mr Buchanan’s banquet at Carterton last Saturday, when a conscientious doorkeeper refused admittance to Mr Scobie Mackenzie, M.H.R., who arrived on the scene unarmed with a ticket of admission. Mr Mackenzie is alleged to have said—“Don’t you know who I am? I am
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Elephants Gone Wild, Part 2
On July 7, 2021 by ElyseWhat makes an elephant turn to a life of crime? Nature? Nurture? Second Glance History’s guide to pickpocketing? We may never be sure, but what we do know is there are enough incidents of mammoth misconduct for a full season of “CSI: Ele-felony.” Last time, elephant bad boys Peanut and Basil impersonated a sea serpent
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Clip of the Week: June 30, 2021
On June 30, 2021 by ElyseAt Willingdon, near Eastbourne, an inquest was held on the body of Edwin Mockett, who died suddenly after eating three cooked mussels. The medical evidence showed that irritant poisoning followed the eating, and a verdict of death from misadventure through mussel eating was returned. – The Western Mail, April 14, 1891 Some coroner’s career peaked
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Elephants Gone Wild, Part 1
On June 23, 2021 by ElyseYou may have heard of—or even be having—a hot vax summer, but what about a hot trunk summer? In the summer of ’69, er, 1904, one elephant cut loose and shook his booty off the coast of Coney Island. His hijinks aren’t available on pay-per-view, but we have the next best thing: detailed newspaper accounts.
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Clip of the Week: June 16, 2021
On June 16, 2021 by ElyseRead to the end for a plot twist I guarantee you won’t see coming: A man who had committed bigamy was to-day acquitted at the Paris Assizes. He had married a woman twenty years older than himself, but she turned out to have a very bad temper, and refused to live with him. Then he
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Tattoos to Undo
On June 9, 2021 by ElyseStay tuned until the end for some shameless self-promotion! I’m way too old for teenage rebellion, but that didn’t stop me from walking into a tattoo studio recently. As I nervously contemplated which design I would spend the rest of my life staring at, I had no shortage of options. Did I want an inspirational
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Clip of the Week: June 2, 2021
On June 2, 2021 by ElyseA letter addressed in a peculiar manner has been correctly delivered by the Chesham postal officials. It was sent, without name, to a draper, and in addition to the words “Chesham, Bucks,” there was a sketched plan, with the words, “Narrow alley, with old houses, leading up steps, over railway, and to hill where view
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Snarky in Seattle
On May 26, 2021 by ElyseSome people say, “Take a trip and forget your unhappy love affair.” What! Forget it now, only to remember it all the more later on? Never! . . . Better let your heart bleed for several days in succession and then heal itself than to staunch it by a few weeks’ trip somewhere only to
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Clip of the Week: May 19, 2021
On May 19, 2021 by ElyseBerlin—Girl postal clerk jumped on bicycle and caught convict who had escaped while being taken to prison. – The Day Book, January 18, 1913 I have so many questions, but apparently, I’m the only one. I’m guessing the journalist who filed this bare-bones story did NOT win the Pulitzer Prize that year—and not just because