Historic Headlines

24: All the Difference in the World, Part 1

Hugh unpacks a Harper's Weekly illustration from September 1868, and reads articles about the barbecues with which Southern Democrats were attempting to win the votes of freedmen.

For all images and notes, see the companion blog.

23: Farewell to Jack

This is not my usual sort of episode. If you don't want to hear about my cat who is no longer with us, skip it.

22: Mary E. Walker, Part 2

Skipping forward fifty years, Hugh explores Mary E. Walker's legacy within the context of the changing roles of women during World War I.

For notes and images of all articles read in the podcast, see the companion blog post.

21: Interview with Sally Roesch Wagner, Ph.D

Hugh reads from the issue of "The Revolution" published 150 years ago today, then has a delightful chat with Sally Roesch Wagner, Ph.D, Executive Director of the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation in Fayetteville, New York.

For notes and images of all articles read in the episode, see the companion blog post.

20: Mary E. Walker, Part 1

Hugh reads exclusively from newspaper articles printed 150 years ago this week. He starts with a terrible, undeservedly self-satisfied newspaper article about Mary E. Walker, and then reads a slew of other articles that place the author's withering attitude in context.

For notes and images of all articles read in the episode, see the companion blog post.

List of articles in order:
Advertisement - Ayer's Sarsaparilla
Life at Saratoga - Mary E. Walker
The New White Sulphur Spring Baths - The springs of Saratoga
The Leland Family - Hoteliers of Saratoga Springs
Railroad articles:
-A "Big Thing" in Prospective - The original projector of the Pacific Railroad prophesies a great future for Saratoga
-OPENING OF A NEW RAILROAD
-Letter From Senator Campbell - A more sober opinion of the new railroad projects
Syracuse Skating Rink articles:
-Shall Utica Have a Skating Rink and New Public Hall?
-SHALL A PUBLIC HALL AND SKATING RINK BE BUILDED IN UTICA?
-THE CENTRAL CITY SKATING RINK
-INAUGURATION OF THE SKATING RINK (advertisement)
-INAUGURATION OF THE SKATING RINK-THE GRAND PROMENADE CONCERT LAST NIGHT
AYER'S HAIR VIGOR (advertisement)
Hop-Picking article:
-HOP-PICKING
-25 HOP-PICKERS WANTED
-HOPS AND HOP-PICKING
Pedestrianism articles:
-Payn and Weston...
-The Great Walking Match at Troy a "Fizzle."
Baseball articles:
-BASE BALL
-The Ku Klux Klans...
-A match game of base ball was played at Morrisville...
Racial articles:
-Information from Georgia...
-SHERIDAN is "after the Indians"
-In 1854 the motto..."
-THE DEMOCRATS FREED THE...
-OUR INDIAN TROUBLES
-A BID FOR FENIAN VOTES
A "Respiratory-Advertising Apparatus for precipitate inhumations"...
Women's Fashion articles: (1:06-1:29)
-Benefit Ball at the Union Hotel
-The Ball at the Clarendon...
-The Season at Saratoga is gay... *** A. Bernstein?***
-News and Other Items
TEA advertisements
A friend who has travelled in Germany... (advertisement)
Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup
A Saratoga Lady on Picking Bones
Two ladies of Albany recently appeared on the streets...
Poem: Womanhood Suffrage (1:44:00)

19: Safe-Robbing

Hugh reads articles about six safe robbery attempts in Syracuse during the 1860s, then does a broader survey of all safe robberies mentioned in Syracuse newspapers during the 1860s. Then he studies the advertising campaign of the Marvin safe company, and places fire-proof and burglar-proof safes in the context of the Civil War and Reconstruction. 

For notes and images of all articles and advertisements, see the companion blog.

18: The Johnson Impeachment, Part 2

In this episode I read from a single fascinating page of the Syracuse Daily Journal from February 22nd, 1868. The drama between Johnson and Congress is heating up. I present that struggle in the context of all other levels of politics, and show how it all connects to race.

For notes, including images of all articles, see the companion blog.

17: The Fourth of July

In this episode I rant about a run-in I had with an intellectually dishonest creep who attempted to disseminate the notions that Republicans have followed consistent ideals since the 1800s, that Democrats are racist, and that Republicans have always held that race has no place in politics. I provide ample ammunition for protecting against such historiological obscenities.

For images of all articles, along with notes, see the companion blog.

16: The Johnson Impeachment, Part 1

One hundred fifty years ago this week, the newspapers sounded that last faint, sour echoes of the first impeachment of a U.S. President. In this episode I delve into the origins of that impeachment.

For images of all articles read in the episode, see the companion blog.

15: William Hope Hodgson, Part 2

In this episode I explore Hodgson's weird fiction within the context of his culture's fascination with electricity and spiritualism.

For images of all articles, along with links to further information, see the show notes.