Friday, October 29, 2010

1914 - An interesting way to send a message

1914 - Carrier Pigeon is Bridal Messenger 

"NEW YORK, Nov. 3 - Ever since a Belgian rabbit escaped from one of the rooms on the fifth floor of the Prince George hotel, A. M. Gutterson, the assistant manager, has been especially on alert to see that no persons take animals to their rooms. Yesterday Mr. Gutterson observed a man carrying a small basket. He had looked at the register and observed that the man was E. Alburn of Milford, N. H."

"Mr. Alburn seemd to be very careful about the little basket, which he had refused to give to one of the hallboys. Finally Mr. Gutterson thought that Mr. Alburn was hiding a small dog, and he asked him what he had in the basket."

"'I live on a small farm outside Milford.' said Mr. Alburn, smiling, 'and unfortunately I have no telephone. The telegraph station is closed on Sunday. I have just been married and have been called to this city on important business. It was impossible to bring Mrs. Alburn with me and she was anxious to receive word when I arrived in this city, so I brought a couple of carrier pigeons.'"

"Soon afterward Mr. Alburn went to the roof and sent off word of his arrival in New York city."


Carrier Pigeon is Bridal Messenger
Date: November 04, 1914
Minnesota
Duluth News-Tribune

The price of being "mean" in 1871

1871 Newspaper Article

"The Pittsfield Mass., Eagle has unearthed the mean man of that village. He is 50 years old, worth $15,000, has driven all his four boys away from home by his stinginess and general cussedness, and when one of them was fatally hurt lately, refused to bring him home. When his wife did bring him, he refused both admission to the house and turned his only daughter out of doors beside, because she went to visit her dying brother. She then bought a trunk, into which she packed her few clothes and went to another town, to a relative's. The old man found she had not paid for the trunk, and did so out of his own pocket, and then sent an officer to the town where she was to attach the trunk and bring it to Pittsfield. If the devil don't get such a man as that, what is the use of having any devil? - Springfield Republican"

Date: August 10, 1871
Paper: New Hampshire Sentinel

NOTE: I wonder why they didn't mention the guy's name?