Welcome to our blog, where we embark on a captivating journey through time, exploring the rich tapestry of history and genealogy.
In this edition, we'll delve into the treasure trove of historical news articles dated March 16, unearthing stories that resonate with genealogists and history enthusiasts alike.
From local happenings to global events, we'll uncover the stories that shaped the lives of our ancestors, providing valuable insights for those on a quest to discover their roots.
So, grab your magnifying glass and step into the past as we unravel the March 16 historical headlines that may hold the missing pieces of your family's history puzzle.

The Hartford Rubber Works Co., Hartford, Conn.
The Ladies' Home Journal
March 1898
The Hartford Rubber Works Co. was established by John W. Gray, a Hartford rubber goods merchant, in 1881. The company’s initial plant was built on the south side of Park Street shortly after the firm was organized. The original factory measured just 50’ x 60’ and Gray’s entire workforce numbered just 20 hands. By the early 1890s, however, the firm had expanded to become one of the largest and best equipped manufacturers of rubber goods in the country, positioning itself as the primary supplier of bicycle tires to the Pope Manufacturing Co., also based in Hartford. In 1892, a Hartford Courant article announced Pope’s acquisition of majority control of the Hartford Rubber Works, which at that time employed about 170 employees and operated 24 hours a day. In 1899 the Hartford Rubber Works was absorbed into one of Pope’s various holding companies, the Rubber Goods Manufacturing Co., and then in 1905 was purchased by another conglomerate, the U.S. Rubber Co... connecticutmills.org
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1800s Cooking Tips and Recipes
Fleurs de Sel Caramels (Salted Caramels)
Another favorite holiday candy that is the perfect blend of sweet and salty.
Ingredients
1 cup heavy cream
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon fleur de sel (sea salt)
1 1/ 2...Read MORE...

A Merry Meal Makes Good Digestion
There's delight and health in a dish of Van Camp's Boston Baked Pork and Beans
Van Camp Packing Co., Indianapolis, Ind.
The Ladies' Home Journal
January 1898
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1800s Advice and Etiquette for Ladies
Never repeat to a person with whom you converse, any unpleasant speech you may have heard concerning her. If you can give her pleasure by the repetition of a delicate compliment, or token of approval shown by a mutual friend, tell her the pleasant...Read MORE...
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness: A Complete Handbook for the Use of the Lady in Polite Society... by Florence Hartley, January 1, 1872
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
By Jack Leland
News and Courier Staff Writer
Memorandum to the Editor:
You said to write a funny story about Income Tax day having come and gone.
Well, it's gone and with it has gone most of my money and apparently that of most Charlestonians. Also gone - as far as I can find out - is everyone's sense of humor.
There just isn't anything funny about taxes this year.
Not funny, "Ha-Ha," nor funny, "peculiar."
Perhaps it's just that they're all smiled out. Last week, you know, was ... Read MORE...
The News and Courier - Charleston, South Carolina - March 16, 1954
Comments
1954 - Tax Payments - And Humor Gone March 15
By Jack Leland
News and Courier Staff Writer
Memorandum to the Editor:
You said to write a funny story about Income Tax day having come and gone.
Well, it's gone and with it has gone most of my money and apparently that of most Charlestonians. Also gone - as far as I can find out - is everyone's sense of humor.
There just isn't anything funny about taxes this year.
Not funny, "Ha-Ha," nor funny, "peculiar."
Perhaps it's just that they're all smiled out. Last week, you know, was ... Read MORE...
The News and Courier - Charleston, South Carolina - March 16, 1954
Comments
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
The boiler of the steam-engine by which the presses in the "Democratic Union" office at Harrisburg, are worked, burst on Monday last, with an awful explosion. The engine was situated in the basement of a four story building, and so powerful was the explosion as to force the head of the boiler through the first, second and third stories, carrying every thing before it, to the fourth, where it finally stopped. Almost every case, and many of the forms, were knocked into pi.
The foreman of the... Read MORE...
Republican Compiler - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - March 16, 1846
Comments
1846 - TERRIBLE EXPLOSION AT HARRISBURG.
The boiler of the steam-engine by which the presses in the "Democratic Union" office at Harrisburg, are worked, burst on Monday last, with an awful explosion. The engine was situated in the basement of a four story building, and so powerful was the explosion as to force the head of the boiler through the first, second and third stories, carrying every thing before it, to the fourth, where it finally stopped. Almost every case, and many of the forms, were knocked into pi.
The foreman of the... Read MORE...
Republican Compiler - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - March 16, 1846
Comments
Valley Falls, New York, USA
Valley Falls, N.Y., Mar 16 - (INS) - Four men were instantly killed, several were injured, and homes in nearby towns were damaged when three mills of the Hercules Powder Company, located on the state highway between this village and Schaghticoke, exploded shortly before nine o'clock this morning.
The dead:
JOSEPH MITCHELL, 63, Millwright.
VICTOR SHELLEY, 26, glazier.
JOHN HAYNER, 56, carpenter.
HARRY WHITE, 43, powder sorter.
Officials at the plant estimated that upwards of 10,000... Read MORE...
Olean Times - Olean, New York - March 16, 1928
Comments
1928 - 4 EMPLOYEES KILLED IN POWDER MILLS EXPLOSION. HOMES IN TOWNS NEARBY DAMAGED IN MORNING BLAST. SEVERAL WORKMEN ARE INJURED WHEN POWDER LETS GO IN PLANT NEAR VALLEY FALLS AND TIMBERS FALL UPON THEM.
Valley Falls, N.Y., Mar 16 - (INS) - Four men were instantly killed, several were injured, and homes in nearby towns were damaged when three mills of the Hercules Powder Company, located on the state highway between this village and Schaghticoke, exploded shortly before nine o'clock this morning.
The dead:
JOSEPH MITCHELL, 63, Millwright.
VICTOR SHELLEY, 26, glazier.
JOHN HAYNER, 56, carpenter.
HARRY WHITE, 43, powder sorter.
Officials at the plant estimated that upwards of 10,000... Read MORE...
Olean Times - Olean, New York - March 16, 1928
Comments
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Chicago, March 15. -- Three persons were killed and eight other employes were injured today by the explosion of toy pistol caps in the two-story brick manufacturing plant of the Chicago Toy Novelty company, at Western Avenue and West Eighteenth Street. The building was wrecked and the ruins caught fire immediately.
It is believed some others may have been killed, but until the debris can be cleared away this belief cannot be verified.
The known dead are:
HARRY JORDAN, foreman.
ALEXANDER ... Read MORE...
St. Paul Globe - St. Paul, Minnesota - March 16, 1904
Comments
1904 - EXPLOSION OF TOY PISTOL CAPS IS DEADLY. TWO BOYS AND A MAN KILLED AND PERHAPS THREE OTHER VICTIMS.
Chicago, March 15. -- Three persons were killed and eight other employes were injured today by the explosion of toy pistol caps in the two-story brick manufacturing plant of the Chicago Toy Novelty company, at Western Avenue and West Eighteenth Street. The building was wrecked and the ruins caught fire immediately.
It is believed some others may have been killed, but until the debris can be cleared away this belief cannot be verified.
The known dead are:
HARRY JORDAN, foreman.
ALEXANDER ... Read MORE...
St. Paul Globe - St. Paul, Minnesota - March 16, 1904
Comments
Glens Falls, New York, USA (Glenn's Falls)
Troy, N.Y., March 15. - At about 10:30 o'clock this morning the Queensbury span of the old Queensbury-Moreau Bridge at Glens Falls fell into the Hudson River, carrying down the workmen who were upon it. The bridge was being demolished for the purpose of constructing an iron bridge, and only the flooring, under which supports had been placed, remained to be taken down.
Workmen were taking away a side beam on the upper side, when the supports gave way. The whole span rolled over, up stream,... Read MORE...
The New York Times - New York, New York - March 16, 1890
Comments
1890 - THE BRIDGE GAVE WAY. TWO LIVES LOST, TWO PERSONS INJURED, AND TWO MEN MISSING.
Troy, N.Y., March 15. - At about 10:30 o'clock this morning the Queensbury span of the old Queensbury-Moreau Bridge at Glens Falls fell into the Hudson River, carrying down the workmen who were upon it. The bridge was being demolished for the purpose of constructing an iron bridge, and only the flooring, under which supports had been placed, remained to be taken down.
Workmen were taking away a side beam on the upper side, when the supports gave way. The whole span rolled over, up stream,... Read MORE...
The New York Times - New York, New York - March 16, 1890
Comments
Buffalo, New York, USA
From the Buffalo Daily Courier.
It becomes out painful duty to record the most disastrous conflagration, which has ever visited our city. The American Hotel, the Park Church, and numerous stores and dwellings contiguous to both are now in ruins. The blow has been a heavy one, and will awaken our citizens to the necessity of some measures being taken for their better protection from fire. Had there been a supply of water, sufficient to keep the engines in constant play, without the necessity... Read MORE...
The Erie Observer - Pennsylvania - March 16, 1850
Comments
1850 - TREMENDOUS FIRE ! - OVER $100,000 OF PROPERTY DESTROYED !
From the Buffalo Daily Courier.
It becomes out painful duty to record the most disastrous conflagration, which has ever visited our city. The American Hotel, the Park Church, and numerous stores and dwellings contiguous to both are now in ruins. The blow has been a heavy one, and will awaken our citizens to the necessity of some measures being taken for their better protection from fire. Had there been a supply of water, sufficient to keep the engines in constant play, without the necessity... Read MORE...
The Erie Observer - Pennsylvania - March 16, 1850
Comments
1872 Found Gold
J. A. Sutter, the California pioneer who made the first discovery of gold, is now living in Litiz, Lancaster County, Pa., poor, and crippled with inflammatory rheumatism. He is sixty-nine years of age, and without means of support. His friends and all the country will be glad to hear that the California Legislature has just given him a pension of $250 a month for five years.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
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1872 Boston pays its female teachers an average of $67.92 per month, and Newton $65.54.
These are the highest in the State. The lowest is the town of New Ashford, which pays only $16.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
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1872 Admitted to Public School
The Newark (N.J.) Board of Education has decided to admit colored children into public schools by a vote of 21 to 1.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
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J. A. Sutter, the California pioneer who made the first discovery of gold, is now living in Litiz, Lancaster County, Pa., poor, and crippled with inflammatory rheumatism. He is sixty-nine years of age, and without means of support. His friends and all the country will be glad to hear that the California Legislature has just given him a pension of $250 a month for five years.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
Visit , Pennsylvania, USA!
1872 Boston pays its female teachers an average of $67.92 per month, and Newton $65.54.
These are the highest in the State. The lowest is the town of New Ashford, which pays only $16.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
Visit Newton, Massachusetts, USA!
1872 Admitted to Public School
The Newark (N.J.) Board of Education has decided to admit colored children into public schools by a vote of 21 to 1.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
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1872 Buried in Pittsfield
The Pittsfield (Mass.) Eagle says that a South Berkshire father, whose child recently died of small pox, being anxious to bury it in a Pittsfield cemetery, and knowing the authorities would not allow it, packed the body in a trunk, and checked it to the town as baggage by the midnight train, and had the funeral the next day.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
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1872 Returned Interest
Seven years ago, a man living near Racine, Wis., lost a pocket-book, containing $70 in cash. The other day he received by mail the interest on the $70 for seven years, a piece of the pocket-book, and a promise that the principal should be returned so soon as the borrower could afford to do so.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
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1872 Bad Game
Mr. S. Levi, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, recently held a pistol in his hands, and in a playful manner, pointed it towards his body, saying, "Here goes my life!" It proved to be loaded, and the ball entered his side just below the heart, inflicting a probably mortal wound.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
Visit Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA!
The Pittsfield (Mass.) Eagle says that a South Berkshire father, whose child recently died of small pox, being anxious to bury it in a Pittsfield cemetery, and knowing the authorities would not allow it, packed the body in a trunk, and checked it to the town as baggage by the midnight train, and had the funeral the next day.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
Visit Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA (Coltsville)!
1872 Returned Interest
Seven years ago, a man living near Racine, Wis., lost a pocket-book, containing $70 in cash. The other day he received by mail the interest on the $70 for seven years, a piece of the pocket-book, and a promise that the principal should be returned so soon as the borrower could afford to do so.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
Visit Racine, Wisconsin, USA!
1872 Bad Game
Mr. S. Levi, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, recently held a pistol in his hands, and in a playful manner, pointed it towards his body, saying, "Here goes my life!" It proved to be loaded, and the ball entered his side just below the heart, inflicting a probably mortal wound.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
Visit Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA!
1872 90 Years in the Penobscot
A cannon recovered from the bed of the Penobscot, after being submerged for ninety years, was used to fire a salute at Bangor on Washington's birthday.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
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1872 Saloon Licenses in Sweden
In Sweden only a limited number of saloon licenses are granted, and these are sold at auction. The saloons must close at a fixed hour, no liquor may be sold to a child or a drunkard, and no money can be recovered for liquor sold on credit.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
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1872 Dead?
A Wilmington (N.C.) dispatch of the 7th says it was not known there whether the reports of the death of Henry Berry Lowery, the notorious swamp outlaw, were unfounded. Additional reports were current that he was either murdered by his brother, or drowned.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
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A cannon recovered from the bed of the Penobscot, after being submerged for ninety years, was used to fire a salute at Bangor on Washington's birthday.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
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1872 Saloon Licenses in Sweden
In Sweden only a limited number of saloon licenses are granted, and these are sold at auction. The saloons must close at a fixed hour, no liquor may be sold to a child or a drunkard, and no money can be recovered for liquor sold on credit.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
Visit , Sweden!
1872 Dead?
A Wilmington (N.C.) dispatch of the 7th says it was not known there whether the reports of the death of Henry Berry Lowery, the notorious swamp outlaw, were unfounded. Additional reports were current that he was either murdered by his brother, or drowned.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872
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1902 CHILDREN IN A FIRE. TWO HUNDRED ORPHANS RESCUED FROM FLAMES IN AN ASYLUM.
Denver, Colo., March 15. - St. Vincent's Orphan asylum, situated in the northern part of the city, was badly damaged by fire this afternoon. There were 200 orphan children in the institution. All were rescued unharmed. The asylum is conducted by the Catholic Sisters of Charity.
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 16, 1902
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1905 $100,000 FIRE IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
Providence, R. I., March 16 - Fire and water today damaged Music Hall block in the center of the city to an amount estimated at $100,000.
The Piqua Daily Call
Piqua, Ohio
March 16, 1905
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1867 Fire
A fire at Schaghticoke, New York, on Thursday morning destroyed the cordage works of Spicer & Meeley and the twine factory of Tibbitts Briggs. The building was owned by L. B. Baker. Loss, $12,000 to $14,000, mostly insured.
genealogybank.com
Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, D.C.
March 16, 1867
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Denver, Colo., March 15. - St. Vincent's Orphan asylum, situated in the northern part of the city, was badly damaged by fire this afternoon. There were 200 orphan children in the institution. All were rescued unharmed. The asylum is conducted by the Catholic Sisters of Charity.
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 16, 1902
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1905 $100,000 FIRE IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
Providence, R. I., March 16 - Fire and water today damaged Music Hall block in the center of the city to an amount estimated at $100,000.
The Piqua Daily Call
Piqua, Ohio
March 16, 1905
Visit Providence, Rhode Island, USA!
1867 Fire
A fire at Schaghticoke, New York, on Thursday morning destroyed the cordage works of Spicer & Meeley and the twine factory of Tibbitts Briggs. The building was owned by L. B. Baker. Loss, $12,000 to $14,000, mostly insured.
genealogybank.com
Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, D.C.
March 16, 1867
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America - Did you know?
April 22, 1889 - Oklahoma is opened to settlers.
Quebec - Did you know?
Quebec was almost an independent country. In 1995, a referendum was held to separate Quebec from Canada. The referendum was not officially legally valid and was only held in Quebec. The no camp won the referendum by 0.4%, which is still seen as a...Read MORE...weleaf.nl

Picture of the Day
Visit Rockland, Maine, USA!
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.

Samoset Hotel, Rockland Breakwater, Rockland, Me.

Old Mother Hubbard she went to the cupboard and there made a find very nice. She said "with great ease Macaroni and Cheese - Van Camp's makes a meal in a trice."
Van Camp Packing Co., 302 Kentucky Avenue, Indianapolis, Ind.
The Ladies' Home Journal
February 1898
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