No. 578
Crime, Eccentricity, and the Sporting Life in 19th Century America.
June 08, 2021

"It Costs Money to Fix Things."

As it is plain that Most of Our Congressmen Are for Sale, They Might as Well Display Their Prices Pr
June 8, 2021
...
...

 Welcome to "Weekend Link Dump:  The Musical!"The bombing of LaGuardia Airport.When dead bodies were asked to pick out their murderer.The amulet that could rewrite the history of Christianity.The world's most haunted museum.  That's the boast, at any rate.It may be time to stop insulting the dodo bird.The U.S. Navy and the Soviets compete to find a crashed F-14 jet.15th century
More...
Strange Company - 8/7/2026
  [Editor’s note: Guest writer, Peter Dickson, lives in West Sussex, England and has been working with microfilm copies of The Duncan Campbell Papers from the State Library of NSW, Sydney, Australia. The following are some of his analyses of what he has discovered from reading these papers. Dickson has contributed many transcriptions to the Jamaica […]
More...
Early American Crime - 2/7/2019
"As his son I am proud of hisefforts to succeed in life"Jefferson Randolph Smith IIIArtifact #93-2Jeff Smith collection(Click image to enlarge) oapy's son hires a legal firm to stop the defamation of his father's name. At age 30, Jefferson Randolph Smith III, Soapy and Mary's oldest son, was protecting his father's legacy and his mother's reputation from "libel" and scandal. He was also
More...
Soapy Smith's Soap Box - 10/13/2025
Illustrated Police News, February 8, 1879.O.P. Hull, a well-to-do farmer, lived with his wife and six children near the village of Wassonville, Iowa. Mr. Hull was a kind father and affectionate husband who was adored by his family. He especially doted on his attractive and popular 19-year-old daughter, Emma. Her comfort and happiness were foremost in his mind. He would leave nothing undone
More...
Murder By Gaslight - 8/1/2026
Youth With Executioner by Nuremberg native Albrecht Dürer … although it’s dated to 1493, which was during a period of several years when Dürer worked abroad. November 13 [1617]. Burnt alive here a miller of Manberna, who however was lately … Continue reading
More...
Executed Today - 11/13/2020
The Summer Exodus. | Amateur Photography.

"It Costs Money to Fix Things."

Cursing in Church

Westfield, Ohio, October 23, 1887 - The Sudden Insanity of Rev J. R. Young. He uses profane language in a Sunday school at Westfield, Ohio.

A special from Marshall, Ill., October 24 says: Westfield, this county, was treated to a big sensation yesterday. J. R. Young recently appointed Methodist minister, arrived thre lastweek and while superintending the Sunday school yesterday morning suddenly began to use profane and abusive language and seemed about to demolish the entire gathering. He was promptly secured, as it was seen that he had become a raving maniac. He was at once brought to this city and continued in jail. He sang religious songs during the entire trip, and since his incarceration has made the jail resound with gospel hymns, singing constantly. He is a quite talented young minister, but has been subject to such spells recently. Indeed, he was at one time an inmate of an insane asylum. The cause of his sudden attack was religious excitement.


Reprinted from The National Police Gazette, November 12, 1887

It Costs Money to Fix Things


Reprinted from Puck, January 8, 1884.