Author Archives: SUMPTER

“the cereals of August”

Posted on August 30, 2019 by SUMPTER

A recent post was about a medallion and monument related to the American Civil War that was found on a single page in a newspaper from 150 years ago. And, mirabile dictu, the editors at Harper’s Weekly packed even more … Continue reading →

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white lion, black cargo

Posted on August 23, 2019 by SUMPTER

400 years ago this month the first Africans arrived in the colony of Virginia in what is now the United States. According to Encyclopedia Virginia, in the summer of 1619 two English privateers, the White Lion and the Treasurer attacked … Continue reading →

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going way back

Posted on August 9, 2019 by SUMPTER

150 years ago Harper’s Weekly noticed some Civil War-related items that were associated with earlier times in American history. From its August 23, 1869 issue: THE AMERICAN TRIUMVIRATE. A MEDALLION has been recently published by W. MILLER & Co., Artists … Continue reading →

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under the influence

Posted on July 20, 2019 by SUMPTER

150 years ago a newspaper doubted the truth of what it called a “verdict of Science” regarding earth’s next-door neighbor. From Harper’s Weekly May 22, 1869: THE MOON’S INFLUENCE WHATEVER be the influence exercised upon the earth by the varying … Continue reading →

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fake views?

Posted on July 4, 2019 by SUMPTER

In its July 3, 1869 issue Harper’s Weekly presented a couple iconic images from the American independence movement during the 1770’s. The incident Paul Revere depicted did not happen in 1775. The Boston Massacre “was a confrontation on March 5, … Continue reading →

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Bullets Met at Gettysburg

Posted on July 2, 2019 by SUMPTER

On the sixth anniversary of Day 1 of the Battle of Gettysburg a monument in the National Cemetery on the battlefield was dedicated. The Soldiers’ National Monument hadn’t been quite completed, but a reported 15,000 people showed up for the … Continue reading →

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“Summer of Peace”

Posted on June 23, 2019 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this week a National Peace Jubilee was held in Boston, Massachusetts at the Coliseum, a temporary structure built especially for the Jubilee. In its May 22, 1869 issue Harper’s Weekly anticipated the big event: THE NATIONAL PEACE … Continue reading →

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prize fliers

Posted on June 15, 2019 by SUMPTER

World War I was disruptive, and while it was a boon to aviation, it caused the postponement of an aerial competition. In 1913 the Daily Mail offered a prize of £10,000 to “the aviator who shall first cross the Atlantic … Continue reading →

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more trans in transportation

Posted on June 7, 2019 by SUMPTER

Our society seems to like historical anniversaries , so I wondered if May 1919 headlines in The New York Times would mention the 50th anniversary of the completion of the United States’ First Transcontinental Railroad. I searched in vain. Certainly … Continue reading →

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divergent decoration

Posted on May 30, 2019 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today a large procession traveled from Manhattan to Brooklyn to honor the memory and decorate the graves of thousands of soldiers who died during the American Civil War. From the June 19, 1869 issue of Harper’s Weekly: … Continue reading →

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