Author Archives: SUMPTER

cabinet kerfuffle

Posted on March 30, 2019 by SUMPTER

In its March 5, 1869 issue The New-York Times kept coverage of Ulysses S. Grant’s inaugural address off its front page, unlike the previous two inaugurations. The times were certainly different, relatively crisis-free. After all, in 1861 a couple weeks … Continue reading →

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“Sinn Fein Forever”

Posted on March 22, 2019 by SUMPTER

April 7, 2019: It looks like I made a mistake in the second paragraph below. There is evidence in the April 6, 1919 issue of the New-York Tribune at the Library of Congress that most of the “old 69th” was … Continue reading →

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please release men

Posted on March 15, 2019 by SUMPTER

let them go to war Recently I heard a radio commercial in which the advertiser said it was going to commemorate Women’s History Month by recognizing local women who have contributed to the community. To extend my paraphrase, everywoman might … Continue reading →

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nothing to hear here?

Posted on March 4, 2019 by SUMPTER

Back around the New Year a couple New York City periodicals seemed to be eagerly awaiting the March 4th 1869 inauguration of President-elect Ulysses S. Grant “with the guarantees of future peace and prosperity and of a final settlement of … Continue reading →

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civvies lesson

Posted on February 22, 2019 by SUMPTER

According to the February 23, 1869 issue of The New-York Times Washington’s Birthday 150 years ago was kind of a humdrum day in the great metropolis, a day that “had the air of something that has missed fire. It was … Continue reading →

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ethno-cupid

Posted on February 14, 2019 by SUMPTER

150 years ago Harper’s Weekly observed Valentine’s Day with a cartoon featuring six cupids representing different ethnic groups. The New-York Times noted that the post office was being swamped with valentine missives. That apparently wasn’t a new phenomenon – eight … Continue reading →

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and all that ragtime

Posted on February 12, 2019 by SUMPTER

100 years ago some American troops were still occupying Germany after the November 1918 armistice that ended most of the fighting in World War I, but many were returning home. According to the “Rotogravure Picture Section” of the February 23, … Continue reading →

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scalped

Posted on February 4, 2019 by SUMPTER

From the January 16, 1869 issue of Harper’s Weekly (pages 41-42): THE INDIAN WAR. THE Indian Peace Commission of 1867 accomplished greater harm than benefit. Treaties were entered into with The Cheyennes, Arrapahoes, Kiowas, Comanches, and at the recommendation of … Continue reading →

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lest you forget

Posted on January 19, 2019 by SUMPTER

In January 1869 a National Convention of the Colored Men of America was held in Washington, D.C. On January 19th a delegation from the Convention called on President-elect Ulysses S. Grant to congratulate him for the victory and to remind … Continue reading →

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death of an ex-president

Posted on January 6, 2019 by SUMPTER

On January 6, 1919 Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, died at his home at Oyster Bay on Long Island. From Europe President Woodrow Wilson telegraphed his order to fly flags at half-staff for thirty days. Mr. … Continue reading →

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