Author Archives: SUMPTER

dignity, repose, and mercy

Posted on February 12, 2020 by SUMPTER

If he had lived, Abraham Lincoln would be 211 years old today. In its February 26, 1870 issue Harper’s Weekly pictured a new statue of Abraham for Union Square in New York City and recounted the story of President Lincoln … Continue reading →

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live from dry square

Posted on January 24, 2020 by SUMPTER

Not exactly lively, not exactly dry The 18th amendment to the United States Constitution, prohibiting the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all the territory … Continue reading →

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the golden character

Posted on January 10, 2020 by SUMPTER

According to documentation at Project Gutenberg, President Ulysses S. Grant sent his first annual message to Congress when it reconvened early in December 1869. It was a long report; overall things seemed pretty peaceable. Reconstruction in the Southern states was … Continue reading →

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“earnest and fearless”

Posted on December 27, 2019 by SUMPTER

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War during most of the Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson administrations, died on December 24, 1869. Funeral services were held 150 years ago today in Washington, D.C. Harper’s Weekly eulogized him in its January 8, … Continue reading →

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Christmas Wonder

Posted on December 25, 2019 by SUMPTER

Way back in its August 14, 1869 issue, Harper’s Weekly profiled a famous American man of letters: HENRY W. LONGFELLOW. Now that LONGFELLOW — the most popular of American poets — is in England, the question is naturally asked, What … Continue reading →

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another flag controversy

Posted on December 16, 2019 by SUMPTER

From the December 28, 1919 issue of the New York Tribune: You can get a full-color view of the flag at WorthPoint. The three allies certainly didn’t make up all the world’s population, but they were fighting for all of … Continue reading →

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world’s blessing?

Posted on November 28, 2019 by SUMPTER

On the day after Thanksgiving in 1869 The New-York Times devoted its entire front page to how the holiday had been observed the day before. This included over four columns (and counting) devoted to the services and sermons at various … Continue reading →

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“soil is trod by none but freemen”

Posted on November 18, 2019 by SUMPTER

In his first year as Commander-in-Chief, President Ulysses S. Grant followed the tradition begun by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 by calling for a national day of Thanksgiving on a Thursday in November. The new president opted for a slightly earlier … Continue reading →

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so much service everywhere

Posted on November 11, 2019 by SUMPTER

John Ellis Wool, 85, died at his home in Troy, New York on November 10, 1869. Major-General Wool was a veteran of three major North American wars. After volunteering for the War of 1812 he made the U.S. Army his … Continue reading →

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what it is

Posted on November 6, 2019 by SUMPTER

Not exactly a mummy just in time for Halloween, but in October 150 years ago some folks south of Syracuse, New York dug up what appeared to be a well-preserved human being. The mysterious form didn’t seem to be preserved … Continue reading →

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