Category Archives: 150 Years Ago

bicentennial

Posted on December 23, 2023 by SUMPTER

“A Visit from from St. Nicholas” was first published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel on Dec. 23, 1823. The poem was later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore and has become more widely known as “The Night Before Christmas.” According to … Continue reading →

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A death on Kearsarge Avenue

Posted on October 11, 2023 by SUMPTER

For two years the CSS Alabama wreaked havoc with Union shipping. That stopped on June 19, 1864 when the USS Kearsarge sunk the rebel commerce raider off the coast of France. John Winslow, the Kearsarge’s commander, died at his home … Continue reading →

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murder at the peace conference

Posted on May 8, 2023 by SUMPTER

From the April 26, 1873 issue of Harper’s Weekly: The treacherous murder of General CANBY and the Rev. Dr. THOMAS by the Modoc Indians during a conference to which the general and the Peace Commissioners had been invited by “Captain … Continue reading →

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four more

Posted on March 27, 2023 by SUMPTER

President Ulysses S. Grant was inaugurated for his second term on March 4, 1873. From the March 22, 1873 issue of Harper’s Weekly: THE SECOND INAUGURATION. THE second inauguration of ULYSSES S. GRANT as President of the United States was … Continue reading →

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“guiding star”

Posted on February 22, 2023 by SUMPTER

From the March 1, 1873 issue of Harper’s Weekly: WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE. [see Illustration on First Page.] O Noble heart! that ne’er from duty swerved, Nor thought of self through all the weary hours! O noble life! that did … Continue reading →

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love wanted

Posted on February 14, 2023 by SUMPTER

From the February 1, 1873 issue of Harper’s Weekly: MATCH-MAKING BY ADVERTISEMENT. THERE is a paper in England devoted to the business of match-making by advertisement. It is called the Matrimonial News. In every number the reader may review some … Continue reading →

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three parties … two candidates

Posted on September 5, 2022 by SUMPTER

1872 was another presidential election year in the United States. Would the Republican incumbent, General Ulysses S. Grant be reelected? President Grant was popular, even though his Administration was involved in several scandals. One possible impediment to Grant’s reelection was … Continue reading →

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hot time

Posted on August 7, 2022 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this summer New York City suffered some very hot weather. From the July 27, 1872 issue of Harper’s Weekly: THE HEATED TERM. THE heated term which ended on the 6th inst, was not only the most protracted, … Continue reading →

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preacher woman

Posted on April 25, 2022 by SUMPTER

From the March 2, 1872 issue of Harper’s Weekly: A WOMAN IN THE PULPIT. THE good Presbytery of Brooklyn have been greatly scandalized of late by the appearance of Miss SARAH F. SMILEY, a Quakeress preacher, in the pulpit of … Continue reading →

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street murder

Posted on November 11, 2021 by SUMPTER

150 years ago last month a white man shot and killed a black man in public on Election Day in Philadelphia. In it’s October 28th Harper’s Weekly summarized the murder. In an editorial a week later the paper seemed to … Continue reading →

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