Category Archives: 150 Years Ago

Staunch in the Senate

150 years ago today U.S. Senator Charles Sumner died in his Washington, D.C. home. He had represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 1851. In its March 28, 1874 issue Harper’s Weekly praised Mr. Sumner for his strong anti-slavery leadership: CHARLES … Continue reading

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house still divided?

150 years ago Harper’s Weekly published a brief bio of a member of the 43rd Congress. From its February 14, 1874 issue of : THE HON. ROBERT B. ELLIOTT. The South Carolina district that for many years sent JOHN C. … Continue reading

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a good word

for a bête noire There was a report 150 years ago last month that the ex-Vice President of the Confederacy admired the incumbent U.S. President, U.S. Grant. From the December 25, 1873 issue of The Valley Virginian (page 1): Alexander … Continue reading

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bicentennial

“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

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

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

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”

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

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

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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