Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

irrepressible

Posted on October 10, 2022 by SUMPTER

On October 10, 1872 former U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward died at his home in Auburn, New York. People in the Midwest could read all about it the next day. From the October 11, 1872 issue of The … Continue reading →

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forget the feud

Posted on May 30, 2022 by SUMPTER

From the June 8, 1872 issue of Harper’s Weekly: DECORATION-DAY. In the beautiful and touching illustration on our first page this week our artist expresses the universal feeling of the country. While the people have no wish to keep alive … Continue reading →

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artifact on parade

Posted on February 22, 2022 by SUMPTER

From the March 16, 1872 issue of Harper’s Weekly: WASHINGTON’S CARRIAGE. ONE of the most interesting incidents of the grand parade in this city [New York City] on the 22d of February was the appearance in the procession of a … Continue reading →

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resolutions galore

Posted on January 1, 2022 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today a Chicago editorial looked at the year just past and saw the terrible destruction of the Great Chicago Fire in October 1871 as a source of hope for the coming year – citizens had a great … Continue reading →

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Charleston and Chicago on Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2021 by SUMPTER

150 years ago a couple editorials, North and South, seemed to share some similarities. From the December 25, 1871 issue of The Charleston Daily News (image 2): Christmas. May we not hope that this day of days, the festival of … Continue reading →

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not half bad

Posted on November 30, 2021 by SUMPTER

Another year, another Thanksgiving. Here’s President Grant’s 1871 Proclamation: THANKSGIVING DAY 1871 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – A PROCLAMATION The process of the seasons has again enabled the husbandman to garner the fruits of successful … Continue reading →

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“Chicago will not succumb”

Posted on October 11, 2021 by SUMPTER

I never knew much about the devastating 19th century Chicago fire, except that it seemed to have something to do with a Mrs. O’Leary and her cow. As I realized the fire was getting nearer, at least in sesquicentennial time, … Continue reading →

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upriver

Posted on September 15, 2021 by SUMPTER

According to documentation at the Library of Congress, an expedition of exploration set out from a camp in Arizona territory 150 years ago today: In its May 6, 1871 issue Harper’s Weekly provided more information about the expedition: SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. … Continue reading →

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another glorious day

Posted on July 4, 2021 by SUMPTER

From the July 8, 1871 issue of Harper’s Weekly: An editorial commented on the picture – the Fourth of a July was customarily a noisy, boisterous, and often dangerous holiday: ____________________________ A week later the editors still found the Fourth … Continue reading →

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redecoration

Posted on May 30, 2021 by SUMPTER

From the June 10, 1871 issue of Harper’s Weekly: From the The New York Herald May 31, 1871: THE NATION’S DEAD. … The muffled drum’s sad roll has beat The Soldier’s last tattoo, No more on life’e parade shall meet … Continue reading →

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