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Here is a 1908 Boston Journal newspaper, now an extinct paper, but absolutely sure to be a conversation piece in your collection, just read on, and I will tell you why.
BULLET HOLESThe first thing you may notice is that this newspaper was shot through with several bullets. The age of the small holes and burn marks certainly reveals that the shots were from long ago. They hardly effect the readability of this paper, but wow, someone must have been pretty upset with the day's headlines!
HOUDINIAnother amazing thing about the paper is that it includes an article about Houdini and, in a separate section, a large advertisement that Houdini's company or the theatre venue put into the paper. I show only part of the advert and story in my photos. Quite interesting for those who collect Houdini related collectibles.
IMMIGRATION MADNESSWe find in this paper an article : "$250K in missing funds" (an incredible amount for the turn of the century) ... and the extreme mistreatment of immigrants ... with a lawmaker calling an immigration center "not fit for cattle".
EPIDEMICS OF THE PASTPublic outrage at how an epidemic was handled by government officials!
WEIRD AND SENSATIONAL HEADLINESWe probably believe that today's headlines are for more insane than those of the past, but you might change your mind after reading the following ... How is it possible that all of this happened in the span of about a day?
The Boston Journal, Saturday 5/2/1908
"$250K grant for Boston is lost in house"
"Despite his vigorous stand for a new immigration station at Boston, where he declared the present unsasisfactory conditions urgently demand relief, congressman Keliher from Massachusetts… In it they are herded up daily from 200 to 300 persons. The building is not fit for cattle."
"Pretty girl gives the unkissed a near-kiss. Aims for his virgin lips but the caress lands on his forehead out in Michigan."
"Sings to jury to prove her case."
(Details how a 13 year old girl sang in court, proving her singing ability, when her wages went unpaid while she was hired to sing before an audience of movie goers at a cinema “in conjuction with the moving pictures”)
"Rice finds Rio Negro’s source"
Polar expeditions into uncharted areas
A strike by mason workers
Italia mafia stories
advertisements for elixirs with some strange pictures, such as “We cure eyes”
the sports section was the only section that seemed relatively normal.
top hats with illustrations at $2 to $3 each
a whisky ad with illustrations, selling at 12 cents a case!
an early automotive advert, complete with a drawing,
selling the car for $1,250
an image of a known actress, showing herself in a bowler hat and riding gear
vaudeville shows
‘BAR MERRY WIDOW HATS’ - an event announcement strongly imploring women to “wear small hats”
As mentioned above, several ads and a story on performances of Houdini, at Keith’s Theater in Boston
“prettiest chorus in America… Oriental cozy corner girls… daily matinees… smoking allowed”
Cartoons
less exciting Stock Exchange listings
A real estate ad ‘BUNGALOW LOTS’ - $10 down and $10 a month for a lot to buid 1 and 2 family houses
25 acre estate with a 12 room house on sale for $4,500
A 2 1/2 story, 9 room house and a farm with an additional barn for sale at $600
An advert for mens’ suits for $12.50 - Very surprising - Indicating that the cost of suits was far higher in these times, adjusted for inflation. We can find a full suit even today, albeit at a thrift store, for less.
"Bandits get $600 in train hold up"
"Monkey hoodoo on board, two men lost" (at sea)
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