General Grant Proved Poor Prophet

1915

General Grant showed himself a poor prophet in an autograph letter which was sold recently. He wrote the letter to his father from Camp Yates, near Springfield, Ill., where in May, 1861, he was drilling recruits.

"My opinion is that this war will be of short duration," he wrote. "A few decisive victories in some of the Southern ports will send the secession army howling and the leaders in the rebellion will flee the country."

The letter sold for $92.50.


Eating to Grow

A certain Columbus, Ohio, newspaper man is proud of the precocity of his 5-year-old niece. As typical of her mental agility as well as her capacity for humor, he tells the following:

"We were visiting recently at my brother's home. When dinner was called the child politely but firmly announced that she had no idea of dining and would remain away from the table.

" 'Why, Mildred, you must eat three full meals a day if you are ever to grow up and be a lady,' remarked my wife, who happens to be a woman of substantial proportions.

"Carefully surveying her gratuitous adviser, the little miss said: 'Auntie, do you eat four meals a day?' "

Thirty Girls Eat Ice Cream

Illinois, 1906

Drill Corps the Guests of General Pennypacker

As guests of General Galusha Pennypacker of Philadelphia, Pa., who is visiting with "Dad" Stearns at the Decatur hotel, the members of the Girls' Drill Corps ate ice cream and cake until they could eat no more Monday night.

Last Saturday General Pennypacker was invited by Commandant James M. Cowan to use the girls drill. He was so delighted with them and with their fine maneuvering that he asked how he could recompense them for his pleasure. He said he thought it was a notable thing to put "thirty young women together for thirty minutes, and have only one do the talking." He suggested ice cream, and the young girls gathered at the Decatur hotel Monday night at his invitation.

There was music during the evening, and "Dad" read some poems and sang, accompanied by his son, Charles Stearns, on the guitar. The general wrote his name and address on the paper napkin of each guest.

—The Daily Review, Decatur, IL, May 15, 1906, p. 7.

Man Walks Around the World Twice with a 30-pound Book on His Back

1920

"America is the best country in the world," declares Joseph F. Mikulec.

Joseph ought to know. He's walked entirely around the land portions of the globe twice, visiting twenty-six countries. Since 1901 he has been tramping the world and doesn't expect to call his journey ended until December 31, 1921.

Clad in blue overalls, a several-day growth of pale whiskers curling like a mantle over his weather-beaten features, Joseph visited the Blade office a few days ago when he went through Chicago. On his back he carried his most previous treasure — a thirty-pound book in which are the signatures of President Wilson, Mr. Roosevelt, the king of England, the former czar of Russia and notables from many other lands.

"I left Croatia, the country in which I was born, in 1901," says Mikulec, "and I've been walking ever since. When I first reached America I was so delighted with the country that I became a citizen. It's the best in the world. When I end my travels next year I expect to write a book about it."

Asked what his most remarkable adventure was, Mikulec told of an experience in New Zealand.

"To-Mika, an old Maori chief, asked me to marry one of his daughters. I was the first white man that he had seen and he offered 3,000 cows if I would wed the girl. But not wishing to take up life in the jungles as a savage, I refused."

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Feb. 28, 1920, p. 1.

Yap to be Given to Jap?

1920

Senate Asks Confirmation of British Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 25. -- A resolution asking President Wilson for information as to the recent announcement by the British foreign minister that the island of Yap, in the Pacific Ocean, was to be given to Japan, was adopted by the Senate without debate. It was offered by Senator Lodge. The island is the focal point, it is said, for three Pacific cables, vital to American business interests in the far east.


Pallbearers Form a Union

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 25. -- An application for charter has been made to Romans Hailey, clerk of the County Court here, by R. H. Bumpass of Mason, Fayette County, and others, for a new labor union, to be known as "The Independent Pallbearers Society." The application is being held up, pending investigation of the purposes of the organization.


Not Prince, Mere Mr. Smith

But Man Mistaken for Wales Writes an Autograph

LONDON, England, March 25. -- The Prince of Wales seems to have doubles in England.

In the company of two officers, a man entered a moving picture theater the other day. A lady sitting near the door arose, bowed and presented the eternal autograph book. The man took the book and with a serene countenance wrote "J. J. Smith," and handed back the volume with a gracious bow.

It was not the prince.

--The Saturday Blade, Chicago, March 27, 1920, page 1.