The odd news reported in 1911 was rather bleak, if not overly violent. I’m sad to report that very little has changed in over 100 years.
Used a Rattlesnake to Keep His Wife From Straying
At first glance, 1911 seems like it was a bad year for wives. After reading about a Romanian baker who shoved his wife into a hot oven because she complained about him being drunk, I felt that there certainly could not be a more interesting marital story than this.
However, I was, as I often am, wrong.
In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a man named James Stoner was determined to prevent his wife from leaving home. So to keep her in place, he kept a rattlesnake tied to the little footbridge outside their home.
For five years, his wife stayed in the home and never strayed. Then one day, the rattlesnake had enough of Stoner’s antics and bit the man several times. His body was discovered shortly thereafter.
Source: The Seattle star. (Seattle, Wash.), 01 July 1911.
Boiled Alive
Speaking of rattlesnakes, in Bozeman, Montana, a great big rattlesnake guarded the front door of the Watson home, Refusing to allow anyone to leave the home, the rattlesnake held the family captive for four hours. Finally, someone came up with the idea to boil water and throw it out a window and onto the snake. It worked. The snake died and the Watson family was free to go outdoors.
Source: The Seattle star. (Seattle, Wash.), 22 June 1911.
Heels are for Heathens
In a speech to a graduating class of nurses in Troy, NY, Justice Howard said, “High heels are as heathenish as rings in the nose and as destructive as rum.”
Source: The Seattle star. (Seattle, Wash.), 19 June 1911.
He Thought it was Butter
In 1911, New York steamer engineer Richmond filed a complaint that the tub of engine grease he had ordered had not arrived.
Of course, the loss of the tub of grease was investigated, and it was discovered that the steamer’s chef had received it. Thinking the stuff was butter, he used it accordingly.
According to the chef, there were no complaints.
Source: The Tacoma times. (Tacoma, Wash.), 06 Sept. 1911.
Spankings for All
A knife fight was stopped in Atlantic City, NJ when Mrs. Fox grabbed her slipper and threatened to spank both of the men.
Source: The Tacoma times. (Tacoma, Wash.), 25 Aug. 1911.
