Nineteenth Century
The Plot to Steal Abe Lincoln’s Corpse
Once upon a time, some crooks thought it would be a good idea to rob the grave of Abe Lincoln and hold the corpse for ransom.
One account here.
More detailed account here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Jul 03, 2015 -
Comments (1)
Category: Death, Politics, Stupid Criminals, Nineteenth Century
Insane Happiness
Why do we never hear about such jolly madmen these days? Probably because we don't let people die from syphilis anymore.
Original article here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jun 18, 2015 -
Comments (4)
Category: Sexuality, Nineteenth Century, Brain Damage
Montreal Madness of 1892
People acted weird in familiar NOTW fashion even over a century ago, as this Montreal newspaper reveals.
Posted By: Paul - Fri May 01, 2015 -
Comments (5)
Category: Emotions, Newspapers, Husbands, Wives, Nineteenth Century, Mental Health and Insanity
Seaweed Collecting
Back in the Victorian era, this was apparently a popular hobby. From Collectors Weekly:
And yes, the seaweed did smell bad. But Collectors Weekly reminds us that the Victorian era was "a more pungent time."
Posted By: Alex - Sat Apr 18, 2015 -
Comments (6)
Category: Hobbies and DIY, Nineteenth Century
Town terrorized by mad cats
This sounds like it could have been the start of a horror movie. The feline version of The Birds perhaps.
Source: San Francisco Call - May 26, 1890. via WSIHN
Posted By: Alex - Sun Apr 05, 2015 -
Comments (3)
Category: Animals, Cats, Nineteenth Century
Bile Beans
One of the less-alluringly named nostrums. Full story here.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Feb 28, 2015 -
Comments (4)
Category: Drugs, Scams, Cons, Rip-offs, and General Larceny, Advertising, Excrement, Nineteenth Century, Diseases
The Hairy Water Tortoise of China
I cannot figure out if this is a legitimate species, or a freak. This article seems to imply it was a common tortoise with vegetation affixed to its back.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Feb 21, 2015 -
Comments (6)
Category: Animals, Freaks, Oddities, Quirks of Nature, Asia, Nineteenth Century
Counterfeit Ferris Wheel Certificates
So popular and prestigious was a ride on the first Ferris Wheel, that riders were given a certificate testifying to their experience.
Naturally enough, this soon lead to a market for counterfeits!
Original article here. (Scroll down.)
Posted By: Paul - Mon Feb 16, 2015 -
Comments (11)
Category: Certificates, Diplomas, and Other Testaments of Achievement, Fairs, Amusement Parks, and Resorts, Nineteenth Century
Flesh Prices
The purpose of this graphic was to show how high the price of meat was during the 1870 Siege of Paris. But what I find odd about it is the inclusion of elephant and bear meat, which apparently were on sale during the siege and had a set price. So if you wanted an elephant steak, it would have cost you 15 shillings (or $3.60) a pound. Assume that the modern currency equivalent would be a lot higher.Source: Illustrated World, April 1918.
Posted By: Alex - Tue Jan 27, 2015 -
Comments (12)
Category: Food, Nineteenth Century
Welbeck Abbey
A famous eccentric, the Fifth Duke of Portland spent a fortune over twenty-five years constructing fantastical additions to his estate, Welbeck Abbey, including fifteen miles of underground tunnels.
The Duke was very introverted - he did not want to meet people and never invited anyone to his home. His rooms had double letterboxes, one for ingoing and another for outgoing mail. His valet was the only person he permitted to see him in person in his quarters - he would not even let the doctor in, while his tenants and workmen were told never to acknowledge his presence (a workman who saluted him was reputedly dismissed on the spot) and they received all their instructions in writing.
His business with his solicitors, agents, and the occasional politician was handled by post. The Duke maintained an extensive correspondence with a wide-ranging network of family and friends, including Benjamin Disraeli and Lord Palmerston. He is not known to have kept company with any ladies, and his shyness and introverted personality increased over time.
His reclusive lifestyle led to rumours that the Duke was disfigured, mad, or prone to wild orgies, but contemporary witnesses and surviving photographs present him as a normal-looking man.
He ventured outside mainly by night, when he was preceded by a lady servant carrying a lantern 40 yards ahead of him. If he did walk out by day, the Duke wore two overcoats, an extremely tall hat, an extremely high collar, and carried a very large umbrella behind which he tried to hide if someone addressed him.
If the Duke had business in London, he would take his carriage to Worksop where he had it loaded onto a railway wagon. Upon his arrival at his London residence, Harcourt House in Cavendish Square, all the household staff were ordered to keep out of sight as he hurried into his study through the front hall.
He insisted on a chicken roasting at all hours of the day, and the servants brought him his food on heated trucks that ran on rails through the underground tunnels.
Wikipedia page.
Long essay here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jan 27, 2015 -
Comments (7)
Category: Architecture, Eccentrics, Europe, Nineteenth Century
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |