Miscellany: Success

In the Cincinnati Enquirer’s “Swap” column appeared this advertisement: ”Have complete course, ‘How to become a success,’ will swap for room rent.”

Strikebreaker

In Portland, Ore., during a strike, a woman picket marched up & down in front of Mrs. Myrtle Michos’ restaurant. Mrs. Michos sent for Willis R. Willey, 48, a huge, hairy farmer of Spokane, Wash., who is famed in the Northwest for his consistent refusal to wear anything but a sun visor and shorts. Last week a mixed jury found Farmer Willey guilty of disorderly conduct. His offense: Walking up & down beside the woman picket to embarrass her.

Hohokus

In Hohokus, N. J., when two strangers drove into his filling station and proffered two half-dollars for gasoline, Ben Weinstein cried, “Phony.” gave chase in his automobile, forced the strangers to wreck their car against a bridge. In the wrecked car police found 500 counterfeit half dollars.

Whistler

In Manhattan, the New York Sun celebrated its centenary (see p. 24) by reproducing its first issue. Excerpt from Vol. 1, No. 1 page i (Sept. 3. 1833):

A Whistler—A boy in Vermont, accustomed to working alone, was so prone to whistling, that, as soon as he was by himself, he un-consciously commenced. When asleep, the muscles of his mouth, chest, and lungs were so completely concatenated in the association, he whistled with astonishing shrillness. A pale countenance, loss of appetite, and almost total prostration of strength, convinced his mother it would end in death, if not speedily overcome, which was accomplished by placing him in the society of another boy, who had orders to give him a blow as soon as he began to whistle.