Yesterday's Chip Paper

With crime-stopping old ladies, fortune-telling dogs and professional walkers-on-heads, it’s all go in the first mini episode for 2019. Join your hosts, Jim and Violet, as they unravel the most surreal, ridiculous, and utter nonsense shorter stories from the historical newspaper archives. HEALTH AND SAFETY WARNING: Do not attempt to recreate the 1894 wine recipe described in this episode. If by some miracle it doesn’t kill you, you’ll wish it had. Yesterday's Chip Paper is a fortnightly(ish) podcast that looks at true stories found in historic newspapers from across the world. With hundreds of years of history at their fingertips, the only real limit to the stories that are told is that they have to have happened - or, at least, been reported. Whether it's true crime, mass hysteria or unusual reporting of famous events, it's always guaranteed to be downright bonkers. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter @paperpodcast, and on email at chippaperpodcast@gmail.com   Archives used in this episode: British Newsp

“Born and brought up through childhood with wild animals for playmates”, Frank C. Bostock was no ordinary child. From the age of 15, he became the “Boy Trainer” for his parents’ travelling menagerie, and went on to become a pioneers of showbiz across Britain - before monopolising the prime real estate of Dreamland in Coney Island with his epic displays. From fighting the world’s first boxing kangaroo to fishing one of his performing lions out of the sewers of Birmingham, Bostock’s career was a rollercoaster ride of success, disaster and death. Also this week - a debate on the merits of “ragging” at universities, and an Australian poem (-?). Yesterday's Chip Paper is the history podcast where your hosts, Jim and Violet, scour historical newspaper archives and unearth forgotten stories. From mad scientists to murderers, elaborate con artists to the elaborately conned, the only limit to what we can find is that someone, somewhere has to have written about it. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter @paperpodcast

In this episode of Yesterday's Chip Paper, join Violet and Jim and hear the story of the Bronco Bustin' Baronet, AKA Sir Genille Cave-Browne-Cave, a man who did every possible job on earth, fought in every nearest convenient war and survived things that should have killed a moose. Plus, a letter about an organ plague and a poem describing the worst train journey in history.   Yesterday's Chip Paper is a fortnightly(ish) podcast that looks at true stories found in historic newspapers from across the world. With hundreds of years of history at their fingertips, the only real limit to the stories that are told is that they have to have happened - or, at least, been reported. Whether it's true crime, mass hysteria or unusual reporting of famous events, it's always guaranteed to be downright bonkers. Archives used in this episode: https://trove.nla.gov.au https://newspapers.com https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg https://newspapers.library.wales/ https://cdnc.ucr.edu

With ghosts solving their own murders, ghosts murdering innocent victims, and other stories that involve neither ghosts nor murder, things are getting SPOOKY for this mini episode. Such as the lady haunted by a… penny? Join your hosts, Jim and Violet, as they prove that truth is truly stranger than fiction just in time for the haunting season. So buckle up, it’s time for a journey through the truly strange, bizarre and macabre this Halloween. Yesterday's Chip Paper is a fortnightly(ish) podcast that looks at true stories found in historic newspapers from across the world. With hundreds of years of history at their fingertips, the only real limit to the stories that are told is that they have to have happened - or, at least, been reported. Whether it's true crime, mass hysteria or unusual reporting of famous events, it's always guaranteed to be downright bonkers. Archives used in this episode: British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk Trove (National Library of Australia) http://trove

This week, we check in with a man of many names who commits the most heinous of crime, then disappears...or does he? Plus, Jim reads a letter from a 130-year-old Facebook troll and possibly the best poem we've found to date. Yesterday's Chip Paper is the podcast where your hosts, Jim and Violet, scour historical newspaper archives and unearth forgotten stories. From mad scientists to murderers, elaborate con artists to the elaborately conned, the only limit to what we can find is that someone, somewhere has to have written about it. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter @paperpodcast, and on email at chippaperpodcast@gmail.com Archives used in this episode: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk www.newspapers.com Other sources: North Carolina Bandits, Bushwackers, Outlaws, Crooks, Devils, Ghosts, Desperadoes and Other Assorted and Sundry Characters! By Carole Marsh https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=FHLG--BGQ-IC Intro/Outro - The International Rag (Al Jolson & Sophie Tucker) All music comes with thanks to

In the wilds of 1800s Scotland, one man stood alone against those who sought to subvert the law by smuggling and distilling their own, tax-free booze. Using violence, guile, violence and a hardiness that is rare in a human being (plus violence), Malcolm Gillespie became a hero to some, a curse to others and a criminal to all.  Join Jim and Violet as we look at the incredibly tough - and violent, don't forget - life of this Exciseman who worked tirelessly to keep Scotland above board. Unless you're a horse.  Plus, Violet's letter this episode is a treatise on the etymology of a bicycle or almost no reason, as well as a genuinely touching ode to a dog.  Resources used in this episode: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk https://www.historyscotland.com/articles/features/the-life-of-scottish-smuggler-and-exciseman-malcolm-gillespie

In this edition of Yesterday's Chip Paper Extra!, Jim and Violet explore desperate fights between boys and eagles, incompetent night watchmen, the dangerous world of overenthusiastic film buffs, and a cantankerous character from Jim’s past. Yesterday's Chip Paper is the podcast where your hosts, Jim and Violet, scour historical newspaper archives and unearth forgotten stories. From mad scientists to murderers, elaborate con artists to the elaborately conned, the only limit to what we can find is that someone, somewhere has to have written about it. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter @paperpodcast, and on email at chippaperpodcast@gmail.com Archives used in this episode: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk www.newspapers.com

With the help of his gun “Old Kill-Devil”, Sam Hildebrand became a figure revered by the entire state of Missouri, including the infamous Jesse James. This episode, we’re going to the wilderness of Doe Run in St Francis County, for the tale of a notorious bushwhacker during the Civil War. With over 100 alleged kills to his name, Hildebrand embarked on a lifelong journey of death and destruction. With a $10,000 price on his head and hundreds of men after the reward, his reign of terror continued far longer than it should have. Also this week, Jim looks at some curious egg thefts, and tells the tale of a dead cat through poetry. Yesterday's Chip Paper is a bimonthly podcast where your hosts - two Transatlantic researchers with a fondness for the unusual - delve into historical newspaper archives to unearth forgotten stories from days gone by. From mad scientists to murderers, sapient pigs to sausage kings, the only limit to the stories we tell is that someone has to have written about it.    Archives used in th

George A. Witzhoff was born in Switzerland in the 1860s. Following the death of his father, he moved to the US to become proficient in the art of dentistry. Teeth didn't cut it for George, however. In fact, George had a particular talent for con-artistry, theft and escape. Join Jim and Violet as we explore the sordid life of a man who came to be known as 'America's Arch-Bigamist'.    Yesterday's Chip Paper is a bimonthly podcast where your hosts - two Transatlantic researchers with a fondness for the unusual - delve into historical newspaper archives to unearth forgotten stories from days gone by. From mad scientists to murderers, sapient pigs to sausage kings, the only limit to the stories we tell is that someone has to have written about it.    Archives used in this episode:   www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk www.newspapers.com https://www.nytimes.com/1908/01/22/archives/witzhoff-fears-victims-wants-to-be-tried-where-there-are-fewest.html  https://trove.nla.gov.au/  http://idnc.library.illinois.edu/cg

Ida Lewis and Nancy Rose were two of a kind - women who tended lighthouses after their father and husband respectively could no longer enact their duties. Ida would go on to win worldwide fame and be dubbed the “Bravest Woman in America”. Nancy… would not. This episode, Violet tells the story about how the lives of two seemingly similar lighthouse keepers could result in very different circumstances.   Yesterday's Chip Paper is a bimonthly podcast where your hosts - two Transatlantic researchers with a fondness for the unusual - delve into historical newspaper archives to unearth forgotten stories from days gone by. From mad scientists to murderers, sapient pigs to sausage kings, the only limit to the stories we tell is that someone has to have written about it.   Archives used in this episode:   www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk www.newspapers.com http://newspapers.library.wales/   More on Nancy Rose:   http://www.lighthousedigest.com/Digest/StoryPage.cfm?StoryKey=2174   Macabre London Podcast: https:/

Charles Parton was born around 1870 into a hard world. Raised in a public house owned by his pugilist father, his future would be no easier. Join Violet and Jim as we follow Charles to the ring, to the floor, around the world and on a tour of prison cells as we discover the often-surreal, consistently tragic life of Charles Parton; pugilist, possible murderer and more.    Yesterday's Chip Paper is a bimonthly podcast where your hosts - two Transatlantic researchers with a fondness for the unusual - delve into historical newspaper archives to unearth forgotten stories from days gone by. From mad scientists to murderers, sapient pigs to sausage kings, the only limit to the stories we tell is that someone has to have written about it.    Archives used in this episode:   www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk www.newspapers.com https://www.truecrimelibrary.com/product/foul-deeds-suspicious-deaths-in-manchester/   Intro/Outro - The International Rag (Al Jolson & Sophie Tucker) All music comes with thanks to the

In this edition of Yesterday's Chip Paper Extra!, Violet and Jim read each other's stories from across the centuries, ranging from an unfortunate Scotsman to a monkey who may well write questionable novels. Join us as we delve into the historical newspaper archives and dig up the stories that don't make full episodes by themselves, but are very fun nonetheless.  Yesterday's Chip Paper is the podcast where your hosts, Violet and Jim, scour historical newspaper archives and unearth forgotten stories. From mad scientists to murderers, elaborate con artists to the elaborately conned, the only limit to what we can find is that someone, somewhere has to have written about it.  You can find us on Facebook and Twitter @paperpodcast, and on email at chippaperpodcast@gmail.com Archives used in this episode: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk www.newspapers.com Music used in this episode: Billy Murray - I'm Afraid to go home in the Dark

*There were more, but we liked this title.  The Elliot family was one of the preeminent farming families of 1870s Chemung County, NY. Until, one fateful day, one brother sold another brother some inadequate horses and caused a rift that lasted a generation. Join Violet and Jim for a tale of barn-burnings, shootings that are possibly not shootings, reckless tales of arson, some more arson and then a bit more arson for good measure and discover a rivalry for the ages.  Also in this episode; Jim finds the most wholesome poem about customs violations ever written, as well as letters about life hacks that aren't at all useful or hacks in any way.  Yesterday's Chip Paper is the podcast where hosts Violet and Jim delve into historical newspaper archives to unearth forgotten gems in their pages. From true crime to true strangeness, there's no limit to what we can discover.  Archives used in this episode: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk www.newspapers.com 

Scotland-born Samuel Bissett was a man of many talents; shoemaking, brokering and, more famously, making all sorts of animals do all sorts of things that animals don't normally do in front of adoring crowds around the country. Join Jim and Violet as we discover the incredibly fun story of Samuel Bissett's magical menagerie.  Plus, Violet delves into the archives for a poem that's prematurely peeved and a letter from a man who likely doesn't understand how birds work.  Archives used in this episode: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk Yesterday's Chip Paper is a podcast that dives into newspaper archive to see what pearls we can discover. From mad scientists to murder most foul, the only limit to the stories we find is that someone, somewhere has to have written about it.   

In this episode of Yesterday's Chip Paper Extra! Violet and Jim read some stories for the first time, featuring a nonsense and angering riddle, lots of people reacting to situations in the worst possible way and a load of Canadian guys who just cannot keep their noses out of people's business. If you like what you hear, please do rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts, we'd be extremely grateful. Yesterday's Chip Paper is a bimonthly (more or less) podcast where your hosts Violet and Jim unearth hidden gems in newspaper archives. From mad scientists to murder most foul, there's virtually no limit to the wildness of the stories we find. Join us on Twitter or Facebook @paperpodcast.  Archives used in this episode: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk  MUSIC: Shake It and Break It by Lanin's Southern Serenaders, Thanks to the Free Music Archive  

In honour of International Women’s Day, Violet tells the story of Elizabeth Taylor (also known as Happy Ned) who spent most of her life dressing and working as a man. Having spent many years as a common labourer, she set sail in 1862 to the southern states during the American Civil War. After spending several years as a blockade runner, she returned home to face more conflict due to her masculine attire.   Also this week, Jim finds propaganda prison poetry and an argument over whether or not tadpoles in your drinking water is a good thing.   Sources: http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/  https://www.newspapers.com/ https://www.bl.uk/    Yesterday’s Chip Paper is a fortnightly(ish) history podcast that delves into the bizarre world of historic newspapers. From Mad sea captains to fraudsters to quite literally starving artists, the stories are always bonkers. And what’s more, they’re very rarely to be found on Wikipedia or any other online sources.   Your hosts, Jim and Violet, are two amateur researchers

Ernest William Welsh invented a lot of stuff. Maybe. Possibly. From creating instruments of death to starting feuds with fellow inventors, there's nothing Ernest can't do. Join Jim and Violet as we explore the life of a man with a laundry list of inventions accredited to him and who really, really wants to kill lots of people as soon as possible. This guy's a non-Wiki, he is suspiciously under-represented on the internet or elsewhere.  Also in this episode, Violet's poem subverts convention and her letter drives its car right into the side of a horse.  Archives used in this episode: britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk newspapers.com trove.nla.gov.au Yesterday's Chip Paper is the podcast that explores newspaper archives to unearth forgotten stories, covering anything from mad scientists to monster murderers. The only limit to what we can discover is that someone has to have written about it at some point. Join us as we get to know some truly, truly strange people. 

1890s Indiana, a state in the midst of a boom. A character appears in the newspapers with a talent so strange he becomes a star. He went by the name of Harry Beno, and everything he did should realistically have killed him, from drinking neat poison to jamming spikes in his head for the entertainment of others. Join Violet and Jim as we look into the terrifying, awful and, at times, toe-curling life of Beno, because we shouldn't have to suffer through this one alone.    Yesterday's Chip Paper is a podcast that sources its stories from historical newspaper archives. From true crime to mad scientists via circus attractions and history's greatest flim flam merchants, the only limit to what we cover is that someone has to have written about it.    You can catch us on @paperpodcast on both Facebook and Twitter.    Archives used in this episode:   https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk https://www.newspapers.com https://newspapers.library.in.gov/ https://trove.nla.gov.au/   Theme music: The International Rag by

In this episode of Yesterday's Chip Paper Extra! Violet and Jim read out stories from historical newspapers, covering topics ranging from sorcery to the untimely death of a previously featured figure.  Join us as we each host sees their stories for the first time and go on a wild ride through history.  Yesterday's Chip Paper is a fortnightly/bimonthly(ish) podcast delving into newspaper archives to unearth forgotten stories about everything from true crime to mad scientists via hunger artists and The Greatest Liar on Earth. The only limit to what we can cover is that it has to have been written about in a newspaper.  Archives used in this episode: www.thebritishnewspaperarchive.co.uk www.newspapers.com Music used: Gilbert and Friedland - Frogs' Legs

Sent packing by his mother with 7000 Francs to “have an adventure”, Louis de Rougemont would not disappoint. But his fantastical story soon took a nasty turn, as he journeyed to Australasia only to get stranded on a remote island for two and a half years, before living - and leading among cannibals, surviving stormy seas and... riding turtles. De Rougemont returns to civilisation to tell all this and other tales that capture the minds of one nation, and the suspicions of another. Also this week, Violet weirdly also turns to cannibalism (as reported in the papers) and anthropomorphised fruit. Yesterday’s Chip Paper is a fortnightly(ish) history podcast that delves into the weird and wonderful world of historic newspapers. You’ll never know what they’ll find, from Sausage Kings to witch hunts to pugilists turned to preachers, but it is always guaranteed to be downright bonkers. Your hosts, Jim and Violet, are two amateur researchers based on opposite sides of the Atlantic (New York and London respectively).