While today's news reporting might often be described as somewhat "over the top" our current styles pale in comparison with those from an earlier era that were even more colorful.
For instance, here are some random news tidbits gleaned from the pages of The Wilson Advance, a local newspaper from 1876.
* "Sam Lewis, convicted last week for larceny of a bag of rags and sentenced by Judge Kerr to the penitentiary for three years, has been discharged from custody, the sentence being withdrawn on the insanity of the culprit."
* "Dr. Hall says that American women are destroying their health going up and down stairs. Does he imagine that they can remain upstairs the year round?"
* "Mrs. Fannie Cogdell, wife of Mr. John Cogdell of Wayne County, was killed by lightning on Friday evening last. Her infant in her lap at the time was uninjured."
* "A slight fall of rain Sunday night about church time gave various ministers an opportunity of preaching to empty pews."
* "The down passenger train ran over and killed a fine cow belonging to Mr. Wiggins near the depot yesterday."
* "All hands in the office from the foreman to the devil were delighted recipients yesterday of a strawberry treat from C.W. Westbrook, for which they return many thanks."
* "This is to give notice that my wife, Celia Ann Baker, left my house on Monday last without good cause. I will pay $10 reward for information on her whereabouts. All persons are forbid from harboring or employing her in any way."
* "Mr. H.T. Meacam is the champion watermelon raiser. His fine, luscious melons can be found at Gilliam's Store, corner of Nash and Tarboro Streets."
* "H.G. Whitehead captured from Barefoot's Mill Pond (now Wiggins Mill) on Saturday a chub fish weighing 41/2 pounds. In cleaning the chub the cook discovered it had swallowed two rocks weighing a half pound each and several 11/2 inch iron screw taps weighing over a pound."
* "A singing school will soon be commenced here and it is to be hoped we will then have better music in church."
* "Robert Barnes, who left Wilson about four months ago to seek a more flourishing and prosperous section in the South or West, returned home yesterday morning, satisfied to remain where he is."
* "A local wit of Lafayette, Ark., undertook to fool Dr. Westbrook one evening last week into the belief that a plug of twist tobacco pointed at the doctor's head was a pistol. He succeeded admirably, and was shot dead before he could explain that it was all a joke."
barnes@wilsondaily.com | 265-7855