No. 712
Crime, Eccentricity, and the Sporting Life in 19th Century America.
August 15, 2025

Female Wrestling Match in Nevada.

Two female athletes at Virginia city Nevada, indulge in a wrestling match for the championship.
November 8, 2022
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Via Newspapers.comHere’s an early version of those “aliens killed my livestock” stories.  (Just keep in mind that when old newspapers trotted out the "told by a person of unimpeachable veracity" card, that usually meant, "buyer beware.")  The “St. Louis Globe Democrat,” April 27, 1897:Special Dispatch to the Globe. TOPEKA, KAN., April 26.-Millions have laughed at the Kansas air-ship,
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Strange Company - 8/13/2025
Soapy Smith STAR NotebookPage 20 - Original copy1884Courtesy of Geri Murphy(Click image to enlarge) oapy Smith's early empire growth in Denver.Operating the prize package soap sell racket in 1884. This is page 20, the continuation of page 19, and dated May 6 - May 29, 1884, as well as the continuation of pages 18-19, the beginning of Soapy Smith's criminal empire building in Denver, Colorado.&
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Soapy Smith's Soap Box - 6/1/2025
As anyone who has ever taken a walk through a city park knows, New York is rich with beautiful bronze statues. Typically they grace a public space, often on a decorative pedestal or base and in a setting that underscores their importance (or their importance at the time the statue was completed). Then there are […]
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Ephemeral New York - 8/11/2025
As anyone who has ever taken a walk through a city park knows, New York is rich with beautiful bronze statues. Typically they grace a public space, often on a decorative pedestal or base and in a setting that underscores their importance (or their importance at the time the statue was completed). Then there are […]
More...
Ephemeral New York - 8/11/2025
On the morning of March 22, 1881, 60-year-old Alby C. Thompson was found in the Thames Hotel on Market Street in Norwich, Connecticut, suffering from a “paralytic fit.” It was a bad part of town, known for crime and prostitution, and it was assumed that Thompson was the victim of a robbery. He was taken to his home.Three days later, blood oozed from his ears, and doctors discovered that Thompson
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Murder By Gaslight - 8/9/2025
Stop by this week as we explore what happened the week before the murders, Emma and Lizzie’s getaway to Fairhaven and New Bedford, and new imagery which will help to tell the story. The pears are almost ripe, August 4th is coming fast, and thoughts begin to turn to that house on Second Street once again. Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/lizziebordenwarpsandwefts/ !
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Lizzie Borden: Warps and Wefts - 7/26/2025
On the morning of March 22, 1881, 60-year-old Alby C. Thompson was found in the Thames Hotel on Market Street in Norwich, Connecticut, suffering from a “paralytic fit.” It was a bad part of town, known for crime and prostitution, and it was assumed that Thompson was the victim of a robbery. He was taken to his home.Three days later, blood oozed from his ears, and doctors discovered that Thompson
More...
Murder By Gaslight - 8/9/2025
Stop by this week as we explore what happened the week before the murders, Emma and Lizzie’s getaway to Fairhaven and New Bedford, and new imagery which will help to tell the story. The pears are almost ripe, August 4th is coming fast, and thoughts begin to turn to that house on Second Street once again. Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/lizziebordenwarpsandwefts/ !
More...
Lizzie Borden: Warps and Wefts - 7/26/2025
Via Newspapers.comHere’s an early version of those “aliens killed my livestock” stories.  (Just keep in mind that when old newspapers trotted out the "told by a person of unimpeachable veracity" card, that usually meant, "buyer beware.")  The “St. Louis Globe Democrat,” April 27, 1897:Special Dispatch to the Globe. TOPEKA, KAN., April 26.-Millions have laughed at the Kansas air-ship,
More...
Strange Company - 8/13/2025
Stabbed for not Buying Drinks. | Arrest of Female Prowlers.

Female Wrestling Match in Nevada.

Female-wrestlers

The sports of Virginia City are a gay lot, and as money is plenty out there, they enjoy life hugely. They wile the heavy hours away with horse racing, cock fighting, bucking the tiger, and other amusements characteristic of their class. The latest novelty gotten up by them was a female Graeco-Roman wrestling match The contestants were Miss Lillie and Miss Maud, two of the most beautifully formed ballet girls known to the local stage. Their backers were two well-known gamblers of the city, each enamored of the charms and believing in the skill of his favorite beauty. Tickets were only issued to the insiders, but the lucky ones saw rare sport. The girls were both in excellent condition, having been training three weeks. The match was for $1000, best two in three falls. After a spirited struggle of forty-five minutes Miss Lillie was declared the victor, having won two straight falls. There was a good deal of excitement, and a large amount of money changed bands on the result.


Illustrated Police News, April 18, 1876