New in the collection: Buckhorn Mineral Water label

Label for Buckhorn Mineral Water listing its benefits for catarrh of stomach and bowels, constipation, and indigestion.

Even before its contemporary popularity, bottled mineral water was big business in North Carolina.

Buckhorn, drawn from a spring in Granville County, had its fans, but in 1919 the company’s wide-ranging claims collided with the expectations of the Food and Drug Administration.

 

Legislators tolerated plenty — but not cheating at cards

On this day in 1834: Just down the street from the Capitol, Rep. Robert Potter of Granville County loses $2,800 in a card game. Pulling a pistol and a knife, he pockets the pot and exits.

A week later, Potter will be expelled for reflecting discredit on the legislature.

Previously, however, his colleagues had been more tolerant of Potter’s misdeeds. He had been in jail for castrating two men — an aging minister and a 16-year-old — for carrying on with Potter’s wife while he was in Raleigh. Gov. David Swain issued a pardon so Potter could take office. Petitions were circulated to to prevent Potter from taking his seat, but the House contended it had no right to set standards of conduct — until he cheated at cards.

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Link dump works weekends to serve you better

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— The before and after life of a 1956 National Science Fair winner.

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— On eve of labor landmark’s demolition, “I grabbed as much paper and stuff as I could.”

— Fontana: a dam site better, now that it’s incorporated.