A sampling of provocative if sometimes puzzling filler items happened upon in the California Digital Newspaper Collection:
“The North Carolina Legislature, on account of the great destitution throughout that state, has passed a bill postponing the payment of private debts 12 months. The people of Pitt County had nearly compelled the Sheriff to burn the writs and executions against them.”
— Daily Alta California, Feb. 12, 1867
“A colored colony has started from North Carolina, by the Sunset route, for this State. They are going to Shasta.”
— Sacramento Daily Union, Dec. 3, 1887
“A railroad section hand in North Carolina has patented a tie tamping machine, practical tests of which have shown that on both old and new roadbeds it will do the work of 50 men.”
–San Francisco Call, Dec. 27, 1908
“An antitipping bill, making both those who give tips and those who receive them in hotels, cafes, dining and sleeping cars liable to fine, passed the lower house of the North Carolina assembly here today.”
— San Francisco Call, Jan. 30, 1913
NEW LONDON. Conn. (UPI) Claudio Jones, wanted in North Carolina for forgery , confounded authorities when he signed extradition papers with an “X.”
— Desert Sun, Oct. 20, 1959