More singular than revelatory

New York Tribune, January 18, 1857. Boy, they just don’t publish blind items like this anymore. The third paragraph seems to proceed from the premise that women cannot be impregnated in their sleep. But if Sis was asleep at the time of her incestuous ruination, how did her cries arouse her mother and other in-mates of the house? It’s a puzzler, no doubt.

“In an interesting condition”

Washington Post, February 16, 1880. “In an interesting condition” is yet another journalistic euphemism for “pregnant.”

Really bad dad

Chicago Tribune, November 5, 1872. Here’s a serious study in paternal depravity. The religious angle is sort of horrifically fascinating: Corkery, a Catholic, seems to have been telling his daughter that it was okay to bear false witness in a secular court. Teach your children well, Mr. Corkery. It gets worse, much worse.

Bad dads II

Atlanta Constitution, May 9, 1901. The “illegal operation” is, of course, an abortion.

Bad dads

Chicago Tribune, November 14, 1873. The justice system did not trifle with incestuous fathers back in the day. Neither did the press.