Comedian Beth Stelling joins Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds as they discuss societal expectations, bizarre research on blood detecting smoking, the death of Mr. Henry Van Dyke, drug effects and addictions, and the OxyContin scandal.
The speculation on how far the fishermen and their combined weight would reach into space highlights the curiosity about human capabilities and the potential of stacking people vertically.
The advertisement for a cheap and quick cure for opium addiction sheds light on the prevalence of addiction in the past and the desire for a painless solution.
The exhibition of a successful hatching machine by Dr. Prater showcases advancements in technology and its impact on agricultural practices.
Deep dives
Fishermen of Greenwich Point are among the heavyweights
Oliver Smith and his three sons, Iber, Thomas, and Hugh, fishermen of Greenwich Point, have a combined weight of 850 pounds. People speculate how far they would reach into space if stacked perpendicularly above each other.
Opium eaters
An advertisement offers a cure for opium addiction that is cheap, quick, and without suffering or inconvenience. They claim to cure the habit permanently and ask for a description of the case.
Grave Send
Mr. Henry Van Dyke, an old and respected resident of our town, was found dead in a kneeling posture at the residence of his daughter. He retired on Sunday evening, complaining of trouble with his heart, but thought it would pass. His youngest grandchild tried to wake him up but couldn't, and the cause of death is believed to be apoplexy.
Burglaries
The district schoolhouse at MassPeth was entered by burglars who ransacked the building but only stole about 40 cents that was in the principal's desk. The burglars broke every lock in the building.
Hatching Machine
Dr. Prater exhibited a hatching machine that had successfully hatched a chicken since he brought it to the hall two days prior. He showed several other chickens, both fully hatched and still in the shell, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the machine.