Posted inLocal Histories

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Posted inHumor Travelers' Tales

Visitor to Pharaoh’s Tomb Engages in Hunt for Fact and Fiction

Wearied by Long and Difficult Journey, Kitchen Calls Royal Resting Place Hollow Mockery as Exhibit.

BY KARL K. KITCHEN

Cartoon image of the author on a mule being con fronted by the giant ghost of a pharoah, with his party looking on surprised from behind.

If you are planning a trip to Egypt to visit the tomb of King Tut-ankh-Amen take my advice—which is the same as Punch has always given those about to marry—Don’t.

For the tomb of King Tut-ankh-Amen—vulgarly called King Tut—is the most overrated mecca for tourists, boobs and travelers In the world today.

I know, for I have just been there! And take it from old Dr. Kitchen, if I may drop from my Cardinal Newman English to the vernacular of Broadway, it is the bunk.

To be sure, if one is an Egyptologist this last resting place of the dear departed is of considerable importance. But so few of us are! In fact, before I went to Luxor I hardly had a bowing acquaintance with a hieroglyphic. And even today, after many ghoulish adventures In the Valley of the Tombs of the Kings, I doubt if I would recognize a dozen of the 290 characters in the Egyptian sign language—bless its dear funny old alphabet.

However, what I write Is not a text book for university professors with long white beards, or those who have made a life study of the times and customs of the Pharaohs. There are enough musty volumes of such subjects. I am writing for the much maligned man in the street. And I am going to set forth the facts about the tomb of King Tut-ankh-Amen as I found them.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

February 5, 1863 – The Oreto At Sea

Correspondence of the N. O. Delta.

OFF MOBILE, Jan. 16, 1803.

There was great commotion among the blockading fleet off this harbor last evening. The rebel steamer Oreto, which has been lying in Mobile Bay for some months, succeeded in escaping to sea in presence of seven blockading vessels. The R. R. Cuyler, one of our fastest steamers, immediately gave chase and was gaining on her when the two disappeared in the distance. The Cuyler was firing at her continually during the chase from her long range guns, and as she was gaining rapidly, great hopes are entertained that she will bring the audacious Rebel to. The Oreto is commanded by Maffit, formerly of the United States Navy.

Posted inUS Civil War

February 3, 1863 – Civilians Defend Deserters

Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.

Indianapolis, Feb. 2, 1863.

On Friday last a small squad of soldiers were sent to a village named Waverly, in an adjoining county, to arrest some deserters. Upon their arrival there they were fired upon by some of the citizens, and informed that the deserters would be protected, and under no circumstances would they be surrendered.

Posted inDaily News Maritime & Naval History

Britishers Acclaim Liner Roosevelt In Rescue Of Antinoe Crew

Plymouth, England. Jan. 31.—(AP)—British conservatism went by the boards when the storm-battered United States liner President Roosevelt entered Plymouth Sound at 10 o’clock this morning carrying 25 members of the crew of the British freighter Antinoe, whose lives the Americans saved after a four days’ battle in mid-ocean.

The whistle and sirens of hundreds of ships and factories greeted the men whose valor transcended national lines and has focused the eyes of the world on Captain Fried and his gallant crew. Their work of mercy succeeded, though it cost the lives of two gallant rescuers.

“Well done,” was the signal hoisted on two tenders which steamed out to meet the Roosevelt coming in with empty davits, indicating the position of the lifeboats which had been battered to pieces in the cruel sea through which the Roosevelt‘s men sought to reach the Antinoe crew clinging to the sinking freighter.

Posted inDaily News Maritime & Naval History

Submarine Disabled Off Florida Coast

T-3 Anchored Six Miles Out—Relief Boat Ordered to Tow Craft to Port.

By the Associated Press.

KEY WEST, Fla., January 30.

The submarine T-3 was reported late tonight as anchored off the Florida coast near where she was disabled today when trouble developed in her fuel line and caused an exhaustion of the oil supply.

The submarine T-3, commanded by Lieut. J. P. Compton, has run out of oil off Florida and is in need of assistance, the Navy Department was informed in a message last night from the commandant of the seventh naval district at Key West.

The first message received said the T-3 was off Bethel Buoy, with her lubricating oil system leaking badly and her supply low. An effort was being made to reach Miami. A later message said: