Category: Pinch of the Past

Enlightens and fascinates listeners with interesting historical facts, stories, recipes, quotes, and more.

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Jesse “Cariboo Jack” Fairchild–Miner and Mountain Man

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The Caribou Mountain in Idaho is a serene destination, but behind the snow caps and rocky faces, a historical story to match the name. I ran across Jesse (Cariboo Jack) Fairchild when researching book 1 of my Outlaw Hearts series. Cariboo Mountain is, in fact, the scene of a crime in that story.

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Ada Lovelace: The World’s First Computer Programmer

The audio version of this article can be found on Episode 55: A Bookchat about The Weight of Air with Kimberly Duffy & a Review of The Secrets of Emberwild by Stephenia H McGee

Augusta Ada King,
Countess of Lovelace (1815 – 1852)

On today’s Pinch of the Past we will be looking at an extraordinary woman before her time. Ada Lovelace, considered the first computer programmer, was the daughter of Lord Byron and the most wealthy woman of the 1800s.

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The Band of Hope Pt. 1

The audio version of this artickle was first shared in Episode 53: A Bookchat about A Mark of Grace with Kimberly Woodhouse & a Review of The Debutante’s Code by Erica Vetsch

There is nothing new under the sun. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard my dad say that over the years. I guess I should not have been surprised then when I ran across a temperance association that educated children(!) about the dangers of drugs and alcohol in the 1800s. Like our modern-day D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education.)

It All Started with an Alcoholic Sunday School Teacher

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A Brief History of Santa Claus

The audio version of this article was first shared in Episode 51: A Bookchat about His Delightful Lady Delia with Grace Hitchcock & a Review of The Mobster’s Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel.

From a legendary Christian bishop to an elf driving flying reindeer across the sky, Saint Nicholas has certainly come a long way. Today we’re taking a look at some of the stops along this wild journey to international fame.

Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra

Nicholas of Myra is believed to be the historical source of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, students, teachers, and merchants. PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons

Little is known about the actual man who became the Catholic St. Nicholas. He was the bishop of Myra in what is now Turkey. At the Council of Nicaea, he famously lost his temper and slapped another bishop in the face for arguing that Christ was not equal with God. But most details about his life are fuzzy.

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Little Known Historical Figures: Sarah J. Hale

The audio version of this article was first shared in A Bookchat about Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen & a Review of Falling for the Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund.

Sarah Josepha Hale painted by James Reid Lambdin (1807-1889) – Richard’s Free Library, Newport, New Hampshire

Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879) was the daughter of a Revolutionary War officer and a native of Newport, New Hampshire. She was born to Captain Gordon Buell and Martha Whittlesay Buell who believed in equal education for their daughter.

Once she was grown, she married and had 5 children, but in 1822 her husband died. After that, she opened a milliner’s shop but writing was her passion.

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Keeping out of the Poorhouse

The audio version of this article was first shared in Episode 48: A Bookchat about The Blackout Bookclub with Amy Lynn Green & a Review of Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright

Homeless men coming for shelter in 19th century London. (Credit: Mansell/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

Anyone slightly familiar with British and American history has heard of the infamous poorhouse or workhouse. These municipal institutions generally provided the barest possible food and shelter to the elderly, disabled, and very poor, in exchange for whatever work the person could provide. They were designed to make poverty as unbearable as possible in an effort to keep people working rather than relying on the poorhouse.

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Strange Medical Practices

The audio version of this article was first shared in Episode 47: A Bookchat about Caesar’s Lord with Bryan Litfin & a Review of Paint and Nectar by Ashley Clark

The practice of medicine is a fascinating–and sometimes disturbing–subject of history. Today we look at just a few weird practices people hoped would cure them of illness and injury.

Trepanning

Trephine drills illustrated in Ambrose Parey, The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey. Published London, 1634.

What would you imagine to be the surgery found earliest in the archeological record?

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