Wit and Wisdom of Missouri's Country Editors (Show Me Missouri Series) [Paperback]

William H. Taft (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Show Me Missouri Series | Publication Date: October 1996

More than 600 pithy sayings from pioneer Missouri papers. Many of these quotes and quips date to the 19th century yet remain timely for today's readers. Richly illustrated and fully indexed to help you find that perfect quote.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'When I die,' said a married man, 'I want to go where there is no snow to shovel.' His wife said she presumed he would." -- Memphis Conservative, 1-24-1878

"A husband at home is worth two in a saloon." -- Clinton Advocate, 7-3-1885

"An English farmer recently remarked that 'he fed his land when it was hungry, rested it when it was weary, and weeded it when it was foul.' Seldom, if ever, was so much agricultural wisdom condensed in a single sentence." -- Lancaster Excelsior, 3-29-1866

"James Russell, a one-legged soldier, who recently stopped a runaway horse by pushing his wooden leg through the carriage wheel, stopped another dangerous runaway in New Hampshire last week. He saved for lives and has been give a medal by the Humane Society." -- Kansas City Times, 7-2-1881

"The dictionary spells 'good' with two o's, the Bible with one." -- Ashland Bugle, 2-14-1922

Dr. William H. Taft taught journalism for 35 years, 25 at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Now the Professor Emeritus spends most of his time going through the collection of 35 million pages of Missouri newspapers on microfilm at the State Historical Society.

Wit & Wisdom is a collection of over 600 sayings gleaned from this research. The book is grouped into 14 different section of these witticisms.

In his introduction, the author state: "This book's goal is to provide amusement and education for those who enjoy reading past items that remind them of situations today. In compiling this book, I've stuck to the editors' creed: 'Make them laugh, make them cry, make them mad, just don't make them yawn."

"When a woman has had nine children, she begins to have suspicions about some of the beautiful passages in love stories." -- McFall Mirror, 1-9-1903

Wit & Wisdom Of Missouri's Country Editors is interesting and entertaining reading. It is a must for those who need quotes for research or speaking. This book won't make you yawn. -- Russell Hively, The Ozarks Mountaineer, April/May 1998

From the Publisher

This volume is a compilation of wise and witty sayings from pioneer Missouri newspapers, whose editors practiced the art of "paragraphing"-reporting events and thoughts with short, easy reading paragraphs. This book highlights hundreds of Missouri country newspaper editors from the past century and a half.

These quips and quotes are from many now defunct Missouri newspapers, with names as spry as their editors, such as the Sedalia Bazoo, Buffalo Reflex, Hannibal True American, Hartsburg Truth, Illmo Jumplicute, McFall Mirror, Memphis Reveille and more. Enjoy reading these excerpts from the past, and the "pictures" such readings create, from a time when editors were forceful in their opinions, not affected by today's politically correct philosophy.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 149 pages
• Publisher: Pebble Pub (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964662531
• ISBN-13: 978-0964662537
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,820,467 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)