Digest

The Pastimes podcast continues its exploration of the Missoula Montana Gazette, with a story about sparrows tying down a clock's hands to build a nest. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the story, with one host suggesting that the sparrows were trying to stop time. They then move on to a story about a young man who finds a satchel full of securities and returns it to its owner, a senator, who only rewards him with $20. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the senator's reward and the story's potential for a Tales from the Crypt-style twist. The episode concludes with a discussion about the nature of news reporting in the 1890s, with the hosts comparing it to modern-day TMZ-style reporting. They also discuss the concept of power evangelicalism and its origins.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Guest Introduction

This Chapter introduces the Pastimes podcast and welcomes Vanessa Ramas as a guest. The hosts discuss the format of the show, which involves reading and discussing old newspapers from random dates. They also mention that they are not guests this week and that Vanessa is a successful screenwriter in the movie business.

00:00:28

Newspaper Guessing Game and Missoula Montana Gazette

This Chapter features a fun game where the hosts and Vanessa guess the year of the newspaper. Vanessa correctly identifies it as 1890. The hosts then reveal that the newspaper is the Missoula Montana Gazette, dated September 5th, 1890. They discuss the town of Missoula and its famous testicle festival.

00:00:32

John Egan: The Eccentric Millionaire

This Chapter tells the story of John Egan, a wealthy man who inherited a fortune and spent it recklessly on extravagant and often nonsensical activities. The hosts discuss the absurdity of Egan's actions and how they reflect the era's societal norms. They also discuss the concept of a "poorhouse" and how Egan died in one despite being incredibly wealthy.

00:01:54

The Missing Daughter and the Coachman

This Chapter tells the story of a prominent citizen named Harry Ashton who discovers that his daughter Unis has gone missing with his coachman William Thompson. The hosts discuss the racial implications of the story, given that Thompson is black and Unis is white. They also discuss the daughter's letter to her father, in which she confesses her love for Thompson and acknowledges the disgrace it will bring upon her family.

00:02:45

The Dentist and the Cheating Wife

This Chapter tells the story of a man named C.J. Parker who suspects his wife is having an affair with a dentist named Gustavus Brown. Parker confronts Brown and his wife in Brown's bedroom, finding them in a compromising position. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the situation and how it reflects the 1890s' societal norms. They also discuss the concept of "cucking" and how it relates to the story.

00:03:01

The Embezzlers and the Disguises

This Chapter tells the story of two men, John Mayer and John Benedict, who are arrested for embezzlement. The hosts discuss the men's disguises, which involved Benedict shaving off his mustache and whiskers. They also discuss how Benedict's suspicious actions in the train depot led to his arrest.

00:03:42

The Ferret Poaching Prince

This Chapter tells the story of Prince Henry of Batonburg, who goes ferret poaching with a companion. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the story and how it reflects the 1890s' societal norms. They also discuss the fact that the prince's companion was apprehended and fined, while the prince himself went free.

00:44:56

Sparrows and the Cuckoo Clock

This Chapter discusses a story about sparrows tying down a clock's hands to build a nest. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the story and the sparrows' supposed reasoning power. They also discuss the nature of news reporting in the 1890s and compare it to modern-day TMZ-style reporting.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the Pastimes podcast about?

  The Pastimes podcast is hosted by Dave Anthony and Garrett Reynolds, and it involves reading and discussing old newspapers from random dates. They provide humorous and insightful commentary on historical events and societal norms.

• What is the name of the newspaper discussed in the episode?

  The newspaper discussed in the episode is the Missoula Montana Gazette, dated September 5th, 1890.

• Who is John Egan and what is he known for?

  John Egan is a wealthy man who inherited a fortune and spent it recklessly on extravagant and often nonsensical activities. He is known for his eccentric behavior, such as buying a train to avoid waiting for a regular one and paying a farmer to set fire to his barn.

• What is the story of Unis Ashton and William Thompson?

  Unis Ashton, the daughter of a prominent citizen, runs away with her coachman, William Thompson. The story highlights the racial implications of the time period, as Thompson is black and Unis is white. Unis writes a letter to her father confessing her love for Thompson and acknowledging the disgrace it will bring upon her family.

• What is the story of C.J. Parker, his wife, and Gustavus Brown?

  C.J. Parker suspects his wife is having an affair with a dentist named Gustavus Brown. He confronts them in Brown's bedroom, finding them in a compromising position. The story reflects the 1890s' societal norms and the absurdity of the situation.

• What is the story of John Mayer and John Benedict?

  John Mayer and John Benedict are arrested for embezzlement. Benedict attempts to disguise himself by shaving off his mustache and whiskers, but his suspicious actions in the train depot lead to his arrest.

• What is the story of Prince Henry of Batonburg?

  Prince Henry of Batonburg goes ferret poaching with a companion. The companion is apprehended and fined, while the prince goes free, highlighting the privileges of the wealthy.

• What is the significance of the woman's long name in the episode?

  The woman's long name, Joy C. Jane, Permelea, and Sarah Elizabeth Douglas Carr, Gentry Ballard, is a humorous example of the unusual names people had in the 1890s. It also highlights the absurdity of the time period.

• What is the story of the dog bite and the $5,000 payout?

  A young man is bitten by William Vanderbilt's hound and receives a $5,000 payout. The story reflects the 1890s' societal norms and the potential for financial gain from unusual situations.

• How do the stories discussed in the episode reflect the 1890s' societal norms?

  The stories discussed in the episode highlight the unique and often humorous aspects of life in the 1890s. They reflect the era's societal norms, including the strict social hierarchy, the prevalence of racism, and the potential for both extreme crime and bizarre behavior.

• What is power evangelicalism?

  Power evangelicalism is a term coined by the founder of the charismatic third wave movement to distinguish his evangelical method from traditional evangelicalism. It emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit and its ability to perform miracles.

Show Notes