Corpse in a Horse; Streetcar Skirts; Gone Where the Woodbine Twineth: Tidbits from the February 11, 1887 Ypsilanti Commercial

"The Milan Journal has gone where the woodbine twineth.* Mr. Smith, of the Leader, has bought it. It is as much as one paper can do to live there, saying nothing about two."

"When a woman gets on a street-car and spreads out her skirts so that she occupies two seats, you can make up your mind that her husband sits on the edge of his chair and says 'Yes m'm,' 'No, m'm," to her. --New Haven News"

"CONCEALED IN A CARCASS: The Body of a Man Found in the Carcass of a Dead Horse. LOUISVILLE, Ky.,--A most horrible discovery was made in Green county, this state, last Saturday. The dead body of John Keeth was found wrapped in a blanket and concealed inside the carcass of a dead horse. It is supposed that he was murdered and his body concealed there by the murderer. Keeth was a brother-in-law of William Despain. He had been missing for several days, but no search had been made for him, his friends supposing that he was away on a visit, until a dog belonging to William Despain came into the house on Saturday morning, carrying something in his mouth which, when examined, was found to be the hand of a man. Mr. Despain tracked the dog to the carcass of an old horse, and was horrified to find the body of his brother-in-law therein, half eaten up by dogs. It was a horrible sight. The mystery connected with the affair will probably never be solved. Keeth was a married man and the father of six children."

"The Seniors, Juniors, and teachers of the High School were invited to a candy pull, Thursday evening, at the residence of Mr. H. F. Miller. It was given by Misses Dora Ambrose and Blanche Mott. They all had a very enjoyable time."

"The privy vaults must go. Citizens of Ypsilanti, shall these putrid pits of disease and death remain? Why not before spring comes have them substituted by dry privies, boxes? Why not have a city scavenger employed to see that all excretions from these, and all the offal in barn yards be removed monthly?"

"The Commercial tenders its thanks to D. W. Shipman for a bunch of celery which is certainly of a high order allowing us to be judge."

--Ypsilanti Commercial, February 11, 1887

*From the Facts on File Dictionary of American Regionalisms by Robert Hendrickson: