Author Archives: CharlieClaywell

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About CharlieClaywell

I have been a writer for years, mainly as a reporter, but I have always enjoyed history, especially non-mainstream stories buried inside old documents. My blog mostly centers around those stories. On occasion, though, I deviate and talk about my dog, vintage toys and what it's like to be middle-aged.

Funny Friday: Ohio Judge Fines Self For Contempt

Posted on August 21, 2015 by CharlieClaywell

ohio-judgeWhen reading the news this week, there were lots of stories about politics, forbidden love, and even where Ohio can — or cannot — buy the drug used in state executions. But all of those stories can be a little too much at times — and depressing.

So, it’s kind of refreshing when a lighthearted story comes along like this one from Hillsboro, Ohio a small town about an hour east of Cincinnati. The Common Pleas judge for Hillsboro — Rocky Coss — has a strict ‘turn off your cell phones before you come into my courtroom’ rule. Earlier this week, while court was in session, Coss’ ringtone went off.

After his phone rang, Coss did what he would do to anyone breaking his rule: He gave himself a stern talking to, found himself in contempt of court, and ordered himself to pay the $25 fine.

Coss wrote about the mishap in his local paper and concluded his article by saying,

You never know what fun event life will bring especially to the attorneys present during the hearing. I am contemplating having the Bailiff search me before I go into court to avoid being a repeat offender. We have never had a repeat offender on the cell phone violation and I certainly do not want to be the first in that category.

So who had such pressing business that they needed to talk with the judge during a court session?

His wife.

You can watch a video clip about the incident here.

Categories: Funny Stories | Tags: ,

So President Harding Had An Illegitimate Child After All?

Posted on August 14, 2015 by CharlieClaywell

hardingI recently posted an entry about Warren G. Harding, Ohio’s last (and possibly most dismal) presidential offering, and in the post I discussed Nan Britton. Britton was a young woman from Harding’s hometown who was infatuated with the president (their affair actually started when Harding was a Senator in D.C.). After Harding’s death, Britton wrote The President’s Daughter, in which she alleged Harding fathered her child, Elizabeth Ann Blaesing.

Of course, in a typical move in American politics she was vilified. Her allegation was dismissed as an attempt to scandalize the dead president’s name, but, a recent New York Times article reports Britton’s version of the story is probably true. The Times said,

…according to genealogists, new genetic tests confirm for the first time that Ms. Britton’s daughter, Elizabeth Ann Blaesing, was indeed Harding’s biological child. The tests have solved one of the enduring mysteries of presidential history and offer new insights into the secret life of America’s 29th president.

Britton’s grandson, James Blaesing, 65, a construction contractor in Portland, Ore., said the tests finally vindicate his grandmother Nan.

“She loved him (Harding) until the day she died,” he said. “When she talked about him, she would get the biggest smile on her face. She just loved this guy. He was everything.”

Britton was one of two women, Harding had an affair with — the other was Carrie Phillips. Harding and Phillips, who was married to a family friend, continued their affair for 15 years.

In 2014, the somewhat racy love letters Harding sent to Phillips were released to the public.

Categories: Ohio History, Presidents From Ohio | Tags: , , ,

Mystery of America’s First English Colony Solved?

Posted on August 11, 2015 by CharlieClaywell

roanokeWhen many people think of the first English colonies in North America, Jamestown, or maybe Plymouth Rock, comes to mind. Few, if any, recall the Roanoke Colony in present day North Carolina.

Even though I don’t remember learning about the colony in school (that doesn’t mean it wasn’t taught) once I learned about the colony I became fascinated with the mystery of the fate of those families who had migrated from England.

It was in this colony that the first child of English parents was born, on August 18, 1587, in North America. She was named Virginia (Dare) after the Virginia colony. An article published in the New York Times this week sheds some light on what we know for certain about the mysterious colony.

John White took more than 100 settlers to Roanoke Island, which lies inside the chain of barrier islands that is today called the Outer Banks. It was Sir Walter Raleigh’s second attempt to colonize North Carolina, but the first to include civilians and families.

The only reason the birth of Virginia Dare is known to us today is because shortly after she was born, her grandfather, John White — Governor of the colony — returned to England to gather fresh supplies. However, when White returned three years later, there was no trace of his family or any of the colonists.

What happened to the colonists has inspired plenty of books and theories — including one theory that the settlers were integrated into the Croatoan tribe.

But the Times article offers a few new clues, including the possibility that members of the colony moved inland during the three-year gap between White’s departure and return.

Since 2012, at a location in North Carolina aptly names Spot X, members of the First Colony Foundation have excavated and recovered artifacts. What they have found will be revealed today by the Foundation, but one member, Nicholas M. Luccketti, gave a hint about what the artifacts demonstrate.

We have evidence from this site that strongly indicates that there were Roanoke colonists here.

So, we may be getting closer to knowing what happened.

To learn more about the Roanoke Colony, visit the First Colony Foundation or select one of the many books on Roanoke the Lost Colony from Amazon and other book stores.

Categories: American History