Stories: Old West & Beyond 01.21.25
“Mistakes are the portals of discovery." —James Joyce
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1. The Wild West: The Soap Scam.
2. The Wild West: Soapy Smith in Alaska.
3. A weird laptop, an electric salt spoon, and other new gadgets
4. The best and worst professions for ethics and honesty.
5. These items make up a basic emergency supplies kit.
6. The foods that debuted the year you were born.
7. Soup you can suck on.
8. A museum honoring Medal of Honor recipients will open this summer.
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1.
American con man Jefferson Randolph Smith II mainly operated out of Denver, using soap to swindle people out of hard-earned cash. He eventually made his way to Alaska, where one con too many cost him his life. “The Soap Scam.”
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2.
The gold rush was in full swing when Soapy Smith moved to Alaska. And that was the catalyst for him becoming Alaska’s most infamous criminal.
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3.
New gear and gadgets were introduced last week at the annual Consumer Electronics Show. Here are 18 innovative products that attracted the most interest.
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4.
A new survey ranks professions by honesty and ethical standards. Politicians and reporters don’t do well. Nurses, on the other hand, rank highest.
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5.
In light of the fire disaster in California, FEMA is urging preparedness. The agency recommends having an emergency supplies kit that lasts 72 hours.
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6.
Cheerios, Frozen Dinners, and Marshmellow Peeps were among the then-innovative food products on grocers’ shelves over the last several decades. Find the one that came out the year you were born.
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7.
Speaking of innovation, Progresso has introduced a new form of soup. Say hello to Soup Drops: Chicken noodle soup in hard-candy form.
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8.
The National Medal of Honor Museum is slated for its Grand Opening on March 25th in Arlington, Texas. The museum will serve as “a memorial for Ordinary Americans WHO Became Legendary Heroes.”
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“The legacy of brave men and women who have fought and died for their country is the freedom we enjoy as Americans.” —Lucian Adams, Army - World War II
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