By Carol Mobley Ambrose Hadley aka Capt. Fred Hadley was my great grandfather and married to the Circassian Girl, Lizzie Metz.  He was notable for a number of things, Civil War Veteran, Nebraska Pioneer and Tatooed Man.  That’s right, my great grandfather was the tatooed man in the circus from 1882 to 1884.  I never knew him, he died long […]

By Kathy Honea Artus Van Briggle traveled to Colorado Springs in March 1899, in search of a cure for his tuberculosis.  He was an accomplished artist, and had worked at Rookwood Pottery since he was eighteen years of age.  In recognition of his talent, Rookwood Pottery had sent him abroad to study for two years.  While there, Artus became acquainted […]

By Roy Nuhn  Of all the holidays Americans have celebrated over the last two centuries, none can compare to the special place that Valentine’s Day holds in the hearts of lovers. During the height of the picture postcard mania, from 1904 to about 1917, thousands upon thousands of different lovely and beguiling Valentine’s Day postcards were published. They were made […]

By Robert Reed What began as a courtship of stoneware in early days of America became a full-fledged romance during the growing years of the country. Stoneware, which had its origins in 16th century, became a very practical and attractive earthenware in England by the 17th century. Being highly-fired and treated with common salt in the kiln process, the resulting […]