An Ounce Jim Fugate

There are a lot of reasonable things one might get angry about, even a little riled up – but, rioting over a straw hat? 
Sounds like this something that took place at a county fair someplace? Somewhere they imbibe in a bit of moon-shine perhaps? 
Nope – 
This happened in a place where they take fashion seriously. It happened in September 1922 – In one of the great centers of civilization - New York City. 
Yep – 
Ok of all the things that might cause a ruckus, ok – more than a ruckus, a full-blown multi-day riot - how could a straw hat possibly have anything at all to do with it. 
Apparently, the refined folks of New York City have always taken the statutes of style very seriously – and back in the 1920s the wearing of a straw hat – known as a ‘boating’ hat after September 15th was a faux pas of the highest order. 

 Have you ever watched one of those old Sci-Fi Movies? Like the one where the ants become gigantic because of nuclear radiation, or the one where aliens’ invade. Or how ‘bout this one – The Blob, with Steve McQueen, where a green gelatinous blob from outer space arrives and grows bigger as it devours everything – and then everything changes and the crisis passes – and life goes on in spite of the losses. 
What if something like that really happened. 
Well, believe it or not – it has. 
At first, it was just a glistening but shapeless cloud in the sky. It looked kinda’ like a huge advancing snow storm, or maybe smoke. It was so massive it blocked out the sun. 
And then, the cloud descended out of the sky. 

 Have you ever heard the name Joseph Figlock? There is an amazing story to tell here, as he was a babe magnet like no other. 
Not even Giacomo Casanova can rival the remarkable story of Joseph Figlock. 
Mr. Figlock live in Detroit, Michigan in the late 1930s. He did not seem to be especially remarkable. At the time he came to this man was noticed he was a Middle-aged man, who wore glasses, whose hairline was beginning to recede. He wasn’t famous, rich, or powerful. He was not remarkable smart, or even a beguiling conversationalist. 

He was an employee of the public works department for the city of Detroit. His job – street sweeper. Yet the man proved to be a real babe magnet – but not perhaps in the way you might think. 

 Sometimes there are things that occur in our world that just leave you – well – kind of flabbergasted. One of those happenings was the Great Kentucky Meat Shower of 1876. 
According to reports in the press at the time, this is what happened. The 3rd of March 1876 was a perfectly clear, sun filled day. Just before noon, Mrs. Crouch was outside her home, cooking up a stink. She was involved in a necessarily odoriferous enterprise. She was boiling down a big batch of lard and lye soap. This was typically accomplished with a large cast iron pot, over an open fire. 
And then - she got the shock of her life. Without warning - there were chucks of red meat cascading down all around - out of cloudless blue sky. Mrs. Crouch said, the meat, which looked like beef. “Fell like large snowflakes”. 

 Coincidence – Two or more random incidents happening in a manner that bring about a seemingly coordinated, or synchronized and connected result. 
Some folks say there are no coincidences. Nothing really ever happens by accident. They believe everything overseen by the divine, and that there is purpose and coordination to the whole. 
What do you think? 
As odd coincidences go, 1908 was an interesting year. 
In 1908, Nicola Tesla conducting experiments at his Wardenclyffe facility, in Shoreham, Long Island, New York. Tesla was working on the transmission of energy from one point to another without wires. 

 What would you want to find in a new job? The perfect job? 
Great benefits? 
Flexible hours? 
Doing something that matters? 
A chance for growth and advancement? 
A positive and supportive corporate environment? 
The ability to work from home – or the office – or where ever you choose? 
Bonuses - Perks – A company car? 
 
Well, here’s a job announcement you might absolutely love. Allow me to read it to you: 
Wanted. Young, Skinny, Wiry Fellows, not over 18. Must be expert riders, and willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred. Wages - $25 per week.