Money & Financial Archives - Useless Information

Useless Information

Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Russell Sage: The Meanest Miser in the Land – Podcast #178

Published on August 15, 2022

Posted in: Death and Murder, Money & Financial, Podcast

Russell Sage was once one of the world's wealthiest men. After his death, his wife Olivia got even by gave his fortune away to the causes that Sage despised. Historian Kathy Sheehan joins me tell the true story of Russell Sage.

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Leaves Estate to “Dumb Animals”

Published on June 19, 2021

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Money & Financial, Tidbits

When Eunice A. White died in 1949, she left what little she had for the care of dumb animals. Two family members got $1 each.

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Penned Will on Ladder

Published on June 12, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Law & Order, Money & Financial, Tidbits

Hermann Strathmann, of Los Angeles, wrote his will on a step-ladder shortly before he passed away. Eight other wills were found. Which would be the accepted one?

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Wrote Will on Petticoat

Published on June 5, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Death and Murder, Money & Financial, Tidbits

In 1925, George W. Hazeltine was near death and wrote his will on the petticoat of one of his nurses. Would it hold up in court?

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Isabel McHie – A Fortune to the Dogs – Podcast #150

Published on May 29, 2021

Posted in: Death and Murder, Love & Marriage, Money & Financial, Podcast

When Isabel McHie was pulled off of a train in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1935, she confirmed to the world that she truly was eccentric. It was a reputation that continued long after she died.

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Double Your Money by Boiling It

Published on March 10, 2021

Posted in: Money & Financial, Tidbits

In 1917, Long Island resident Mike Botrinski attempted to double his money by boiling it. Could this crazy idea actually work?

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The Price of a Kiss – Podcast #146

Published on March 2, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Forgotten History, Money & Financial, Podcast

In 1919, Dr. Justin L. Mitchell kissed nurse Mathilde Benkhardt without her consent. Her lawsuit may have ruined the rest of his life.

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A Grateful Mother – Podcast #143

Published on December 21, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Money & Financial, Podcast

The heartwarming true story from the 1950s of a secret Santa and the generous Christmas gifts that he gave to Helen Arnold's family in Akron, Ohio.

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Woke Up Beside a Dead Man

Published on April 7, 2020

Posted in: Death and Murder, Money & Financial, Tidbits

On New Year's Eve of 1899, Henry Meyer came home to find his boss in his bed. The next morning, he awoke to find his boss had been shot dead.

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An Inside Job – Podcast #131

Published on January 25, 2020

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Money & Financial, Podcast

The incredible story of how James Rufus Landis stole $160,000 in $20 bills from the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing on New Year's Eve of 1953.

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Soul Searching – Podcast #129

Published on November 22, 2019

Posted in: Death and Murder, Money & Financial, Podcast

Miner James Kidd made an incredibly unusual request in his will that would take more than 21 years for the courts to resolve.

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50,000 Books Given Away

Published on October 5, 2019

Posted in: Miscellaneous, Money & Financial, Tidbits

When the Brattle Book Shop was forced to move in 1964, it had to give away 50,000 books for free.

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Milk Bottle Shortage

Published on September 21, 2019

Posted in: Forgotten History, Money & Financial, Tidbits

On November 14, 1946, it was reported that there was a shortage of milk bottles in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

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The Coal Mountain Casanova – Podcast #120

Published on March 19, 2019

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Money & Financial, Podcast

In 1952, Jesse Garrett had recently divorced and was in search of a new wife. He seemed like a catch and hundreds of women contacted him to let them know that they were interested. In the end, Jesse Garrett was financially ruined.

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6-Year-Old Goes on a Buying Spree

Published on September 21, 2018

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Money & Financial, Tidbits

In 1933, 6-year-old Bertha Deshefy of Yonkers % % went on a spending spree. In 4 hours, Bertha used her dad's bankroll to purchase $110 worth of candy and toys.

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