In 1872, veteran prospectors Philip Arnold and John Slack bought $35,000 worth of diamonds in Europe and scattered them on land in Wyoming. They managed to convince the Bank of San Francisco they had discovered a diamond field and made $700,000.
Starting in 1921, Oscar Merril Hartzell began a scam selling fake shares in the estate of Sir Francis Drake. He contacted as many families as he could find with the surname Drake and was eventually accused of defrauding 270,000 people. The hoax netted him over $2,000,000.
When J. Bam Morrison arrived at Wetumka, Oklahoma in 1950, he claimed to be the advance publicity man for Bohn's United Circus, which, he maintained, was due to hit town in three weeks. He allegedly sold advertising space to local traders... for a circus that didn't exist.
By forging signatures, James Addison Reavis was able to claim he was the legal owner of 17,000 square miles of Arizona. The enterprise raked in $300,000 a year until he was arrested in 1895 and he was sentenced to six years in prison.
Joseph Weill, who inspired the movie "The Sting," rented abandoned banks and convinced businessmen that he had set up a genuine bank. He waited for them to deposit large sums of money before shutting down and moving on to the next town. This, plus some of his other scams, earned him over $6,000,000.
Starting in 1921, Oscar Merril Hartzell began a scam selling fake shares in the estate of Sir Francis Drake. He contacted as many families as he could find with the surname Drake and was eventually accused of defrauding 270,000 people. The hoax netted him over $2,000,000.
When J. Bam Morrison arrived at Wetumka, Oklahoma in 1950, he claimed to be the advance publicity man for Bohn's United Circus, which, he maintained, was due to hit town in three weeks. He allegedly sold advertising space to local traders... for a circus that didn't exist.
By forging signatures, James Addison Reavis was able to claim he was the legal owner of 17,000 square miles of Arizona. The enterprise raked in $300,000 a year until he was arrested in 1895 and he was sentenced to six years in prison.
Joseph Weill, who inspired the movie "The Sting," rented abandoned banks and convinced businessmen that he had set up a genuine bank. He waited for them to deposit large sums of money before shutting down and moving on to the next town. This, plus some of his other scams, earned him over $6,000,000.
noch kein Kommentar - Kommentar verfassen
bizzare
Horneytown, North Carolina
Whynot, North Carolina
Hicksville, Ohio
Knockemstiff, Ohio
Slaughterville, Oklahoma
Idiotville, Oregon
Virginville, Pennsylvania
Sweet Lips, Tennessee
Ding Dong, Texas
Looneyville, Texas
Butts, Virginia
Imalone, Wisconsin
Toad Suck, Texas
Intercourse, Pennsylvania
Unalaska, Alaska
French Lick, Indiana
Whynot, North Carolina
Hicksville, Ohio
Knockemstiff, Ohio
Slaughterville, Oklahoma
Idiotville, Oregon
Virginville, Pennsylvania
Sweet Lips, Tennessee
Ding Dong, Texas
Looneyville, Texas
Butts, Virginia
Imalone, Wisconsin
Toad Suck, Texas
Intercourse, Pennsylvania
Unalaska, Alaska
French Lick, Indiana
noch kein Kommentar - Kommentar verfassen
bizzare
OVIEDO, Fla. - Talk about timing. Right after a Presbyterian minister uttered the words "And when I go to heaven..." during his sermon, he collapsed and died at the pulpit. The Rev. Jack Arnold, 69, was at the end of his sermon Sunday at
Covenant Presbyterian Church when he suddenly grabbed onto the podium before falling to the floor. Several parishioners with medical backgrounds tried to revive Arnold and paramedics were called, but he appeared to die instantly.
Before Arnold collapsed, he quoted Bible scholar John Wesley who said, "Until my work on this earth is done, I am immortal. But when my work for Christ is done...I go to be with Jesus."
Covenant Presbyterian Church when he suddenly grabbed onto the podium before falling to the floor. Several parishioners with medical backgrounds tried to revive Arnold and paramedics were called, but he appeared to die instantly.
Before Arnold collapsed, he quoted Bible scholar John Wesley who said, "Until my work on this earth is done, I am immortal. But when my work for Christ is done...I go to be with Jesus."
noch kein Kommentar - Kommentar verfassen
bizzare
[These are actual excuses workers gave for missing work.]
- I was sprayed by a skunk.
- I tripped over my dog and was knocked unconscious.
- My bus broke down and was held up by robbers.
- I was arrested as a result of mistaken identity.
- I forgot to come back to work after lunch.
- I couldn't find my shoes.
- I hurt myself bowling.
- I was spit on by a venomous snake.
- I totaled my wife's jeep in a collision with a cow.
- A hit man was looking for me.
- My curlers burned my hair and I had to go to the hairdresser.
- I eloped.
- My brain went to sleep and I couldn't wake it up.
- My cat unplugged my alarm clock.
- I had to be there for my husband's grand jury trial.
- I forgot what day of the week it was.
- Someone slipped drugs in my drink last night.
noch kein Kommentar - Kommentar verfassen
bizzare
In 1987, Bob Fosse, the choreographer and film director left $378.79 to each of 66 people to "go out and have dinner on me"; these included Liza Minnelli, Janet Leigh, Elia Kazan, Dustin Hoffman, Melanie Griffith, Neil Simon, Ben Gazzara, Jessica Lange, and Roy Scheider.
In 1974, Philip Grundy, a British dentist, left his dental nurse $271,500 on condition that she didn't wear any makeup or jewelry or go out with men for five years.
In 1955, Juan Potomachi, an Argentinean, left more than $37,500 to the local theater on the condition that they used his skull when performing Hamlet.
In 1765, John Hart left his brother a gun and a bullet "in the hope that he will put the same through his head when the money is spent."
In 1950, George Bernard Shaw left a considerable portion of his estate for the purpose of replacing the standard English alphabet of twenty-six letters with a more efficient alphabet of at least forty letters - it was never achieved.
The British dramatist Richard Brinsley Sheridan told his son that he was cutting him out of his will with just a shilling. His son's reaction was, "I'm sorry to hear that, sir. You don't happen to have the shilling about you now, do you?"
In 1856, Heinrich Heine, the German poet, left everything to his wife on the condition that she remarried "so that there will be at least one man to regret my death."
In 1997, Robert Brett, a Californian who wasn't allowed to smoke at home, left his entire fortune to his wife, provided that she smoked four cigars a day for the rest of her life.
[From "That Book of Perfectly Useless Information"]
In 1974, Philip Grundy, a British dentist, left his dental nurse $271,500 on condition that she didn't wear any makeup or jewelry or go out with men for five years.
In 1955, Juan Potomachi, an Argentinean, left more than $37,500 to the local theater on the condition that they used his skull when performing Hamlet.
In 1765, John Hart left his brother a gun and a bullet "in the hope that he will put the same through his head when the money is spent."
In 1950, George Bernard Shaw left a considerable portion of his estate for the purpose of replacing the standard English alphabet of twenty-six letters with a more efficient alphabet of at least forty letters - it was never achieved.
The British dramatist Richard Brinsley Sheridan told his son that he was cutting him out of his will with just a shilling. His son's reaction was, "I'm sorry to hear that, sir. You don't happen to have the shilling about you now, do you?"
In 1856, Heinrich Heine, the German poet, left everything to his wife on the condition that she remarried "so that there will be at least one man to regret my death."
In 1997, Robert Brett, a Californian who wasn't allowed to smoke at home, left his entire fortune to his wife, provided that she smoked four cigars a day for the rest of her life.
[From "That Book of Perfectly Useless Information"]
noch kein Kommentar - Kommentar verfassen
bizzare
An Italian stripper, Gina Lalapola, was found dead inside a cake she was supposed to leap from at a bachelor party in Cosenza in 1995. She had suffocated inside the sealed wooden cake.
The Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones once admitted ejaculating into a French bread roll and feeding it to fellow band member Glen Matlock as mayonnaise.
In 1997 a couple from Carlisle, Craig Wilde and Simone Rooney, found a six-inch bloodstained hypodermic needle inside a half-eaten loaf purchased from a local supermarket.
German scientists involved in car safety research at the University of Heidelberg routinely use human crash test dummies, including the corpses of children.
When the mistress of the nineteenth-century French novelist Eugene Sue died, she willed him her skin, with instructions that he should bind a book with it. He did.
The holy Roman Emperor Henry VI liked to cheer up his troops by having nuns stripped, then smeared with honey, then decorated with feathers and sent on horseback through the ranks of cheering men.
A man from Silver Spring, Maryland became infected with rabies in 1996 and admitted to having sex with a diseased raccoon. He was charged with animal cruelty.
Middle Eastern cave paintings reveal that men once believed sex with female crocodiles would bring success in life.
The Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones once admitted ejaculating into a French bread roll and feeding it to fellow band member Glen Matlock as mayonnaise.
In 1997 a couple from Carlisle, Craig Wilde and Simone Rooney, found a six-inch bloodstained hypodermic needle inside a half-eaten loaf purchased from a local supermarket.
German scientists involved in car safety research at the University of Heidelberg routinely use human crash test dummies, including the corpses of children.
When the mistress of the nineteenth-century French novelist Eugene Sue died, she willed him her skin, with instructions that he should bind a book with it. He did.
The holy Roman Emperor Henry VI liked to cheer up his troops by having nuns stripped, then smeared with honey, then decorated with feathers and sent on horseback through the ranks of cheering men.
A man from Silver Spring, Maryland became infected with rabies in 1996 and admitted to having sex with a diseased raccoon. He was charged with animal cruelty.
Middle Eastern cave paintings reveal that men once believed sex with female crocodiles would bring success in life.
noch kein Kommentar - Kommentar verfassen
bizzare
The fastest way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly.
There are 2 types of pedestrians, the quick and the dead.
Mothers with teenagers know why animals eat their young.
Where there’s a will, I’m in the way.
If this sticker is getting smaller, the light is probably green.
A fool and his money are a girl's best friend.
Before giving someone a piece of your mind be sure you have enough to spare!
Blow your nose, your horn works fine.
Condoms are easier to change than diapers!
I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met.
Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch.
Reality is a nice place, but I wouldn't want to live there.
Sex is a misdemeanor...the more I miss it, the meaner I get!
There are 2 types of pedestrians, the quick and the dead.
Mothers with teenagers know why animals eat their young.
Where there’s a will, I’m in the way.
If this sticker is getting smaller, the light is probably green.
A fool and his money are a girl's best friend.
Before giving someone a piece of your mind be sure you have enough to spare!
Blow your nose, your horn works fine.
Condoms are easier to change than diapers!
I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met.
Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch.
Reality is a nice place, but I wouldn't want to live there.
Sex is a misdemeanor...the more I miss it, the meaner I get!
noch kein Kommentar - Kommentar verfassen
bizzare
When antelopes become excited and leap vertically into the air, it is called "pronking."
The average human bladder can hold 13 ounces of fluid.
There are 1,575 steps from the ground floor to the top of the Empire State building.
When in the shower, 75 percent of people wash from top to bottom.
In poker, a pair of Queens is also referred to as a "Seigfried & Roy."
The average American looks at eight houses before buying one.
The army controlled by the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz were called the Winkies.
The average American has $104 in their wallet.
The foreign city Americans visit most is Tijuana.
The average human bladder can hold 13 ounces of fluid.
There are 1,575 steps from the ground floor to the top of the Empire State building.
When in the shower, 75 percent of people wash from top to bottom.
In poker, a pair of Queens is also referred to as a "Seigfried & Roy."
The average American looks at eight houses before buying one.
The army controlled by the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz were called the Winkies.
The average American has $104 in their wallet.
The foreign city Americans visit most is Tijuana.
noch kein Kommentar - Kommentar verfassen
bizzare
[Here are some actual answers from contestants who have appeared on the game show "Family Feud."]
Q: Name something a blind person might use:
A: A sword.
Q: Name a song with moon in the title:
A: Blue Suede Moon.
Q: Name a bird with a long neck:
A: A penguin.
Q: Name an occupation where you need a torch:
A: A burglar.
Q: Name something you wear on the beach:
A: A deck chair.
Q: Name something red:
A: My cardigan.
Q: Name an item of clothing worn by the Three Musketeers:
A: A horse.
Q: Name a number you have to memorize:
A: Seven.
Q: Name something you put on walls:
A: Roofs.
Q: Name something that doesn't have an engine:
A: Dishes.
Q: Name something you might be allergic to:
A: Skiing.
Q: Name a non-living object with legs:
A: A plant.
Q: Name a part of the body beginning with "n":
A: Knee.
Q: Name something a blind person might use:
A: A sword.
Q: Name a song with moon in the title:
A: Blue Suede Moon.
Q: Name a bird with a long neck:
A: A penguin.
Q: Name an occupation where you need a torch:
A: A burglar.
Q: Name something you wear on the beach:
A: A deck chair.
Q: Name something red:
A: My cardigan.
Q: Name an item of clothing worn by the Three Musketeers:
A: A horse.
Q: Name a number you have to memorize:
A: Seven.
Q: Name something you put on walls:
A: Roofs.
Q: Name something that doesn't have an engine:
A: Dishes.
Q: Name something you might be allergic to:
A: Skiing.
Q: Name a non-living object with legs:
A: A plant.
Q: Name a part of the body beginning with "n":
A: Knee.
noch kein Kommentar - Kommentar verfassen
bizzare
There is no evidence that Betsy Ross sewed the first U.S. flag. The story didn't even flutter forth from her relatives until 1870.
George Washington did not toss a dollar across the Potomac. Even if he did toss something, the dollar didn't come into being until after the U.S. gained independence.
Francis Scott Key did not write our national anthem. He penned the words then set them to an old English drinking song. It did not become our national anthem until 1931.
Most of the midnight ride of Paul Revere was accomplished by other horsemen. It was Samuel Prescott, in fact, who carried the warning to Concord.
The Declaration of Independence was not approved on July 4, 1776. Only John Hancock, for the assembly, signed it that day. The other signatures were made on August 2.
George Washington wasn't the first U.S. President. John Hanson was the president of the Congress of the Confederation and carried the title of president of the U.S., as did eight men after him.
"Yankee Doodle" is not an American song. It was a British ditty designed to harass ragtag colonists during the French and Indian War.
George Washington did not toss a dollar across the Potomac. Even if he did toss something, the dollar didn't come into being until after the U.S. gained independence.
Francis Scott Key did not write our national anthem. He penned the words then set them to an old English drinking song. It did not become our national anthem until 1931.
Most of the midnight ride of Paul Revere was accomplished by other horsemen. It was Samuel Prescott, in fact, who carried the warning to Concord.
The Declaration of Independence was not approved on July 4, 1776. Only John Hancock, for the assembly, signed it that day. The other signatures were made on August 2.
George Washington wasn't the first U.S. President. John Hanson was the president of the Congress of the Confederation and carried the title of president of the U.S., as did eight men after him.
"Yankee Doodle" is not an American song. It was a British ditty designed to harass ragtag colonists during the French and Indian War.
noch kein Kommentar - Kommentar verfassen