1 Reply Latest reply on Mar 29, 2021 2:58 PM by Rachael Salyer

Seeking story behind Mud Pies article

Joe Robinson Mar 24, 2021 1:11 PM

I'm from UK doing some research about the history of children's play with sand castles and mud pies, etc. In an article in the Savannah Morning News, November 27, 1871 (page 1, column 3) there is a brief notification...

'Little Lewis Jenkins and little Johnny Daly were two manumitted infants, of Atlanta, aged respectively eleven and nine. In a controversy over a mud pie Lewis playfully snapped a pistol at Johnny, and the latter is now a member of the Diet of Worms.'

I've looked for other references on the story and only found the same note copied and repeated abroad. I'm not familiar with US cultural history in detail and just wanted to inquire if, from anyone's experience, this was likely to be accurate note on something that happened. It just seemed such a short note on something quite traumatic and the 'Diet of Worms' comment seems remarkably unkind when mentioning a child's death. But I'm unfamiliar with the context of that time or place. If anyone could give me their opinion I'd be most grateful.

Re: Seeking story behind Mud Pies article

Rachael Salyer Mar 29, 2021 2:58 PM (in response to Joe Robinson)

Dear Mr. Robinson,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We located the article you mentioned in the “Affairs in Georgia” column of the "Savannah Morning News" for November 27, 1871. Some of the stories in the column seem true and others, like the children’s story, seem more “tongue in cheek,” especially since it was published in a Southern newspaper after the Civil War and the children are described as “two manumitted infants” ages of 11 and 9. You may be able to have a better sense of the tone of the story by reading additional columns in other editions of the paper, many of which are available online via the Georgia Historic Newspapers project of the University of Georgia. You may find other historic newspapers online via the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America site, too.

You also may wish to contact the Georgia Historical Society, the Historic Savannah Foundation, and the Coastal Heritage Society in Savannah, Georgia, to see if they can offer you any additional insight or assistance.

We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!
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