Historic Oddity Headline: June 29, 1907 - Produces Chicken That Talks
The Superior Times
June 29, 1907
“Produces Chicken That Talks.”
Californian Crosses Parrot and Guinea Hen with Strange Result.
San Jose, Cal. - After ten years of experimenting, Clinton H. Willis, a rancher on the Monterey road, has produced a chicken that can talk.
The fowl is the sixth generation of a cross between a parrot and guinea hen, but in every characteristic except the lower half of its bill and the arrangement of its toes, the bird is a chicken.
The upper half of the bill is straight like that of the guinea, while the lower part is clearly a parrot beak. Its toes are arranged two and two, instead of three and one as in the barnyard fowl.
At present the chicken’s vocabulary is limited to “Mornin’ Clint,” “Chawterbaker, Clint,” and a three syllabled swear word.
The existence of the strange bird was learned this afternoon by the visit to San Jose of J.H. Middleton, a dime museum proprietor of Cincinnati, who offered $200 for the fowl. Willis refused the offer, as he will try to improve the breed and wishes to be known as the Burbank of the bird tribe.
“Historic Oddity Headlines” showcases actual articles written about truly odd occurrences that took place and were published within United States newspapers back in the 1800s-1900s. The articles posted here are written exactly as they appeared during their original publishing date.
-The Pine Barrens Institute
The Superior Times
June 29, 1907
“Produces Chicken That Talks.”
Californian Crosses Parrot and Guinea Hen with Strange Result.
The Hartford Herald
July 25, 1894
“STORY OF WITCHCRAFT.”
IN THE SOUTH - - - OLD KATE BATTS’ AWFUL SPELL.
History of the Famous Bell Witch and Its Tragic Persecution of an Entire Family in Tennessee.
A CHAPTER OF MYSTERY.
Press and Daily Dakotaian
February 21, 1889
“THEY FLED IN TERROR.”
The Odd Occurrence that Startled the Inhabitants of Litchfield, Ills.
Iron County News
December 10, 1921
“Mystery of Lost Atlantis.”
Believed by Many to Be Merely Legend, but Idea Can Not Be Entirely Uprooted.
Northern Wisconsin Advertiser
November 3, 1922
“EASY FOR SNAKES.”
Fisherman Was a Benefactor, Though He Didn’t Know It.
But for Chance Encounter, Mystery of Missing Catfish Might Never Have Been Solved.
Watertown Republican
September 27, 1893
“FOUND TWO SKELETONS.”
It May Result in Clearing Up a Mystery at Oconomowoc.
The Washburn Times
February 9, 1911
“Rodents Hoard Much Gold.”
Office Boy of Chicago Jewelry House Solves Mystery of Disappearance of Valuables.
Wausau Pilot
February 2, 1922
“Secret Doors In Mystery House.”
“Chain Girl’s” Story Makes Modest Appearing Cottage a Mecca for Curious.
PRISONER IN ATTIC.
Through Days and Nights of Terror Fifteen-Year-Old Girl Languished in Chains, According to Statement to Police.
Daily Arizona Silver Belt
September 11, 1907
“September 9 Is His Unlucky Day.”
For Nine Consecutive Years Mike O’Byrne Has Met with Accident on this Fatal Date.
FATHER’S DEATH ON SAME DAY AN ODD OCCURRENCE.
Slipped into a Shallow Shaft at San Carlos on Monday and Broke His Arm - Full Diary of Nine Years of Hard Luck.
The Lafayette Advertiser
November 25, 1913
“Hay Ricks Lifted On High.”
Remarkable Phenomenon That Is Said to Have Been Witnessed by Party of Scotsmen.
The Wisconsin Weekly Blade
February 8, 1917
“Finds Hidden Rooms In House Of Mystery.”
Carpenter Work on Old Place Reveals Apartments None Knew About.
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tags / california, cincinnati, chicken, guinea fowl, parrot, oddity headlines
The Minneapolis Journal
November 16, 1901
“PREHISTORIC.”
Skeleton of a Giant Found in a Cave With Specimens of Rude Art.