Spurious Nib
Volume 70

Spurious Nib #77

Obscure historic story:

Japan’s first attempt to invade America took place in 1901. The plot involved kittens being smuggled into the United States inside Dr. Thomas Electric Oil boxes. The Japanese failed take into account the shipment of yarn that would accompany the kitten’s voyage. By the time the Ship docked in San Francisco the term, “cats in the cradle” officially entered the American English lexicon.

Spurious Nib#121

“Lost In Translation”

The Russian Tsar, Nicholas II, last Emperor of Russia, was disappointed to discover the cotton gin did not produce alcohol. Unfortunately the Duma bought and distributed forty-three Cotton Gins before they realized their mistake. The result caused a riot which eventually led to the Bolsheviks rise in power.

Spurious Ad Nib #34

Miter Chairs, “Experience the exhilaration of siting like the very first time!”

People sit in many ways and in many places. Mrs. Nettie Pitts and her husband Nemo of 53 Front St. Wayne, Michigan enjoy sitting under trees for shade. “Nemo and I enjoy our new Miter Shade Chairs. What an amazing experience!”

Don’t get carried away by our rock bottom pricesat this month’s inventory clearance sale!

Spurious Nib #04

Hornsby Mothbottom’s pen name was “William Blake.”

Spurious Nib #134

On this date in history President Wilson re-enacted George Washington chopping down a cherry tree.

Spurious Nib

Volume 3

Spurious Nib#6


In 1854 after listening to the latest Stephen C. Foster’s ‘Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair’ Dilworth Butterfield became so enraged by the new American music style he forged a large ax and hacked his square piano to splinters.

Spurious Nib#51

In 1875 The Round Prairie Witness gave a tidbit about one prospector, Paddy O’Deary, who was wandering central Minnesota looking for Fairy Stones: “O’ Deary’s mule’s name is Colleen.”
(And be sure to look for the Spurious Nib’s Special Edition - A Nod to St. Patrick’s Day.)

Spurious Spotlight On Business

 (Editor’s note: We sat down with business man, Mr. Walter Miter.)

Walter Miter is the owner of Miter Chairs. His spouse, Judith and five children live in Wayne, Michigan.
“Mr. Miter, what spurred you into the Chair making business?”
“I have done a lot of sitting. I sit on many things, in many places. Why just yesterday, I found myself sitting on a stool in one of our fine watering holes. I remember a moment early in life being afraid of sitting. I was about sixteen months old, holding onto my dear mother’s hands. I felt wobbly. And suddenly whomp! I was sitting on the floor. The whole experience was quite invigorating. I wanted to recreate that same exhilaration for others. This whole sitting thing is close to my heart.”
“What was the next step so to speak?”
“When I was ten I began keeping a diary of chairs and seating. I observed that people sit in many ways and in many places. People sit at tables for instance or out of doors under trees for shade.”
At this point in the interview Miter showed us one of his many early journals. Indeed it was chalk full of diagrams and notes about sitting and chair inventions.
Walter Miter is one of the area’s largest manufacturers of furniture.