When was it published?

July 31, 1880 in Virginia Free Press

Story July 31, 1880

Virginia Free Press

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Curiosity, Medical Curiosity, Extraordinary Event

Q: What themes does it cover?

Providence Divine, Misfortune, Bravery Heroism

Q: What keywords are associated?

40 Day Fast, Starvationist, New York, Public Reactions, Tempting Providence, Neighbor Taunts

Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia

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What is this article about?

Tanner, New York's 40-day starvationist, nears completion of his fast amid public reactions: encouragement from pseudo-doctors and George Francis Train, warnings from undertakers, religious admonitions against tempting Providence, and taunts from two women displaying food and ringing a bell.

Clipping

OCR Quality

88% Good

Full Text

Tanner, the New York forty days' starvationist, will have completed his effort on Saturday next. The phenomenon. During the progress of his fast this latest ephemeral subject for Gothamite discussion is receiving more lettered and doubtful attentions than one can shake a stick at. Pseudo medical men, professional fasters and Geo. Francis Train are sending in missives of encouragement and gratulation. Undertakers and agents of leisure contribute notes of warning enclosed with various cheerful specimens of coffin ware. Clergymen and other well-meaning folk expostulate with the starver for tempting Providence, while, to crown his agony, every time Tanner approaches his window two fiendish females across the way hold a cup of coffee and bread before his eyes, and ring continuously a dinner bell.

What sub-type of article is it?

Curiosity Medical Curiosity Extraordinary Event

What themes does it cover?

Providence Divine Misfortune Bravery Heroism

What keywords are associated?

40 Day Fast Starvationist New York Public Reactions Tempting Providence Neighbor Taunts

What entities or persons were involved?

Tanner Geo. Francis Train

Where did it happen?

New York

Story Details

Key Persons

Tanner Geo. Francis Train

Location

New York

Event Date

Saturday Next

Story Details

Tanner undertakes a 40-day fast in New York, receiving encouragement from pseudo-medical men, professional fasters, and Geo. Francis Train; warnings from undertakers with coffin samples; expostulations from clergymen for tempting Providence; and taunts from two women across the street who display coffee, bread, and ring a dinner bell.