Tag: Jacob M. Appel
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The derailment of Franklin Pierce
Jacob Appel New York, New York, United States Few subjects have attracted as much attention from medical historians, both well-founded and speculative, as the health of United States presidents. Considerable debate exists over the extent of impairment caused by Lincoln’s bouts of melancholia,1 Grant’s alcoholism,2 Wilson’s stroke,3 and Coolidge’s depression4—to name only those chief executives from…
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Tending Babe Ruth’s grave
Jacob AppelNew York City, New York, United States We’ve got our share of notables and has-beens,Mobsters and vaudeville stars and even Bess Houdini,Harry’s widow, tucked under polished Barre granite,But the Babe’s our star attraction. Old-time fansAnd kids stuffed into vintage pinstriped flannel,Trousers bagged at the cleats, lay offerings beforeHis sand-blasted stele like pilgrims at LourdesOr…
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Death notices
Jacob AppelNew York City, New York, United States Browsing the obituaries over Sunday brunch —one never knows what nugget one may find,a former grade school teacher or some biddyfrom one’s mother’s mahjongg klatch — I stumbleupon the wedded name of the girl I’d hopedto marry at twenty-five, when I was twelve.That did not happen. Fate…