Greenock Telegraph
26 June 1858
Clever detection
On Wednesday afternoon, while William Smith, detective officer, was in the premises of a pawnbroker in town, a woman entered and pledged a gold guard chain. The chain appeared to be new, and the officer suspecting something wrong, followed her to the Calton and learned that she had a son in a jeweller's shop in town. He immediately returned, got the chain from the pawnbroker, and took it to the jeweller, who at once identified it as his property. The shop-boy at once confessed that he had taken the chain, and given it to his mother to pledge, but stated that it was the first article he had ever taken, and that he intended to redeem it soon. The jeweller, who had never doubted the lad's probity, was so much interested in his welfare that he resolved to retain him in his service, but separate him from his imprudent parent, as he thought that by summarily punishing him, he would in all liklihood be cast adrift and ruined.

Perthshire Advertiser
27 June 1850
Vegetable market
Among the abundance of the more common wealth of the vegetable stalls, we observe that cherries, strawberries, green peas, turnips and carrots, within the last few days, have taken their place for the season by the side of gooseberries and new potatoes. The latter now sell at 6d a lb, being 2d down within the last eight days. Strawberries are 1s 8d a pint, and green peas 7d a lippie.

Jedburgh Gazette
28 June 1890
The jubilee memorial tree in the Lothian Park appears to be in a state of decay. There is a tradition about it that it is not the tree originally planted in honour of the jubilee. The 'evergreen pine' refuses apparently to burgeon and blossom in this situation. It may be mortified by the fact that though three years have passed since the jubilee, the commemorative plate with inscription promised at the planting has not yet been affixed to it.

Ross-shire Journal
28 June 1878
Smuggling in Sutherlandshire
A telegram was received by the Wick Customs authorities on Monday announcing the seizure of a French smuggler at Tongue in Sutherlandshire. The vessel had been cruising on the coast for 10 days, and sold about 200 pounds worth of brandy and tobacco to the inhabitants. It is believed she received supplies from a large ship which kept out at sea. The contraband goods seized include about 500 gallons of brandy. The crew of eight are in custody.

John o' Groat Journal
1 July 1890
A letter sixteen years seeking its owner
Captain Manson, of the St Olaf, has just come into possession of a letter which he should have got about the end of November 1874, in Portland, Oregon. It appears that Captain Manson, at that time, was chief officer on board a ship lying in Portland, Oregon. The letter was written in Longhope, on November 6th 1874, and bears the post marks of Kirkwall and Thurso on the 7th and 9th of November respectively, and was addressed to Mr Wm Manson, chief officer, ship James Wishart, Portland, Oregon, America. The ship must have sailed before the arrival of the letter, which in all likelihood lay in Portland during these number of years. It has now been returned from the Dead Letter Office, and after a period of 15 years seven-and-a-half months has been claimed by its proper owner.

Aberdeen Press and Journal
1 July 1886
'Love laughs at locksmiths'
In Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday – before Sheriff Dove Wilson – David Simpson, farm servant, Cowdens, Oldmeldrum, was charged with malicious mischief, alleged to have been committed at the farmhouse of Fingask, Oldmeldrum. He pleaded not guilty. Andrew Mackie, the tenant of the farm of Fingask, said he had been annoyed for some time past with men coming to visit his women-servants, and that on the morning of Sunday last, between two and three o'clock, he saw accused emerging from a skylight on the roof of the house. Witness had placed a bar across the window for the purpose of keeping out such intruders, but it had been removed, and Simpson in his descent from the roof dislodged several slates.

It was stated in defence that the bar had been removed from the window by accused's sweetheart, a servant in the house. The Sheriff said that was not a very gallant defence, but supposing it was true, he could not relieve Simpson of all responsibility. When he wanted to visit his sweetheart he must go in the proper way, and not in a way that was a discredit to her and no credit to himself. He would have to pay a fine of 20s, or go to prison for 10 days.