Surprise, Surprise!

Did this really happen twice in the space of a year, in a manner that became noticeable to a newspaper? Or was it the invention of a bored and desperate reporter, then copied by another?

Source for first item: Lindsay Gazette (Lindsay, California) 31 May 1935, Fri Page 11

Source for second item: Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Florida) 29 May 1936, Fri Page 2

Who We Are
Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Paul - Thu Dec 02, 2021
Category: Domestic | Travel | Fables, Myths, Urban Legends, Rumors, Water-Cooler Lore | 1930s

Comments

At a time when long-distance phone calling was coat-prohibitive for most people, I can see where this might have occurred. But if you’re going to drive halfway across the country, you might want to do at least some coordination by mail.

Posted by Brian on 12/02/21 at 08:14 PM

I can't find this story described in any urban legend literature, but it sure sounds to me like an urban legend reported as news.

Posted by Alex on 12/05/21 at 05:03 PM

Commenting is not available in this channel entry.