Tales from the Morgue is compiled by one who once worked in the Star Library in the days before computer archives. Stories were clipped from newspapers and filed by several subjects for easier retrieval.
The Library was even staffed at night and library assistants would field such questions as are mentioned in this article. Many such phone calls came in the evening and began with "Can you settle a bet?"
From the Arizona Daily Star, February 22, 1934:
NEWS ROOM ACTS AS INFORMATION CENTER FOR ODD QUESTIONS
The telephone company, the chamber off commerce and the ticket office clerks of the railways are called upon to answer many odd questions but non more odd than many that come to the newsroom of a daily paper day after day.
Questions regarding the location or population of cities, the altitude or relative temperatures of various resorts, the name of the present ambassador to the court of St. James or to Uraguay, the time of day or night of what will it cost to send three pairs of knitted six back by air mail to Uncle Ira who is threatened with pneumonia in McKeesport, Maine, all come to the news desk.
Whenever possible for reference works, or rapid research by telephone to furnish it, the information is freely given.
But the one question that neither the news or sports department ever has been able to settle to the satisfaction of the askers is βWhich was the best man in his prime, John L. Sullivan or Jack Dempsey?β That one still hangs fire.
The Internet now answers these questions and the Star Library is no longer staffed. The older clips are still there however.
