VINTAGE NEWS  

Sometimes we buy things on eBay on impulse. This 1816 newspaper reportedly included a story about a drowning boy in Portsmouth, NH. Turned out to be a single paragraph at best, but we include it here as part of the public record. As a bonus, a perpetual motion machine is exposed in Philadelphia as a hoax in the previous article. (See article below)  

THE NATIONAL AEGIS
Wednesday, August 7, 1816
volume XV, No. 758
Published at WorcesterMassachusetts by Henry Rogers  

Portsmouth, July 20, 1816  

On Saturday morning last, a child of three years, while amusing himself on Piscataqua bridge, round some persons fishing, by accident fell into the river; the current was strong and he was carried up many rods, on the surface of the water, lying on his back bouyed up by his loose clothes. There were several persons called to his assistance, none of which could swim, and the nearest boat was at the distance of half a mile. The little victim was for fifteen minutes waving his hand, and imploring help, when he became exhausted, and was sink [sic]. At this critical moment, a gentleman of Vermont passing the bridge, and seeing his danger, instantly stripped himself plunged into the water, swam to his assistance, and had the satisfaction of bringing him alive to the shore.

BONUS REPORT  

PERPETUAL MOTION 
Philadelphia, July 29. 1816

The curtain has at length dropped. The farce is ended. Mr. Redheffer and his perpetual motion are laid by, until public credulity shall recruit and permit him to bring it on the carpet another year.  

Lest persons abroad should be disposed to censure those respectable gentlemen, who consented to attend his exhibition, we take the liberty to lay strike that say that their object was simply to save their fellow citizens from the imposition, which it was known would be practiced upon them (should they decline to examine it,) by putting the machine in operation, boldly proclaiming it to be perpetual motion, and exultingly declaring that he had offered it to the inspection of the most learned and ingenious man in the state.
  – The American  

Perpetual Motion at rest -- agreeably to Mr. Redheffer’s desire, the committee which he himself appointed, met by a adjournment this morning to examine his Perpetual Motion, but lo! The machine was at rest -- everything except the tongue of Mr. Redheffer, which was constantly going in making excuses why the machine was not ready & etc. – Demo Press. 

Picture from entry on Charles Redheffer from WIKIPEDIA