First cowboy superstar was a mystery man
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A: Thomas Hezikiah Mix entered the world on Jan. 6, 1880, in Mix Run, Pa., about 40 miles north of State College. He appeared in more than 300 silent movies but fewer than a dozen talkies. You are right: He did achieve the status of megastar and a paycheck to match ‘ more than $17,000 a week. As for the circumstances of his death: On Oct. 12, 1940, while driving his 1937 Cord Sportsman through the desert near Florence, Ariz., he lost control of his car, and a metal suitcase in the backseat flew forward, striking him in the back of the head. The car plunged into a ravine, which was later named the ‘Tom Mix Wash’ in his honor.
Q: I’ve have known about Nostradamus since I was in junior high school. Most of my friends would say that I’m so old I went to school with Nostradamus. I predict I need new friends. What can you tell me about the world-famous seer? When was he born? What was his day job? ‘ M.R., Rapid City, S.D.
A: Michel de Nostredame was born Dec. 14, 1503, in Saint-Remy, France. His grandfather taught him Latin, Greek, Hebrew, mathematics and astrology. He received his medical degree in the 1520s. In his 40s, he began to enter into trances and supposedly see the future. From 1555 to 1558, he published three editions of ‘The Prophecies,’ a collection of writings about his visions. Married twice, he died in July 1566.
Q: There was a professional basketball team nicknamed the Muskies. Where did it play? What happened to the franchise? ‘ V.E., Binghamton, N.Y.
A: The Minneapolis-based Minnesota Muskies, named after a popular Minnesota game fish, played one year, 1967-1968, in the American Basketball Association. After its inaugural season, the team headed south to Florida, where it became the Miami Floridians and, later, just the Floridians. The franchise folded after the 1971-1972 season.
Q: A co-worker went to California for a two-week vacation. She came back with some great pictures and even greater stories. She talked about a wine called Two-Buck Chuck; a regular 750-milliliter bottle cost just $1.99. She didn’t know anything about the wine other than it was good. Are you familiar with it? ‘ K.U., Cape May, N.J.
A: Yes, I am. The actual name is Charles Shaw. At only $1.99, Charles Shaw is an ‘extreme value’ wine. Some of the varieties available are cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and several others. There really is a Charles Shaw, but he is no longer involved with the eponymous wine. The original Shaw produced his products in the Napa Valley, but he went out of business. The Bronco Wine Co. now produces the current line. As you travel away from California, the wine is still available, but the nickname reflects an increase in price: Three-Buck Chuck, even Four-Buck Chuck.
Q: At times, you answer questions about what grandparents used to do. I have one for you. My grandfather said he could tell the weather by looking at his morning cup of coffee. I feel silly asking, especially since he was a great kidder. ‘ B.F., Rochester, Minn.
A: I’ve heard the theory several times. If the bubbles are in the center of the coffee, it will be fair weather; if the bubbles are at the edges, clinging to the sides of the cup, expect rainy weather; and if the bubbles are scattered, the weather will be variable. Check it out and let me know.
(Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at gclothier@readingeagle.com or c/o United Feature Syndicate, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016)