My son Simon does research for a living. He turned up the salacious 1884 info about Minnie Katzenberger and her father’s unlucky 1904 duel with a rival suitor.

Simon sent this intriguing story today.

“I found this April 1, 1898 C-J article about a “C. Katzenberger” (not sure if he’s family, but it’s certainly possible). He was known for carrying around a much-coveted mockingbird that sang songs for people. Eventually he traded it to a grocer at Rubel & Breckinridge for a barrel of flour. He told the grocer exactly where to hang the cage. Then one day he returned, stole the bird, and traded it to a blacksmith for two sledgehammers. Cops arrested him for grand larceny. Gotta respect the grift, though!”