Fluffy Raffles Comes to Town
who?
If you have ever taken a look at the source list I post for each episode, you will know that I do a lot of research in online newspaper archives.
When I do that, I always scroll away from the article I am looking at and take a look at the rest of the newspaper page. If nothing else, it helps provide some historical context for what was happening in the world as the same time. If I’m lucky I’ll find a bizarre headline or a weird ad or a funny political cartoon I can post on social media. If I’m really lucky I’ll stumble across my next episode topic.
At some point I stumbled across an article with the title: “Fluffy Raffles is Among the Missing.” Weird. Seemed to be a story about some adventurous socialite with the improbable name of “Fluffy Raffles” playing a strange cat-and-mouse game with the police. I saved a copy of the page and made a mental note to return to it later.
Then I found an almost identical article, published a few weeks later in a different city. That didn’t strike me as terribly unusual; in the days before instant mass communication news stories often took a few weeks to reach smaller cities.
But then found a nearly identical article again, published a few months later in Hartford, CT. Then a few years later in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Then a decade later in Sioux City, IA.
What the heck was going on?
I had originally assumed these stories were factual — after all, they were appearing on the front page of prominent newspapers next to legitimate news stories. I quickly learned that was not the case when several papers began showing journalistic ethics and started labeling them as ads.
Once I realized this was some sort of ambitious marketing campaign that explained a lot, but I still had no idea who or what was behind it. The only attribution was an enigmatic copyright statement crediting them to “CDA Advertising.” I figured that was a three-letter acronym for some long-defunct advertising agency, and that I would never be able to decode it.
Then one of the articles screwed up and published a full name instead of just an acronym. That proved to be the key to the whole story of the mysterious Miss Fluffy Raffles.
A New Type of the American Girl
Before I can get to that story, I have to lay some groundwork.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, “fluffy ruffles” was a fashion trend — extravagant lace billows at the neckline, sleeves, and hem. (If it helps, picture Judy Garland in Meet Me In St. Louis.)
Like many contemporary trends, fluffy ruffles inspired an archetype. “Miss Fluffy Ruffles” was a “new type of the American girl”, “distinctive, hearty, and swagger”, “a bit masculine in her garb and posing”, “neat and graceful.” She was also a bit of a flibbertigibbet, a modish fashionista pursuing the trends of the day even if that meant wearing outfits which were impractical and over-the-top. Think of her as a sort of proto-flapper, more mischevious than rebellious.
The idea was popularized by a 1907 comic strip syndicated by the New York World. Well, I say comic strip, but “Fluffy Ruffles” was really a Prince Valiant-style illustrated page, pairing the comic verse of Carolyn Wells with the lavish illustrations of Wallace Morgan. That was some top-tier talent — Wells was one of the nation’s best-known humorists, and Morgan was one of the most sought-after newspaper artists of the day. Every week they presented a new tale where our chameleonic heroine donned a new costume and got into hilarious escapades.
The comic strip was so popular that less than a year later Broadway impresario Charles Frohman adapted it into a musical comedy. It had a book by John J. McNally, music by Jerome Kern, a libretto partially composed by George Grossmith Jr., and featuring popular ingenue Hattie Williams in the lead. It was a spectacle, featuring several dozen costume changes over the course of two acts.
With Fluffy Ruffles taking the nation by storm, it was only a matter of time before she became the subject of parody. The easiest joke (and therefore the most popular joke) involved mashing her up with the similarly-named A.J. Raffles, the dashing gentleman thief who was also a master of disguise known for his quick changes.
One of the many, many people who made that joke was her very own creator. Carolyn Wells wrote a handful of parodies where literary detectives like Sherlock Holmes and Lupin I joined together as The Society of Infallible Detectives. In 1917’s “Cherchez La Femme” the Society finds itself at a dead end and calls in the assistance of Miss Fluffy Raffles.
She was dressed in a filmy shimmering sheen of shuffy fliffon, and wore a garden hat two sizes too big for her, with oodles of tiny pink rosebuds clinging clusteringly around it. This was her business suit. You ought to have seen her when she was dressed up!
She took one of the seventeen chairs the men offered her — some were so distracted, they offered two at a time — and crossing her little white shoes (and even at that, they were big enough for her!), she said demurely (her little emery-cushion of a mouth was the kind that always spoke demurely): “Well?”
Miss Fluffy Raffles then uses her uniquely feminine talents to solve the problem that has stymied the men.
I would like to say that “Cherchez la Femme” is an amusing story, but Wells’ work hasn’t aged all that well. Her timing was also off. Fluffy Ruffles may have lingered in her creator’s memory, but the rest of the world had long since forgotten her. The Broadway show only lasted a few months, and the comic strip only outlasted it by a year.
And, of course, someone else had beaten Wells to the joke by almost a decade.
His Hounded Life and Thrilling Experiences
Charles de Argentage was born May 22, 1881 in Paris, France. By 1900 he was an orphan in the care of his older sister and brother-in-law, who dumped him off at a Copenhagen military academy. After graduation he served a stint in the Danish army, with postings overseas in Iceland and Greenland. He was discharged in 1902, and promptly emigrated to the United States.
De Argentage dreamed of being a great comic playwright. Unfortunately, he was not a very good writer. English was not his first language, or his second, or even his third. His dialogue tended to be readable but not natural, and stilted dialogue kills comedy. It did not help that his sense of humor was not very American, either.
He did not let that stop him. Copyright registries show that he churned out numerous sketches and short plays for the burlesque theater. It is doubtful that any of them were ever performed, and the scripts are long lost, so all we have left are a few less-than-tantalizing titles. Of particular interest are 1906’s “The Mysterious Dolly Dimple: A Comedy Sketch in One Act, Two Scenes”; 1910’s “The Mysterious Mr. Raffles in His Hounded Life and Thrilling Experiences of Eluding Capture”; and 1908’s “Fluffy Raffles: A Comedy Sketch.”
So yeah, de Argentage got there first, even if no one else ever saw it.
At some point de Argentage realized that the theater was never going to love him back, so he took a day job in marketing and sales. It turned out that while his stilted and overly formal writing style didn’t really work on stage it made for perfectly serviceable ad copy.
For more than thirty years he worked for dozens of commercial interests all over the United States. He never stayed with any individual client for long, because his bag of tricks was very limited.
One of those tricks, though, was a real doozy…
The Famous Will-o’-the-Wisp of This Continent
…because he essentially took his Fluffy Raffles sketch and turned it into a primitive alternate reality game.
The structure of the game was deceptively simple. About a week before it was due to start, articles would begi n appearing in the local newspaper. What I’m about to read is a composite of several different versions…
Miss Fluffy Raffles Missing Again
Woman of Mystery Disappears and the Police Fear More PranksBoston, May 17 — “Fluffy Raffles” is once more among the missing. This remarkable young woman of mystery has entirely disappeared from view and all trace of her whereabouts have been lost. The police want to know where they can get their hands on “Miss Fluffy” for she has a way of giving them all sorts of annoyance when she is not under surveillance.
While there is nothing malicious about the young woman, she has a way of causing trouble. She is proud of her mischievousness in the “Raffles” line and enjoys her adroitness in mingling in crowds and relieving men of handkerchiefs and the like, just to enjoy the discomfiture when she returns the property the next day. She has been known to visit police headquarters at 11 o’clock in the morning and return two hours later, and even the shrewdest detective unable to discover that she was the same woman who had visited earlier in the day…
It was declared during the early part of the game that it would be an impossibility for Miss Raffles to visit New York, Philadelphia and other cities and return to Boston without being detected by some member of either the uniformed police or some member of a private detective agency. To make good on her boast that it was more than possible, Miss Raffles actually tried conclusions with the Police Chiefs of those cities she trailed through, and here comes the question as to just how long the woman of mystery really could maintain an incognito should she so care….
Should Miss Fluffy Raffles again attempt her dangerous experiment of inviting the general public to make a free-for-all search for her, the police of this country will have another opportunity of determining speedily just how strong they really are in the matter of criminal identification when it comes down to apprehending such a clever little woman as Miss Raffles has proven to be.
These articles tended to lay on the superlatives really thick. Miss Fluffy Raffles was “alive, pretty, and mysterious”; “the meandering metropolitan mystery”; “the famous will-o-the-wisp of this continent”; she made Sherlock Holmes look like a bungler. A little razzle-dazzle to excite the rubes.
They were also salted with specific regional details. The city Fluffy Raffles hailed from and where she was playing her current game were different every time. Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago… It really didn’t matter where as long as it was a big city you’d heard of and far enough away that you couldn’t check to see if this was a real news story. To lend verisimillitude the articles often used the names of real police chiefs, commissioners, and mayors while also being very very careful not to attribute any statements to them directly.
The next day Miss Raffles would emerge, having made a fool of the police. That would be followed by an op-ed from the owner of some local business declaring that while the people of Boston or New York or Philadelphia or Chicago or wherever were slow on the uptake, Miss Raffles would never be able to get away with tricks like that here.
That would then turn into a war of words, culminating in a friendly wager. Miss Raffles would come to town and wander around in disguise. She was so confident in her own ability to remain undetected that she would award anyone who recognized her a cash prize, usually a gold coin or certificate ranging in value from $10 to $200.
There was a catch, of course. The person who captured Miss Raffles would have to be carrying something specific — say, for instance, the sponsor’s product — and they would have to say a very specific phrase, something like…
“Pardon me, are you the mysterious Fluffy Raffles?”
Eventually the day would arrive when Fluffy Raffles appeared in person. Obviously it was an actress who had been hired for the job. From out-of-town, so no one local would recognize her. And as average as De Argentage could find them, so neither too old or too young, too pretty or too plain. Someone whose apperance could change drastically depending on how she was made up or dressed.
De Argentage and the sponsor would make sure everyone knew what their actress looked like. Usually that just meant running her photo in the paper, but if the sponsor was feeling extravagant they might hold a big parade with Miss Raffles as the grand marshal.
And then the game was afoot. The local newspaper would announce when and where Miss Raffles would be appearing on any particular day. She would turn up in disguise — she traveled with several dozen of them — and try to avoid getting caught. Sometimes that meant changing costumes during the middle of an apperance. Sometimes that meant finding clever escape routes, like hiding in a crate and being carried away by porters. She would evade capture for a while, but eventually eventually she would be caught, the prize would be handed out, and the game would be over.
This cat-and-mouse game could be over in a day or it could run for several weeks. If the game lasted for more than a few days, Miss Raffles would publish articles in the paper declaring the city to be “the easiest she’d ever seen” and otherwise taunting the locals. A generous sponsor looking for maximum publicity might even choose to extend the game by handing out multiple prizes spread out over several days.
De Argentage started running the Fluffy Raffles games in 1908, showcasing the quick change abilities of Miss Minifred Vaughn of Swampscott, MA. The first test markets were in the south — Jacksonville, FL; Atlanta, GA, and Nashville, TN — the first sponsors were newspapers and the winner was usually required to have a subscription to the newspaper, or at the very least a copy of the latest edition on their person.
- “Pardon me, are you the mysterious Fluffy Raffles of the Nashville American?”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Miss Fluffy Raffles of the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Miss Fluffy Raffles of the Elmira Star-Gazette.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Miss Fluffy Raffles of the Lancaster Evening Intelligencer.”
He was still working out the kinks, and it didn’t always go smoothly. The Jacksonville game took quite some time to play out, because they had trouble getting the word out and the city center was diffuse. In Atlanta enterprising local merchants tried to drum up business by putting signs in their windows announcing that Miss Raffles would be dropping by at such-and-such a time. Which she most assuredly was not. It took a stern talking-to from the Atlanta Constitution‘s ad department to straighten them out.
In September 1908 there was an altercation in Hartford when someone began harassing a woman they thought was Fluffy but was not, and began demanding she hand over the cash. In Wilkes-Barre in February 1909 “rowdyism” forced the sponsor to restrict participation to women-only. In a few other cities children, especially teenage boys, had to be specifically excluded from participation. In January 1916 there were a few crossed wires in Jacksonville, FL; with the sponsor insisting Miss Raffles could be caught anywhere at any time like the WWE 24/7 Champion, and De Argentage insisting she could only be caught at specific dates and times. In September 1923 a crowd in Columbus, IN began harassing a woman they mistakenly thought was Raffles, and the riot squad had to be called out to disperse them.
For the most part, though, crowds were well-behaved and the game ran smoothly.
De Argentage quickly realized that giving away Fluffy Raffles real name was a mistake as the general public proved to be more interested in the actress than in the game itself, and he didn’t want the distraction. Miss Vaughn would be an anomaly, and the actresses who assumed the role after her were typically anonymous.
He also realized that newspapers really wanted the increased daily circulation more than the publicity the game raised. It was more efficient to have a local sponsor who needed the publicity more, and the newspaper as a silent partner who also benefitted.
Also, he got a job as the in-house marketer for a regional baking company and it made more sense to go all-in on one job. From that point on, the game was almost exclusively run for the benefit of whatever bakery he was currently working for.
That meant a few shifts in the game. Now, instead of having a subscription to or copy of the local newspaper, the person who captured miss Fluffy Raffles was required to have proof of purchase on them, usually a bread wrapper or a cake box, but on at least one occasion they were required to tote around a whole loaf of bread.
Also, the bakeries made it a little weird. See, they didn’t want a mysterious interational woman of mystery. They wanted a girl, or sometimes a princess.
- “Pardon me, you are the 100% Pure Mother’s Bread Girl of the Corby Bakery.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Miss Pan Dandy Girl of the Weber Baking Company.”
- “Pardon me, you are the Miss Pan Dandy Girl of Kolb’s Bakery.”
- “Pardon me, you are the Butter-Dip Girl of the Consumers Baking Company.”
- “Pardon me, you are the Freihofer’s mysterious Macaroni Girl.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Best-Yet-Girl of the Schlotzhauer Baking Company.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Miss Tip-top Girl of the Schmidt Bakery.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Holsum Girl of the J.D. Williams & Brothers Company”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Butter-Krust girl of the Krug Bakery.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious 100% Pure Butter-Nut Bread Girl of the Gordon & Pagel Baking Company.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Tip-Top Girl of the Domestic Science Baking Company.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Butt’r-Sweet Girl, of the Baur Bros. Baking Company?”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Tip-Top Bread Girl of the Wolfarth Bakery.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Butter-Krust Bread Girl of the Toledo Bread Company.”
- 19 “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Mother’s Bread Girl, I am interested in the voting contest.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Tip-Top Bread Girl and I like your bread.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Leader Bread Girl of Manewal Bread Company. I like your bread.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Pan-Dandy Bread girl of Schaefer Bakery. I like your bread.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Kleen-Maid Bread Girl of the Akron Baking Company. I like your bread.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Plezol Bread Girl of The Baker Bread Company. I like your bread.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Butter-Krust Bread Girl of the Orr Baking Co. I like your bread.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Butter-Nut Bread Princess of the Stolzenbach Baking Company. I like your bread.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Martens’ Smax Cake Princess. I like your cake.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Butter-Nut Bread Princess of the Memphis Bread Company. I like your bread.”
- “Pardon me. You are the mysterious Purity Bread Princess of the Purity Bread Company. I like your bread.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Capitol Cake Princess of the New Staedtler Bakery. I like your cake.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Capital Cake Princess of the Campbell Bread Company. I like your cake.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Hostess Cake Princess of the Krug Bakery. I like your cake.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Merit Bread Princess of Campbell Baking Company. I like your bread.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Butter Krust Bread Girl of the Columbus Bread Company.”
The basic structure of the game itself didn’t change, though it often had to be tailored to the abilities of the local audience.
A November 1915 game in Hoboken was over before it started, with Miss Raffles captured three times in one day. On the other hand, it took the good locals of Sioux City, IA more than a week to catch her in June 1920. It took the good people of Lima, OH almost a month to capture her in May 1915. In August 1919 the people of Fort Worth, TX kept forgetting the either the magic words or the cake box they were supposed to have.
In a few cases the local paper had to help the game along by publishing the exact details of Miss Raffles’ outfit that day. Even that did not help the people of Birmingham, AL in March 1919, because they turned out to be so thick that she so thick she ultimately had to discard her disguises in order to get captured.
In August 1914 the Baker Bread Company of Zanesville, OH decided to get clever and earn more money by withholding Miss Raffles picture from the local paper, and only printing it on the inside of wrappers for Plezol Bread. That didn’t go down well and was never repeated.
Sometimes Miss Raffles would randomly stick dollar bills in bread wrappers, or drop by suburban homes to give housewives a dollar if they had a loaf of the bakery’s product in their kitchen.
Sometimes she would spread out over several small cities, like when she hit up towns in Ohio served by the same regional bakery…
- “Pardon me, you’re the mysterious Stone’s Cake Princess. I like your cake.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Stone’s Cake Princess. I like your cake.”
…or an extended jaunt through through East Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana where she not only promoted Stone’s Cakes but also the local grocers who footed most of the bill for the promotion…
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Stone’s Cake Princess of the Stone’s Baking Coompany. I like your cake.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Stone’s Cake Princess. I like your cake, and trade at the Grocery So Different.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Stone’s Cake Princess. I like your cake, and trade at the Old Reliable Grocery.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Stone’s Cake Princess. I like your cake, and trade at the Texas Cash Grocery Co.”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Stone’s Cake Princess. I like your cake, and trade at Sam E. Wood, ‘The Grocer.'”
- “Pardon me, you are the mysterious Stone’s Cake Princess. I like your cake, and trade at Wiener-Loeb, the Grocers.”
The Taystee Bread Princess
By the early 1920s the bloom was off the mysterious and alluring rose. Many of the cities which she had once captivated had all but forgotten her. She became the subject of numerous “remember when” and “where are they now” features, all of which seemed to think that the games had stopped running years earlier.
Miss Raffles found herself taking some, let’s say, less glamorous bookings.
“Pardon me, you are the mysterious Miss Fluffy Raffles of the Ohio Brass Company picnic.”
That’s right, the mysterious Miss Fluffy Ruffles was now running around company picnics being chased by small children for the paltry prize of $5. De Argentage wisely decided to give the gimmick a rest for a few years.
When she came back, though, she came back with a vengeance. In February and March of 1927 Miss Fluffy Raffles traveled to Minneapolis on behalf of Purity Bakeries and this time De Argentage pulled out all the stops.
Purity held a big electrical parade to show off their Taystee Bread Princess to the public, with so many illuminated floats mounted to Studebakers that it was eight city blocks long. Miss Raffles prepped over ninety costumes. The Daily Star dutifully published articles announcing exactly when and where she would be available to be captured. All the good citizens of Minneapolis had to do was have a wrapper of Taystee Bread or Purity Double Bread in their possession, approach her on the street, and say…
“Pardon me, you are the mysterious Taystee Bread Princess of the Purity Bakeries, I like your bread.”
She managed to evade capture on her first day by throwing the crowd off her scent, approaching a similarly-dressed woman who was carrying a loaf of Taystee bread and giving the signal. She was eventually caught by young Russell Addiss on the second day.
That wasn’t the end of the game, though. No, this time there would be a prize every time she was caught, for two whole weeks. There was a catch. Every time she was caught the number of bread wrappers you had to have on your person went up by one. Over two weeks, Miss Raffles was caught six separate times, with the last winner saying the magic phrase and having seven bread wrappers in her pocket.
The game did get a little rowdy. Apparently some players did not always believe local women when they denied being the Taystee Bread Princess. Other players had to be warned not to jump on her car. Some disgruntled players accused her of cheating, so De Argentage had her unmask at the end of every appointment.
And, amazingly, even after the cat-and-mouse game ended Fluffy Raffles didn’t go away! For almost a month she stuck around town catching a lift on Purity Bakeries delivery trucks so she could drop in on random housewives and give them a dollar bill if they had Taystee Bread in their home. She gave out more money on these visits than she had in the first part of the game!
One has to wonder how much Purity spent on all of this, and if it was worth it.
The Golden Urge
The Fluffy Raffles gimmick had been losing steam for over a decade, and Minneapolis should have been its last hurrah.
The basic concept might have worked with a slightly different spin, or maybe a new name that wasn’t tied into stale pop culture references. No one knew who Miss Fluffy Ruffles or A.J. Raffles were any more, so a second-rate mash-up was more confusing than amusing. The problem was that De Argentage was not terribly adaptable or creative. He only knew how to run the game the way he had initially conceived of it, and so it became stale and moribund.
It did not help that when De Argentage was working as an employee of a company and not a consultant he would completely burn out a market. He hit Lancaster, PA three times, the second time only two months after hitting York, despite the fact that the two cities are only 25 miles from each other. He could have worked central Texas for years but instead burned out the market in a few months.
There was also the problem that he was running out of places to hold the game. In smaller cities there were fewer places for Miss Raffles to get lost in and she stood out like a sore thumb.
On top of that, the media market was rapidly changing. When the game started newspapers were the only true mass media, but two decades later radio was starting to take over and De Argentage did not understand the new medium.
The Great Depression was the final nail in the game’s coffin. No one had a marketing budget large enough to run extravagant games any more. They barely had enough money to employ marketers. De Argentage, seeing the writing on the wall, moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida and entered a sort of semi-retirement.
He brought Fluffy Raffles back one final time in 1933, to promote New Thought guru Lincoln Beach’s novel The Golden Urge for a Miami department store. All the residents of Miami had to do was clutch a copy of the book and say the magic words:
“You are the Golden Urge Girl of Sears, Roebuck & Company.”
The prize was $50 in gold, which appropriately enough was the same prize that had been awarded for her very first capture back in Jacksonville. (Though it is worth noting that due to inflation, in 1933 that $50 only had about 2/3 of the purchasing power it had in 1908.) There is no record of her being caught, which seems to imply that either the chase did not last long, or catch the public’s interest.
And that was how Miss Fluffy Raffles went out: not with a bang, but a whimper.
De Argentage passed away in 1947, but he did live long enough to see his creation forgotten and her name appropriated by an Italian operetta, more than a few racehorses, a brand of self-rising flour, a brand of laundry starch, an Australian dance craze, a chocolate bar, and a type of ornamental fern.
Or maybe, just maybe, that’s just how she wants it. After all, disappearing without a trace is her calling card. She has eluded the police on all seven continents and made laughingstocks of the populations of most major American cities. Who can know what deviousness the mysterious and alluring Butt’r-Sweet Girl of the Baur Bros. Baking Company has been up to while she’s been out of the pubic eye?
So next time you see an ornamental fern, beware.
It might just be a clever disguise.
Connections
Hattie Williams, who played Fluffy Ruffles on stage, made her breakthrough appearing in several comedies written by Charles Hoyt. Hoyt’s most famous play was 1891’s “A Trip to Chinatown,” and if that sounds familiar to you it’s because it helped launch the career of actress Laura Biggar, who later faked both a marriage and a pregnancy in an attempt to steal her late boyfriend’s estate. (“Pleadings from Asbury Park”)
Charles Frohman, who produced the stage production of Fluffy Ruffles, was one of the poor souls who went down with the RMS Lusitania in 1915. One of those other unfortunates was art collector Hugh Lane, whose vague and wishy-washy caused no end of friction between the United Kingdom and Ireland. (“More Lovely and More Temperate”)
Sources
- Barry, Rebecca Rego. The Vanishing of Carolyn Wells: Investigations into a Forgotten Mystery Author. Post Hill Press, 2024.
- Catalogue of Copyright Entries, Volume 5, Part 1 (July 1908).
Catalogue of Copyright Entries, Volume 6, Part 1 (January 1909). - Killits, John Milton (ed.) Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, 1623-1923 (Volume 3). S.J. Clarke Publishing, 1923.
- Russell, Lance. “Fluffy Raffles.” YouTube, 12 Jun 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIcFsl93IvA Accessed 7/11/2024.
- Schlechty, Jayson. “A mysterious adventuress comes to town.” The Sherman Room at MRCPL, 7 Dec 2019. https://theshermanroom.wordpress.com/2019/12/07/a-mysterious-adventuress-comes-to-town/ Accessed 7/11/2024.
- Wells, Carolyn. “Cherchez la Femme” in Peschel, Bill (editor). Sherlock holmes Great War Parodies and Pastiches II: 1915-1919. Peschel Press, 2016.
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- “Strange woman starts out for round of shops.” Nashville American, 30 Apr 1908.
- “She is captured in the midst of excited throng.” Nashville American, 1 May 1908.
- “Much-talked of Fluffy Raffles holds a great reception.” Nashville American, 2 May 1908.
- “Wins the Fluffy Raffles reward and gets the money.” Nashville American, 3 May 1908.
- “Looked like Fluffy Raffles.” Fitchburg Sentinel, 5 Sep 1908.
- “Insults to women by advertising dodge.” Hartford Daily Courant, 12 Sep 1908.
- Louisville Courier-Journal, 24 Jan 1909.
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- “Miss Fluffy Raffles, woman of mystery, is in Wilkes-Barre.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 23 Feb 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles enjoyed herself immensely in Wilkes-Barre last night.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 24 Feb 1909.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles plays pranks on the police and department store clerks.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 25 Feb 1909.
- “Everybody is on the hunt for Fluffy Raffles and chase grows exciting; many narrow escapes encountered.”
- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 26 Feb 1909.
- “Men are barred from the chase to capture Fluffy Raffles — prize for women.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 27 Feb 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles had close escapes from capture in her travels on Saturday.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 1 Mar 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles extends chase to capture her to the men once again.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 2 Mar 1909.
- “Exciting time for Fluffy Raffles since the men have come into chase.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 3 Mar 1909.
- “Police sleuth followed the inevitable Fluffy.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 4 Mar 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles goes hunting for herself.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 5 Mar 1909.”
- “Many hot on Fluffy Raffles trail — keeps many appointments.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 6 Mar 1909.
- “Miss Fluffy raffles is inviting easy capture.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 8 Mar 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles caught by wrestler Jim Prokos; money goes to charity.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 9 Mar 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles to appear in public.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 10 Mar 1909.
- “Five charities receive Fluffy Raffles award offered by this paper.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 10 Mar 1909.
- “Claim for Wages.” Wilkes-Barre Record, 11 Mar 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles is missing once more.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 24 Mar 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles the elusive baffles people of syracuse.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 25 Mar 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles will come here tomorrow.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 25 Mar 1909.
- “The mysterious Fluffy Raffles is now here ready to be caught.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 27 Mar 1909.
- “Uncle Billie’s politeness may yet bring him trouble.” Macon Telegraph, 28 Mar 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles escapes, crowd couldn’t find her.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 29 Mar 1909.
- “$100 additional reward for the capture of Miss Fluffy Raffles.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 30 Mar 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles still baffles many pursuers.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 31 Mar 1909.
- “Mozart management offers $200 for Fluffy’s capture.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 1 Apr 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles sat in 0-6 at the Mozart last night.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 2 Apr 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles cpatured at last; Mrs. Bert LaFrance the lucky one.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 3 Apr 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles captured; no longer mysterious one.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 5 Apr 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles bids farewell.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 6 Apr 1909.
- “Fluffy remains at happy hour.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 7 Apr 1909.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles in Williamsport.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 26 Apr 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles again has police guessing.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 17 May 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles baffles Pittsburg’s crack cops.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 18 May 1909.
- “Intelligencer issues challenge.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 19 May 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles will come here.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 20 May 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles in Lancaster.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 21 May 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles escapes capture.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 22 May 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles escapes detection.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 24 May 1909.
- “Miss Raffles says Lancaster is easy.” Lancaster Ingelligencer, 25 May 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles still at large.” Lancaster Ingelligencer, 26 May 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles asks for a job.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 27 May 1909.
- “Fluffy invites easy capture.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 29 May 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles eludes pursuers.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 31 May 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles invites capture.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 1 Jun 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles escapes in trunk.” Lancaster Intellignencer, 2 Jun 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles caught at last.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 3 Jun 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles tells how she was captured.” Lancaster Intelligencer, 4 Jun 1909.
- “Miss Raffles will test her powers in this city.” Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch, 30 Sep 1909.
- “$50 for her capture.” Washington Post, 16 Nov 1909.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles eludes her pursuers.” Washington Post, 18 Nov 1909.
- “Miss Raffles Elusive.” Washington Post, 19 Nov 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles still baffles pursuers.” Washington Post, 20 Nov 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles today resumes elusive stroll.” Washington Post, 22 Nov 1909.
- “Woman of mystery has disappeared.” Newark Evening Star, 6 Dec 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming here.” Newark Evening Star, 7 Dec 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles accepts Weber Baking Company’s challenge.” Newark Evening Star, 8 Dec 1909.
- “$50 for her capture.” Newark Evening Star, 9 Dec 1909.
- “Mysterious Pan Dandy Girl now at work.” Newark Star-Ledger, 10 Dec 1909.
- “Pan Dandy Girl proves will-o’-the-wisp to pursuers.” Newark Star-Ledger, 17 Dec 1909.
- “Weber’s Pan Dandy Girl captured by Dr. Betts, 482 Broad Street.” Newark Star-Ledger, 20 Dec 1909.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming Tuesday.” The Observer, 8 Jan 1910.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles.” The Observer, 10 Jan 1910.
- “Mysterious girls fool the police.” Trenton Evening Times, 11 Feb 1911.
- “Kolb Challenge is accepted by Fluffy Raffles.” Trenton Evening Times, 14 Feb 1910.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles will be here today; $50 for capture.” Trenton Evening Times, 15 Feb 1910.
- “Kolb’s Pan Dandy Girl captured yesterday.” Trenton Evening Times, 25 Feb 1910.
- “In the theaters.” The Farmer, 14 Apr 1910.
- “Fluffy Raffles baffles all Pittsburg and she amazes that town.” Paterson Evening News, 7 Sep 1910.
- “Fluffy Raffles is coming to Paterson.” Paterson Evening News, 8 Sep 1910.
- “Fluffy Raffles will arrive in Paterson to-morrow.” Paterson Evening News, 9 Sep 1910.
- “Mysterious Fluffy Raffles is now in Paterson.” Paterson Evening News, 10 Sep 1910.
- “Hot Hunt for Fluffy Raffles the Butter-Dip Girl.” Paterson Evening News, 12 Sep 1910.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Butter-Dip Girl.” Paterson Evening News, 13 Sep 1910.
- “Hunt for Butter-Dip Girl gets hotter and hotter.” Paterson Evening News, 14 Sep 1910.
- “Fluffy Raffles Consumer’s Butter-Dip Girl.” Paterson Evening News, 15 Sep 1910.
- “$100 in gold at the News office for some lucky person.” Paterson Evening News, 16 Sep 1910.
- “Fluffy Raffles was captured this noon.” Paterson Evening News, 19 Sep 1910.
- “Bird’s detective work netted him $100 profit.” Paterson Evening News, 21 Sep 1910.
- “Police to step in.” Allentown Morning Call, 16 Nov 1910.
- “Fluffy Raffles will arrive in this city Wednesday morning.” Wilkes-Barre Evening News, 6 Dec 1910.
- “Fluffy Raffles.” Wilkes-Barre Evening News, 7 Dec 1910.
- “Fluffy Raffles.” Wilkes-Barre Evening News, 8 Dec 1910.
- “Fluffy Raffles captured today.” Wilkes-Barre Evening News, 9 Dec 1910.
- “Fluffy Raffles will be in Allentown to-day.” Allentown Democrat, 15 Feb 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles.” Allentown Democrat, 16 Feb 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles.” Allentown Democrat, 17 Feb 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles.” Allentown Democrat, 18 Feb 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles.” Allentown Democrat, 20 Feb 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles.” York Daily, 22 Feb 1911.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles has an easy time.” York Daily, 23 Feb 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles may come to Lancaster again.” Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, 24 Apr 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles interviewed by representative of the Schlottzhauer Baking Company.” Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, 25 Apr 1911.
- “Schlotzhauer Challenge is accepted by Fluffy Raffles.” Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, 26 Apr 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles is met by crowd in Washington.” Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, 27 Apr 1911.
- “Schlotzhauer’s Mysterious Best-Yet Girl has arrived in Lancaster.” Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, 28 Apr 1911.
- “Schlotzhauer Best-Yet Girl.” Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, 1 May 1911.
- “Schlotzhauer Best-Yet Girl to appear on stage of Family Theater Friday night.” Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, 4 May 1911.
- “Schlotzhauer Best-Yet Girl will appear at the Family Theater tonight, whether captured or not.” Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, 5 May 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles have disappeared.” Harrisburg Telegraph, 15 May 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles may come to Harrisburg.” Harrisburg Telegraph, 16 May 1911.
- “Schmidt’s Challenge is accepted by Fluffy Raffles.” Harrisburg Telegraph, 17 May 1911.
- “$5 for her capture.” Harrisburg Telegraph, 18 May 1911.
- “Schmidt’s mysterious Tip-Top Girl is in Harrisburg.” Harrisburg Telegraph, 19 May 1911.
- “Schmidt’s Tip-Top Girl still escapes detection.” Harrisburg Telegraph, 23 May 1911.
- “Schmidt’s Tip-Top Girl.” Harrisburg Telegraph, 24 May 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles, Schmidt’s mysterious Tip-Top Girl, captured.” Harrisburg Telegraph. 27 May 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles has disappeared.” Scranton Truth, 2 Jun 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles is located at Pittsburg.” Scranton Truth, 3 Jun 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles may come to Scranton.” Scranton Truth, 5 Jun 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles accepts J.D. Williams & Bro. Co. challenge.” Scranton Truth, 6 Jun 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles will be in town today.” Scranton Truth, 7 Jun 1911.
- “Crowd out to see ‘Holsum Girl’ fills the streets.” Scranton Truth, 8 Jun 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles eludes the New York police.” Dayton Herald, 6 Dec 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles turns up in Chicago.” Dayton Herald, 7 Dec 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming to Dayton Saturday.” Dayton Herald, 8 Dec 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles has arrived in Dayton.” Dayton Herald, 9 Dec 1911.
- “Crowd out to see Butter Krust Girl fills the streets Saturday evening.” Dayton Herald, 11 May 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles has disappeared.” Fremont Herald, 15 Dec 1911.
- “Krug’s Butter-Krust Calls on mayor.” Dayton Herald, 15 Dec 1911.
- “Fluffy Raffles turns up in Chicago.” Detroit Evening Times, 18 Jan 1912.
- “Gordon & Pagel Baking Company challenge is accepted by Fluffy Raffles.” Detroit Evening Times, 19 Jan 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles arrives in Detroit.” Detroit Evening Times, 20 Jan 1912.
- “Butter-Nut Bread Girl captured Saturday night, second reward of $100 is paid to captor.” Detroit Evening Times, 29 Jan 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles among missing.” Cincinnati Post, 3 Apr 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles turns up in Chicago.” Cincinnati Post, 4 Apr 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles accepts challenge of Mr. Hubig of Domestic Science Baking Company.” Cincinnati Post, 5 Apr 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles has arrived in Cincinnati.” Cincinnati Post, 6 Apr 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Tip-Top Girl.” Cincinnati Post, 10 Apr 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Tip-Top Girl.” Cincinnati Post, 12 Apr 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Tip-Top Girl, seeks furnished rooms.” Cincinnati Post, 13 Apr 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Tip-Top Girl, going to Heuck’s Theater this afternoon and eve. undisguised.” Cincinnati Post, 15 Apr 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Tip-Top Girl, captured the second time.” Cincinnati Post, 17 Apr 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffle, the Tip-Top Bread Girl, eludes.” Cincinnati Post, 19 Apr 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles turns up in Chicago.” Pittsburgh Press, 10 May 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles accepts challenge of Baur Bros. Baking Co.” Pittsburgh Press, 11 May 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles has arrived in Pittsburgh.” Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh Press, 13 May 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, mysterious Butt’r-Sweet Girl, has easy time.” Pittsburgh Press, 15 May 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Butt’r-Sweet Girl, still manages to avoid capture.” Pittsburgh Press, 16 May 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Butt’r-Sweet Girl, captured the first time; second reward now on.” Pittsburgh Press, 16 May 1912.
- “Supt. McQuade invites Fluffy Raffles, the Butt’r-Sweet Girl, to visit him at his office in public safety building.” Pittsburgh Press, 18 May 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles located in Chicago.” Saginaw News, 12 Sep 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles is coming to Saginaw.” Saginaw News, 13 Sep 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles will be in Saginaw today; $75 for her capture.” Saginaw News, 14 Sep 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Tip-Top Girl, most talked of woman who ever visited Saginaw.” Saginaw News, 16 Sep 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Wolfarth’s Tip-Top Girl, still at large.” Saginaw News, 17 Sep 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Wolfarth Bread Girl captured first time; 2d reward $50 now on.” Saginaw News, 18 Sep 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, Tip Top Girl, has a hot time in Saginaw.” Saginaw News, 19 Sep 1912.
- “Wolfarth’s Tip-Top Girl proves will-o’-the-wisp to pursuers.” Saginaw News, 20 Sep 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Mysterious Butter-Krust girl is coming to Chillicothe Thursday.” Scioto Gazette, 5 Nov 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Mysterious Butter-Krust girl is coming to Chillicothe Thursday.” Scioto Gazette, 7 Nov 1912.
- “How Charley didn’t find Fluffy Raffles.” Scioto Gazette, 8 Nov 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Mysterious Butter-Krust Girl was captured Thursday Evening in Chillicothe.” Scioto Gazette, 8 Nov 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles located in Columbus.” News Journal, 19 Nov 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, woman of mystery, arrives.” News Journal, 20 Nov 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Butter-Krust Bread Girl, captured first time.” News Journal, 21 Nov 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Butter-Krust Bread Girl captured second time.” News Journal, 22 Nov 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Butter-Krust Bread Girl, captured third time.” News Journal, 23 Nov 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Mysterious Butter-Krust Bread Girl is coming to Galiion Tuesday and Wednesday.” Galion Inquirer, 29 Nov 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Mysterious Butter-Krust Bread Girl is coming to Bucyrus Ohio Tuesday-Wednesday.”
- Bucyurus Evening Telegraph, 30 Nov 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles captured by Miss Mojeska Motz.” Galion Inquirer, 4 Dec 1912.
- “Butter Krust.” Telegraph-Forum, 6 Dec 1912.
- “Fluffy Ruffles, Elusive Butter Krust Girl, here.” Coshocton Morning Tribune, 10 Dec 1912.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Mysterious Butter-Krust Girl is coming to Piqua Friday and Saturday.” Piqua Daily Leader-Dispatch, 10 Dec 1912.
- “Small girl captures Fluffy and reward.” Coshocton Morning Tribune, 12 Dec 1912.
- “A boy gets prize money.” Piqua Daily Call, 14 Dec 1912.
- “He quickly made good his boast.” Piqua Daily Call, 16 Dec 1912.
- “The mysterious Fluffy Raffles is lcoated at Chicago, Ill.” Courier-Journal, 1 May 1913.
- “Fluffy Raffles accepts challenge of the Whiteside Barkery Company.” Courier-Journal, 2 May 1913.
- “The mysterious Fluffy Raffles will be in Louisville to-day.” Courier-Journal, 3 May 1913.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Mother’s Bread Girl, is now in Louisville, KY.” Courier-Journal, 4 May 1913.
- “Hot hunt for Fluffy Raffles, the Mother’s Bread Girl.” Courier-Journal, 6 May 1913.
- “Fluffy Raffles, Mother’s Bread Girl, captured first time; second reward now on.” Courier-Jorunal, 7 May 1913.
- “Mysterious Mother’s Bread Girl keeps them guessing; immense crowds after her.” Courier-Journal, 8 May 1913.
- “Fluffy Raffles, Mother’s Bread Girl, will appear at Clifton Theater to-night.” Courier-Journal, 10 May 1913.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles, the Girl of Mystery, located in Chicago.” Kansas City Post, 21 May 1913.
- “Tip-Top Bread Girl still in our midst, but undiscovered.” Kansas City Post, 27 May 1913.
- “Tip-Top girl a real Raffles.” Kansas City Post, 2 Jun 1913.
- “Fluffy Raffles chase to start Saturday evening.” Hamilton Evening Journal, 8 Aug 1913.
- “Defies Fluffy Raffles to hoodwink St. Louis.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 6 Nov 1913.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming, accepts the challenge of the Manewal Bread Co.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 7 Nov 1913.
- “Fluffy Raffles has arrived in St. Louis.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 8 Nov 1913.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the mysterious Leader Bread Girl? Now ready to be caught.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 10 Nov 1913.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the mysterious bread girl, still at large.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11 Nov 1913.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Leader Bread Girl, captured first time? Second reward now on.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 12 Nov 1913.
- “Defies Fluffy Raffles to hoodwink Springfield, OH.” Springfield Daily News, 23 Apr 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming accepts challenge of the Schaefer Bakery.” Springfield Daily News, 24 Apr 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles will be in Springfield today — $150.00 in gold for her capture.” Springfield Daily News, 25 Apr 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Pan-Dandy Bread Girl, now at work in Springfield.” Springfield Daily News, 27 Apr 1914.
- “Hot hunt for Fluffy Raffles the Pan-Dandy bread girl.” Springfield Daily News, 28 Apr 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Pan-Dandy Bread Girl captured first time — second reward now on.” Springfield Daily News, 29 Apr 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the mysterious Pan-Dandy Bread Girl still at large.” Springfield Daily News, 1 May 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles the mysterious Pan-Dandy Bread Girl starts her second week in Springfield.” Springfield Daily News, 4 May 1914.
- “Defies Fluffy Raffles to Hoodwink Akron, Ohio.” Akron Evening Times, 30 Jun 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming accepts the challenge of the Akron Baking Co.” Akron Evening Times, 1 Jul 1914.
- “$150.00 offered for Fluffy Raffles capture.” Akron Evening Times, 2 Jul 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles the most talked of woman in America arrived in Akron.” Akron Evening Times, 3 Jul 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Keen-Maid Bread Girl, now at work in Akron.” Akron Evening Times, 6 Jul 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles captured second time, third reward now on.” Akron Evening Times, 8 Jul 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Kleen-Maid Bread GIrl, is still at large.” Akron Evening Times, 14 Jul 1914.
- “The Kleen-Maid Bread Girl captured again — last reward now on.” Akron Evening Times, 15 Jul 1914.
- “The Kleen-Maid Bread Girl finaly is captured after a strenuous hunt.” Akron Evening Times, 17 Jul 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Kleen-Maid bread girl, was captured.” Akron Evening Times, 22 Jul 1914.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles the girl of mystery located in Pittsburg.” Times-Recorder, 20 Aug 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming, accepts the challenge of the Baker Bread Co.” Times-Recorder, 21 Aug 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles will be in Zanesville today, $100 in gold for her capture.” Times-Recorder, 22 Aug 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles the most talked of woman in America arrived in Zanesville.” Times-Recorder, 24 Aug 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Plezol Bread Girl keeps ’em guessing.” Times-Recorder, 25 Aug 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Plezol Bread Girl is captured the first time.” Times-Recorder 26 Aug 1914.
- “The Plezol Bread Girl is the talk of the town!” Times-Recorder, 27 Aug 1914.
- “The Plezol Bread Girl captured twice Saturday – fifth reward now on.” Times-Recorder, 31 Aug 1914.
- “The Plezol Bread Girl is still at large.” Times-Recorder, 2 Sep 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Plezol Bread Girl captured for the last time in Zanesville.” Times-Recorder, 3 Sep 1914.
- “Thousands greet Fluffy Raffles.” Times-Recorder, 4 Sep 1914.
- “Photos of the Plezol Girl.” Times-Recorder, 15 Sep 1914.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles, the girl of mystery, located in Pittsburg.” New Castle News, 24 Sep 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming, accepts challenge of the Orr Baking Company.” New Castle News, 25 Sep 1914.
- “Fluffy Raffles will be in New Castle today – $75 in gold for her capture.” New Castle News, 26 Sep 1914.
- “The Butter-Krust Bread Girl keeps being a most powerful magnet.” New Castle News, 6 Oct 1914.
- “The Butter Krust Bread Girl escapes capture, thousands in pursuit.” New Castle News, 7 Oct 1914.
- “The Butter-Krust Bread Girl will hold reception at the Orr Baking Co’s plant today between 3:30 & 6.” New Castle News, 8 Oct 1914.
- “The Butter-Krust Bread Girl finally captured the last time after a strenuous hunt.” New Castle News, 9 Oct 1914.
- “The Great Fluffy Raffles located in Chicago.” Republican-Gazette, 14 May 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming, accepts challenge of the Stolzenbach Baking Company.” Republican-Gazette, 15 May 1915.
- “Brilliant pageant seen by thousands.” Republican-Gazette, 16 May 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Mysterious Butter-Nut Bread Princess, to be caught.” Lima Daily News, 17 May 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles is camptured by Mrs. J. Luscome.” Lima Daily News, 18 May 1915.
- “Dr. Blattenberg subject of a practical joke.” Lima Daily News, 19 May 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Butter-Nut Princess, captured first time.” Lima Daily News, 19 May 1915.
- “170,000 person see new model bakery.” Republican-Gazette, 20 May 1915.
- “Singin Skule tomorrow night.” Republican-Gazette, 25 May 1915.
- “The Butter-Nut Bread Princess escapes capture.” Republican-Gazette, 26 May 1915.
- “The Butter-Nut Princess finally captured after a serious hunt.” Republican-Gazette, 27 May 1915.
- Lima Daily News, 27 May 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming; accepts challenge of the Dawdy Bakery.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 18 Jun 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles the most talked-of woman in America will be in Elmira today — $100.00 for her capture.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 19 Jun 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Mysterious Dawdy Bread Princess is ready to be caught.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 21 Jun 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Dawdy’s Bread Princess, is captured first time — second reward now on.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 22 Jun 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Dawdy’s Bread Princess.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 23 Jun 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Dawdy’s Bread Princess, keeps being a most powerful magnet.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 26 Jun 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Dawdy’s Bread Princess, captured — fourth reward now on.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 28 Jun 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Dawdy Bread Princess, is the most talked of woman in Elmira.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 30 Jun 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Dawdy Bread Princess, still holds the center of the stage.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 1 Jul 1915.
- “The Dawdy’s Bread Princess is captured after strenuous hunt.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 3 Jul 1915.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles, the Woman of Mystery, located in Buffalo.” Hudson Oberver, 1 Nov 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming; accepts the challenge of the Martens Bakery.” Hudson Observer, 2 Nov 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles the most talked of woman in America has Arrived in Jersey City.” Hudson Observer, 3 Nov 1915.
- “Martens’ Mysterious Smax Cake Princess.” Hudson Observer, 5 Nov 1915.
- “Hot hunt for the Martens’ Smax Cake Princess; immense crowds gather at apointed places.” Hudson Observer, 11 Nov 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Martens Smax Cake Princess — captured last time.” Hudson Observer, 15 Nov 1915.
- “The great Fluffy Raffles located in New York.” Commercial Appeal, 22 Nov 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming! Accepts the challenge of Memphis Bread Company.” Commercial Appeal, 23 Nov 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the most-talked-of- woman in America, will arrive in Memphis today.” Commercial Appeal, 24 Nov 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Butter-Nut Bread Princess, captured first time.” Commercial Appeal, 25 Nov 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles, Butter-Nut Bread Princess, captured second time; third reward now on.” Commercial Appeal, 26 Nov 1915.
- “The Butter-Nut Bread Princess is the talk of the town.” Commercial Appeal, 27 Nov 1915.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming; accepts challenge of the F.O. Stone Baking Co.” Fort Worth Star Telegram, 19 Sep 1916.
- “The great Fluffy Raffles arrives here; now catch her.” Fort Worth Star Telegram, 20 Sep 1916.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Stone’s Cake Princess, captured first time; second reward now on.” Fort Worth Star Telegram, 22 Sep 1916.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Stone’s Cake Princess captured second time; third reward now on.” Fort Worth Star Telegram, 25 Sep 1916.
- “The Stone’s Cake Princess captured the fourth time; fifth and last reward now on.” Fort Worth Star Telegram, 29 Sep 1916.
- “Hot hunt for the Stone’s Cake Princess.” Fort Worth Star Telegram, 30 Sep 1916.
- Waco Morning News, 22 Nov 1916.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Stone’s Cake Princess, captured first time.” Waco Daily Times-Herald, 25 Nov 1916.
- Austin American, 7 Dec 1916.
- “$10 for first person that accosts Stone’s Cake Princess tonight.” Austin American, 8 Dec 1916.
- Austin American, 9 Dec 1916.
- Waxahachie Daily Light, 16 Dec 1916.
- Waxahachie Daily Light, 21 Dec 1916.
- Waco News-Tribune, 21 Dec 1916.
- “The Stone’s Cake Princess kept busy giving away money.” Waxahachie Daily Light, 22 Dec 1916.
- “Stone Cake Princess eludes large crowd.” Waxahachie Daily Light, 26 Dec 1916.
- “Ten dollars if you catch Fluffy Raffles.” Marshall Messenger, 5 Jan 1917.
- Shreveport Times, 12 Jan 1917.
- Daily Ardmoreite, 30 May 1917.
- Hamilton Evening Journal, 1 Sep 1917.
- “The Stone’s Cake Princess kept busy giving away money.” Hamilton Evening Journal, 6 Sep 1917.
- Springfield Daily News, 15 Sep 1917.
- Xenia Daily Gazette, 26 Sep 1917.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Stone’s Cake Princess.’ Xenia Daily Gazette, 29 Sep 1917.
- “Mildred Mason is Fluffy’s captor.” Xenia Daily Gazette, 1 Oct 1917.
- “The great Fluffy Raffles located in Chicago.” Lexington Herald, 10 Oct 1917.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming, accepts challenge of the F.O. Stone Baking Co.” Lexington Herald, 11 Oct 1917.
- “Great crowd congregated in hope of capturing Fluffy Raffles.” Lexington Herald, 11 Oct 1917.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the most talked of woman in America, will arrive in Lexington today.” Lexington Herald, 12 Oct 1917.
- “The great Fluffy Raffles located in Chicago.” Birmingham News, 13 Mar 1919.
- “Fluffy Ruffles coming — acepts challenge of the F.O. Stone Baking Co.” Birmingham News, 14 Mar 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles ‘Woman of Mystery’ arrives.” Birmingham News, 15 Mar 1919.
- “Stone presents pretty pageant.” Birmingham News, 16 Mar 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Stone’s Cake Princess, now at work in Birmingham.” Birmingham News, 17 Mar 1919.
- “Hot hunt for Fluffy Raffles, the Stone’s Cake Princess.” Birmingham News, 18 Mar 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Stone’s Cake Princess, still at large.” Birmingham News, 20 Mar 1919.
- “The great Fluffy Raffles located in Chicago.” Macon News, 24 Apr 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming, accepts challenge of the F.O. Stone Baking Co.” Macon News, 25 Apr 1919.
- “The great Fluffy Raffles arrives here; now catch her.” Macon News, 26 Apr 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Stone’s Cake Princess, now at work in Macon.” Macon News, 28 Apr 1919.
- “Hot hunt for Fluffy Raffles, the Stone’s Cake Princess.” Macon News, 29 Apr 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Stone’s Cake Princess still at large.” Macon News, 1 May 1919.
- “Stone’s Cake Princess will attempt to make her get-away in overland automobile.” Macon News, 3 May 1919.
- “The great Fluffy Ruffles located in Chicago.” Fort Worth Star Telegram, 14 Aug 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming, accepts challenge of the F.O. Stone Baking Company.” Fort Worth Star Telegram, 15 Aug 1919.
- “The great Fluffy Raffles arrives here today!” Fort Worth Star Telegram, 16 Aug 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the most talked of woman in America, arrives in Fort Worth. Fort Worth Star Telegram, 18 Aug 1919.
- “The Stone’s Cake Princess keeps them all guessing, immense crowd after her.” Fort Worth Star Telegram, 26 Aug 1919.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles, the girl of mystery, located in Chicago.” St. Joseph News-Press, 6 Nov 1919.
- “Fluffy Ruffles coming; accepts challenge of the New Staedtler Bakery.” St. Joseph News-Press, 7 Nov 1919.
- “The great Fluffy Raffles arrives here today!” St. Joseph News-Press, 8 Nov 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles, most talked of woman in America, arrives in St. Joseph.” St. Joseph News-Press, 10 Nov 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Capital Cake Princess captured first time — second reward now on.” St. Joseph News-Press, 12 Nov 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles among the missing.” Wichita Beacon, 10 Dec 1919.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles, the girl of mystery, located in Chicago.” Wichita Beacon, 11 Dec 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming.” Wichita Beaon, 12 Dec 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the most talked of woman in America, arrives in Wichita: now catch her.” Wichita Beacon, 13 Dec 1919.
- “The Great Fluffy Raffles now in Wichita.” Wichita Beacon, 15 Dec 1919.
- “Capital Cake Princess captured first time — second reward now on.” Wichita Beacon, 17 Dec 1919.
- “Fluffy Raffles among the missing.” Dayton Evening Herald, 28 Jan 1920.
- “Miss Fluffly Raffles the Woman of Mystery located in Chicago.” Dayton Evening Herald, 29 Jan 1920.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming, accepts the challenge of George A. Krug of Krug’s Bakery.” Dayton Evening Herald, 30 Jan 1920.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the most talked of woman in America, arrives in Dayton — now catch her.” Dayton Evening Herald, 31 Jan 1920.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Hostess Cake Princess, now at work in Dayton.” Dayton Daily News, 2 Feb 1920.
- “The Hostess Cake Princess keeps ’em guessing — immense crowd after her.” Dayton Daily News, 4 Feb 1920.
- “The Hostess Cake Princess captured for third time; fourth reward now on.” Dayton Daily Herald, 6 Feb 1920.
- “The Hostess Cake Princess keeps being a most powerful magnet.” Dayton Daily Herald, 10 Feb 1920.
- Des Moines Register, 25 Apr 1920.
- “Chase for the Capital Cake Princess gets interesting — was given a close call.” Des Moines Evening Tribune, 5 May 1920.
- “Fluffy Raffles mong missing.” Sioux City Journal, 3 Jun 1920.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles the Girl of Mystery located in Chicago.” Sioux City Journal, 4 Jun 1920.
- “Fluffy Raffles comes today.” Sioux City Journal, 5 Jun 1920.
- “Fluffy Raffles is loose.” Sioux City Journal, 6 Jun 1920.
- “Hot hunt for Fluffy Raffles the Merit Bread Princess.” Sioux City Journal, 10 Jun 1920.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Merit Bread Princess, captured first time — second reward now on.” Sioux City Journal, 11 Jun 1920.
- “Fluffy Raffles the Merit Bread Princess keeps being a most powerful magnet.” Sioux City Journal, 12 Jun 1920.
- “The Merit Bread Princess starts her second week in Sioux City.” Sioux City Journal, 16 Jun 1920.
- “O.-B. Picnic will come Saturday.” Mansfield News, 27 Jan 1922.
- “Fluffy Raffles now with broadway players.” Lancaster News Journal, 14 Feb 1923.
- The Evening Republican, 4 Sep 1923.
- “This day in Elmira’s history.” Elmira Star-Gazette, 19 Jun 1925.
- “Fluffy Raffles again missing.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 9 Feb 1927.
- “The great Fluffy Raffles, the woman of mystery, located in Chicago.” Minneapolis Daily Sar, 10 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles coming, accepts the challenge of the Purity Bakeries.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 11 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, most talked of woman in America, reaches Minneapolis — now try to catch her.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 12 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, now at work in Minneapolis.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 14 Feb 1927.
- “Hot hunt for Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 15 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, captured first time; second reward now on.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 16 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 17 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, captured second time — third reward now on.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 18 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, captured third time — fourth reward now on.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 19 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 21 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, captured fourth time — fifth reward now on.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 22 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess is again captured.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 23 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, captured again — seventh reward now on.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 24 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, captured for the seventh time — eight reward is now offered.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 25 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, keeps being a most powerful magnet.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 26 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, captured eighth time — ninth reward now on.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 28 Feb 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, captured for the ninth time — tength and last reward now on.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 1 Mar 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, is captured for the last time.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 2 Mar 1927.
- “The Taystee Bread Princess busy handing out dollar bills.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 5 Mar 1927.
- “The Taystee Bread Princess keeps giving away money.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 9 Mar 1927.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 10 Mar 1927.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, still busy giving away dollar bills to housewives.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 11 Mar 1927.
- “Taystee Bread Princess is giving money away despite the obstacles.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 12 Mar 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, starts her third week in calling on homes, giving dollar bills to users of Taystee Bread.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 14 Mar 1927.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 15 Mar 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, as Miss Money Bag.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 16 Mar 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, kept busy giving money away to users of Taystee Bread in all parts of the city.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 18 Mar 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, hunting for users of Taystee Bread, found a woman who thought she was giving counterfeit bills.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 19 Mar 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, and dollar bills.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 22 Mar 1927.
- “Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 23 Mar 1927.
- “Miss Fluffy Raffles, the Taystee Bread Princess, says.” Minneapolis Daily Star, 28 Mar 1927.
- “Thrift campaign is inagurated by Faber Baking Company.” St. Lucie News Tribune, 23 Nov 1932.
- “Golden Urge Girl to present prize.” Miami Daily News, 11 Jan 1933.
- “Golden Urge Girl has $50 in gold as prize.” Miami Herald, 11 Jan 1933.
- “Youth to stand trial for robbing a bakery.” Jefferson City Post-Tribune, 16 Jul 1935.
- Simon, W.L. “The Old Timer: Links past and present from Intelligencer files.” Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, 23 Apr 1936.
- “Twenty years ago today in the Macon Telegraph.” Macon Telegraph, 25 Apr 1939.
- “Charles DeArgentage is new manager of Bell Bakeries here.” St. Lucie News Tribune, 1 Aug 1945.
- Palm Beach Post-Times, 16 Sep 1945.
- “Kiwanis Club installs new officers.” Miami Herald, 4 Jan 1946.
- “DeArgentage resigns as bakery manager.” St. Lucie News Tribune, 2 Jun 1947.
- “Charles DeArgentage dies suddenly in St. Petersburg.” St. Lucie News Tribune, 9 Sep 1947.
- “Decades ago.” Marshall News Messenger, 6 Jan 1977.
- “Decades ago.” Marshall News Messenger, 9 Jan 1977.
- “Metro Past.” Dallas Morning News, 13 Aug 1991.
- Foley, Bill. “Mystery princess intrigued the masses.” Florida Times-Union, 7 Feb 1998.
- Barnes, Dwight. “Lancaster woman’s arsenic pancakes send her to court.” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, 8 Nov 2004.
- “Yesterday’s News.” Press-Register, 9 Dec 2008.
- Hoersten, Greg. “Stolzenbach Bakery.” Lima News, 29 Dec 2015.
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