When researching old books had anyone ever discovered hilarious shenanigans that went on in a certain time period that was hidden but now discovered?

My older brother is taking notes on France History and came across this funny passage from1884.
( in his own words translated)
1884: War developed between two villages.
A colossal cast iron statue of the Virgin Mary funded by the public had the backside
(bum) pointed towards one village who did not like it, a battle and Roquecezieren line
breached.
Statue rotated 90 degrees so both villages could see half of the statues face.
It now looks N.E. Towards Saint-Crepan, a town which contributed more than half of
the funding.
The “statues bum” still now faces a clutch of houses at her feet.
(Page28)
Source:The Discovery Of France : G. Robb