Reading these primary sources are one of the best ways I've experienced so far to be immediately fairly immersed in the period and location I am reading about.

A thorough source of relevant details in numerous directions.

Luckily, the Internet allows me to access and wade through the papers at home. I've been taking copious notes, mostly quotes of items I find interesting and informative.

Has anyone here had the opportunity to source period information this way?

So far, I've gained some very specific insight in a short period of researching and I think the cumulative effect of reading successive editions of a paper can really put a historical interpreter in an appropriate headspace that contains valuable information.

I've come across real gems. Like this, from the Arnprior Chronicle. Friday, September 1, 1899. No.33:

"A peculiar incident was that which Nesbit Armstrong of Little Carlow experienced a few days ago while journeying from Barry's Bay to his home. Some five miles from Barry's Bay the road runs through a sort of wilderness. Here Mr. Armstrong came across two calves which followed his rig for some distance - jogging slowly along. In a little while he missed them, and found that they were under the wagon and keeping pace with him. Just then, hearing a strange sound, he looked about and saw a large bear closely following him. One of his horses seeing the bear, stopped and moved to one side, when the bear plunged on and in a little while disappeared in the bush. The calves had evidently taken refuge under the wagon, impelled thereto by that instinct of preservation with which the animal creation is often so wonderfully endowed."

Perhaps not coincidentally, in the same edition:

"A few days ago as the express from Parry Sound was rushing along about 5 miles west of Barry's Bay, one of the passengers saw a man sitting on the bank at one side of the track holding in his hand a large card on which was printed in big letters, 'Send up a hand-car.' The train could not be stopped, but at the next station directions were given to section men to go up with hand-car to the poor man's relief. Off they went, and soon found the man. Asking him what was the matter he said, 'I am tired, and want you to give me a lift.' After the men had recovered their astonishment at such 'tramp cheek', they took the man on and carried him back with them."

I always find it fascinating to relive certain periods in the history of the world's society through old newspapers, headlines and people. Media has always been a mirror of the state of mind of any society. It might have been an exaggerated depiction, but it has always shown the current zeitgeist of any era.
Also human beings tend to forget the "old times"; whenever they say "the good old times" they reminisce a different kind of memory as the brain is focused on memorizing only good memories and forgetting the bad ones, except general trauma of course.
In terms of statistics and correlation newspapers are an incredible source to analyse societies, behaviors and the mind of human beings especially in crisis. It also helps to get an perspective on reality and improves optimism as you get to appreciate the time period you are currently living in.