100 years ago

january 18, 1912

A party of children from the New York Children’s Aid Society headquarters will pass through here today on their way to Lyons where a distribution will be made.

Ed Harter and Charley Claney have bought the Aulne Hardware store and take charge at once. They know the hardware business thoroughly and should make a splendid success. Marion is sorry to lose them and their fine families but wishes them every success.

In the midst of the flower garden of a Marion lady the past summer, there grew a castor bean. In fact, it was about the only thing that did grow, the more tender plants succumbing to the intense hot weather. But the castor bean, like Mr. Finley’s turnip, “grew and grew, till it could grow no taller.” It grew to the height of 12 feet, and its branches were so strong that the 12-year-old son of the family climbed on them to the top and plucked the seed pods. When the frost had wilted the beautiful and luxuriant foliage of this bean tree, its branches were stripped off, and the patriotic grandfather of the boy suggested that it would make a good flagpole. So the boy got a flag and fastened it securely to the top of the beanstalk where it waved in the breezes for many a day.

J.H. Patterson is not satisfied with a survey run by County Surveyor Rosse Case and has appealed the case to the District Court.

Seventy-five local people will take part in the production of “The Isle of Spice” to be given Jan. 24 and 25. It promises to be one of the best ever put on by local talent. “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” played by the Marion band and sung in blackface, will be worth the price of admission.