125 years agO
february 6, 1885
Monday was ground hog day and as the Record is the official organ of this old reliable porcine prognosticator of course, it will be expected to say something definite about the weather this week. You know, that is we suppose you know, that according to this meteorological authority, if the 2d of February is sufficiently cloudless for his swineship to see his shadow he immediately returns to his burrow and wraps himself in an additional six weeks of slumber, awaiting the end of that much more winter. As the day was as clear as the Record’s right to this particular field of meteorological science, we are compelled to advise you to defer your gardening for awhile.
The Skating Rink has been the center of a great deal of attraction this week. Among the attractions has been a three days race between a professional runner and a professional roller skater. The Band has been furnishing music each day.
Farmers have never been so behind as now, it is said, with their work. An immense amount of corn is yet in the field, and the plowing time will likely find a good deal of it ungathered.
The orchardists are differing as usual about the condition of the fruit beds. From the Gazette we learn that the prospects are good on Mr. Amborn’s place, but Mr. W.H. Billings, of this place, is confident the peaches are killed.
We learn from a mathematical work, recently received at this office, that one dollar loaned at compound interest for one hundred years would amount to $13,809. Then what good would $13,809 do a fellow at the end of a hundred years?
The Boston Mammoth Double Uncle Tom’s Cabin Company will make its first appearance in Marion tonight. They are playing their own new and original version of the drama and will introduce many new ideas characteristic of the South and slavery days. There will be 25 performers, 10 colored plantation singers, 2 imported Irish donkeys, and 6 monster bloodhounds. There will be special features of plantation festival, steamboat scenes on the Mississippi, the “jolly coon” quartette, two little twin sisters, Marchie and Libbie Putnam, 2 Topsys and 2 Marks.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin never fails to draw and if well presented never fails to please. Mrs. Stowe struck a sympathetic chord when she wrote the remarkable book from which this popular play was made. Marion has had several presentations of the play that were creditable, and one that was abominable. The company that appears in the Opera House tonight (Friday) comes highly recommended, and we doubt not will give satisfaction.