125 years

may 21, 1886

Advertisements on the front page of this issue include those of The First National Bank, W.H. Dudley, Cashier; J.H. Costello, Dry Goods, Notions, Clothing, Boots & Shoes; The Cottonwood Valley Bank, Levi Billings, president; Bibb’s “1885 New Baltimore” Fire-Place Heater; Jno. F. Carter, dealer in Lumber; Barrows & Tidyman, New Furniture Store and Undertaking; Case & Billings, Real Estate Agents; and A.D. Billings & Co., Furniture and Undertaker’s Goods.

A private letter last week from our good friend Zapp, of West Branch, noted the facts: “Corn planting, most of it second planting, about done; severe hail storm on the 6th inst. which did a great deal of damage, particularly to grape vines; the dreaded hog disease has reappeared west; wheat, what was left standing, very thin on the ground.”

Our good German friend Henry Hett, of Wilson township, brought to this office last week samples of oats in head, and a young catalpa tree over eleven feet high—the growth of a single year. And yet there used to be people who said the uplands wouldn’t produce anything!

One speaker and five or six audiences massed at the Court House last Tuesday afternoon, according to previous announcement, to organize the Third Party. It was decided to postpone the organization of the party till night, at which time it was announced by bills that Rev. Mr. Byers, of Eureka, the speaker of the occasion, would address the people. Accordingly, twenty-five or thirty people assembled at the Court House at the appointed hour, and were addressed as promised by the speaker named, after which the party was formally organized with three live members.

The Band will make its headquarters hereafter in Walter Sharp’s new bath house, second floor.

The Methodist ladies will give the first strawberry supper of the season at the Rink tonight. You’ll be here, won’t you?

The prospects for all kinds of fruit, except peaches, never were better. Apples, Pears, Cherries, grapes, strawberries, gooseberries, etc., promise an abundant yield. Wild fruit, particularly plums and grapes, will be abundant along the streams.

By the way, have you stopped to think how the erection of that neat fence in front of Central Park, when there was already one there sufficient to protect the property, illustrates Mr. Levi Billings’ town pride and public spirit? That is the spirit that makes a town boom.

Mr. Geo. F. Roberts has opened out in the north end of his Rink a confection establishment and will open a bakery probably next week—having been preparing for all this for some time. We wish George great success.

P.S.—Since the above was put in type, Mr. Robert’s new oven has fallen in and it will require a week or two to rebuild it.