125 years ago

august 2, 1889

The completion of the Marion Belt & Chingawasa Springs railroad and the formal “opening” this week, marks an epoch in the history of Marion. Certainly, nature has not so favored any other spot in Kansas. Excursion trains commenced running Monday, and the week has been a gala one for Marion. Tuesday there were some formal opening exercises, including a fine poem by the gifted bard of the Luta, Prof. W.W. Runyan, which, but for the delinquent tax list, we would have published in this issue. It abounded in happy “hits” felicitously expressed.

Marion’s Water Works and Electric Light plant have not been in operation for some months owing to differences between the company and City Council. The matter has been amicably settled this week, and both services will be fully resumed as soon as a few slight repairs can be made to the machinery.

The Chingawasa motor ought to ring a bell along its entire route through the city. If it continues to glide through town so rapidly and so noiselessly as is its custom, somebody will get run over.

Charley Stroh has returned to Marion and opened a cigar manufactory again at his old stand in Mrs. Toomy’s building. No use in people trying to leave Marion.

The ladies of the Presbyterian church will give a lawn social upon the beautiful residence premises of Mr. E. R. Trenner next Wednesday evening. Ice cream and other refreshments will be served. It is a delightful place to spend an evening, and the attendance will doubtless be large, as it should.