100 years ago
Meeting of the City Fathers
The regular session Monday evening of the city council was quite a long one and after the regular bills were allowed, which showed that the street commissioner had been doing the best he could to keep us out of the mud, and that the park commission had finished its work in bridging the gully in the park near the spring; that those saucy little bunch of playfulness, the squirrels, special charges of City Marshal Kleinhammer, had received their regular ration of nuts, and other matters that come up regularly for settlement.
The street and alley committee reported several walks and crossings in bad condition that must be looked after soon.
The test well that was put down recently about 150 feet west of the pumping station was reported finished and the council ordered a test made as to quantity and quality.
The nuisance committee reported several alley and rear building in bad condition and, although the owners of this property will be notified again, the general opinion is that these parties should have a nudge that will not be soon forgotten unless property is at once put in a sanitary condition.
Wm. Schoneman applied for a permit to build an addition to his Main street property, which was approved.
The Santa Fe promised to soon have the bridge completed which crosses the stream near the Rock Island crossing.
Members present: Mayor Quisenbery, Clerk Bown; Councilmen Lewis, Shanklin, Shahan, Griffith, Freeland. Absentees, Blanchard and Hodge.
A Dinner Party
Mrs. Taylor Riddle and daughter Mrs. Wayne Riddle prepared a delicious 6 o'clock dinner on last Friday evening for the following guests: Mesdames Malone, Rogers, Moore, Sacket, Funk, Carter, Miesse, Olsen, Blackburn, Thompson, Carpenter, Wheeler, Hannaford, Miss Baxter, Mrs. Mowry of Denver and Miss Smith of Herington.
The ladies upon being seated found at each plate a bouquet of blue violets as a souvenir of this bright and festive occasion. A tall vase of the varied shades of carnations was used to decorate the center of the table. Mrs. Riddle was assisted in serving the six course dinner by Mrs. N.L. Carter, Miss Bessie Baxter and Miss Smith of Herington.
After returning to the parlor the ladies were entertained by a song by Miss Helen Riddle, instrumental selection by Mrs. Wheeler and a humorous reading by Mrs. Carpenter.
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In response to invitations which read, "Backward, turn backward, Oh Time in Thy flight; And make me a child again just for tonight," eight young ladies met at the home of Miss Myrtle Hodge last Saturday evening. The costumes, entertainment and favors were all in keeping with the youthful feature of the gathering, and the guests were pleasantly reminded of childhood days. Dainty refreshments were served and the party thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Miss Maybelle Ehrhart very pleasantly entertained a few friends last Friday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Billings. Different games were played and refreshments served. Those present were: Edith Hodge, Fern and Dot Pollitt, Pearl Selvy, Alice Wheeler, Beth Frazer, Bertha Parker, Eulalia Kuhn, Fred Bitner, Henry and Robert Minton, Willard Shanklin and Harry Selvy.
Last Thursday the bank at Lincolnville was blown open and about $1,800 in cash gotten away with. There were some valuable papers also in the bank but these were not taken. The robbers pried open a side door and worked their way through the side of the vault and blew open the door to the strong box with nitroglycerin. The thieves made their escape on a handcar and it was found several miles north. The robbery was not detected until the section men found they were minus a car Friday morning. As yet there is no clue. The bank's funds were insured and it is supposed they will not be delayed very long in the transaction of business. It is reported the post office at Hope was rifled the same night.
Somebody has made a mistake this year, either the groundhog or the weather man — maybe the weather man — has something more coming. At any rate the birds are arriving for the spring concert.
A telephone office is being built just north of the Aulne Mercantile store and will be ready for occupancy in a short time.
On account of Marion's location, distant from towns of considerable size, this is a good location for a cold storage plant and an ice plant in connection. This subject was discussed at some length at the last meeting of the Business Men's Club, and it was found that a plant of considerable size would be necessary to meet the demands for Marion. A number of times in the past year Kansas City and Chicago wholesale dealers have inquired about our cold storage facilities and from the demands that would be made upon the plant it is considered a good investment.
