MEMORIES: 100 years ago
Main Street Fire
Shortly after three o'clock Sunday morning, fire was discovered in the building on Main street occupied by Holder Bros. Barber shop and Shaw's restaurant. The blaze was a hot one, but with the brick wall of Sheldon's on the east and the stone wall of the Jex building on the west, the fire was kept from spreading, but was not gotten under control until the destruction was complete.
The origin of the fire is unknown. When first discovered by Mr. E.D. Harn the blaze was just getting started in the corner of the restaurant. The alarm was at once turned in, and in short order two lines of hose laid but the coupling wrench belonging to the hose reel was not in its box and a trip to the east hose house was necessary before the connection could be made and the water turned on.
J.C. Thomas, owner of the buildings, will soon rebuild with a substantial structure.
The buildings were insured for $600, Holder Bros. barber shop $300 and Shaw's restaurant $250.
The Holder brothers moved other chairs in with Mr. Harris, next to Saggau & Co., and continue business.
Carload Lots for Marion
Through the kindness of City Marshal Kleinhammer we are able to give the following report of car shipments in and out of Marion for February: corn, 2; cattle, 25; eggs, 1; horses, 2; mules, 1; hogs, 7; hay, 1; flour, 1; corn, 1; emigrant, 3; total, 44. Forty-three cars in, of which seven were emigrant.
Hillsboro Gets College
The selection of a location for the Mennonite college was made at a conference of the committee held in Hillsboro Monday of last week. Several towns were in the bidding for the college, which decision was reached by ballot. Of the 171 votes cast, 117 were for Hillsboro, 39 for Aulne, 8 for Inman and 7 for Lehigh which gave Hillsboro more than a two-thirds majority at the first and only ballot.
Arrangements will at once be made for the erection of the building and it is the intention to be ready to open school this fall.
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What can Marion do to make a regular fire drill attractive to the members of the volunteer fire fighters. The boys say the apparatus is not used often enough to know about the condition of the hose, or to see that the tools are where they belong. The members of the company are busy people, and do not neglect fire drills purposely, and we believe the people generally would heartily endorse a move that would encourage the boys to hold regular drills.
Our highly respected townsman, W.W. Runyan passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey last Friday the 13th. Mr. Runyan was one of the first to give the writer a hand of welcome to Marion last summer and his regular visits to The Record office are looked forward to with pleasure. His family remembered him nicely and we hope he will enjoy many more returns of the day.
The park committee has certainly accomplished a great deal in a few days in Central park. The trees have been nicely trimmed, the benches repainted — in short, the grounds put in fine condition.
Some time soon, the date for which will be given later, will occur a race at the rink for the championship of Marion and Dickinson counties. Also a night of expert skating by home talent, at which time there will be "feats" performed that will put Barnum's trick riders in the shade.
There has been a lot of good fish caught down the river this spring, and the writer of this local has enjoyed some of them, thanks to the fishing party Tuesday, composed of Mr. and Mrs. L.F. Keller, Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Hoch, and Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Hoch.
W.S. Hargett's restaurant has been nicely re-decorated and is a pleasant place to enjoy a good dinner. He will put in a soda fountain in a couple of week.
Mr. J.C. Watson who recently sold his farm on the south of town, has purchased the 137 acre Rouse farm adjoining Marion on the west.
Don't forget the Spelling Match at the Rink, Monday evening, March 30.
Sunday afternoon Ed Nienstedt was riding through Main street and when opposite the scene of the early morning fire, his horse shied at an auto, stumbled and fell with Ed underneath. Ed's left leg was broken below the knee. He was out on crutches Monday.
The steel tower for the fire bell was placed in commission Monday, just west of the Rink livery. The tower is much higher than the old one and no doubt will give better service.
