100 years ago
JUNE 2, 1904 — For the third consecutive year the valley portion of this town has flooded this week. The RECORD was delayed in publication on the usual publication day, Thursday, and would have been issued early yesterday, Friday, but Thursday night the floods came and here we are printing on Saturday. Wednesday, the streams which run through the town (the Cottonwood and the Luta) were bank full but they receded greatly Wednesday night, and Thursday morning showed up hopefully. But the rains descended in torrents Thursday afternoon over the horseshoe area drained by these streams and early yesterday (Friday morning) the waters of the Luta broke over the banks and gradually submerged the town. The water lacked a foot and a half of reaching its last year's record, and entered but few of the business buildings on Main street. But the cellars were filled with water. Our merchants, however, had anticipated the flood and had removed their stuff from the cellars, so that the damage will not be great. This (Saturday) morning, the waters have subsided and business has been resumed as usual.
Marion escaped serious results from the flood, last year, in the way of sickness, by the most thorough cleansing the town ever knew. Cellars were thoroughly cleaned and sprinkled with lime, all filth and slime and debris were removed from the streets and alleys, the wells were all cleaned and washed out repeatedly, before the water was used. In the meantime, for several weeks, pure drinking water was hauled from wells and springs not affected by the flood. But will such sanitary precautions be taken this year? There is danger that the people will be negligent and indifferent this time. People grow tired of such extra efforts, and besides, the exemption from sickness last year may not generally be attributed to the sanitary precaution alluded to. The RECORD sounds this timely note of warning. The price of health is purity of air and water. Clean up, especially in cellars and wells.
The railroads south of Florence suffered awfully by the flood. For five miles the road bed, bridges and telegraph poles were swept away.
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At a meeting of the City Council of the City of Marion, it was ordered that a re-survey of the city be made, and the City Engineer was instructed to establish all corners of blocks in the city.
That this survey may be made to conform as nearly as possible to the original survey of the city and the several additions thereto, every person having knowledge of the original location of any lot or block corner is requested to at once confer with Rosse Case, Surveyor, that he may have the benefit of such knowledge or information in assisting him in the making of this new survey.
Thos. W. Bown, City Clerk
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Street commissioner Adkins wishes us to request all parties whose sidewalks were moved by the flood to replace the same at once as he desires to get the city cleaned up as soon as possible.
Every Monday in June the Santa Fe will give a round trip rate to St. Louis at one cent per mile.
At the depth of five or six feet, in the cellar being excavated for Mr. Dean's business building, the skeleton of a buffalo was found, last week. The bones were fairly well preserved, and are on exhibition in various parts of the town by people who thought enough of them to preserve them.
Old soldiers and others are enthusiastic over the Memorial services held in Marion Monday. The procession is said to have been about the best ever seen here, and all the ceremonies exceedingly good. The music was exceptionally fine, and Mr. Paul F. Jones' address forceful and patriotic.
The Boyds have sold the Elgin Hotel furniture to W.H. Wheelock, who purchased the hotel some months ago. The deal for the furniture was made through Arthur Martin. The Wheelocks will take possession of the Elgin about June 21st.
The Seniors of the High school were entertained by the Juniors last evening at the parental home of a Junior, Mr. Clinton Downes. The evening was delightfully spent with games, music, refreshments, etc. Saturday night the Seniors will return the compliment and entertain the Juniors at the High school building.
Orrin M. Weimer, of Abilene, will be in the city about June 6th. Those who wish their pianos tuned will please leave their orders with V.E. Healea. All work guaranteed perfectly satisfactory.
At Emporia yesterday we were entertained at the home of Hon. John Madden, lawyer, poet, author, orator and all-around good fellow. Mr. Madden lives in a fine home, is a bloated land owner, is one of the leading lawyers in the town, and best of all enjoys the high esteem of all the people. As we reclined in his easy chairs, and stepped softly upon his velvet carpets, and looked at the luxury all about, and set down to a sumptuous feast, we couldn't help think of the John Madden we knew thirty odd years ago, the awkward Irish boy, who used to come down in Florence from a little old log cabin on the Doyle, and helped me on the old Pioneer. We have watched his career with increasing pride through all these years.
(Copied by Joan Meyer from the 1904 microfilm files of the Marion Record.)
