100 years ago

july 28, 1910

Bryan to be here!

William Jennings Bryan will open the Marion Chautauqua on Tuesday evening, August 2nd.

This is a phone message just received from the Marion committee who are in Abilene to see Mr. Bryan who lectures there today.

The Chautauqua was to have opened on August 3rd, but it will open one day earlier in order that Mr. Bryan may be secured.

Mr. Bryan will give one of his world famous lectures, and this great attraction will be in addition to the fine program already announced.

Let there be light

The City Commissioners say that they are going to give the town lights from the new plant during the Chautauqua. The power house is not completed but it is thought that one of the engines can be operated by the 2nd of August and lights furnished for Marion street and for the Park. The iron poles are being placed on Main street and a temporary arrangement will be made—lights being strung between the poles. But, when you see these lights don’t get the idea that they are the permanent ones. Only small lights will be used for this occasion but the large, permanent ones will soon be ready to be placed. A string of small lights will run through the park and over the bridge to the Chautauqua grounds.

About 50 men, with Walter Sharp as boss, labored for an hour or so three different evenings the past week fixing the approaches to the new concrete bridge in Central Park. It was a voluntary affair and more brand new overalls showed up than have ever before been on display at one time in the town.

Clyde Harris has had his house raised two feet or more and it is now pretty safe from invasion when the rivers get unruly.

The carpenters finished work Tuesday on Isaac Good’s fine new home. The painters and decorators now have possession of the house.

Once of the best cement walks in the city has just been put down along the front of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ekeler’s home. A new retaining wall has also been built and when the work is all finished the appearance of their hillside home will be wonderfully improved.