100 years ago

August 27, 1908

Who Paid for the Clock?

Several times the past few days grumblings have come floating in on the gentle breeze and as the breeze continues to blow, the rumblings and grumblings get louder. And it is all about the courthouse clock.

Marion people know that the Business Men’s Club raised the money by personal solicitation from our citizens and presented the clock to the county without one cent of expense to the county.

But some of the good people over the county did not understand it when they saw in the papers a treasurer’s report of money paid out for the clock, thought it was time for them to make another remark.

But here you have it in a nut shell; The Club raised the money gave it to the commissioners for the clock and when the clock had been installed and everything satisfactory, the treasurer paid out the money turned over to him. No sir, the clock didn’t cost the county a penny.

Going to Fort Riley

A number of the young boys, with O.C. Billings as commander-in-chief, started overland, Tuesday, for Fort Riley to spend several days there during the military exercises now in progress. The boys rode their ponies and Mr. Billings drove the wagon in which the supplies for the journey were carried. They expect to have a jolly good time and experience in some degree the outdoor life of the soldier. The boys composing the crowd are Laird Dean, Leland Thompson, Randolph Carpenter, Cecil Coburn and Harry Rogers.

Family Reunion

On last Sunday, August 23, a very pleasant gathering was held at the home of Victor Pratt in the basement of the courthouse. The occasion was a reunion of the children of Mrs. R.J. Pratt, her mother, and brother and family also being present.

Although the day was gloomy outside, a very enjoyable time was had inside. This was the first time in eight years that all of the children had been together.

The table was spread in the large corridor of the basement and the entire company, 26 in all, ranging from 72 years down to 9 months, sat down to the bountiful dinner.

Mrs. Pratt has lived in Marion many years and most of her children grew up here. She is a lady of fine character, a prominent member of the Woman’s Relief Corps here, and a mother revered and honored by her children.

After the members of a family have left the home roof and have homes and families of their won, it is pleasant to come together, renew the old circle, and recall the memories of childhood.

The Band Boys’ Social

It was a jolly good crowd that enjoyed the ice cream social last Friday night. It had been advertised for Brown Corby’s lawn, but because of the rain was held in the skating rink. Skating was also enjoyed.

Marion is proud of her band—justly so—and we would be a poor community, indeed, if we were not proud.

The band boys feel very kindly toward the citizens for the presence and patronage at the social, especially they wish to thank the ladies who superintended and made the affair a success. The boys called at the office to request the Record to tell the people so. It is a case of appreciation on both sides.

A number of the young people planned a picnic in the park for last Friday evening. Up till noon, the prospect was fine, but shortly after noon, a rain came up which, though not lasting long, was sufficient to prevent the picnic being held in the park. So the young people decided to have their good time at the rink. Quite a large crowd was there and a jolly time enjoyed. Later, the social for the band, which was postponed from Tuesday to Friday night, was held in the same room. Although it was again threatening storm, a fair sized crowd attended the social, and about $20 will be turned over to the band boys as a result. Mrs. Brown Corby and Mrs. Helen Miesse were the promoters of this benefit and while assisted by others, the credit belongs to them.

A hydraulic lift installed in the courthouse basement two weeks ago is doing its work nicely and no danger of its going on a strike. It supplies the main corridor with fine cool rainwater from the filtered cistern on the south of the building.

A few days ago, a colored man working at the Elgin Hotel took his departure suddenly and soon after a 45-caliber revolver kept in the hotel, office was missing. Monday the negro was located at Lyons with revolver in his possession. Sheriff Mansfield notified the Lyons officials to hold the negro, but for some reason they secured the revolver and turned the criminal loose.

Chas. J. Waugh, an old time resident of Peabody, was a Marion visitor Monday. He is now a successful building contractor at Los Angeles and on easy street. He still owns a fine farm near Peabody that he refused $100 per acre.