125 years ago

april 30, 1886

Why can’t Marion have a town clock?

We understand a fine school house is to be erected in the Wren neighborhood, north of town.

The predicted “cold snap” came to time promptly last Sunday, and has hung on with more or less tenacity ever since. There has been no frost, however.

State Treasurer Howe has purchased from Frank Bower the beautiful building site on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Denver streets, which means another handsome home to adorn that part of town, we reckon. By the way, this sale illustrates the advance in property here. Four years ago, this property went a begging for $150. Mr. Howe paid $600 for it.

Mr. Stewart Beebe’s little boy, Norris, fell from a swing the first of the week, breaking an arm. He will soon be all right, we hope.

A short time ago, a one-armed gentleman dropped into Henry Kable’s steam carpenter and joining shop, with a little boy, and asked the privilege of putting the turning lathe in operation, for the attraction of the little boy. Being granted the privilege, he proceeded to transform a plain board into a novel ornament. Kable stood by watching the skill displayed by the one-armed man with as much interest as the boy. When the machine stopped, at once he tendered the unknown workman a job, which was accepted. Now Mr. A. Denison finds daily employment there.

Easter Services

The Methodist church was handsomely festooned with flowers, last Sunday, and numerous canary birds made melody for the large audience assembled to witness the exercises. In addition to the regular Sunday school routine, some special services were added to give variety to the occasion. Among these “extras” was an original poem written and read by Prof. Runyan, which we regard as quite a gem. The great agriculturalist, Mr. Orange Judd, of the United States, happening to be present, was pressed into service, and made some most happy and appropriate remarks.

Complaint comes to us from citizens living in the southern part of town that the stench from dead carcasses lodged in the river is almost unbearable. We call the attention of the authorities to the matter and trust speedy measures will be adopted to purify the atmosphere in that part of town.

Gen. John McCarty is our authority for the statement that a tree peddler was recently trying to sell some apple trees warranted to bear dried apples.

Put this and that together—Prof. B.D. VanOstrand has bought a beautiful corner on Lincoln Avenue, and talks of going east on a visit in a short time. Yum, yum.