125 years ago

july 11, 1890

The various Farmers’ Alliances and Knights of Labor in the county are preparing for a grand gathering in Billings Park, Marion, next Tuesday. It is expected that it will be the largest gathering held in the county for years. Let the town be festooned with flags. Let the stores be closed at the hours of speaking. Let every home and heart and hand be opened for every possible accommodation to these guests from the various parts of Marion County. Marion is extending to the farmers and industrial classes of Marion County a cordial welcome to their city and their homes.

Prof. Snow of the State University, who has kept a daily record of the weather for 23 years, says that last June was the hottest June of the 23, and also the driest.

Marion’s celebration of the Fourth turned out to be one of the most successful and enjoyable ever held here, despite the fact that there were nearly a dozen other celebrations in the county. At Chingawasa, another good crowd gathered and listened to the reading of the immortal Declaration by Miss Eva Dickerson and a very fine address by Dr. Earp, pastor of the Methodist church. A promised balloon ascension took place in the afternoon, the daring aeronaut swinging in mid-air high above the housetops. A pyrotechnic display at night went off as advertised and was a creditable exhibition. In a word, Marion’s celebration was a grand success.