125 years ago

october 11, 1889

Marion was greatly excited Tuesday by the report that a nine-foot vein of cannel coal had been struck in the prospect hole being drilled in this city. Samples of the stuff were shown around on the streets and everyone was confident it was real cannel coal. Later more thorough tests by Prof. Robt. Hay, state geologist, dispelled the roseate hopes of our people. He pronounced it nothing by a black shale, or slate, heavily charged with oil. The drilling goes bravely on, anyhow, and indications are thought to be good, and those who are watching it the closest are sanguine of success, soon.

Doubtless, several hundred thousand Kansas farmers are selling their hogs to the blasted packing monopolists, and buying the same meat again at four times the price for which they sold it, instead of curing their own bacon in a little smoke house of their own.

State Fish Commissioner John M. Brumbaugh came in from Concordia Tuesday. He informs us that he will have a car load of fish, bass, crappies, etc., to put into Kansas streams pretty soon.

The Commissioners yesterday granted the petition for a division of Logan township, and gave to the new municipality the magic name of “Blaine.” Thus, side by side, the two townships will remain forever, probably, to perpetuate the name and honor of those two grand men whose political fortunes were linked on the national ticket in 1884.