140 years ago

august 26, 1881

About half past eight o’clock last Monday night, while Mr. C.W. Keller, the one armed attorney of this city, was returning to his home, he was knocked down and robbed of $565 by some unknown person concealed in that dark hollow at the foot of the school house hill.

The president, on the 18th, had so far recovered from his recent set-back as to give the attending physicians renewed hopes of his ultimate recovery.

In strolling around town the other day we brought up at the office of Case & Billings, and found all hands busy arranging samples of Marion County products for exhibition at the State Fair. We saw corn and other products of this “off” year which were simply immense. Case & Billings have done a vast amount of this kind of work for Marion County. Mr. Billings seems to take especial pride in having the county always at the front. Oh for a score more of such men!

The new comet put in an appearance to the “naked eye” several nights since.

The wives of Marion Centre, while sympathizing with the victim of the late robbery and knock down, are chuckling to themselves as they notice a sudden diminution of lodge duties and business engagements to attract and detain their husbands down town at night.

The name of the new Swedish settlement will be Lindsdale, in acknowledgement of their thanks to C.J. Lindstrom, Scandinavian Agent, for his services and good will toward the purchase of the land. This new colony has already purchased between seven thousand and eight thousand acres of land, and the end is not yet. We shall be glad to welcome these people among us, and trust the citizens of Marion Centre will realize the importance of cultivating their friendship.