100 years ago
APRIL 24, 1903 — On Wednesday, April 8, 1903, about forty of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Smith's relatives and friends gathered at their beautiful country home on Mud creek to help them celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their marriage. And oh, such feasting and visiting from early morning till late afternoon! We cannot properly express the description of the event. But all who took part returned to their homes happy and glad that they were so fortunate as to be there. Many useful and valuable presents were given and all who were present expressed a hope to be present at the golden wedding of this excellent couple. This was a double celebration, it being the birthday of Mrs. Smith's father, Mr. W.S. Conrod, who with his good wife were present on the occasion. The hours passed pleasantly with conversation interspersed with music. Mr. J.P. Wymer took a photograph of the crowd.
One of ye olde tyme scissor grinders was ringing his bell on Marion streets last Tuesday.
Eight happy little folks, chaperoned by Miss Marguerite Martin, spent Monday afternoon with Master Lloyd Bagby, it being his eighth birthday anniversary. Refreshments were served and all voted the afternoon a success.
The Coble hay stacker is being manufactured in Hutchinson.
Marion business circles have been greatly interested the past week in the news that our fellow citizen, Mr. W.S. Moulton, has "struck it rich" with his Arizona copper mine company. It is said that his interest in the company is now worth a quarter of a million dollars. We hope there is no mistake about it, and it seems there is not. We had an advertisement for the company in the last week, offering stock in the mines at twenty-five cents on the dollar, but before going to press received a telegram from Mr. Moulton withdrawing the offer. The stock has gone to par.
Mrs. S.S. Surdam, of Morristown, New Jersey, is here visiting her sister, Mrs. A.E. Case. Miss Surdam has been a regular reader of the RECORD, in her far away home, for a quarter of a century.
The annual society contest will be held in the High School room Monday evening, May 4. The representatives of the Excelsior Society are Charles Brooker, declamation; Mabel Taylor, essay; Paul Billings and David Lorenz, debate. Those of the Zenith are Mildred Harris, declamation; Imogene Dean, essay; Walter Bown and Ruth King, debate. The Zenith affirms that suffrage should be based on educational qualifications, while the Excelsiors so strenuously deny. From the record of the two societies in the past, we may expect the young people to acquit themselves with credit. Watch the papers for full program next week.
Mr. C.E. Butterfield expects to leave next week for Tucumcari, New Mexico, where he expects to live, for a while, at least. Fred Lewis and Jim McIntosh are down there doing carpenter work.
Mr. Walter F. McGinnis, of El Dorado, has been here this week making arrangements to close up the Cash Shoe Store which he bought a month or so ago for the purpose of enlarging his El Dorado stock. His Marion manager, Mr. F.J. Cook, informs us that their trade has been so good during the weeks they have owned the establishment that they have thought of continuing the business here, but have finally decided to adhere to the original intention and move the stock to El Dorado. Tomorrow, Saturday, will be their last sale day here. Monday they will pack the goods that remain on hand and ship them to El Dorado.
Squire Garver has moved into his newly-purchased residence — the Gene Myers place on the hill.
Mrs. J.R. Bowlby of Lost Springs planned a genuine surprise on her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Mills, who live south of Lost Springs. About thirty of the townspeople assembled at the Bowlby's Tuesday morning and went down in a body. After arriving at the house they were entertained by Rev. Cathermine on the violin and J.R. Bowlby on the guitar after which C.F. Shirk led off with spiritual songs. A lap supper was served, consisting of coffee, cake and oranges. Just before departing for home a genuine love feast was engaged in. Rev. Robertson, George Shirk, and others took part. Mr. Mills replying in a few well chosen words, after which all went home wishing Mr. and Mrs. Mills happy returns for their reward. The following is a list of presents: Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Bowlby silver tea spoons; Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Bowlby, Marion, silver half dollar; Mr. and Mrs. John Templeton, silver table spoons; Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Shupe, silver tea kettle; Mr. and Mrs. James McNicol, silver tea spoon; Mr. and Mrs. John McClements, silver fruit dish; Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Mott, silver tea spoons; Mr. and Mrs. Batterton, silver tea pot; Mr. and Mrs. Catherman, pair fine linen towels; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Shirk, silver dollar; Mr. and Mrs. James Reed, Marion, silver dollar; Mr. and Mrs. J.H. McBurney, silver match case.
The Grant Township Cemetery Association will put up a chain hitch rack at the cemetery.
(Copied by Joan Meyer from the 1903 microfilm files of the Marion Record.)
