100 years ago
MAY 8, 1903 — The annual Inter-Society contest between the representatives of the Excelsior and Zenith literary societies of the High School was held at the High School room last Monday evening. There was much enthusiasm manifest all day Monday over the approaching event and society colors were flying everywhere. The Excelsiors managed to float their red and white from the school house flag pole, but the Zeniths claim that their revenge came when the flag was to be seen floating at half staff the next morning. But while society spirit rose high in the day and at the contest in the evening, it commendably was good natured throughout. All who took part in the contest did well and neither society has cause for regret in the way its representatives did their part. The contest in declamation was won by Miss Mildred Harris of the Zenith society; that in an essay by Miss Mabel Taylor of the Excelsior society, and the debate was won by the representatives of the Zenith society, Miss Ruth King and Walter Brown. Dave Lorenz of the Excelsior society was given the highest rank among the debaters by the decision of the three judges. The judges were Hon. T.M. Potter of Peabody, Judge O.L. Moore and Prof. Rose of Herington. The entertainment was well patronized, and was in every way creditable to this school.
Dr. Hannaford reports a new boy at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Thompson, Wednesday morning.
Quite extensive improvements are being made at the county jail. The old steel floor is being taken up and a floor of concrete work three of four feet deep being put down. The steel will be used on the walls and the interior arrangement will be considerably changed. J.C. Watson secured the contract for doing the work and is personally directing it.
Kieferle Bros. sold sixteen buggies during last week and the week before.
On the 12th of May, at twelve o'clock, there will be a whole train load of threshing machines arrive in Marion over the Rock Island road, from the J.I. Case manufactory, Racine, Wisconsin. The train will be accompanied by a Band and a free concert will be given at the depot. Of course this is an advertising scheme, but it is worth going to see.
Mr. Isaac Kuhn fell and broke an arm yesterday afternoon. Dr. Hannaford is attending him.
After an absence from their old home of twenty-six years, Mr. John Ehrlich and wife will leave next Tuesday for Russia, to spend several months amid the scenes and associates of their young days. They are splendid folks, and all our people wish them a safe journey across the ocean and a safe return.
Scott Sheets has opened up an attractive ice cream parlor in the building where the shooting gallery has been and is ready to help you find relief when the mercury begins to crawl up.
Some weeks ago the writer took occasion to register a gentle knock upon the practice of permitting the floors of the court room and the hallway leading to it to get in the filthy, unsanitary condition which then existed. It is with exceeding pleasure that we are now able to record a thorough reform in the matter referred to. The floors are scrubbed every morning and gentlemen (?) who henceworth disregard the warnings that are posted in prominent places about the building and use the floors for the purpose for which the cuspidors are intended, are flirting with trouble. Sheriff Evans, here's the thanks of an appreciative public.
Our old friend, A.J. Doran, of Ottawa, drove through town Wednesday on his way to Peabody, where he had just bought a nice family horse.
Fay Moulton, whom the papers persist in referring to as a Kansas City boy, but who in fact is a Marion boy, having been raised here from childhood, is still breaking the sprinting records, as evidenced by the following Associated Press dispatch which appeared in the dailies this week:
New Haven, Conn., May 4. — Fay R. Moulton of Kansas City, Saturday smashed two Yale records at the interclass track games of the university. He won both sprints, taking the 100 yard dash in 0:9 4 5 and the 220 yard in 21 3 5. The former 100 yard record was 0:10 flat. The furlong flat record was 0:21 4 5.
Our worthy young townsman, Mr. P.N. Good (better known as Porter) was united in marriage Wednesday to Miss Clara Tannyhill of Burlingame. The ceremony was performed at the Christian church by the pastor, Elder R. H. Woodside. The RECORD extends hearty congratulations.
We saw and heard President Roosevelt in Topeka last Friday night. He reached the auditorium about ten o'clock and spoke for nearly an hour. He spoke without manuscript or notes. He is not a fluent speaker, but his is original and forceful. He is the greatest bundle of nerves we ever saw on a platform, Every movement of the body, every gesture of the hand, every syllable uttered was suggestive of the "strenuous life" which is his hobby. As we sat and listened to that plain, practical, earnest man, for an hour, and reflected that he was President of the greatest country and people on earth, we felt proud to be a citizen of such a country. After seeing and hearing Mr. Roosevelt one does not wonder at his popularity among the common people.
A man 68 years of age and a woman 72, eloped from the Reno County poor farm last week, escaping through a window. This seems to prove the old proposition that when poverty comes in at the door love goes out at the window.
(Copied by Joan Meyer from the 1903 microfilm files of the Marion Record)
