100 years ago
The meeting called by the Board of County Commissioners to consider the question of Court House improvement, was well attended last Friday. The chairman of the Board, John Smith, presided and stated briefly the object of the meeting and called for expressions from all parts of the county. All of those who spoke stated that it was evident that more room was needed and that larger and safer vaults for public records were a necessity, but there were differences of opinion as to how this should be done. S.L. Armstrong of Hillsboro and T.M. Potter of Peabody thought repairs and alterations might be made that would answer the purpose. Judge King, W.H. Carpenter, J.S. Dean and others thought it would be better and more economical in the long run to build a new Court House. Henry Lorenz of Lehigh aroused considerable enthusiasm when he made an earnest plea for safer results for public records that affect the title of every home in the county and declared that the best and cheapest manner in which this might be done was to build a new court house. As he spoke he laid on the chairman's desk a petition signed by 122 tax payers of Lehigh township praying the commissioners to build a new and up to date court house in keeping with the magnitude and wealth of the great county of Marion. The question of the relocation of the county seat was not touched upon for, as Mr. Potter well stated that matter was irrevocably decided years ago. No definite action was taken at this time but the County Commissioners will meet the question fairly and honestly and try to do the matter justice.
Some official figures
In looking over the claims allowed by the County Commissioners it would seem that some of the county officers are getting considerable sums from the treasury in the way of salaries and fees when as a matter of fact some of the offices turned into the county treasury sums in excess of their salaries. For the year 1904 J.C. Schmidt, Register of Deeds, turned in $733.54 that sum being one half of the excess over his salary of $1200. W.K. Palmer superintendent of the County Farm paid in $561.33 which is fairly good considering the short crop of 1904. Sheriff Evans turned over $309.45. Probate Judge Vaughn, Supt. Knowles, County Clerk Thrasher, also turned sundry sums collected as fees in their offices. The retiring Clerk of District Court John H. Smith paid into the county treasury $800.95 in his final settlement and there will be more as the cases are settled up from time to time. The county expense is apparently heavy but Marion is a large and populous county and the expense per capita is probably much less than in former years.
Miss Mable Downes was the hostess of a very enjoyable progressive whist party last Tuesday evening. Score cards were of miniature playing cards and the prize, a large bunch of red and white carnations, was awarded to Miss Maud Bixler, the consolation prize was given to Miss Libbie Powers. Dainty refreshments were served and invitations were extended to Mr. and Mrs. John Clarkson, Misses Lizzie Bryan, Maude Bixler, Virgie Donaldson, Mary Watson, Carrie Watson, Elizabeth Lindsay, Gertrude Bown, Libbie Powers, Angie Mansfield, Edith Mansfield, Mary Mansfield, Mayme Caldwell, Dorothy Graham, Florence Saggau, Lola Hoch, Mamie Wheelock, Ethel Dean, Winnie Carter, Carrie Harrington of Finley, Ohio, and Louise Wendell of Chicago. Messrs. Charlie Bryan, Ralph Bryan, Ed Hauser, Clarence Waring, Roy Myers, Arthur Tarbot, Ralph Powers, Fred Wheeler, Earl Caldwell, Earl Rogers, Cecil Scott, John McFadden, Al Richardson, Clinton Downes, D. Lewis, Arthur Keller, Walter Corby, Charlie Watson, and Simon Kern of McPherson.
Revivals
Notwithstanding the cold weather, the attendance and interest at the revival meeting continues to increase. Rev. Runyan is preaching some strong sermons, and a large chorus choir under the leadership of O.C. Billings is doing splendid work in leading the service of song. Special music is a feature of every meeting. Much good is being done. The church is being revived. Back sliders are being reclaimed, and some are being saved. The men's meetings at the noon hour are well attended, and much interest is being manifested by those who attend. The meetings will continue over Sunday. Let all who can attend.
It's only about two months until spring, but in that time we can have sixty days of the worst winter weather of the whole year.
