100 years ago
WATER-WORKS QUESTION
Shall the city own its water-works? The first and generally important question asked is, will it increase our taxes? If so, how much? If properly managed it will not and cannot increase taxes. Estimates on new water-works that can be built with the amount to be voted, will certainly treble the private patronage.
Under the new proposed pipe distribution, a map of which is now on file in the city clerk's office, it will serve more people and yet have less mileage of pipe than the present system.
The article is signed by Fred Lewis, S.C. Freeland, and W.A. Blanchard, members of the Water-works Committee
(This article takes up much space on the front page of this issue and is too long to copy in its entirety. Therefore only a small portion is shown, just to let you know the issue was brought up at this time. JWM)
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The following ladies have very kindly furnished flowers to be set out in Central Park: Mesdames J.O. Gaver, Wooster, Dr. Barrows, J.H. Adkins, J.H. Wright, Ella Sumner, Pendleton, R.L. King, Geo. Loveless, John Powers, John Amick, and Alonzo Mott.
Irene Blackburn and Lenore Miesse gave a Slumber party last Friday night in honor of Ruth and Ida Smith, of Topeka. Lucile Burkholder entertained the same girls at a dinner party the following day. Those present were: Ruth and Ida Smith, Lucile Burkholder, Genevieve Funk, Dorothy Billings, Theo Thompson, Irene Blackburn and Lenore Miesse.
Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Wheelock have issued invitations to the marriage of their daughter, Miss Clara Mae Wheelock, to Dr. Edward B. Coen. The wedding will take place Wednesday evening, June nineteenth at the Baptist church.
Mrs. J.B. Greer and Mrs. D.W. Wheeler Entertain.
Wednesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. D.W. Wheeler one of the most enjoyable parties of the year was given. Mrs. J.B. Greer and Mrs. D.W. Wheeler entertained about seventy of the ladies of the town. The rooms were tastefully decorated with marguerites and smilax. Alice and Ethel Wheeler and Little Esther and Edith Greer ushered in the guests.
The program consisted of a unique guessing contest, instrumental music by Mrs. Bert Wheeler, vocal and instrumental music by Miss Mary Williams, of Florence, recitations by Mrs. Herbert Thorp, Mrs. Homer Hoch and Esther Greer, instrumental music by Mrs. Tilson and Mrs. Joseph Bauer.
The "Old Oaken Bucket" in a very realistic well curb furnished forth a delicious cooling drink to guests during the afternoon.
A four course luncheon was served. Pink and white carnations were the favors.
The Misses Imogene and Elfie Dean, Mary Williams and Ruth King assisted in serving.
Can't Vote.
The City Attorney says that the ladies cannot vote at the special election on the water-works question next Thursday. This announcement is made in view of the fact that many have thought otherwise owing to the fact that they are entitled by law to voted a regular election of municipal officers.
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Complaint is made that some of the boys who drive cows to pasture are getting very careless about letting the cows run over people's lawns. If you have ever fixed a lawn in fine shape and then had a cow run over it right after a rain and didn't feel like arising and doing things to the cow and the boy your religion is all right.
A Few Suggestions
Our splendid new court house reminds us in a modest way of "The glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome." But what should be done with the old court house soon to become vacant? Would it not be a fine thing for Marion to have a hospital, or a city hall, or a government post-office, or a library, reading and rest room, or an Industrial school devoted to manual training where young people could study handicrafts and trades that would qualify them to earn good wages immediately after graduation? It would be a wise course for our intelligent and humane ladies to consider these matters, and for our enterprising men of affairs to take a look into the future before it is too late. Have our leading citizens used their best judgment hitherto? What about the Sorghum mill, the Canning factory, the Chingawasa rail-road and (alas) the Y.M.C.A. building? If it is foolish to throw away good money on unwise projects, it is equally fatuous to abandon or destroy good properties that stand ready to our hands and are greatly needed. The court house is a substantial and serviceable building, much too valuable to be destroyed when it should be utilized for some one of the important purposes named above. Shall we continue to yield to our evil genius and so go on wasting, or shall we remember to "gather up the crumbs that nothing be lost?"
W.W.Runyan
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The Methodist folks have purchased a new piano, for the use of the Sunday school. It arrived last week and was put into use on Sunday morning.
The Band boys and the Institute boys played a game of ball Tuesday evening. The score was 9 to 3 in favor of the Institute.
The following local item is from last Friday's Drovers Telegram, K.C.: "I remember the time" said Aaron VanScoik, of Marion Kansas, yesterday, "when I had to pay $2 a day for harvest hands and sold my wheat at 30c and 40c a bushel, and everything else accordingly. And at about the same time corn was selling at 13c a bushel. The Kansas farmer of today has a very different condition before him. In those days when we happened to raise a good crop of wheat or corn, or anything else, the prices would go down. Today there is a market for everything in the livestock line on the farm, and the prices are good. The grain prices are good and whenever we have a few tons of alfalfa to sell, there is a buyer ready to take it at a high price. Those of us who passed through the hardships of the early days, look upon these times as being very prosperous."
