100 years ago
July 28, 1904 — Judge J.T. Dickerson moved his family and household goods to Chickasha, I.T., this week, where they have fitted up a house and where they will reside during the judge's term, at least, on the Federal bench. Their going is worthy of more than a passing notice. Here "Joe" Dickerson has lived all his life. Here he was a bare footed boy, squeezing mud through his toes, hooking watermelons and splashing around in the old swimming holes. Here is where he got his schooling and later taught in the public schools. From here he went to the Normal and did chores and "skimped" and got through by hard knocks. From here he went to Lawrence and worked his way through the Law department of the State University. Here he hung out his shingle and built up a big law business. Here he was elected County Attorney and re-elected with increased majority. Here he married a charming girl and here five of the prettiest, sweetest children you ever saw, except your own, were born. Here he was appointed district judge and filled it with marked ability. Here he has helped more people, financially, than most any one in town, more, far more, we think, than anyone of his limited means. Here the sick and afflicted and all those in distress have found in him a sympathizer and practical helper. He has been a mighty good, useful man to have around, and the old town will miss Joe Dickerson and his fine family. We rejoice at the personal good fortune which has taken them away but envy, all the same, the good fortune of the town which secures their citizenship.
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The RECORD was in error, it seems, about the first baby born in the Elgin hotel. That important event did not occur a few weeks ago as this chronicler said, but there was born to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hannaford, nine years ago, a son, now the sprightly "Jenks."
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Dr. Sam Freeland has been in Burns this week on veterinary business. Dr. Freeland is one of the best veterinary surgeons in the State and has a big business in this line. Besides, he is the author and manufacturer of several widely used remedies for animal ailments.
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During our long residence here we have never seen the river banks cave so much as they have this year. Great blocks of dirt and great mammoth trees have slipped into the streams all along its banks.
How about the auditorium? It ought to be enclosed, if possible, before the "opening" meeting in September.
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The balloon which is to go up in Marion next Saturday evening, with a man in it, is said to be the largest balloon in the world. It is ninety-six feet high when inflated. Come and see it. This is a treat the merchants have "chipped in" and furnished for the country people, chiefly, and we hope they will come to town and see it.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. Rev. Ulter, in Marion, at the home of grandmother Music, a boy, Dr. Hannaford attending.
The ladies of the Christian church will serve dinner and supper on September 1st in the room the second door east of the Post Office — the old Rest Room.
Dr. Smith is greatly enlarging and improving his residence. The Doctor believes in "fixing up." He keeps his premises in fine shape — or his wife does.
The Marion ball team has been winning new laurels, this week. Three games were played with the Emporia team, on the latter's grounds, which resulted, respectively, 3 to 2, 6 to 4, and 4 to 1 in favor of Marion. This makes eight straight games won by our boys over the Emporia boys. Will White's "What's the Matter with Kansas?" should now be changed to "What's the Matter with Emporia?"
Winifred and Dora Powers left Wednesday for Colorado, where they expect to spend several weeks.
Confidential
We want to whisper a confidential word or two, maybe three, to our fellow citizens of Marion. Outsiders must not eavesdrop or listen. What we want to whisper to this people is that in a little over four weeks Marion will be thronged with the greatest crowd of people ever congregated here. And they will be bright, intelligent, observant people. They will be people whose good opinion it will pay the town to cultivate. Now the town has had a dual misfortune from floods and is not now anything like as "presentable' as usual, when it should be more so. What we want to say is this. Let every resident of the town put his place in order. Let every premise be cleaned up and made as attractive as possible. Let the park be made more beautiful and cozy and comfortable than ever before. Let the painters be kept busy. Let the street graders be kept running. Let the debris be cleaned from every alley. Let the rubbish be hauled off from the rear of stores. Let the sidewalks be put in best possible shape. Let the weeds on vacant lots be burned. In a word let the old town put on the best "bib and tucker" for this great time coming. And don't put off these things, for the time is short.
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Harry Richardson had a very pretty face last week, caused by a bee lighting on his nose.
(Copied by Joan Meyer from the 1904 microfilm files of the Marion Record)
Marion Manor needs donated garage sale items
Marion Manor is having a garage sale Friday and Saturday to benefit the "Relay for Life" walk.
Bring donated items to Autumn or Joy at Marion Manor prior to Friday.
GRANT
From Page 2
One day the sheriff stopped by the Pigpen Ranch roundup wagon and told the boss he thought one of the men in the crew was wanted for murder in Texas. The boss, not wanting a confrontation (or maybe he was a strong believer in the Fifth Amendment and didn't want to force one of his men to incriminate himself), decided the best thing to do was to get the killer, whoever he was, to leave quietly and voluntarily.
That night all the cowboys found in their coffee cups a small piece of paper with these words: "Some man in the outfit is being hunted as a killer and it might be advisable to leave before morning." The next morning the roundup boss and the cook were the only two men left in camp.
Like all the Kansas counties out on the cattle frontier, Grant County is full of fascinating stories. Thankfully, Ginger Anthony and her staff at the museum in Ulysses are doing a good job of preserving those tales.
