100 years ago
OCTOBER 8, 1903 — Under a festooned bell, in a bay window richly decorated with smilax and ferns at the elegant home of Judge and Mrs. W.F. Hoch, the solemn and impressive words were spoken at eight o'clock Tuesday evening by Rev. McCormick, pastor of the Methodist church which united in holy matrimony Mr. Richard Sherman Bradley to Miss Willie Ella Hoch. The beautiful ring ceremony was used, and was witnessed by a few of the immediate friends of the bride and groom, beside the relatives. The couple entered the parlors precisely at eight o'clock, preceded by the officiating clergyman, and the parents of the bride, Miss Lola Hoch playing a wedding march as they entered and took their places for the ceremony. The parlors and dining room were elaborately and handsomely decorated in pink and white. White bride's roses and pink bridesmaid roses, with white and pink carnations adorned the tables. The refreshments were prepared by an El Dorado caterer. Mr. Bradley is a fine young man, who lived here when a boy, but whose home is now in Kansas City. The bride is a graduate of our High school, attended the state University a year of two, and a graduate of the Kansas City Business College and the fact that she is our niece shant keep us from saying that she is beautiful alike in person and in character. Though the cards said, "No presents," many beautiful and valuable souvenirs of the occasion were given the couple by the guests. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley left on the midnight Rock Island train for a bridal trip to St. Louis, where the groom has relatives and friends. They will be at home in Kansas City after October 15th.
Our School
Marion schools start off this year in fine condition. The new Superintendent, Prof. Rice, takes hold like the experienced educator he is. We are indebted to him for the following facts concerning the school:
Enrollment in City school, total 492.
Primary, Miss Stout, 75; Miss Bown, 59.
Grades 3 and 4, Miss Ainsworth, 54; Miss Corby, 57.
Grades 5 and 6, Miss Sheets, 41; Miss Knowles, 31.
Grades 7 and 8, Miss Wood, 54; Mr. Wymer, 42.
High School, Miss Grosser, 76.
The average attendance has been nearly 98 per cent of the enrollment.
The enrollment exceeds that of September 1902 by 81.
The attendance during the past three weeks has been very good and the work of all the rooms shows improvement.
It is believed that the first report to the truant officer will be that all the children of the District have reported for enrollment, unless hindered by sickness.
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We were kindly "shown through" Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Gilbert's handsome new residence, the other day, and can truthfully say that it is one of the best planned, coziest homes in the town. Mrs. Gilbert was the architect, and she certainly thought out a home which, now that it is completed, is wonderfully convenient and comfortable.
County Superintendent Knowles has shown us some papers written by some little girls in the Aulne school taught by Miss Daisy Graham, which reflect great honor upon pupils and teacher. The papers are under the new Language series introduced into the county last year by Prof. Saunders with the endorsement of Supt. Knowles. Those papers were the product of the system and certainly stamp success upon it. The papers are historical and accurate in fact, faultless in composition, and remarkably well executed. The following are the names of the authors, and their ages, which we gladly print as a roll of honor: Ada Ely, aged 10; Gertrude Huston, aged 10; Jessie Clark, aged 11; Cora Klein, aged 12; Bernice Chapman, aged 12. These papers can be seen at Prof. Knowles office.
Uncle George Griffith and Aunt Betty, and their son Alex and wife returned last week from their California trip. They enjoyed the trip greatly, all except Mrs. Alex Griffith, who was sick most of the time out there.
We recently spent a day in Herington. The town is enjoying a healthy boom. Three hundred new houses is the record of the year, and "still there's more to follow." Ed Lamb, a Peabody boy of whom Marion county is proud, has built up a big mercantile business, and is just about to move into a splendid new building, three ground floors, with second story and basement, all of which he will occupy. He has made a great success but is as modest as a maiden. Lee Riddle and family went west but are back in Herington to stay, we think. Wayne Riddle was also there. He is working for the Rock Island on a south run. The two newspapers, the Times and Sun are peaceful and prosperous. We were invited into a "Don't Worry Club - Let the Other Fellow Worry." The organization is without constitution, bylaws, or records of any kind. It meets at call of President in a restaurant kept by a former Marion county man, Mr. Knaus, and the "proceedings" consist of a motion properly carried that some member furnish the refreshments at the next meeting! From the decision of the chair there seems to be no appeal. We enjoyed our "invitation" very much indeed.
(Copied by Joan Meyer from the 1903 microfilm files of the Marion Record)
