100 years ago
march 1, 1906
The Thompson Dry Goods Company has been making quite extensive improvements in their upstairs rooms the past week. Two rooms have been opened into one, making a very large room — a carpet room. And the rooms that are to be occupied by the Dress Cutting School are being fitted up in fine shape. Machines, and sewing and cutting tables have been put in, and everything arranged for the school, which is to open March 5. Miss Elizabeth Lindsay, who is to be in charge, is expected to arrive from Kansas City next Saturday. Mr. Thompson informs us that a great many applications and inquiries concerning the work are being made, both by ladies in Marion and in the country.
The work on the hill school grounds has been practically completed. The ground has been graded down gradually to the stone wall running from the main entrance down to the Baptist church and will be sown in grass. The improvement is a splendid one.
The members of the N.M. Whist club gave a Washington Birthday party at the home of Miss Mary Watson in honor of Miss Virgule Donaldson. Elegant refreshments were served in three courses, the ice cream being in figures to represent Washington. Progressive Whist was played. Miss Gertrude Bown won the ladies' first prize, Mr. Allen Owens won the gentleman's first prize and Chas. Watson won the consolation prize. The score cards were decorated with a water color picture of Washington. Those present were: Misses Florence Saggau, Gertrude Bown, Mary and Carrie Watson, Ella Ford, Mable Owens, Winnie Carter, Mamie Wheelock, Lucy Mollohan, Bess Yost, Mable Downes and Virgelia Donaldson; Mesdames Florer, Dr. Smith and Hauser, Messrs D. Lewis, Elmer Rogers, Earl Rogers, Chas. Watson, Fred Beebe, Harry Green, Ralph Bryan, Ed Hauser, Robt. Florer, Dr. Smith, Al Owens, Kerr and Henry Wheelock.
During the summer days in winter the men at the jail spend their "leisure" time on the rock pile.
A party of Marion people left last Monday morning to join the Marion colony located at Mount Vernon, Washington. The party consisted of Ben Bell and family, W.L. Griffith and wife, Mrs. Dr. Hannaford and Joe, Sidney Scott and family and Charley Leavitt. Charley Leavitt does not go with any intention of remaining but merely for the sake of the trip and to see the country. Ben Bell insists that we are not to say that he has gone to Mt. Vernon, "for good." "I am not burning the bridges behind me," he says, "I am going out there to try it for one year. If we like it we will stay; if we don't like it specially we will pull for Marion County, Kansas, U.S.A." And while we don't wish him any bad luck we but voice the feelings of the whole community when we venture to hope that he will "not like it specially." The community will miss all of these good people. May they prosper and be happy in the new home, find many good friends- — and not forget the old ones. Mrs. Donaldson and Miss Virgelia Donaldson, who go to California accompany the party, going with them as far as Ogden. It is possible that they will decide to remain permanently in California — but Marion folks hope not, and so don't propose to believe it yet awhile. The Washington party expect to reach their destination about Friday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry McFadden are the parents of a baby girl, which arrived at their home a few days ago.
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The following clipping from a York, Pa., paper will be of interest to the many Marion county friends of John E. Gilbert:
"John E. Gilbert, of Marion, Kansas, was a visitor in York yesterday. Mr. Gilbert was born in Lower Windsor township, where he grew to manhood, and at the opening of the Civil War, entered Company D, First Pennsylvania reserves as a corporal. After serving a full term of three years he re-enlisted as a veteran and remained in the army in all four years.
Corporal Gilbert was captured in the summer of 1862 in the seven days' fight near Richmond under General McClellan. He remained a prisoner of war at Libby and Bell Isle for a period of thirty-five days, when he was exchanged and returned to his regiment before the second battle of Bull Run. He was wounded at Antietam in the fall of 1862, fought with his regiment at the battle of Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. While serving in the Fifth army corps he was captured at Bethesda church. Gilbert was held as a prisoner of war for nine months at Andersonville, Milan and Savannah, Georgia and Florence, South Carolina. He received his final discharge in Harrisburg, July 3, 1865, after which he came to York.
Not being able to find a horse and carriage to drive to his home, near East Prospect, he walked home and the next day entered the harvest field and cradled wheat. He continued at this occupation until the crop was harvested. In 1879 Mr. Gilbert removed to the vicinity of Marion, Kansas, where is now extensively engaged in stock raising.
