MEMORIES: 100 years ago years ago
The major portion of this week's Marion Record deals with "momentous facts about both the city and county of Marion." It tells of the "growth in the past and prospects for the coming year of 1908," as an "unbiased visiting newspaper correspondent, employed by the Record, looks at a city and county as a special writer for this big edition."
It is impossible to copy this in its entirety, so only some of the details will be relayed to you, the readers in 2008.
The City of Marion
Is in the second class, having at the last census over two thousand population. It is variously placed now at from 2, 300 to 2,500.
Is near the center of the county of the same name. It is traversed by the Cottonwood and Muddy rivers, which converge after passing through the city.
The main line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific from Omaha to the Gulf of Mexico was built through Marion in 1887. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe built a branch from Florence to Ellinwood, through Marion, in 1880. This branch connects with main line Santa Fe trains at both points and really makes the road a double track from Florence to Ellinwood.
It has three banks, two large school building, eight churches, one creamery, two railroads, auditorium, two flour mills, three women's clubs, ten fraternal orders, three papers, waterworks, several quarries and bunch of busy merchants in all lines.
It is the county seat of Marion county and completed a new court house last year. It is a city of beautiful homes, some of them costing $20,000. There are many not so expensive, of very handsome construction and elegantly appointed grounds.
Electric Lights
The city has voted bonds to buy the waterworks plant now in operation and enlarge it. The city has outgrown the present system. The proposition voted on included an electric light plant. Both of these will be installed as soon as possible.
Street Improvements
Several years ago the streets were surfaced with crushed stone, which makes a solid road bed at all times. Nothing is too good for Marion, however, and nearly, if not quite, all the merchants are in favor of paving the business streets. This will no doubt be done this year.
Cement Walks
About two miles of cement walks were built last year and as much more will be built this present year.
One large business block and several good residences were constructed last year. The indications now are that a large
Number of Buildings
will be finished this year.
An efficient volunteer fire department manipulates the apparatus on the hook and ladder wagons and the hose wagon. Fire plugs are stationed at intervals over the city so that nearly every building can be reached by the hose.
The present capable officials are: A.S. Quisenbery, Mayor; T.W. Bown, Clerk; Brown Corby, Treasurer; Sam Kleinhammer, Marshal; L.F. Keller, Attorney; N.J. Schlingloff, Police Judge; Wm. Maltby, Street Commissioner.
Council
Sam Freeland, W.A. Blanchard, Frank Griffith, F.B. Shanklin, Scott Shahan, G.W. Buckley, Fred Lewis, Ralph Hodge.
The Auditorium
is a large building, completed with effective scenery and an ample stage. It is located near the center of the city close to the beautiful
Central Park
This is a magnificent track of native woodland about ten acres in extent, traversed by Muddy creek (which belies its name, for its not muddy at all.)
The park is kept in excellent order. It is well lighted and equipped with seats, fountains and other ornaments. This is indeed a spot of beauty, not rare in Marion County, but very conveniently located.
* * * *
The article goes on to give the history of the various religious organizations, the Marion Library and lists Marion's businessmen of that time, giving their histories and the description and location of their businesses.
There also is a brief description of the prominent firms of the neighboring town, "Lusty Lincolnville."
I wish there were time and space to repeat all of this issue, but unfortunately it's an impossibility. I hope you enjoyed what has been reproduced.
Joan Meyer
