140 years ago

October 21, 1881

Among the premiums awarded at the Peabody Fair, as published last week in the Gazette, we notice that Marion Centre, as usual, got a share.

Uncle Will Billings, of course, had the best display of apples, the best display of pears, and the best general display of fruit on the grounds. Of course he did. He always does.

O.C. Chapman got away with the two year old stallion prize, and Bramley & Chapman got a diploma for a fine white marble tombstone they exhibited.

C.H. Thompson got the blue ribbon and the first prize on best span of carriage horses.

The genial sunshine which succeeds the copious rains boosteth the wheat and rejoiceth the farmers’ heart.

One of our job presses got seriously out of order this week, but thanks to the skill of Ike Swisher and A.R. Hill, new vital parts soon replaced the broken ones.

Mr. Alex. Christie, our new jeweler, is opening out in the room two doors east of Christies’ bank. He appears to be a worthy young man, and means business.

Fresh fish range from six to ten cents. In a wagon load we noticed the other day were fine bass, catfish, suckers, sun perch, and an eel probably three feet long.

We are requested by Mr. and Mrs. S.P. Bown to return their most grateful thanks to the members of the Marion Centre Band for the delightful serenade tendered them Wednesday night.

Marion Centre is still on the crest of the wave. Forward is the watchword. We are pleased this week to announce that the contract for the new mill has been closed and work will commence upon it at once. The structure is to be three stories in height, besides the basement, and will contain all the most modern machinery and six run of buhrs. It is to be built in the very heart of the city, on Water Street, between First and Second. Hurrah for the mill! Hurrah for Marion Centre!