Dog gone. . .

May 7th, 1880

 The strawberry crop promised to be abundant. Justus Struble sold two large draft horses cheap. B L Cunningham purchased the Presbyterian Church for use of the New Light denomination, price $300.  Three lads, Lee Jackson, John Cole and Perry Barnham were arrested for disturbing the congregation at Sand Ridge church. Plans were being made for a large Fourth of July celebration. The student population at the Lawrenceville village school was 125.

 Ms. Jane Buntin was still on her high horse about the standing water around town, this time going after the newly elected town officials: “I think it is the place of the new board recently elected to take some steps toward having the old cellar drained before the weather gets so warm.”

Mr. A Schmalhausen published that he was prepared to do roofing, put up guttering and furnish Valley Tin at short notice and as cheap as any house in the county Tinware was repaired every day of the week at his store in Bridgeport.

John M Buchanan, whilst driving his buggy homeward with his daughter Annie, had the misfortune to come across a hand car on the southern railroad, that frightened his team, spilled out the folks, upset the buggy and tore up things generally.

A young man named Mike Mahaney who worked on the O & M RR at Bridgeport met with a very serious accident as the hand car was coming down the grade west of town, he lost his balance and falling on the lever of the car, was thrown clear over it, his head striking the edge of a rail and cutting a gash two inches long clear to the bone.  But, by the prompt surgical treatment of Drs Vaught and Maxwell, it was hoped he would speedily recover.

As you may recall in the April election, Sumner defeated a liquor licensing board and became a dry village. Ms. Buntin published an unusual card from Mrs. Gaft Phillips. “I do not think it would be deemed amiss if I return any thanks to the friends who so ably did all they could to secure the nomination of my husband, knowing full well you would not have done so, had you not thought him worthy of your confidence and support.  I am aware that many think ladies should not meddle in political matters, yet not withstanding these options, I have been a close observer of both the great poltiical factions of the day, as well as a reader, and have come to the conclusion long since, if men will support other men of immoral habits, long will we have to complain of corruption in politics and it always seems strange to me that men do not think, even honest men, that by their votes and influence they have brought this state of things to pass and the poor taxpayer’s last cow or horse must go to keep men of immoral and intemperate habits in office.  But I am digressing.  I am happy in the thought that Mr. Phillips furnished no money for liquor to any one to go to his home drunk or even their breath perfumed with anything so vile and now allow me to thank you all once more although you were defeated, the effort is appreciated with gratitude.”  The newspaper also noted that all of Crawford County was without a saloon within its borders.

Buff Cochin Eggs for hatching were for sale at Ed Tracy’s in Lawrenceville or at T M Calvert’s in Allison, 75 cents for 13.

Walter L Gray of Bridgeport desired to buy 50,000 pounds of wool and would pay the highest market prices for choice wool. The executor of the Hugh Seed estate, Wm Seed, would present his final settlement account on the 3rd Monday in May 1880. A. S. Roberts was appointed administrator of the estate of Isaac Jones deceased. W. N. Cecil’s smoke house was destroyed by fire. It was supposed that a great deal of meat was stolen and then the house was set on fire as a blind.

 Dr. W Anderson, the new dentist in Lawrenceville, had permanently located at the Watts House. He warranted satisfaction in all cases or would refund any fee paid if not satisfied.  He offered to call on parties at their homes when he was called to do so. “Have a specimen filling inserted and thus demonstrate the quality of my operations.”  Dentist J. l. Dollahan moved from Russellville and was located permanently in Sumner. He would be at the Buchanan House each Monday.

Bridgeport: Wheat sold at $1.00 a bushel. Lew Schmalhausen was to open his soda fountain in a few days.  W. M. Malone was married to Miss Millhouse.   Four boarders were at Stivers Springs trying to recuperate their health. J. M. Buchanan of Bridgeport and George Buchanan of Denison left for Colorado for their health.

Frog Pond (referring to Plank Road School neighborhood): Wheat looked good, health was good; Roads were bad because of rain.  Miss Mattie Kensler drove a trotting -sulky. The low- landers were discouraged for fear of the Embarrass back waters. The girls played old maid with cards but would soon play without just as well.  John R Gold erected a new fence on his farm. 

Sand Ridge: Health good; weather cooler after the hailstorm. Two new school directors were elected: Samuel England and William Huston.

Mt Zion: Weather was good; everybody was happy.  Carl Clark was learning the shoemaker trade. No bridge over the Embarrass. G W Neal and Gabe Smith would soon have their ferry boat running at Charlottsville. The reporter noted that it was a neighborhood of churches. The Baptists were building a church near there and the Christian church was also preparing to build.   

Bogard Prairie Items: Things on the boom; some corn planted. E R Davis preferred sleeping on the floor to a good feather bed. The Christian congregation at this place numbered over 60 members. Wheat looked good, and the farmers looked forward to biscuits in place of corndodgers. The contract to build the new church at this place was let to Coleman Cook, a good workman.

Pleasant Grove: The coming season bid fair for an excellent fruit crop. Some farmers had planted corn.

News from the Vincennes papers about Lawrence County:

Mrs. Hannah Jones a sister of William Huffman a well-known old citizen, was killed in a cyclone near Mulberry Grove, Crawford County Kansas about two weeks ago.  Mrs. Jones was the widow of Amos Jones, formerly of Lawrence County Illinois, and had lived in Kansas for about seven years.

Mr. August Brossie/Brausa, a good citizen of Lawrence County, who resided 8 miles south of Sumner, died Wednesday. He was buried by the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Ella P Gordon of Janesville Illinois met with a remarkable cure at Stiver’s Springs near Bridgeport. James Mushrush, the recently elected Assessor of Petty, failed to qualify, leaving Petty without that important official.   “The office has been tendered to those who opposed him before the election, but they would not have it.  The office was running around seeking whom it might devour.”

Dr J M Bosart of Sumner was elected school director. The annual report of the treasurer of the town of Sumner showed a balance of $793.75 cash on hand. A new roof was placed on the Christian church in Lawrenceville.  Jacob Schlenker of Bridgeport planned on selling out and going to the Colorado mines. Paul Sheridan of Sumner had his right hand amputated by Drs French and Bedell. The editors of the two papers in Sumner “were shooting each other with spelling book Latin phrases”.  Thomas F Hardacre of Lawrenceville was elected school director being opposed by Ashael Rawlings.  Mrs. Jane F Ireland of Bridgeport just completed a quilt containing 5,381 pieces. At Bridgeport the election was held for one school director and for a new school building. M. Eshelman was elected director and the new schoolhouse carried by a majority of eight.

Mr. James E Eckenrode and Miss Lizzie Hoopes, daughter of Caleb Hoopes of Sumner, were married in the parlors of Rev. Ignatius Conrad, pastor of St Joseph’s cathedral, St Joseph Missouri, on April 14, 1880. On their return home they were tendered a royal reception.

 The confectioners in Vincennes froze a freezer of ice cream with hail stones. The Vincennes newspaper noted that on April 22, 1837, the list of arrivals of steamboats at that port from March 31 to April 22, 1837, was 14. They came from Montezuma, Lafayette, Evansville, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh, showing that river trade was of no small importance to this area in the early days.  The editor also noted that Joseph Schmidt, the cigar manufacturer, was located on Main Street between 5th and 6th streets in Vincennes.

“Can a dog find his way home from a long distance,” asked a reader.  It depends altogether on what kind of dog you have.  If it is one you want to get rid of there isn’t the least bit of danger. Oh No.  Rest easy about it.  He would find his way back from San Francisco.  But if he is a good dog, look out.  If he goes around the corner, tell him farewell.