Reduction in Medical Bill

June 11 1880

Croquet parties were raging. Wheat harvest hands were in demand. The courthouse yard was a splendid place to pass a half day or whole day as it was liberally supplied with chairs.  E J Mitchell was the telegraph operator. The building of S F Barton occupied by Mr. Lampert was struck by lightning. Oscar Lathrop formerly of Lawrenceville died in Minnesota.

Miss Etta Struble had a rose bush 10 feet tall and loaded with blooms. Prof A A Jones had a small magic lantern show at the “Opera House” aka the courthouse.  B H Propes had moved his shop of frames, mouldings, window cord, looking glasses, hat racks and a variety of other useful and ornamental articles which he sold “cheap for cash or exchanged for all kinds of produce’ to the Masonic building.  He also sold coffins and caskets; walnut coffins were made to order on short notice.

Died at her home in Lawrenceville on Tuesday June 8, 1880, Mrs. Margaret Price aged 55.  The deceased was one of the best mothers and kindest neighbors of the village.  Her illness was short, but the dread summons was received in peace amidst the griefs of her watchful husband and their seven children who surrounded her dying bed.  “May they each one remember her motherly teachings and virtues. May her trusted words of comfort be an abiding support to her companion in his declining years.”

“Died at his residence in Lawrenceville June 5, 1880, of congestion of the bowels, Robert W Musgrave aged 47. Mr. Musgrave’s summons was sudden, as but a few hours previously, he was on the street attending to his daily business.  His wife and three loving children were thus suddenly called upon to part with their protector.  As a citizen and as a Christian, Mr. Musgrave was respected by all.  His many friends will miss him in their daily walks and whilst his Masonic brethren here and of Bridgeport deposited his remains in their narrow chamber with one accord it was said, a good and true man has gone from his labor here to the refreshing home beyond our vision.” 

Eugene May published a thank you: “I desire through the columns of this paper to return my sincere thanks to the many friends of Bridgeport who so handsomely chained me last Monday.  Not often do persons rejoice in being chained, but when the chain is gold and as ornamental as the one we received, none could but help smile with inward satisfaction. I shall ever prize the gift as an emblem of your friendship.  The links of this chain may be broken with time, and usage become unfit to wear but that blest chain of our friendship can neither be broken by use nor ruined by time. The length of years will only strengthen it and the touch of days brighten its beauty.  I shall cherish in memory forever this kind act and expression of regard.”

Bridgeport:  A new pump was put in the public well. F W Cox cut his clover hay and sold a few loads to some town men at $4.00 a ton. A strawberry festival was held and was well attended.  The net proceeds were $8.00.

Dr H M Vaught’s wife presented him with a brand-new boy Thursday morning. (Unfortunately the boy  died with next day.)

Dan McBride and John Walker tried to come together in a little skirmish.  McBride was intoxicated and on Tuesday he was brought before Justice Bunn and donated six dollars to the town treasury.   The Republican Party held their national convention in Chicago and Bridgeport residents stayed in the telegraph office getting word from there every 15 minutes even doing without their meals, as they were so much interested in the cause. G W Lehr bought a new organ in Sumner. Sherman Kocher, a blind boy who had been away at school, returned home.  Mack Fyffe attended Westfield College.

Dan Finfrock was the foreman of the Sumner Democrat. Richard Greer of Petty twp. and L G Pitman of Denison twp. were named census takers for those townships for the 1880 census. Dr Wm Bedell, doctor in Sumner was lead to the altar by his blushing bride, the fair and vivacious Miss Fannie Setzer, a reigning belle of Johnson twp.

A gentleman recently about to pay his doctor’s bill said, “Well doctor as my little boy gave the measles to all my neighbor’s children, and as they were attended by you, I think you can afford at the very least to deduct ten per cent form the amount of my bill for the increase of business we gave you.”