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Newspaper
Elkhart Observer
Location
Elkhart, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Jan 14, 1874
Page
3
Round Town items include a man collapsing on Franklin Street, various community updates on weddings, dances, and local notices. Topics cover accidents, parades, club events, theater, and charitable efforts with multiple names and places such as Goshen Elkhart Chicago and Tyfer's.
A letter from WaLvo condemns the Union editor for hosting a pork seller's views and mocks public opinion campaigns. The writer questions fairness and suggests a reciprocal opening of the editor's cellar to a porcine carcass to satisfy the "eternal fitness of things."
The town buzzes with birth news as C. H. Chase welcomes a nine pound son while Dr. Fisher laments a daughter. Jokes poke at daughters becoming leaders, imagining Miss Fisher as a future presidential candidate. A nine pound Lowry boy arrives at Mrs. Syphert’s, Theo travels by freight to Niles then Mishawaka, and Elkhart boys claim a victory over Weston with a newborn in the mix.
Anthony Defrees, longtime South Bend resident who recently died, brought the first printing press to the city and printed its first newspaper. In 1831 his nephews John and Joseph Defrees edited the North western Pioneer.
A general revolt grows among leading railroad companies in the West against the dead-head system. The paper welcomes the move and hopes a future free transit by law across the United States, from the President to lower officials.
The Aid Society announces December 10 reports from district committees showing cash and in kind aid to several destitute families. Volunteers, including Mrs. Davenport, Mrs. Beardsley, and Miss Royce, organized funds, clothing, and provisions while distributing goods around Marion streets. The piece notes pride in Elkhart’s relief efforts amid a panic and highlights widows and ill husbands as primary beneficiaries.
Gen. Sweet and Gen. Benj J. Sweet are recalled for service in the Civil War. The article notes his start as Major of the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, rise to Colonel of the 23d Wisconsin, heroic wounds at Perryville, later commands in the Veteran Reserve Corps, and his roles as pension agent in Chicago and deputy commissioner in Washington. Will J. Davis was to serve as private secretary on the day of his death. The body was brought to Chicago, buried at Rose Hill cemetery, with plans for a monument in his memory by grateful citizens.
A San Francisco paper lauds T. De Witt Talmage calling him unmatched since Whitefield and the Wesleys. It notes his sermon power and describes his writing as well as his new editorial chair at Christian at Work dated from 102 Chambers Street, New York. advertisement mentioned.
In Elkhart, several property transfers occurred including S. Baldwin’s brick store at 85 Main Street sold to First National Bank for 6500 dollars and Danforth’s brick store at 99 Main Street sold from M F Shuey to S Baldwin for 6600 dollars. Pinkerton’s farm west of town changed hands for 4500 dollars and other transfers include Burns, Beardsley, Kinney, and Wingar dealings. Miss Bonnell returns from holiday and resumes teaching duties.
A fragmented advertisement page praises Dan W. Smith Elkhart Ind as a photographer with skilled finish and clear images. It notes Doty Bros Ward laundry partnership and mentions Hackathorn Co lunch counter for farmers. It promotes Missouri Pacific rail service from St Louis as a direct, comfortable western route and touts its equipment and safety features.
Local notices promote Hayward's Black Salve for ulcers and burns, Hall's Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer, Juniper Tar Soap from Caswell Hazard, and Dodge's Drug Store. Samuel Smith offers paints and kerosene, and Hackathorn & Co. advertise a bakery at 96 Main Street with emphasis on cleanliness and quality materials.
A grand gift sale will be held on Wednesday at a designated city venue under Mrs. C. J. Hogue. Prizes include a 7 octave piano, piano stool, cover, bureau, side saddle, silver watch, washstand, grain cradle, steel-plate engraving, cord stove wood. Tickets cost $2 and are sold at Truby's Sherwood's B F A Stephens and this office. No blanks.
Advert says many suffer from lung diseases and coughs but avoid paying 75 cents for medicine. Dr A Boschee's German Syrup is praised for cures. Sample bottles offered free at Bucklen & Son Elkhart, with 75 cent regular bottle from G R Green Woodbury N J as sole maker.
An 19th century styled advertisement touts Wilhoff's Tonic as the unfailing remedy for chills fevers agues and congestive chills claimed to arise from atmospheric miasma. The tonic is said to contain no poison arsenic mercury quinine or deleterious drugs and to be safe for all ages leaving no lingering pains.
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