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Newspaper
Freeport Journal
Location
Freeport, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Feb 17, 1875
Page
4
Colfax is coming and a busy spell follows with weather impact, egg shortages, and brisk commerce. Local letters from Nebraska and Ridott are read, Dr. Aspinwall visits, and speeches by Francis Murphy loom. Distress over a spouse's death, a brewer’s loss, and a wave of western westward plans appear amid printer notes and public sales bills.
Francis Murphy, a seven year saloon keeper turned reformer, will lecture for the Temperance Union on February 24 and 25 at the Opera House. Admission free. All are invited to attend these talks and learn of temperance reform.
Steamer Company No 1 proposes a dance at Hellinger’s Hall to mark Washington’s birth day the 99th inst. The call to citizens asks all to buy tickets to help fund the fire house renovations recently completed, praising the fire boys and urging public support.
The piece describes a gold stem winder Freeport Watch number one with a stone in the stem and an engraved case. It notes a reported $6500 offers but expects the purchaser to invest about $1000 to own it. The passage mentions R H Rodearmel, former city resident, now editor of the Nevada Watchman in Story county Iowa, running an Anti-Monopoly sheet for stamps, and that he stayed in the city briefly.
Mr H R Wheeler and family carried out their threat to move west on Monday and have settled at Harvard in Clay county Nebraska. He says the dry climate should aid his ill son with weak lungs and plans to raise stock for outdoor work and steady income. If the move holds, we expect further updates on their prospects.
At the last meeting the High School Library Society featured a declamation by George Parks an oration by Andrew W Rohland and a recitation by Miss Alice Sanborn Miss Jessie Snyder read an essay and Miss Alice Serfass select reading Country Life as against City Life was debated by David Brace and Miss Ella Steers on the affirmative Oscar Taylor and Miss Emma Stoskopf on the negative The affirmative won the judges decision Music by the High School choir and Misses Hunter Barnes and Ross accompanied the exercises A very fine critics report was rendered by Mrs D B Wells.
The Mendota organ manufactory, in which ex-townman E E Wise holds large interest, expands with a new joint stock company formed from the late firm and local citizens. Capacity rises to 125 organs monthly as demand grows. Mendotan Organ cited for excellence.
The annual election at Brewster House last Friday night kept all officers from last year in place. Premiums totaling ten thousand dollars will be offered at the June meeting. Mr J B Taylor’s new mile track east of town, hailed as one of the best in the state, will be ready for the June meeting. Expect a large horsemen gathering this summer.
Baileyville High School Society held a public meeting on Friday February 12 in the high school room conducted by Mr and Mrs Heth Featured were instrumental music select readings declamations dialogues recitations and a reading by the chip basket A Spectavor notes the exercises were entertaining and sound literary work.
Last Wednesday evening the new rooms for Steamer Fire Company No 4 were formally opened with ceremonies. W H Holland chaired. W S Agney gave the opening address, praised the firemen, and urged city support. After remarks by S Cochran and Chief Middleditch, Holland led guests to Breuster House for supper where toasts followed.
At a Saturday evening gathering at Mayor Krohn's residence the St Marys Catholic Pair committee presented the silver tea set to Mayor Jacob Krohn. Charles McCoy announced the win by 925 votes, praising the mayor and his family and wishing them continued success.
Public sales are listed for Franklin Hummel near Freeport and B F Guldin near Buena Vista with dates in March and February, plus a large sale by B Snyder north of Freeport. A Joshua Webb sale is noted near Freeport Ridott area. A poetry lecture by Hon. Wm. Fairfield for the Public Library is summarized, including audience turnout and invitation limits.
A February 1876 masquerade ball at Turner Hall hosted by the Freeport Turn Verein drew 60 to 70 costumed participants including Boot-blacks, Indians, and a Little Baby character. Acts featured Japanese juggling, a Maypole Dance by eight young women, tableaux, acrobatics by Frank Lobr, and a world of animals in a late menagerie. Message ends with praise and hope for more entertainments from the Verein.
On Saturday January 30, Ridott township farmers gathered for the monthly Grange meeting despite a storm. The session featured a productive business hour, a well prepared hall donated by Bro. Thomas Hunt, and an evening public meeting where J M Onawnges installed officers with music by young ladies. The installing officer praised the chosen leadership and forecast a bright future for the Patrons of Ridott Grange.
A local accounts for sugar plant woes blaming inadequate gas to deaden lime in juice prep. despite promising beet yields, the manager failed to meet sugar goals. Rosewatter and supporters predict recovery and urge farmers and residents to back the enterprise for city and county benefit.
The Baileyville Literary Society held a February 10 1875 meeting with readings, instrumental and vocal music, declamations, and discussions. The session included prepared lists of topics for the next programme and a temperance resolution with named participants.
A sale of farm tools and stock will take place on Thursday the 18th inst two miles west of Freeport. Sale by A B Douny.
A stroll through the city reveals the new and Complete Planing mill of Messrs O M Shaffer Co and the hearth reaper works of Jere Pattioon with bustling activity. Modern machinery performs much work with less labor and four sided dressing is praised as perfection. Shaffer Co adds new machines to meet demand. Builders Will. The firm is noted as prompt and reliable in filling orders, with further praise promised later.
An appeal by Rev. A H Lockey of the Marion County Relief Committee urges citizens of Stephenson County to assist destitute 9 persons in a Kansas county suffering hunger cold and sickness. The Topeka relief fund has only 70 dollars. donors are asked to provide coal meat clothing rent and funds via County Clerk I F Kleckner as agent at the courthouse. The organizers attest to the appeal's truth and seek generous local support.
Blooded stock from Jas H David’s latest Kentucky importation includes four young heifers and about 25 females aged 10 months to 5 years. Remaining items are young bulls ready for spring service. Prospective buyers from Winkley Clinton Wis A H Wise J Smith Michael Wolf Geo Slothower and Christian Good of Ogle Co may view at I H Mille’s barn north of the Court House or at the Pennsylvania House in Freeport Illinois.
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