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This newspaper page contains 17 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
The Abilene Reflector
Location
Abilene, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Jan 10, 1884
Page
5
Simon Rothschild launches a clothing drive and specializes in menswear and gents furnishings at Abilene and Dickinson county. He promotes bargains on smart outfits, including coats, pants, gloves, and caps, urging readers to catch on with the Palace Clothing Store.
An advertisement from T. J. Henry & Co announces a new co partnership ready to take contracts for house painting hard wood finishing and carriage painting. It urges protection against fires with insurance and invites settling debts while promoting supplies and services from Berry Bros. Mercantile Co. plus related notices on wagons lamps shells stoves and flour brands in Abilene area.
Purely Personal item section lists residents and visitors in Abilene and surrounding towns. Names include R J Wennys of St Paul Minnesota Mrs B J Wright in town from Brooklyn Dr Terbst and family Mrs M Low Solomon City Mes Geo Merriam and more. Social visits, travels, and local engagements are documented with brief remarks.
In Abilene notes the Minstrels at Bonebrake’s Opera House promise entertainment for the coming Wednesday. Other items report Shoemaker store antics, a murdered greyhound, local crime and accidents, cold weather impacts, and community notices from business to church affairs.
A Durango Mexico letter discusses fruit trees and local life while a Kansas report details the Grand Army of the Republic department encampment in Topeka on February 5 1854 with about 600 delegates and a Shawnee county camp fire. The REFLECTOR reports saloons closed by county order and twelve citizens pledging to enforce prohibition.
At a Friday City Council meeting a petition urged gas lighting for Abilene. A gas works company would install 30 lamps for about $25 to $30 yearly per lamp if the city guarantees them. The proposal argues lighting will boost property values and attract residents, urging taxpayers to consider the benefit versus cost.
A humorous 19th century weather note recalls last Saturday morning’s extreme cold. Thermometers plunged to 15 to 26 degrees below zero, hydrants froze, and the city worried about fire protection. Barbers froze in chairs, figures describe freezes and odd accidents as citizens cope with the harsh season.
An 1854 report notes doubts fading as wonders of frozen sunbeams and pillar-like ice formations appear, promising to become bric a brac. The N E Dickison County Institute meets January 19 at Enterprise with a program including arithmetic, civics, spelling, reading, recitation, and a debate evening.
The Solomon school staff sees Miss Nell Woodbury succeed longtime instructor amid local notes on church plans, farm activity, weather, and town events. The piece notes residents preparing for winter, plans for a new school district, and social happenings including sermons, a funeral, and shifting property moves.
Five couples were secretly wed in a single ceremony at Mr A C Snook’s home. Four brides were sisters. the grooms included Mr Snook’s son and Emma Morley. All couples believed others were masquerading until five licenses were produced. The group returned from a pleasure trip for a festive supper and plan to settle locally as good citizens.
On the 1st at 7 AM in Dilton Kansas J M Ketchersid wed Belle Knight eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs LR Knight Rev Stowitts officiating The bride wore gros-grain silk with Spanish lace Guests past supper then departed at midnight with many gifts listed from local families and friends in Dickinson County, a joyous community event.
In Belleville Tennessee the Catholic Convent burned killing many and leaving a mass of charred remains. Exhumations totaled 34 bodies with Mother Superior Many Jenome at the center of the grisly scene as rescuers struggled to identify victims.
An unrestful plea from Enterprise farmers blaming wheat merchants for delays and losses. Farmers seek quicker dumps and fair payments, arguing long hauls waste time and money while shipments wait. They urge timely unloading and proper pricing to ensure farmers receive what is due for their harvest.
A 19th century notice speaks of postholiday weather and the year ahead for farming and industry in Kansas. It predicts cost pressures, free trade debates, and Sumptuary Laws, asserting farming will no longer enrich monopolists. A playful anecdote mentions Dr James’s jovial family and new babies, signaling local optimism.
Old Rip hopes for long life and good return to the season. Garvies, from L F Kildermath’s farm, expanded from 240 to 720 acres, now near Chapman Creek in Clay county. The Mannufacturers' Herald notes cotton mill growth with 1,314 mills and $21 to $40 million output in the early 1880s. Congressman Writs of Kentucky, chairman of Rivers and Harbors, vows liberal expansion of national thoroughfares while trimming small pools and creeks.
F Hartman of Newbern township offers corn shelling using a Sandwich Four Hole Corn Sheller at one cent per bushel and invites interested callers to arrange shelling.
An assortment of local ads touts MeInerney’s boots and shoes as a sale buyout with “Great Bargains” and “Goods cheap.” References to RefLectint office, A. EB. Bishop & Co., and McInerney’s appear alongside a stray estray notice for a cream pony mare named Tops, owned by Cheever, needing proof of property and expenses to reclaim. The notice lists features like cream body, white hind feet, black mane and tail.
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