The Marion Monitor (MM) and Egyptian Press (EP) were published during these next few years. The Monitor, published by Copeland and Alden on Thursday, was a Republican paper costing $1.50 per year. The Press, Democratic and published on Friday, was edited by William S. Washburn. The cost of a subscription was also $1.50 per year. Abbreviations indicate which paper these items were taken from. Sometimes different details were given and items were combined from both papers.
Out of all these clippings, a number of “gems of information” have been uncovered, one of them in this section was a “letter to the editor” of the Marion Monitor from an anonymous gentleman living in Corinth and published on December 10, 1874. In it, he describes Marion, its people, businesses and times in detail as it was 19 years previous in 1855. It serves as a snapshot in time of early Marion life. Jump to “letter to editor.”
By this year, the “bloody vendetta” feuds on the west side of the county were drawing the attention of local newspapers on a regular basis and Marion as the county seat was ringside for the feuds.
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1874
2 July – John Avery, living 7 miles north, returned home Monday from a 4 or 5 week visit to Minnesota — says he prefers the “sucker state” all the time. MM
Dr. Budlong returned here from Kinmundy where he has been a short time practicing denistry. MM
Jackson County – Johnson, a saloon keeper shot and killed a man about noon on Friday and made his escape. Jackson County Era. MM
9 July – On Friday of last week, G.W. Burton of McLeansboro got into a dispute with a man named Ellis of that vicinity, over a business transaction…Ellis attempted to assualt him with a rock and Burton shot him through the heart. Benton Standard MM
Mr. John E. Hall of Shawneetown, brother of W.R. Hall of this place, is here on a visit. MM
Tuesday last the wife of George McNeil of Carterville was burned by the explosion of an oil can and died in a few hours…was using coal oil to build a fire in cook stove. MM
Esquire Thomas Carter who has been sick for 9 months is now at the point of death. MM
In Cairo, a pilot named Gupton shot and killed a German barber who was generally respected, on June 28. MM
30 JuIy — Drowned last Saturday afternoon, a young man named Wesley Lumm…came to Wabash River on Indiana side, 3 miles above Grayville…finding skiff on Illinois side he tried to swim across…was 20 years old and a relative of Alfred Lumm and Mrs. Milner of Grayville…body was recovered Monday evening and buried Tuesday in Grayville Cemetery. MM
Died Tuesday, Nora, daughter of Bruce Hendrickson of this city, 2 years old. MM
John Spiller, a young man living with Isham Blankenship 1 mile west, was mortally wounded last evening by accidentally sticking a pitchfork in his breast. MM
J.M. Burkhart returned home yesterday from Tennessee where he had been visiting his aged mother. MM
Died Sunday the 26th at Carbondale, Europia, wife of Albert Goe, Europia was one of Marion’s finest and most respected daughters. MM
Dick Hilliard who was wounded by Constable Carter a few Sundays ago has recovered…went before Justice J.D. Neely of Union Precinct and pled guilty to disturbing a religious assembly. MM
Notwithstanding there is much complaint about the hard times and the cinch bugs, we are glad to know that within the last 10 days som of our citizens have been made happy. H.T. Goddard, C.T. Holland and Rev. C.T. Cline can each boast of one more to add to their family circle and to say the least, Mr. D.M. Fligor carries off the prize by claiming twins…MM
9 July – Correspondence from Stonefort – Stonefort Is a beautiful little town containing about 75 buildings. Three organized churches are occupying the same house. The Baptist Church is making preparations to build a large brick house during the summer. The building committee selected: Capt. J.H. McSparin, Rev. E. Everett Davis and J.V. Trammel. We are building a large two story house which we aim to have ready for the winter term of school…The professional and businessmen are: David Bozarth and S.C. Winn, physicians; Frank Hughs and Prof. E.E. Davis, schoolteachers; T. Smith and sons, Vickers and Johnson, W.H. Ridgeway and Son and Hughs Brothers, general merchants; Bozarth & Jackson and T.J. Osborne, druggists; A. Vickers, postmaster; J.W. Toppas, blacksmith; A.F. Webber and B.S. Pulley, proprietors of saw, corn and wheat mills; J.Y. Reid, freight agent; W.H. Tucker, proprietor of the stave factory and also of the Tucker Hotel… mm
6 August – It is rumored that Capt. A.P. Corder is dead. MM (Note: Not true.)
L.D. Hartwell returned to our city from Minnesota a few days ago. MM
13 August – Our new fellow townsman, Jas. W. Samuels has a new visitor under his roof – a girl. MM
David Sanders of Wisconsin married Miss Haldron of this place yesterday. MM
Last night, 6 miles south of here, a young man named Gibbs, son of Emily Gibbs, was in a party of young folks at an apple cutting. He got into an argument with a young man named Burnett over a girl…a fight was proposed without weapons… Burnett threw Gibbs down on the ground and stabbed him in the abdomen. MM
Mr. Nicodemus West died last Monday one and a half miles from here, near the residence of Isham Blankenship…passed a man with a two horse team and wagon…the man stopped to get a drink and left his horses, which ran away… N. West was on a mule that was stubborn, and was unable to get away…the wagon struck the mule, knocked West off and ran over him…He was Justice of the Peace in Marion Precinct for many years…burial was in the cemetery in this place. mm
20 August – The funeral of Mrs. Eugene 0. Roberts, daughter of Bazzel and Mrs. Holland, will be preached by Rev. C.E. Cline of Zion the first Sunday in September at 11 A.M. MM
Venue in the case of William Doss, charged with murder of Madison Long been changed from Franklin County to this county…will be tried at October term. MM
Abraham Keaster of Crab Orchard died last week… He was one of the pioneers of this county and battled hard against the elements… settled more farms, cleared more land and did more manual labor than any other man in the county. He lived and died a consistent member of the Baptist Church…wi11 be missed by everybody around Crab Orchard. MM
Julia A. Smith Vs Jefferson M. Smith – bill for divorce…He lives in Fulton County, Ky. MM
Jonathan Norman died at his residence in this county on the 17th…He was Associate Justice and Justice of Peace in this county for many years…was aged, but death sudden and unexpected. MM
6 August – Last Sunday night while church was going on at Shiloh in the east part of county, two boys, John Bars and Jack Sanders went into Capt. Page Mitchell’s watermelon patch which was nearby, for the purpose of getting a few melons. The result was Mr. Barr got a load of buckshot in the foot… MM
13 August – Sunday morning just after daylight, George Sisney, living 10 miles west of here, walked out in a lot to care for his stock. Two men with double barreled shotguns snapped at him several times at a distance of 12 feet, he called out to one of his sons and the villains fled… MM
27 August – Professor Woolaver, the blind musician is conducting a singing class at the M.E. Church in this place. MM
Polk Goodman, charged as accessory in the death of James Gibbs, was arrested by Constable Boles and posse in the south part of county, but escaped…also arrested for same, William Jones… MM
Henry Reed sold a horse to R.M. Hundley for $125…horse had been stolen from Lewis Kimbrough of Nashville, Illinois…Reed was found hiding In the weeds at Wilson Chamness’ where he had been staying 3 or 4 weeks, assisting in teaching Sabbath schools. Mr. Kimbrough paid a $25 reward and took the horse and Reed back to Nashville to stand trial. Reed said he bought the horse in Effingham County, no one heard the trade. MM
Elder W.H. Boles baptized Mrs. George Warren last Sunday. MM
On second Sabbath this month Rev. John A. Rodman baptized William Dunston and his lady into fellowship of the Baptist Church at this place. MM
A young man named Samuel Hunter committed suicide in Murphysboro Tuesday last by shooting his brains out, a young lady had refused his proffered hand and heart. MM
Henry Carter, one of his sons and John Jourdan of Northern Precinct went to the field and assaulted Mr. Dunn. MM
John Bulliner was arrested by Deputy Sheriff W.J. Pulley for the murder of James Henderson. MM
A young man named Wall was brought in by Constable C.H. Carter and lodged in }ail — lives at Stonefort…studying law there for some time…charged with disturbing a worshiping congregation…fined $10, for which he was lodged in Jail. MM
Northern Precinct has been having trouble over watermelon gougers. A few weeks ago Capt. Page Mitchell shot a fellow in his patch and ran another out. C.H. Mitchell fired a blank load at 4, the widow Hendrickson’s patch has been cut to pieces and another gentleman has a field laid to waste. MM
3 September – The Lincoln monument at Springfield will be dedicated 15 Oct. The Army of Tennessee will have a reunion there on that day. Generals Grant, Sherman and Logan will be there. MM
On the 17th of March, last, Clay Isham left the home of his parents…14 years old…supposed to be in Illinois. Any information appreciated. R. Isham, Mt. Vernon, Ind. MM
Tuesday morning, Charles Metz, a German butcher of Marlon, went to the home of Needham Davis to borrow a gun…Mrs. Davis loaned it to him after he told her he wanted it to kill a beef…he said he was afraid the load in it would not kill a beef and asked for a larger load…after he left her house, a neighbor asked him where he was going and he said he was “looking for a beef to kill.” He went into an old house, tied the string to his toe, put the barrel in his mouth and pulled the trigger…died about 9:15 A.M. He had lived here about 12 months…no family here…was a strong spiritualist and a victim of whiskey. It Is thought the constant study of the former and the fearful effect of the latter, the two combined was the cause of the fatal act and deplorable end. This note was found pinned in his hat: “Marion, Ill., the 1st Sept 1874, the spirits have troubled me for 25 years since February. I cannot live on this earth any longer. Goodbye to my friends of Marion. Some of the people of Marion have treated me well and some have not. Charles Metz, butcher.” MM
The Marion Monitor is 3 years old today. MM
Henry F. Goe has bought W.F. Erwin’s interest in the Crab Orchard Mills…making flour better than ever before. MM
Miss Rhoda Edgar, sister-in-law of Jesse Pickard of this place left Marion Monday last for Los Angeles, Calif. MM
Monroe Stanley, son of Overton Stanley, living in south side of county, had his gun out last Thursday and set it on the breach tongue of the wagon to rest…gun slipped off tongue and the hammer struck, causing it to fire a shot through his heart, killing him instantly. MM
Crainville – Died on the 26th ult., James Ditmore, 15 month old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ditmore. Drs. Curtis brown and A.D. Watson were attending physicians. MM
10 September – Mr. Thomas Bundy, son of Dr. S.H. Bundy who resides in west end of county, died in Fredonia, KY. Tuesday last of bilious fever…body will be brought to this county for burial. MM
Rev. John Calvert called on us last week — he is one of old pioneers. In early days he lived in Pope and Johnson Counties — obtained the first marriage license issued in Vienna…Minister of Cumberland Presbyterian Church… MM
James Hendrickson who has been visiting friends and relatives, shook the dust off his feet last Monday and pulled out to his grasshopper home in Minnesota. MM
Riley Hartwell, living 7 miles east of here, was kicked on the side of the face Monday last by a mule. MM
Last week at Vienna, Diltz was tried for a murder committed in Alexander County nearly 20 years ago…change of venue…prisoner escaped and fled west…arrested in Kansas about 12 months ago by Sheriff Irwin of Alexander County…turning point in case was the refusal to receive testimony of justice before whom preliminary exam was made about the time the deed was committed…exam held on Sunday, therefore was illegal, oaths were illegal and could not be received from Justice in circuit court…prisoner was released and started immediately for his home in Kansas. MM
Alva Kibby has moved his barbershop upstairs in Westbrook building. MM
John Willeford who is now operating the Spiller Coal Banks is now selling grate coal for .07 a bushel, delivered. MM
Watermelons – .02 apiece by the wagonload. MM
Lost – $80 Reward – Lost on the 28th of August 1874, one pocket book containing $380 in cash and some papers. The finder will receive the above reward by returning the same to me. H.B. Norman, Carterville, Ill. MM
James Cochrane of this county returned Tuesday from a trip west to Colorado. MM
Marion Public Schools will open Monday for fall and winter terms. Corps of teachers: E.C. Hill, Principal; James Kebler, 1st Intermediate Dept.; Miss Cloe Mitchell, second Intermediate and Miss Saffronia Peebles, Primary seats sufficient to accommodate 270 pupils. MM
17 September – Robert Hood, Lins Shadrick and W.J. Brown found and killed 32 snakes in one den in an old log near Mt. Pisgah one day recent … copperheads. Johnston City Journal. MM
On the 7th, a son of Joel Clark was plowing in the field of Mr. Hanis, one and a half miles northeast of Ewing.. .unhitched team to go to dinner, tried to get on back of mule which ran away… foot caught in gearing and was dragged around field…terribly mangled and lived but a few moments…about 14 years old. Benton Standard MM
Dr. Bundy of Eight Mile has charge of hospital in Nashville, Tenn. where he will remain the next 12 months. MM
Edward Hughes, 5 year old son of J.C. Hughes, living 4 miles west of Carbondale, fell in a well 24 feet deep…caught hold of old pump tube which still remained in well and kept his head above the water…neither mother or sister could rescue him…older brother was plowing and arrived 20 minutes later and rescued him…he describes the fall as “bumpety bump” until he reached the water. Carbondale Observer MM
Robert Manier of Franklin County, brother of Judge Manier of this place, sold the cherries off one tree for $32 in Chicago, the tree netting him over $28. MM
General Logan’s postage bill often goes over $300 per month. He has been known to answer as many as 50 letters a day written with his own hand. MM
There is a buzzard that sails gracefully around over Northern Precinct, which, tradition says, is over 40 years old. One of his legs is stiff and hangs down as he flies. According to tradition the bird has a mysterious history. It is said it was caught in a wolf trap over 45 years ago and some of the most reliable in the county say they have kept sight of him ever since…in same locality lives a gray eagle whose mate Dr. S.M. Mitchell killed over 23 years ago. These birds have remarkable duration or else Northern is remarkably healthy. MM
1 October – Reverends S.D. McNeal, John Gulledge and E.A. Phillips organized a Baptist Church at the schoolhouse near Brooks farm, 4 miles northeast of this place last night…16 members…elected delegates to the Association which meets in Johnson County next Friday. MM
Elder Baker of the Christian Church preached at the courthouse last Sunday and Sunday night. MM
The Illinois Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church meets at Mt. Zion Church, 3 miles east of here today. MM
Green B. Wommack, undertaker, north side of square. All sizes and qualities of wood coffins, prices lower than any other undertaker in own. MM
Sam Anderson shot and seriously wounded Cain Brush at Carbondale last Friday …in Murphysboro jail… MM
C.M. Kern was seriously hurt Sunday… team was scared and ran… jumped out of buggy… broke leg between knee and ankle— MM
The following were recently joined in matrimony!
Mr. Angel and Miss Mary A. Grant
Milo Parks and Mrs. Josie Parks
Charles Cutrel and Miss Viney Erwin MM
Mr. Silas Borum died at his residence at Crab Orchard last week. MM
Elder John Gold of Davis Prairie Church died the 2nd of congestion of the bowels…born Wilson County, Tenn… was in 58th year…professed religion in his 20th year and joined the Baptist Church. Was minister quarter of a century… leaves wife and 8 children. MM
15 October – Last Thursday the morning passenger train to St. Louis jumped the track one and a quarter miles this side of Murphysboro. The fireman, Mike Morgan was caught under the drive wheels and crushed to death. MM
Seldon Johnson who killed Meaghan here last summer was cleared of this count and has come back to Ava to live. MM
A change of venue granted from Franklin County for William Doss charged with murder of Madison Long, case pleaded today. MM
Married at residence of bride’s mother, H.T. Crain and Amanda J. Bulliner. MM
Levi Davis, one of best and respected citizens, died last Thursday evening…buried Saturday… MM
A body of men calling themselves regulators went to the home of Dick Summers in Saline County, Saturday night…called him out and gave him a lashing, promised him another one if he did not perform such acts that they required at his hand…also visited Alex McComb and W. Ginn, lectured them and left without serious violence. They called on Caroline Bell and asked for Mr. Singleton, not finding him they left orders for him to keep clear of that place in the future. MM
Died on the 2nd, Mr. Thomas Carter, Esquire, in his 50th year of his age, born in Tennessee, moved to Illinois about 20 years ago, lived this county 11 years, leaves wife and 8 children….had been out of his house only once in 9 months, could sit up only a few minutes at a time. MM
22 October – Doss sentenced to 3 years…change of venue from Franklin County. MM
We have received the initial number of the Southern Illinoisan published at Carbondale by Simeon Barton… MM
29 October – Mr. Page Mitchell and family who have resided in this county for a number of years, left for Colorado Tuesday last. MM
Wm. Brickby of Red Bud, Randolph County, Ill., married Mrs. Harriet I. Bradford of this county, by Rev. Deremiah Thursday morning at the Goodall House. They left on the morning train. MM
12 November – J.C. Clark wrote a letter to the Monitor saying he was born in White County, Ill., enlisted at age 16 in U.S. Service on 10 April 1862…served 4 years and 9 months… lost health and was unable to farm as before…moved to Jackson County, due to failure of fruit 2 years was forced to sell his team to pay his debt… hired out by the day to support his wife and 3 children. He worked the past summer for Henry Gray, 1 mile east of Marlon. Mr. Gray and Dr. Ferguson helped him get a colored school…has had many attacks from enemies swearing that no man shall live in this neighborhood and teach negroes …some said he would not live to get a month taught… feels his life is in danger… MM
Henry D. Carter wrote a letter to Governor Bevridge who sent it to the Williamson County States Attorney. He said on the night of 23 October 1874, his home in Northern Precinct was visited by a party of 15 or 20 men in disguise who ordered him and his family to leave the county within 40 days or they would crack their necks…also threatened to burn his house with the family in it… a fight took place and they was flying chat … 22 balls were lodged in the side of his house. The men then met in arms in daylight at the County Line Church and held a convention and ordered Henry D. Carter, Henry R.? Carter, James M. Carter and his sons, and James Carter, his brother to wind up business in 30 days and leave the county, also that John M. Carter, Seth H. Carter, Dr. D.L. Carter and George M. Carter could stay, but would be held responsible for all the misdemeanors that might occur in this county around.
These were the party in arms:
J.P. Cardwell W.H. McReynolds Wm. Pritchard
G.N. Parker David McReynolds John Vaughn
J.H. Parker R. Parker T.A. Foster
W.E. Fletcher Wm. E. Claraday Franklin Mark
Raleigh Raines M. Parker John W. O’Neal
J.P. Dunn J.C. Clemens David Hayes
D.W. Dunn R. Raines J.W. Raines
Jared Jones Seth Moss Pled Finney
T. Ames [Armes?] George Ames John Ames
John Dearing W.A. McReynolds James Dearing
E.C. Parker Thos. McReynolds James Vaughn
Wm. Stagrur A. Henry W.J. Fisher
Wm. Smith Henry Parker John H. Dearing
John Raines Ed Parker Ned Pritchard
Thos. Clarady Richard Edwards E. Dunn
P. Smith Andrew Raines Wm. Dearing
Thos. Esry J. Eason Mark Ames
John Garrison
Witnesses to the fact:
A.C. Martin Daniel Hedges Chas. H. Turner
Marcus Hurray D.L. Carter Isaac Wilhite
John Crisp S. Newman Perry Martin
Thomas Riddle J.W. Carter John W. Markum
S.M. Carter G.M. Carter Bedford Eller
J.M. Jourdan
The governor suggested that States Attorney John D.F. Jennings investigate. MM
Advertisements:
Rice & Brock, general blacksmiths
George Goddard & J.M. Washburn, attorneys at law
J.D.F. Jennings, attorney at law
Milo Erwin, attorney at law
Goodall House, north side of public square, Mrs. C. Ryan, proprietress
Barter & Brothers, fruit trees. Crab Orchard, ILL. Over 200 varieties
Roberts & Pratt, first class painter, houses, signs, carriages, also paper hanging and decal comining
W.W. Clemens, attorney at law
George W. Young, attorney at law, office in W.P. Goodall building, east side of public square
J.B. Calvert, attorney at law
Jesse Bishop, attorney at law
L.D. Hartwell, attorney at law
J.E. Gallagher, attorney at law
William N. Mitchell, Notary Public and Police Magistrate, office at post office
Dr. Z. Blay, dentist, office over Hundley & Holland Drug Store MM
19 November – The infant of Mr. Thompson Harrell of this city, died Monday night last. MM
Married on the 12th, at residence of bride’s father in Crainville, Martin Tippy and Mary Crain, all of Williamson County. MM
The trial of Isaac W. McDonald for the murder of George M. Brush in Carbondale came off in Pinckneyville last week…sentenced to 3 years. MM
William Davidson and his son John have lately opened a bed of coal a short distance south of Crab Orchard with a vein 7 feet thick. MM
We learn from Mt. Vernon, a Negro man named George P. Washington, porter at the Bristol House was murdered about midnight on the 5th. A mulatto named Dock Evans was arrested on suspicion as he and Washington had quarrel about a colored girl. MM
Murphysboro Independent — At Ava, a 14 year old boy named Fisher dissatisfied with treatment by step-father, laid on the tracks of the Cairo and St. Louis Railroad last Saturday…at 10 o’clock a southbound train hit him, crushing his hip and shoulder…cow catcher caught him and dragged him—he died Monday morning. MM
Crab Orchard has a population of about 175…flouring and sawmill owned by Messrs. Erwin, Dyer and Goe…J.T. Cunningham is doing business in harness and has S. Little in his employ, Mr. Keaster is the school teacher…physicians are Dr. McDonald and Dr. Huddleston… Reverends are Cline and Brown of Marion. MM
Brice Holland is setting up a billiard table in Robertson’s basement. This is the first billiard table Marion has ever had. MM
Advertisements:
Phil Cruse, grocer, north side of public square
J.L. Seawright, furniture, northwest corner of public square
Walter Warder, attorney at law, office in courthouse
J.N. Hartwell, attorney at law
26 November – The Carbondale Observer says a petition to the governor for pardon of I.W. McDonald will be circulated in that county. MM
Mrs. Mary Ann Webb, wife of Col. H.L. Webb and sister of late Chief Justice Edmonds of New York, died at residence of her daughter, Mrs. B. Cover at Makanda Monday, 16 November, in 79th year of age. MM
Robert L. McKean and Mrs. Liddy A. Wiley married at bride’s residence last Sunday…also on same day, Nathaniel Reid and Nannie Goodall, all by Elder Boles. MM
Dixon Norman died last Tuesday…leaves wife and 7 children. MM
3 December – The home of Dr. Owen of Bainbridge was entered Sunday night of last week and his gold watch taken from bedroom…also in same neighborhood, several persons were robbed of turkeys on the same night. MM
Died last Sunday night, Mrs. M. Rogers, wife of Noah. MM
Married at bride’s residence, P. Cole and Nannie Beard. MM
Mr. I.W. Perry, well known citizen, is lying seriously ill at his residence 4 miles northwest of this city. MM
Mr. F. Dockins of this county died yesterday afternoon after a 5 day Illness. MM
Diptheria is present in the eastern part of the county. 3 of W.C. Clark’s children are sick, and 1 of Wm. Claridy’s. MM
On Wednesday the 25th, there was a fight at Liberty, Franklin County between 2 twelve year old boys…one named Chandler stabbed a son of H. Sheppard. MM
Mr. Barnard died Monday last at Carbondale …well known by our businessmen as he had been canvassing this part of the state for some time as a runner for a boot and shoe house in St. Louis. MM
Last Friday in western part of county, a young man named Thomas Smart was chopping down a tree…saw his coat in the way of tree, went to move it…tree fell on him, crushing him to death. MM
10 December – The man who “set up” Washington’s obituary just had his set up in St. Louis, William F. Barry, 96, was supposed to be oldest printer in United States. MM
Married at residence of Mrs. Ed Brown in Marion, 9 Dec 1874, P. Leary of Carbondale and Mrs. Julia A. Smith of this city. MM
A child of T.R. Davis, living near here died last Saturday… they have lost 2 children this season. MM
Burglars entered the home of Mr. Carter at Carterville and took a wallet containing $89.80 from under his bed…same night someone entered house of Mr. HerrIn of Carterville and took $150 from coat on chair by bed. It is supposed chloroform was used. MM
James Mitchell has received a buffalo rug and 2 antelope ears sent to him by Ed Brown. He and J.P. Mitchell are roaming over the mountain, seeking what they may devour, passing time away in a pleasant manner. Sent from Colorado. MM
10 December – (A letter to the editor, unsigned from Corinth, Ill.)
Mr. Editor:
In 1855, 19 years ago, I first saw the town of Marion and many have been the changes since then. Burkhart’s corner then had the best building on the public square, occupied by Goodall & Pulley. Hundley & Campbell were then doing a large business in dry goods and trading in stock.
The old courthouse then stood in the middle of the square, a brick building of antique structure, then occupied by John H. White, County Clerk; George W. Goddard, Circuit Clerk and Joseph Huffstutlar, Sheriff. The walls and ceilings of the old house were then nicely frescoed with smoke and cobwebs. The old brick hotel, then occupied by O.H. Wiley, on the north side of the square, had partly fallen down and was undergoing repairs.
There were but a few buildings north of N.B. Calvert’s residence. All around where the depot now stands was a low, swampy plat of land, a resort for ducks and plover. Where Hundley’s brick now stands was an old log cabin; that and the building recently moved by M.W. Robertson constituted that block.
On the east were O.H. Wiley, John Eubanks, Jonathan Mulkey and Mr. Shane. The old Jail and tobacco barn stood just below where the jail now stands; which constituted that part of town. On the south were no buildings save the one where Frank Lowe now lives, and the old Thorns house in Sam Dunaway’s meadow. On the west were a few scattering buildings as far down as the mill, which then belonged (the mill) to John Hooper, a man of sterling qualities and great generosity.
Marion was then a small town, but a live one. If there were not three or four fights every Saturday, it was considered a dull day, and if a fellow wanted to fight and was too poor to pay his fine the money was made up before the fight came off, so there could be no excuse for not having the fun. But I am glad that those days have passed and gone and a better state of things have been inaugurated. And in place of those old shanties, which then stood around the square, there are buildings which are second to none in any of our sister counties, and an enterprising population, which speak better things for Marion.
The school house and the various churches give a higher tone of morals to Marion than has ever been known before and with her railroad facilities, will soon vie with any town in Southern Illinois. Our county is unsurpassed for farm products, and growing in wealth and enterprise, our people are looking forward to the time when our railroad will be extended through the county, which will give a new impetus to our agricultural pursuits and bring our lands up to that status which they justly deserve. MM
17 December — About 9 o’clock last evening, a man named Inscore stabbed a man named McDonel, living 3 miles south of Carbondale, letting out his bowels. Dr. Waggoner treated McDonel. Inscore was arrested. MM
Prof. Jacob Woolaver’s wife presented him with a 10 pound boy Monday night last, child has good eyes … mother and father have been blind since birth. MM
Cave, Illinois – Our regular physicians are Drs. Poindexter and McAnally …. we have regular Sabbath School at 9 A.M. and preaching every third Sabbath by Rev. Fesher of Benton, local preaching by Rev. J.G. Mitchell of Locust Grove.. a good school conducted by Prof. Black of Lavanon, Ill. … Sheppard who was stabbed by Mr. Chandler some time ago is able to attend school once more… the wife of Dr. McAnally is visiting relatives in Tenn. MM
Dr. Charles Whitnel of Johnson County married Annie Cook of this city at residence of bride’s mother Sunday evening last. MM
Another attempted assassination in the west part of county Saturday between 6 and 7 P.M. G.W. Sisney and William Hindman Jr. were at the house of Mr. Sisney, sitting at table playing checkers with curtains down … someone fired through the window striking Sisney in the arm and shoulder, inflicting a serious wound. Mr. Hindman was struck in the neck and body, probably fatal. MM
Mr. O.P. Henson called on us Saturday and paid $3.00 for a subscription for him and one for his brother, Pleasant, of Kingston, Tennessee. MM
Mr. Albert Cline is dangerously ill with pneumonia…not expected to live… MM
Lard .10 …Pork .07 … Flour .03 … Eggs .20 …Corn .50 … Wheat .90 … Corn meal .60 … MM
24 December – Married 15 Dec near Liberty Church at residence of bride’s father, Mr. William F. Erwin of Crab Orchard and Sallie P. Chandler of Franklin County…married 17 Dec at bride’s residence, George J. Stein of Williamson County and Mrs. Elizabeth Schuster of Benton. MM
31 December – Fanny James, colored woman of Murphysboro who works at different places during the day was in habit of leaving her children at home and returning at night. Last Friday the youngest child, about 6, was playing around fireplace … clothes caught fire and the child died the following night. MM
Last Thursday night, Martha Aiken, young, unmarried 18 year old girl committed suicide by drowning in the Big Muddy near Mt. Carbon mill…found frozen in ice Friday morning. MM
Sabe Peterson is on trial in Johnson County for murder of Columbus Adams at Tunnel Hill last fall. MM
Mrs. Amanda A. Bainbridge Williams of DeSoto, Mo. is visiting her relative John B. Bainbridge. Her father, Col. Allen Bainbridge, was one of the first settlers in this place. MM
Mrs. A.C. Roberts’ 2 year old son fell in a tub of water Thursday last. Dr. Bentley revived him .. don’t like the looks of a tub of water anymore. MM
(Extracted from microfilm at Morris Library and/or Illinois State Library by Helen Sutt Lind, published in Events in Egypt, Vol. 1)