140 years ago

january 7, 1881

The notorious gang of outlaws, composed of about twenty-five men, who, under the leadership of “Billy the Kid,” have for the past six months overrun Eastern new Mexico, murdering and committing other deeds of outlawry, was broken up on Christmas day by the killing of two and the capturing of four others, including the leader. The prisoners were lodged in Las Vegas Jail, and subsequently taken to Santa Fe for greater security.

It is now pretty well settled that Florence is to have a commodious round house in the near future. There are other improvements mapped out for this place by the railroad company which will take definite steps some time during the coming spring and summer.

James Myers called us into his oyster saloon Wednesday and undertook to convince us that he could get up a dish of oysters in all the perfection of oyster cookery, and succeeded to our entire satisfaction. Mr. Myers keeps a genteel place, free from the loafer nuisance, and suitable for ladies or any one at any time to go and partake of this popular dish, well served.

A telephone has been erected this week connecting Wand’s drug store with Dr. Hannaford’s residence on the hill, a distance of nearly half a mile. Mr. Wand has for some time had this kind of communication with his own home, two squares distant from the store. We like to see such evidences of modern civilization and enterprise put forth in Marion Centre.

The old settlers of Marion county—that is those who came here between the years ’60 and ’70 are to have a reunion in Rogers Hall to-night. They will bring their baskets full of good things and spread an old fashioned and new fashioned supper in the room below the Hall lately occupied by Buford’s drug store.