145 years ago

july 9, 1880

A grand mass meeting and basket picnic by the temperance people of Marion County are planned for July 24 at Marion Centre. Governor John P. St. John has formally accepted an invitation to be present and address the people.

Mr. Brewerton has broken ground for a fine stone business building on Main St. — 25 by 80 feet. Thus, the boom continues.

A train bearing General Grant westward stopped Monday afternoon in Florence long enough to give citizens of that place an opportunity to shake the old hero’s hand.

Kable and Grady, carpenters and contractors and proprietors of the Marion Centre steam sash and door factory, have dissolved partnership, Mr. Kable assuming the whole business and becoming responsible for debts of the firm.

During a heavy rainstorm Monday afternoon, lightning struck Lockwood’s business house. It demolished one of the chimneys, and the descending flue entered a room in the second story occupied by Mr. Walton, following the stove pipe into the stove, scattering soot and ashes all over the room and considerably frightening Mrs. Walton, who was in the room at the time, but doing no other damage. It was fortunate it wasn’t worse.