Rural Happenings
Dayton

Dayton, June 2d, 1881
The river is falling slowly, and is now being crossed at both fords. Fishermen and sportsmen are here in great numbers. The Earlville people seem to have struck a “boom” and are turning out en masse for a good time fishing and camping out.

The bridge across the Fox river at Dayton went out in the flood of 1875 and was not replaced until 1887.  People got very tired of having to ford the river.

Peter Coleman, an old resident of this place, was taken suddenly ill last Tuesday morning while at work in his garden, and for a time was unconscious, but soon recovered possession of his faculties and is recovering.

Miss Carrie Stowell, of Bloomington, Ill., has been visiting her sister, Mrs. Wright, and returns home today.

A meeting is to be held next Saturday evening at the school house for the purpose of obtaining an expression of the views of the people in regard to building a new school house.

They got their new school house the next year. It was in use until it burned down in 1890.

A lawn festival was held at Mr. O. W. Trumbo’s last Wednesday evening, for the benefit of Prof. H. L. Boltwood, of Ottawa. There was a fair attendance and all seemed to have a pleasant time. Next to the pretty girls, strawberries and ice cream were the principal attractions. The evening’s receipts were satisfactory to the managers.

Henry L. Boltwood was the first principal of the Ottawa Township High School.

A few of our young folks have organized an Archery Club for amusement and recreation. They expect to become expert marksmen, perhaps.

The tile works have just finished burning another of their excellent kilns of tile. They make the best hard tile in the county, for smoothness, hardness and durability.

Misses Myrtle Stadden, Judith Dent and Bertie Stadden, of Wenona, have been visiting in Dayton during the past week. They returned home Thursday.

Miss Clara Gibson, of Rutland, came over to attend the lawn festival and visit relatives.

Occasional¹

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The Ottawa Free Trader, June 4, 1881, p. 8, col. 2