Rural Happenings

            Dayton, Oct. 2, 1879. – The past few days have been quite warm, in fact uncomfortably so. But then winter is not far away, for –

“Summer is gone on swallow’s wings,
And Earth has buried all her flowers;
No more the lark, – the linnet – sings,
But Silence sits in faded bowers.

There is a shadow on the plain
Of Winter ere he comes again, –
There is in woods a solemn sound
Of hollow warnings whispered round,

As Echo in her deep recess
For once had turned a prophetess.
Shuddering Autumn stops to list,
And breathes his fear in sudden sighs,
With clouded face, and hazel eyes
That quench themselves, and hide in mist.”

J. B. Jennings has rented the Exchange to Mr. James Timmons and has moved to his farm in Iowa.

Mr. Anson Spencer’s family have gone to Texas to seek health and a new home. Mr. S. will soon follow them.

John G. Dunavan and family of Rutland, have made Dayton their home

O. W. Trumbo and family were visiting friends in Chicago last week.

Mr. Silas Dunavan, son of G. M. Dunavan, Esq., and who has spent the past fifteen years in the west, has returned home for a brief visit.

Mr. John Green departed Tuesday for a few days visit, – with the big pumpkins and squashes, of course, – at the Wenona Union Fair.

Nearly a dozen of our people visited your city last Tuesday evening to hear the wonderful Remenyi. With one exception they returned well pleased with the concert, and voted Remenyi a first class artiste.
[Remenji, a Hungarian violinist, gave a concert in Ottawa on September 30, with over 400 in the audience. I wonder who the lone dissenter was.]

Rev. Sophie Gibb of Sheriden delivered an excellent discourse at the school house last Sabbath evening.

Rev. G. B. Barnes of Ottawa preached to the Dayton people last week. Mr. Barnes, we understand, will give his views on “Universalism” at his next appointment.

Mr. Andrew Rhoads left us Wednesday for a visit to Kansas.

Messrs. William Stadden and Walter Trumbo, who have been out west examining the farming lands of Nebraska, returned home last Friday.

Green Bros. have just finished burning another fine lot of tile.

The woolen mills are turning out some fine flannels and blankets. Being the genuine article, made of all wool, they are in good demand.

Occasional¹

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1. The Ottawa Free Trader, October 4, 1879, p. 8, col. 1

One hundred and fifty people attended a lawn social given at the home of Mrs. E. A. Dallam in Dayton Friday evening. A program of unusual merit was rendered, and Ottawa people were among the principal participants in the entertainment. The hours were from 8 until 11 o’clock, and ice cream and cake were served. The Ladies’ Aid society of Dayton assisted Mrs. Dallam as hostess, and $25.00 were cleared, which amount will go towards the sidewalk fund. The following program was rendered:

Selection – Orchestra, composed of Miss Ida C. Chamberlin, of Ottawa, Miss Boyd, of Grand Ridge, and Messrs. Belrose and Chamberlin, of Wedron.

Vocal solo – Miss Anna O’Meara, of Ottawa.

Violin solo – Miss Boyd.

Solo – Miss Buckley.

Violin solo – Miss Boyd.

Vocal solo – Miss Chamberlin.

Vocal solo – Merle Haight, of Ottawa

Selection – Orchestra¹

Miss Ida Chamberlin, orchestra member here in 1913, was the music teacher at the Dayton school when I was in Miss Fraine’s room about 1946 or 47. 

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1. The Ottawa Free Trader, July 18, 1913, p. 8, col. 3