from The Ottawa Free Trader, April 12, 1879, P. 8, col. 1

Dayton, April 10. – The concert given by Prof. Newberry and class last Wednesday evening, was quite well attended notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. Solos, duets, quartets and choruses were given in most acceptable manner. The “Hunter’s Chorus” and the “Bugle Horn” choruses by the class were quite good. In fact in all the choruses there was plain evidence of careful and efficient drill although only a few days were employed in preparation. Mrs. Newberry, who has been holding a convention at Serena, came down and took part in the concert. Her alto is very fine. The class may well be proud of their first concert.

The Musical Union will hold regular meetings every Wednesday evening. In our report last week of the officers of the Union, we omitted to give the name of Miss Jennie Dunavan, organist.

Mr. O. Black of Ottawa visited our Sunday School last Sabbath.

Last Saturday we were shown a large swan shot by Mr. Jos. Green near Sulphur Spring. It measured 6 ½ feet from tip to tip of the wings; 4 feet from head to tail; 2 ¼ feet length of neck. Joe will have the bird stuffed and mounted and placed on exhibition as the “luck” of his latest hunting expedition.

At the school election held at the school house last Saturday, T. A. Metcalf was chosen director for the short term, and Jesse Green for the long term.

Last Monday evening a school exhibition was held at the Buck Creek school house by Miss Eva Angevine. Miss A. had spent considerable time in making arrangements and deserved a complete success, which we have no doubt she had.

A few game fish are being caught, but not enough to call it “good” fishing yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Ada Green married William McMillen in Dayton on March 10, 1881, the Free Trader’s account of the ceremony included something that was common for that day, but unusual today. In addition to a description of the ceremony, the remarks made by the pastor, and the wedding dinner, the next paragraph gave a list of the wedding gifts and their donors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some examples of the types of wedding gifts of the time:

a sugar spoon

 

 

 

a cake basket

 

 

 

 

 

engravings

 

 

 

 

 

a salt and pepper castor

 

 

 

 

napkin rings

 

 

 

 

a pickle castor

 

 

 

 

a spoon holder

 

 

 

 

glassware

 

 

 

 

This was very definitely a family wedding – of all the donors listed only a half-dozen are not members of the Green family.

 

Rural Happenings

            Dayton, March 13. – We derive considerable enjoyment here from reading the correspondence from neighboring towns, and have always thought it an interesting part of the county newspaper; and such items as may in our humble judgment be of interest to your readers, we will try to send from here from time to time.

The ice has moved out of the river. Boating will soon be all the “rage.” The river is slowly falling and will soon be fordable. This beautiful spring weather seems such a relief from the cold, cold winter. Roads are getting quite dry.

The Literary is in good running order and having good success. The exercises show care in their preparation and talent in their delivery. The library of the society, containing over a hundred volumes of choice reading, is a great benefit to the town. Much interest is taken in it and beneficial results we have no doubt will proceed from its use.

Harry, Jos., and James Green arrived home on the 1^st from Aurora, where they have been attending school during the winter. The boys look fine. “Hash” seems to agree with them.

Rev. Sophie Gibb preaches in this place every two weeks. Her next appointment is Sunday evening, March 16.

Rev. G. Barnes, Congregational minister at Ottawa, delivered a discourse here last Thursday evening. He has a regular appointment once in four weeks.

Our school ma’am, Miss Frank Mott, will give an exhibition Saturday evening, March 22. Miss M. we understand, closes her labors here with the winter term. She has taught our school quite successfully during her sojourn here of about three years, and now feels she needs a rest from her labors. Mr. Chas. K. Howard will teach the summer school.

A number of our young folks visited your city Tuesday evening to witness the performance of “Fanchon.” They all seemed well pleased, and especially spoke highly of Miss Kate Smith’s acting.

The social party at the hall week before last was quite an enjoyable affair. The young folks seem to have gone with the intention of having a good time, and we think they were not disappointed. Another in the near future is talked of. Prof. Sweet, who furnishes the music, says he is the happiest man in Plano. (N. B. It’s a boy.)

The Literary at their last meeting appointed a committee to make arrangements for an entertainment the proceeds of which will be devoted to the purchase of an organ. The temperance and moral drama “Three Glasses a Day, or The Broken Home,” is in rehearsal.

Mr. Basil Green has the contract of filling in the deep ravine south of town.

By the great firing of guns and general confusion taking place at the time of writing, we should judge a battle was taking place at Wedron. A “chivaree,” we suppose.

“Fishing” days are not far off.                                                Oc.¹

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1. The Ottawa Free Trader, March 15, 1879, p. 8, col. 2

 

Dayton

An average of 15 loads of tile have been hauled from the tile mill every day for the past ten days for Wallace and Rutland.

Effie and Willie Timmons, who have been down with the grippe, are now able to be about again.

Otis Hager and John Bogerd, have finished shelling their corn.

Mrs. E. Luce and Mrs. Leroy Luce, have recovered from their attack of the grippe.

John Carpenter, Jr., has been home the past few days, laid up with a severe sore throat.

Some of the State Fish Commissioners have made several trips here of late, and it is surmised that the holes in the ice used for spearing fish will soon be allowed to freeze up again.

Roy Luce was on the street Monday morning, doubled up like a jack knife. Cause, the grippe.

The tile mill is busy shipping fire clay this week.

Thomas McGrogan has been very poorly of late, and has not as yet recovered from his recent illness.

On Monday last Emory Waller moved his furniture to Rutland, where he and his family intend making their future home.

The graveling on the plank road is finished for the present.

Lucile Maud, only child of Mr. and Mrs. John Bogerd, aged 1 year and 4 days, died on Monday morning, at 5 o’clock, of pneumonia. Funeral will be held at 1 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon. Interment in Ottawa avenue cemetery.

It was the intention of Mr. Sanderson to commence filling his ice house here on Wednesday morning. The outlook for doing so is not very favorable at present.

A. W. Ladd has been summoned as a grand juryman, and will commence his duties as such on next Monday, Jan. 14^th.

Owing to the unfavorable weather for the past few days, every one you meet seems to be ailing from a cold or some other trouble, and “how are you feeling today” is about all you hear at greeting one another.

Dockey Tanner, the last one in our burg whom you would suppose could get sick, is suffering with a severe cold.

A. W. Shaw has trouble enough of his own just at present. A lame back.

Miss Mary Campbell, of Dayton, and Dr. F. Gustlow, of Prophetstown, Ill., were married on Wednesday afternoon at the residence of the bride’s brother, P. M. Campbell, Rev. David Gustlow, father of the groom, officiating.

The ice in the Fox river, at this point, will soon travel south if the weather continues as it has for the past few days.

Lyle A. Green is spending to-day (Wednesday) at Aurora.¹

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1. The Ottawa Republican-Times, January 10, 1901, p. 4, col. 4