Women of Dayton and vicinity met in Dayton clubhouse yesterday and formed a unit to work for the Red Cross under auspices of Dayton Woman’s club.

Mesdames Guy Kerr, E. O. Schneider, G. W. Kirby and J. J. Digman, who are in charge of Red Cross work for the Ottawa area, attended the organization meeting.

Mrs. Ralph Green was appointed general chairman of the new unit. Mrs. William Luce and Mrs. Harvey Wohlfert were placed in charge of sewing, and Miss Maud Green of knitting.

Mrs. Gilbert Masters, president of the Dayton Woman’s club, was assisted in calling yesterday’s meeting by Mrs. Homer Mathews, president of Dayton Parent-Teacher association, and Mrs. Wohlfert, president of the Dayton Homemakers club.

Mrs. Green and Miss Green served refreshments at a table covered with nasturtiums. Mrs. Masters and Mrs. Wohlfert poured.

The newly organized unit is to meet again in two weeks for actual work.¹

1. Ottawa Daily Republican-Times, October 3, 1940, p. 12, col. 8.

CORRESPONDENCE
DAYTON

The 14^th was pay day on the Q.
Mrs. Martha Bagley is having one of her houses reshingled.
Farmers are paying three cents per bushel and board for husking.
There is hardly enough water in the river to make a good sized creek.
The crowns on the kilns at the brick mill have been given a coat of paint.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore spent Saturday and Sunday with friends in Earlville.
Miss Susie Galloway of Utica spent Saturday with Mrs. Geo. G. Galloway.
The entertainment at Woodmen hall last Friday evening was very poorly attended.
Props and cordwood are being loaded on the cars here, for different points on the Q.
Ralph Green attended the banquet of Occidental Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Monday night.

Miss Jennie Barnes spent a few days last week with her sister, Mrs. Winn Green, of Joliet.
Geo. G. Galloway has had the phone at his residence connected with the Central at Ottawa.
A number of our wells here are dry, and water has to be carried quite a distance for household use.

Mrs. Wm. Lohr presented her daughter Anna with a beautiful bible, it being a birthday present.

Lyle Green received by express on Tuesday night, from Buffalo, a fine young bull, valued at $250.

Mrs. Edw. McClary, who has been visiting friends at Joliet and Chicago, returned home on Friday night.

James Timmons has his “goo goo” eyes on the boys just at present. He is about to raffle off a silver watch valued at $20.

G. H. Green, of Seneca, contractor for the props and cord wood now being shipped from here, made a business call here Monday.

With the beautiful weather of the past two weeks, corn picking goes merrily on, and most of the boys will finish up this week.

Second bets have been made here among the sporting fraternity on the Jeffries-Rhulin fight, to take place on Friday night.

Stephen Koenig, who has been sick with malaria and typhoid fever for the past two weeks, is rapidly gaining and expects to be out in a few days.

George Timmons, a former resident of this village, and now operator for the C. B. & Q. at Maywood, is now laid up with the rheumatism at the home of his parents in Marseilles.

Some of the old plank on the Feeder bridge have been taken up and replaced with new ones. The bridge should all be newly planked, as it is in very poor condition at present.

Mrs. Emma O’Neill and three children, who have been visiting Mr. and Mrs. James Timmons, started for San Francisco, Cal., on Thursday, which place they will make their future home.

G. G. Galloway, foreman of the Northern Illinois Telephone Co., now operating at La Salle, spent Sunday at home, and returned to La Salle on Sunday night. The line is practically finished from Ottawa to La Salle.

Ed. McClary, our genial store keeper, is doing a nice business. He has his store stocked, equal to that of towns twice this size. Ed is a hustler, and that’s what counts in the grocery business.

Several saloon keepers of Ottawa have visited here to secure turtles for their five cent lunch counters. Alas, the poor turtle has gone down deep in the mud, and pulled the mud in after him, and will not be seen until the robins nest again.

The young Indians were out in full force of Sunday morning, the event being the moving of the boiler from the old paper mill to the saw mill, at the organ and piano factory at Ottawa. It proved to be quite a task, but Bert Holmes and his little Eugene proved equal to the emergency. Mr. Lou Merrifield was in charge.

A party of about a dozen men will hunt the ‘coon to a finish. The time of starting is not made public at this writing. The start will be made from the Fox river bridge north. Any person or persons wishing some of the aforesaid “‘coon meat” will kindly leave their order at the store.¹

1. The Ottawa Free Trader, November 15, 1901, p. 12, col. 1

From Dayton

Dayton, Ill, Aug. 26, 1883. – Corn is looking well in this vicinity and will probably yield at least two-thirds of a crop. Small grain has done well, and hay turned out a good crop.

The tile works shipped out six carloads of tile last week, and are having a good home trade.

The paper company are putting in a new pulp engine and a new bleach tub.

Miss Jennie Dunavan has returned from her visit among relatives in Michigan.

Mr. Burt W. Stadden, of Chicago, a reporter of the Wholesalers’ Agency and Exchange, No. 175 Dearborn street, is spending his vacation among relatives and friends in Dayton.

Mr. Isaac Green and Mr. O. W. Trumbo have greatly improved their residences with fresh coats of paint. The school house has also received a painting.

The young folks will hold a picnic at Deer Park and Starved Rock next Saturday.

The State has been widening and strengthening the feeder bank, and is now engaged in repairing the dam.

Mr. William Dunavan started out this week on a business trip for his firm.

Miss Eva Channel has been visiting over the river all week.

The flour mill is doing some good work now on custom grinding, and considerable new wheat is now coming in. Farmers will do well to patronize this mill, where they can get a good yield of first class flour.

Rev. J. Straub, of Marseilles, preached two very excellent sermons at the school house last Sabbath morning and evening.

The news of the result of the anarchist trial in Chicago was received with great satisfaction.

The brick works are hauling large quantities of brick to Ottawa.

Our station agent, T. S. Bunn, we understand, is to go to Sheridan.

Mr. Mark Brown, formerly agent at this place, is at Ottawa for a few weeks during the vacation of the Ottawa agent, Mr. Ros.

The miller, Mr. Chas. Newman, of Montgomery, tells of a sad case of poisoning which occurred in his town last week. A lady had spread arsenic on a cookie and took it down cellar to poison the rats. She ran upstairs for something, and while gone her little child took the cookie and ate it, and died in two hours.

Occasional¹

1. Ottawa Free Trader, August 28, 1886, p. 8, col. 1

JACOBS-BEACH
Elaborate Society Wedding Yesterday Noon in Serena Township

Miss Nellie Jacobs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter W. Jacobs, of Serena township, and Mr. Frank L. Beach, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Beach, of Dayton township, and a member of the class of ’86 of the Ottawa High School, were married at the home of the bride’s parents in Serena at noon yesterday, Rev. P. D. Perkins, of Harding, officiating. The bride wore a handsome gray traveling dress. After the ceremony a bounteous wedding dinner was spread in the dining room, and at four o’clock the bride and groom left for Chicago and the north on their wedding tour. They will reside on the Beach homestead in Dayton.

The entire lower floor of the house was beautifully decorated with golden rod, and a great floral bell, made of golden rod, with a clapper of roses, was suspended over the central dining room table. Tony Simon officiated at the piano. Those present from Ottawa were Geo. Grove and wife, Misses Shaver, Sanders, Conard, and Fox; and Messrs. L. W. Brewer, Grant Conard, Chas. Wilcox, Leo Stockley and John O’Kane.¹

1. Ottawa Free Trader, September 24, 1892, p. 1, col. 4

Dayton

Martin Wilkie has picked his grapes and expects to make about forty gallons of wine.

Mrs. Chas. Frein, while attending the funeral of Mrs. Coleman on Saturday last, met with a painful, but not serious, accident. When near the cemetery the horse, which her son was driving, became frightened at some brush which was being burnt, and she suddenly grabbed one of the lines and turned the horse so short that the occupants were thrown to the ground. Mrs. Frein’s face was cut near the temple, and she was taken at once to Ottawa, where Dr. Roberts sewed up the wound.

Henry Glodt, employed on the Q. section here, has been on the sick list the past few days.

August Kruger, wife and son, of Serena, spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Glodt.

Miles Masters is still very weak, but is able to leave the house.

Cider pressing goes merrily on, much to the delight of our school boys.

Mrs. Peter Coleman, 89 years of age, and a resident here since 1872, died at her home on Thursday last after an illness of fifteen months. Three daughters, Misses Mary and Meggie and Mrs. Nellie McGraw, of Streator, and one son, Richard, survive her. The interment took place at St. Columbo cemetery.

Miss Josie Shields has returned, and is now visiting Mr. and Mrs. James Timmons.

The river is still high and the feeder furnishes plenty of water to run the mills.

A. W. S.¹

1. Ottawa Republican Times, September 13, 1900, p. 9.

Society Notes

Last fall the ladies of Dayton township organized a little club and christened it “Dayton Home Makers’ Circle.” Since that time they have held monthly meetings at the various homes of the members and have been perfecting themselves in all the arts known to the latter day home makers. The husband did not accompany his wife, but when she was gone he washed the dinner dishes, took care of the children and had supper ready upon her return.  Although, at times, it seemed almost more than he could accomplish, he worked faithfully and has now come to his reward. Last Thursday evening the gentlemen were invited to come with the ladies to the beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Chally, where they were most royally entertained. To Henry Smith fell the honor of opening the evening’s entertainment by bringing to view a beautiful sofa pillow which had been created in some mysterious way and become the property of Miss Dwyer’s school in District No. 198. He commented upon it in a very creditable manner, and, after assuring all the money would be well taken care of by the directors, the pillow was “raffled off,” bringing to the school treasury thirteen dollars. Mrs. Ed. McCleary held the lucky number.

The following program was then given:
Piano solo – Miss Dwyer
Vocal solo – Mrs. Frank Beach
Recitation – Mrs. Frank Funk
Piano solo – Miss Barrett
Vocal solo – Mr. Chally

After this came a luncheon, such as is known only to the ladies of Dayton township which included ice cream made from pure Jersey cream. After this brief glimpse of the wonderful, the beautiful and the eatable, the husbands felt encouraged to remain faithfully at their posts of duty. Even though disappointments may sometimes arise at noon tide and a feeling of loneliness creep o’er them in the gathering twilight hour, they realized as never before that the “Dayton Home Maker’s Circle” is still in its infancy and time alone can reveal the things that are to be. As the guests bade Mr. and Mrs. Chally goodnight they assured them heartily that the evening had been most enjoyable. Those present were Messrs and Mesdames: Donavan, La Salle; W. J. Butler, Ottawa; Wm. O’Donnell, Wallace; Silas Kain, Edward Barrett, John McCormick, Charles Eels, Frank Beach, Willis Clark, Frank Trumbo, Richard Schmidt, Masters Frank Funk, E. C. McCleary, Mesdames Olmstead, Ward, Trucker, Krug and McGrath, Misses Dwyer, Woodlock, Krug, Barnes, Baker and Barrett, Messrs. Toombs, Furr, Krug, Schmidt and Lucas, Dayton.¹

1. Ottawa Free Trader, 24 Mar 1911, p8, cols 1-2

DAYTON ITEMS

The paper mill is being put in shape for starting up the latter part of this week. The tile works will not start up before the middle of the month.

A large surprise party dropped in on mine host Timmons, of the Exchange House, last Tuesday evening, completely surprising him. James Angevine furnished the music and all had a good time.

Mr. H. Ladd, of Oswego, brother of our station agent, A. W. Ladd, spent last Sunday in Dayton.

We understand that Miss Jennie Crane, of Ottawa, will teach the summer term of the primary department of our school. Miss Etta Barnes will teach the McMichael school east of Wedron, and Miss Rigdon, of Ottawa, the Wedron School.

A number of our young people attended a very pleasant “taffy” pulling given by Miss Winnie Childs at her father’s large residence in North Ottawa.

Mr. Cliff G. Sweet and wife, of Aurora, spent last Friday in Dayton.

In our report of the leap year party at Mrs. Greenleaf’s, the printer made the names J. Hall  and C. Hall read J. Half and C. Half. We noticed the Journal copied our report almost word for word, and of course got those names wrong also as they were printed in the Republican.

The two trained bears passed through our town last Saturday and gave a performance at the depot in the morning.

OCCASIONAL¹

Just to let you know how up to date we are around here, the illustration for today’s entry is the result of this AI prompt: a line drawing of 2 tame bears performing with a depot and train tracks in the background. I suspect the actual 1884 situation looked a little different.

1. Ottawa Republican, March 7, 1884, p. 5.

One of the most pleasant parties of the season took place last Friday evening at the capacious residence of H. B. Williams, Esq., in East Ottawa. The evening was a delightful one for those who drove in from the country and every one seemed to be in a good dancing humor. All seemed to feel that it was to be an evening of enjoyment, and such without doubt it proved to be. The guests (about forty-five in number) were pleasantly received by Mr. and Mrs. Williams, who cannot be excelled for kind hospitality. As dancing was to be the prime amusement of the evening, a good programme had been arranged, the floors of two large parlors had ben nicely waxed, and soon, to the delicious strains of Prof. Sweet and wife’s fine music, the merry couples went whirling thro’ the mazy dance. Mr. C. B. Hess played the part of floor manager in a very happy manner. A few enjoyed themselves in a quiet way by a pleasant game of cards and others listened to the “Melican Man” by Chas. Green.

At a late hour the party dispersed with many pleasant adieus to the host and hostess. The music was praised by all present as the finest we have enjoyed during the season, and the hope was expressed by many that we might enjoy their fine music again in the near future. Prof. Cliff Sweet, formerly of Plano, but now of Aurora, has been engaged in the music business a number of years, teaching, party playing and piano tuning, and is a fine violinist. Besides his party playing he has dancing schools at Aurora and Mendota, and is building up a fine reputation as a musician and teacher. His wife accompanies him on the harp and is also quite a fine musician. His quadrilles are mostly new and his waltzes, polkas and schottisches are delicious.

The following were present: Mr. and Mrs. Thos. E. McKinlay, Prof. and Mrs. C. W. Tufts, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Hess, Misses Clara Angevine, Josie Stout, Cora Dunavan, Bertha Angevine, Maggie Stout, Jennie Dunavan, Louise Watts, Belle Dunavan, Delia Craig, Cora Childs, Etta Barnes, Winnie Childs, Ethel Marriner, Misses Loy and others, Messrs. Chas. Angevine, W. Trumbo, John Hall, Ross Mitchell, James Butters, Geo. Dunaway, N. Flick, N. Clawson, of Oglesby, Chas. Green, Chas. Dunavan, Joseph Green, S. Dunavan, T. H. Green, Wm. Dunavan, James Green and others.¹

1. Ottawa Republican, March 7, 1884, p. 5.

From Dayton

Dayton Ill., April 28, 1887. – The commissioners of Rutland are busy at work on the hill leading to the bridge, and will put the road in first class order.

Mr. T. H. Green is graveling the approach on the west end of the new bridge.

The tile works are having a good trade, and are shipping lots of tile.

A large number of game fish have been caught this week. A good rain to raise the river and start the fish northwest, would greatly improve the sport.

One of the proprietors of the “Short System” Roller Mills took samples of their flour to your city one day this week, and showed it alongside of all the long system mills flour in the marker, and the short system flour stood at the head of the list for whiteness. The landlady of the Dayton Hotel baked some of the short system patent flour last week, and says she never had a flour in the house that baked as light and white. Tally two for the short system!

Mr. Joseph Green now has an acre and a quarter of strawberry plants in his garden across the river.

The old woolen factory property is lying idle this spring. It is to be hoped that something may be done with it before long.

Mr. Wm. Rhodes who was so unfortunate as to lose a limb while working on a railroad out west, has returned home, and will study telegraphing with Mr. Ballard [?] at Ottawa.

Our town is receiving considerable benefit from the new bridge in the way of trade.

There is a good opening here now for a good blacksmith.

Occasional¹

1. The Ottawa Free Trader, April 30, 1887, p. 8, col. 3.

Elizabeth Trumbo house

When Elizabeth Trumbo died in 1873 she had an extensive collection of household textiles, suggesting a well-furnished home with an emphasis on comfort and hospitality. The variety of bedding—feather beds, wool and corn husk mattresses, and multiple quilts and coverlids—indicates a concern for warmth and comfort, reflecting the seasonal needs of the time.

Bedding Items

4 Feather Beds – Large sacks filled with feathers, used as mattresses or mattress toppers. These were considered a luxury and provided warmth and softness.

1 Spring Mattress – A more modern mattress for the time, likely featuring a metal spring frame for added support.

1 Woolen Mattress – A mattress stuffed with wool, offering warmth and softness but firmer than a feather bed.

3 Corn Husk Mattresses – Mattresses filled with dried corn husks, which were inexpensive but not as comfortable as feather or woolen options. These were often used by servants or in guest quarters.

12 Small Pillows – Smaller pillows, possibly decorative or used for neck support.

6 Pairs of Woolen Sheets – Woolen sheets provided warmth in colder months, an alternative to cotton or linen.

18 Cotton Sheets – Lighter, breathable sheets for summer months, likely made of muslin or homespun fabric.

29 Pillow Slips – Pillowcases to cover and protect pillows from dirt and oils.

Bed Coverings

5 Coverlids – Woven or quilted bed coverings, often decorative and used as a top layer on a bed.

5 Comforters – Thick, stuffed blankets used for warmth, usually filled with wool or cotton batting.

3 Quilts – Layered bed coverings stitched together, providing warmth and decoration. Quilts often had intricate patterns and could be handmade.

2 Counterpanes – A decorative bedspread, usually lighter than a quilt, used for covering the bed during the daytime.

Household Linens

6 Table Spreads – Decorative cloths used to cover tables, protecting them from spills and adding an ornamental touch.

15 Towels – Likely made of linen or cotton, used for drying hands and face, as well as general household cleaning.

1 Chair Tidy – A small decorative cloth placed over the back or arms of a chair to protect it from hair oils and dirt.

This concludes our look at Elizabeth Trumbo’s home at her death. We have previously considered her stable, kitchen, and furniture, finishing here with her linen closet. It was a comfortable family home and probably held many family gatherings of relatives and neighbors.

DAYTON ITEMS

During the past few weeks the river has been quite high, and, as a consequence, a goodly number of game fish have no doubt ascended the river. They were caught in large numbers on Saturday and (we are sorry to say) on Sunday last. One fisherman reports having caught a fine string of twenty-two bass and pickerel.

At the school election a week ago last Saturday the votes were somewhat mixed, some, according to law, stating for long and short term, and others merely containing two names. The judges decided that the party receiving the greatest number of votes, whether for long or short term, or no term, was elected, but the township treasurer decides that the persons who received the greatest number of designated votes were legally chosen. According to this decision the board of directors for the following year will consist of the following members: Joseph Barends, H. B. Williams and John Green. The vote on issuing bonds to the amount of $2,500 for building a school house was carried almost unanimously, there being only two opposite votes.

Co. Supt. Williams visited our schools last Friday.

Mr. C. B. Hess and family will commence moving to the city this week. We are sorry to lose such good citizens, but our loss is Ottawa’s gain. “May they live long and prosper.”

Little Willie Hull, son of Mr. Geo. V. Hull, of Ottawa, spent Sunday recreating with Chas. Green and other friends in Dayton.

Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Gibson, of Ottawa, spent the Sabbath at his brother’s, Mr. Geo. W. Gibson.

The Musical Union are procuring some new books and expect to hold some interesting meetings during the season. On account of the unavoidable absence of the leader, Mr. Chas. Green, no meetings have been held for two weeks. A dramatic entertainment for the benefit of the Union is being prepared, and will take place in due time.

Mr. John F. Wright will depart this week for a month’s visit at his old home in Braidwood.

Ex Uno¹

1. The Ottawa Republican, May 4, 1882, p. 4.

Rural Happenings
[Mislaid last week]

Dayton, Feb. 2. – Mr. James Dunavan, of Livingston county, was visiting among relatives and friends in Dayton last week.

S. W. Williams, Esq, of Ottawa, was in town last Monday. According to report he will soon commence building a paper mill in Streator.

Mr. George W. Green and family have been suffering from diphtheria, but have now completely recovered.

Rev. A. H. Laing, of Joliet, preached to a fair congregation last Saturday evening. On account of the cold weather and bad roads services were not held at Wedron on Sunday morning.

The Historical club met at the residence of A. F. Dunavan, Esq, on Friday evening. The study of Egypt was continued.

Our public schools are progressing finely under the instruction of Mr. N. Clawson, principal; and Miss Dessie Root, assistant.

The Musical Union are preparing a series of three entertainments, to be entitled “Evenings with the Poets.” The first of these, “An Evening with Longfellow,” will take place at the school house Saturday evening, Feb. 11^th, and will consist of selections from the poet, comic dialogue, music, etc., the whole forming a very pleasant evening’s entertainment. The remaining entertainments in the course will follow about two weeks apart, and the committee who have charge of them desire to state to the public that they are endeavoring to give good satisfaction, and hope they will receive the generous patronage of the public. The admission has been placed at the low sum of 10 cents, or 25 cents for the course of three. Proceeds for the benefit of the Musical Union.

Occasional¹

1. The Ottawa Free Trader, February 11, 1882, p. 8, col. 2.

Dayton Items

There is no particular excitement over anything in our little town at present, except over Lehmann’s circus, which is billed for here tomorrow. Of course every one will attend and drop their quarter to assist the showmen in paying their expenses.

I was not able find any information on Lehmann’s circus, not even an ad in The Free Trader. A Google search turned up nothing. Mr. Lehmann’s circus must have been a very small one, which of course it would have been if it came to Dayton.

Mr. Chas. Burch, the superintendent of the Paper Mill, and Miss Carrie Larson, of Rutland, were married at Ottawa last week.

Mrs. Jesse Green returned from a five or six weeks visit at New Orleans and vicinity.

The tile works are having a very heavy trade this fall. They are manufacturing the best tile in the market and the famers in this vicinity say they have tried all other kinds, but like the Dayton tile best. Four carloads were ordered Monday and one more today.

Mr. Joseph Green is fixing up a piece of land across the river where he is raising small fruit and “garden truck.”

The brick works have turned out a few good brick, but are not in good running order yet.

“Harry” Green is agent for A. J. Van Liew’s Nursery of New York. He is canvassing throughout the county.

Our schools are running successfully under the instruction of Misses Crane and Miller, of Ottawa.

Farmers about here report a good corn crop, tiled lands especially giving a heavy yield. One or two farmers who tiled quite extensively last year say they will more than pay for them on the increased yield of this season.

OCCASIONAL¹

1. The Ottawa Republican, October 2, 1885, p. 5.

Having inspected the contents of Elizabeth Trumbo’s stable here, we move to the kitchen, again as itemized in her probate file.

Although the contents of her kitchen were probably not as elegant as that pictured above, she was well supplied with these necessary items:

15 tea plates
6   butter plates
12 dinner plates
2   large platters
1   potato dish
6   table spoons
15 tea spoons
1   butter knife
6   knives and forks
1   carving knife
1   teapot
1   cream jug
1   water pitcher
6   cups and saucers
1   lot glass ware

in addition, the larder contained

20 glass fruit jars
7   earthen jars
14 jars of fruit (glass)
1   2 gal jar of sugar (earthen)
1   2 gal jar of apple butter

The 14 jars of fruit would clearly be augmented by filling the 20 empty jars as the season progressed. The seven empty earthen jars could have held pickles, salted or smoked meat, jams and jellies, or sauces or soups. The jars kept the food cool and could be sealed with wax or cloth.

image, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons