The Year 1869 When:
Ulysses S. Grant takes office as President of the United States.
The Golden Spike is driven in Utah to mark the completion of the first transcontinental railroad.
The National Prohibition Party is organized in Chicago.
First woman suffrage is granted in the United States-by Wyoming Territory.
The treason trial of Jefferson Davis, late President of the Confederacy, begins in Richmond, Virginia.
Intercollegiate football is played with twenty-five men on each team.
Best-sellers of the year are Louisa Alcott's "Little Women" and Mark Twain's "Innocents Abroad".
The Grand Army of the Republic is two years old.
Teddy Roosevelt is eight years old; William.Taft is nine; Woodrow Wilson ten. Warren Harding is a toddler, and none of our other future presidents are born yet.
The War is only three years past. Nearly all of the men who will ever return are home now. Fewer black bonnets and veils are seen, although some mothers and widows will wear them the rest of their lives. Some luxuries not available for years are showing up in the markets. President Johnson is preparing to leave the White House-gladly. He goes out with the goodwill of most of the people, and his political opponents are in bad repute. General Grant, about to take office, is quite popular although many people have their doubts about him. The hoopskirt is dying rapidly and beards are disappearing. Many returning veterans associate beards with the dirt and hardship of the war years. They enjoy the clean, light feeling of the shaven chin and are not unhappy to find they look years younger. A certain type of droopy moustache is popular. Oddly, as other men hasten to remove their beards, Uncle Sam acquires one. In a cartoon in Harper's Weekly, he sports the tuft of chin whiskers for the first time. U. S. Grant's wife and daughter urge him to shave, but his political advisors think he should retain his beard as his trademark.
Women do away with the bonnet and display tiny hats, covered with ribbons and/or flowers. These still have to be tied on and men will call them bonnets, but they bear little resemblance to the headgear of wartime years. Bustles replace the hoopskirts, though small, only rows of ruffles worn between the top petticoat and skirt.
In Portland, the streets are unpaved and in most cases ungraded. There are very few sidewalks, all privately owned. Water comes from wells either privately owned or on street corners for public use. Everyone goes to the Post Office for the mail. There is no railroad as yet. There are five churches in town, all Protestant. All except the Congregational hold services on Sunday and prayer meeting on Thursday. (The Congregationalists seem to hold their extra services if, when, and as they feel like one.)
The newest business property is the Masonic Block, a handsome, three-story building on the south side of Bridge Street, between Maple and Kent Streets. The newspaper, "The Portland Advertiser", is located on the top floor; Joseph Bailey, Editor; rate two dollars per year, country produce accepted. Mr. Bailey is an energetic man, faithful in the Universalist Church, also involved in business in a music store, ready to assist in musical entertainment, much interested in the development of the town. He and his wife live in a large house they built at the northwest corner of James and Lincoln Streets and they like to entertain frequently. The end of 1868 marked Mr. Bailey's first year of the Advertiser, and he states:
"To chronicle events as they transpire and to give to our readers all the reliable information, in regard to the constant changes and improvements among us, will not only be a duty, but a pleasure."
As the year is born, some hopeful new businesses announce their readiness, One is G. Kuackenboss, corner of Bridge and Maple Streets, meat market. Another is the Goss & Cooley livery stable, "all new harness and outfits. Sleighrides arranged."
Orlando Pettit advertises "picture frames, groceries, confectionery, raisins, herring, extracts, yankee notions, and OYSTERS BY THE CAN OR PLATE." C. J. Waterman & Co. offer woolen goods, having refitted the old carding machine building and will "manufacture cassimers, satinets, tweeds, sheetings, flannels; will exchange for wool and will manufacture cloth by the yard. Those living at a distance may have their rolls to take back with them."
The Post Office is in charge of "Dr." Root (he is really a qualified pharmacist) who also has his stock of drugs and medicines there.
The following items of information are summarized from copies of "The Portland Advertiser". Verbatim extracts are indicated by quotation marks.
JANUARY
Wheat is selling at $1.20 per bushel; wood-$2.00; fresh pork-$9.00 cwt. The stage office is in the American Hotel-J. Scott, Prop. W. L. Barr sells hardware and will give careful attention to eavestroughing. Smith & Hudson open a new store-clothing, dry goods, hats and boots. The annual message of President Johnson is printed on the front page. It is extremely short.
The Family Medical case sells for $10.00. Contains medicine for every ill a family is subject to; choice of morocco or rosewood case. A. C. Cadwell advertises general merchandise, and says country produce is always taken.
L. D. Showman requests people to visit his photographic gallery.
A meeting of the stockholders of the Ionia and Lansing Railroad discusses an extension to Greenville.
Masonic Lodge #31, F. & A. M. announces its regular meetings, as does the Independent Order of Good Templars, a temperance organization.
Chester Smith, M.D., is established over Maynard's store.
Josiah Dilley advertises for 5,000 staves. Mr. Dilley manufactures several kinds of staves and ships them out for export.
All five churches announce the times of their services on the front page. Ladies Star Corsets $1.00 at Smith & Hudson. Ox bows, grub mattocks, bush scythes at Stevens and Perkins.
MARCH
Special election. An appropriation of $1,000 is made for a bridge at the foot of James Street over the Grand River. There are 306 votes cast, and the bridge wins by a majority of 14.
The semi-annual payment of War pensions is made. There is much dissatisfaction with the method of payment and the slowness in processing claims.
Edwin Gates' home in Orange Township is extensively damaged by fire and the insurance company pays off to the extent of $64.45.
There is a magnificent ball in Washington in honor of the inauguration of General Grant. It is held in the new Treasury Building and the clouds of plaster dust obscure the guests from each other, but it is an impressive affair anyway.
The ice goes out of the mill pond on the Grand River. It appears that it will take part of the dam with it and the excitement causes a prominent citizen to drop dead at the spot.
The railroad grading will make it necessary to remove the house of Christian jutting. Citizens extend sympathy to Mr. jutting, but progress must be served.
The spring term of the Union School is about to end. Oral and Public examination of pupils will take place at the schoolhouse Thursday and Friday. The public, especially parents, is invited to attend.
Mrs. Sarah Rice thanks friends who sawed and piled 45 cords of wood at her house.
New store opening: W. W. Bogue will make boots and shoes for the family-custom work only.
There will be preaching at the schoolhouse near George Taylor's Sunday.
Indian trouble in Missouri is causing apprehension among local residents who have relatives in the area.
In the March elections, the Temperance Party runs a full slate of candidates.
The inaugural address of President Grant is printed in full. It takes up one column.
The spring is delayed and the weather is uncomfortably cold and wet.
Note by the Editor: Will some of our customers who pay in wood bring in a load? If someone doesn't respond, there may not be a paper next week.
At the meeting of the local railroad committee, a discussion is held on possible locations for the depot when the railroad gets here.
APRIL
County Superintendent of Schools Brokaw is holding spring examinations of teachers at the Union School today. A good attendance is reported.
The home of the Widow Horner, near the Baringer dam in Danby Township, caught fire. The damage is set at $25.00.
New hit song: "0 See That Man With the Horrible Nose!" Music available at Bailey's Music Store.
Wheat looks good. The heavy rains are keeping farmers from their work.
Railroad ties by the hundreds are being floated down the Looking Glass River.
H. C. Wright has sold his farm in Danby Township to Nathanial Warner for $45.00 an acre.
Thomas D. Scofield and Byron E. Benson are admitted to practice in Circuit Court.
Get your cow bells at Stevens and Perkins.
At Bailey's Music Store you will find the new ballad "Molly Graem". It appeals because of elevated sentiment and tender feeling.
J. B. Morehouse wishes to sell his large house on Lincoln Street.
Harvey Knox and William White advertise the dissolution of partnership.
Closeout on hoopskirts - 3 5 cents apiece -at Stevens and Perkins.
You can buy a five-octave organ for $100 or a seven-octave rosewood piano for $350 at Bailey's Music store.
MAY
"Our city fathers are busily employed in getting up the by-laws which are to govern the good people in this ten-acre lot, when they know what the by-laws are."
There is a great need for new houses for rental. The Editor writes at length to urge landowners to put up such units, as housing is not keeping pace with the town's growth.
Smith & Hudson has good suits for $8.25.
A school cantata, "The Flower Queen", was successfully presented. There was considerable praise due to all who took part, and an appreciative audience made their approval known. This entertainment is the last of several undertaken to earn money for an organ for the school. The amount of $120.25 has been raised for a Mason and Hamlin organ, cover, and stool. There is $6.27 left over in the music fund, and it is planned to use it to buy songbooks for the students.
The school now has five teachers. It is necessary to use the basement of the Universalist Church for the Intermediate Department.
The By-Laws of the Village of Portland are printed as a loose supplement to the Advertiser. There are thirty-four of them and they deal with a wide variety of subjects. Two of special interest are Numbers 21 and 22, which prohibit the flying of kites or playing at any game of ball within forty rods of the Upper Bridge over the Grand River, and also sliding downhill within one-quarter mile of the Upper Bridge. Number 31 concerns a prohibition on bathing from sunrise to one hour after sunset. The fine is set at $2.00 for each offense.
The First Month's Report of the spring term of Portland Union Schools deplores the high rate of tardiness among the older pupils, but points out that fourteen of the offenses belong to two young ladies. The upper school has fifty-two pupils. During the month there were thirty-two visitors. Miss Goff's department has seventy-seven pupils. There were no grades in the school at this time.
An advertisement in German appears in this and subsequent issues by a firm in Milwaukee.
Ladies' latest style linen and paper collars and cuffs may be had at Smith and Hudson's.
Go and sell your maple sugar, butter, eggs and all kinds of produce at Cadwell's, get the highest price, and get calico for 12112 cents per yard.
Dr. M. W. Slocum, dentist, has opened his office in the Masonic Block. Hours: 8-12 and 1-6 daily, except Sunday.
Christodoro's Hair Dye-absolutely reliable in restoring the color of the moustache to match the color of the hair on the head, or vice versa.
Order "the Secret Monitor", a reliable medical work on the Physiology of the Male and Female Sexual System, and their diseases, with full instructions for their cure. Three hundred pages; one hundred plates and engravings; price fifty cents.
There is a new game law to protect partridge and quail and it's causing much discussion hereabouts.
Scofield and Sickles sold out their complete stock of dry goods to Stevens and Sandborn.
JUNE
Mr. Washington T. Triphagen, Danby Township, has purchased two and one-half acres from Esq. Newman at the top of the hill on Lyons Road for $700.
Work on the new bridge at James Street has been started by Mr. Winthrop Carpenter. High water is delaying the job.
New bakery-W. D. Atchley is bringing us something the town has needed-a good bakery. Mr. Aaron O'Dell will run a billiard parlor upstairs.
Burglary: On Tuesday evening "some halfwitted individual, not having a decent regard for the opinions of mankind, entered the foundry of Gates and Hitchcock". After cutting the bars on a window, prying open a door and a drawer, they obtained seventy cents.
The Editor thanks various people for the pieces of wedding cake furnished when the announcements of weddings are brought in. (It is the custom to supply enough for all the newspaper staff.) Weddings are usually home affairs, sometimes out of doors, sometimes at a parsonage, but never in a church.
The great event of the month, the annual Sunday School Picnic is an immense success. It is held on an unusually fine day this year. Eight Sunday Schools take part, which is fewer than usual, but in all between one thousand and two thousand people join in the festivities. The country Sunday Schools assemble at the Union School, all others meet at their church except the Baptist. Because they are doing interior painting, their students meet at the school also. The parade starts there, led by Major Sawyer's Drum and Bugle Corps and the Cornet Band. It proceeds from the school to each of the churches in turn with the Sunday Schools falling into line as it passes. The line of march takes them down Kent Street to the bridge, up West Bridge Street to the top of the Hill, to the spacious grounds around the residence of Village President R. B. Smith, at the corner of Bridge and Main Street. There, in the grove of large trees, there are addresses by the Reverend Messrs. A. Marsh, Jordan, Engle, Spelman, Pettit and Mr. R. B. Smith. Following the speeches there is a picnic dinner in the grove, and games of all kinds for the young people. At the end of the afternoon, the column forms again behind the band (which has presented a concert to wind up festivities) and marches to the school. There a vote of thanks is given to all the people who worked for the success of the picnic and the group disbands.
JULY
The city pound is finished and there is a big drive to round up stray animals. "The customary observance of this occasion (Fourth of July) will be held by the people of this place and vicinity on Saturday, the third. It is understood that the day will be ushered in by the Anvil Chorus at daybreak, and the discharge of all arms, as soon thereafter as possible. Precisely at sunrise, all the public bells will ring for half an hour. For the further proceedings, our readers are referred to the large handbills posted up."
Harvard University is offering something unheard of - a summer course. It is not for credit, but for recreation, and consists of a series of lectures on geology.
The Ladies of the Congregational Church will follow their custom of serving a public dinner on the third of July. It will consist of fried chicken, strawberries, ice cream, and all the things which go along. It will be served in the orchard next to the church on Kent Street.
Two new stores have opened; J. C. Cotharin on James Street and S. B. Sliter on Maple Street.
AUGUST
The water still being unusually high for this month, the building of the James Street Bridge is being delayed and the wheat crop is threatened.
Rail sufficient to iron the road from Lansing to Greenville is daily expected.
A special school meeting has appropriated $1,600 to build a new schoolhouse on the newly-acquired land at Hill and Smith Streets. It will house the Primary Department. (This was later unofficially known as the Brown School.)
Portland residents have the opportunity of seeing an almost total eclipse of the sun.
Portland-Muir Stage-Express Lines run daily except Sunday. Leave at 7:00 A.M. arrive in Muir in time for the eastbound Train. Leaves Muir upon the arrival of the westbound Mail. Offices in the American Hotel, Proprietor A. S. Crane. Fare $1.00.
Mrs. Anna Sherman opens a new dressmaking shop over the jewelry store on the west side of the Grand River. Dressmaking, mantua-making, children's clothing.
"Send for Sights and Secrets of the Nation's Capital, the spiciest, most thrilling, startling book of the day. Vice unmasked and exposed! Agents needed."
SEPTEMBER
The weather has turned hot and peaches are unusually good this year.
Messrs. Bartow, R. H. Scofield, and A. Newman left today for Marshall to see officials of the railroad. Work is at a standstill as there is no iron available for rails.
Fayette Shook harvested 104 and 3/4 lbs. of potatoes from 3/4 lb. of Early Rose seed.
The week-long Musical Convention of the M. E. Church concludes this evening with a concert. Adults-25 cents; children - 15 cents.
For sale: N. Griffin desires to go West and will sell his one-sixth interest in the Sash and Door factory of J. B. Morehouse.
The Annual State Fair takes place in Jackson this week.
The Ionia Village School census shows 774 children. There are 3,526 residents.
W. E. Megarah opens a new Wagon and Sign Painting Shop on the West side of the Grand River. Also on the west side, E. M. Gates opens a new cabinet shop at the end of the new James Street Bridge.
For sale -a yoke of working oxen. See John B. Dinsmore.
OCTOBER
Former President Franklin Pierce dies at the age of sixty-four.
In an attempt to corner the gold market, Jay Gould and James Fisk ruin thousands of gold speculators, bring about "Black Friday" in Wall Street. (This is the beginning of the depression of the seventies.)
Work on the railroad remains at a standstill because of no iron for track.
A meeting is held to promote the Westphalia-Hubbardston-Northern Railroad. It will have its southern terminus in Portland.
"If increasing drunkenness and brawls are any indication of progress, then our hitherto quiet village is progressing rapidly, in looseness of morals and violation of law. Last week there were at least two disturbances of this kind. The first occurred in the billiard saloon of Aaron O'Dell, where some rowdies went through the feat of smashing windows, chairs, etc. The lights were put out, and some of the inmates made their exit in an unceremonious manner through the windows. One respectable citizen who had no business there, took leave in a hurry, springing out upon the awning, and sliding down one of the posts supporting it, and severely damaging his pants, vest and skin, by the nails driven into the post to hang goods on. The other affair came off, we are told, at Hoble's Saloon, and resulted in someone being quite badly cut up. These matters are a burning shame to our people. There is not the least shadow of excuse for it, and if permitted to go on, will culminate in crimes of deepest dye. The responsibility of these things does not rest on the saloon keepers as much as on the more respectable portion of society. The law is sufficiently stringent, but the people are weak-kneed and afraid someone's popularity may be injured by fearless discharge of duty. The end is not yet, we shall see".
On the way home from the County Fair at Ionia, two young men are injured while drag racing their carriages. Both Wallace Crane and young Truesdale are thrown from their vehicles.
The railroad has reached Grand Ledge! A celebration is being held to mark the event. If iron arrives, the railroad should be in Portland in about 3 0 days.
Dr. Wm. Root has painted the Post Office part of his drug store.
Grapes are in very good supply.
A meeting is held for the purpose of forming a Lyceum Association. J. C. Sawyer acts as chairman, S. K. Gates as secretary. Regular meetings will be held each week. Subject next time: "Should Cuba be Independent?" The public is invited.
Mr. Nathanial Warner of Danby Township has lost his New York State pension from the War of 1812 because he moved here. This hardly seems fair.
Wheat is $1.00 a bushel. Stovewood is $1.25 a cord.
Subject of special article: "Is the moon an iceberg or a furnace?"
Officials of the railroad say the rails should be in Portland by the first of November.
An unseasonably heavy snowstorm spoils much of the apple crop- I
Because of the snow, work has stopped on the railroad. A group of citizens have organized all available teams, wagons, and other equipment and are hauling the rails to places on the grade where the work crews can make use of them. There is apprehension lest all work be called off for the winter.
Ladies of the Universalist Church hold their first social gathering of the year this evening at the Joseph Bailey home on James Street.
NOVEMBER
Salt $3.00 a barrel at Cadwell's. Oysters, canned lobsters, poultry are abundant and cheap. Plenty of spices and sugars for the Thanksgiving feast.
"In all probability, before a new issue of our paper, our Village will be visited by the locomotive. Who will initiate plans for the supper?"
All Oddfellows in the area are invited to meet to see about the possibility of organizing a Lodge here.
"Left the Village: Among the encouraging signs of the times, we record this week, for the benefit of our readers, that Aaron O'Dell, who formerly, kept the billiard saloon over Atchley's grocery, has closed his establishment and gone to Lansing. His place was notoriously the worst in the Village, especially as boys of all ages were allowed to congregate there, and receive an education which, if carried out, would eventually culminate in State prison. It is bad enough to have such places in our Village where men are induced to go but when children, and sometimes school children, are allowed to visit them, the law should be enforced and the saloons closed up.
William C. Milne has sold his saw mill and bought the store building belonging to F. Newman at the corner of Kent and James Streets, by the bridge. Mr. Milne is one of our oldest residents, having come here in 1833, at the age of eight, when there was only one other family here.
The churches have greatly increased their Sunday School libraries. The M. E. Church has just received $100.00 worth of new books. The Baptists have $140.00 worth, and the Universalists have ordered but not received their volumes yet.
There will be Thanksgiving Day union services at the M. E. Church. Union Prayer Meeting the same night.
"With the issue of this number we complete the second year of the Advertiser as a public journal.... With the opening of the railroad facilities the Village of Portland assumes an importance hitherto unexperienced by it. As changes in the political, mercantile, as well as moral world are important, no family can now afford to be without a weekly journal. . . . According to our published notice, we shall, after this week, furnish our paper only to those who pay in advance."
"The Portland Lyceum Association will meet Friday evening. The question for discussion is: 'Resolved-that parents and guardians should be required to send their children, between the ages of 7 and 15, to school, at least 4 months in each school year'."
"T
he track on this road having been laid to the bridge over the Grand River, locomotives "Greenville" and " James Turner" made their appearance in this Village on Thursday last, the 11th inst, much to the gratification of its friends, which means the whole population. It had been expected to have a general jollification and rejoicing, in which a substantial oyster dinner and speechmaking were to be prominent, but at the meeting called to make the necessary arrangements, it was ascertained that no hall could be obtained, that would be large enough to hold the citizens and railroad employees. It was then concluded to furnish dinner for the railroad officers present, and their employees, and postpone the citizens' celebration of the event, until passenger cars should be placed upon the road, and then have a excursion and dinner at the same time."
At noon on Thursday the Portland Cornet band escorted the railroad officers and their men, about a hundred in all, in a procession from the depot site at the foot of Grant Street, down James Street to Kent, then up Kent Street to the Exchange Hotel, where Landlord Heman Perkins provided a dinner of oysters, meat, and "their concomitants". At the head of the procession was Mr. Lemming, Chief Engineer, and since the death of Mr. Turner, the acting manager of the road, with his assistant engineer, Mr. Briggs. There was also Robert Laughlin, the head engineer of the "Greenville". "It is but doing justice to the men working on the road, to say that they are as sober and well behaved as any set of men we ever saw employed on public works."
Work is in progress on the railroad bridge over the Grand River and in grading up the hill by the tannery on the west side. It is announced that work in putting the line through to Ionia will continue throughout the winter.
One week after the arrival of the locomotive, the first freight and passenger cars arrived, and the freight cars go back to Lansing filled with flour from the various flouting mills of the Village.
Citizens subscribed over $1200 for the erection of a depot at the west side of Grant Street at the railroad, and work begins immediately.
RULES FOR CHILDREN'S ETIQUETTE: Always say "yes sir", "no sir", "yes papa'', "no papa", "thank you", "no thank you", "good night", "good morning", and use no slang terms.
Clean faces, clean clothes, clean shoes, and clean fingernails indicate good breeding. Never leave your clothes about the room. Have a place for everything and everything in its place.
Rap before entering a room, and never leave it with your back to the company.
Always offer your seat to a lady or old gentleman.
Never put your feet on cushions, chairs or tables.
Never overlook anyone when reading or writing, nor read or talk aloud while others are reading.
Never talk nor whisper at meetings or public places, and especially in a private room where anyone is singing or playing the piano.
Be careful to injure no one's feelings by unkind remarks. Never tell tales, make faces, call names, ridicule the lame, mimic the unfortunate, nor be cruel to insects, birds or animals."
The Youth's Companion-a Weekly Paper for Young People and the Family. Subscription - $1.5 0 a year. Contributors: Edward Everett Hale, Mrs. L. Chandler Moulton, "Sophie May" and Harriet Beecher Stowe.
The Portland Lyceum Association has as its subject this week: "Resolved, that woman is the equal of man, intellectually." The affirmative, Professor J. W. Carus. Negative, Thos. D. Scofield, Esq.
The Portland Hack, to and from the Depot. Exchange Hotel guests free -others 25 cents.
DECEMBER
Dr. Beers is seriously injured in a buggy accident. He shows no improvement and it is feared he will never leave his bed.
An express office is now located here, Mr. A. S. Crane agent.
A meeting regarding the location of the depot is held and a very acrimonious debate takes place, but the decision as to location holds.
The new schoolhouse is almost completed and will be ready for use at the beginning of the Winter Term in January.
"Some of our citizens have expressed their surprise that the Locomotive should be passing up and down the road on the sabbath, claiming that its tendency is detrimental to the sacredness of the day. While we do not claim to be posted in the matter, it is presumed that when the road is finished, these matters will be adjusted and the solemnity of the day will not be marred or disturbed by the movement of railroad trains."
There is a foot passage on the new James Street Bridge, but the carriage way is not ready yet. Mr. Carpenter expresses regrets that the season's very high water and inclement weather have prevented the completion of the bridge before winter.
Lecture at the Presbyterian Church this evening, "The Essential Elements of Calvinism."
Get your beautiful wax dolls for Christmas at F. M. Cutcheons.
"A Drunken Row: On Tuesday of last week, a man named Smith, from Gratiot County, opened a saloon in this Village, and it being payday on the railroad, a number of the railroad men became quite drunk, and in the evening a free fight began in the saloon, and resulted with one man being cut with a knife, and with several men being beaten more or less, and one of them badly. The quarrel appears to have originated between some of the hands and a contractor, who was accused of having cheated the hands. In the melee which ensued, he was a good deal injured by the rough treatment received from the men. . .
The Village Marshall at tempted the settlement of the fracas, but was quickly lifted from the floor and deposited in the street, while his baton was kindly cared for, lest someone might get hurt. The next day was stormy and no work being done on the road, the streets were occupied by many of the hands, some of them in a state of beastly intoxication." A meeting was held that evening, with both railroad men and citizens present, and new restrictions on hours for saloons were put into effect.
"LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Regarding the City Commission: could you have picked out seven old ladies in town who would have done so little to make our town respected and respectable by improvements? Where have they built one foot of sidewalk? ... Where have they made one street crossing? Where a single culvert. What seven or eight old women in town would permit heaps of old wagons and plows and drays and sleds and lumber to obstruct one half of our chief business street, and all the sidewalk for 6 months at a time? ... We have not time to enumerate more proofs of old womanhood superiority, but might add that those bricks and planks would add as much to the looks and more to the comfort of our village if spread out in sidewalks. Could we find six more old ladies for School Board, who would send a school into a cellar like potatoes, or crowd them into a recitation room, six by eight feet, like apples in a Bin? Signed, Mrs. Equality." (The above excerpt was apparently brought about by the Lyceum debate on equality of men and women.)
The Sunday School of the M. E. Church has a Christmas tree, decorated with more than $1,000 worth of gifts. The Baptist Church, instead of an evergreen tree, has a huge inverted cone, decorated and surrounded with gifts, the value of which is not announced. On Christmas Day, the Congregational Sunday School enjoys a sleigh ride, followed by a sumptuous Christmas Dinner. (These Christmas trees are an unusual occurrence for this date in a predominately Yankee town.)
Report of the Fall Term of Union School It is to be regretted that so little interest is shown by parents in the examination of their children in the studies of the closing term. Not a parent was present, with the exception of the members of the Board of Trustees. . . . When we have heard a man inveighing against the school we have been pretty sure of finding a man ignorant of the school and its management."
