March 21, 1974. Early Collins growth centered on growth of the railroads Collins began a mile northeast of its present location about 1875 in the store of James Chapman who also established the first post office -- on January 20, 1879. In 1881 the Milwaukee and St. Paul railway passed through the southern half of the township. Henry and John Angelo sold an east and west 40 acres to the railway company that were platted and recorded. On February 1, 1882 the plat was presented to the town and the town of Collins was dedicated. Soon after, the train depot was built and regular train service was begun between Marian, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska, making it the connecting link between the East and the West. F. W. Cole was the first depot agent. While the railroad was being constructed several temporary buildings were erected; one was Mrs. Murphy's boarding house to accommodate the railroad. There was a saloon on the east side of the road north of the tracks. The second building erected was a house built by E. W. Etherton on Lot 13, Block 17, the corner of 1st street and 3rd avenue. The first trees of Collins were planted here. The third building was Hidy Brothers's two-story frame building on the Southeast corner of Main and Railway Street. In 1895 John Thompson and his son, Walter, opened a private bank in the Southwest corner of Thompson's Store located North of Hidy's general store on Main Avenue. This frame building was destroyed by fire in 1901. The banking business was carried on in front of Lingenfelter's store until the new two-story Collins State Bank was completed. Walter Thompson operated the bank until he retired in 1930.
March 21, 1974. School Board Election Two vacancies were filled by two candidates, Robert Hunt and John Kingman.
March 25-29, 1974. Hot Lunch Menu: Tues. Hotdogs, baked beans, dessert, milk. Wed. Creamed chicken on baking powder biscuits, vegetable, dessert, bread and butter, milk. Thurs. Goulash, vegetable, dessert, bread and butter, milk. Fri. Macaroni and cheese, vegetable, dessert, peanut butter sandwich, bread and butter, milk.
March 28, 1974. All-Journal Area Girls' Basketball -- First team: Debbie Carroll. Honorable mention: Cindy Dunshee.
All-Journal Area Boys' Basketball -- Most valuable player: Bill Oswalt. Honorable mention: Jerold Fitzgerald.
April 6, 1974. This year's Queens Relays, Zearing has been divided into Class A and Class B, based on school enrollment. Class B Schools - Baxter, Collins, Colo, Dows, Garwin, Green Mountain, Hubbard, Maxwell, New Providence, Radcliffe, Steamboat Rock, and Union-Whitten.
April 9, 1974. Queens Relays - Zearing - Class B Placings: Green Mountain 64, Dows 46.5, Collins 46, Radcliffe 43, Hubbard 37, Maxwell 27, Garwin 20, Steamboat Rock 20, Union-Whitten 10, Baxter 10, New Providence 10, Colo 8.5. Collins Placings: Long Jump -- 1st Debbie Carroll 16' 3/4", 2nd Mary Beth Kingman. Softball Throw -- 2nd Cindy Dunshee. 440 Yard Dash -- 3rd Donna Barrett. 220 Yard Dash -- 1st Debbie Carroll 25.9 seconds. 440 Yard Relay -- 1st Collins 53.8 seconds. Distance Medley -- 1st Collins 4:50 minutes.
April 11, 1974. Kings Relays - Zearing - Class B Long Jump -- 1st Bill Oswalt 20' 3". High Jump -- 3rd Bill Oswalt. 100 Yard Dash -- 1st Bill Oswalt 10.8 seconds. 440 Yard Relay -- 3rd Collins.