somebody. They were observed by a few, and the query was, "Who are they? What do they want?"

They were brothers, Kiser by name, and residing in Howard county. One of them had recently adopted a little boy, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. McKay, now living in this place. The child had been allowed to visit his mother who is reported in poor health. But not being returned at the agreed hour, the brothers came down to investigate. The mother refused to allow the child to return and this visit was designed co get possession of him again. The brothers tried to hire a boy to decoy the child from town, but failed in this. On seeing him on the street, one seized him by the arms, and both ran for the buggy. The running, screaming and shouting of men, women and children, which followed, was exciting to say the least. Nearly the whole town was aroused; the team was stopped and child taken from them. The mother fainted and spasms followed.

There was a time when it looked a little like 'business'. Citizens were very aroused and dire threats were made. Fortunately, better judgement prevailed, and no violence was used. The men were arrested; but when true circumstances were revealed, they were released. What appears unaccountable is this: if they had a legal right to the child, why did they adopt such extreme measures to obtain him?"

Last Saturday evening, while Mr. -- Nicholson was taking home the daughter of McKenzie Hall, and two other young ladies, his team ran away. He was dragged over the dashboard and run over by the sleigh. The two young ladies jumped and escaped injury; but Miss Hall was thrown out with such violence that she did not become conscious until Wednesday, and her recovery is still in doubt. The sleigh, in which they were riding, was "shivered to atoms."

The markets of 1876 are listed by produce dealer Mills: wheat--80 to 90¢ ; corn— 40¢; oats—30¢ butter—15 to 25¢ ; eggs--20¢ ; dressed hogs— $7.50 and live hogs—6¢

1877

Military township officials elected for the year 1877 were: justices of the peace --James Malloy, A. H. Daniel and George Huber; constables—T. J. Padden, G. Johnson r.d H. Heitkemper; trustees—A. Meyers, J. J. Schmitz and D. D. Hinckley.

The following property valuations were released: farm land--$196,129; town lots —$41,509; personal property—$58,385; railroad property—$26,216. The consolidated tax was set at $4,321.

Among the items originating with the Ossian Independent, the successor to the -.he Enterprise, are these: "Dr. Pegg has moved into town and is ready to begin practice. Olson and Oyloe are erecting a building on Main street to be used as a photo shop. Dr. Drake has one of the neatest buggies to ever roll on the streets of Ossian. The good that men do lives after them: 'The Liberty Pole that the now defunct Enterprise promoted in its columns is about to be erected!'"

M. J. Garter, a self-educated attorney, studied law in the offices of G. L. Faust. He describes his thoughts when appearing in J. P. court for the first time. He had Teen retained as defense counsel in a law suit brought against Henry Boeckman to collect payment for work deemed unsatisfactory by the defendant.

The young inexperienced lawyer spent a restless night before the hearing. He arose with the sun and walked the two miles to the Boeckman farm to examine the disputed work. He and Boeckman then returned to Ossian for their hearing before the court of Justice Alva H. Daniels. His opponents counsel was Garter's mentor, G. L. Faust. But the young attorney was successful in Boeckman's defense, proving that he had, indeed, been an apt pupil.

In January of 1877, the citizens of Ossian were aroused from their peaceful clumbers by the alarm of fire. The scene of the conflagration was found to be a building owned by Mr. Groff. The upper story of the building was occupied by the Groff family. The ground floor was rented by John Murray as a store, while the casement was used as a saloon. The building with all its contents was completely destroyed. The cause of the fire was attributed to a drunken overnight party. Most of the celebrants were in a stupor when the building caught fire; one was saved by