The population of the town in this census is listed as 519. This figure breaks down to 282 males and 237 females; 129 of whom were qualified to vote.

Editor Bailey of the Republican reports, with glee, the controversy at the Democratic county convention over confirmation of James Malloy's appointment to the postmaster's office at Ossian. The Ossian delegates were divided between awarding this political plum to Mr. Malloy or Mr. Blanchaine, who is described as: "A carpet-bagger, sent by Boss Bayliss of Elkader, to run one of his 'peculiar drug stores'—the kind that requires large amounts of spirits to cut the vast quantity of drugs used by the sickly patrons of Bayliss stores."

Mrs. G. J. Mills complains that M. J. Garter has circulated a rumor that she lodged complaints against Ossian saloon keepers and Mr. Blanchaine, druggist, in particular, to keep him from receiving the postmaster appointment. "This is not true," states the lady.

The postmaster appointment controversy continued on into August, when James Malloy was finally awarded the position.

Evidently, liquor sales were made by prescription during this period. The editor notes that in sales, as reported by the county's towns, Ossian's two drug