terms this performance, "A farce viewed by a disgusted audience."

The editor calls the auction sale of vacant lot 17,block 16, between Mills' drug store and C. Peyer's general merchandise, "a real estate boom with a capital B." This lot brought $600 and was purchased by Mr. Peyer. (This property is the lot east of the Schroeder Clothing Store.)

John McGary, of Eldorado, has purchased the dwelling of Sarah Owens for $465. (This home was on the present site of Ossian's Community building.)

A caucus of Democrats held at James Malloy's office selected the following delegates to their county convention: M. J. Carter, M. J. Klein, F. W. Dessel, James Malloy, F. C. Clark, John DeCou, John Collins, P. F. Klein and E. Schoon-maker.

The delegates selected for the Republican convention were: James Cameron, O. T. Lommen, H. H. Dalaker, A. G. Tofte, 0. S. Thompson and G. G. Oyloe.

The editor gleefully reports that the Republicans of Ossian lost exactly $226 on the election.

Dr. E. Schneller gave a free entertainment and lecture in his large tent located east of the elevator. He drew large crowds and sold lots of patent medicine.

1890

M. J. Carter seems to have been Ossian's most prominent citizen during the latter part of the nineteenth century. His occupations included: editor, banker, attorney, auctioneer, real estate broker and contractor. His offices: mayor, Master of the Masonic Lodge, Secretary of the school board, Justice of Peace and leader of Military township's Democrats.

Joseph Becker purchased C. P. Hayne's lot on the corner of Main and Lydia streets. He erected a large hardware store at this site. The upper story of the new building was fitted as a public hall. The third and fourth generations of Beckers still maintain a hardware store at this location. It is second only to the Frudden Lumber Company in length of service to the community from the original store. Frudden purchased their present yard in 1888.

The results of the municipal election this year were: James Malloy, mayor; L. A. Meyer, treasurer; C. J. Mills, recorder; Dave Weitgenant, assessor; James Cahill, street commissioner; E. H. Limbeck, marshal; and C. H. Blanchaine and John Collins, trustees.

F. C. Clark and Sarah Owens were retained as teachers for the coming year.

Vina Weitgenant was hired as a third instructor. One hundred thirty pupils were registered at the Ossian Public School. Attendance at De Sales was put at 115.

The Scheidel Bros, have been using horse power at their creamery after a breakdown of their steam engine. This creamery, the original Silver Springs Creamery, was located on the Scheidel farm about two miles west of Ossian. It was built in 1888 and operated at the farm location for about ten years before being sold to a group of Ossian community farmers. It was moved to a site south of town and incorporated under the Silver Springs Creamery name in I898.

Vandals overturned fourteen tombstones in Hillside cemetery this year. Some were reported to have been destroyed.

The paper reports that 175 Ossian residents rode the Burlington excursion train to Decorah to attend the Barnum circus.

The first new two cent stamp found its way to Ossian. The editor states that it reminded him of a broken promise to reduce the postage on first class letters to one cent.

Military twp. farms were selling for $35 to $40 an acre this year. Ossian was booming—not an empty dwelling in town.

C. H. Blanchaine and C. J. Mills, the local pharmacists, applied for permits to buy, keep and sell intoxicating liquor as provided by Iowa statue.

Editor Carter reveals that there are now 86 "blind pigs" operating in Winneshiek county. (No comment is offered on how many of these are located in Ossian.)

A blind pig was a small establishment, often portable, used for selling intoxic