The social news or gossip columns in the old newspapers are always fascinating to read. A special section in the newspaper was devoted to the social media of the day. The whereabouts of local people and events were often featured in these columns. Here are a few from The News Messenger of Lyon County on May 5, 1916:

Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Snyder, who came here from Wabasso, are now living at 611 W. Marshall St. Mr. Snyder succeeded Mr. N.L. Anderson as manager of the Youmans Lumber Yard, beginning work here last month.

On Tuesday, Miss Alma Paradis and Mr. Fred Marcotte were married at the Catholic church, Father Carlin officiating. Mrs. Smith, a sister of the bride and Leon Marcotte, a brother of the groom, were the attendants. The misses Loretta and Marcelline Longtin sang appropriate selections. Following the ceremony, a breakfast was served at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Paradis. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Marcotte, who live five miles south of town. Mr. and Mrs. Marcotte will be at home to their friends on a farm near Marshall.

The E.C. Eaker Nursery adjoining the Fair Grounds is fast taking the appearance of a real nursery, with is many rows of young trees, shrubs, and a plot of gin-sing, which was planted last year and protected by a shaded cover of boughs.

Rudd Stensvad of Redwood Falls spent a couple of days here this week demonstrating the new 196, 8-cylinder Cadillac, and delivered two cars at points west of here. He was accompanied by other Redwood men who returned Tuesday in a car which was refinished at the Marshall Garage.

The Telegraphone, the only instrument in the world that records telephone messages, is on display at the drug store of W.C. Haney. Can you imagine a machine that takes and records a telephone message, whether or not you are at your phone?

If you are going out and expect a call, when central makes the connection the machine automatically tells the party you have stepped out and to leave a message you wish to give, which is recorded. Then, when you return you may reproduce the message from a disc, the same as on a talking machine.

The Marshall Hospital Training School have issued invitations for commencement, which will take place on Wednesday, May 10th, at the Presbyterian church. An interesting program is to be given, and Hon. G.B. Bjornson, of Minneota, will give the address. the public is invited to attend.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection shows a group of nurses standing in front of the Marshall Hospital and Training School. Dr. F.D. Gray purchased the Southside School building at S. 4th and Lynd Streets after moving to Marshall from Vesta in 1911. Dr. Gray renovated the building and called the hospital the Marshall Hospital. The hospital closed in 1950 after the Louis Weiner Memorial Hospital opened. The building was used as a nursing home until being torn down in 1963. A new building was built and it became the Lyon County Retirement Home. Today, that building is referred to as the Lyon County Retirement Apartments.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a non-profit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 W Lyon St in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.