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 July 16, 1909:

J.B. Gislason marketed a hog here last Monday that brought more money than any single porker ever sold in this town. This animal tipped the scale at 660 pounds and brought $42.25. We are told that this is not the heaviest hog sold here, but the statement that it brought more money than any other appears to be undisputed.

Mrs. Orion Kiel will entertain the San Souci club at her home in Riverside next Tuesday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. O.C. Gregg are attendants at the Chautauqua, and are guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Chamberlain

There is no prettier landscape scene than a cozy home in pure white among an abundant foliage of green and thus it is that the modest homes of Mrs. Spotts and Mr. Souci on Redwood street have attracted much favorable comment since receiving coats of white paint. The construction of cement sidewalk around the entire block has added greatly to the attractiveness of all the homes therein.

Dr. J.W. Bell, of Minneapolis, one of the leading physicians of the state was called on a professional visit to Mrs. Church last Saturday.

The Ladies’ Aid Society of the Congregational church will meet with Mrs. C.F. Case next Wednesday at three o’clock.

Quite a number of Marshall’s base ball fans went to Tracy Sunday to see them beat Minneota 6 to 1. The Marshall team won from Sleepy Eye with the score of 5 to 1, the same day: Tuesday Marshall defeated Granite 2 to 1, playing 15 innings.

The score of yesterday’s ball game was Tracy 2, Marshall 4. The boys are playing good ball, they have lost but one game out of the last seven.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is a postcard photograph featuring one of the players on the 1909 Marshall baseball team. The player is identified as “Hoagland Marshall’s Short Stop”.

We are sponsoring, “A Day of 1860 Base Ball” on Saturday, Aug. 14 at 1:30 pm at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. The Quicksteps Ball Club of Minnesota will play against local players. For more information, check out our Facebook page or website for the event. We are looking for more players to play against them. Please contact me at 537-6580 or director@lyoncomuseum.org if you are interested.

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.