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 February 2, 1917:

Albert Volk is getting acquainted with winter farm life this week, being snowed in at the John Hollo farm where he is installing electric lights and the Delco system. We doubt if he could find a better place to be snow-bound. John is a strong provider and has one of the best cooks in Lyon County, as well as a fine new farm home.

The potato matinee at the Barrymore on Saturday afternoon was well attended. Each child brought a potato for the entrance fee, resulting in about a bushel and a half being collected and given to the W.R.C. for distribution.

F.K. Weikle sold his 400-acre farm in Stanley township last week to a Mr. Maxey of Iowa, taking in exchange 240 acres ten miles from Sioux City. The deal was made through Llewellyn & Son of this city. Mr. Maxey and family will move here in the spring to work the farm.

This three-days blizzard gives the old timers an excellent opportunity for reminiscences. Col. A.R. Chase tells about walking matches they had in Chittenden’s hall during the big storms, when fuel was scarce and they had to exercise to keep warm. With one acting as time-keeper, J.G. Schultz, A.C. Chittenden, C.F. Case, Mr. Chase and some whose names appear on the “Roll of the Dead” would walk around the hall, contesting to see who could out walk the rest. During the one storm they walked to Amiret to break the way for the train; work which is accomplished more efficiently now by modern snowplows. They tell us that the snow was deeper then than it is now, a fact that is hard to believe. As proof they say that they had to go through a tunnel to get from the Lyon County Bank corner to Marcotte’s corner. The country roads are almost impassable now and were quite then, when they did not try to get the horses through but walked to town for provisions with hand sleds, keeping on top of the drifts with snow shoes.

A lot of Marshall people were disappointed this week in not being able to attend the St. Paul Carnival, on account of the snow blockade.

Many Marshall folks are stalled at various places on account of the blockade. Fred Rasmussen, Louis Gitts and H.R. Painter are at Tracy; County Attorney Hall attempted to make the cities but stopped at Granite Falls; Neal Van Dorin, Jack Whitney and a few others are held in St. Paul, which is about the liveliest place on the world map this week with the big carnival. Several traveling salesmen are getting better acquainted with Marshall, and are firmly of the belief that we should have a better hotel. Bankers Chas. Foulon of Ghent and Harry Tillemans of Minneota are also our guests.

Harry Tillemans drove down from Minneota Tuesday morning to take the Great Northern train to Minneapolis, but missed the train. The North Western was blocked, so with the liveryman, Harry attempted to drive back home that evening but could get only three miles out and returned. He says he likes Marshall better than ever now, since he has had time to get acquainted with his friends. It is the first vacation he has had in many years and he has a way of making you think he is enjoying his enforced stay here.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is a postcard photograph of the Farmers & Merchants National Bank in Minneota. The building opened in early 1917. The building was built of Bedford stone and was finished throughout in Alaska marble and quartered oak. At the time of opening, Harry Tillemans was the Cashier. Today, the office of Kevin Anundson, State Farm Insurance Agent, is in the building.

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.