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 April 1, 1910:

Will Curtis, son of conductor Curtis of Tracy, and who has been recently employed by the Marshall Milling company, returned from a short visit in Tracy to be stricken with scarlet fever. He is not seriously ill. Scarlet fever has prevailed all winter at Balaton and Tracy, and we understand has reached Amiret, and there is good reason for Marshall getting a share of the affliction. But, just the same, there is a great deal in the care of any contagious disease. The single case of small pox in Marshall last fall was not allowed to spread.

Many ladies, and not a few men, have been attracted by the exhibition of the washing machine in the show window of the Watson Hardware company during the past week. The machine is run by a little water motor, which can be attached to any ordinary faucet connected with the city water power. Of course the city water does not connect with the clothes, not on your life, but it is as good for running the motor as Porter’s famous spring water is for running the internal organs of humanity.

Melvin L. Dudry, an old soldier residing at Garvin, and also an old citizen of the county, died at his home on Monday last. Several years ago Mr. Dudry was a partner in business at Tracy with Samuel Truax, and he was a brother of Mrs. Truax, and for many years was a well known citizen near Amiret.

The barn of John Norris, a farmer living one and a half miles southwest of Green Valley, was destroyed by a fire on Wednesday afternoon. Harness and feed in the barn were also destroyed. The fire was set by a five year old child playing with matches. Mr. Norris’ neighbors gathered the next day to help him build a new barn. The right kind of neighbors to have.

Mr. Cally Rouse is putting up a house on the old Camden school house site, which he has recently purchased of W.E. Robertson.

The Hayes-Lucas lumber yard in Marshall was this week absorbed by the Ross Lumber company, and the stock was taken by both the Ross and the Youmans yards. Mr. Charles H. Ross was here this week supervising the transfer, and auditor Gray was a busy man. Mr. George Anton, the efficient agent of the Marshall yard, is about ready to go to his own yard, and his successor, Mr. C.R. Weiler, from Nicolett, has arrived and is busy getting the lay of the land and the hang of the ropes. The consolidation of lumber yards is a good move, as three such institutions were too much for the limited territory.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is of the Hayes-Lucas Lumber Yard in Marshall. The photograph was taken in 1901.

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.