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 23, 1920:

Herman Ehrreich arrived home the latter part of last week from Camp Meade, Maryland, where he has been stationed for several months while serving with the Tank Corps. He has served in the United States army during the past seven years and previous to his recent transfer to the tank corps he had been serving with the cavalry. Herman has gone to work for Bladholm Brothers.

The Ohiyesa Camp Fire Girls held a ceremonial meeting Tuesday evening at the home of their guardian, Miss Ina Lindsley. Seven of the girls, having completed requirements, became Fire Makers. They were Beth Elvidge, Ruth Johnson, Margaret Williams, Lorene Rubertus, Pearl Wahlquist, May Woodard, and Gertrude Baldwin.

The paving operations about town are progressing in a satisfactory manner. The portions of Fourth and Fifth streets from the C. & N. W. right-of-way to Lyon street, from the Marshall Cement works to Main, and all of Third street from Main to Liberty Park have been completed. Preparations for laying curbing on Lyon and Main streets are under way and will be completed within a few days. South Sixth street has the appearance of a section of “no man’s land” while the thirty-inch drain sewer is being laid. The streets on which the paving has been completed furnish a good and sufficient reward to our people who have been forced to put up with the torn up condition of these streets while work was being done.

Wallace S. Schultz and bride, nee Princess Nadeja Troubetzkoy [Trubetskoy], formerly of Russia, arrived the latter part of last week and are visiting at the home of the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Schutz.

Elmer Lindberg, tailor at the Olson & Lowe store, returned with his family the first of the week from a two weeks vacation spent at Madison, Minn.; New Richland, Wis., and in the twin cities.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is Olson & Lowe in Marshall. Olson & Lowe was a clothing store for men and boys for several decades. The business was founded by Martin and E.C. Olson at the same location in 1900. It was known as Olson Bros. or the Model House. Sometime later, George G. Lowe became a partner and the business was named Olson & Lowe. Vern Skramstad was employed as a salesman in 1937. Later, he purchased the business from George Lowe. Vern took over complete operation of the business in 1953. Olson & Lowe closed in 1999. Today, the building is home to Graceful Marilyn Quilt Shoppe.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, 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.