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 August 30, 1895:

Dr. Chas. Germo, formerly of Minnesota Lake, has recently located at Balaton.

The ladies of the Congregational church will meet with Mrs. John Schneider Wednesday, Sep. 4th, from 2 to 4 o’clock p.m.

Mr. Clarence M. Boutelle, the new superintendent of the Marshall schools, accompanied by Mrs. Boutelle, and Misses Louisa and Anna, arrived in Marshall on Monday evening, and are quartered at the Hotel Atlantic for the present.

When the best professional wheel scorchers take nearly one hour to cover twenty miles on a smooth track, what is the use of amateur riders on a rough country road claiming to ride between Tracy and Marshall in one hour and three minutes, or any other number of minutes less than an hour and a quarter? If anyone wishes to make a record over the 20 ½ miles between Tracy and Marshall let him start with the train from Tracy, and have two men on the train to start time by their watches and await his arrival in Marshall some half hour after the train arrives with the time keepers.

The art studio of Mrs. Lizzie Cutts Powell has been removed to her residence on Fourth street, where it will be located but a short time.

George Clements, better known as “Duke,” is again under Sheriff Christensen’s care, having been sent up from Tracy for 30 days for being unable to let liquor alone.

A week from Monday is known as Labor day. With us every day is labor day; what we would like to celebrate would be pay day, says the Alexandria Republican.

The interior work is steadily progressing on Case’s building, and before snow flies Third Street ought to again be passable.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection shows C.F. Case’s building on the corner of Third Street and Main Street in Marshall completed in 1895. The building has held many businesses over the years, including the post office before the present building was built in 1936. The exterior of the building was significantly changed in the 1960s. Today, Columbia Imports occupies the building.

Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend! 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.