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 October 20, 1911:

Word received from Harold Simon on the U.S. Battleship South Dakota, states that last week they were called into Oakland for inspection upon the occasion of the visit of President Taft.

C.F. Norwood of Balaton passed through Marshall last Tuesday, on his way to attend the large sale of short horn cattle at Willmar. Mr. Norwood is a breeder of short horn cattle, and will purchase more at this sale to add to his already good sized herd.

The work being done at the city hall by contractor H.P. Fulton, is progressing rapidly, and the building should be ready for occupancy before Jan. 1, 1912, the specified time. The first story wall of the west addition is up, and the pressed brick front commences to make a showing of what it will be like when completed. There has been no appropriation made to seal the inside of the old building where the rafters are exposed, and in order to raise the necessary funds for a steel ceiling the fire company are making arrangements to put on a first class entertainment the first of next month. The foundation and cement floor for the jail in the rear of the city hall are complete and the walls being erected.

An annual letter from J.W. Scofield at Sequatchie, Tenn., states that he is building a shallow draft, cabin launch in which he intends to make a trip up the Mississippi in the spring, to St. Paul, and will then make his old Marshall friends a short visit. A trip from Tennessee to Minnesota by water would certainly be ideal, and if it keeps on raining here as it has been, he can come up the Minnesota to Redwood Falls and into the Redwood river, and stop at the rear door of the Atlantic Hotel.

The special train to Mankato on Tuesday, to carry people to see and hear President Taft, will only come as far as Tracy, leaving there at 6:30 in the morning. If the train would come to Marshall no doubt the Northwestern would get as much business here as from Tracy. As matters stand, many are planning on going to Minneapolis to hear Taft.

Mr. and Mrs. Reese Davis left Thursday for Ohio, where Mr. Davis enlisted in 1856 (Mr. Davis actually enlisted on October 15, 1861) at Columbus. Other than a short business trip, some twenty years ago, Mr. Davis has not visited his former home for over forty-four years, and they expect to visit at various cities in Ohio.

The photograph featured this week appeared in the 1912 History of Lyon County book by Arthur P. Rose. The photograph is of Reese and Jane Davis. They were married in Blue Earth County, Minnesota on January 22, 1868. They moved to Lyon County in 1871. Reese and Jane are buried at the Marshall Cemetery. Jane passed away on September 27, 1928 and Reese passed away on July 14, 1930.

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.