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 May 2, 1913:

Mrs. W.S. Dibble and Miss Sidonia of Billings, Montana, arrived this morning from Minneapolis where they have been visiting for the past two weeks. They expect to be in Marshall about a week visiting friends and looking after business interests.

The State Bank of Taunton are inviting bids for the construction of a new bank building, as will be noticed in their contractor’s requirements on another page.

O.C. Gregg was a Marshall caller yesterday, on business, connected with his Coteau Farm, near Lynd. Mr. Gregg has recently returned from Montana, where he finished a winter course of lectures and farm work for that state, and will spend the summer at home. Most of his time is taken up with writing for his own, and other farm papers.

Claude Hoagland returned from Montana on Monday morning where he had spent the past two weeks looking up land. Like all other Montana visitors Claude returned a land owner and a booster for the country.

The family of Mr. F. Smith, who has been assisting Mr. A.P. Rose with the Yellow Medicine County History, arrived from Worthington on Wednesday. They will occupy one of the Weikle cottages on First Street.

Mr. J. Lawrence of Edinburgh, Scotland is a guest at the home of his uncle James Lawrence of this city this week. From here Mr. Lawrence goes to Calgary, Canada, where he has accepted a position with an elevator company.

E.M. Wiley, Will Tessmer and Ernest Hoffman returned from Lewistown, Montana this week. These people have taken claims and expect to leave for their new homes with the rest of the Marshall colony some time during the month of May.

Howard Adams sold his barber interests in the Hotel Atlantic this week to Harry Bourgeois, who has been with Fred Rasmussen the past year. Mr. Adams is making preparations to move to the claim he recently filed on, in Montana, and has ordered a full farm equipment from Addison & Son.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection was taken in 1910 behind the Addison & Son Hardware Store on the corner of Main Street and Second Street (now E. College Drive). The photograph shows a group a people around a Hart-Parr tractor.

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 year-round to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.