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 March 24, 1911:

Last Wednesday evening at the Greeley home in Sodus, Mr. Verne Taylor was united in matrimony to Miss Hazel Greeley in the presence of about fifty invited guests, Rev. J. E. Bowes performing the ceremony. Mr. William Morgan of Tracy acted as best man and Miss Lillian Cox, a cousin of the bride, from Iowa, was bridesmaid. The newly married couple will immediately move to their farm on the Fayette Grover place, two miles south of Amiret, which Mr. Taylor has just recently purchased.

Dr. Bacon reports the arrival of baby girls at the homes of Ed. Robinson at Green Valley, and Gustav Baert at Lynd, and reports the mothers and daughters doing nicely.

There will be a meeting of sons of veterans of the civil war at the Library next Monday evening. There are over fifty sons of the old soldiers of 1861-5 right here in Marshall, and probably more than a hundred in the county. The object is to effect and organization for the purpose of participating in the Memorial Day observance on May 31st, when the Soldiers Monument will be dedicated. Turn out, boys, and show your patriotism, and the stuff that sent your sires to the front fifty years ago.

The East Side Farmers’ club met at the home of Mr. H.N. Robinson in Marshall on Tuesday evening of this week. About forty members and several visitors were present.

Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Williams, and Mrs. Fred Healy, returned from the Hot Springs last week, and Mrs. Williams assumed her duties as president of the Relief Corps at the Grand Army supper on Saturday evening, when the demonstration was in honor of those comrades whose birthdays occurred in the spring months. Some twenty-five of the comrades were present.

Marriage licenses were issued this week by the county clerk for Walter E. Johnson with Emma M. Weede, and Louis Orsen with Irene Melhus.

Friday evening last, the Marshall basket ball team came back, and defeated the Lamberton high school team by the decisive score of 37 to 6. The local team line up was as follows: Strand and V. Robinson, forwards; Bladholm, center; Capt. Dolan and Madden, guards. The boys played a great game when considering the fact they had practically never seen a basket ball until this las fall, and their work Friday nigh demonstrates the results of consistent and regular practice and was a pleasant surprise to followers of the game. This was the last contest of the season and here’s hoping that base ball this summer will make as good a showing for Marshall as basket ball has during the winter.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is the boys basketball team for the 1911-1912 school year. The team is identified as: Douglas McGandy, left forward; Ralph Madden, right guard-Capt.; Coxey Strand, right forward; James Dolan, left guard; Arthur Bladholm, center; Donald McNiven, Sub.; and Mr. Humphery, Coach.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 West Lyon Street 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.