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 Dec. 27, 1912:

Among the college students home for the Christmas vacation are: Ruth Fulton, Edna Newman, Truman Bumford, Clifford Blanchard, and Artys Schroeder of Carleton College; Viola Nash of St. Mary’s Seminary at Winona, Henry Elder from the University, Paul Bockoven from Yankton, and Mary Bumford from Grinnell, Iowa.

Mr. A.P. Rose, author of the recently issued “History of Lyon County,” has received the following letter of appreciation from Hon. Warren Upham, secretary of the Minnesota Historical Society: “Dear Mr. Rose: Your latest county history, of Lyon county, was recently received in this society’s library, and I wish to thank you in behalf of our state, for the excellent work you have done in writing five or more county histories of Southwestern Minnesota. Further, I am glad to know that other counties are expected to follow, the next to be Yellow Medicine. There you will have much interesting history connected with missionary work and the Sioux outbreak. Whenever newspaper files or other resources of this historical library may aid you, we shall be glad to have you visit here, and that I may thus become acquainted with one or our southwestern life members. Warren Upham, Secretary.”

Mrs. Arthur Freese is the holder of the lucky number 1721, which won the sewing machine given away by the Watson Hardware Co. to their holiday customers; and the diamond given a way by the Lyric was won by Landlord Fred Cook of the Atlantic Hotel.

Thorburn’s Orchestra announce a big dance for New Year’s night in the Assembly Hall.

Miss Loline Musch is at home from Dawson, where she has a position in the schools.

Miss Amanda Stahmer, head nurse at the Marshall hospital, left on Wednesday evening for Grand Haven, Mich., having that day received word of the serious illness of a member of here family.

Miss Eva Kidder is home from Hamline for her holiday vacation.

James and George Struthers came down from Minneapolis on Tuesday to spend the holidays with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Struthers, James Jr., is assistant manager of the Munsing Underwear company in Minneapolis, and George is still connected with the Union State Bank.

W.W. Cook and Son have purchased the largest National cash register that there is made. This will be a valuable addition to the up-to-the-minute equipment of “The Big Store.”

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is an interior photograph of W.W. Cook’s The Big Store, or also known as The Style Shop on Main Street in Marshall. W.W. Cook and his son opened the store in 1911 and operated it for a few years. The store was located where The Last Stop CD Shop is located now. In the photograph, a National cash register is shown and it is quite possible the one that was purchased in 1912 according to the social news above.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization.