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 5, 1916:

The Marshall Hospital Training School have issued invitations for commencement which will take place on Wednesday, May 10th, at the Presbyterian church. An interesting program is to be given, and Hon. G.B. Bjornson, of Minneota, will give the address. The public is invited to attend.

The E.C. Eaker Nursery adjoining the Fair Grounds is fast taking the appearance of a real nursery, with its many rows of young trees, shrubs and a plot of gin-sing, which was planted last year and protected by a shaded cover of boughs.

On Tuesday, Miss Alma Paradis and Mr. Fred Marcotte were married at the Catholic church, Father Carlin officiating. Mrs. Smith, a sister of the bride and Mr. Leon Marcotte, a brother of the groom, were the attendants. Misses Loretta and Marcelline Longtin sang appropriate selections. Following the ceremony, a breakfast was served at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Paradis. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Marcotte, who live five miles south of town. Mr. and Mrs. Marcotte will be at home to their friends on a farm near Marshall.

Messrs. Herbert Clark, Tom Davis, Wm. Thorburn, E.A. Michel and K.C. Humphrey went to Sioux City, Sunday, to attend a ball game there between Lincoln, Nebraska, and Sioux City. They went down primarily to see Irl Morse of this city. He plays third base for the Lincoln Club, which won the game with a score of 5 to 2. Irl has made a great start this season, with the first home run to his credit and is more than making good.

Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Snyder, who came here from Wabasso, are now living at 611 W. Marshall St. Mr. Snyder succeeded Mr. N.L. Anderson as manager of the Youmans Lumber Yard, beginning work here last month.

The Telegraphone, the only instrument in the world that records telephone messages, is on display at the drug store of W.C. Haney. Can you imagine a machine that takes and records a telephone message, whether or not you are at your phone? If you are going out and expect a call, when central makes the connection the machine automatically tells the party you have stepped out and to leave any message you wish to give, which is recorded. Then, when you return you may reproduce the message from a disc, the same as on a talking machine. A further possibility of the new machine which is an invention of C. Paulson, of Denmark, is that of dictation on a small disc which may be mailed for two cents, to a friend who with a reproducing machine may hear your voice, and preserve the letter.

C.F. Case left, Saturday, for his claim in Montana. Before leaving a business transaction was made, wherein the store now occupied by A.M. Worman & Co. was purchased by J.B. Marcotte. As Mr. Worman has a lease for more than a year, no change will be made at present.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is a real photo postcard of Main Street in Marshall, circa 1916. The building on the corner of 3rd and Main Streets has a sign for J.B. Marcotte Shoes. John B. Marcotte (May 29, 1870-April 21, 1939) owned a shoe store in this building (currently Columbia Imports) for a few years. He and his wife Amy (Feb. 23, 1871-June 14, 1965) are buried in the Marshall Cemetery.

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.