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 December 17, 1915:

Mrs. Pauline Windmiller, a florist of Mankato, Minnesota, visited the Thomas Drug Store on Thursday of this week. Mrs. Windmiller has installed a large refrigerator in the Rexall Store where fresh flowers will be kept at all times.

Street auctions are becoming quite popular. For the past two Saturdays they have taken place in front of the city hall and some very good furniture has been sold. People find it convenient to dispose of articles they do not have use for. There will be an unusual number of things offered to-morrow afternoon at three o’clock.

Since our announcement two weeks ago that R.M. Neill has become connected with the Lyon County National Bank, he has been besieged with applicants for his job as County Treasurer. Bob is not thinking of giving up his job for some time, and in fact he has just installed a new system for keeping the tax records, as well as dispensing receipts, which will make a saving in time as well as expense.

The new proprietors of the Marshall Creamery have already made an improvement in equipment in installing a new butter scale which when used leaves no room for doubt as to the exact weight of squares of butter. The new machine quickly and accurately gives any weight from a sheet of paper to a two-pound package and its parts are fully protected from any possibility of brine or salt which are used so much in a creamery and cause defects in ordinary scales.

On Saturday afternoon, Miss Ina Lindsley entertained her Sunday School class of girls at her home. The afternoon was spent in making picture books to be sent to children who are sick at Christmas time. Refreshments were served at five o’clock.

Tuesday evening just as Mrs. Whitney finished the dishes and was raising out the dish pan, air in the water pipes caused a splash from the faucet and scattered water all over the wall and her clean floor. Her husband went right over to Carlisle’s and got one of those little strainer caps for ten cents, and there’s no more splashing in our sink. The stingiest man in the world could afford to do that much for his wife, especially Christmas week.

Not many years ago it was the custom of this paper to send out almanac each year. Why it was discontinued we do not know. Since then we have tried to find something to give our subscribers each year, but there is nothing that is appreciated so much as a first-class almanac. This year we are preparing one and it will be ready for delivery January 1st. All subscribers who are paid up will received the almanac and those who pay up, renew or send in new names will receive the almanac free of charge.

The photograph featured this week is a picture of one of the almanacs that the News-Messenger of Lyon County published. This almanac was published in 1888. The Lyon County Museum has a few in the collection.

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. In compliance with Minnesota Executive Order 20-99, the Lyon County Museum is closed through December 18 or until further notice. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.