The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-04-08
Rural Notes.

has sold his farm to Dan Sulwel for SAD an
acre and moved to central Iowa and purchased
so acres at 1856 per acre. May success attend
his every effort in his new home,
Mr.. II. f. Bennett has rented his farm to
the Rowe brothers OF Lowell, and anticipates
spending the pleasant summer months at the
Hot Springs in Arkansas for his health. he
has been u sufferer for seven long years from
lnflammatory rheumatism.
Mrs Strickland, Of eastern Kansas, who has
been visiting her aunt, Mrs. George Bronson,
left for Streator las; Saturday to visit among
friends before returning home.
Mr.. T. II. Johns has just returned from a
trip to Kansas, visiting his son Tommy. He
reports the boys well and prospecting, but quite
homeslck. No doubt Mr.. Johns was very
welcome guest IN their new home. he re-
ports their loss by the recent prairie fire very
meagey, which at first was reported quite large.
There was an exhibition given at the close
of the winter term IN District No. 3 by the
school, conducted by the teacher, l.. w. Mers.
II was grand success, though both teacher
and school were somewhat disappointed, tor
they had anticipated crowded house, but
s,ormed all day. which kept many at their
homes. Despite the storm and mud however,
the house was comfortably filled, and all felt
we'll paid for gong. The programme consist.
ed OF dialogues, declarations, Rotations, IN
strumental and vocal music, and finished with
debate Mr.. Mers is proficient in both In.
strumental and vocal music, and taught 1t as
an accomplishment in the school, IN which
they excelled. Miss Fannie Chace presided
at the organ, and acquitted herself with ease
and grace. Mr.. Mers himself played the vic.
lin, assisted by Mr.. julius Eaton. The music,
both instrumental and vocal, was considered
the very best and received much applause and
many compliments. Two songs VI will notice
only, one entitled Meet at the bars" sung by
Mise Addie Reitz, was well rendered in soft
delicate, touching manner. She seemed to
enter fully into its spirit The other, entitled
~ stand on Memory's golden Shore" sungby
Miss Hattie Beardsley, assisted by Mr.. Mers
IN the chorus, was also well given, and both
young ladies received many compliments for
the able and pleasant manner they delivered
the songs, Some of the principal actors were
Misses Chace, Beardsley, Reitz, Goodbread,
Lutz and Studebaker, and Messrs. Horning,
Carlton, Bronson, Logan, Bennett and Shott,
all performing their parts in the different dia-
logues creditably. Miss Addle Reitz and Mr..
Arthur Bennett were the star actors. They eX.
celled themselves, so to speak At the close,
Just before singing the goodnight song, the
curtain was drawn, exposing Mr. Mers to the
audience in bewildered state, not knowing
what was going to happen, when Charles Carl
ton stepped forward and presented him with a
very fine photograph album In behalf OF the
school. The presentation speech was a master
piece, all credit to Mr.. Carlton for it. 1t was
tastefully and delicately worded, well commit
ted, and as ably delivered, IN a touching and
feeling manner. 1t was a complete surprise,
and MIR. Mers's feelings almost overcame him
for the time. As teacher he is one of the
best, and q gentleman in every sense. He is
kind, genial, and easy in person, and has en-.
deared himself TO the school, drawing each
scholar to him in the bonds of friendship, and
in the present and speech he was shown with
was treat we seldom have the privilege of
enjoying. Miss Clara Fry, one of Ottawas
young ladies' is his successor, and will teach
the spring term.
Services at the Baptist church every Sab.
bath morning at IL A. NJ. A good congrega-
ton OUT on last Sunday noon, ana good dis
course by the elder AT the close OF the serv-
ice he requested the members Of the Sabbath
school to convene on the 9th inst at 10 A. NJ,
tor the purpose of recognizing for the ensu-
ing year.
There is some show for brass band in our
town; the young fellows in their teens seem
quite animated over it, and fill the air nearly
every night with their sweet strains. Success
to the boys. NOVICE.
FALL RIVER, April fall River, after a
long sleep, Is beginning to wake up, and some
Of Its pubicspirlted citizens are beginning to
pick up their beds and walk"
Our electioneerers have put forth their great
est efforts to change the political aspect of the
town, but their efforts will prove unavalling
against the notorious ring, governed by a
republican committee, cheap whisky and CT
CARS.
A number of public spirited nabobs of
Grand Rapids are begianing TO feel bilious
about the Marseilles bridge, and II II is not
remodeled very soon the attitude of that high
blooded town Will be questioned by the law.
The "old guard" Of school msrms will take
their positions as follows: Prospect hill,
Mary Smith; Prairie Queen, Mary Brown
Hickory Point, Cora Hanna; Prairie Center,
Florence Osterhout.
Mr. Lewis Soule having spent the winter