Dirty Cups and Saucers

April 16th, 1880 Rural Republican and Vincennes Weekly Sun

The editor of the Rural Republican advised her readers to “Lay the overcoat away gently and get ready to don last year’s duster.” The grass was greening up in Lawrence County and everything was beginning to look spring-like. The peach trees were blooming.

Nate D Rawlings was re-elected supervisor of Lawrence Township. Col “Lib” Mieure was a candidate for state senator. G W Petty was elected supervisor of Christy township by a majority of one. 

Z D French. editor of the Lawrence County Press. noted that there was neither money nor glory in publishing a country newspaper.  Mr. Charles W Downey formerly of Taylorsville purchased the interest in the Sumner Democrat formerly owned by Rev Cauble.

William F Huffman left for an extended western tour through Missouri, Indian Territory and Kansas, visiting friends, hunting and recreating generally. (That’s what the paper said. . .I think the reporter meant as in recreation and not the other….  ) He was to return to Lawrenceville and begin the study of law.

The season approacheth when the man who owned a fifteen-cent dog locketh up his canine to avoid paying a one-dollar dog tax.  A baseball club was organized of colored gentlemen, and they did some tall playing at their grounds about two miles north of Lawrenceville. S P Barton bought 8000 bushels of wheat from John and Wm Seed, the Kirkwoods, Gillespies and Buchanans. Wm Robinson was a rising young lawyer from Lawrenceville. Constable Malcom caught Miles Brush napping up in Bond and brought him down for trial after disturbing the congregation at Mt Zion. A new law office opened in Lawrenceville, Green & Pritchett. It was located in the Herald building.

The editor, Ms Buntin, noted that there was an old cellar half full of stagnant water in her end of the village, that would breed more sickness if not drained.  “Can’t the village fathom some steps toward riding the town of the nuisance,” she asked. 

50,000 pounds of wool was wanted at Barnes & Abernathy’s. Good butter was scarce. Several plows were being repaired. Bridgeport was getting a new platform at the train station. Dr Pennabaker, south of Bridgeport, had bleeding of the lungs. Wheat was selling at $2.05 a bushel. Capt. O’Donnell shipped 75 head of fine hogs from Bridgeport to Cincinnati and was to ship another car of hogs and cattle the next day.  Herman Schmalhausen of Kentucky moved to Bridgeport to work in the tinware business with his brother A Schmalhausen.  Ed Kennedy of Bridgeport, while working on the railroad, met with an accident while coupling a car. He got a finger on his left hand disfigured so that he had to have it taken off immediately. An award was given to the lady wearing the neatest and nicest white apron at the church supper.

Fishing in the woods near Plank Road was good because the Embarrass had backed up. The roads were improving with wind and sun, and the contractors were at work filling in the holes caused by high water.  Grangers were busily engaged in cleaning off corn ground and plowing.  George Keiger became assessor by one vote.  Swan Norton left for Utah; Al Kensler claimed the belt for champion euchre player. Palmer Watts returned from Missouri. 

Broad Prairie: Farmers were through sowing oats. R M Baker was elected clerk of Petty township. Miss Richardson was the teacher for their spring school.

Sumner: Business was booming.  Bartram and Lent were running a restaurant in the building erected by Combs Brothers.  The new physician Dr WB Bedell was very popular with the ladies.  GW Petty was elected supervisor, WB Smith collector, JW Petty assessor, and Wm JA Piper, commissioner of highways. AC Clippinger, a Sumner democrat, was elected town clerk of Christy township by a 51 majority, although the township was largely republican.

Sand Ridge farmers were beginning to brighten up their plow points by turning over the sandy soil.  Mr. ND Rawlings had been making some improvement on his farm. There were five new houses erected on Sand Ridge within the past few months. Miss Eva Hayman was the teacher at the spring school. Harvey Newell attended Normal teachers’ college

A bright little girl who had successfully spelled the word “that” was asked by the teacher what would remain after the “t” had been taken away.  “The dirty cups and saucers” was the reply.