Search billions of records on Ancestry.com

Home

 

Back to Newspapers

 

___________________________

(transcribed by: Tracie Broaddus)

 

 

The Weekly Argus

 

By Chas. W. Green         BROOKFIELD, MO., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1882          Vol. 1 -- No. 1

____________________________________

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This initial number of THE WEEKLY ARGUS introduces us to the public with aims as follows.   We propose to give to Brookfield and the Linn county people generally a strictly local society and literary newspaper.  The field for political papers and “organs” in Linn county is already fully occupied.  THE WEEKLY ARGUS will have no hobbies to ride, no tickets to elect, no factions to uphold or contend against, no friends to reward or foes to punish.  We believe that the people of this and surrounding communities are interested in the sayings and doings of their neighbors and friends in their social and business relations, and the first aim of this paper will be to faithfully gather and public every item of local news, not only in Brookfield, but from every town and community in the county.  While we shall do this, we propose not to publish gossip and rumor, but to verify our news so that THE WEEKLY ARGUS may secure and maintain a reputation for reliability.  Furthermore, we shall strenuously avoid everything personally offensive to anybody; when we cannot say something good of individuals or things we write about, we shall say nothing at all.

 

Our correspondents will be engaged in all parts of the county and they will be ladies and gentlemen of character and ability.  We solicit for them and ourselves the hearty cooperation of the general public in making THE WEEKLY ARGUS the very best possible local and county newspaper.

 

The other particular features of our paper will be its general literary character.  We believe that in Brookfield and other communities of this county there are plenty of material for literary work and a talent to execute it.  We hope to be able to foster, encourage and, to some extent, to develop this.  Therefore, we solicit from our readers contributions of original essays, poems, stories jokes, spicy paragraphs, puzzles and so forth, besides selections of like character that our contributors may wish to send in, reserving of course, for ourselves, the usual editorial privilege of rejecting or amending to suit our general policy and the capacity of our pages.  THE WEEKLY ARGUS, by this and other means, hopes to add its mite in the cultivation of a taste among its readers for good general literature.

 

We believe that the people can also appreciate good typography, fine paper and clean press-work in the journals they read.  The mechanical execution of THE WEEKLY ARGUS will always be our particular pride and care.

 

In attempting this enterprise, the editor and proprietor does not begin among strangers.  We have been a resident of Linn county for sixteen years, and have had an experience of eight years in the newspaper and printing business, gained principally in Brookfield offices.  Our acquaintance in the county is extensive, but we wish to increase it, and will be pleased to meet all old friends and new at our office and while on our soliciting tours.

 

And now, kind friends and readers, our first number is before you, and we hope that you are pleased with it and that by your encouragement and support, THE WEEKLY ARGUS may greet you for a long time to come; and as knowledge, experience and patronage comes to its editor, the paper itself will be enlarged and improved.

____________________________________

 

THOUGHT

 

Thought is the motive power of progress.  Without it, a man is a but and improvement impossible.  In every age, the historian finds men whose thoughts grasped with problems that were then but prophesies of possible progress yet unrealized.  These were the visionaries, the fanatics of their times.  They were few and

THOUGHT (Continued)

 

poor and of small reputation.  They were the objects of ridicule, contempt and persecution by the rich, the great, and the respectable.  Yet the glory of their name, illuminated by the realization of their dreams, gilds the age in which they lived with the glow of distant sunset.  The transcendental though of one age becomes the basis of the practical work and faith of the age succeeding.  Thought is the prime factor in God’s plan for redeeming humanity from ignorance, vice, poverty, crime, sickness and sorrow.  Thought is born of suggestion, hence to listen to or to read the thoughts of others promotes thought in those who read or hear, but whether one’s thought is high, low, worthy or unworthy, depends largely upon the books and papers one reads and the society one keeps.  Evil communications corrupt both the thoughts and the manners.

______________________________

 

Scores of men who are world famous today have built their reputations, finished their work, and died since George Bancroft, that patriarch of American historians, began sixty years ago to collect material for his history of the United States.  Then, he had just finished his student life at Gottingen and Berlin.  James Monroe was president of the republic, George IV was king of England, Scott was writing Waverly novels, Wordsworth had his reputation yet to make, Byron was in Italy, Shelley was sailing the Mediterranean in his ill-fated yacht, Fenimore Cooper was writing “The Pioneers” at Mamaroneck, the genial Irving was at work on “Bracebridge Hall” at London, Emerson was just graduated from Harvard, and Longfellow had barely entered Bowdoin.  Yet, Bancroft, erect and hale, numbering just as many years as the century, is still vigorously at his great work.

_______________________________

 

Upon the temperance question which enters so largely in the politics of the state, THE WEEKLY ARGUS will at all times and under all circumstances uphold true temperance as we understand it.  We shall aim at all times to be fair, honest, and candid, freely according to others the rights of every American citizen to think and act for him or herself; and trust that the readers of THE WEEKLY ARGUS will ever bear in mind that we make no pretentions to perfection, consequently, may be as liable to err in our judgment as other mortals.

________________________________

 

In Japan, a man may procure a divorce from his wife on the ground that she talks too much, and the amount of romantic bliss that there is in that country surpasses the wildest flights of imagination.

_________________________________

 

CITY SUMMARY

 

Hay is steadily coming into market.

 

Rider & Son are having a living well bored in their feed yard.

 

The H. & St. Joseph have run a new switch up to the hay barn.

 

Oakes Brothers give one of the finest entertainments traveling.

 

Miss Birdie Phillips of Bucklin is visiting Miss Lucy Campbell.

 

Cloaks and dolmans in endless variety and styles at L. A. Eaton’s.

 

The framework for the creamery, situated just east of town, is up.

 

Mrs. Wilburn of Indiana is visiting relatives and friends in the city.

 

Call and examine Mrs. Barbelling’s new fall stock of millinery goods.

 

CITY SUMMARY (Continued)

 

We notice J. J. Crain on our streets again, after being sick a month or so.

 

W. R. Worth, Esq., came up from Texas last week to visit his family and attend the fair.

 

Professor Youman has changed the date of his concert to tonight instead of next Monday night.

 

Another car load of those celebrated buggies to be here next Monday, for Daggett & Goldman.  Call at Daggett & Goldman’s warehouse on Main Street to see those fine spring wagons and buggies.

 

Mr. Stephen Elliott of Rocheport, Boone County, is visiting his brother, S. W. Elliott, northeast of town this week.

 

As Lane, the southside grocer, carries the largest stock of groceries in the city, he can of course sell on the smallest profit.

 

If you think THE WEEKLY ARGUS is the kind of paper for your family, call at our office and subscribe, or send the money by mail.

 

Work is progressing on the new house of D. B. Crowner.  John H. Brown, Brookfield’s boss carpenter and builder, has the contract.

 

Having torn down his old blacksmith shop, Mr. Overjohn has the brick on the ground for a new one, which he intends to have completed in about a month.

 

We hear very favorable reports of Professor Guttery, that the school is running smoothly, has been graded, and that he is giving general satisfaction.

 

Our old time friend, Jas. Crosby, paid Brookfield a flying visit last week.  He is now conductor on the Central Branch of the Missouri Pacific, with headquarters in Atchison.

 

Oakes Brothers show at Strawbridge Hall, Saturday night.  This company is well known in Brookfield and will probably have a big house, as they have a good entertainment.

 

We wish to announce to the legal fraternity that we are prepared to do “brief work” having a large font of plain face type, just for that purpose.  All wishing anything in this line of printing would do well to give us a call and get figures.

 

The display of marble work at the fairgrounds attracted considerable attention.  These specimens were all from the Stewart Brothers’ shop of this city.

 

The circus was said to be a fraud.  When such outfits as that travel round over the county expecting to come to Brookfield with the intention of having a crowd, they will get left every time.

 

If the boys don’t stop eating watermelons down at the bottom of our stairs, we will have to load our cannon up with brass and wind and blow a few of them on the other side where the sun sets.

 

The display of wagons and buggies at the fair this year surpassed all former years.  Our two leading dealers, Daggett & Goldman and B. J. G. Bethlehem, each had a very large and attractive display.

 

Notwithstanding our heavy loss by the robbery, we have been able to get on another new stock of silks and all wool dress goods, which we invite the ladies of Linn County to examine.  L. A. Eaton.

 

 

CITY SUMMARY (Continued)

 

As we have regular correspondents from every town in the county, of course our subscription list will grow rapidly, all of which is a great inducement to advertisers.  We have an agent in every township.

 

The attractive double column ad, of H. Emanuel & Co., will be noticed on another page.

 

Notwithstanding all the much boasted human knowledge, it yet remains undecided which is yet the best sewing machine, which is the best mowing machine, who has the best-looking baby, or who were really entitled to premiums at the fair.

 

Girls, you should not grumble if you can’t vote.  You have the consolation that when you arrive at church late, the gentlemen will always make room in the seat for you, even at the sacrifice of their own comfort, and we think that quite a compensation.

 

Should the article be signed “A Methodist” elicit a reply from anybody, our columns are open for discussion, providing somebody does it.  We shall take no part in such matters ourselves, but as we are running a paper “for the people”, as we said before, our columns are open.

 

We held our paper back a day on account of the heading not getting here, and as it did not come today, we go to press with a sad heart.  We ordered a fine lithograph heading from Chicago, and after telegraphing and writing, it has failed to come and we are compelled to go to press with the common one.  But it will be here before next week.

 

The fine hearse of Bowden & Son’s attracted considerable attention on the fairgrounds.  It is called the “Queen City” hearse and cost $1,000.  This fine vehicle may not ride any easier than the old one did, but it is far better looking.  Bowden & Son deserve a great deal of credit for their enterprise in getting such a costly lay out, which can’t be beat in North Missouri.

 

All our people who contemplate going to the St. Louis Fair next week, cannot do better than to take the St. Louis & St. Paul Packet Company’s fine side wheel, electric light passenger packet from either Hannibal or Quincy to St. Louis and return.  This company owns the Gem City, Minneapolis, Bald Eagle, War Eagle, Alex Mitchel, Keokuk and Grand Pacific.

 

If you cannot do anything financially for THE WEEKLY ARGUS, speak a good word for it, and don’t backbite us.  Let the biting of backs be given over to bedbugs, and seek you not emulate and be a vermin of this sort.  For as ye backbite others, so will others backbite you.  Bite a hoe handle; bite an ax; bite the heel off your boot; bite the knob of your door; keep on biting until you have learned to bite excellently well rather than backbite your friends.

 

THE FAIR

 

The fair was blessed with good weather and proved a success financially.  The attendance on Thursday was light, but on Friday and Saturday there were big crowds on the grounds.

 

The show in the agricultural department was fair but not near so large as it should have been, considering the kind of season our farmers have been blessed with.  The agricultural hall ought to have been filled to overflowing.  The display of vegetables, though not extra, was good.

 

The household department, though not up to some of our former exhibitions, was credible.

 

The show of horses, both roadsters and draft, was fine -- probably the best yet to be held on the Brookfield Fairgrounds.

 

The swine department did not come up to last year, although there were some fine porkers on exhibition.

THE FAIR (CONTINUED)

 

The exhibition of fine sheep was very good and showed that the wool growing interest is beginning to attract considerable attention among our people.

 

Mr. Comb’s fine lot of shorthorn cattle were on the grounds and attracted a great deal of attention.  He has a very fine herd of that superb stock.

 

OUR CORRESPONDENTS

 

Meadville

 

New sidewalks and street crossings all over the city.

 

Mr. Isaac Reed died suddenly of heart disease on Wednesday last.

 

A. D. Sturges is the new appointed councilman and B. F. Green the new appointed marshal and street commissioner.

 

Mr. Burch and Mr. Lander, candidates for representative, address the voters of this township upon the political issues of the day on Tuesday, October 2, 1882, at 2 p.m. at Abell’s Hall.

 

Public school convenes Monday next, with J. E. Wilson as principal, Rose Bishop as 1st assistant, and Ella Howe as 2nd assistant.

 

George Adams and J. F. McArthur were in the township on Tuesday, electioneering.

 

Signed -- Quill

_______________________

 

Laclede

 

We have had our circus and pronounce it rather thin.

 

A large number of our citizens attended the Brookfield Fair.

 

Dr. J. N. Stevens has his new dwelling house in the north part of town almost completed and will soon have a home of his own.

 

Work is progressing rapidly on the new hotel, which is being built by Mr. T. E. Foreman.  When completed and ready for business, it will be an ornament to our town; and the fact that Mr. Foreman is to be landlord is a sufficient guarantee for the accommodations that will be given to patrons.

 

Mr. McAllister of Topeka, Kansas, has been spending a few days in our city, visiting the family of Mr. Lon Prewitt.

 

Miss Cook, who has been visiting Mrs. N. E. Wannemaker, returned to her home in Chariton county last Sunday.

 

J. A. Jamison, passenger conductor on the C., B. & K. C., has accepted the position of train master of the same line and will soon move to Keokuk.  We are sorry to lose himself and family from our midst.

 

Our public school is flourishing under the capable management of Mr. Stauber and assistants.

 

Anxious to see the new paper, I am -- Observer

OUR CORRESPONDENTS (Continued)

 

New Boston

 

James Richardson and J. W. Murry at have the lumber on the ground for a new livery stable.

 

Mr. F. Newcomb is teaching the public school, and we understand is giving general satisfaction.

 

The Linn county court has incorporated our town and appointed the following officers:  Mayor, D. B. Hudson; Attorney, G. W. Bailey; Marshal, J. W. Murry; Collector and Treasurer, W. J. Stone; Street Commissioner, J. M. Davis; Clerk, Charles H. Gilson.

 

Edward Bailey, of the firm Davis & Bailey, has been very sick for several days, but is again able to be around.

 

Miss Carrie Hudson returned home last week from an extended visit to Minnesota.

 

The American Mortgage and Investment Company have appointed G. W. Bailey as their agent for Linn county.  He is now prepared to loan money on real estate in Linn county.

 

The New Boston correspondent to the Macon Republican has better look out, or a certain young man from Brookfield that comes up here courting will make him think that Jumbo is not the only elephant in these United States.

 

Signed -- Slim Jim

___________________________

 

St. Catherine

 

Good morning, Mr. Argus.  Very happy to meet you, and thinking a few items from this little city would be acceptable, will send them.

 

Business dull; farmers too busy to come to town.  Candidates plentiful, and all are certain they will get there.

 

M. M. Crandall, prospective county attorney, and R. O. Stauber, candidate for -- well, I guess from his looks -- matrimony, paid us a flying visit last Sunday.  Come often, boys. We like to see your open countenances, especially when you smile.

 

Our young friend, Robert Stauber, Jr. of Brookfield, visited his parents and friends here last Sunday.

 

Our merchants, Spalding, Crampton, Black, and Hayden, are receiving goods daily and are very busy unpacking and preparing for fall and winter trade, which as present indications show, will be immense.  Our merchants can and do compete with any town in the county in low prices and good goods, and pay the highest market price for all kinds of country produce.

 

Our grand mogul, J. O. Haney, is attending the Kansas City Fair this week.

 

Our young friends, Joe Stauber, Ed Stauber and Joe Hause, start for Minnesota next week.  Success attend you, boys, and my sympathies are with the fair young damsels you leave behind you.  There will be grief in many homes until you return, but when you do, like the prodigal calf (son, I mean), it will be sufficient to cause everlasting happiness.

 

 

 

OUR CORRESPONDENTS (Continued)

 

R. G. Wildey, student with Dr. Haley for the past year, left here for St. Joe Tuesday night to attend the medical school in that city.  We predict a bright and prosperous future for Dr. Wildey.  There was considerable wailing among the fair sex as the train left the station.

 

With best wishes for the new paper, I am -- Billy Dux

______________________________

 

About “Holiness”

 

Editor Argus -- There is a green-set of people in this section of country who call themselves holy.  They hold religious gatherings which they call holiness meetings.  Men and women both preach.  They profess to do nothing unless God is willing, and when they do it, they say he is willing, because they are perfect and therefore holy, and the act must be holy because they are holy, and being holy, anything they do must be sanctioned by the Holy Ghost.  They preach justification by faith, which gives wide latitude of action.

 

They mix the Supreme Being in all their little transactions of life.  They make God a party in all their personal foibles, their likes and dislikes, their conduct and way of thinking.  Looking at them from a rational standpoint, one would think them a crazy set of fools; but from a moral point, no such benevolent view can be taken.

 

Their conduct taken as a whole must be to weaken reverence for the Supreme Being, which underlies all true worship.

 

Hear how they talk, “Brother Smith, will you come and take dinner with me tomorrow, God willing?”  And Smith answers, “Yes, God willing.”  The question naturally arises how Smith will know that God is willing.  It might be uncharitable to say that in his mind’s nose be had the savory smell of stewed chicken on the coming morrow, and accordingly construe the willingness of the Supreme Being, and go.  Yet these people are great sticklers for the free agency of man.  Verily they are a queer set.

 

A Methodist

_______________________________

 

L. A. EATON

 

Call at our NEW STORE and see OUR NEW GOODS.  Having just received another stock of dress goods, we invite the ladies of Linn county to call at our new store, two doors south of our old one, and inspect and decide for themselves that we have the finest stock of dry goods and millinery ever opened up in Brookfield.

________________________________

A. K. LANE, SOUTH SIDE GROCER

 

As I am carrying one of the largest stocks in the county, I am confident that I can sell more groceries for one dollar than any firm in Brookfield.  Remember the South Side!

____________________________

 

RIDER & SONS LIVERY STABLES

 

These stables have just been newly fitted up with a full line of first-class double and single rigs, and having everything in order, with safe and speedy teams and careful drivers, the proprietors are now prepared to accommodate the traveling public as never before.  Special attention given to the wants of Commercial men.  Rider & Sons, Proprietors.

____________________________

 

R. D. LENHART, PHOTOGRAPHER, Brookfield, Mo.

 

Having removed to my large, new Gallery on the south side of the railroad, I solicit a call from all old friends and new.  I now have the finest Gallery in the country.  My fine assortment of picture frames, albums, etc., is now the largest in the city.  Call and see my new Gallery.

_____________________________

 

MRS. J. BARBELLING’S MILLINERY EMPORIUM

 

Main Street, Brookfield, carries a large and varied stock of ladies notions.  My fall stock of hats is complete.  Call and see.

_____________________________

 

GEORGE SLATOR, GROCER

 

Headquarters for groceries is at the old Riggs & Ford stand by George Slator, who keeps constantly on hand a large stock of flour, staple and fancy groceries, queensware, etc.  The highest market price paid for COUNTRY PRODUCE.

_____________________________

 

GEORGE N. ELLIOTT, COMMERCIAL LAWYER AND NOTARY PUBLIC

 

Brookfield, Mo. office, front rooms over H. Emanuel & Co.’s store.  Real estate bought and sold.  Claims collected everywhere.  Loans negotiated on improved real estate in Linn and adjoining counties in amounts from $200 and up, for 3 or 5 years, at 7 percent interest, with privilege of paying the whole of the principal, or parts of the same, in even hundreds at any maturity of interest after the first year.  Commission reasonable.

_____________________________

 

COMMERCIAL JOB PRINTING

 

For commercial job printing, try THE WEEKLY ARGUS.  New type, competent workmen, fair prices.  We guarantee satisfaction.  Orders by mail will receive prompt attention.

______________________________

 

 

HANNIBAL & ST. JO. RAILROAD

 

The old reliable railroad -- the pioneer route between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.  In spite of opposition, Hannibal & St. Jo. Railroad is STILL THE FAVORITE with the traveling public who appreciate the many advantages it affords for the comfort and pleasure of its patrons:  smooth steel track, elegant day coaches, reclining seat coaches and Pullman sleepers.

 

The only line running through Day Coaches, Reclining Seat Cars and Pullman Sleepers

to Chicago.

 

Day Coaches and Pullman Sleepers to Toledo.

 

Through Day Coaches to Indianapolis.

 

And is proverbially ALWAYS ON TIME.

 

The public don’t forget this.  THE OLD RELIABLE.

 

John F. Carson, General Manager; F. E. Morse, General Pass. Agent

THE WEEKLY ARGUS

 

Only $1.00 A YEAR.  A paper for the masses.

____________________________

 

H. EMANUEL & CO., SIGN OF THE BLACK BEAR, DRY GOODS AND NOTIONS

 

Answers to our conundrums:

 

Who sells the best goods for the least money?  H. Emanuel & Co., Sign of the Black Bear.

 

Who sells the finest stock of Ladies Dress Goods in Brookfield?  H. Emanuel & Co., Sign of the Black Bear.

 

Who sells the best and most stylish Ladies and Children’s shoes?  H. Emanuel & Co., Sign of the Black Bear.

 

Who sells an all-wool blanket, largest size, for $5.00?  H. Emanuel & Co., Sign of the Black Bear.

 

Who sells good prints at 4 cents per yard?  H. Emanuel & Co., Sign of the Black Bear.

 

Who sells the prettiest Cashmeres, Satins, Silks, Brocades and other fine Dress Goods?  H. Emanuel & Co., Sign of the Black Bear.

 

Who sells the handsomest Cloaks, Dolmans and Jackets?  H. Emanuel & Co., Sign of the Black Bear.

 

Who sells or wants to sell to everybody good goods, cheap goods, and stylish goods?  H. Emanuel & Co., Sign of the Black Bear.

_____________________________

 

CHARLES W. GREEN, PRACTICAL PRINTER, THE WEEKLY ARGUS

 

Fine Commercial Printing, we make a specialty.  Our office is over Linn County Bank, Brookfield, Mo.

_____________________________

 

SNOW AT THE POST OFFICE CORNER, BROOKFIELD, MO.

 

See What We Keep.  BOOKS:  Blank books of every grade and kind.  School books , full stock.  Music and Instruction books.  Miscellaneous books.  In SCHOOL FURNISHING GOODS, we take the lead. 

 

MUSIC:  Instruments of all kinds.  Musical goods, full line.

 

PERIODICALS:  The leading western dailies.  The very best weeklies, all the monthlies, literary and scientific.

 

STATIONERY:  Full stocks of letter and note.  All grades and sizes of envelopes.  Fancy paper, inks, pens, pencils, etc.

 

NOTIONS:  Endless variety of notions, visiting and fancy cards, Christmas cards, rewards of merit, etc.

 

CONFECTIONERY:  Full and choice stock of candies.  Nuts of all kinds.  Fruits in season.

 

CIGARS -- The choicest brands to be had.  Always up with the times.

 

W. T. SNOW, Proprietor