teacher’s tax--$39l.98; and contingency tax—$130.84. The following valuations were listed for tax purposes; carriages—$25 to $125; buggies—$5 to $30; wagons —$5 to $20; sheep—$1 to $8; cattle—$4 to $45; mules—$10 to $100; and horses --$10 to $200.

In the township election, the following gentlemen were the choice of the peoples Justice of the peace—J. P. Malloy and M. J. Garter; constable—James Young; clerk —James Malloy; and collector—James Malloy.

R. N. Sawyer reports selling 1000 bushels of oats for 750 a bushel. The price of cream reached 270 an inch at Williams' creamery this year.

Mr. G. W. Adams of Decorah has been in town several days gathering signatures for the railroad petition. The Herald is endorsing this request for the route of the Chicago, Decorah & Minnesota road to pass through Ossian: "...the object will be attained, for we certainly have enough clear-headed enterprising men in this township to carry the petition. The railroad election for Military is set for the 3rd day of May. The requisite number of signatures was obtained with difficulty, but we feel it will be easier to carry the election.

Dr. Bullis (the Decorah promoter of this route) went to Cedar Rapids to confer with the railroad authorities. He assures us the results of the conference were favorable."

But the line was not realized at this time; the tax was voted down by a substancial margin. The next comment on this project stated: "There is a good site for another depot in town, but our citizens don't seem to want it occupied. They voted no tax aid by a decisive majority: 205 to 75."

The village now has five mercantile houses, two drug stores and two hardware retailers. The only hotel now operating is kept by Jas. Kennedy and is good enough for anyone. Our creamery is rapidly gaining in the amount of cream gathered. We will soon have another livery run by Nobel & Pepper.

New officers of the I.O.O.F. are; S. Blochan, J. A. Musser, Jas. Young and W.

A. Harvey.

Mr. J. G. Murphy is employed as teacher for the coming year. He will receive a salary of $75* Mr. Murphy has taught here before and gave almost complete satisfaction.

1883

Ossian's creamery now pays out $12,000 a month. Our grain, hog and cattle buyers purchase an average of $25,000 a month. The Ossian bank averages $35iOOO. Not a bad showing for business in this town.

Mr. James Cahill met with bad luck Tuesday: he lost his only cow. We are sorry Jim, but can't be helped.

Principal Murphy will introduce a new textbook, 'Geography of the State of Iowa,* in our public school. (This proposed innovation brought a blast of criticism from county school superintendent Klien. Murphy points out that his action is strictly within the code of Iowa school act of 1880. Official Klien disagrees. He insists that the power to select textbooks is delegated by law to the board of school directors.)

In the election of 1883, James Malloy was returned as mayor; Ole Thompson as treasurer; C. J. Mills, recorder; and James Cahill, street commissioner. Philip Gunn and Philip Spillman became new members on the board of education.

Mr. Vance, Ossian's popular jeweler, has invented an ear-piercer which makes piercing a painless art. There is no longer an excuse for ladies not wearing earrings.

The Ossian school teachers and scholars are asking for the donation of books for establishing a school library. Hon. Wm. Allison, Hon. Thos. Updegraffe and Mr. J. A. Leonard of Decorah have presented eleven books for this purpose.

The library is progressing nicely. The following have contributed books this past week: John Kaye, John Scott, Principal C. S. Boice, A. C. Heck, Hon. H. A. Baker, C. J. Mills, Dan Malloy, James Steinsen, James Young and Wm. Hampson.