enterprises paid $564,000 to local farmers. Rather a suhstancial sum for this period.

Williams was bankrupt in the panic of 1893- He turned all his property, with the exception of his race horses, over to his creditors. However he recouped his losses by investments in Canadian land and with a hereford cattle herd at Aurora, Illinois. His cattle enjoyed a worldwide reputation for beef production. One cow sold for a record $5700 during the depression of the 1930s. At the time of his demise in 1935, he owned 33,280 acres of Canadian land, and claimed to be the largest individual grain farmer in the world.

A very religious man, C. W. Williams, in 1907, served as head usher with 125 assistants, at the Billy Sunday revival meetings throughout the country.

On August 19 of 1887, the following events were scheduled at the race track: a trotting race between Morefield, owned by E. Schoonmaker and an entry by George Wocks of Elgin for a purse of $50; a running race between Limbeck's pony and Arnold's black horse for $20; a foot race between F. Figge and E. Smith for a wager of $10; and a 40 rod foot race for the championship of Lydia and Main streets between F. W. Dessel and M. J. Carter. Admission 100.

The next year we find Charlie Williams referred to as "former owner" of the Ossian creamery who has the fastest race horse east of the rocky mountains, running the mile at the Chicago race track in 2:24- and 3/4.

In 1889 Axtell challenged his own record in Cedar Rapids for a purse of $500.

The B. CR. & Northern offered excursion rates to this event, which would reflect the enthusiasm of Ossian's racing fans over Axtell's accomplishments.

William's famous horses were the offspring of two mares purchased in 1883* They were bred to Jay Bird and William L., both considered among the finest racing studs in Kentucky. The foal of William L. was named Axtell after one of Charley's favorite teachers, and Jay Bird's son called Allerton. With these horses, Williams became the only man who ever developed two stallions to hold the world trotting record. The colts were born in 1886. While Axtell was considered the class of William's stable, the only time the two were matched, Allerton was the winner. Allerton set his trotting record of 2:09ir on the Rush Park track in Independence in 1891. The following year the famed filly, Nancy Hanks, trotted this same mile circuit in 2:05 1/4|.

Did Axtell and Allerton ever race on the Ossian track? Perhaps--we find no evidence to confirm or deny. Certainly the track was conceived and built largely through the enthusiasm of their owner. Likely, the mothers of these famous stallions trotted the oval of this circuit, located on the Sawyer farm just east of town, many times.

The Ossian track became a popular recreation area for the racing enthusiasts of the community. While we find no further account of the proposed complex of buildings, the town did make an unsuccessful bid to furnish the site for the county Agricultural Exposition (county fair).

V. 0. Figge, son of Ossian's longtime banker, writes of his father's race horse: ''Dad bought his famous pacer, Tommy Wilton, from Charlie Williams for fifty dollars in gold. The horse was undersized, and a standard sulky too large for him. He was first used as a lead horse. But when it became apparent he could leave the uack behind, he was fitted with a sulky of the correct size and became a constant winner on the grand circuit. Dad shipped the horse in a private railroad car all around the circuit--as far as the eastern seaboard. There is a fine picture of Tommy Wilton at Columbia, South Carolina, hanging in the Ossian State Bank."

Many bicycle races were held during the latter years of the 19th century; the Ossian track was utilized for these and played a prominent role in 4th of July celebrations during this period.

Upper Iowa University, at Fayette, offers a good "English" education for $32 a term, including board and tuition.

The Boston Ideals advertised that they would present Uncle Tom's Cabin under their gigantic tent with admission set at 25 and 35¢ • The next week's edition