1899

Klisart brothers have begun excavation for their new brick building on the lot west of their old store. This new structure will be the same length and heighth as the Dessel implement store.

Otto Gunderson and Adolph Becker have organized a dancing school with twenty pupils. Miss Marne Stiles of Decorah will be their instructor.

The citizens of Calmar have pledged $50,000 for construction of a new county court house, providing it is located in their town. A. G. Heck is circulating a petition locally favoring this relocation. Mr. Heck states his purpose is to encourage the Decorah businessmen to donate funds for a new courthouse at the present county seat, and expedite its construction. Fully fifty percent of Military township voters have signed the petition.

The financial report of the Ossian school district records expenditures for uhe salaries of the four teachers at $1385. The total of other expenses is $420.

A payment of $1270 was made on the new school house.

Heck & Wimber have purchased the Ossian Bee and will start publication with the issue of May 25, 1899.

Sam Nereson has a "hauling bee" to stockpile rock and sand for constructing his new residence on the Pegg lots. (Presently the home of Dr. Henry.)

The Milwaukee Road is offering "homeseekers" tickets to all points west. A roundtrip ticket costs one-way fare plus $2.

Five girls and three boys graduated from O. H. S. this spring. They were: Mayme McManus,Della Gunderson, Lalla Sullivan, Cora Thompson, Everina Haglie, Leo Dessel, Elmer Anderson and Mark Kenyon.

The teachers were: W. J. Barloon, principal; Miss Tillie Becker, grammar; Miss Idna Lee, intermediate; and Miss Cathryn Cahill, primary.

The new town officials were: Fred J. Figge, mayor; F. H. Merritt, clerk; Anton Zwack, treasurer; D. Weitgenant, assessor; Dr. J. W. Wells, physician; E. H. Waters, marshal; and F. W. Dessel, Ed Reum, Chas. Holbrook, Theo. Fleischer, M. Cavanaugh, R. W. Anderson and John Hemesath--members of the council. The township offcials selected were: A. C. Heck and W. W. Carter, justices of ahe peace; E. H. Waters and J. E. Boyle, constables; J. H. Dalaker, assessor; J. I. Boyle, clerk; and Wm. Funke, H. Scheidel and A. Uhley, trustees.

Bargains advertised by Ossian's merchants included: F. Figge & Son--men's bib overalls @ 19¢; Louisville cement @ $1.15 a bbl.; suspenders, 5¢ ; parasols, 25¢; and ladies' shirt waists, 25¢. G. F. Gunderson offers men's black or blue serge suits @ $7-50* Etteldorf & Becker have the latest style in shoes priced from $2 to $3; the latter are made from genuine Russian colt skin leather. O. A. Kingshill is holding a closing-out sale of his boots and shoes with bargains from 55¢ to $3.25.

R. W. Anderson's home has been quarantined: Clara has diptheria. Prior to the advent of local hospitals, quarantine was used by health authorities to prevent the spread of contagious disease. The residence of the patient was isolated; a notice of quarantine posted on the door and only the attending physician allowed entry. "Usually, the breadwinner would stay with relatives. Groceries were delivered to the porch. After the disease had run its course, the house underwent fumigation —a potent gas, sulfur dioxide, created by the burning of supphur, was used to destroy any remaining germs. The quarantine was then ended and the household allowed to resume normal activities in the community.

OSSIAN MARKETS IN APRIL

The first annual firemen's dance was held on April 25, 1899.