three legged race...........A. F. Becker and Leo Dessel--$1

The Ossian public school enrollment for the fall of 1901 was recorded as only 86 pupils. The new parochial school house accommodated 126 children with more expected after harvest.

The teachers hired for the coming school year were: G. F. McNevin, principal; Tillie Becker, grammar; Zoe Cornell, intermediate; and Alecia McManus, primary.

The town officials elected in November were: F. J. Figge, mayor; J. J. McManus, clerk; Anton Zwack, treasurer; T. F. Schmitz, assessor; M. G. Mackin, physician;

E. H. Waters, marshal & street commissioner. The new council included: Theodore Fleischer, Ed Reum, F. H. Merritt, John Wiltgen, Patrick Powers and D. Weitgenant.

The township officers were: A. G. Heck and 0. S. Thompson, justices; J. E. Boyle and D. D. Rosa, constables; J. E. Boyle, clerk; and Wm. Funke, L. A. Meyer and Philip Wagner, trustees.

The council voted to budget $500 for new stone street crossings. Likely this stone came from the Figge quarry across the road from the Silver Springs Creamery.

We find this item, "F. Figge has a new derrick in his quarry." A later story notes that the council threatens to take legal action against operators of steam engines who drive over the street crossings.

Editor Heck estimates that new construction in Ossian during the year totals $20,900. Ed Stamp's new brick store building cost $2500; John Wolfe's harness shop, adjoining the opera house, $1600.

1902

P. F. Klein, a former Ossianite, has invented a machine capable of milking 60 cows an hour with only one man in attendance. A working model is being constructed by the Burton Model Works. Was this invention the first milking machine?

Ole Knudsvig defeated sharpshooter Gleisner in a target shoot for the championship of Ossian. This pair of sportsmen challenge any two marksmen in Winneshiek county, over the age of 45, to a shoot-out for a purse of $25.

Three full slates of candidates vied for the town offices in this year's election. The following were successful: F. J. Figge, mayor; A. F. Dessel, clerk; Percy Bullard, treasurer; T. F. Schmitz, assessor; and Reum, Wiltgen, Weitgenant, Merritt, Boyle and Limbeck, members of the council. The voters authorized extending the city limits by 95 to 49.

Town treasurer Zwack issued the financial statement for the fiscal year. It shows receipts and disbursements in balance at $2697. The largest expenditure, $435, was the salary of marshal Beardmore.

The city fathers adopted ordinance no. 55. This act made it unlawful to place, or maintain, any hitching post on Main st. between Mary st. on the east, and West st. All posts presently in place must be removed.

Anton Zwack purchased the old stone house known as Capt. Brooks residence and hotel. In 1904, Mr. Zwack sold this property to Mrs. Larkin Green. It is called, "the old Moose stone house", in this transaction. Mrs. Laura Oyloe Corlette told us that Mrs. Moose kept a rooming house in this property for several years. It again became a hotel under the Green's stewardship, and continued as the Commercial Hotel under the management of Charles Green.

Blanchaine's new Victor Talking Machine has aroused much interest. Young and old crowd the store to enjoy the sweet strains emanating from this grand music box.

The list of taxpayers in Ossian records Frank Figge as the largest individual taxpayer with an assessment of $144.85* The lowest tax was 39¢ and thirty citizens paid only 50¢.