One hundred and twenty years ago, the folks in town had plenty to discuss.
The Monon Railroad (Lafayette, Chicago, and New Albany) employed a number of locals and bisected town on 5th St. Local politicians and businessmen were actively engaged in trying to get the Monon to build a new repair shop here. The New Albany shops were no longer sufficient to the increased demand but it was landlocked. The line looked north to some of the less populated towns along the line.
Doubtless some of the locals were shocked that the Fairfield Township School was held liable in the lawsuit filed by the Indiana National Bank. The bank sought to recover $3000. The trustee had borrowed money to repair the Fairfield Township schools with the approval of the commissioners. The debt was to be repaid from school taxes.
The social scene flourished with parties involving well known family names and the big homes on South 9th St. Hill. First Presbyterian ladies hosted one of the hits of the season in a Conundrum social. The social was well attended despite the rainy weather. The trick of the evening was clever riddles regarding food. Examples were posted in the Courier piece on the social: Prairie flower raised in town…bread, what a boy calls his sweetheart…honey, tabby’s party….catsup. The ladies were well pleased with the turnout and the funds raised.
In an effort to gain riders, several train lines serving Lafayette offered holiday excursions at reduced fares.
The N.Y. Times advertised for subscribers by tempting future readers with a Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary with a year’s subscription.
The gadget of the season was a wheel hub cleaner.
Adams Earl had contracted the building of 63 buildings and nearly all had sold by Christmas, so the Courier reported.
To be continued…
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