Among the fascinating tidbits contained in our archives are the microfilm editions of the newspapers that once served our towns. The Argos Reflector published all the news that was news in Argos for many years. Below is a selection of the best from 1881 through 1891. Please note that we have re-created as written and no grammar mistakes have been corrected.
1881 – Argos should have 100 new buildings in course of erection inside of the next three months. We must have more business buildings, more dwelling houses, more of an enterprising spirit manifest instead of our usual lethargy. Wake up, crack your heels together and say “I am coming,” and do it.
1882 – A saloon is to be opened in the Curtis building on Walnut Str. by David S. Mann, of Plymouth. It is said that he is a “hard Customer” physically and will run a loud place. Our temperance folks should get up a remonstrance and present it to the commissioners and prevent him from coming here. There is no use in trying to get rid of a saloon after it once gains a foothold. The only way is to tame “time by the forelock” now. A word to the wise, etc.
1883 – Helloa! The telephone is completed, and an instrument was on Tuesday placed in the Smith House, and Argos folks can now “sass back” to their pert neighbors in Plymouth to their heart’s content, provided they pay for it.
1884 – A couple of rowdies created a disturbance at the skating rink a few afternoons since. They were drunk and flourished a revolver, threatening to shoot into the rink. Their destructive propensities were appeased by the breaking of a window light, after which they moved on to seek another field of carnage. They will probably be called upon to pay for their cussedness.
1885 – The Broadway residenters are determined that their thoroughfare of high-sounding pretensions shall at least be equal in appearance to any other street in the village, and as an effort in this direction they have set out shade trees along the north side of the street. Now if those living on the opposite side will supplement this movement, in a few years Broadway will present an attractive appearance.
1886 – The threshing administered to Frank Stafford on last Saturday evening by Isaac Swihart meets with popular approval. Stafford has long posed as a “bully,” and seemingly regarded himself as invincible. He now steps down and out, and to escape the penalties of law it is supposed he “skipped by the light of the moon.” Swihart reported before Judge Wickizer’s court on Monday and paid his fine, amounting to $8. If the episode will only succeed in exiling Stafford indefinitely, the community will be the gainer thereby, and therefore not wanting those who will cheerfully refund the fine in accomplishment of such a purpose.
1887 – About 40 persons convened at the Justice’s office Wednesday evening and organized a prohibition club of about 16 members. The purpose of the club is to further the cause of temperance and prohibition, but not with its political features, so that all may take hold without prejudice and help to crush this monster evil in our vicinity and elsewhere. Come one, come all. We meet again in two weeks.
1888 – There is not a vacant house to be had in Argos, and if any additions are made to the population, it is a question as to where they would reside. New dwellings have been building every year for the past five years, and yet a few more could find occupants were they to be had. It is a settled fact that Argos is growing, and none appreciate the fact more than our citizens who have returned after an absence of a year or more. Let’er grow.
1889 – The cement walk craze has struck Argos, and a number of our citizens have had walks put down with this desirable and durable material, among them being Wm. Schoonover, Robert Railsback, M.L. Corey, and J.G. Alleman. The cost is eleven cents per square foot, or about three times as much as plank. Mr. Railsback will have over 100 feet of sidewalk of this material, abutting his property on Sugar St. The others named are lawn walks. The material makes a smooth walk as hard and durable as stone, and in the end will probably be cheaper than plank.
1890 – In the death of Noah Bartholemew, which occurred on Sunday, February 9, 1890, Marshall County loses another of her oldest settlers. The deceased came to this county from Chautauqua County, N.Y. about 1836, being then a young man, and uniting his means with those of the late Barney Corey, a quarter section of land was purchased in Green Township and held jointly by the two until the former’s death. Mr. Bartholemew remained single until he was nearly 40 years of age and continued to make his home with Mr. Corey until the former’s death. In 1863 he married the widow of the late Ransom Wiser, who survives him. Two children, a son and a daughter, were born to them, the son meeting with an accidental death about eight years ago. The deceased was 75 years of age and had lived for 50 years on the farm where he died, four and a half miles west of Argos. He was not a professor of religion, but his neighbors and friends bear testimony to the fact that a more honest, upright and honorable man was not known in this vicinity. He had been sorely afflicted for a long time previous to his death, and for the last four years had been totally blind. The funeral services were held Tuesday, at Jordon Church, and a large circle of friends by their presence attested the respect in which he was held.
1891 – Butcher’s Notice – In view of the fact that good beef cattle are getting scarce and the price consequently higher, on and after March 2d, the retail price for first cuts will be 12-1/2 cents per pound; other cuts in proportion. H.E. Starke, D. McGriff
These archives are available to the public on Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 am until 3:45 pm in our research library. Come in any time! The Museum is located at 123 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Call us with questions at 574-0936-2306.