The social news or gossip columns in the old newspapers are always fascinating to read. A special section in the newspaper was devoted to the social media of the day. The whereabouts of local people and events were often featured in these columns. Here are a few from The News Messenger of Lyon County on June 17, 1921:

A dance will be given in the Thooft barn on the C.M. Gislason farm, 15 miles west and 1 ½ miles north of Marshall, July 4th. Good music. Everybody cordially invited.

Dr. and Mrs. Robertson will motor to Northfield, Minnesota, Saturday to attend commencement exercises at Carleton College, where their son, Murl, will graduate, from a four-year college course.

The Deland building at Minneota has been remodeled preparatory to the opening of the B.A. Casserly store at that place, on Saturday.

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Whitney returned to Marshall Monday morning after spending ten days in the twin cities, where they were guests at Mrs. Kubik and at the F.E. Hills the home of Mrs. Whitney’s sister, and Dick Whitney homes, in St. Paul. They are making their home in the former Whitney home at Fourth and Marshall streets.

An indoor carnival and dance will be given by the Boy Scouts at the Frank Holley farm next Thursday evening. The carnival includes numbers of good attractions, and following the carnival fun, dancing will be enjoyed. The proceeds go toward the Scouts’ vacation fund for next year, whey they plan to go for an outing to some lake resort. The public is cordially invited to attend the carnival and dance. A good time is assured.

The Harden families entertained the Nelson family of Canby and their guests at a picnic on Saturday last, going both to Redwood Falls and to Lake Shetek. Mr. and Mrs. John Shrader also were guests.

The formal opening of the F.S. Blair grocery and men’s furnishings store in the Wetherbee building last Saturday proved a big success. In connection with the opening a pure food demonstration of products handled by the store was given and free nabiscos were handed out to lady visitors and free cigars to the men during the day. The bean guessing contest was won by Miss Louise Nelson, whose guess was 1468, with Miss Anna Jacobson, 1455, second, and Mrs. Jacobson, 1470, third.

The six cylinder Haynes car of R.M. Neill and the Buick Sedan of J.M. Hollo driven by the respective owners accidentally collided last Thursday evening on the state road about a mile and a half west of Cottonwood. Mr. Neill was driving toward Cottonwood and Mr. Hollo was returning home from a fishing trip to the Minnesota river. The Haynes car was turned over on the side of the road while the Buick remained upright on the road. The impact caused considerable damage to both cars but naturally the Neill car was the more smashed up. Fortunately, the occupants of both cars escaped with nothing worse than a shaking up.

The R.M. Addison and H.W. Addison families drove to Mankato and back on Sunday last.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection shows the interior of the Addison Hardware store in Marshall taken in 1923. The store, which was on the corner of Main Street and Second Street (now E. College Drive), was in business for many years.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 W Lyon St in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open year-round to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.