Catlin News Items

G. Wilse Tilton Scrapbook, p. 3, newspaper clipping by Hannah Mariah from Danville Daily News, Danville, Illinois, dated 30 December 1886, page 5, columns 2-3.

Catlin Clack.

To John Smith a new girl.

F. Merchant went to Chicago last Sunday night.

Charlie McCorkle's Christmas gift was a fine son--and it's a boy.

Rev. S. Hodges is holding a protracted meeting at Vance's school house.

A. Church, collector in this township, as usual turned the first money into the county treasury. L. N. Pate was the first to pay his taxes.

The officers of Catlin Lodge A. F. & A. Masons for the ensuing year are: A. Jones, W. M.; Wm. T. Squires, S. W.; J. Rennic, J. W.; A. Church, secretary; G. W. F. Church, treasurer; G. W. Tilton, S. D.; Sy Bellus, J. D.; M. Lenon, tyler.

H. C. Gilbert and wife, the notice of whose marriage has been published in the NEWS, are not fully decided, but rather expect to locate in Catlin.

A viscious hog a few days ago, gored two horses belonging to August Miller. Their recovery is yet doubtful. Their value is $300.

Charles C. Lucas and Belle B. Douglass, last Thursday, went to Danville and in a quiet, peacable and happy manner were married. Let us hope the union may be complete and happy.

Robert C. Smith and family are at home again, after one year's sojourn in Kansas. He is glad, and so are a host of others.

Those who complain of choirs, and sigh for the singing of the good old times, if at the M. E. Church last Sunday morning were most certainly gratified. Leader sick--others visiting.

The entertainment on Christmas eve was a repetition of former efforts, consisting in a great deal of thankless labor, much genuine pleasure, and some petty annoyances. It was opened by a song by the Sunday School, which was followed by a prayer by the superintendent, then an anthem by the choir. Prof. Graham then read a well-written essay on the origin o[f] Christmas, after which was represented the twelve months of the year by girls of different height, January being the smallest and December the largest. In addition, the names of the months being printed and borne by each, a short declamatory description by each was also given, ending with a song. Then "A Christmas Prayer," a recitation by Miss Bertie Tilton; song by the choir; "One Less To-night," a recitation by Miss Nora Champion; "Mother's Christmas Table," a recitation by Miss Katie Wolf, closing the exercises by a song, "Ring On Merry Bells," by the school, during the singing of which Santa Claus appeared and began the distribution of presents. It was a pleasant sight to see pupils remembering their teachers and teachers their pupils, and both remembering the organist and their superintendent with suitable tokens of their affections. A great many other presents from parents to children, from children to parents and from friend to friend went through the hands of the committee, which was the ever ready, public spirited, ubiquitous, church choir.

Prof. Hornbeck and family is spending a part of the holidays among his parishioners in this vicinity. The theme of his discourse on last Sabbath was "Searching for Jesus," stating that all humanity was engaged in the search, some like the Magi to worship and obey others like Herod to reject and condemn. It was a most excellent effort and listened to with marked attention.

Married December 27th, inst., at the residence of the bride's parents by Rev. C. J. Phetteplace, Mr. John Hopper of Brownstown, Ill., and Miss Florence G. Shipps, of Catlin. They will immediately take up their abode at Brownstown.

On Friday night of this weak at the seminary, will be rendered the comic, side splitting farce entitled "The Sick Family."

Next year - 1887 - Christmas will be on Sunday and the first of January on Saturday. Don't sound the gong. Its a fact.

Hannah Mariah.

Dec. 29, 1886