A Trip Out of Town

Taken From the Henry Republican
September 29, 1870

A hastily conceived and hastily executed trip through Snachwine and Milo townships to Tiskilwa, led us through a section of country as badly damaged by the drouth as any other, and especially has the corn crop been shortened in this usually magnificent corn growing section. On inquiry we found that perhaps 20 bushels to the acre would be an average yield this year, which is just about double what it would have been "but for the latter rains."

A few enterprising farmers living on the magnificent range extending east and west from Dorr’s Hill to Elias Benson’s have wisely formed a company for the erection of a cheese factory on a portion of the Bliss farm, Bliss senior donating the land for that purpose; $3,000 capital has been subscribed in the neighborhood, and the factory basement of stone is to be erected immediately. That this enterprise will pay, is certain, and that others will follow in other neighborhoods, is equally certain.

Dining with Mrs. James Bliss, daughter of S. C. Bacon, Esq., whose hospitality so urgently pressed upon us we were in no favorable mood to refuse, we rode on into Tiskilwa and threaded our devious way through the streets without being in danger of collision from the throng of wagons here. A hasty word to a few acquaintances and we start for home, staking the residence of Alanson Benson in route.

This is perhaps the best appointed private residence in Bureau county - stone and brick basement, with cut Ashler stone facings. The main building is of brick, two stories high, porches, porticos and balconies. The interior finish is all that taste or skill could suggest, and all the modern appliances of furnace, range, Rutan ventilation, hot and cold water in every room, in fact there is nothing wanting to make this palatial farmer’s house No. 1 in all its appointments, and we know of none more worthy of such surroundings than Mr. and Mrs. Benson and their interesting family.

Mrs. B. only we found at home, the daughters being away at Mount Carroll seminary for a year. Mrs. B. relinquished her labors (washing) to show us around the premises, for which kindness we wish our space would allow us a more extended notice. We trust they may long live to enjoy their possessions and the pleasant house, which is built for home comfort and enjoyment, and not for external show; and we wish more of our wealthy farmers would make similar improvements.

From Benson’s home was devoid of incident, only that from a pinnacle on top of Strout’s hill, one can obtain a magnificent view of Hennepin and the river bottom for many a long mile, and while gazing on this scene, bathed in the hazy beauty of early autumn, with the whistling, rumbling train beneath you, and the towns and farms in the distance, we can not but contrast the scene with the years agone, when the Indian, whose bones repose near Taliaferro’s residence, and his dusky tribe, roamed with the freedom of the air o’er these waving prairies and groves and streams, now so fully occupied by the white man and enslaved by his civilization, the contrasted elements of which were at hand, in the church spire, on the one hand, and the saloon sign on the other.

Milo News

Taken From the Henry Republican

Milo, May 13, 1880

Died, Sunday afternoon, of diphtheria, Charley, a bright lad of some four summers, son of J. C. and Mary Daugherty. Funeral Monday, conducted by Rev. A. Curl. Two other members of the same family are dangerously ill.

Milo is minus one of her storekeepers. John Huffnagel has packed up his goods and locked up his house and is going to spend the summer visiting in Pennsylvania.

Charley Hufnagel's wife has returned to stay this time. The boys serenaded them for two nights hand running. We hope they will stay married this time.

Milo, June 3, 1880

Five children have died with diptheria in Milo since the 10th of May, three of Mr. Burnsides and two of J. C. Dougherty.

Norton Hoskins is the happiest man in Milo, because it's a boy, having been married most five years.

Four of Mr. Winn's family are down with the measles.

January 26, 1882 - Milo

Our blacksmith fit and set 62 shoes in one day. Who can beat that? He had fit and set 40 to 45 shoes every day for a week. We would like to see the man that can set as many shoes as Jo. Luther.

Don't you touch my sore arm. A number of our young folks have been quite sick with their vaccination.

Taken From the Henry Republican
April 17,  1882

Notwithstanding the prediction of D. B. Weir of Lacon, about the big fruit crop this season, we think the peach and perhaps some other fruits will be light.

Mrs. James H. Gudgel, Jr., and Grandma Gudgetl, have left for their future home in Iowa.  Joy go with you ladies, for we cannot all go yet.

Allen Colwell and family of Missouri have arrived in milo.

Oats acreage is large.

Our school has closed on account of the measels.  The teacher, Mr. Swift, is down with them.

Elder Parker of Senachwien closed his years labor with the Christian church here today.  he will be retained for another year.

The draining is under full headway again, and ditcher have all they can do and are as happy as clams.

Fall wheat and rye looks spendid, never better.

Keerns burns another kiln of tile this week.  Robert Hines foreman.

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