Lafayette Morning Journal, Saturday, 7 Mar 1896 Dayton March 4 F. B. Stranahan and family are now citizens of Dayton. They moved last Monday. —The inclement weather interfered with the success of the oyster supper given by the school last Saturday night, so it was repeated on Monday evening. They cleared about $12—The missionary exercise at the M.E. church last Sunday evening was a pleasant entertainment. The program consisted of songs, readings, recitations, dialogues by the children, "motion" songs, anthems, etc.—Effie Bull and Carrie Widmer were the guests of Pearl Coffman last night.—Will Burton and Misses May Rutan and Julia App of Newcomer, were in Dayton Tuesday evening.—Rev. J. W. Hindbaugh and family went to Farmers’ Chapel near Frankfort yesterday to attend the funeral of an intimate friend.—Communion services were held at the Presbyterian church last Sunday. Preparatory services were held on Saturday afternoon.—The Dayton band is getting ready for business under the skillful leadership of W. D. Burton. They just secured quite a number of excellent pieces of new music.—The schools of the township have closed, with the exception of the schools here, which will close next Friday. A class of twelve or more will complete the common school course this year.—W. F. Smith, the progressive teacher of the Newcomer school during the term just closed, visited the schools here last Tuesday.—The last lecture in our course will be given in the Presbyterian church Saturday evening, March 14, at 7:45 p. m. Dr. A. A. Willets will be the speaker, and his subject "Sunshine or the Secret of a Happy Life." The public is cordially invited to attend this last and best entertainment for this year. Dr. Willets is a lecturer of national fame. Admission 25 cents. Lafayette Morning Journal, Thursday, 12 Mar 1896 Dayton March 10 Dr. F. McBride, of Springfield, Ill., is visiting his father and friends here.—Mrs. Edgar Hatton is visiting her parents at Medaryville this week.—George DeBruler and I. Hatton went to Lafayette Monday night to hear Dr. John’s great lecture.—The whole community was shocked Sunday Monday morning by the sad news of the sudden death of Solomon DeVoss, after an illness of five days. The deceased was an old and respected citizen, living three miles southeast of Dayton. Funeral services were conducted at the home Tuesday forenoon by Rev. Robert Baker, after which the large number of sympathizing friends went to witness the interment at the Baker cemetery. A widow and several children mourned his loss.—The C. E. social at the residence of F. Widner [Widmer?] last Friday night was a very pleasant occasion.—Notwithstanding the inclement weather a large number of young people attended. A program of recitations and songs was rendered, after which refreshments were served, and appropriate games and social conversation were indulged in.—Quarterly meeting services were held in the U.B. church last Saturday and Sunday.—Rev. R. J. Parrott,, presiding elder, was present at all the services, and his sermons were able and impressive. —The last teachers’ institute for the year was held here last Saturday. Besides the regular exercises, there were some special features, among which were recitations by Bertha Helfrich, Lizzie Staley and Maud McBroom, and a vocal solo by Burton C. Sharpe.—Miss Florence Rogers was in Lafayette Sunday attending the Mills meetings.—Israel Hatton was the victim of a well-planned surprise party last Friday, the last day of school. At about 11 o’clock a large number of patrons and friends of the school came in with well-filled baskets. School was soon after dismissed and all partook of the grand feast which the skill of the ladies had so well prepared. After dinner a program of recitations, music, papers, etc., was given by the schools. The years’ work just closed has been a pleasant one. The teachers desire to express their gratitude to all patrons, pupils and school officers, for their interest and co-operation in all work of the year.—Don’t forget the lecture here Saturday night. It will be the last of our course. Dr. Willets is known and honored all over our nation. His lectures are famous, and the one he will deliver here, "Sunshine," is his greatest judging from the great demand for it everywhere and the enthusiastic praise of the press, wherever he has been. We are honored by his coming to our town and the church should be packed to its utmost capacity. To hear him for 25 cents is a privilege no one will ever enjoy elsewhere, and never again here. Lafayette Daily Courier, Tuesday, March 10, 1896 Properly Named Sampson Sampson McDole, of Sheffield township, is one of the heartiest old men in the county. He drove in from Sheffield township yesterday morning, and was partaking of a hearty dinner at Suter’s restaurant. He did not appear to be over 65 years old, but when the reporter asked, "How old are you?" he replied, "83." "You must have been a strong man in your day," queried the reporter. "Yes," said Mr. McDole, "some people used to say that I was properly named Sampson McDole. I might tell you one instance. In 1840, when they had the big Whig rally at the Battle Ground, when Grandpa Harrison was a candidate for president, I went up there, although I was a democrat and am yet, always expect to be. There was a great big fellow at that rally from Virginia by the name of Hicks, and he was blowing around that he could life more than any man in Indiana. Anthony Stingle, who lived near Stockwell, and who died several years ago, aged 86, heard this fellow blowing and he said to me, "Sampson, you go and life with the fellow: I believe you can beat him, but if you can’t, then I will try him." I said "all right." At that time I weighed 238 pounds, and was a good deal bigger man than I am now. So Hicks stepped to the scales and lifted 1,300 pounds. Then I took hold and lifted 1,600 pounds, beating him 300 pounds. You ought to have heard that crowd yell," said Mr. McDole. _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail