More Observations from 1873

Part 3 of 3

Last but not least we mention Will C. Thompson who presides over the sole government office of which the village boasts, and serves the public faithfully as a man of bitters?. Paints and putty, pills and purgatives are passed over his counter with a ?? becoming the proprietor of the only drug store.
Dr. Cassingham feels the pulse of the public and administers correctives when necessary.
Roberts is looking for a cross railroad, which, if realized will place her in an enviable position among the village of the county.  More soon.

--Paxton Record.  12 June 1873.

More Observations from 1873

Part 2 of 3

Her little business world is peopled by a genial crew.  J. B. Meserve, (whose absence prevented our scraping his acquaintance) presides over the finest steam elevator on the G., C. & S. Railroad, with J. V. Riggs as assistant, while Thompson and Lyman dispense Lumber and Hardware; Montelius & Co., Gose & Smith and Flora & Newman do the fair thing in the line of Dry Goods and General Merchandise. Tom McNish looks after the good of men's soles, and does the agreeable in a well appointed boot and shoe store.  E. A . Bushor, horse tailor, presides with urbanity over his department, while Samuel Tapp and A. Orr, play the anvil chores to the hum of industry.  Peter Pfaat kills the beef, while H. Tinklepaugh divides his time between selecting the choicest places for the guests of the City Hotel -- of which he is proprietor -- and making and mending the wagons and carriages of his neighbors. Miss E. McMasters supplies those airy nothings, which the ladies dote upon and de?? bonnets, while G. H. Waldo belongs to that much abused class -- station agents.

--Paxton Record.  12 June 1873.

Observations on a Brief Visit

Part 1 of 3

On Tuesday last we paid our compliments to the village of Roberts, whither we ?? our ?? for the purposes of renewing old and forming new acquaintances with her business men and citizens generally, and found it a very pleasant occupation with G. H. Thompson and P. S. Gose as guides and chaperons among the sights and scenes of the city.
The village has grown well and is a healthy and well-developed two-year old, considering that she possesses no extra or ?? advantages, and that no special efforts have been made to expedite her growth.  We have no data further than our own judgment from which to estimate her population, but would place it at from 150 to 200.  She possess a fine school building 24 by 32 feet, surmounted by a cupola in which swings a bell whose duty it is to quicken the tardy steps of dilatory youth on the road to the temple of learning, as well as to summon the worshipers on Sabbath mornings to listen to the preaching of the gospel, for it has thus far served the double purpose of school and church.  The deficiency in church accommodations, however, are about to be supplied, as we found the German Methodists with an edifice well under way, which will be pushed forward to immediate completion.  The building will be ?2 by 48 feet, with height proportionate, and a tall graceful spire.
The temperance settlement of the community is manifested in the existence of a flourishing lodge of Good Templars with a membership of 50, officered by G. H. Gerden, W. C.; Mrs. Mary Thompson, W. V. T.; W. C. Thompson, Marshal; J. V. Riggs, Chaplain; G. P. Lyman, sec'y; J. B. Meserve, P. W.

--Paxton Record.  12 June 1873.

15 May 1873

. . . Our town was somewhat excited a few days since by the mysterious and sudden disappearance of our townsman P. S. Gose.  It subsided somewhat when it was rumored that he had gone to Baltimore on business.  That business was explained a week later by his return accompanied by a lady whom he introduced as Mrs. Gose.  "Long may he wave," and may his example be followed by several others here who are still plodding through life alone . . .
Mr. Patrick Boyle, residing two miles west of this town, met with quite a serious loss on Monday, the 5 inst. while himself and a hired man were at work in a field some half mile from the house, his children playing with matches, set fire in some hay near to his stable, which afterwards communicated to the stable, consuming together with it, four horses, two sets of harness, a quantity of corn, farming tools, etc.
Out hotel charges hands the 15th.  Mr. Tinklepaugh is to assume the duties as "mine host."  Mrs. T. is well qualified for the position of landlady.  Mr. Pfatt retiring to his farm in consequence of the poor health of his wife.
Mr. Gruby, contractor on the German M. E. Church, will begin the building next week. . . .

--Paxton Record.  15 May 1873.

German Methodist Church

--Paxton Record.  17 April 1873.

LETTER FROM ROBERTS

 Roberts, Ill., Jan. 21st. 1873.

. . . Our town still shows signs of healthy and permanent progress, and although we cannot boast of mushroom growth yet, our place is advancing both in building and business. A large amount of corn, flax, and pork find a market here. The Star elevator handles the largest amount of grain, although other parties are buying and shipping daily. The second grain elevator here will be put up, as soon as the weather will permit it to be erected, by Montelius & Co., who have a branch store here. W. C. Thompson & Co., are soon to put up a new store, with a hall above to be occupied as a drug store, their present quarters being too limited. The Post Office will also be removed to said store, when it is completed. We have nearly every branch of trade represented by the six stores now doing business here, with competition enough to keep "middle men" within proper bounds.
Two blacksmith shops, both overrun with business, are in full blast. One wagon shop and one harness shop are doing a good business
Several dwelling houses are to be built the coming season.
The Congregationalists and German Methodist Societies both ??.
A lodge of Good Templars has recently been organized here, with twenty-eight charter members, showing that king alchohol has no inducements to erect any temples here.
Our hotel is now in running order, and I understand a livery is soon to be opened by the proprietor of the hotel.
Mr. Jos. Hurst, our collector, can be found at the store of Thompson & Lyman ready to receive the taxes for 1872.
The people murmur bitterly against the tax levied to pay interest on railroad bonds, for the reason that the generosity of the people, in voting bonds to aid in building railroads, is repaid in unreasonable discriminations and exorbitant freights and fares. The people in Lyman, as well as elsewhere, are becoming thoroughly awakened to their interests and to the impositions put upon them by railroad monopolies.
A Farmers' Grange has been organized in this town with very favorable prospects. It is composed of intelligent farmers who know their rights and are determined to maintain them. The resolutions adopted by the Farmer's Convention, at Bloomington, meet with a hearty approval.
M. C. Eisenman, a worthy German citizen of our town, died suddenly last week, leaving a family in very indigent circumstances. Supervisor Sackett is looking after the interests of the family.
Waldo, our new station agent, is gaining boats of friends by his gentlemanly treatment of all who have business with him.
In conclusion let me say in the spirit of your Rankin correspondent, we have a beautiful rolling country around us, an elevated site for our town and room for all good citizens seeking for homes in a healthy locality, while ? is our watchword and our motto, "We aspire to rise higher."

Yours, etc.,
Angus.

--Paxton Record. 21 January 1873.

1873 Elections

In 1873 the following officers were elected:  Supervisor, O. D. Sackett; Town Clerk A. M. Haling, Assessor W. R. Newman, Collector Joseph Hurst, Commissioner of Highways Patrick Russell, School Trustee H. B. Ferguson, Justices of the Peace G. H. Thompson and Peter Gose, Constables Josiah Paddick and John Orr.

--Roberts Herald. 15 May 1935. Bela Foster.

Early Roberts Businesses

In 1871, George H. Thompson and George Lyman put up a hardware store where George Ensign's garage now stands. William Thompson put up a drug store beside it. Flora & Newman put up a general store on the Anderson Bank corner, facing west. Anderson & Montelius put up the store that William Thompson's poultry business now occupies. Haling & Scott put up an implement building where Dietterle's store now stands. In 1873 fire destroyed the Thompson and Lyman hardware and the William Thompson drug store. I came to town and picked up nails at one cent a pound.Flora & Newman turned their store around so that it faced the north where Whorrall's restaurant now stands. Thompson & Lyman built a new store where Tarvin's store now stands. William Thompson built his drug store where Foster Brothers store now stands.

--Roberts Herald.  1 May 1935.  Bela Foster.  Early Days in the Town of Lyman.

1871
Thompson and Lyman Hardware Store
William Thompson Drugstore
Flora & Newman General Store
Anderson & Montelius
Haling & Scott Implements

1873 Fire Rebuilds
Flora & Newman
Thompson & Lyman
Thompson Drug Store

--Paxton Record.  19 June 1873.

Thompson & Lyman Store

--Paxton Record.  9 June 1873.

A dealer in Lumbar, Hardware, Stoves, Tinware, Agricultural Implements, and all kinds of Building Material.
Flour, Salt, Lime, Etc.