Note: The Peabody Gazette gives us some real insight into life in Plum Grove in the late 1870s and early 1880s. In this weekly newspaper, we find columns entitled “Plum Grove Items.” These columns were submitted mainly by two authors. The first contributor signs his name “A Star Cus,” It is easy to deduce from the style the columns are written and the similarity of the character that this is Starchus M. Spencer. The other contributor signs his name “Num Skull.” Unfortunately, we are never given a clue as to the identity of Num Skull. In these bi-monthly columns, both authors garner a lot of information about the people, the area, and the climate of Plum Grove and its vicinity.
Plum Grove, Butler Co., Kansas 08 Oct 1880, Fri
PLUM GROVE ITEMS.
ED. GAZETTE .- As Num Skull has taken unto himself a wife from the house of one Ferrier, we suppose that items from here henceforth will not appear in the GAZETTE. But, that being the case, we will occasionally try and report from this place.
Last week, the Democratic barbecue at the Grove was an enjoyable affair, as each Republican in this section was invited to attend. Nearly all accepted the invitation and went, your humble servant included. Had it not been for the Republicans, their audience would have been tiny. We noticed that Colonel Neal had a Republican escort from Newton with him.
Corn gathering has commenced in earnest. S. M. Spencer has bought two carloads of corn delivered at Peabody on the 18th inst.
M. C. Snorf, our Post Master, is at Burlington this week, attending the Presbytery. W. H. Miller started for Ohio on Tuesday last.
S. S. Thomas says he can make more money with his Dutch tongue than he can from farming.
The school at this place commenced on Monday last, with Prof. Ashenfelter, as principal.
The Literary Society will meet on Friday night.
Yours for once,
KENO.
𝚨nything for A Quiet LifeΩ 