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 28 February 1881, Fri
PLUM GROVE ITEMS.
ED. GAZETTE .
PLUM GROVE AND VICINITY.
As editors are supposed to know everything, we would be glad to have you tell us how long this cold weather will last. We “clodhoppers” are getting anxious for a thaw.
“Lum” Horn had quite a runaway last Tuesday. His wagon was upset with a load of hay, and when he dug his way out from under it, his team was “non est.” He found them about two miles from the upset, where his dog had one line in his mouth, hanging on like “grim death,” while his horses were marking off a first-class circus ring. Lum says he has the champion dog in the country.
We had some hopes of the farmers’ alliance, but a coalition of dead beats, politicians, and Sam Wood, isn’t my idea. I believe in an alliance for farmers alone.
We understand Stark Spencer is going to leave the Grove soon and emigrate to Newton, where he will go into the business of buying grain. M. C. Snorf will be his successor in the Plum Grove store and post office.
👉🏻 Rev. Fitch has just closed a protracted meeting at this place.
👉🏻 Dr. Seaman has returned from his visit to Missouri. Wish I knew whether he brought a woman home with him or not, but I don’t. There are intense symptoms of an approaching wedding at ‘Squire-well,
maybe I hadn’t better tell.
Yours,
NUMSKULL.
𝚨nything for A Quiet LifeΩ 