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
08 April 1881, Fri
PLUM GROVE ITEMS.
EDITOR GAZETTE – How is it about the groundhog? Guess he can go back and stay six months more, can’t he? If you don’t stop this miserable weather, I’ll stop your paper.
☞ Geo. Olinger’s little boy went horseback riding the other day with a steer for a pony; consequence, a broken shoulder. Dr. Seaman fixed it up, and he will be able to repeat the experiment in a few weeks. Mrs. Olinger has been very sick but is getting better under the skillful treatment of Seaman.
☞ Asa White can be out of bed for an hour or so each day; it will be some time before he can get out. Johnny Deming is quite sick. Also, Mrs. Num Skull has the mumps.
☞ A Star cuss has gone to Newton to live, so M. C. Snorf is chief boss of the grove, with Doc Seaman as first assistant.
☞ H. D. Olinger had the good fortune to let his team run away the other day. No extensive damage.
☞ We had a slight war in the neighborhood last week-it consisted of one little engagement. $10 and costs settled it for the attacking party. So keep the peace, gentlemen, for justices are plenty.
☞ Henry Williams is the most innovative farmer in the township. He has 20 acres of corn planted while the rest of us are sowing oats and toasting our shins around the stove-more of the toasting than of sowing wing.
Darn, such a spring, says
NUM SKULL.
𝚨nything for A Quiet LifeΩ 