150 years ago

May 19, 1876

A correspondent, captivated by a visit to the prettiest park in the West — Billings Park at Marion Centre — writes in this enraptured way to the Peabody Gazette:

“The beauties and delights of the park were appropriate glories to crown a trip that already afforded so many pleasures. The long avenue of stately trees through which we drove to reach the heart of the park was so sweetly silent that it caused one to feel ‘here I could rest.’

“Improvements of the place since last season are very noticeable. The whitewash brush has not been idle. The lamp posts and hitching posts and buildings have donned clean linens that appear still whiter as contrasted with the green cloaks of the trees.

“We were cordially received by Mr. Billings, the proprietor, and conducted into the saloon and served ice cream that was truly refreshing to poor famished people who have not had even a cup of ice water during the season to cool their parching tongues.

“The croquet grounds were invaded, and a jolly game it was…. Three girls trying to poise themselves on the platform of a swing can make more merriment than a bevy of blackbirds.

“After night, the park was lighted with lamps and hearts with music while feet gaily tripped, and all was merry as wedding bells….

“With reluctance we yielded to the lateness of the hour, and I boarded the narrow-gauge for home under the influence of a round silver moon.”

“Now is the winter of our discontent” is the soliloquy of young men of Marion Centre who have been jilted.

Some first-class candidate for lodgment in the calaboose has stopped up the keyhole to that institution.

Butcher Smith is an expert at his business. He killed, scalded, and scraped a hog Monday in eight minutes by the watch.

Still they come. Four emigrant wagons passed through town Monday. As of the wind which bloweth where it listeth, we know not whence they come or whither they goeth.

Henry Metziner and Frank Miller had a fisticuff discussion Saturday night. Judge Frazer settled the debate, and the first-named gentleman enriched the city treasury by $10.