December 27, 1895
   Twenty-five men are engaged in the building of the new bridge across the Platte and Loup Rivers. About the first of the year, 25 more men will be added to the present number.
   The Old Veterans of C. R. Lowell Post G.A.R., will give an oyster supper and entertainment on New Year's Eve.

Dec. 20, 1895
   A number of citizens armed themselves with axes on the road to the cemetery to cut down a post planted in the middle of the wagon track that same afternoon, but arrived to find post gone. Had it not been for the timely warning, Mr. and Mrs. D. Burch would have met with an accident by coming in collision with the post. This wagon road has been used 13 years and the man who puts posts in the road will have trouble ahead.

Depot Agents
   Mr. Bacon was the first agent.
   Mr. Garwood, December 6, 1895
   H. A. French, April 2, 1897
   Mr. Patterson, July 2, 1897

1896:
   J. D. Suddarth - sugar cane seed for sale
   Al West has purchased the Frank Yates Ice House and will move it to adjoining lot where Al will put in a steam engine in connection with his blacksmith shop.
   M. E. Allis is making a tour of several towns around Bellwood in interest of a door plate company and also in his own behalf.
   Our butcher Mr. Meyers is fixing up the Warren store building preparatory to opening up his meat market.
   Chris Belsley, J. E. Kellogg and D. Drawbaugh went to Omaha to see what it would cost to open a brewery in Bellwood.
   Bellwood needs a shaking up or some sort, or in a short time we will have no town.
   A. T. French - Well and pump work.
   W. Z. Mabey - The diamond fence machine. Any size of fence made to order.
   Insurance and Polk County Farmers Mutual Ins. Co. - G. S. Enyeart.

   Dr. Dwight of Columbus - dentist will be at the Bellwood House.
   Cloyd Grisinger went to Lincoln for examination for an operator. In a few more days he will again be examined for depot agent. Altho Cloyd is but a lad he is rapidly pushing himself to the front.
   Bellwood markets this week: eggs, 6 cents; corn, 13 cents; oats, 12 cents; rye, 20 cents; butter, 7 cents.
   Mrs. J. Cooper - Next week I will close out trimmed hats at actual cost.
   Hudson & Simms sold 7 Deering binders during this poor season. Those buying them are well pleased with them.
   William H. McGaffin, Sr., left for Seward to take charge of the Independent at that place. He is well pleased with his outfit.
   C. F. Knutzen - Clearing sale on dry goods, boots, hats, etc.
   T. E. Campbell who worked for several different newspapers in Butler Co. and Bertha Allis is also on the Gazette force.
   The Romine Dental Co. of Schuyler will be at an office in the Hotel.
   Fred Burch has bought an interest in the meat market.
   Al Brandenburgh has unloaded his new Stevens engine and self loader. This with his air blast stacker makes a fine outfit.
   John Suddarth will have his new cane mill ready for operation in a few days. Quite a number of our farmers have raised cane (cain) this year. 8-28-96
   Burlington Route - Attend '96 State Fair. Low rates and special trains.
   The sorghum house of Yates & Suddarth caught fire but for timely efforts of Mr. Hadcock would have burned. 9-4-96
   Knutzen & Linden - Twine & Repairs.
   Nick Linden - Stoves & all kinds of stove repairs.
    J. D. Suddarth - Wagon repairs and wagon boxes.
   Wm. Reitzel is building a new home, 24 x 24. Cooper & Hager are doing the carpentry work and Gene Curtis the mason work. Will be ready for occupancy in 30 days.

February 7, 1896
   In many towns throughout Nebraska, a distinct earthquake shock was felt on Tuesday at 6 a.m. Windows and

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buildings shook in many places, but not in the Bellwood vicinity.
   A. D. Warren guarantees to finish the artesian well for $600.00, providing he does not have to sink deeper than 1,500 feet. He proposes to go to work at it, inside of ten days providing said amount is guaranteed.

F. C. Judevine, Com. Chrmn.

February 14, 1896
   Our butcher, Mr. Meyer, is fixing up the Warren store building preparatory to opening his meat market.
   Chris Belsley, J. E. Kellog and O. Drawbaugh went to Omaha, Wednesday, to see what it would cost to open a brewery at Bellwood.
   On Saturday, Louis Hahn, who lives 12 miles west of town, had a breakdown three or four miles from home. So he and part of his family sat on the wreck until the other part of the family went after another vehicle, in which to take them home.

May 15, 1896
   W. A. Mabey - The Diamond Fence Machine - Any size of fence made to order.
   Ins. & Polk Co. Farmers Mutual Ins. Co. - G. S. Enyeart, Bellwood
   Attention Comrades - Another year has passed and we will meet to honor our noble dead. All lodges are invited to assist us. Meet at the hall, May 24th, at 10: 30 and march to the M. E. Church where services will be held. All invited. Joe Rose, Commander.

May 22, 1896
   For the past few days, John Kountz and Jerry Wagoner have been engaged in cleaning up our little cemetery and it now shines as never before. W. B. Rochon put up a handsome monument in memory of Mrs. Rochon, deceased.
   Teachers monthly report for school District 7: Total enrollment 27, Daily attendance 21, Number tardy 6, Minutes lost 50. Names of pupils not absent or tardy are Ruth Bouton, Ora and Allie Brandenburgh, and Myrtle Monk. - Miss Jennie Hager, teacher.

June 5, 1896
   Children's Day at Baptist Church will be on June 7th.

Exercises will commence at 7:45 p.m. There will be an interesting program. Singing will be accompanied by the Bellwood Orchestra, also instrumental music. Rev. T. M. Williams will be with us.

July 31, 1896
   C. F. Knutzen - Clearing sale of dry goods. Boots, hats, etc.
   Myriads of grasshoppers were flying southward on Wednesday.
   The ballgame between Clear Creek and Bellwood last Saturday was won by Bellwood, the score being 22 to 7. The Bellwood nine hasn't been defeated this year.
   Bellwood can boast of a good band and the only band wagon in the county, we believe. Every horn is a freesilver one and the boys will not hesitate to toot them. - Gazette, July 31, 1896

   Dinners at Mr. Kurt's Restaurant for 50¢. David City patrons said the same would cost twice as much at David City. It is so in Bellwood you get your money's worth. - Gazette Aug. 21, 1896

August 28, 1896
   Burlington Route - Attend the '96 State Fair in Lincoln. Low rates and special trains.

September 4, 1896
   Taxes can be paid for Savannah Township until September 20, when the book will be returned to David City. Tax books are at the Gazette office.
   Cris Belsley went to Cedar Bluffs on Saturday. Cris can't stand Bellwood very long at a time. There are plenty others in the same boat, but can't find the money to get out with! - Gazette, Sept. 4, 1896

   Bellwood schools started with an attendance of 110 students. - Gazette, Sept. 11, 1896.

September 18, 1896
   The dense fog that envelops our little village comes from the sorghum factory of Yates & Suddarth. Their plant is running day and night.
   J. O. McVay house for sale or rent $5.00 per month -

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October 9, 1896
   Smith Bouton and Carl Jacobs shipped two car loads of sugar beets to Grand Island.
   Burglars broke into Hudson's Store and took $50.00 worth of booty.

December 4, 1896
   W. J. Bryan home is quarantined for diptheria.

December 18, 1896
   A grand holiday entertainment at the M. E. Church on Christmas eve. Edison's "talking machine" will produce many grand pieces of music. It is given in interest of the Epworth League. Adm. 15c and 10c.

January 1, 1897
   A grand New Years Ball will be held at the Opera House in Bellwood.

Kreizinger and Zeller

March 5. 1897
   Teachers of District 71 are: Louise Stork, Mary Friend, and C. E. Shea.

March 12, 1897
   New applicants for the Post Office fight are Phil Smith, William Jewell, and Fred Judevine.

July 2. 1897
   Mr. Patterson, our depot agent, returned to town.

September 3, 1897
   The Sorghum mill at Bellwood is now in operation under the management of A.T. French. Molasses made at 18¢ per gallon - Bring in your cane when ready.

    New Restaurant opened in Blue Front Store with fine line of Candies, Confectionary Good Ice Cream served Saturday and Sunday. E. C. Pace

September 17, 1897
   To the ladies of Bellwood and vicinity I will open a branch store in Bellwood September 20 in the Bldg north of Grisinger's store. Mrs. Nellie Jewell, an experienced milliner and saleslady, will take charge.

October 22, 1897
   You bet, Bellwood is just on the jump. The Bellwood House opened up on Tuesday evening with Robt. Devoe at the helm. A new doctor also hung out his shingle this week in the Warren building and a new barber will hang out his shingle in the same building tomorrow. About the first of November A. Garwood will also open up a stock of groceries in the blue front building and about the first of January C. Meister will open up a stock of groceries in the Hutchison building. Hurrah for Bellwood! She will now shine as of yore. Dwelling houses are in great demand and can't be had for love or money. In some instances two families are crowded into the same building. Several new enterprises are yet needed in this neighborhood. We ought to have a good flour mill and we believe that if some of our good Luxembourg neighbors would just start the hall a rolling along this line they would meet with success.
   -- Notwithstanding the muddy condition of the roads leading to and from Bellwood, also that there was a Woodman supper, after which four candidates were put over the road, the free silver rally at Belsley's opera house on Tuesday evening was a success, the building being well filled.

Friday December 17, 1897
   Remember H. A. Taylor - the Bellwood Jeweler has a small but well selected stock of Jewelry, Musical Instruments, Stationery and Toys

Friday, December 24, 1897

   To all parties owing me either store or Dr. bills, I wish to say, I am prepared to take ear corn for some where money cannot be had. Will pay til further notice, 12 cents for 75 pounds of good & dry ear corn. I am not doing this to speculate, but must have money, and I trust parties to whom this applies will respond without my having to see them individually ... Dr. I. W. Hewit
   Firm of Meyer & Burch butcher business is dissolved. E. Meyer will continue.
   The Platte is quite high & ice is already two to twelve inches thick and as clear as crystal. It looks like the crop would be abundant. Many people are filling their ice houses.
1897:
   W. H. McGaffin, Jr., is back at the helm of the Bellwood Gazette.
    H. A. French relief for M & M is our new depot agent until arrival of a steady man.
   George Simms-Farm implements and pump work.
   John Grisinger sold his stock of merchandise to Ed Drawbaugh. Mr. Grisinger expects to go to Oklahoma for new location.
   J. J. Judevine purchased a new cider mill.

January 27, 1898
   Geo Simms sold implement business to J. W. Grisinger

March 4,1898
   Fred Stenger sold 16 head of cattle for $700 - He had fed them for 5 months and had paid $34 for them when he bought them.

March 25,1898
   Spring is here - So is Geo Simms with best Line of Farm Machinery

May 13,1898
   I do dressmaking and plain sewing at my house third door from M. E. Church.

1900:
   Meat Market - Pace & Earl. Three pounds of shoulder steak, 25 cents; round steak, 10 cents per pound.
   Belsley & Allen sold their elevator to Mike Holland. It is reported that Mike will run the elevator.
   A. Olson has purchased the dray wagon from Mrs. Welsh and will do draying services for businessmen of Bellwood.
   E. C. Pace meat market purchased from F. A. Burch.
   Nicholous Linden - Stove and repairs.
   Meister Grocery and Holiday goods.
   Meyers Meat Market - Fresh home made lard and we buy hides.
   Ending this week, the Gazette will be 14 years in Bellwood and we are not a Jay Gould or a Vanderbilt, but with careful management we have always been able to keep the wolf from our door and as happy as either Gould or Vanderbilt, not withstanding all their wealth.
   F. M. Young has secured the position of grain buyer for the Farmers Elevator. Dave Belsley has the best wishes of his old patrons upon his retirement.
   J. T. Wright has purchased the livery barn from Mrs. Welsh. Teams will be furnished at lowest prices.
   Smith Bouton sold his farm to Jake Hiller for $40.00 per acre.
   Optician J. Jacobs will be at Bellwood House once a month to fit eye glasses for the purpose of curing headaches and dizziness.
   Smith Bouton purchased C. Meister's stock of groceries and queensware; also Fred Stapf's line of shoes and boots.
   Peter Kurt has rented his restaurant building to Joe

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