MARYVILLE, 1869

It may be interesting to our readers to know what we have done as a town for the year 1869. There are particular periods in the history of almost every place of which the citizens thereof are proud; we hardly think that time has passed with us yet, though we have done much the past year, of which we can boast. Many valuable improvements have been made and we are rapidly building up a town that in a short time can put on city airs and wear them with grace.
There have been one hundred and ten dwelling houses built within the past year, at an average cost of $700 each.
Seven business houses have been erected at an average cost of $3,000. Two churches costing $ 4,000 each; an addition to the Catholic church at a cost of $ 1,500. One grist mill costing $10,000 and school house $ 7,000.
The foregoing foots up $ 117,600 of wealth added and no estimate made of repairs, additions and other improvements made, which will add up about $ 15,000 more.
Twelve of our leading business houses sold $ 220,000 worth of goods, wares and merchandise during the year 1869 and smaller houses about $ 30,000, making $ 350,000 of merchandise sold in one year which exceeds the sale of any former year by $ 150,000.
Our population, which at the commencement of the year 1869, was about 1,200 is now at least 1,700.
Twelve months ago our sidewalks were confined to the fronts of some of our business houses, now they extend almost the entire length of main street and on 1st to the school house.
From the foregoing it will be seen that we have added to our wealth and population at least 50 per cent. Our valuation of property has risen at least thirty per cent during the past year, outside of improvements, and that too, without any undue speculative inflation. The policy of our real estate holders has been, as a general thing, to encourage improvement instead of forcing their property away up and out of reach of those who would invest their capital here in lots and improvements.
But the substantial progress of Maryville has not by any means been confined to an increase of wealth, population and business. Our city government has been efficient during the past year in suppressing lawlessness and turbulence, till Maryville has become one of the best regulated and most orderly towns in the State and with this improvement has come a corresponding progress in the moral and social condition of the city. In taking this brief review of the history of Maryville for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1869, we find much whereupon we may congratulate ourselves and abundant grounds where on we may build very flattering prophecies for the progress of the coming year.
  

Published in the Nodaway County Democrat, January 12, 1870, p. 3.