125 years ago in 1898

Taken directly from the pages of The Youngstown Vindicator:

Flowers. They are growing in pots on the desk of a city commissioner. Wick Park posies. The subject of Mr. Banning’s visit from Kinsman to this City.

The flower committee of council composed of Messrs. Quinn, Powell and Welsh were together for a short while in the city commissioners’ office Saturday forenoon to consider bids regarding the furnishing of flowers for Wick Park.

Bids have been received from fine florists as follows: Frank Banning, Kinsman; G.A. Geng, Crab Creek; and E. Hippard, Mr. Milton and W.G. Hoyt, the latter of Warren.

One of the bids, that was put in by a local concern the committee said was ignored as it did not stipulate the amount of expense as required by the specifications sent out.

The committee visited different places and looked at samples of posies in the act of growing.

The cause of the trio getting together today was the arrival of Mr. Banning. He came from Kinsman with flowers and fine talk and wished the committee to give him a chance. It was understood that his bid was high.

One of the committee said that they had about recommended to give the contract to G.A. Geng, whose bid was some $414. The amount asked by Banning was $491. He showed some excellent samples to the commissioners and committee, spreading the display on a desk.

The committee will recommend on Monday night their findings to council. A commissioner told the Vindicator that there would be a hot time in council on Monday night and that they would not be surprised to see the flower question thrown out entirely.

He said that after flowers were planted, likely all would be stolen unless a watchman was hired, which he said would cost considerable.

• Compiled from the Youngstown Vindicator by Traci Manning, Mahoning Valley Historical Society curator of education.