The following news articles and ads are from the Verndale Journal newspaper.

October 31, 1879 -

The Masonic building, under the direction of Mr. W.F. Hurst, is being rapidly pushed to completion. It will be ready for occupation in a few days. Parker and Brown are to use the lower story for a dry goods and grocery store; while the room above will be for the meetings of the Fidelity Lodge and public gatherings. It will be 24' x 49' inside.

At a charity ball held at the school house in Verndale. Friday evening, October 10, twenty dollars were raised for the relief of the late Mr. McConnell's family.

L.W. Smith has moved his house north one block. Mr. Phillips conducted the work.

Charles O. Brewster, a young lawyer from Chicago... a new citizen of Verndale... a partner with Bullard, dealer in farm machinery. Brewster also ran an ad for lawyer services.

W.F. Hurst and Chas. Boyd arrested by Sheriff Brate for selling liquor without a county license. Hr. Hurst released and Boyd was granted a license and permitted to continue business.

Work started on surveying road to Shell Prairies by: commissioners Lyons, Cook, C.C. Parker, Joseph Sombs.

E.L. Ingals - Blacksmith

Ads appearing October 31, 1879 --

Verndale Journal Offices on Thompson Street, Albert S. McMillan, editor.

Crandall House – M.M. Crandall
Verndale Flour, Feed & Lumber Depot – L.W. Farwell
Clark's Hotel – G.H. Clark
Verndale Meat Market – Palmer Bros.
Blacksmith – L.W. Sharp
Drug Store – H. J. Harding (Farwell Street)
Hardware Store – C.E. Smith
The Pioneer Store – Brown & Parker "Little Store on the Corner"
E.A. Smith & Co. – Groceries

November 28, 1879 - Wing River bridge west of town is completed so as to admit of the passage of teams. This is a great convenience to the citizens of the county.

E.A. Smith & Co. are building a new house on the north side of the track. Mr. Carson is doing the carpenter work.

This edition of the newspaper also contains a special correspondence article by the members of "The Shell River Expedition."

1880 - Ads appeared for several hotels at Verndale: Clarks Hotel, Crandall House, New Hotel (opened by H. Thompson), Commercial House (livery in connection), Bolton House, Lewis House (on Front Street - First door west of McNair's).

1880 - Ads appeared for Cabanne Bros. - Dry goods - "Popular Blue Front Store"

1880 - Ads appeared for H. Pettit & Son - Dry goods & Fancy goods.

1881 - Ad appeared for C.W. Elson & Co., selling jewelry and dry goods.

June 1881 - Bolton House hotel opened.

1881 - Ad appeared for Bank of Wadena, E.S. Case, banker.

1881 - Ad appeared for Bank of Verndale, M. Stewart, president, I.H. Bradford, cashier.

1882 - Ad appeared for Wadena County Bank, Hazlett & Case Bankers; I.H. Hazlett, president; E.S. Case, cashier; I.H. Bradford, assistant cashier.