Mabel’s Missives

By These articles are reprints from decades-old Decatur Daily Democrat pages. They were discovered and copied as originally printed by local historian and author, Mabel R. Miller. (2 November 1907)

DON’T TAKE LONG

Some time ago Dr. j. 0, Neptune let a contract for the construction of a nine-room

house to D. I. Weikel, the contractor, and according to the terms thereof Mr. Weikel was to

have the home completed and ready for occupancy within thirty days, and today, just

twenty-four days from the time he received the contract, he made a settlement with Mr.

Neptune, and turned over to him the keys to the house, and by next week a family will be

snugly quartered therein for the winter. That this is the speediest constructed house ever

built in Decatur goes without argument, and Mr. Weikel is to be congratulated upon his

success. The house is complete from foundation to garret, it being plastered, painted,

wired for electricity, plumbed and ready for occupancy. The house is a nine-room affair

and is neatly arranged upon the inside, everything being convenient for the tenant. When

Mr. Weikel received the contract his friends thought it was impossible to do the work

within that short period and made several laughing remarks that he would get stuck on the

deal. However, Mr. Weikel was undaunted, and by hard and consistent work managed to

the work in six days less than the contract called for, and today has the distinction of

building the quickest house ever erected in the county. The house has been accepted by

Mr. Neptune, the owner, which is in itself sufficient evidence that it was built in accordance

to the contract.