For a long time Rushville told newcomers that the climate was so healthful thereabout, that they had to kill a man to start a graveyard. The fact is that a man was murdered near the town, and was the first person to be buried in Rushville cemetery.

William Shafer and George Ginger were partners living in a tent at the time the railroad was building into the community. In some kind of a difficulty, Ginger shot and killed Shafer. The murderer was taken to Sidney, then the seat of justice, and was convicted and sent to the state penitentiary.

In the town proper the first to engage in mercantile business was Mosler & Tullys in a tent, west of the site of the present postoffice. This was later the Red Front location and is now occupied by J. W. Grubb.

Enderly & Sellers opened the Blue Front store about the same time.

Occupying land adjoining the townsite on the west were two courageous young women, who had come with the advance of settlement. Early in the historv of the town they opened a five and ten cent store on the lot north of the present Recorder office. Their business expanded, and they bought the building now

occupied by the printery, then the W. W. Wood building north. Mr. Zoll then bought the corner building, which was known as the Armstrong store.

All through their mercantile experience these courageous women were called "The Girls" and although retired from active participation in Rushville's commercial life, any of the old timers will refer to Sue S. Slotter and Kate M. Zoll as "the girls."