Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--Wilbert McCune had the flu, recovered from it, and then was laid up again with an abscess under his left arm. Several years ago, when he was a small boy, Wilbert was bitten on the finger by a rat and every eighteen months, regularly, he suffers from a sore that appears where he was bitten. He thinks that his recent indisposition is attributable to a sympathetic aggravation from the rat bite of years ago.--Clark Chronicle. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--The many Higbee friends of Joe Jones, brother of Thos. Jones, and who had charge of the Bakery following the accidental shooting of Mr. Jones five years ago, will be pained to hear of his death, which occurred in France on November 23rd, from pneumonia. He had been in France since April and spent several months in the front line trenches. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--HIGBEE TO HAVE AN AUTO HEARSE--C. L. Feland, Higbee's furniture dealer and undertaker, will put the town on a par with other up to date towns in this locality by the addition of an auto hearse. He spent the first of the week in Kansas City making arrangements for the car and expects to receive it within a short time. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--Miss Olivia White who is teaching near Middle Grove, was the guest of her sister, Mrs. Leonard Pitney, Saturday and Sunday. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--The many Higbee friends of Frank Magruder, who went to Springfield, Ill, several weeks ago to work, will regret to learn that he is in a hospital helpless from inflammatory rheumatism. He will be taken to Excelsior Springs as soon a he is able to travel. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--We printed bills this week for W. H. Bradley who will sell a lot of personal property at his farm north of Yates on the 25th, a list of which can be seen elsewhere. Mr. Bradley recently sold his farm, which is underlaid with a fine vein of coal near the surface, to Kansas parties, who will open one or more strip mines. Mr. Bradley is now in search of another farm. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--INSANE SOLDIER BEATS WIFE--The following from the Paris Appeal, will be of interest to Higbee people, Short being a former citizen of this place. "Ernest Short was returned to the asylum at Fulton last Friday, after making a violent attack on his wife. He had been home only a few days, having been taken away from the asylum by his wife before he was in condition to be discharged. Short, it will be remembered, lost his mind while in the army camp at Camp Funston. He was sent back to Madison a month ago and later brought to Paris for safe keeping until he could be sent to Fulton. His wife placed him in the institution as a private patient. Desiring to remain over there, she was given a position in the asylum through the influence of the Red Cross Service Committee. Last week she decided to bring her husband home. Being a private patient, the asylum authorities had no option in the matter. Mrs. Short was badly beaten when attacked by her husband last Thursday. "The question of whether the Government or the county should care for this unfortunate fellow has not been definitely decided, and the same is true of Private Meranda, though it would seem just as much the duty of the Government to care for the boys who break down mentally as with those who break down physically." Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--BRADLEY-FUHRMAN--A romance, begun when each attended the district school, was culminated Wednesday Jan. 15, when Mr. C. D. Bradley, and Miss Ethlyn G. Fuhrman drove to the home of the Rev. Jas. Linn of near Salem, and were united in marriage. The bride is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fuhrman and is a refined and modest young lady whose sunny disposition and cheery smiles made her a great favorite among her many friends. The groom is an industrious and prosperous young farmer of noble character and splendid habits and held in the highest esteem by all who know him and is in every way worthy of the fair prize he has won. They will go to housekeeping at once on his farm near Salem. The NEWS joins in congratulations and best wishes. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--TOOK FRENCH LEAVE--Henry, eldest son of Postmaster and Mrs. M. W. Spurling, left home Wednesday of last week without the knowledge or consent of his parents and as yet they have not heard from him. School having been closed most of the time until the first of the year on account of the flu, Henry became obsessed with the idea that he had to have a job of some kind, and when school reopened had lost all interest in his studies, and as his parents insisted on his going to school he took matters in his own hands, informing them in a letter from Moberly that he was off for a short visit. It is believed he has gone to Oklahoma, to an aunt's and Mr. and Mrs. Spurling hope to hear from him in a few days. While they regret, of course, that he left home, they are not at all uneasy about him, and they need not be, for Henry is about as steady and industrious a boy as can be imagined, and it is our guess that he will land a good job and after rubbing up against the world for a time on his own account, will return enriched in purse and better equipped than ever to take up his school duties. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--Earl Stallman of Yates came home Wednesday from Camp Funston to remain, having received his discharge. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--George Lessly returned Tuesday from the training camp at Waco, Texas, to remain, having received his discharge. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--Born, on the 14th, to Mrs. Elmer Dennis, a daughter. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--Born, on the 10th, at Lafayette, Colo., to Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Hackward, a son. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--Misses Stella and Minnie Jackson left Monday for Canton after a visit of several weeks with their niece, Mrs. R. R. Walton. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--Mrs. Jas. Humphrey is spending the week in Moberly with her daughter, Mrs. Marvin Moss. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--MAY LESSLEY DIES IN FRANCE--Former Higbee Boy Succumbs to Wounds Received in Argonne Forest Battle--The many Higbee friends of Mrs. Nettie Lessley, formerly of this place, will be grieved to learn of the death of her son, May Gordon Lessley, which occurred in France on November 16th, from wounds received in the Argonne battle on September 28. He was a member of Co. H. 136th (138th?) St. Louis Infantry, which saw some of the hardest fighting of the war. Young Lessley was the son of the late A. J. ("Andy") Lessley and was born at the old home place here, now owned by W. W. Brundege, and will be remembered by our older citizens as a very precocious youngster. When quite a child he moved with his mother to St. Louis, where he had since made his home. During his school days he took up the study of vocal music, and as he had an excellent voice, developed into a beautiful singer, as all who his rendition of "The Holy City" at the Christian church on the occasion of his last visit to the old home town several years ago, can testify. He is survived by his mother, one brother and two sisters, all of whom have the deepest sympathy of their many old Higbee friends. He was a cousin of Shelton Lessley, who is in France as a member of the engineers, and who came through the conflict without a scratch. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--C. W. Lay returned to his home in Tyler, Minn., Wednesday after a month's visit with relatives in this section. Mr. Lay moved to Minnesota in 1904, and this wash is first trip back to his old home. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--Friends of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Mobley, of near Higbee, have received dainty little cards announcing the birth of a son, on January 10. The little man has been given the name of John William--Fayette Democrat-Leader. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--The residence of Rev. W. T. Henson of Moberly was destroyed by fire at noon Tuesday, the fire starting, it is thought, from defective wiring. The house was partially insured, but nothing was carried on the contents, which were partially insured, but nothing was carried on the contents, which were practically all destroyed. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--The Marshall Democrat-News says that Roy Adams and Fred Alexander of Moberly have been charged by the prosecuting attorney of Saline county with attempting to buy off a state witness in the case of the state vs. David Creely, charged with robbing the bank at Miami last March, and that they gave the witness $200 to withhold his evidence. They were arrested and promptly gave bond for their appearance at the March term of court. They deny the charge most stoutly and their many Higbee friends are confident they will be able to prove their innocence. Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--MCKENZIE BROTHERS DIE--The two sons of Mr. and Mrs. N. J. McKinzie, former well known citizens of this vicinity, but now residents of near Huntsville, died at their parents' home there last month. Herman Eugene McKinzie laid aside his earthly labors Sunday morning, Dec 15, at 5 o'clock. He became ill on Monday and lived but six days afterward. During his six days illness he suffer from sufferings untold. He was nineteen years and two months old at the time of his death. Herman was a bright, ambitious young man, and was loved by all who knew him. Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. N. J. McKinzie, he leaves one brother, Jesse, whose home is with his parent and the last few months, three sisters--Enda, Dora Bertha of the home; one nephew, Raymond Estil. He also leaves a host of mourning relatives, and friends. Interment was made at New Hope cemetery the following Tuesday. Monday evening, Dec 11, at 8:30 the McKinzie home was again darkened when death entered and took away the last and elder son, Newton Jesse McKinzie. He was sick for five days. He leaves to mourn his death his wife and son Raymond Estil; his parents, and three sisters.. He was very sick at the time of Herman's death. Jesse was a strong, sturdy youth and was a friend of all. If he had lived until the next day he would of been married five years. He leaves many relatives and friends. Interment was made at Bennett cemetery north of Keytesville the following Wednesday. Both died of pneumonia. At the time of the death of these young men it was reported that their father also died from the disease, and the NEWS carried an item to that effect. We are pleased to state that the report was a mistake. Mr. McKinzie, however, was very ill from the disease. (Kathy's notes: Jesse's death date was not a typo on my part. Obviously, somebody screwed up the dates here. If Herman died first, and Jessie died later, then one of the dates had to be wrong. According to the dates of the papers, the 15th of December was indeed, a Sunday. So I'd say Herman's date of death is accurate. It also says that Jesse was very sick at the time of Herman's death, and that he had only been sick for five days. Taking that into account, and assuming that the death day for Jesse was accurate, then Monday would have been the 16th, not the 11th. Since Herman was buried on a Tuesday and Jesse on a Wednesday, it looks like these two brothers died one day apart.) Friday, 17 Jan 1919, Vol 32, No 39--A LETTER FROM FRANCE--The following letter, written to his mother by G. E. Rector, a nephew of B. C. Wilson, and Mrs. W. T. Ridgeway, is handed us by Mrs. Wilson: France, Nov 24, 1918--"Dear Mother: The censorship has been lifted to a certain extent, so that I am now able to tell my present station, where I have been, and about everything in general. The men in the S. O. S. were able to give the name of their station before, but the men in the Z. of A. were not. "When I left Hoboken I went on the U. S. transport Susquehanna, and after seventeen days landed in the harbor of St. Nazaire. From there was sent out to a rest camp at the outskirts of the town, after staying there for four days, we then left for Blois, a signal corp casual camp. After filling out a qualification card, had the honor to serve my first and only K. P. France, because on the day after myself and another fellow were assigned to the constructing engineer, as draughtsmen. We certainly had it soft there and I must confess I didn't care whether I left of not, but we knew we would leave sooner or later, as that was a point from which we were to be distributed. In three weeks Sampson and I received our traveling orders to G. H. Q., the headquarters of the American forces, located at Chaumont, in the district of Haute Marne river. We were assigned as draughtsmen at this place and I held down the pension or I should say mode of passing away the time, for about five months and from there along with Sampson, was assigned to the adjutant general's department, and in which place we have since worked, and this time in reality. The rest of the men relieved were sent to the engineers gang. As the adjutant general's departments is one of the busy departments of the army, I am afraid I will be a little longer than some of the soldiers but here's hoping not. "Have been lots of places besides Chaumont, but always returned to this place. It is about the size of Warrensburg and is spread over quite a bit of ground. It covers the sides and top of a very large hill, and in some places down in the valley, in which is a very level piece of ground stretching from one range of hills to an other. This summer this place was a baseball diamond for the American soldiers, and now the "Y" has turned it into a football field. This summer, after office hours, I used to take a plunge into the Marne, and the river, or we would call it a creek in the U. S. was cold and deep. The French populace seemed to delight in watching us in our improvised bathing suit of Red Cross sweaters." Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.