Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--ANDREWS TRIAL ON AT FAYETTE--The trial of Omar Andrews, charged with shooting Ernest Mobley at New Hope Church, Howard County, some two or more years ago, with intent to kill and which had been postponed from time to time, was called for trial in circuit court at Fayette Tuesday. About a half dozen witnesses from here were called Wednesday. Some gave it as their opinion yesterday that unless the State made a stronger case than it had so far, Andrews would be acquitted. Claib F. Dougherty, who was with Andrews the night of the shooting, and who was placed under bond, was discharged, it being demonstrated that he had nothing to do with the matter. The shooting, it will be remembered occurred at a box super at the church. Bad feeling, it was said, had existed between the men for some time, and on the night of the shooting Mobley drove up to the church, so it was reported at the time, and seeing Andrews in conversation with Dougherty in front of the church, threw his head back as he took hold of the door to enter the building and gave a loud guffaw, saying, presumably for Andrews' benefit, "How do you like that?" whereupon Andrews drew his pistol and fired, the ball striking Mobley in the neck, paralyzing his legs and one of his arms. The latter hovered between life and death for several weeks, and has so far recovered as to be able to get around on crutches. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--Mr. and Mrs. Pole Andrews and daughter, Mrs. Enoch Anderson, of Kansas City, are the guests of Higbee relatives. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--Thos. Reese left Saturday for McAlester, Okla., where he has a position as switchman in the Katy yards, and to which place he may move. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--A. C. HOLTZCLAW'S CONDITION--A. C. Holtzclaw, who has been suffering from stomach trouble for some time, and who was taken to Kansas City last week for an operation, is doing as well as could be expected, and when last heard from Wednesday it was thought he would be able to come home in a few days. The operation was not performed, we understand, the surgeons after making the incision and seeing the condition of his stomach, deciding that an operation was useless and would only shorten his days. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--DOUGHERTY-EMBREE--Mr. Silas E. Dougherty of south of town and Mrs. Mattie Embree of this place were married in Moberly Thursday, Sept 11, 1919, at the home of the officiating minister, the Rev. E. E. Lamb, leaving immediately for a trip to Kansas City and Excelsior Springs. The NEWS joins their many friends in congratulations and best wishes. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--A LETTER FROM GRANT CONNELL--G. W. Connell writes us from Brule, Neb. under date of the 15th: "As we have located at Brule thought I would write you a line and have our paper changed. We haven't had a paper for quite a while and would like to have a few back numbers. "After I left old Higbee last April I went to Colorado, stayed there three months and then came to Brule. I am feeling fine now. I am sure glad I came West, for I was feeling awful bad when I left there. I have a good job here. I get $200.50 per month and don't work near so hard as I did in the little shop across the way. "Hope all the boys are well and having a good time. Will close and wait for the NEWS, as we are all anxious to read it. Mrs. Connell and children are well and having a good time. Good luck." Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--Born, on the 11th, to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Dinwiddie, a son. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--HIGBEE'S OLDEST HOUSE BURNS--The Old S. Lessly property just south of the C. & A. railroad, on Railroad street, was totally destroyed by fire, with all of its contents, between 2 and 3 o'clock Wednesday morning. The property was occupied by Mrs. G. W. Cook, who purchased it about a year or more ago. She was preparing to move to Springfield, to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Avis Carney, and had intended leaving for that place Saturday. She had rented the property to Arthur Roberts, we learn, who was to have moved in this week, and to make room for him had moved all of her goods into the rear rooms preparatory to packing. With Mrs. Carney, who is visiting her, Mrs. Cook retired at the usual hour, there being no fire about the place, she not leaving a lamp burning, so far as we are able to learn. The next thing she knew was when she awoke about 2 o'clock all but suffocated by the stifling smoke, as was her daughter, and with the rear of the house, including the room in which they slept, about ready to fall in. They had no time to save anything except a trunk and a box containing some clothing. When the alarm was first sounded the entire rear part of the house seemed on fire, and any attempt to putting it out would have been futile. By aid of the fire engines the home of Miss Mary Creson on the south was saved. Mrs. Cook carried a small insurance on both residence and household goods, but not enough to cover the loss by half, an din her misfortune has the deepest sympathy of all. So far as we know, this was the oldest residence in Higbee, and was one of the three first buildings erected here. It was built, so Medley Burton informs us about two years following the completion of the M. K. & T. railroad and was erected by the late S. Lessly who was agent for the road. But two other buildings were standing at the time, Mr. Burton informs us, one being on the present site of Murphy's store and the other where Rankin's store now stands. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--ALEXANDER-WILLIAMS--Mr. Ivan Alexander of near Burton and Miss Marietta Williams of this place, were united in marriage in Moberly Wednesday, Sept. 17, 1919, at the home of the officiating minister, the Rev. Benj. Smith, pastor of Central Christian church. The happy couple returned that evening and were tendered a reception at the home of the bride's parents, leaving the next day for the groom's home. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Williams and is one of Higbee's prettiest and most lovable young ladies whose sunny disposition made her a general favorite. The groom is one of Howard county's substantial young farmers and comes from one of the county's best families and is a popular and deserving young man, worthy of the fair prize he has won. The NEWS joins others in congratulations and best wishes. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--Will Boyd and son, Morris, left Monday for Illinois where they will work until Mine No. 11 is again in operation. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--T. J. (Tunce) Coates, a former well known citizen of Moberly, died at his home in Oklahoma City on the 15th. He was 89 years old. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--COLLINS-BLANSETT--Mr. J. W. Collins of Moberly and Mrs. Bertha E. Blansett of Greentop were united in marriage at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. Jacob Shafer, in this place, Sunday afternoon by the Rev. Oscar Higgins, pastor of the Baptist church. The groom is a brother of Mrs. Adam Goett of this place. The following guests witnessed the ceremony: Mr. and Mrs. Adam Goett and daughters, Misses Marie and Marguerite, Mrs. Roy Reid, Mrs. Price Creson, Misses Marie and Lucile Blansett and Opal Forbes and Messrs. Victor Goett, George Lewis, Bynum Thompson and Ernest Yowell. The NEWS joins others in congratulations and best wishes. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--Mr. and Mrs. Ora Farris went to Kansas City yesterday, taking their little daughter, Orena, whose sight has been failing for some time. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Bagby of Huntsville and Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Bagby and children of Randolph Springs were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Bagby Sunday. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--SHARP-WILLIAMS--Mr. David Sharp and Miss Fern Williams were married at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Williams, in Albia, Ia., on Sunday, Sept. 14, 1919, and arrived here Tuesday where they will make their future home. The bride is a most lovable and accomplished young lady, and is quite well known to Higbee folks, having frequently visited at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. T. D. Williams. Mr. Sharp is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Luke Sharp of this place, and is generally recognized as one of Higbee's very best young men. The NEWS joins other friends in congratulations and best wishes. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--Miss Mary Louise Lowry of this city who went to Maitland, Mo., about the first of September, has procured her release from the school, and has gone to Baton Rouge, La., to teach at a much higher salary.--Moberly Democrat. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--BRADLEY-CONNELL--The many Higbee friends and acquaintances of Mr. Aubrey Bradley and Mrs. Esther Connell, the latter of whom left here several weeks ago for Cheyenne, Wyo., to make it her home, will be surprised to learn of their marriage, which took place at Cheyenne Saturday last, and where they will make their future home following a short time at Hereford, Colorado, where Mrs. Bradley has been visiting since leaving Higbee. The NEWS joins other friends in congratulations an best wishes. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--ROY REID TO ENTER MINISTRY--Roy Reid, we learn, has decided to enter the ministry, and preached his first sermon at the Baptist church Tuesday evening. All who had the pleasure of hearing him say it was a most creditable effort. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--SOLDIER DINNER SUNDAY--Mr. and Mrs. Robert Noel of south of town, together with relatives and neighbors, will give a big basket dinner Sunday in honor of their son, Lib, who recently returned from the army. All returned soldiers are invited. Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--(Kathy's notes: The following was taken from an article about the Odd Fellows. My great-great grandfather was very proud of his membership in this body, yet I knew nothing about it. I am transcribing a portion of this article for those, like me, who would like to know more.) ODD FELLOWS HAVE BIG TIME--(Address by Jerry M. Jeffries, former president of the organization)--"The Independence Order of Odd Fellows was established in the United States in the old Seven Stars Tavern in the City of Baltimore, Maryland, on the 26th day of April, 1818. The first lodge was named Washington Lodge No. 1. "Thomas Wildey, the founder of the order was born in London, England, on the 15th day of January, 1792. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed for the purpose of learning coach spring making, and the records show at the end of the usual seven years he was a skilled workman of his craft. "He instituted the first lodge with five members. One hundred years have passed since that event, and during this time the membership has increased to more than two and one-half millions--the largest fraternal society in the world. "The order holds to no particular creed save in the existence of one Almighty God, the Supreme Ruler of the Universe and the binding obligations of the moral law. Religious disputes and political discussions are alike excluded from the lodges. It has no dogmas and nothing to do with politics. Policies divide men, but interests and duties unite them. "Though Odd Fellowship is not an does not profess to be a religious organization, yet it is an efficient handmaid of religion. It is a stepping stone to virtue and to goodness. A true Odd Fellow cannot be or act other than as an honest man. "Its lessons are drawn from Holy Writ and are the fundamental principles of Christianity. Every virtue is recommended and every vice denounced. They teach men their true relations to one another, their duty to their God, to their family and to themselves. "The present home properties are worthy many million dollars. These are kept up and maintained by the expenditure of more than a million dollars annually. In them thousands of aged people and children are being cared for and educated. The home in Missouri is located at Liberty where the institution owns hundreds of acres of fertile soil, and on which have been erected homes, buildings, schools and all of those things which go to make life worth living. The value of this property is nearly a million dollars and around the institution and the loved ones there cluster the prayers and good will of more than a hundred thousand good men and women. "The principles of Odd Fellowship are the bulwarks and guardians of freedom founded on the eternal principles of divine rights. They are a sure guarantee of humane rights. Without them governments leap into the boundless realms of despotism; with them the law stands forth to claim its high purposes--the protection of the weak from the oppression of the strong, by causing the strong to feel for the weak; virtue and religion flourish under their sheltering wing and beauty grows brighter under its brilliant luster. The recognition of the truth of a universal brotherhood and the reduction of this doctrine to practice is one of the noblest features of Odd Fellowship." Friday, 19 Sep 1919, Vol 33. No 22--A LETTER FROM JOHN MURDY--Ft. Amador, C.Z., Sept 2--Friend Scott: Just a few lines, as I promised you I would write. You must excuse me for not writing sooner, as I have been busy ever since I arrived. I left New Orleans on August 5 on the Naval Transport "Gen. Golthals," and arrived at Cristobol, C. Z. on the 10th. Had a very nice trip on the water, but it could have been lots better. I left Cristobol at 11 a.m. and arrived on the Pacific side at 12:45. Found my company here, or what is left of it, for lots of the boys that were here when I left have either been discharged or transferred to some other place. Out of the 48 that were here when I went to the states, only about 15 are left, and the places of the others filled with new men. It was several days before I could learn their different names. We have been awful busy since I got back, doing lots of work on the guns, cleaning and painting them. The sun has sure been hot and I have been out in it so much that I am sunburned all over my arms and neck. But the last few days it has been raining almost every day. Yesterday (Labor Day) it rained for two hours. I was on guard, so did not get much of a holiday. Guess there was a big time in Higbee and Moberly that day. I have not received the paper since the issue of July 24, I sure miss The NEWS. Am enclosing a money order for $1.50 to pay my subscription, and please send the paper to me here until further orders. I don't know when I will get away from here, but hope to be discharged soon, as I am sure tired of this place. Give all my best regards. Your friend, John Murdy, 3rd Co. C. A. C. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.