7 May 1897--Dr. G. M. Nichols sold two lots in the north part of town this week to Jas Lloyd, of Elliott. Consideration $75.00. 7 May 1897--Martha Burton, colored, aged about 80 years, died suddenly Wednesday night. 7 May 1897--Will Phelps, colored, of Salisbury, was run over by a train at Moberly Sunday night and had his head severed from his body. He was sleeping on the track when struck by the locomotive. 14 May 1897--CLARK ITEMS--Married, Wednesday eve, at 1 o'clock in the Union church at Renick, Dr. T. D. Magus and Miss Nobia Marshall. Dr. Mangus is a promising young physician and genial business man of Clark. Miss Marshall was one of Renick's most accomplished young ladies. We wish them a happy, useful and prosperous career. 14 May 1897--The funeral of John Comstock, who was killed several months ago by being run over by a wagon, will be preached at Myres Chaple the first Sunday in June by Rev. Henry Foster of Macon county. 14 May 1897--W. W. Dougherty, a well known farmer of east Howard, was over here Tuesday. Mr. Dougherty has one sister, a father and seven brothers all of whom cast their vote for W. J. Bryan last November. His sister lives in Colorado, and out there women are permitted to vote--Armstrong Herald. 14 May 1897--Fanny Collins, a notorious Negro of Moberly, died at that place last week. 14 May 1897--Married, at Renick, on May 12, 1897, Mr. Taylor Mangus of Clark and Miss Nobia Marshall of Renick. The News extends good wishes. 14 May 1897--Councilman H. L. Lee, of Moberly, committed suicide Wednesday night by shooting himself through the brain. It is supposed that financial trouble was the cause of the rash act. 14 May 1897--Died, near Yates, on the 12th, Mrs. Archie Shawver, aged 50 years. 14 May 1897--Last Thursday evening a difficulty occurred at the residence of Allen Terrill near Moberly, between Chas. Martin of near Renick and Walter Hager of Moberly, in which the latter lost his life. The boys had called upon the daughters of Mr. Terrill, when Mr. Martin proposed that they walk over and spend the evening with a neighbor, which Hager refused to do, because he was not on friendly terms with the family named. This seemed to displease Martin, who thought Hager objected to going with him, and proposed that they settle the matter then and there. Hager insisted that the parlor was no place to settle their difficulties and for them to defer the matter to some future time. The boys remained until 9 o'clock, Mr. Hager leaving first, followed by Martin a short time later. They had not been gone long before a pistol shot was heard near the house. Mr. Terrill got up and went to the window to learn the cause, when two more shots were fired in quick succession and he saw Hager coming toward the house followed by Martin who fired one more shot after Hager had reached the yard. Hager made his way to the house and told Mr. Terrill that Martin had shot him. Mr. Terrill saw that Hager was badly wounded and assisted him to the porch where he soon breathed his last. Chas Martin is the son of Thos. Martin, is 17 years old, and has always been very steady and industrious. Hager is 21 years old, and was sober and full of energy. Martin, when he learned that Hager was dead, went to Moberly and gave himself up, and is now in jail. He claims that the killing was done in self-defense. 21 May 1897--Born, on the 13th, to James Dixson and wife, a daughter. 21 May 1897--Mrs. E. L. Whicker went to Huntsville Tuesday in answer to a telegram stating that her nephew, Willie Hagard had been killed at that place. 21 May 1897--Judge George Winn, of Howard county, was here Tuesday morning shaking hands with his many friends. From here he drove over to Yates to visit his son, Dr. J. W. Winn. 21 May 1897--James Burns and wife returned Sunday from Mexico, MO, where they had been to attend the funeral of Chas. Pendergast, who died at that place on Wednesday of last week. 21 May 1897--Willie Haggard, aged 14 years, was caught under a fall of rock in a coal mine at Huntsville Tuesday morning, and instantly killed. Deceased was a nephew of Mrs. E. L. Whicker, of Higbee. 21 May 1897--Eveline Lee, an aged negress who died recently at Macon, was buried with great ceremony and her funeral was attended by many wealthy and influential residents of the county. She was 90 years old and was born in slavery. For forty years she had served a Macon family and when the emancipation proclamation was issued, she declined to leave her mistress. She was a rare bird among the Negroes, an old maid. 28 May 1897--RENICK NEWS--The writer had the pleasure of attending the annual reunion of the descendants of aunt Betsy Spurling at the residence of D. R. Gibson and wife, her son-in-law and daughter, with whom she lives. Aunt Betsy was born in Clark county near Winchester, KY, on the 20th day of May, 1809, hence, she is eighty eight years old. She has raised eleven children to be grown, five sons and six daughters. Four of the daughters are dead. She has fifty five grand-children and seventy-four great-grand-children, making a total of one hundred and thirty-six descendants. Mr. Editor, we would impress upon your mind that the table, on that memorable 20th day of May, was loaded with the substantials and delicacies of life, and that one hundred and three of aunt Betsy's relatives with a few friends enjoyed a hearty meal. A feature of the reunion that was especially enjoyable was the presence of her sister, Mrs. Kimbrough, who is eighty six years old, make the total age of the two sisters one hundred and seventy four years. We hope that this lengthy batch of items will not test your patience beyond endurance, and we will take rest and let you hear from us again. 28 May 1897--Mrs. Louisa Linn, the mother of Rev. James Linn, died suddenly Sunday night at Clifton Hill. 28 May 1897--Chas Martin, who shot and killed young Hager near Moberly some time ago, had his preliminary trial at Moberly Friday and Saturday. He was held in a bond of $5000 to await the action of the grand jury. 28 May 1897--There died a few weeks ago in Lawrence, Kansas, a Negro, who left an estate valued at $30,000. At the time of his death he was living with his fourth or fifth wife. He was a slave before the war and was owned by a Howard county man. His first wife, whom he married in slavery, and who still lives in Boonville, lays claim to the estate. The courts will decide the matter. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.