3 Oct 1902--Married, Oct 1, 1902, at the residence of and by Elder J. P. Naylor, Lon Hursman and Miss Mildred Blansett. 3 Oct 1902--SWINDLE EXPOSED BY A MOBERLY MAN--Clarence Ragsdale Answered Advertisement of counterfeit Money for Sale. Recognized Old Schemer.--St. Louis Republic--New York, Sept 26--On information furnished by Clarence Ragsdale at Moberly MO, who posed as "J. D. Dingle" of No. 413 Reed Street, Moberly, the Brooklyn police to-day placed under arrest Harry Philips, alias Sheeney Harry, whom they believe to be at the head of a green goods syndicate, which from the number of states it covers and the magnitude of its operations, stands alone this line. Ragsdale turned over to the police a number of circulars he received from the green goods house. To start at the beginning, it was about six years ago that Ragsdale received a circular marked "confidential." It told the usual story of how the syndicate was in a position to furnish the prospective purchaser $5 and $10 notes that could be passed as readily as the real thing. Ragsdale saw visions of wealth. His life in Moberly was not pleasing and he lay awake nights. At last he counted out $500 in good notes of Uncle Sam and boarded the train for New York. He was swindled, of course, but caused the arrest of the man who was known to him in the transaction. But before the case came to trial Ragsdale had returned to his Missouri home, and the police frowned and said something about a settlement. The green goods man was released because of the lack of a prosecutor. Several months ago Ragsdale had a return of his dreams of six years previous. The same sort of circular started it. It told again of how plates for $5 and $10 notes had been spirited away from the Bureau of Engraving in Washington, which enabled the syndicate to turn out an enormous amount of money at bargain counter prices. In addition to this were samples of paper on which the notes would be printed. Ragsdale bit again, and after some correspondence agreed to come to New York. He was told to register at a certain hotel under an assumed name, got to his room quickly and not stir until a man came and knocked on the door and whispered "front," the password, through the keyhole. Ragsdale obeyed the instructions religiously, and when the password was given, he opened the door and behold! Sheeney Harry appeared. "Gee whilikens! Are you still in the business?" asked the astonished Ragsdale. "Why, howdy-do!" responded the man with the password. "I am still working in the interest of my friends." A coldness seemed to spring up between the two men at once. Recognition is sometimes pleasant, but occasionally there is too much of it. Ragsdale saw in his present visitor the man he had dealt with five years ago and had had arrested. His next move was to notify Captain Reynolds. On the strength of Ragsdale's information Philips was arrested, but because of the departure of the Missourian, the police were unable to hold him, although they believe the syndicate of which he is said to be the head is operating extensively in Southern and Western States and that several other green goods men are interested in it. Ragsdale was accompanied to this city on his last trip by a friend, whose name the police decline to make public. Before returning home Ragsdale wrote to Captain Reynolds, giving explicit directions how to capture the swindlers. In his letter, which was dated last Sunday, September 21, and mailed from Washington, Ragsdale says: "I am not J. B. Dingle, and there is no such person at Moberly, Mo. I am Clarence Ragsdale of Moberly, MO; came to New York some four or five years ago, was skinned and captured Phillips with McClusky's men. He gave me my money back and I let him go by not knowing him in court. I am in business and had to go back today or would have come over." Captain Reynolds was furious when he learned that the Missourians had departed without aiding in prosecuting the green goods prisoners. 3 Oct 1902--The following is Ragsdale's side of the story, taken from the Moberly Monitor: "The Republic's story yesterday was incorrect in several particulars. The facts in the case are as follows: Several years ago I was the victim of a shrewd confidence game worked by one Harry Phillips, alias Sheeney Mike. I have since wished to have the fellow prosecuted, and getting possession of some of his circulars recently and finding he was still operating in New York, when in that city on business on September 18th, I made it a point to presumably fall into his trap. When face to face with Philips recognition was mutual and knowing it's lair I had the police arrest him. I gave Capt. Reynolds of the police foresee the letter sent through the mail by Philips and left the following day for Washington to continue my pleasure trip. Imagine my surprise to learn Philips was released the day of my departure, the police claiming they couldn't prosecute, even when they had damaging evidence in the form of the letters, in their hands. It is ridiculous to think I would have any dealings with green goods man after my experience, and I hope my friends will not believe the article, in yesterday's Republic." 3 Oct 1902--HARRISBURG ITEMS--Richard Baker and Miss Alice Fainter were married Sept 25th by Elder Hargis. 3 Oct 1902--Uncle Dan Gilvin died Saturday, September 27. Had he lived until October 1st he would have been 87 years old. He was buried Sunday at Mt. Pleasant cemetery by the side of his first wife. 3 Oct 1902--Thieves visited the residence of Oscar Baker Wednesday night and robbed the clothes line of a lot of ladies clothing and also made away with an ax. Thieves visited John Devore's residence the same night where they secured a lot of clothing which had been on the line since the day before. 3 Oct 1902--Joseph C. Welch and wife of Macon county were the guests of their daughter, Mrs. John Devore. 3 Oct 1902--Daniel Given, one of the oldest citizens of Howard county, died at his home near Myers Saturday. 3 Oct 1902--John Thompson moved to Howard county Wednesday. 3 Oct 1902--Died, at her home in Renick, on Sept 29, 1902, Mrs. Mary Sweeney, aged 84 years. She was the mother of E. A. Sweeney of this place. 3 Oct 1902--WOOD BURTON DEAD--Found Dead in His room at the Laclede Hotel, St. Louis--Apoplexy the Cause--Wood Burton is dead! Such was the startling intelligence conveyed in a message from St. Louis Friday evening of last week sent by G. L. Williams to Medley Burton. The sad news spread like wild fire and the whole community received a shock from which it has not yet recovered. The particulars of the sad affair, as we learn them from his brothers-in-law, J. B. Tymony and G. L. Williams, are as follows; On Tuesday or Wednesday of last week Wood came to St. Louis on the Eagle Packet Co's steamer "Chester" with his brother, Byrd, captain of the boat, and for which company he was soliciting freight agent, and informed his brother that he was going to Huntsville to see about a position he had offered him there. So far as we can learn it has never been learned whether he came to Huntsville, but it is presumed that he did. At 8 o'clock Thursday morning he registered at the Laclede as "S. E. Burton" of Sedalia. The clerk asked him if he wished breakfast at once and he said no, he would go to his room. He did so and so far as can be learned was seen no more until 8 o'clock that evening, when he called a bell boy and asked to be awakened at 10 the next morning. The drop in the indicator in the office from this room was out of order and while the ball would ring it could not be ascertained what room had called, and when he called the boy he had to go to another room. The boy reported that he wished to be called at 10 the next morning, and the clerk asked the boy if he was sure the call was for the next morning and not for ten that night. They boy was positive that he said the next morning and the call was so placed on the register. About 2 a.m., just before the elevator was closed down for the night, the elevator boy was called from the fourth floor and went up to see what was wanted. When he stopped at the floor mentioned Wood was standing in front of the elevator dressed in his trousers and undershirt with a water pitcher in his hand. He told the boy that he wanted some water and asked him why they had not answered him from the office, that he had been calling for half an hour. The boy explained to him that the bell was out of order. He did not get mad over the inditement as many would have done, but, true to his nature, laughed about it and took the water which the boy had given him and returned to his room. This was the last seen of him alive. The elevator boy was questioned closely as to whether he had noticed anything peculiar about Wood's actions and appearance and as to whether he appeared sick in any respect. The boy had noticed nothing but his wonderfully good nature and had been greatly impressed by it. At 10 o'clock the next morning a boy was sent to wake him, but failing to do so after repeated knocks, reported the fact to the office. The clerk went up with a key, and as Wood had removed his key from the door, had no trouble in getting into the room. He found Wood in bed, with his right arm under the pillow and his head resting on both (his favorite way of sleeping) apparently asleep, but cold in death. The house physician was hastily summoned and he pronounced it a case of apoplexy and he gave it as his opinion that death had been instantaneous and that he had been dead six or eight hours. A message of inquiry was sent to Sedalia, from which place he had registered, but of course nothing was known of him there. His body was then taken to the morgue to await identification. Had it not been for his business card which was found in his pocket he might have been buried by the city and it might have been months before his friends knew of his death. A newspaper reporter read the card and telephoned the general agent of the Eagle Packet Co, and he in turn telephoned J. B. Tymony, who, in company with G. L. Williams, hurried to the hotel where they were informed that the body had been taken to the morgue. They examined the hotel register and readily recognized the writing as Wood's and hurried to the morgue hoping against hope that their worst fears would not be realized and oppressed by a sickening dread. But it was only too true. After the coroner's inquest, which returned a verdict of death from apoplexy, the body was removed to an undertaker's and later to Mr. Williams' residence. The absent brothers and sisters were at once notified, but Mrs. J. M. Crew, of Tallequah, I. T, was the only one who could come and she, on account of missing her train at Kansas City and Moberly, had to drive through from the latter place, only reaching the cemetery a few moments before the body was lowered to its last resting place. It is not thought that Wood remained in his room all of Thursday but that he took breakfast in the cafe of the hotel or elsewhere and spent the day out in the city, returning to the hotel at 8 as stated. That he should register as he did is no surprise to his friends, as it was a fad or habit of his to use both fictitious initials and residence in registering at hotels. It is thought that he might have registered as he did in order that the company for which he was working might not know that he was in the city. The body, accompanied by Byrd Burton, G. L. Williams and wife, J. B. Tymony and daughter, Miss Carrie, arrived here Saturday afternoon over the Alton and was taken to the home of his aged, heart-broken parents where hundreds called to view for the last time on earth the face of a dear friend forever gone, and to mingle their tears of sympathy and sorrow with those of the bereaved family. The funeral took place at 3 o'clock Sunday, interment being made at the Rennolds family burying ground just south of town where he was laid to rest beside his sister, Mrs. J. B. Tymony. At the request of the parents, Mr. S. Lessley, who had known him from childhood, conducted the funeral services which consisted of singing, Scripture reading, a short talk and prayer. It was by far the largest funeral ever in Higbee, the whole town and community turning out en masse, and during the solemn scene every eye in the vast concourse was dimmed with tears--tears from sorrow's deepest wells. The universal sorrow manifested speaks more eloquently than words of the esteem and veneration in which he was held. Kind, noble, generous, big hearted, whole-souled, brother, son and friend--"None knew thee but to love thee, None named thee but to praise." Woodfolk Burton was born on May 27, 1869, on the farm where his parents now reside, and died Sept 26, 1902, and was therefore 33 years and four months old, lacking one day. In his death the community suffers an irreparable loss and his acquaintances a friend--one who looked on the bright side of life and who tried to make the burdens of others lighter. The world is better for such men having lived in it and their taking away is a calamity. Truly, "Death loves a shining mark." Freed from the sorrows, cares and disappointments of a cold, selfish world, sleep on, dear friend, until the last trump shall rouse you from your lowly bed to peace no mortal can ever know. 3 Oct 1902--We are sorry to learn of the death of Mamie, the only daughter of S. J. Kirby and wife, which occurred at Lyra, Texas, on August the 28th, 1902. 3 Oct 1902--Mrs. S. M. Hirsch received the sad intelligence Wednesday of the death of her father, Mr. M. W. Levi, which occurred at Haigerlock, Germany, on September 3, 1902. 3 Oct 1902--Uncle Joe Burton informs us that up to Thursday evening they had been unable to hear a word from his son, Richard, who is in Kentucky and whom they tried to reach both by telegraph and telephone. He is located at a small inland town and in all probability does not yet know that his brother is dead. 3 Oct 1902--Tole Gorham, of Montana, is here visiting his uncle, Joseph W. Burton. This is his first visit to Missouri in twenty years. He will probably spend the winter visiting Missouri relatives. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.