Att: Susan Lane While in Fayette, Howard Co., Missouri, a few weeks ago I was going through some probate records at the court house. One of the things I found, and copied, was a 'Writ of Habeas Corpus' State of Missouri vs James Dougherty. The hand written part is very hard to read, and of course the most interesting part is the most illegible. There in not much information about what actually happened other than legal descriptions. I will do my best to decipher it, or if you would like a copy let me know and I will snail mail it to you. You might get a better copy by writing Jefferson City. I was told that they had the original films. Fayette's reader/printer is not the best in the world. It uses slick, roll paper like some fax machines. Return State of Missouri, County of Howard I, W.F. Mitchell sheriff of said County of Howard, in obedience to the written Writ of Habeas Corpus, have herewith the body of the within stated Jas. Dougherty before the said Judge of The Probate Court And the return to said Writ, do state that said Jas. Dougherty is in my custody, as Sheriff & Jailor of County by virtue of a certain __________(maybe witness) issued by J.B. W____ (maybe Winn) on the 7th day of May 1896,by which I was commanded to take the body of said Jas. Dougherty and him safely keep, and have him before The Grand Jury to answer a complaint for murder 1st degree preferred against him by Johnson Grapes copy of which said Complaint is _______ hereto Before Mr. J.B. W____ a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Howard _________ comes Johnson Grapes who brings duly sworn according to the law ______ and says that on or about the 2nd day of May 1896 in the County of Howard and state of Missouri James Dougherty and _______ (maybe James) Dougherty did willfully, premeditatedly, deliberately, __________ and of ________ malice aforethought - with a deadly and dangerous weapon to wit a pistol loaded with gunpowder and ______ balls, shot, struck and kill one Jim Dennis, against the ________ and dignity of the state, and further this _________ saith not. J.W. Grapes sworn to and subscribed before me this the 4th day of May 1896 J.B W_________ Fee 1.00 Justice of Peace 1.00 W.H. Mitchell _______ Sheriff Howard County $ 2.00 If you wish to order a copy - this came from Roll 51, file 1351. I believe that I saw something about James being a minor, but I can find nothing in my notes or on the copies I made that substantiates this belief. I would appreciate your letting me know if you find out anything more about this. I would sure like to know the outcome, maybe Kathy will find more in The Higbee News. Until next time, Ms. Cecil V. Boyd