30 Dec 1898--KILLED IN THE MINE--Charles, Only Son of A. B. Johnson, Killed in the Higbee Mine Monday--A feeling of gloom was cast over the entire community at noon Monday when news reached town from the Higbee mine that Chas. Johnson, aged 20 years, only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Johnson, had been killed while at work. He had gone to work with his father that morning as usual in buoyant spirits, full of life and hope, little dreaming that it was to be his last day upon earth and that never again in this world should he look upon the glorious light of day or upon the fond parents and sisters who idolized him. Wm. Smith, one of the drivers employed in the mine, did not go to work that day, and Charlie was anxious to take his place, as he had long wanted to drive. Mr. Johnson wanted to keep his boy with him that he might share his danger, but through his love for him he reluctantly consented for him to take the regular driver's place. Charlie made several successful trips to the hoisting shaft with coal, but while bringing another string of cars down a steep hill about eleven o'clock he met with the accident that cost him his life. Just how the accident happened will never be known. There were five cars in the string Charlie's mule was pulling and he was told by Luke Sharpe, another driver, that he had better not attempt to go down the hill without spragging (that is, putting a stick of wood between the spokes of the wheels so they would slide), or the cars would get away from him. At the top of this hill, or near the top, is kept a pile of these sprags. At this place there is also a board, or switch target, to be turned in a certain direction by the driver who has begun the descent of the hill on his way to the shaft, as a sign to the driver following that he has gone. Charlie failed to reach the bottom with his trip, but the men at the cage thought nothing of this, as the drivers are frequently delayed in making up their trip, by derailed cars, etc. When Mr. Sharp was ready to descend the hill he noticed that none of the sprags had been used and that the board had not been turned. He knew something was wrong and left his cars at the top of the hill and started in search of the missing driver. The hill is about 100 years long, and Mr. Sharp had gone about half or three-quarters of the way down it when he found Charlie lying across the track--dead. Two of the cars had passed over his body, one of which was off the track, and the body was across the rails between the second and third car. How he got there no one knows. His cap and lamp were found up the hill some distance and a gash was on his forehead, which leads some to think he was knocked from the cars by striking a timber. Another theory is that when he found the cars getting away from him he jumped off to one side and was trying to check their speed by pulling back on the cars and that his foot caught and he was jerked under. When the cars were examined it was found that they had not been spragged, but it is reasonably certain that he did not attempt to make the descent without them, for he knew too well the danger. It is supposed he forgot where the sprags were or that he failed to see them, as he was slightly near-sighted. Mr. Hiram Hyde, mine boss, while going his rounds, discovered the unfortunate boy about the same time as Mr. Sharp, and they summoned help and removed the body, which was brought to town and taken to the undertaking establishment of F. H. James. Upon a close examination it was found that the neck was broken, as was the right ankle. His breast and sides were also badly crushed. After the body was washed and dressed it was taken to the home of his heart broken parents. Funeral services were held at the M. E. Church, South, Wednesday evening by Rev. W. F. Bell, of Fayette, after which the remains were followed to the city cemetery by the largest crowd of sorrowing friends ever assembled on such an occasion. Charlie was one of Higbee's best young men, full of life and energy and everyone was his friend. In the loss of an only son and brother just blooming into manhood the parents and sisters have suffered an awful blow and the sincerest sympathy of the entire community goes out to them in the dark hours of their bereavement. No words of sympathy can console in such times, but sweet will be the thought to these broken hearts that the spirit of their noble son and brother has returned to the God who gave it, and that in a few short fleeting years they shall meet him in that great beyond where sorrow is not known and where we shall never hear the sad word "Farewell." Deceased was a grandson of State Mine Inspector Evans, who sunk the mine twenty years ago and is the first one to meet with a fatal accident in it. 30 Dec 1898--Mrs. Mable Turner, of Kansas City, and A. M. Conover, of Macon City, were here Sunday to attend the funeral of their little nephew, Hugh Black. 30 Dec 1898--Mrs. A. J. Swetnam, of 922 South Fourth street, died Saturday afternoon at 3:30, of pulmonary trouble, aged 34 years. The deceased was a good Christian lady and a member of the M. E. Church, South. She leaves three children, a father, mother, two sisters and one brother to mourn her loss. The remains were taken to Huntsville at 1:50 this afternoon, where the funeral ceremonies were held from the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. S. P. Cresap, of this city, assisted by Rev. H. H. Johnson, of Huntsville--Moberly Democrat. 30 Dec 1898--The four-year-old daughter of Hugh Melvin and wife, five miles northwest of Higbee, died Wednesday evening of membranous croup. 30 Dec 1898--C. S. Hargis, living just across the line in Howard county, has sold his farm of 216 acres to G. F. Lay. Consideration not known. Mr. Hargis thinks of moving to Colorado or California. 30 Dec 1898--Married, at the residence of the bride's parents, Jas. Palmer and wife, on the 22nd, Wm. Baker and Miss Ethel Palmer, justice Rankin officiating. The News extends good wishes. 30 Dec 1898--Maj. Williams, of Glasgow, who was stricken with paralysis some months ago, died at that place Saturday evening. Mr. Williams was for a number of years a resident of Higbee, and was well known to most of the older citizens. He was a nephew of J. E. Rucker. 30 Dec 1898--Born, on the 28th, to J. R. Robb and wife, a daughter. 30 Dec 1898--Born, on the 26th, to Sidney Swetnam and wife, a son. 30 Dec 1898--Married, in Moberly, on Dec 27, 1898, Mr. Calt Coats and Miss Ella Yeager. 30 Dec 1898--Granville Wilson, aged 78 years, died at his farm four miles north of town late Wednesday evening, of pneumonia. 30 Dec 1898--Mrs. W. R. Smith, of Huntsville, who has been very low with consumption for several months, died at that place last Friday evening. 30 Dec 1898--Grandma Ferguson died at Renick last Thursday afternoon. The remains were laid to rest by loving hands in Chapel Grove cemetery Friday--Clark Zephyr. 30 Dec 1898--Married, in Ardmore, on the 28th, Henry Hare, of Higbee, and Miss Anna Morlee, of Ardmore. The News extends good wishes. 30 Dec 1898--R. L. Jamison, of Kansas City, was here Sunday attending the funeral of little Hugh Black. Mr. Jamison is a brother of Mrs. S. R. Black. 30 Dec 1898--Died, on Dec 27th, 1898, at the residence of her son, Jas. H. Davis, Mrs. Mary Davis, aged 75 years. The remains were taken to Renick Wednesday for interment. 30 Dec 1898--Harry Hare, wife and daughters, left Wednesday for Ardmore, to attend the marriage of their son, Henry, which occurred at that place Wednesday evening. 30 Dec 1898--Mrs. Hence W. Burton who has been at the Hot Springs, Ark, for some time hoping to improve her health, is, we regret to learn, much worse. Mr. Burton left for the Springs, Wednesday. 30 Dec 1898--Wm. Muncy and Miss Bertha Reno were married by Squire Ferguson Friday, Dec 23--Clark Zephyr. 30 Dec 1898--Married, in Higbee on the 22nd, Mr. John McGill and Miss Lizzie Marecheck. The News extends good wishes. 30 Dec 1898--Reuben Barns and Miss Rosa Butts were married Christmas day at the residence of J. F. Robinson--Clark Zephyr. 30 Dec 1898--DROWNED WHILE SKATING--Hugh Black, Son of S. R. Black, Drowned Saturday While Skating--Last Saturday little Hugh, the 12-year-old son of S. R. Black and wife, slung his skates over his shoulder, and, in company with several of his companions, left town for the Rennolds farm to enjoy a Christmas skate. It was a merry crowd and all looked forward to an enjoyable evening of skating and to the greater pleasure of a visit from old Santa. Little did they dream that grim death had marked one of their number for his own and that in a few short hours he would clasp him in his cold embrace. The boys reached the pond and had spent some time in skating, when one of the number proposed that they venture out on the thin ice. This ice was over the deepest part of the pond and had frozen since those putting up ice had quit cutting it, only a few days before. One of the boys, who was lighter than Hugh, had ventured out a short distance and returned in safety. When Hugh's time came he ventured further out, and when out about ten or fifteen feet the ice broke and he went down in seven feet of water. His companions were horror stricken and dared not go on the ice to his rescue. They got some rails as quickly as possible and shoved them out to the drowning boy, but he was too far gone to grasp them. When he sank for the last time the boys came to the town with the sad news and soon a large crowd was at the pond. Marshal Frank Cain was the first to arrive and although the water was freezing, he pulled off his coat and vest and waded in water up to his chin to near the place where the boy had gone down. By reaching out his foot Mr. Cain located the body, which was in an upright position and swaying to and fro. After repeated efforts Mr. Cain succeeded in grasping the body and bringing it to the bank. Dr. Nichols, who had been summoned, worked with him some time hoping to revive the vital spark, but it had fled. The boy was brought to town and taken to the home of his heart broken parents. Funeral services were conducted at the residence by Eld. C. H. Strawn, of the Christian church, after which the remains were tenderly laid to rest in the city cemetery. This has been a sad Christmas to the loving father, mother and sister and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to them. 30 Dec 1898--Dr. William R. Rothwell, professor of theology in William Jewell College, an old and well-known educator and citizen of Missouri, died of pneumonia at his home in Liberty yesterday afternoon. He was at the college last Thursday and became quite ill the next day. His brother, Dr. Thomas Rothwell, died at Mexico on Thursday last. Dr. W. R. Rothwell has been connected with William Jewell college since 1872, a portion of which time he was president of that institution. Previous to 1872 he filled positions in other educational institutions of Missouri. In the early days he was president of Mount Pleasant college at Huntsville. He was born in Kentucky in 1831, being 67 years old at the time of his death. He was a brother to Hon. G. F. Rothwell, deceased, former congressman of this district, and Mrs. W. A. Rothwell, of this city. Two other sisters, Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. Reed reside at Mexico---Moberly Democrat. 30 Dec 1898--A dispatch from Leadville, Col, dated the 28th, says: "Carrie Williams, a beautiful young woman, who shot herself at Dillon, near here, a few days ago, died tonight and the remains are to be sent to her old home in Glasgow, MO, for burial. The girl went to Dillon a few years ago, and has lived with her sister and family since then. Some months ago Harry Evans, a variety actor, called at Dillon, his old home, and was appointed assistant postmaster. He became acquainted with the girl, fell in love with her, and the love was returned. A few months ago the girl was left a small legacy and it is alleged that under the promise of marriage she lent him the money. He soon spent it all, and other women were his companions in spending it. The couple quarreled and Evans began talking about her and wrote Carrie a letter discarding her, because he claimed she was jealous. Monday she received the letter and going home secured a revolver and returned to the post office where Evans was at work. "Harry," she said, "I'm going to kill myself." "All right," he replied. The next minute there were two shots and she fell to the floor, shot through the breast. Miss Williams was a refined girl, about 23 years of age, and her relatives at Dillon are among the leading citizens there. Miss Williams is a neice of Mr. J. E. Rucker of this place and a sister of Maj. Williams, formerly of this place, who died at his home in Glasgow last Saturday. 30 Dec 1898--Pearl Myers and Annie Myers, daughter of Judge P. D. Myers of the County court, went to Bloomfield, Iowa, this morning to be married. They are cousins, hence the marriage in Iowa. The young couple are expected home tonight. 30 Dec 1898--Married, in Higbee, on Dec 25, 1898, at the residence of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Williams, Mr. George Morlee and Miss Mary Williams, Squire Rankin officiating. 30 Dec 1898--Married, in Higbee, on Dec 25, 1898, at the residence of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Dunman, Mr. George Carter and Miss Ethel Dunman, Squire Rankin officiating. 30 Dec 1898--Married, Dec 25, 1898, at the residence of Lum Osborne, Mr. Oscar Parish and Miss Allie Haggard Rev. Ridgley of the Baptist church officiating. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.