25 Dec 1897--Born, on the 17th, near Myres, to W. K. Avery and wife, a son. 25 Dec 1897--Mrs. Wm Burton returned to her home near Elliott Monday after a short visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John F. Harlow. 25 Dec 1897--Mrs. E. A. Sweeney, who has been at the Baptist Sanitarium in St. Louis for some time, is not expected to live many hours. Her husband went down Tuesday night to be with her in her last hours. 25 Dec 1897--Died, in Higbee, on the 22nd, of pneumonia, Emanuel Dill, aged 63 years. Deceased leaves four children, all of whom are grown. The remains were buried Thursday at the old Gashwiler burying ground, five miles south of Renick. 25 Dec 1897--Guy L. Rucker, formerly of Sturgeon, and a young man of much promise, committed suicide in St. Louis Thursday of last week. He was out of money and out of work and preferred death to being a burden to his relatives and friends. The remains were interred Sunday at Pisgah, near Sturgeon. Deceased was a son of the late John E. Rucker, of Sturgeon. 25 Dec 1897--Mr. Pryor Burton, of near Burton was here Tuesday and swore out a warrant before Justice Rankin against Daniel Robb of the same place, charging him with forgery. The warrant was placed in the hands of J. C. Elgin, who, accompanied by Jas. Palmer, went to Burton Tuesday evening and made the arrest. About the 10th of the month a stranger giving the name of John D. Hudson, presented a check for $200, and signed by Pryor Burton, at the Citizens Bank for payment. E. R. Denham, the cashier, not being acquainted with Hudson refused to pay the check until he could identify himself. Hudson then left the check in Mr. Denham's possession and was seen no more. Burton was communicated with and at once pronounced the check a forgery and began an investigation. His first move was to bring John D. Hudson before Mr. Denham for identification who pronounced him to be the wrong man. Wednesday morning Daniel Robb was taken into the bank and was at once recognized by Mr. Denham as the one who presented the check. He gave a $500 bond for his appearance at his preliminary trial which is set for December 27th. Mr. Robb has always borne the reputation of an honest, hard-working man and his arrest caused great surprise in the neighborhood. He solemnly declares that he was never in the bank in his life until he was taken there Wednesday. 25 Dec 1897--Probably the smallest child ever born in Higbee was the daughter born on the 21st, to S. G. Faulkner and wife. The little creature only weighed 2 pounds, but seems to be as healthy and lively as most other babies. 25 Dec 1897--The friends of Frank E. MaGuire will regret to learn of the death of his wife, which occurred at San Marcus, Texas, last Friday. The remains passed through here Sunday night en route to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for interment. Deceased leaves a husband and a little daughter four months old to mourn her loss. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 22, 1897.--Hello Santa Claus! Bring me a wagon, and bring pa some hair for his head. We want 'em both red. WOOD CLEETON. 25 Dec 1897--Yates, MO, Dec 21, 1897--Dear Old Santa--I am a very small boy but think I am good. I want you to come to see me and bring me a knife, some candy, raisins, and butternuts and oranges. Your friend, LASS YATES 25 Dec 1897--Yates, MO, Dec 21, 1897--Dear Old Santa--I am a little boy eight years old. Will you please come and see me Christmas and bring me a knife, pair of skates, cap pistol and some candy, raisins and oranges. Your friend, FINIS WILLIAMS 25 Dec 1897--Yates, MO, Dec 21, 1897--Dear Old Santa--I am a very good little girl five years old. I want you to please bring me a little cooking stove, some candy, raisins, oranges and bananas. Be sure and come to see Aunt Alice. Your little friend, IDA WOODS WILLIAMS 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 22, 1897--Dear Old Santa--I am located on Main street just opposite the Christian church and first door east of the News office. Please bring me a fair sample of everything you carry. Now please do not forget me, for I am one of the boys. Yours. LORA ESTILL RENIE. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 21, 1897--Dear old Santa--I will write you a few lines to-night to let you know what I want for Christmas. I want a story-book, a drawing slate, and I would like very much to have a pair of gum boots. I will be glad to see Christmas here once more. I must close now. Your affectionate boy, JOHN BRADLEY. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 21, 1897--Dear Santa--I will write to you as Christmas is almost here and I want so many nice things. Well, Santa, what are you going to bring me? I should like to have some oranges, nuts and candy. I will hang up my stocking and hope you will fill it with lots of good things. From your little friend, MAY MATTOX. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 19, 1897--Dear Santa Claus--I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know what I want for Christmas. I want a nice large dollie, and a set of dishes. I will be a good girl if you will bring them to me. If it isn't too cold I want you to come around in your sleigh. From your little friend, HAZEL MORRIS. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 22, 1897--Dear Old Santa--Brother and I thought we would write you a little letter to tell you what we want for Xmas. I want a horn, drum, sled, tool-box, fire crackers, caps, candies, fruit and a train, and brother wants a wagon, sled, horn, train, candies and fruit and lots of nice things. Remember my younger brother; also mamma and papa. Your loving friends, WILLIE AND CLAUD MCKINNEY. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO , Dec 19, 1897--Mr. Chris Cringle--Dear Santa: I wish to be remembered by you in your annual round. I would like to have a doll with brown eyes and long hair, and some candy and nuts. I will not ask much this time as you treated me so kindly last year. Your little friend, IOLA MAY ADAMS. P. S.: Please do not forget my little baby sister, eleven months old. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 23, 1897--Dear Santa Claus--As Xmas is coming I want you to know what I want, I thought the best way was to write to you. I want a gold watch chain, some games, a fairy story book, a little writing desk, a gold ring, a magic lantern and a pair of kid gloves. I will close my letter now and learn my lessons for school. Your friend, FLOSSIE G. BURTON. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 23, 1897--Dear Santa Claus--Please bring me a trunk, a pair of mitts, a doll table and a little stuffed turkey for a little Christmas dinner. Now please be good to me. You never brought me much last year. I want a sled and a stove that will cook. I don't like to ask for so much, because there are other little girls in Higbee for you to give things to. Your little friend, JESSIE HUDSON. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 22, 1897--Dear Old Santa--Sister and I thought we would write you a little letter to tell you what we want for Xmas. We both want a ring, and I want a washing set, and sister a little safe, and lots of other nice things, such as candy, nuts, oranges, etc. I don't think we have been very bad, so please don't forget us. Remember other sisters and little brother. Your dear little girls, EVA AND POLLIE NICHOLS. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 20, 1897--Dear Santa Claus--I shall now endeavor to write you another letter, as Christmas is here, and I forgot to tell you all I wanted in the first letter. The baby wants a doll and a doll carriage. Remember my little sister who is 16 months old. I want a gold ring, a large scrap book and a large tea set. Dear Santa I am going to sing you a song of welcome in the Baptist church Christmas eve. I will close for this time. Your little girl, ROSY WATKINS. 25 Dec 1897--Dear Santa Claus--Bring me a tune box with a handle on it and a doll bed and a ring and some candy. WILLIE JOE RYLE. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 23, 1897--Dear Santa Claus--I will write a few lines as Christmas is almost here. Santa, I want a storybook and a sled and a kitchen set and that is all I have to say for this time. Yours truly, BLANCHE HOUTZ. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 23, 1897--Dear Santa Claus--I am a little girl 8 years old and going to school, and as Christmas is near I want you to bring me a doll and doll buggy, a stove and tea set. I have a little sister 4 years old and, dear Santa, bring her a doll also. Please do not forget us. You will find me at grandma Evans. WILLIE MAY JOHNSON. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 23, 1897--Mr. Santa Claus, St. Louis--Dear Santa--I will try to write you a few lines to let you know what I want for Christmas. You please bring me a doll carriage and a gold ring. Well, Santa, bring me lots of candy and nuts. I will be pleased with anything you bring me. I will close now. From your loving friend, GRACE HOUTZ 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 23, 1897--Dear Santa Claus--We heard that you was not coming to this town, but Mr. Dougherty said you was coming, and we are glad of it, for we want lots of things. I want an ark and set of dishes and candy and bananas. Paul wants a little bicycle and clown doll and sack of nuts and candy. Now don't forget us for we are good sometimes. From your little friends, SAM AND PAUL. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 22, 1897--Dear Santa Claus--We are little sisters that live in the country and tho't we would write and tell you what to bring. We want a tea set apiece, a little trunk, some bananas, candy, and a nice little doll for our baby sister. Papa says you are looking in the window at night to see if we are good girls, and we are going to try and be good until you come. From your little friends, ORA AND NAOMI ROBB. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Xmas Time--Dear Old Santa Claus--I am a little girl. I can't write so I gets my aunt to write you for me, and I will tell you what I must have for Xmas. Brother can't talk, but I know he wants a horn and Noah's ark, and I 'specks he would like a rocky horse. I want a tea set, doll cradle, doll chair. I's got a doll--you need not bring me a doll. I want candy and bananas. Please bring me all this Uncle Santa. ANNIE MAY DYSART. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 18, 1897--Dear Santa Claus--Please bring me a drum, a rocking horse, a bicycle, a box of tools, a sack of candy, a sack of bananas, a quart of peanuts, a base ball, an every day cap, an airgun, a saw and saw buck, a pair of rubbers and an air ship. Oh, yes, I forgot to say--a pair of boots. And now dear Santa as times are hard this will do for this time, but please bring mamma and papa and Johnnie and Lilly a few little tricks. From your loving little boy, OLIVER BRADLEY. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 20, 1897--My Dear Santa--I am eight years old and will write and tell you what I want for Christmas. I would like to have a doll that will go to sleep, a lock bracelet, a pair of kid gloves, some candy and nuts, a bottle of perfume and red and blue ribbon and a fur and muff. I am anxious for Christmas to come. I would like very much to see your jolly face and hear your sleigh bells jingle, but I am afraid I can't stay awake. Your little girl, LILLIAN MAY BRADLEY 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 21, 1897--Dear Santa--As Christmas is drawing near I thought I would write you a little letter to let you know what I want for Christmas. Well, first thing, I want a little piano, a little cook stove, a little trunk and a little rocking chair. Well, Santa, if you find anything better send it along. I won't get mad. I hope there will be snow on the ground so that you can bring your little reindeers with you. Mind you don't slip down. Well, dear Santa, don't forget to bring me some candy. Well I hope you don't think I ask for too much. Good bye. From your little girl, ROSA BOWEN. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 22, 1897--Dear Santa Claus--As it is almost Christmas again I take pleasure in writing you a few lines in order that you will not forget me this time. I do not think you will for you have never forgotten me yet. I am going away Christmas, but not till I hang up my stocking and go to the tree. I would like to have a nice large doll and a set of play dishes, and I hope you will fill my stocking with candy, nuts and oranges and bananas and anything else that you can think of that is good or pretty. I will close for this time. From your little friend, GOLDIER MARKLEY. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 20, 1897--Dear Santa Claus--I thought I would write you a little letter to tell you what I want for Christmas. I want a pair of kid gloves and a large tea set and a gold ring with a set in it. I will hang up my stockings and hope you will fill them with candies and nuts. Miss Callie Jones is my teacher. We are going to have a Christmas tree at the school house. My brother wants Santa to bring him a new sled and a little wagon. I am in a dialogue at the Methodist church. I don't want you to forget to come Christmas. I guess I will have to close for this time. From your little girl, ATTA STARK. 25 Dec 1897--Higbee, MO, Dec 21, 1897--Dear Mr. Santa Claus--I thought I would write you a letter to let you know that I am well and hope you are the same. I am going to hang up my stocking for I want you to fill my stocking full of candy and something more. I want you to bring me something for Christmas. I want a gold ring and a pair of kid gloves, a piano and a doll about 17 inches tall. Miss Callie Jones is my teacher. My sister Maude wants a gold bracelet for Xmas, and a gold ring, too. I am going to sing a song at the Baptist church Xmas night. I am good at school and want you to come and fill my stocking. Well I guess I will close for this time. From your little girl, ETHEL BOTTS. 31 Dec 1897--RENICK ITEMS--Mr. Carl Wirt and Miss Nobia Osborne, were married on Xmas evening by Elder Joe Roberson, of Clark. 31 Dec 1897--Born, on the 25th, to Fred Dill and wife, a son. 31 Dec 1897--Born, on the 22th, to W. A. Hitt and wife, a daughter. 31 Dec 1897--The infant child of S. G. Faulkner and wife, died Sunday night and was buried at the John Whitmore burying ground. 31 Dec 1897--Died, near Myres on the 29th Mrs. Joe Andrews, aged about 25 years. Deceased leaves a husband and two small children to mourn her loss. 31 Dec 1897--On Christmas morning Dr. G. M. Nichols presented Joe Andrews and wife with a fine Xmas gift. His name is Elijah Nichols Andrews. 31 Dec 1897--W. S. St. Clair and W. F. Porter, two prominent young farmers of near Harrisburg, were in town Wednesday and paid the News a pleasant call. Both will start on the New Year properly by reading the News. 31 Dec 1897--Four of Higbee's young people drove over to Huntsville yesterday and were married. The parties were Wm. Young and Miss Anna Reece, and Edwin Reece and Miss Maggie Robson. They returned in the evening and were given a big reception at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Robson. The News extends congratulations and many good wishes to them for a smooth journey through life. 31 Dec 1897--The case of the State against Daniel Robb, of Howard county, charged with attempting to cash a forged check at the Citizen's Bank some time ago, was called in Justice Rankin's court Monday. The defendant was represented by Jas. Robinson, of Fayette, and the State by Hon. W. A. Rothwell, of Moberly. Defendant called for, and was granted a change of venue, and the case sent to Justice D. L. Barron's court, who will hear the case January the 18th. Both sides will have a large number of witnesses. 31 Dec 1897--MRS. E. A. SWEENEY DEAD--Mrs. E. A. Sweeney, who was reported near death's door in our last issue, died at St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis, Friday, Dec 24, 1897. Mrs. Sweeney had been suffering from a complication of diseases for several years and had been to St. Louis several times for treatment. About a month ago she became much worse and was taken to the city again and operated upon for stomach trouble, but from the first no hope was given of her recovery. She lingered between life and death for two or three weeks, when she was relieved of her terrible suffering by death. The remains were brought home Saturday and funeral services were conducted at the M. E. Church, South, Sunday morning by the pastor, Rev. G. W. Nollner. After the funeral the remains were taken charge of by Higbee Lodge of Rathbone Sisters, of which order deceased was a member, and taken to Moberly where they were tenderly laid to rest in Oakland cemetery. The M. K. & T. kindly furnished those attending the burial with a special coach to and from Moberly. About 200 attended the burial from this place and Elliott. Deceased was a daughter of Dan Harris and wife, was thirty years of age, and leaves to mourn her loss, father, mother, brother, sisters and a husband and little son, 5 years old. Mr. Sweeney did all in his power for her by employing the best of medical and surgical skill, but it was to no avail. She was a member of the M. E. Church, South, and was ready and willing to go, and prayed that death would relieve her. The news extends its sympathy to the heart-broken husband and grief-stricken family. 31 Dec 1897--Mrs. Mollie Mathieu, (nee Dennis), of Trinidad, Colo, sends us $2.00 to be placed to her credit on the News. In her letter she informs us that she was married to Amos Mathieu, son of Mrs. E. Mathieu, of this place, on Sept 29, 1897. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.