6 July 1900--James Avery, of near Myers, was in town yesterday morning after a coffin for the five-year-old daughter or Robert Fisher and wife who died Wednesday night. 6 July 1900--The 16-months-old child of John Mason, of Elliott, died yesterday morning. 13 July 1900--MANIAC KILLED AT SLATER--Slater, MO, July 7--Wm Welbasky an unknown and evidently insane man about 30 years old, giving his address as No. 3130 Fifth avenue, Chicago, was killed at this place last night about 10 o'clock by Thomas Troy, road supervisor of the Chicago & Alton railroad. Welbasky entered the train dispatcher's office a little before 10 o'clock and seemed to be suffering mentally. He said that two men were going to murder him that night. Seeing that he was crazy, a telephone message was sent to the city marshal. Welbasky suddenly seized a coupling pin, with which he struck brakeman Phillips over the head, rendering him unconscious. He then threw the burning lamps at the dispatcher, which caused the building to catch fire. Troy, hearing the cry of murder and fire got a pistol and started into the building. As he entered the door the maniac struck him in the face with an empty nail keg knocking him against the door. At this juncture Troy fired and the victim fell to the floor, his body pierced with a bullet. He lived until 1 o'clock this morning. While dying he seemed rational and gave his name and his address. The fire in the office was put out before any damage was done. Brakeman Phillips remained unconscious until this morning, but it is thought he will recover. 13 July 1900--THIRD OF JULY FATAL TO THIS FAMILY--Sedalia, MO, July 8--A strange fatality seems to follow the family of W. S. Cowherd, six miles north of Otterville, Cooper county. On the 3rd day of July for the past four years one of Mr. Cowherd's children has died, each being buried on July 4. Last Tuesday, July 3, a 5-year-old son died, after an illness of less than five minutes' duration. The boy was apparently in good health, when suddenly his throat began to swell up, and he strangled to death. 13 July 1900--Born, on the 7th, to C. M. Markley and wife, a daughter. 13 July 1900--Born, on the 9th, to John Bogie and wife, a son. 13 July 1900--Born, on the 6th, to John Saunders and wife, a son. 13 July 1900--Died, on the 5th, Martha Hamilton, wife of Pet Hamilton, of paralysis, aged 65 years. 13 July 1900--Mrs. Thos. Pierce, who was stricken with paralysis some time ago, is very poorly. She is 89 years old and we can hardly look for any improvement in her condition. 13 July 1900--DEATH OF MRS. FANNIE OSBORNE--Mrs. Fannie Osborne, nee Parish, was born two and one half miles from Higbee, August 24, 1868, and died of consumption in Higbee, July 8, 1900. She was married to D. C. Osborne, Dec 25, 1889. To them were born two children, one gone on before, and little Ruby, now in her 2nd year. She united with the Baptist church at McMullan Sept 1890. For some time she had been a member of the Higbee Baptist church. The family has lived in this town 8 years, all of which time she has been in failing health, the last 3 years of which she has been an invalid. She leaves a mother, two brothers, one sister besides many relatives and friends and a dear husband and baby girl, to mourn her loss. Her sickness was long and painful, yet marked with resignation. Patience has its perfect work. Her friends will never forget that in her great suffering she always greeted them with a smile. She made several requests as to her burial and loving hands joyfully carried out her wish. Our sister gave satisfactory evidence of her attainment of the better resurrection. She was spiritually minded--born of the spirit. Religion was her theme. She loved the church. During the present pastorate inability prevented her presence at church a single time, but her heart was always there, and the mention of her name always brought a hushed silence. (poem) She was deeply interested in her husband and child. Twas hard to part with them. She committed them to God, knowing that all would be well. She was calm in the storm of life. The recent severe storm ceased raging and left her the same composed woman. Was she not His whose hand ruled the storm? She was patient. Many of us learned a lesson here. She died a triumphant death. She passed away peacefully to the heavenly rest at 12:30 A.m., Sunday, July 8, 1900. Her funeral was conducted by the pastor of the Baptist church Monday. Songs of her own selection were sung. Many were in attendance. She now sleeps in the McMullin graveyard--no, not she, but only the body of clay, for heaven is now the home of her soul. Here were gathered friends of her youth. A few parting words were spoken to these stricken hearts. We covered the graves with flower wreaths and turned toward home more desirous than ever to live a Christian life, that we may die a Christian death. The husband request that his sincere thanks be extended to the many who so long and lovingly assisted during his companion's sickness. Every blessing upon him and the dear child. God bless the relatives. Smile upon the church, and through her death lead souls to Christ. HER PASTOR 13 July 1900--Willie, the 12 year old son of Ben Burton, met with what might have been a serious accident Friday noon. He was riding a bicycle on the Santa Fe platform, when he lost control of the wheel and run into the east bound local freight, which was slowly passing the depot. Fortunately he did not fall under the train and suffered no personal injuries. However, the bicycle was a wreck--Norborne Leader. The young man is a grandson of J. W. Burton of this place. 13 July 1900--Miss Cora Scott and Mr. Theodore A. Wright stole a march on their numerous friends yesterday and were quietly married in Oswego. The news spread rapidly, so that last night as Mr. Wright was leaving on the flyer a gay party of friends showered rice liberally over the happy couple. Miss Scott is a resident of Parsons, while Mr. Wright is known far and near as the genial clerk at the Matthewson House. His popularity will make his loss keenly felt by those accustomed to his friendly greeting from the hotel desk. He left last night for Higbee, MO, where he becomes manager of the Randolph House. Mrs. Wright will soon follow him to the future home. Their whole host of friends wish them all sorts of good luck--Parsons, (Kan) Sun. 20 July 1900--The first horseless carriage seen in these parts struck town Monday evening, and was an object of curiosity to our citizens. It was in charge of a couple of gentlemen who were on their way from St. Louis to Kansas City. 20 July 1900--IS IT MURDER? Physicians Declare That Roy Austin Died From Arsenic--Victim's Life Was Insured for $2,000. Moberly, MO, July 17--Roy Austin, an orphan boy who resided with his grandmother, died suddenly yesterday. Physicians attending say he was poisoned. The coroner's inquest today and post mortem examination confirm that death ensued from arsenical poison. No arrests have yet been made. His life was insured in two companies, aggregating $2,000. 20 July 1900--Born, on the 15th, to John Dennis and wife, a son. 20 July 1900--T A. Pyle came in from Paducah, Kentucky, Monday, to attend the funeral of his grandmother, Mrs. Thos. Pierce. 20 July 1900--Quite a number from here went to Moberly Tuesday to attend the funeral of Mrs. T. J. Turner, who died at Elliott Sunday night. 20 July 1900--Sam McCully, of near Clifton Hill, while hauling oats last week slid from his wagon and fell on a standard which passed into his body. He was taken to St. Louis where an operation was performed. He died a short time after the operation. 20 July 1900--A fifteen year old boy who lives several miles southeast of town and whose name we were unable to get, was bit on the foot by a copperhead snake while chopping cord wood. The boy made his way to his home where he remained until the next day without medical attention, as the family are very poor. Neighbors learned of their condition and immediately got medical attention, but it is thought that the boy will die. 20 July 1900--MRS. NANCY PIERCE--The News is called upon this week to chronicle the death of one of Randolph county's pioneer citizens,--Mrs. Nancy Pierce, who died at her home 3 miles east of town Saturday evening, July 14, 1900, at the ripe old age of 89 years. Mrs. Pierce was born in Bardstown, Ky, in 1811, and moved to Boone county, Missouri, with her parents in 1820, where she resided until 1849, when she moved to Randolph county, where she has resided ever since. She was married to Thos. Pierce in 1839 and they lived happily together for 54 years. To this union was born three children--one son and two daughters--the latter of whom still survive. Mrs. Pierce was a deeply religious woman and was a devout member of the Methodist church for 75 years, and during the latter years of her life, when she could no longer attend church, she derived great comfort and pleasure from reading her Bible, with which she was thoroughly familiar, as the well-worn leaves and marked passages testify. Hers was the death of a Christian who knows that the grave is but the door to the life everlasting. She was ready and willing to go and gave evidence of her gladness of departure by singing and shouting as death drew near. Funeral services were conducted at the M. E. Church, South, Monday morning, by the pastor, Rev. W. F. Bell, after which the remains were conveyed to the Rennolds burying ground near town and tenderly laid to rest by the side of her companion, who preceded her a few years ago. To the bereaved relatives and friends the News extends its sympathy. 20 July 1900--The friends and relatives of John M. Collins, aged about 80 years, a wealthy farmer living six miles northwest of Higbee, have instituted proceedings to have a guardian appointed for him. They claim that in his feeble condition designing persons are liable to take advantage of him. The case was called in the probate court at Moberly, Wednesday. Both sides are making a bitter fight. A large number of witnesses from Higbee attended court Wednesday and Thursday. It is hard to tell at this writing what disposition will be made of the case. 27 July 1900--THE COLLINS CASE--The John Collins case, which has, for the past three days, been occupying the entire attention of the probate court, closed Friday night, the jury disagreeing in the verdict. The proceedings were instituted by some of the relatives of Mr. Collins, who is an old gentleman about 80 years of age, living near Higbee, for the purpose of determining whether or not he was of sound mind and capable of managing his estate. The battle was a royal one and was fought to the last "ditch," each side contesting every inch of ground. Something like forty-five witnesses were examined. The testimony in the case was finished about 11 o'clock Friday morning, and from that time until 4:25 p.m., allowing one hour for dinner, the time was taken up in the argument of the case. At half past four o'clock the case went to the jury and at 9:30, after taking many ballots, they decided that it was impossible to get together on a verdict. The trail attracted much attention and a large crowd was present, during each session--Moberly Democrat. 27 July 1900--STURGEON ITEMS--Lafayette Yates has sued his wife, Anna, for divorce. They were married Oct 11, 1885, and lived together till June 10, 1899, when, he alleges, she deserted him without just cause or provocation. They have no children. 27 July 1900--STURGEON ITEMS--Edward Harvey has sued his wife, Mattie, for divorce, on the grounds of desertion. They were married in Randolph county, MO, in Oct. 1890, and lived together till in February, 1898, when she left. She now lives in Chariton county, he in Sturgeon. They have no children, but Mr. Harvey has two by a former marriage. 27 July 1900--A 14 year old daughter of Geo. Walker, col, died last Friday. She left a child two weeks old. 27 July 1900--Joel T. Perkins, who moved from here to Chariton county a few years ago, died Tuesday. Interment took place at New Hope Church, Howard county, Thursday. 27 July 1900--It is our sad duty to chronicle the death of Mrs. J. H. Botts which took place at her home in Higbee at 6:30 Tuesday morning, July 24, 1900. Deceased had been suffering from Bright's disease for several years, and while she was considered in a very critical condition the day before she died, her death was rather unexpected. To the heart broken husband and children the News joins with other friends in extending sympathy. 27 July 1900--May, the 8 year old son of Mrs. Nettie Lessley, who has been at the Masonic Home in St. Louis for the past five or six years, came up from St. Louis Monday to spend a month with his grand parents, S. Lessley and wife. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.