4 Dec 1896--The Howard county grand jury just adjourned returned true bills against James Dougherty for the killing of James Dennis at Burton last spring, and against Theodore Rose, who killed Charlie Wells at Glasgow on the night of the late election. They plead not guilty and their bail fixed at $10,000 each. Will Patton who so shamefully assaulted Curtis Baker was also indicted and his bail fixed at $1000. 4 Dec 1896--Born, on Nov 28, to Peter Shavo and wife, a son. 4 Dec 1896--Died, in Higbee, on November 30th, Mrs. Vina Stone, of dropsy, aged about 70 years. The remains were buried Monday in the Tucker family burying ground. 4 Dec 1896--Married, in this city, Oct 1st, 1896, John F. Jarman, of Higbee, MO, and Miss Mary E. Popejoy, of Palmyra, MO, Esq F. Ames officiating--Macon Republican. The above is the secret marriage of which the News made mention some time ago. The News heard of the marriage soon after it occurred, but at the earnest request of the interested parties, agreed to keep the secret for them, which we have faithfully done until today, but since Mr. Jarman bought a neat residence and has set about to furnish it, we give it to the public and extend to the happy couple our hearty congratulations and good wishes for their future happiness. 11 Dec 1896--BURTON ITEMS--Uncle Bluford Graves died last Sunday night at his home surrounded by relatives and friends and at this writing we understand that the funeral services will be conducted tomorrow (Tuesday) at 12 o'clock by Rev. Hopkins of Independence. 11 Dec 1896--CLARK ITEMS--Born, Tuesday, Dec 8th, to the wife of S. P. Hulen an 8 pound boy. 11 Dec 1896--IN MEMORY--Died, in Leoti, Kansas, on October 8, 1896, of typhoid fever, Oral, the 15-year-old son of T. R. Fowler, who formerly lived near Higbee. (Long, rambling tribute, with little substance. Omited because of time constraints) 11 Dec 1896--Born, on the 7th, to John Duffield and wife a daughter. 11 Dec 1896--Married, in Higbee, on Dec 9, 1896, Mr. Geo. Sharp and Miss Lydia Polfry, Justice John Rankin officiating. The News extends good wishes. 11 Dec 1896--Born, on the 5th, to N. N. Dysart and wife, a son. 11 Dec 1896--E. F. Smeed, aged 55 years, died at his home in Renick on the 5th. 11 Dec 1896--Lewis Rothwell, of Moberly, who went south with his brother, G. F. Rothwell a few days ago for the benefit of his health died suddenly Sunday night at Amite, La. His remains were brought to Moberly for interment. 11 Dec 1896--John Comstock, of Howard county, met with an accident Thursday of last week which cost him his life. He was hauling lumber and was driving down a hill, when the lumber shot forward, throwing him under the wagon, the wheels of which passed over his bowels. Drs. Dinwiddie and Nichols were called and did everything possible for him without avail. He lingered in great agony until Sunday when he was relieved by death. Deceased leaves a wife and four children to mourn his loss. His remains were buried at Myres chapel Tuesday evening. 11 Dec 1896--Died, at his home near Burton, on Dec 7, 1896, Mr. Bluford Graves, aged 72 years. The following brief sketch of Mr. Graves was handed us by a friend. John Bluford Graves was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, May 29, 1824, and died Dec 7, 1896, aged 72 years, 6 months and 8 days. He came to Howard county, MO, with his parents while in infancy. He was married to Miss Lizzie Robb of Howard county. Five children were born of this union, all of whom are living. The loving companion and mother preceded him some six months ago. He and his wife united with the Baptist church in June 1864, and lived a consistent Christian life, and died in the full faith of the all sufficiency of God's grace by which and in which he most earnestly confided and upon which alone his hopes were based for the future glory and rest which is promised to those who love God. A large gathering of the neighbors and relatives at the Mt. Arrat Baptist church showed the high esteem in which our dear brother was held. The funeral discourse was delivered by Eld. W. A. Hopkins from the 23d Psalm. Thus another of our oldest and truest citizens has been laid to rest to await the glorious resurrection of all those who have and shall fall asleep in Jesus. Let us all, dear friends, strive to so live that we, too, may die the death of the righteous and that our last end may be as his. 11 Dec 1896--Prof Charles A. McClelland, principal of the Renick public school, and Miss Iva Lee Cottingham of Renick, were united in marriage at the Rutherford House in this city at 10:30 o'clock on last Saturday morning, Rev. J. K. Craven officiating. They were attended by Mr. J. S. Littrell and Miss Gertrude Goin, both of Renick. Since the above was put in type we learn that this was a runaway match because of the position of the bride's father, Mr. George Cottingham. Mr. Cottingham and his son Lee were here Monday interviewing Recorder Hamilton concerning the issuing of the license. Mr. C. insists that his daughter was not 17 until Tuesday of this week, and he may institute suit against Mr. Hamilton for issuing a license to a minor. Mr. Hamilton will have recourse on the contracting parties, as both of them swore that the bride was 18 years old, and she said she was 19 years old this month. They are legally married now, and a graceful acceptance of the honorable relations is the only proper thing--Huntsville Herald. 18 Dec 1896--BURTON ITEMS--Tobe Williams says that fine boy of his weighed thirteen pounds when only about two weeks old and he thinks will soon have him out buying hogs. 18 Dec 1896--BURTON ITEMS--We are sorry to state the death of the little two-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Alexander which occurred last Monday night and we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved parents. 18 Dec 1896--OBITUARY--Thos. L. Smith, the subject of this sketch, who was killed by railroad accident Nov 16, 1896, at Mexico, MO, was a son of Geo. P. and Jennie D. Smith, born in Danville, KY, June 25, 1869. When Thomas was four years old his parents moved to Paris, MO, where he grew to manhood. In consequence of his father's death, when he was quite small, the responsibility of caring for his mother, sister and brother devolved largely upon him quite early in life, he being the oldest child, of which duty he acquitted himself nobly and unselfishly. At the age of 19 years, perhaps, he was converted and baptized by Rev. M. L. Bibb, pastor of the Baptist church. The excellent qualities by nature were now sanctified by the religion of Christ, which made him loved by all who knew him. In 1890 he moved to Higbee and went into business, where he commanded the respect of all who knew him. In April, 1894, he was married to Miss Lizzie Burton, who with their little daughter, survive him. Also his mother, sister and brother, with many other relatives and friends are left to mourn his very sad death, but not as those who have no hope. Funeral services conducted by writer Nov 18, at Higbee. W. B. C. 18 Dec 1896--Mrs. M. G. Quinn, wife of mayor Quinn of Columbia, dropped dead at that place Tuesday night while on the street. 18 Dec 1896--Died, on the 13th, after an illness of four days, of rheumatism, Albert E. Ward, the eight-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ward. The funeral services were conducted at the Baptist church Tuesday evening by Rev. N. B. Green, after which the remains were laid to rest in the city cemetery. 18 Dec 1896--At the last term of the Randolph county Circuit Court, held in Moberly, violations of the local option law at Higbee were investigated by the Grand Jury, and among the indictments returned was one against Dr. W. W. Dougherty, charging him with issuing fraudulent prescriptions for whiskey while he was employed in one of the drug stores in Higbee. Deputy sheriff Hogue, armed with a capias, went to Centralia Friday afternoon and placed Dougherty under arrest. He gave bond for his appearance at the next term of the Circuit Court. Mr. Dougherty is now employed in a drug store in Centralia--Moberly Democrat. 18 Dec 1896--Born, on the 15th, to Sidney Kirby and wife, a son. 18 Dec 1896--We noticed in the Anderson News, published at Lawrenceburg, KY, an account of the death of Prof. A. B. Jones, who died at that place on Nov 10, of paralysis. Deceased was an uncle of Mrs. Dr. Dinwiddie and Misses Callie and America Jones of this place. 18 Dec 1896--Mrs. J. J. Whitmire received a letter from Montana last Friday bearing the sad intelligence that her sister-in-law, Mrs. Thos. W. Baker, had been accidentally, and probably fatally shot by one of her sons. Mrs. Baker is a sister of Hon. J. M. Proctor of Sturgeon. 25 Dec 1896--Mrs. Lizzie Smith, whose husband, Thos. L. Smith, was recently killed while breaking for the Chicago & Alton at Mexico, has brought suit against the company for $5000. 25 Dec 1896--Thos Longdon got his hand badly mashed by a fall of rock in the Higbee mine yesterday. 25 Dec 1896--Born on the 22nd, to Kirtly Wilcox and wife, a son. 25 Dec 1896--Born, on the 19th, to John Cook and wife, a daughter. 25 Dec 1896--Married, Dec 23, 1896, at the residence of and by Rev. W. J. Ward, of Moberly, Mr. G. A. Perkins, of Huntsville, and Miss Marie Waterfield, of near Renick. 25 Dec 1896--Married in Higbee, on the 20th, at the residence of G. A. Dougherty, Mr. Dennis Conway and Miss Julia Bryant, both of near Ash, Monroe county, Rev. Wm. Court officiating. Miss Bryant had just closed a very successful school in the Holtzclaw district. 25 Dec 1896--Married, Dec 23, 1896, at the residence of and by Rev. W. J. Ward, of Moberly, Mr. G. A. Perkins, of Huntsville, and Miss Marie Waterfield, of near Renick. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.