4 Dec 1903--Born, on the 27th, to Miller Warford and wife, a son. 4 Dec 1903--Born, Dec 1, to E. Robb and wife, a son. 4 Dec 1903--Born, on Nov 30th, to Edgar Maxfield and wife, a daughter. 4 Dec 1903--Born, on Dec 1, to Dr. W. E. Williams and wife, of Myers, a son. 4 Dec 1903--Born, Nov 25, to Chas Cox and wife, a son. 4 Dec 1903--Born, on the 27th, to Silas Snell and wife, a son. 4 Dec 1903--J. P. Wayne and wife went to Boone county Monday to attend the funeral of the former's uncle, J. W. Barnes, who died suddenly Sunday evening on his farm four miles southwest of Sturgeon. 4 Dec 1903--Mr. Thos. Durnill and Miss Lulu Sperry, two popular young people of the Higbee vicinity, drove to Fayette Dec 2, where they were married. They were accompanied by Wm. Sperry and Miss Katie Barron. The News joins other friends in extending good wishes. 4 Dec 1903--Married, on Thursday, Dec 3, 1903, at the residence of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Rucker, Miss Eula Rucker and Mr. Wm. D. Burke, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Burke of this place. A number of their intimate friends and several of the relatives witnessed the ceremonies, which were performed by Eld. A. N. Lindsey pastor of the Christian church of this place. We join other friends in extending best wishes to this young couple. 4 Dec 1903--MRS. GEORGE MURDY DEAD--It becomes our painful duty to this week chronicle the death of another of Higbee's good women--Mrs. Geo. Murdy, who died at her home in this place at one o'clock Thursday morning, Dec 3, 1903, aged 37 years. She had been suffering for three years from that dread disease, cancer, and had been confined to her bed for the past two years. Her sufferings were terrible and death came as a welcome relief. Mrs. Murdy was born in England in 1866 and came to this country with her parents, Jas. Carter and wife in 1883. On July 4, 1892, she was united in marriage to Geo. Murdy. She is survived by her husband, one son, mother and brother. Mrs. Murdy united with the Methodist church in 1889, and to the day of her death was a faithful and consistent Christian. Funeral services will be conducted at the Methodist church at 10 a.m. Sunday, by Revs. A. C. Millar and Benjamin Robson after which the remains will be taken to Vandalia for interment. To the bereaved family the NEWS extends its warmest sympathy. 11 Dec 1903--SHOOTS HIS RIVAL AND SWEETHEART--Paris, MO, Dec 5--Mad with jealousy, enraged because his sweetheart, Miss Annie Hartman, whom he had secured a license to wed, would not marry him, Frank Dawson, member of one of Monroe county's pioneer families, last night shot both his sweetheart and successful rival, Obe Hughes. The crime was committed at the home of George Ownby, near Madison, during the progress of a dance. Dawson entered and without a word, fired two shots, both taking effect. The girl is mortally wounded and the condition of Hughes is serious. Dawson has been brought to Paris. 11 Dec 1903--Miss Annie Hartman, who was shot by Frank Dawson at a dance near middle Grove, Friday night of last week, died Sunday. Dawson, who has been in jail at Paris, has been taken to the Palmyra jail, as it was feared a mob would attempt to lynch him. 11 Dec 1903--Pearl, the 11-year-old daughter of Minor Moore and wife, living southeast of town, died from typhoid fever Wednesday morning. Three more of Mr. Moore's children have the fever. The stricken family have the sympathy of the entire community. 11 Dec 1903--Miss Florence Jennings of Centralia was thrown from her buggy Sunday while out driving and killed. 11 Dec 1903--George Hammon and Miss Tessie Sneed, both of this place were married in Moberly yesterday. The NEWS extends congratulations. 11 Dec 1903--Robert L. Pattrick died near Levicks's Mill, Monday, after a protracted illness, aged 35 years. His wife and five children survive him. 11 Dec 1903--A. B. Heathman and wife and Sid Haden and sister attended the funeral of Mrs. Agnes Banning, near Yates, Sunday. 18 Dec 1903--Through an oversight last week we failed to note the death of Mrs. Agnes Banning, who died at her home near Yates on Friday, Dec 4, 1903, of heart failure, aged 69 years. She is survived by three sons and five daughters. Mrs. A. Burton of this place being of the number. Funeral services were conducted at Yates on the 6th by Rev. S. Y. Pitts. 18 Dec 1903--LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS--Higbee, MO, Dec 17. Dear Santa Clause--I thought I would write and tell you what I want for Christmas. I want a cap pistol, some ten pins, French harp and some candy, oranges, bananas and a gun. This is all I want for Christmas. So good by. Tommy Rice. 18 Dec 1903--LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS--New Franklin, MO, Dec 15--Dear old Santa Claws: I thought I would tell you what I want for Christmas. I want a little doll trunk and some candy, bananas and some nuts. I guess that's all I want for this time. Esther Robb. 18 Dec 1903--LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS--New Franklin, MO, Dec 15--Dear old Santa Claws: I though I would tell you what I want for Christmas. I want a doll buggy, some candy, nuts and bananas. I guess that is all for this time. Ruth Robb. 18 Dec 1903--LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS--New Franklins, MO, Dec 15--Dear old Santa Claus; I thought I would write to you and let you know what I want for Christmas. I want a doll buggy and a set of dishes, a wring and some candy. I guess that is all. Naomi Robb. 18 Dec 1903--LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS--Higbee, MO, Dec 17--Dear old Santa Claus; I am a little girl four years old and I thought I would write to you. My papa is dead and I thought I would ask you to bring me some presents. I would like a ring and a doll. I have a little brother and please bring him a train and some little horses. This is all dear Santa. Please don't forget us. Dora May Knight. 18 Dec 1903--LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS--Higbee, Dec 17--Dear Santa Claus: I thought I would write you a few lines and let you know what I want for Christmas. I want a watch and chain a steam engine, a street car. I want all Santa Claus will bring me. And Santa please don't forget little G. T. Patterson. He wants a rubber ball and lots of nice things. John Cook. 18 Dec 1903-OBITUARY--Pearl, daughter of Minor Moore and wife, died on Wednesday morning, December 9, 1903, at her father's home, 1 1/2 miles southeast of Oak Grove school. Funeral services were held at the home at 1 o'clock Thursday by F. H. James, after which interment was made at Fairview church cemetery. Pearl was born on August 11, 1891, and was consequently in her 13th year. For several weeks the family of Mr. Moore have been afflicted with typhoid fever of a more than ordinary severe nature, and some have been hovering between life and death. At the time of Pearl's death her mother was convalescing from a long continued fever, but so weak that she was scarcely able to sit up, while a younger sister was lying in bed so ill that she was unmindful of all surroundings. In another room were two boys aged respectively 21 and 17 years, seriously ill with the same disease. During the service the younger swooned away which caused a good deal of apprehension for a short time. This sorely afflicted family has had the active and genuine sympathy of the entire community. The people have been with them day and night, leaving their work and families to minister to their needs. It is an exhibition of such aid in time of real distress as these that true Christian character is exhibited. During the services every one present was deeply affected. There was not a dry eye in the house--tears flowing copiously from the eyes of even the strong robust men present. The family has the sympathy of all. 18 Dec 1903--Wm Walton received the sad intelligence Friday of last week that his friend and former business associate, Geo. Smith, had been scalded to death at Coalville, Iowa. At the time of the accident, Mr. Smith, who was foreman of a mine at Coalville, was working around the pump at the bottom of the shaft and in attempting to step on the cage stepped into the sink of the pump exhaust where the water was boiling hot. This sink was some three or four feet deep, and located under the cages and Mr. Smith, though promptly rescued was so badly scalded from the hips down that he died in a few hours. It is supposed the steam arising from the hot water was so dense around the bottom of the shaft that he could not tell which one of the cages was down. Mr. Smith had many friends and acquaintances here who will be pained to learn of his death. His remains were taken to Canada, his old home, for interment. He was single and about 50 years of age. 18 Dec 1903--Born, on the 13th, to N. E. Elliott and wife, a son. 18 Dec 1903--Born, on the 15th, to J. W. Wortham and wife, a daughter. 18 Dec 1903--Died, near Burton, on the 14th, the 6 month-old son of W. F. Williams and wife. 18 Dec 1903--In speaking, in a recent issue, of the relatives of the late Mrs. Geo. Murdy, we unintentionally omitted the name of her sister, Mrs. Alfred Burge, of Washington. 18 Dec 1903--Dudley Ware died at his home near Burton on Dec 15th, of general debility, aged 73 years. Burial at old Log Chapel. 18 Dec 1903--Married, at Armstrong, December 9, Miss Mattie Banning and Mr. Birch Kirby. Their many friends here wish them a happy married life. 25 Dec 1903--NO PAPER NEXT WEEK--The NEWS will depart from its usual custom this year and not issue any paper Christmas week, in order that we have a few days rest and put everything in order for the beginning of the new year. To save you the trouble, we will state that you need not bring a sledge hammer with you to break in the door in case you want to pay your subscription. We will be here to attend to all such business as that, as well as all the job printing that comes along. 25 Dec 1903--John Hudson and wife were called to Springfield, Ill, last Saturday by the death of Mrs. Hudson's sister, Mrs. Bert Jones. 25 Dec 1903--LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS--Higbee, MO, Dec 23--Dear Santa Claus; I am a little girl 5 years old and I mind papa and mamma very well. I would like to have a go cart for my dollie and a set of dishes and a table to put my dishes on, a china closet and a big iron bed. I don't need any candy; I can get plenty at home. Dear Santa I don't live where I did last Christmas. I live next to Mr. Murphy's store, and when you come down the chimney be careful and not burn your toes. Opal didn't have time to write to you, but she wants everything I want. Good by. Marvis Rankin. 25 Dec 1903--Thomas, the 10-year-old son of Oscar Smith and wife of near Yates, died on the 19th, of diphtheria. The child had been suffering from sore throat for several days but nothing was thought of it until Saturday morning when he grew suddenly worse. Dr. Winn, of Yates, was hastily called, who pronounced it diphtheria, and in spite of all he could do the child continued to grow worse and died at 9 o'clock. We learn that a younger brother now has the disease. 25 Dec 1903--George Williams, aged 25 years, was caught under a fall of slate while at work in mine No. 7 at Bevier Friday and instantly killed. 25 Dec 1903--Born, on the 21st, to Ben Duncan and wife, a son. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.